Iron Powder and Spellcasters Chapter 377

   Chapter 377 Vortex (3)

   Winters probably wouldn't have associated Paul Wupper with the famous mayor of Steelcastle without White Eagle's gracious introduction.

  Because His Excellency the Mayor had an indulgent, over-indulgent face: sallow skin, red eyes, dark purple pimples spreading around the nose and lips.

   From the looks of it, Paul Wupper looks like he is in his early forties, but his actual age may be much younger - the wine color has hollowed out his body, causing him to age before age.

   But then again, it doesn't surprise Winters at all that White Eagle can form a deep personal relationship with such a person.

  After Mayor Paul Wupper entered the door, he first walked around in the company of White Eagle and greeted other guests.

After a round of greetings, Paul Wupper approached the corner where Colonel Bern, Winters and the old blacksmiths were.

  Paul Wupper walked cautiously, as if afraid of falling at any moment. Under the solemn velvet coat, two small thick legs wrapped in fashionable light-colored stockings moved reluctantly.

   "Your Excellency the Mayor." Colonel Berne took the initiative to greet him.

   "Oh, Colonel, you're here too." Paul Wupper managed to squeeze a smile and mumbled indistinctly, "That's great."

   Elder Schmid waited for a while before extending his hand, with a lukewarm tone: "Mayor Wupper."

  Paul Wupper's face was filled with a flattering smile, and he hurriedly reached out his hand: "Why don't you call me Paul as you used to? Daddy Schmid."

   Winters saw the rough, dark, scarred hand and the white, chubby, clean hand briefly clasped, then quickly parted.

   Now that Schmidt has made a statement, the other old blacksmiths did not embarrass Mayor Wupper. Someone said hello, someone shook hands, and someone — like the one-eyed blacksmith — said hello with a slight nod.

  Paul Wupper still wanted to chat a few more gossips, but Schmid did not give the other party a chance to talk about it, and directly asked the question that everyone was most concerned about: "How do you plan to solve the trade ban, Your Excellency the mayor."

  Paul Wupper's expression became a little stiff, he hesitated: "Didn't you and I talk before?"

   "Talked, but you didn't make any promises, any promises I can trust, Your Excellency Mayor!" Schmid was ruthless.

"You know, non-interference in the Palatine Civil War is an official resolution of the upper council." Paul Wupper's eyes dodged: "Although Solingen is called an autonomous state and Steel Castle is called an autonomous city, we are still part of Monta. must obey the laws of the Republic."

"[Indignant Monta's profanity]! When will the kneeless **** in the Clarion be able to control Solingen?" the one-eyed old blacksmith scolded: "Go to Parliament? The circus of the Lunchmen! Their laws are shit? Has the lower council passed? Has the grand council passed?"

  The one-eyed old blacksmith used a very vulgar **** Monta, which literally means [the servant who holds the master's egg behind him as he walks]. Winters didn't understand it at first glance, but combined with the context, he felt that the one-eyed old blacksmith should be scolding the Hornblower for being stubborn.

   Another old blacksmith also said coldly: "Speaking of which, the halberd is in the hands of others, of course they can take whatever they want."

  Paul Wupper kept wiping the sweat from his forehead and cast a look at Colonel Bern for help: "

"Gentlemen, the legions of the Republic are not used against their own people." Colonel Berne cleared his throat: "Anyway, the states have enjoyed peace for two generations, haven't they? No more compulsory military service, no more extortionate taxes. It really breaks my heart a little bit to compare the army to the weapons in the hands of robbers."

   The one-eyed old blacksmith snorted and stopped cursing.

   "The ban is only a ban on weapons." Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Paul Wupper hurriedly added: "The export of other goods is not restricted, and business can still be done normally."

   Paul Wupper didn't speak, but when he spoke, it aroused the anger of several old blacksmiths again.

"Is a bar of iron a weapon? Is a steel cake a weapon? Isn't iron material also in the ban?" Human weapons, don't want to ship other goods! Or when did the Paratus become particularly tolerant, and I don't know?"

