August 2515 of the Empire's calendar, Marlin Castle, the commercial and trading center of the old world.
The Brittany Knight's Army was approaching Marlin Castle.
The situation was different now. The whole Marlin Castle was decorated with lanterns and streamers. They were welcoming Laing and his Knight's Army with the grandest ceremony and highest standards.
It was August. Although the temperature was still very hot, Wester Hill was near the sea and had many swamps. Furthermore, the hottest season had already passed. Therefore, the knights and soldiers could still endure it. They formed a ten-kilometer long line and marched one after another. They were prepared to stop at Marlin Fort for a while. On one hand, it was to replenish their supplies and temporarily reorganize. On the other hand, it was also...
Talleyrand, the High Elf noble, was sweating profusely. He cursed the hot weather and occasionally emphasized that if it was really Ossouin, it would not be like this. Cripple sat under the shade of the carriage with a dispirited look. He was sleepy and could not sleep. His body was slanted, which made him look quite funny.
Cripple thought to himself that if he had the chance, he would definitely modify his carriage to have an air conditioning system. Hmm, I'll just have to ask the Sorceress and her daughter for help. It just so happens that I've received quite a lot of bribes from the Empire. An air conditioning system, charged with magic stones.
While Cripple was still thinking, the Knight King, Laing, rode on Grape and approached Talleyrand's carriage. The king smiled and said meaningfully, "Talleyrand, I remember that I asked you to pick a mixed-blood Elven horse. Didn't I ask you to pull the carriage?"
Talleyrand quickly sat up. The High Elf took out a silk handkerchief and wiped his sweat. He explained, "Your Majesty, this is a good thing for me and my horse. The proud mixed-blood Elven horse does not like a cripple who can't even walk properly as its master. As for me, I do not like to feel the heat under the sun, which is completely different from Ossouin."
"Hahaha …" Clayon chuckled. He then pointed at the members of the upper and lower houses of Marlin Castle who were waiting under the scorching sun. "Then why are they willing to feel the heat under the sun, which is completely different from Osuin's?"
"That's because they are merchants. Merchants pursue profits. They smell the scent of wealth. Our people are full of spoils of war, and the merchants can make a lot from selling them." Talleyrand shook his head and took his cane from the side. "Businessmen only do two things. The first is to increase their wealth, and the second is to pursue greater profits. This is their nature. Of course, businessmen are also human beings. They have their own hobbies and families."
Leon was silent for a moment. Talleyrand smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. There's no way you don't know this. This doesn't seem like a problem for Your Majesty. What happened that made you seek the help of a cripple? Is there anything I can help you with? "
"This." Laing placed a medal in front of Talleyrand. It was a first-class Grand Cross medal.
"For me?!" Talleyrand jumped up. He had followed Laing through countless battles, but in the end, he only got a second-class Lion medal!
"It's not for you. The Knight King gave it to these merchants." Laing handed the medal to Talleyrand. The Knight King smiled. "We have an important task for you. This is a letter from Suria."
"A letter from the Lady?!" Talleyrand jumped up from his seat. The Knight King recognized that one could offend Wang Laing, but one could never offend Queen Suria! If one offended Laing, he would punish them impartially, but if one offended Queen Suria, he might not.
Similarly, Laing's subordinates often called Suria "Lady." This was actually a special title. It meant that they had been following Laing since before he became the Knight King.
"Long live Lady Suria!"
— one of the favorite battle cries of the Old Guard and Laing's knight attendants.
Of course, Talleyrand and Berliat, who were essentially Laing's private officials, also called her "Lady" to show their closeness and loyalty. Suria did not let anyone call her "Lady."
"I'll leave this mission to you, Talleyrand." Laing smiled and said, "I know, you like to deal with money, and you're good at dealing with merchants and nobles, right?"
Talleyrand took Suria's letter and read it carefully. The High Elf sighed and shook his head. His face was full of admiration. "Your Majesty, why didn't I think of you having such a talented wife?"
