Over the next two days, the originally desolate street completely turned into the busiest construction site in the Mason Royal City.
Although Sophia herself had returned to the Palace, the influence she left behind continued to surge like ripples around that stone house named 'Mason Black Rose'.
In order not to fail Her Majesty's expectations, Victor personally deployed the most capable hands from the infrastructure team. Those rotting tiles were neatly removed and replaced with new wooden shingles coated with dark gray waterproof paint. The craftsmen covered the originally mottled stone walls with smoothly polished oak planks, and the gaps of every plank were sealed with expensive resin.
Right at the main entrance of the shop, that small squad of craftsmen braved the cold wind to lay a new type of Cement floor of about ten square meters. This ground was so level it could reflect the shadows of clouds. At this moment, it was fenced off; no one was allowed to approach or stand near the edge until it dried.
Under the setting sun, a faint rose pattern was deliberately pressed into the Cement ground, as if silently declaring that by stepping onto this gray land, you had entered the Queen's territory.
"Did you see that? You can't find even a single grain of sand on that ground! I heard that is for Her Majesty to test the loyalty of the subjects; anyone with ill intentions will slip when stepping on it. Before we go shopping, we have to wipe our shoe soles clean, otherwise it is blasphemy!"
"What is that new material? I saw the Miss Inventor take that to repair the City wall before."
"It seems to be called Cement? Is it a mixture of water and mud?"
"Oh my heavens, who didn't play with pee and mud when they were young? How come we didn't invent such a formidable material?"
Compared to the bustling activity outside, the workshop in the West Tower was a scene of busyness amidst tranquility.
Irene had almost grown roots in front of the workbench these past two days; her signature pink twin-tails had become messy again. Her small face was tense, holding a ruler she had simply carved out of wood in her hand, conducting a devil-level screening on a batch of newly delivered horse tail hair.
"This cluster is too hard, put it in the basket below. This cluster has uneven color, defective product! It can be used for ordinary toothbrushes."
Irene's voice was crisp and strict within the workshop. When Her Majesty was not around, she was no longer that coquettish little girl, but the supervisor mastering Mason's highest craft standards.
The female workers on the side secretly exchanged glances but dared not utter a sound. Presumably, hearing Miss Irene being so strict, all the horses in Mason would nervously clench their buttocks. After all, these days, almost all the horses in Mason had been plucked once. That horse tail hair was thinned again and again.
On the other side, several strictly trained female workers were processing the mint tooth powder. Shell powder was sifted repeatedly, just like white velvet. The purified sea salt and mint essential oil blended in the mixing pot, the refreshing aroma emitting from it drifting out along the window, making the soldiers guarding below the tower feel a hundred times more energetic.
"Move faster! Her Majesty said, we must let the envoys of other countries see at first glance upon entering the city that our Mason people's teeth are even shinier than their ores!"
Irene waved her small hand, the flame named 'career ambition' burning in her eyes.
In addition to the guarantee of the products, the Mason Black Rose logo had to be carved on every product and product package.
"This is called a Genuine Guarantee," Irene explained to Willow, who came to inspect.
"As long as this mark is broken, it means it is no longer pure. This is what Her Majesty taught me; what we are selling is not only things but also this inviolable integrity."
Willow looked at those goods that were uniform and exuded a sense of high class, sighing secretly in her heart. The civilization Her Majesty spoke of turned out to permeate starting from such a tiny logo. In the future, whoever saw the pattern of the Mason Black Rose, whoever used these inventions, Her Majesty the Queen's peerless countenance would emerge in their minds!
Whenever Willow thought of this point, her spine would unconsciously straighten. Truly worthy of their Majesty!
At this time, Sophia was sitting in the study, holding the brief letter sent back from Leighton by Vasha and Delilah. The study was filled with a faint lavender scent from fresh magic cast by Daphne.
Sophia shook the brief letter in her hand; it contained Vasha's handwriting, which revealed shrewdness within its neatness, and Delilah's report, which was short, powerful, and written with force that penetrated the paper.
The content of the letter made Sophia's mood pleasant. The sales of toothbrushes were not only in short supply in the noble circles, but even the local wealthy merchants of Leighton had started purchasing by the box, obviously aiming at the huge profit from second-hand reselling behind this.
