Iron Powder and Spellcasters Chapter 374

   Chapter 374 White Eagle Mansion

  The sun sank into the mountains, but before the sky was completely dark, Winters and Anna arrived at the mansion of [Bolso da Este].

   Seeing the coat of arms of the white eagle painted on the carriage, the guard opened the door and let them go.

   In the North City of Steel Castle, the most valuable thing is land. After entering the gate of Esther's mansion, you have to pass through a garden to reach the main building.

   "Is this a mansion?" Winters glanced at the low, well-tended needle bushes on both sides of the corridor, and raised his eyebrows lightly: "Isn't it a palace?"

Mr. Ed explained: "The Flora people control the business of Steel Castle in Veneta, and the White Eagle family dominates the Flora. But they are not Steel Castle people after all, and they are not eligible to be elected to the executive committee, so It's not hard to understand how to show status in this way... Considering the appreciation of the land over the past two decades, the sale is actually profitable."

   "What about sea blue?" Winters asked.

"In the iron products trade, the Navarre Firm and other Hailan people are small players, not worth mentioning." The wrinkles at the corners of Mr. Ed's eyes became deeper: "Besides, only Flora people are obsessed with outbreaks. Household's prestige."

   As soon as these words came out, Anna also covered her lips and chuckled - it seems that no matter when and where, the jokes about regional discrimination always have the magical power to make the listeners smile.

No wonder some allies commented so meanly: Whenever the Hailan people meet and chat, they always spend a third of their time insulting the Flora people, and then spend a third of their time insulting the Baihuacheng people, and then again. Take one-third of the time to insult the other allied city-states one by one, and the last little time will be spent on serious business.

   However, Winters, who has been studying in the Union for many years, took a while to understand the joke.

  The carriage stopped outside the foyer, Mr. Ed nodded in greeting, and got off first.

   Only the "Baron Couple" was left in the car. Anna, who was sitting beside Winters, was suddenly hesitant, and showed a rare trace of panic.

   Winters took Anna's hand, squeezed it, and said nothing.

  If a human lives in the open field for too long, when he returns to the city, he will have inexplicable fear and discomfort.

   It was a feeling of being disconnected from the world, or the shock of "crossing from one world to another".

   Winters has a deep understanding of this, and every time he returns to "civilized society", he has to adapt silently for a long time.

  Anna looked at Winters, the two didn't need to speak, they just met eyes, and what Winters wanted to say had already been confided to Anna.

  Anna smiled and nodded, so Winters shook Anna's hand lightly again and stepped out of the carriage first.

   Anna, who remained in the carriage, took a deep breath, then smiled decently, and got off the carriage with the hand handed over by Winters.

  The exterior of the main building of the Esther Mansion is decorated with stone pillars, arches and reliefs, which is solemn and solemn. It is completely different from the Monta style of "narrow windows and thick walls". On the contrary, it is no different from the wealthy manor on the outskirts of the sea blue city that Winters has seen.

   As if a **** had used his mighty power to move a building from Veneta to Steel Castle.

   Looking at the brightly lit Ester mansion, Winters actually gave birth to the illusion that he was in sea blue.

   However, Veneta houses are popular with high doors and promenades to ventilate and dissipate heat, while the houses of the Monta people use thick walls and narrow windows to keep warm from the cold.

   Kaman, who was alone in the second carriage, appeared behind Winters. Seeing Winters standing still, Kaman frowned and asked, "What's wrong with [old phrase]?"

   "[Old language] It's okay." Winters shook his head and held out his hand to Anna.

  Anna held Winters, the two smiled at each other, and walked into the front door.

  As soon as he entered the building, Winters found that his thoughts were completely superfluous: not only is the house not cold, but comfortable and warm, which is completely different from the outdoors.

   Winters instinctively examines the terrain and finds that although the Esther mansion sticks to the Veneta style on the outside, a lot of changes have been made on the inside to suit the climate of the Land of the Mountains.

   For example, where the doors, windows and walls are visible to the naked eye, no air leakage can be found. Where there may be gaps, felt strips are carefully sealed, and even the door frame and the edge of the gate are nailed with thick wool.

  The large windows facing the garden are spliced ​​with one-foot-square transparent glass, making the ballroom visually more spacious and transparent, similar to the window structure of the Navarre Manor.

   But the difference from Navarre Manor is that - Winters also realized after entering the door - Esther Manor has built a two-story outer wall ingeniously.

  The exterior walls of the two floors are exactly the same, with glass windows, which not only guarantees daylight, but also keeps out the cold and heat insulation. Between the walls is a corridor that can accommodate three people in parallel, and is covered with a dark red carpet.

