ebookland #707 - Reunion at Windmill Land
#707 - Reunion at Windmill Land
"Armand?!"
Lufiel couldn't help but blurt out after seeing the person in the room, but she immediately covered her mouth.
The meeting room was filled with the scent of old wood. Several exquisite paintings hung on the walls, each a masterpiece by a famous artist.
On the wooden table in the center were scattered several manuscripts and a newly completed printed sample of 'Art Grove,' the edges of the paper already a little curled from being flipped through.
Beside the table, an incense burner with lit incense slowly emitted smoke. The curved lines wandered in the air. Standing beside the smoke was Armand, wearing a black robe and a beaming smile.
"Long time no see..."
The door clicked shut. Lufiel didn't bother with Armand at all. Instead, she hurried to the window, closed the outer glass pane and the blinds, leaving only a few rays of winter sunlight to shine into the room.
Then she opened the door again and whispered to the people outside, "Don't disturb me unless it's important."
As the door closed again, the dimly lit room seemed to quiet down all at once, leaving only the crackling of firewood burning in the fireplace.
Lufiel's breathing echoed in the faint light. She took a deep breath, her eyes locked on Armand: "Why did you come to Windmill Land yourself? Don't you know you're a wanted criminal on the Northern Church's list?"
"How much?" Armand immediately asked with interest.
"2,000 gold pounds! Is this a question of money? If you have nothing to do, go back quickly." Lufiel glared at him, both delighted and exasperated.
"Who said I have nothing to do? I came with a mission." Armand wasn't flustered at all. He even crossed his legs, took a sip of Lufiel's high-end black tea, and slowly said, "First, to develop the Holy Father Society in Windmill Land, and second, to be the promoter of the Thousand River Valley sugar trade war."
"You came to Windmill Land to develop the Holy Father Society?"
After the Black Serpent Bay War ended and the Thousand River Valley Hundred-Household District was completed, Armand, who had returned from presiding over the Hundred-Household District, proposed a missionary plan at the July Privy Council meeting.
Accurately speaking, Armand believed that in the face of the Layan invasion, they should take the initiative to strike out instead of shrinking back in Thousand River Valley and waiting for them to come.
The concept of the Holy Axis could naturally attract radical citizens and intellectuals from all over. If they could be organized, it would bring considerable benefits in terms of intelligence and politics.
Due to the Layan civil war and the north-south split of the Church, the Layan Kingdom's domestic control was declining. They could take advantage of the opportunity of the Saintly Path Sect's missionary work to establish the Holy Father Society at the grassroots level of the kingdom.
Even if they couldn't reach the level of the Hundred-Household District, even reaching the level of the Juan Noah Sect in Kasha County would be enough to bring immeasurable advantages.
"So, we have sent missionaries and investigators to the four main directions: Celestial Stone Field, Dawn Island, River Island, and Windmill Land." Armand looked at the imperial map on the wall. "These four places are close to the Nauan River, making it easy to transfer and transport propaganda materials. Once the basic Holy Father Society organization is completed, 'The Truth' and various theological pamphlets will be disseminated through these Holy Father Society organizations."
After being attacked as a "Saintly Path Sect newspaper," 'Art Grove' has recently reduced the publication of Saintly Path Sect theological articles.
But the previous 'Art Grove' had already attracted a considerable number of citizens. After all, if they recognized this theological narrative, they would no longer have to fear not being able to go to heaven or being criticized.
The Saintly Path Sect's repair of a large number of traditional theological loopholes has made many monks regard it as the standard. Armand has a foundation of believers for organizing the Holy Father Society in Windmill Land.
Lufiel listened to Armand's narration, still feeling a burst of resentment despite her confusion: "Then why did it have to be you? It's too dangerous for you here!"
"Windmill Land is an important commercial center and is extremely close to the Saintly Path Sect in terms of form and thought. It is the main target of this strategic activity." Armand flipped through the manuscripts on the table. "Besides, if the higher-ups don't go, who at the bottom will be willing to go?"
Looking at Lufiel's furrowed brow, Armand stood up and approached Lufiel: "Could it be that in Windmill Land, the great Larkin family can't even protect a weak and humble little clergyman like me?"
Lufiel was stunned. A suspicious look suddenly appeared on her face subconsciously, but she quickly realized that this expression was inappropriate. She immediately wanted to pretend to be righteous, but she couldn't manage it.
Looking at Lufiel's face twitching and showing an expression like a caricature, Armand reached out and poked her cheek: "Is your face cramping?"
Lufiel slapped Armand's hand away and glared at him: "Try touching my face again."
Armand quickly raised his hands: "Whoa, whoa, just kidding, just kidding. I thought our friendship had reached this point. If you're not happy, I apologize. I won't touch you next time."
"Who cares?" Lufiel suddenly turned around angrily, took a few quick steps to the table, and covered her face with the new issue of 'The Truth.'
The content of the newspaper was a bit messy, but it quickly attracted her attention.
The headlines of the newspaper were basically three things: first, the complete completion of the Thousand River Valley Hundred-Household District, Juan Noah's posthumous works exposing the dark history of the Church, and the further expansion of the sugar workshops.
The last piece of content, though brief, immediately attracted Lufiel's attention.
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"...The number of sugar workshops has reached 30, and sufficient funds have been raised in Red Leaf Hill. It is expected that the number of sugar workshops will be increased to 45 by the spring of next year..."
"...On the afternoon of the 7th, the great leader, Holy Grandson, Holy Axis, Solar Pope, Archbishop Horn visited the sugar workshop. The person in charge of the industrial area told Holy Grandson that the monthly output reached 300 tons. His Majesty made important instructions: there must be sugar in the sugar pool..."
"300 tons, 300 tons." Calming down, Lufiel put down the newspaper and questioned Armand with dissatisfaction, "When exactly will your white sugar be shipped here? I've been telling people that white sugar prices will drop for three months, but now it's not dropping. People are scolding me every day, and the credibility of my 'Art Grove' is declining."
Revealing a mysterious smile, Armand lowered his voice: "This is part of the plan..."
"Then give me a date," Lufiel interrupted unceremoniously.
Armand coughed awkwardly: "Wait a little longer. Her Excellency Catherine is still discussing with those El bankers and oligarchs. This matter must be handled in complete secrecy."
Lufiel pouted: "I hope my 'Art Grove' won't close down before then... Never mind, where are you staying?"
"The pier hotel."
Lufiel immediately showed a look of disgust: "I have a garden villa by the canal in the suburbs. You should stay there. There are too many people and too many eyes at the pier hotel. Escaping from the canal won't be slower than escaping from the pier."
"As expected of the young lady of the Larkin family." Armand gave Lufiel a fake bow with his hand on his chest. "Then I will respectfully accept your offer."