   "The Paratus people always use our iron tools, and it is impossible to block the Jhinliu River forever. It's not possible, you can still travel by land..."

   "Go overland? Where?" The one-eyed old blacksmith interrupted Mayor Wupper rudely: "East? Vine? North?

Paul Wupper's tone seemed to beg for mercy, and even Winters could see that he was exhausted: "There are also moral considerations for not getting involved in the Palatine Civil War. Earning **** money from allies will corrupt Steel Castle. Goodwill damages long-term interests.”

"Morality?" The voice of questioning was as harsh as glass shards in his throat, sharper than a dagger: "The Union Provinces forbid us to sell weapons, so what are they doing? Our forge is as cold as an ice cellar, the chimney of the Victory Arsenal But they are breathing black clouds. They are building weapons day and night, ready to take advantage of the opportunity to make a lot of money!"

   Winters' memories were triggered by the "Victory Arsenal". He remembered the sky-high fire in the Guitucheng port area that night: The United Provinces rebuilt the Victory Arsenal?

  Paul Wupper had nothing to say. He glanced at the audience secretly. Apart from a few old blacksmiths, there were only Colonel Bern and the Colonel's adjutant - his eyes hardly stopped on Winters.

Seeing that there were no outsiders present, the mayor of Steelcastle had a bitter face and defended himself in a low voice: "The decree directly signed by the upper council does not mean that it can be lifted if it is lifted. I have already sent someone to the horn fort to defend against Dad Schmid... Gentlemen , The most important thing at the moment is the general election. Only if I am the mayor of Steel Castle, I am qualified to continue negotiating with the Great Council to safeguard the interests of Steel Castle."

   "So, gentlemen." Paul Wupper looked at the old blacksmiths expectantly: "Can I get your support?"

   Several old blacksmiths all looked at Schmid.

   Old Schmid gave an ambiguous answer with a stern face: "Each master of the forge will ultimately support whoever they deem most suitable."

   "The forge continues to go out." The one-eyed old blacksmith continued with grief and sarcasm: "Who knows whether our forge will still be ours in the future?"

  Paul Wupper's disappointment could hardly be hidden. He licked his lips and comforted several old blacksmiths in a low voice: "There is always a way, and we will solve the problem for everyone..."

After   , Paul Wupper also felt that the atmosphere was too bad, and it was useless to continue talking. So I found an excuse and planned to get out of the small circle of old blacksmiths.

   It happened that Colonel Bern had to consult with Mayor Wupper about winter training, so he left with Paul Wupper.

   Winters memorized the faces and intelligence of the old blacksmiths for the last time, politely greeted the old men, and left the stage naturally.

  Colonel Berne obviously wanted to talk to Mayor Wupper about business, and Winters could not go with him. He originally planned to find Kaman and Anna, but unexpectedly found Carlo Ed waving to him.

   "Do you know Colonel Bern?" Old Mr. Ed asked slightly surprised.

   Winters replied: "I only learned the name today."

   "How is that..."

   "It's a long story," Winters explained succinctly: "Colonel Berne took me as an emissary for the Palatine junta. Who is he?"

   "Colonel Bern?"

"right."

"The top military chief of Solingen, a war hero, served in overseas colonies. It is said that with his qualifications and merits, he should have received the baton of the general officer, but he is still a colonel for some reason. He commanded two infantrymen of the Eighth Army. Brigade, the station is just outside Steel Fort." The old partner of the Navarre firm added: "The relationship between the Monta Army and the United Provinces is inextricably linked, so we generally do not take the initiative to approach the Monta officer."

   Winters recalled the Colonel's undisguised hostility towards the province and Veneta: "I can probably guess why Colonel Bern is not General Bern yet."

"why?"

   "He hates the Veneta."

   Mr. Ed's expression was calm: "General attitude."

   "He also hates the United Provinces."

   Mr. Ed squinted at the guests in the hall: "Almost all the Monta people you can see at the moment are like this."