   Winters couldn't help laughing at himself.

   Anna asked with her eyes.

   Winters turned his head slightly and whispered to Anna: "[Old saying] Isn't it interesting to question the mason's ability to make a living with a little cleverness?"

  Anna asked in a coherent heart: "[Old language] This house?"

   Winters nodded.

   In fact, Winters has yet to discover the truly brilliant design of the Esther House.

  In a location that Winters could not see, inside the thick stone walls, the master masons who built the house laid circulation pipes using the technique of building culverts.

   As long as the fire in the water tower is burning, the hot water can flow through the building like blood, driving the chill out of the hall and bedroom.

   It is precisely because of those walls that emit heat, the Esther House can maintain a comfortable temperature like a summer evening in the cold wind.

"But too many windows are too big for defense," Winters thought. "The bushes in the garden will also be cover for attackers. If I were to guard this place, the first thing I would do would be to dig out the trees that are out of sight. The stone house itself is strong enough, uh... Dig a trench, set up a few cannons, and level the ground, it should be enough."

   "[Old language] What are you thinking about?" Kaman asked lukewarmly, and he said with great force: "[Old language] Lord Baron."

   "[Old language] I also think of some happy things." Winters replied with a smile.

   In the announcement of the attendant, Winters took Anna through the second door and entered the hall.

   It should be that the guests have not yet arrived, and the hall decorated with brocades and sculptures is slightly empty.

  A dark-haired man in his early thirties got up from the soft couch, got out of the chattering circle by the fireplace, and walked towards Winters and Anna.

   The dark-haired man wore an embroidered coat and tight stockings, his beard on his upper lip and chin was cleanly shaved, and his hair was meticulously combed. He wasn't fat, but he wasn't sturdy either, and he walked with a little sloppy footsteps—probably because of his excessive drinking.

   His face showed a pampered "pallor", which is characteristic of skin that has not been exposed to the sun or shaved by the cold wind.

  Although his temperament is slightly weak and slender, the black-haired man has a calm and confident smile on his face.

   If nothing else, he should be the owner of this mansion - the famous "White Eagle".

   The black-haired man walked straight to Winters and Anna, observing Anna unabashedly.

   It is undoubtedly offensive to “look at” a “married” woman for a long time, especially when her “husband” is standing next to her.

   However, the black-haired man looked up and down at Anna recklessly, as if Winters did not exist at all.

   After a while, the black-haired man withdrew his aggressive gaze, but he still looked at Anna intently.

With a lazy and soft Flora accent, he first greeted Anna: "[Old saying] noble lady, even in Flora on the coast of the inner sea and the steel castle thousands of miles away, your bravery, wisdom and beauty are ...I've heard of it too."

   Winters hasn't reacted yet, and the attendant Kaman has frowned.

   The greeting from the other party seems to be just a polite word, but to those who know the inside story, "brave", "wisdom" and "beauty" are all words and innuendos.

  Kaman stared at Winters' back with concern, holding the holy emblem in secret, his fingertips trembling slightly.

  Anna was calm, smiled and asked: "[Old saying] So my wisdom and beauty can only be ranked after courage? Mr. Esther?"

   Bai Ying was startled for a moment, and then he showed a real smile.

"[Old language] No, no, dear lady, your wisdom is far superior to your courage." Bai Ying took Anna's hand with his characteristic intimacy and dashing gesture, bowed his head and kissed lightly: "[Old language] Your Beauty is better than wisdom."

   "[Old language] Thank you." Anna raised her skirt and returned the gift sweetly.

   At this time, other guests were present, and Bai Ying politely exchanged a few words with Winters and set off to greet the new guests.

   Kaman exhaled a long breath, and Winters looked back at Kaman strangely.

   "[Old language] Let's go." Anna lightly pulled Winters' arm, and a lively smile was drawn at the corner of her mouth: "[Old language] Let's go and admire the collection of 'Flora People'."

   said, Anna led Winters to the edge of the hall and examined the paintings hanging by the White Eagle one by one.

  For some reason, it seems that the cleaner the wall is, the more decoration it needs, and it seems that human beings feel uncomfortable when they see the bare wall.

  In the choice of decorations, the imperial nobles prefer weapons, armor and trophies, while Veneta and the United Provinces mostly use paintings.

   Paintings can be further subdivided. Most of the Protestant converts love still life paintings, where flowers, apples and even bread baskets can be put into the frame; or they record the moments of life: the maid pouring milk, the housewife returning from the market...

   In contrast, Veneta, who is mainly Catholic, prefers religious themes, using brushes to reproduce the stories in the scriptures; there are also historical themes, such as the return of the remains of St. Mark.