Vasha did not stop it, because what Mason pursued currently was market share. Furthermore, the two flexibly executed Sophia's orders, directly exchanging part of the soap and toothbrushes for a small batch of sturdy livestock. This was what made Sophia very satisfied.
At the end of the letter, the two stated that the inventory was running low, and if Her Majesty had no further instructions, they were ready to return to the court.
"Livestock."
The corners of Sophia's mouth hooked up slightly, and the image of those small animals in the rear garden working hard to reproduce emerged in her mind. "Well done, it seems 'Red Braised Pork Freedom' is just around the corner."
She picked up a specially made pen and wrote a reply quickly on the parchment. Besides informing them about the mint tooth powder Irene just developed, which would be delivered immediately by the follow-up convoy, implying they had to stay there for a few more days temporarily, she also specially added a sentence at the end of the text.
"Running about outside, you have worked hard. When you return safely, This Queen will personally hold a reception to wash away the dust for you."
Two days later, in the wind and snow of the Royal City of the Kingdom of Leighton, Mason's messenger burst into the office almost without stopping.
"It is Her Majesty's reply!"
Vasha, who was originally checking the accounts, and Delilah, who was arranging goods, stopped the movements in their hands simultaneously. The two looked at each other; although they still maintained that polite alienation, their eyes held the same kind of light named longing.
After opening the letter, although the two stood far apart, they finished reading the content almost in sync.
"Mint tooth powder?"
Vasha caressed the letter paper in amazement, looking at the words on it with great shock. The efficacy of the mint tooth powder was naturally written on it as well.
"Did Miss Irene grow her head in the laboratory? The toothbrush has just gained a firm foothold, and the matching cleaning powder is born. Her Majesty's interlocking methods simply make merchants feel despair."
However, the point Delilah focused on was completely different. Her fingers repeatedly rubbed that sentence 'You have worked hard'. Her face, which was originally cold all year round, actually faintly revealed a trace of shy blush in the cold air of Leighton.
Her Majesty said I worked hard. She still remembers my running about at the border.
Delilah's heartbeat instantly lost its rhythm. That heart, which usually only contained swordsmanship, was filled with thick warmth at this moment.
Personally holding a reception to wash away the dust? Her Majesty is truly a Queen who sympathizes with her subordinates very much, and...
Delilah thought about the fact that Sophia treated her specially, and felt very satisfied inside. Even if she was not in the Royal City, Her Majesty would definitely miss her all the time.
Due to the subtle atmosphere of 'Kings do not see Kings' between Vasha and Delilah, although both were moved terribly by Sophia's concern, neither wanted to show it in front of the other.
"Since Her Majesty has orders, we need to stay here for a few more days and wait for the tooth powder to arrive."
Vasha put away the letter gracefully and nodded to Delilah with a tone as usual.
"Lord Delilah, if there are no other defense arrangements, I will return to my room to handle the follow-up trade documents first."
"Mn."
Delilah responded coldly, smoothing folding the letter extremely neatly and putting it into the pocket of her inner lining, her movements so fast as if afraid Vasha would snatch it away.
"I also need to go inspect the horses. Farewell."
The two turned around briskly, showing their backs to each other.
As soon as the door closed, Vasha leaned against the door panel as if collapsing, covering her somewhat hot face, her expression a bit unnatural.
"A gift, Her Majesty wants to give me a gift personally, and even personally hold a reception for me? Has Her Majesty accepted me? Has she approved of me staying in Mason? Did Delilah praise me in the letter, or did Her Majesty discover my special strengths through this trade?"
Meanwhile, in another room, the young female General sat on the edge of the bed, taking out that letter again and dazing out at that sentence 'worked hard'.
She felt that for Irene to actually be able to make Her Majesty happy, it was truly letting her off cheap. If only the person who could make so many formidable things and make Her Majesty happy was her.
"Next time we meet, I must become stronger, strong enough to make Her Majesty feel that only staying by my side is the safest. No, this won't do either. When the time comes, I'll teach Willow and the others kung fu; otherwise, when I am busy with trade matters, no one can protect Her Majesty closely."