   "He hates it so blatantly."

   "So it is." Mr. Ed patted his palm: "Then I'm not surprised if Your Excellency Colonel can become a general."

  Winters wanted to laugh but couldn't. He sighed: "You invited me here to introduce the seller to me?"

"No, it's not an introduction." Carlo Ed explained in a hurry: "White Eagle said that he will send the seller to you, and he hopes you can do business, but the specific terms still require you to personally communicate with the seller. discuss."

   "Send it to me? What's the 'send' method?"

   Mr. Ed recruited a servant of the Ester family, briefly instructed the latter, turned to Winters and said, "Please go with him, Your Excellency."

"Myself?"

   A smile appeared on Carlo Ed's gully face: "It's inconvenient for Mrs. to show her face on this occasion."

   "Please help me call Father Kaman."

The servants of the   Ester family led Winters and Kaman out of the hall, passed a fragrant corridor, and came to the small parlor on the north side of the mansion.

  The servant asked Winters and Kaman to wait in the small parlour, and then walked backwards out of the door.

   "[Old idiom] Flora people always amaze me at the waste." Winters sniffed the scent in the air: "[Old idiom] Corridor also incense? Are spices free of money?"

   In winter, the ventilation is not smooth, and the smell of places with many people is inevitably cloudy. In order to solve this problem, incense burners are placed throughout the halls of Esther's mansion, which continuously emit a special light fragrance into the air.

  To Winters' surprise, White Eagle actually used incense in corridors, small parlors and other places with no people.

   "[Old language] Don't you have a good time chatting with people?" Kaman asked angrily: "[Old language] What else did you ask me to do?"

"[Old language] In fact, I didn't say a word just now." Winters said solemnly: "[Old language] The key to the play is the end, so I'm still a baron, and you're still my personal priest. "

  Kaman didn't answer at all.

   "[Old language] So..." Winters kicked Kaman: "[Old language] Get up and stand behind me. How can I sit and you sit too?"

  Kaman was furious, but finally stood behind Winters.

   "[Old phrase] Don't be angry, it's just a disguise." Winters picked up the apple on the small table and handed it to Kaman: "[Old phrase] Well, this is for you."

   Kaman took the apple and smashed Winters with his backhand.

   "[Old saying] If you don't eat it, you don't eat it, so why waste it?" Winters deftly caught the apple and put it back on the small table.

   The waiting time was always long, and Winters leaned back on the bench and asked Kaman casually: "[Old language] Father, can I ask you a question?"

   "[Old language] No." Kaman refused.

   "[Old language] Is there really any magic that can detect lies?"

   "[Old language] You guess."

"[Old language] I guess not." Winters analyzed seriously: "[Old language] Your Catholic Church is the lackey of the oath-breakers. If the Catholic Church has magic to distinguish lies, then the Empire will not have rebellion and rebellion. Conspiracy."

   "[Old saying] You're right, no."

   Winters stood up abruptly: "[Old language] Then what you used on the mountain that day..."

  Kaman sneered: "[Old language] I lied to you."

   Winters clutched his chest and was speechless for a while.

   "How about [the old language]?" Kaman continued to sprinkle salt on the wound: "[The old language] Is it bad to be deceived?"

  Winters sat down on the armchair and said quietly: "[Old language] I can't tell the truth from the fake now."

   After a moment of silence, Kaman asked, half curious, half puzzled: "[Old language] Winters Montagne, you never thought, what would you do if we really started that day?"

"[Old language] What else can I do?" Winters answered honestly: "[Old language] I can only hope that you won't have a deadly magic, in that case I'll be beaten by you at most, Or...I'll beat you up."

  Kaman hummed with a very disdainful attitude.

Winters blinked and said in a deliberately relaxed tone: "[Old saying] I can still remember the scene of that day in retrospect. If I could see Father Kaman's gaffe, it would be worth a beating. already."

  Kaman's smile solidified at the corner of his mouth.