The reasons for   's different preferences for paintings are closely related to the social atmosphere.

  The Veneta people dislike the boring subject matter and uninteresting content of still life paintings; it is also impossible for the United Provinces to display the ancient goddess with bare **** and naked clothes on the wall.

   Just as the Veneta people hate the conservative and stubbornness of the United Provinces, and the United Provinces despise the Veneta people for their arrogance and lust.

   Of course, neither still lifes nor religious paintings are really mainstream subjects.

   The paintings that really dominate, now hanging on the walls of the hall of Esther's mansion, staring straight at Winters and Anna, they are - portraits.

   When she saw the ninth — and possibly the tenth — portrait of the "white eagle", Anna commented: "[Old language] Hmm... very 'Flora' style.

   In the context of Hailan residents, [Flora] and [Head Chief] are similar, both with vulgar, low-class and nouveau riche connotations.

   Hailan and Flora have a long history of disliking each other, and the most direct reason is of course the trade disputes in the city-state era. But if you look closely, it can even be traced back to several wars in ancient times.

   However, as a veteran victim of geographical discrimination, Winters has no particular hostility to the Flora. Because when he went to school in Guitucheng, the United Provinces usually put all the Venetas in one basket, and put on the hat of debauchery and extravagance without distinction.

   Winters decided to be fair: "[Old saying] just a few portraits."

"[Old language] is not just a few portraits, my lord." Anna corrected with a smile: "[Old language] From the point of view of technique, it is difficult to tell that the previous paintings are human, at least two Hundred years of history...presumably by some slave painter."

   “[Old language] So?”

   "[Old language] For two hundred years, except for the accumulation of dust, there is almost no fading paint, what would it be?"

   Winters felt a sudden unease in his heart. Ms. Navarre doesn't ask casually out of line questions, and if she asks, it's proof that Winters knows the answer...or should remember.

   Winters searched his stomach and finally found the answer in the corner of his memory: "[Old language] lapis lazuli."

"[Old saying] Yes, isn't it enough for a clumsy painter to paint with precious lapis lazuli?" Anna praised with a smile: "[Old saying] I only told you once, and you still remember it. "

   Winters coughed softly: "[Old language] twice. Once at Seablue, after the celebration parade, when I was buying paintings for you; the other at Mitchell Manor in Wolf Town."

  Anna didn't speak any more, just pulled Winters' arm tighter.

   Kaman behind the two had a dark face and asked gruffly, "[Old language] Can I go and have something to drink? Lord Baron?"

   "[Old language] Friars can drink too?" Winters asked deliberately.

   "[Old language] Of course you can." Kaman was expressionless: "[Old language] But I just want to drink ice water right now."

   After saying that, Kaman bowed and strode to the other end of the hall.

After   Kaman left, Anna pulled Winters to look at a few more paintings, feeling a little bored: "[Old words] are all portraits of 'Da Est', don't look at them."

  Winters glanced at the hall and joked: "[Old language] With so many portraits, could it be that the white eagle brought all the white eagles here?"

"[Old saying] Because paint is expensive." Anna said of course: "[Old saying] painters do not paint for themselves, but for employers, so naturally there are many portraits. Behind a complete painted work may be Dozens of sketches, those without paint are really the artist's own work."

   Thinking of the unpainted line art in Anna's portfolio, Winters woke up like a dream. He wanted to say something reproachfully, but eventually swallowed his apology.

   "[Old language] I can also paint you a portrait." Anna whispered in her ear: "[Old language] Free."

   Winters, who was still annoyed just now, was suddenly reminded of some terrible memories. He shook his head vigorously: "[Old language] No, no, no, no, no, no, I will talk about it when I have time, I will talk about it later..."

   "[Old language] Hum." Anna's tone was full of disappointment, she dragged a long voice to remind: "[Old language] In the future, we will have time."

   "[Old saying] That's right, why the rush?" Winters agreed immediately.

  Anna squeezed Winters' arm hard, suddenly sighed, and said with a smile, "[Old language] Alright! I should hand you over!"

   "[Old language] hand over?" Winters puzzled: "What does [old language] mean?"

   "[Old saying] You have a circle of gentlemen, I have a circle of ladies, it's time to hand you over to someone else."

   Winters understood what Anna meant, but he still wanted to stay with Anna a little longer: "[Old language] I just want to be with you."

Anna's cheeks blushed: "[Old language] On this occasion, if I keep pestering you, I will be said to be jealous and you will be regarded as guilt. So, go talk to other gentlemen, and chase other gentlemen. lady."

   Next to Winters' ear, Anna kindly added: "[Old language] Try it if you dare."