Inside the study of the Mason Palace, a burst of hurried footsteps carrying cold air broke the originally tranquil atmosphere.
"Your Majesty! Emergency report from the border!"
A messenger covered in frost and snow knelt on one knee, his voice sounding hoarse due to the long-distance raid.
Sophia put down the pen in her hand, the corners of her mouth that were slightly raised due to the victory report instantly smoothing out. She took the letter, swept a glance over it, and her brows furrowed slightly.
The subjects of Withered Willow Town and Eagle's Nest Mountain had completely exhausted their rations due to insufficient reserves before winter, coupled with the heavy snow sealing the roads recently. When patrol soldiers discovered it, many elderly people had already fainted from hunger. Currently, the soldiers had distributed their own ration allocations, but it could only last for three days.
"Tsk, This Queen knew they were poor, but I didn't expect they could be poor so decisively."
Sophia's fingertips tapped lightly on the desktop, her clear and cold voice echoing in the study. Although she claimed to be a salted fish tyrant, she knew deeply that dead subjects could not provide labor force and faith. Before she achieved 'Red Braised Pork Freedom,' these potential tax-paying experts could not turn into frozen dry bones first.
"Victor, summon the internal affairs officials immediately."
Half an hour later, in the side hall of the Palace, Chancellor Victor and several ministers responsible for logistics stood with their heads bowed in trepidation.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Victor took the lead in stating his position, his tone certain.
"Thanks to Lord Irene's blessing, the grain storage in our granaries is abundant. Not only is it enough for the Royal City to eat, but supporting those two small towns is still more than enough. This minister will draw up the list right away and arrange the convoy to deliver grain."
Sophia was just about to speak when Irene, who was sitting aside playing with her fingernails with an expression changing unpredictably, suddenly leaned over.
"Your Majesty, wait!"
Irene lowered her voice, that face which was usually carefree now written full of entanglement.
"What's wrong? Can't bear to part with that bit of grain?" Sophia turned her head to look at her.
"No, no! Your Majesty still doesn't forget to joke about me at a time like this."
Irene waved her hands anxiously, leaning into Sophia's ear to whisper.
"Your Majesty, I read in... cough, in some ancient dossier stories before. Those ministers who look loyal and devoted, once they leave the Royal City, the grain in their hands turns into gold coins. They will exchange good flour for moldy flour, and even mix sand into the porridge! When it reaches the hands of the common people, it would be good if two-tenths of the ten-tenths of grain remain!"
Irene got more excited as she spoke, sparks of suspicion filling her azure eyes.
"Although Withered Willow Town isn't very far, momentarily we have no one to go watch over it. If the person we choose is a villain, the subjects there not getting to eat grain is a small matter, but ruining Her Majesty's reputation is a big matter!"
Chancellor Victor watched Irene whispering to Her Majesty, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back. What is Lord Irene whispering? Could it be... Is Her Majesty suspecting this old bag of bones of mine is up to something? Or did his suggestion make Her Majesty and Miss Irene dissatisfied?
Victor pondered for a moment, thinking his suggestion shouldn't have any problems, right?
Sophia listened to Irene's story, laughing secretly in her heart. Although this little Inventor's brain circuits often skipped channels, this time she indeed hit a sore point. In this era lacking supervision mechanisms, human nature indeed could not withstand the temptation of several carts of grain.
"Irene is right."
Sophia looked around with a clear and cold gaze. Wherever her gaze went, the ministers lowered their heads to avoid it one after another.
"Delivering grain is easy; getting it into stomachs is hard. Victor, if the people you arrange let This Queen see two towns made of white bone piles in the spring, This Queen doesn't mind letting his family also experience the taste of becoming a withered willow."
Victor knelt to the ground with a thud.
"This minister would never dare!"
Sophia ignored his loyalty; her gaze flowed among these ministers. The air in the side hall seemed to freeze. Chancellor Victor and several internal affairs officials knelt on the cold Cement floor, their foreheads pressed against the ground, not even daring to breathe loudly. In their view, Her Majesty's clear and cold gaze at this moment was like a sword of judgment hanging over everyone's neck.