"Suria's idea is very good, but there must be a limit." Laing's expression became serious. "I've thought about it, and only you are suitable."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, leave it to me!" Talleyrand immediately became excited. He quickly bowed. "I promise you that I am the most suitable person, but … Your Majesty, I need a certain amount of autonomy and flexibility."
"Flexibility? Just like you took two carriages worth of gifts from Metternich? "Laing nodded slightly and said meaningfully.
"But I can get you two hundred wagons from the negotiating table, Your Majesty." Talleyrand said respectfully, "Leave it to me. I know how to deal with these merchants, but … Your Majesty, can I only get the Gold Grand Cross Medal at most?"
"The Highest Lady Medal and the Holy Grail Medal can't be awarded casually." Laing shook his head.
"I understand."
… I mean, I understand the section dividing line …
Three days later, Marlinburg held the grandest banquet in the city council. Although the Knight King Laing did not attend, all the Brittany knights and nobles were present.
However, what really made the entire Marlinburg boil was the banquet. As the Duke of Marlinburg, Schultz proudly showed off his Brittany medal in public!
The Brittany Knight King personally presented the Duke of Marlinburg with two Gold Grand Cross Medals, the Swamp of Pain Memorial Medal, and the Battle of the Three Kings Memorial Medal to thank Schultz for his great contribution to the logistics of the knight's army in this great expedition!
At the same time, the president of the Gentlemen's League, Casanova, was also personally received by the Knight King Laing and presented with a Gold Grand Cross Medal and two other medals!
When they appeared at the banquet with the medals pinned to their chests, all the members of the Marlinburg Parliament stared with their eyes wide open.
Ah! It's the medals! The brilliance, the style, it's so dazzling!
Wait! Didn't they say that the Brittany medal was the most difficult to get? Did they have to personally participate in the war and make contributions to get the award? How come Duke Schultz and Viscount Casanova did not participate in this great expedition and were also awarded medals?!
If they can get it, why can't we?
The rich merchants' thoughts instantly became lively. Their eyes were green with envy as they inquired everywhere. How did this Brittania medal come about?
This time, Mrs. Kiesler and the people of the Empire who participated in the war against the invasion of Chaos also received medals from the Brittany. The nobles and soldiers who participated in the war in Nur all wore medals. When Duchess Emilia of the Empire appeared at the banquet in Nur with a special Holy Grail medal on her chest, it instantly caused an uproar.
The nobles of Nur at the banquet looked at their duchess' glittering medal with the power of the Lake Fairy with an expression of envy and jealousy. Everyone at the banquet was proud of having a Brittany medal and ashamed of not having one.
This trend soon blew from Nur to the entire Empire.
For a time, the entire upper class of the Empire was proud of having a beautiful Brittany medal.
Although the rich businessmen in Marlin Castle who did not donate or participate in the war did not say it, they were very envious of the countless military achievements and glorious victories of the Knight King over the years. In addition to a large amount of wealth, it was more of a sense of recognition from the upper class and the core circle of nobles. This so-called recognition made the rich businessmen scramble for it. Now that Schultz and Casanova received medals, how could the rich businessmen not be excited?
Brittany medal, I want it so much!
How can I get the medal?
Soon, a rumor began to spread in Marlin Castle.
The benevolent and great Knight King is willing to share his glorious victory and great glory with everyone in the Old World! He is willing to share the achievements of the great expedition with everyone!
Ladies and gentlemen of Marlin Castle, here is your chance!
Now, you can also become a victorious member of the Chaos invasion and praise the great achievements of the Brittany to your heart's content. Now, you can also proudly announce that you are also a part of the fight against Chaos!
You only need to donate generously to support our war of knighthood and sponsor our military force!
Donate and receive the medal!
The number is limited, first come, first served. Now is not the time to lose.
"Enjoy the victory with the Knights of the Holy Grail and the Old Guard, citizens of Marlin Castle!" Talleyrand, dressed in luxurious clothes, spoke in one noble gathering after another in Marlin Castle. "Be grateful for the good way to buy!"
Like a spark falling into a pile of dry wood, Marlin Castle was instantly ignited.