   "[Old phrase] Don't know why." Winters' turn to blush this time: "[Old phrase] You look so cute to me, I even want to deliberately court other ladies to make you angry."

  Anna was anxious and angry, and blurted out in her native language: "I'm leaving!"

  Anna turned around and left Winters as well. She walked past the men who were out of the way and walked to the sofa beside the silver samovar, and soon became part of the conversation of the ladies.

   I was alone - Winters quickly realized that.

   In all fairness, Bolso da Este, although he had a magnificent mansion, was not a competent host, especially when comparing him with Madame Navarre.

   Mrs. Navarre can make every guest feel like a spring breeze, make every chatter in the most suitable circle, and make everyone not feel left out.

  Borso couldn't do it, or he was too lazy to do it.

   So he didn't introduce "Baron Granache" to others, and he didn't bother to put Mr. Baron in the right place. Taking the initiative to get up and greet him and say a few polite words is already his greatest respect.

   Not counting the internal banquets during the military academy, Winters made only a handful of public social appearances. Guests who are new to the social scene encounter irresponsible hosts, and the results can be imagined.

   So Winters found himself hanging out.

Carlo Ed was chatting with the other old men; Anna was among the ladies of Steelcastle, barely discerning that she was Veneta; even Carman was meeting people at the long table at the end of the hall. Very happy to talk.

  Winters judged the situation. He would either go to Kaman for a drink, or if nothing happened, mix into a small circle of chatting, or stay where he was and continue to admire the great appearance of the white eagles.

   When he was still thinking about the less painful way, a servant of the Esther family walked up to him and said politely: "Your Excellency, please follow me. A gentleman wants to see you."

   "[Old language] Who wants to see me?" Winters asked.

The    servant blinked in confusion and said again: "Your Excellency, please follow me. A gentleman wants to see you."

   Winters laughed dumbly and took out a gold coin: "[Old language] Answer my question, it's yours."

  The servant looked at the gold coin, then at Winters, and repeated the third time as clearly as possible: "Your Excellency, please follow me. A gentleman wants to see you."

   Winters thought for a moment, then tapped the gold coin in the palm of his hand and nodded.

  The servant led the way, and Winters followed on alert, and the two left the hall one after the other.

   At the end of the corridor between the two outer walls, Winters finally saw the true face of the inviter—a tall, thin, middle-aged man with tired eyes.

   A wine bottle, a wine glass and a bucket of ice cubes are placed on the windowsill in front of the middle-aged man.

   There is also a wine glass in the middle-aged man's hand, and the pale golden liquid in the glass is running out.

   The middle-aged man refilled himself half a glass of wine, and poured half of the wine into the empty glass, signaling Winters to take it away.

   Winters did not move.

   The middle-aged man smiled, took a sip from the glass in his hand, and handed the glass to Winters.

  Even so, Winters just took the wine glass with his left hand - the gold coin was still knocked on the palm of his right hand.

   The middle-aged man picked up the unused wine glass, sipped it, looked out the window at the garden, and asked casually, "Which period are you from?"

   “[Old language] what?”

   "Don't pretend to be stupid." The middle-aged man glanced at Winters, took off a ring and put it on the windowsill, showing a mocking smile: "Which term is the Army Academy?"

   [Should it be a big chapter? ]

   [About painting, before the popularity of cheap paints, painting was an expensive job. Unlike the image of the artist today, the artists of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the early bourgeois revolution were more like "craftsmen"]

   [Because whether it is painting or sculpture, there are customers who place an order first, and then the painter will start the work. For example, Michelangelo was invited to paint the ceiling of the Vatican, and was invited to create the statue of Lamentation of Christ]

   [Few painters—usually those of wealthy families—are free to create, and most are doing propositional compositions. Because no one pays for free creation. Rembrandt's "Night Watch" was originally a propositional composition for portraiture, but it was improvised and painted by Rembrandt as "Patrol". Today we consider it a masterpiece, but Rembrandt's employers were furious at the time, which directly led to Rembrandt's reputation plummeting, and he eventually spent his later years in poverty]

   [That's why famous artists of that era left so many portraits, because portrait painting is a very common business, many painters earn bread by painting portraits, and the daily tasks of court painters are also painting portraits]

   [What should I do, a painter who is shy? ]

   [One, no coloring (most painters leave a lot of uncolored sketches or essays)]

   [The second is to use cheap pigments, blue is expensive, so don't use blue; purple is expensive, so don't use purple. Indigo can also be used (but organic pigments will gradually fade due to oxidation)]

   [Thank you for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation ticket, monthly ticket, reward and comment, thank you all]

   (end of this chapter)

Chapter end