   "[Old language] I don't know if you still remember the details of that day." Winters cleared his throat: "[Old language] I remember it very well."

  Kaman suddenly stopped speaking.

   "[Old language] I don't know who it is, with fists clenched tightly, eyes as big as bells, like a mad bull."

  Kaman fell into complete silence.

   "[Old language] I thought we were friends." Winters imitated Kaman's tone seriously: "[Old language] That's how you treat your friends?"

  Kaman spit out the words with difficulty: "[Old language] Enough, stop talking..."

how is this possible? Chasing after victory is the tactician's choice.

   Winters asked curiously: "[Old language] How did you say these words at the time? 'You are really not ashamed to say these words, as expected of you'."

  Kaman's voice became weaker and weaker: "[Old language] I beg you to stop talking..."

   "[Old language] If you say this kind of strange lines in a novel, you will be nailed to the pillar of shame for the rest of your life."

   "[Old language] Stop talking!" Kaman broke out without warning, grabbing Winters' throat: "[Old language] Stop talking! Stop talking!"

Father   's arms were unexpectedly strong, and Winters was a little breathless immediately. He struggled desperately and asked for a truce: "Okay! I won't say it!"

  It was too late, Kaman let go of his hand and searched aimlessly in the small living room.

   Winters asked alertly, "What are you going to do?"

   "There is no other way." Kaman muttered: "Must use amnestics."

   Winters was taken aback: "There is such a magic?"

  Kaman finally found his target, he grabbed the bench gauntlet, knees and arms at the same time. "Kara", the carved solid wood guard was broken by Kaman.

  Kaman raised his new warhammer and turned his head to look at Winters viciously: "It's not magic."

   Winters realized that something was wrong: "You wait..."

   "It's okay." Kaman slowly approached Winters: "It doesn't hurt at all."

   Winters also grabbed the armrest of the bench beside him, and tried to force up and down like Kaman.

  The armrest does not move at all.

   Just when Winters was about to blast the handrail with the cracking technique, the sound of heavy footsteps stopped the duel that was about to start.

  Kaman was stunned for a moment, then walked quickly to the side of the bench and stood there with a blank face - the battle stick was hidden behind his back.

   Winters calmed his breath and resumed his relaxed sitting position.

  The door opened, and a burly figure appeared at the door. The old blacksmith Schmidt walked into the small parlour with a little restraint.

   Seeing the young man sitting on the bench, the old man Schmid was puzzled: "You...is...you..."

  Winters was also very surprised at first, but he responded quickly, got up neatly, hurried to meet the old blacksmith, held the old blacksmith's rough hand, and said with a smile: "Yes, Mr. Schmid, that's me."

   [Sorry for being late]

   [Note 1: In the trade ban faced by Steel Castle, neither weapons nor raw materials that can be made into weapons are allowed to be sold to Palatu. That's why the old blacksmiths said, "We can't sell weapons, and we can't sell steel cakes and bars, so what else can we sell?" ]

   [Note 2: The trading form of iron: In general, the trading form of iron should be iron ingots (various metal ingots in WOW) in addition to finished products. However, iron ingots are actually only the main trading form in the era of "block smelting furnace", because the product of block smelting furnace is "block", which can be easily forged into "ingots"]

[But the form of "ingot" is not conducive to processing into common utensils, so after the blast furnace era, after humans can obtain liquid iron, the main form of iron trade is bar iron (bar-shaped iron is more convenient for secondary processing), or iron Plate (with the rolling mill)]

   [According to the second volume of the history of technology, there is another form of trade in ancient "steel" - steel cake. The steel cake can be directly folded and forged into a sword, which is easier to process than bars, granular materials, or pieces like jade steel]

   [The Romans once imported steel cakes from the East to make weapons. The steel cakes are 5 inches in diameter, 0.5 inches thick, and weigh 2 pounds. They call it "Chinese iron" - it's actually produced in the Hyderabad region of India]

   [There is also iron bean steel - granular steel, the price is comparable to precious metals]

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

   (end of this chapter)

Chapter end