Irene looked at those trembling ministers, then turned to look at Sophia who was deep in thought. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit her, and she leaned into Sophia's ear again, muttering softly:
"Your Majesty, I suddenly feel that handing this matter to anyone is not as good as you showing your face personally. Think about it, those subjects are now starving until their eyes glow green. At this time, you descending from the sky with steaming hot flour... in their eyes, you wouldn't be a Tyrant, you would be a Savior emitting Holy Light!"
Irene felt there was a way the more she spoke, gesturing with her small hands as she continued.
"This is called sending charcoal in snowy weather! The grace of saving a life for the first time is the most valuable. As long as you stand there, the loyalty of those subjects will absolutely skyrocket. In the future, if you tell them to go east, they absolutely won't dare go west. Such a thing as winning over people's hearts, you still have to enter the arena personally for it to be the most shocking."
Sophia looked sideways slightly, looking at Irene's face which had become vivid due to excitement.
"Winning over people's hearts..."
Sophia pondered in her heart. Indeed, pure force suppression could only exchange for temporary obedience, while this kind of life-saving grace could often exchange for those subjects selling their lives with dead-set devotion. Furthermore, staying in the study all day reading these old reports, she indeed wanted to go out for a breather.
"Victor, rise."
Sophia's clear and cold voice rang out. Victor stood up tremblingly as if granted a great pardon, his palms full of sweat.
"Since getting it into stomachs is hard, then This Queen will personally go to supervise how this grain enters stomachs."
Sophia stood up, the black fox fur drawing a cold arc in the air.
"Pass down the order, prepare the convoy. This Queen wants to personally lead the grain to Withered Willow Town and Eagle's Nest Mountain."
As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was in an uproar.
"Your Majesty! You absolutely must not!" an old minister exclaimed. "The wind and snow at the border are heavy; in case the Saint Body is damaged..."
"This Queen has decided."
Sophia raised her hand to interrupt him, her eyes revealing a domineering intent that allowed no doubt.
"Victor, you accompany the entourage. Willow, prepare the luggage. Daphne, as the Saint, you go to bring hope to those starving and cold subjects."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
Daphne puffed out her chest, her small face full of solemnity.
Sophia looked at Irene again.
"As for you, Irene, you stay in the Royal City. The mass production of tooth powder cannot stop; This Queen will check your progress when I return."
Although Irene also wanted to follow along to join the fun, she knew the priorities, so she could only salute obediently.
"As you command, my greatest Majesty! I will decorate our shop to be even more beautiful than your Bedchamber!"
Just as Sophia was arranging the personnel to stay behind, letting Valery command the Royal Guards to protect the Royal City and cooperate with Irene's work, the ministers on the side were all ashamed.
Your Majesty... Your Majesty actually wants to personally go to those most impoverished and dangerous border towns! Is she going to deliver grain? She is clearly perceiving the budding decay of the bureaucratic system within the Kingdom of Mason and wants to use this method of a 'Personal Imperial Expedition' to personally sever the tentacles of greed!
Also, Her Majesty specially brought Saint Daphne along; this is using the power of religion to bless the benevolence of Royal Authority, letting the subjects thoroughly submit from the depths of their souls while getting full. This kind of method where 'Royal Authority and Divine Authority' run parallel, applying both grace and power... Your Majesty Sophia, you are only sixteen years old; is your Emperor's Art innate? Too terrifying, and also too great!
Victor wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, his back straightening perfectly.
To be able to follow such a Queen, even if I, Victor, die in the snow delivering grain, it is a kind of supreme glory!
One hour later, the south gate of the Mason Royal City opened wide.
Several large carts fully loaded with grain, salted meat, and thick felt blankets formed a long dragon on the Cement road. Although the soldiers were working hard, after learning that Her Majesty would personally accompany them, every person's face overflowed with a kind of near-fanatical pride.
Sophia sat inside the warm carriage, holding the openwork hand warmer Irene gave her.
"Depart."
With her order, the wheels crushed over the accumulated snow, driving toward that land of hunger and cold.
Above the City wall, Irene was waving a handkerchief, looking at the convoy going far away, muttering softly...
"Your Majesty, you must pay attention to safety! Let those subjects live well, so that later we will have more labor force to open factories!"
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