As long as I donate, I can also receive a Brittany medal. As long as I donate generously, I can also proudly say that I am a part of the fight against Chaos!
Ah, the medal.
The city was in an uproar. Nobles, merchants, citizens, artists, and trade unions all rushed up and pestered Talleyrand, who was in charge of this. "We are willing to donate. We need the medal, Mr. Talleyrand."
The nobles, merchants, trade union presidents, and artists all held cloth bags filled with gold coins in their hands and surrounded Talleyrand. There were hundreds of them, and even more people after hearing the news.
The whole place was in a mess. Talleyrand had to let the guards outside in to maintain order. At the same time, he stood on the table and shouted with his cane.
"The Battle of the Swamp of Pain Memorial Medal is 10 gold marks each, the Battle of the Three Kings Memorial Medal is 15 gold marks each, the Battle of Herzig Medal is 10 gold marks each, and the Battle of Wolffin Medal and the March Storm Medal are both 8 gold marks each. The number is limited. After donating, please register your name and address. We will personally deliver the medal to your door."
"I want all of them. Three of each medal, no, five!"
"Buy, buy, buy! I'm not human if I don't buy!"
"From today onwards, I can proudly announce that I'm the protector of the old world."
"It's so beautiful! I love it!"
"We want the medals. What about the medals? Mr. Talleyrand, how do you calculate the medals? " A noblewoman screamed. She was the wife of a wealthy merchant and held a handful of gold coins in her hand. "I have money! I only want medals! Medals! "
"The third-class Iris Flower Medal is 50 gold marks each, limited to 300 pieces. The second-class Lion Medal is 200 gold marks each, limited to 200 pieces. The first-class Golden Cross Medal is 500 gold marks each, limited to 100 pieces." Talleyrand kept gesturing for everyone to be quiet. "Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet. Please line up and register. Each person can only receive one medal each. We will engrave your name on the back of the medal and give you a commemorative certificate!"
"Me, me, me! I want to register my whole family!"
"Mr. Talleyrand, there's too little. There's not enough for us to share."
"We need more! More!"
The scene was very chaotic. People kept squeezing in from the outside, filling up the hall.
This period was known as the "medal craze" in history. Everyone was proud to wear Brittany medals.
This was Suria's suggestion in the letter: sell the medals!
Of course, these medals were commemorative and honorable. There was still a certain difference in the shape and design of the medals that were awarded to the army. They weren't like the real Breton Medal of Merit that one could enjoy special privileges and perks. They were purely exquisite toys, but they were still enough to drive people crazy.
More and more people were constantly inquiring about how to obtain a higher level medal.
In this regard, Talleyrand leaked some information. He said that if there was a similar expedition next time, and someone was generous enough to help the army of knights, perhaps the Knight King Laing would consider it.
Things were precious when they were rare. The limited number of medals was sold out. Everyone left in disappointment. Most people did not get the first-class and second-class medals they wanted. Talleyrand took the opportunity to accept bribes and sell them one by one on the black market. At its peak, the first-class Golden Cross Medal was worth 2,500 gold marks each, but it was still priceless.
Many people even went directly to the knights, nobles, and Brittanian soldiers to buy them at a high price. Everyone was proud of the medals and medals. The richest merchant wore nearly forty medals and medals of various colors when he attended the banquet, covering all the Brittanian military medals except for the highest medal of the Lady of the Lake and the special class medal of the Holy Grail. For a while, it became a legend.
Just like this, in the week that the army stayed in Marienburg, the economy and atmosphere of the whole Marienburg was booming. Countless spoils and stolen goods were sold in Marienburg. Groups of merchants entered the barracks to trade with the army. In the disputes over price and quality of goods, most of the spoils were sold. Everyone made a lot of money.
At the end of August, when the army of knights arrived near the border of their own country, Laing received a detailed account from Talleyrand when they were welcomed by the Brittany border guards led by Marshal Talleyrand.
The total funds raised from the sale of medals was 215600 gold coins.
Money was so easy to earn!
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