Chapter 273: Planning the attack

“That is why I will be focusing all of my attention on this now. It is regrettable that I have to sidetrack a few of the projects that I have started, but I do not have an option now. This is something that has priority. I have taken care of all the sides of the kingdom except for the north. If I finish that, then I will not need to spend the exuberant rates that the treasury gives the army every year. I am sure that these talented men will be able to find work elsewhere.” Liu Feng said.

“Are you demoting me, Your Majesty?” George asked with a worried tone.

“It is not me demoting you. It is the proper allocation of resources. But do not think about that now. I will talk about it later. Money is the last thing on my mind right now. After all, we are seizing the church’s treasuries in our kingdom, and I will ransack the one in Jerusalem once it has been broken through. We will have all the money that we need. General. Once we arrive at the city, I will need to find at least ten men or women who are literate. I need their help in working on some things. My hands are paining from writing all of this on my own.” Liu Feng said.

“I shall tell your assistant, Your Majesty.” George smiled forcefully. He had no choice but to remind Liu Feng that he was the general, and not some random busboy to do such tasks.

“Yes. I have to tell my assistant this. Call the officers and tell them to convene in a meeting room tomorrow. I want to talk to them about how we shall proceed with the Derail situation.” Liu Feng said.

“I shall do that, Your Majesty.” George nodded. 

“I also do not want anyone to know that I brought a woman from Derail all the way to Aegon. After we reach the capital, she will be sent to some place to work. Find her work, and leave her be. Let her make something of herself. Let us hope that she has a better life here than there.” Liu Feng said.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” George nodded.

Liu Feng rested his head on the couch inside the carriage, and he closed his eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep. George did not disturb the king any longer, and he went to the front of the carriage, telling the driver that he was going to get off. He was no longer required in the king’s carriage.

One day later,

Liu Feng was back in the castle. The moment that he got back, he was met with the minister, clearly shook.

“Your Majesty! Where were you?! The palace was in complete chaos because of your sudden decision to leave. We thought that you were not going to go to the meet that was taking place. Now, there are a lot of problems within the capital, and the rest of the kingdom and many people are rioting because of bad maintenance.” the minister cried out.

“What the hell is wrong with you people? If I am gone, then you are the person with the most authority. If something so important was going on this past week, then you should have done something about it. Tell me. What are the problems?” Liu Feng barked angrily at the minister.

“The slums, Your Majesty! There are people around who fear that the dwellers within will rush out into the city once their homes have been completely emptied. The new buildings that have been coming up have terrified the city. Many believe that this must be stopped and that the slum dwellers must stay where they are.” the minister said.

“I thought that you had something serious. Who would have thought that all of this was just the pouting of rich men who are afraid that their sights will be ruined. But do not worry. Those buildings were made for the slum people themselves. I told you that personally. What is the problem here?” Liu Feng asked.

“The buildings are for the people there? I thought that you were joking, Your Majesty! I thought that you were going to throw all of the people there out of the city.” the minister cried in shock.

“Why would I do something so heartless on my first day as the king? I am getting the building for free. Of course, I would do something charitable for it. Anyways, what is going on around the kingdom for you to be so concerned about it?” Liu Feng asked as he started walking into the palace.

“Your Majesty. It is time for the budget allocations and releasing of the treasury. Many lords are clamoring for an increase because they say that their men have fought valiantly in the war.” the minister said.

“I see. So they want me to pay them for lending their help in the war. How kind. I will definitely give them something. Tell all of the kings that the people who fought in the war will certainly be rewarded. Tell them that all of the soldiers who did have a sizeable contribution, which has been measured, will be given a nobility status in Glade. After all, we do have a new kingdom now. The nobles must be proud of their people. To achieve such status on their own.” Liu Feng chuckled.

“But what about the rewards for the nobles, Your Majesty? I thought that you would be rewarding them for the excellent job that they have done.” the minister asked, surprised at what Liu Feng said.

“Why would I reward any of the nobles? Did you not know what happened in the war? Not a single noble gave up anything for the victory. They did not have any contribution. In fact, even the students had no contribution. Some of them even incited rage within the army. That is why, I was even thinking about giving them a penalty. But this reward is simply out of the question. I am sure that you know several of the people who are asking for the reward. Make sure that they know exactly what I said.” Liu Feng shook his head.

“Corrupt bastard,” he muttered as he walked away. The minister stopped walking and blankly stared straight into the hallway, at the now distant Liu Feng.

“Why is the king so adamant to disobey the nobles? Is what I feared finally happening? Is the royal family finally going against the nobles? I need to talk to the duke immediately.” the minister told himself.

Liu Feng was back in his office, and he looked back at the pile of papers that had accumulated over the days.

“I need to get a proper assistant who can sieve through this crap and bring me only the important ones. Why am I taking care of every idiotic part of the kingdom?” Liu Feng cursed. He then looked at one of the guards.

“Bring me my assistant. I need to talk to her,” he commanded.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” the guard bowed and he rushed out of the room. Within a few minutes, a woman rushed into the office.

“Your Majesty! I was not aware that you have arrived.” the woman exclaimed.

“Are you literate? Can you read and write?” Liu Feng asked her.

The woman was taken aback.

“I have not been acquainted with those skills, Your Majesty. But I am able to paint, or sing, if that interests you,” she said.

“Why the hell would singing and painting help me now? I am not in the mood to concentrate. How the hell are you my assistant if you cannot even help me work through all of the problems in the kingdom? Just find ten people around the kingdom who are willing to work for the palace. I need to find people who can read, write, and have some common sense for God’s sakes.” Liu Feng cursed.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” the woman bowed and rushed out of the room.

“I cannot wait till those people arrive at the palace. My work will start becoming a little simpler. But if only life worked that way. I still have so much to do.” Liu Feng sighed as he took a seat. He then took the top most paper on the stack.

‘Request of bail for the priests from Jerusalem’

The paper read out.

“Oh crap. How the hell did I forget about this? I told them to lock them up, but who would have known that they would have stayed that way?” Liu Feng realized as he got back on his feet.

He looked at the other guard in the room.

“Show me to the dungeons. There are a few people that I must meet. I need to avoid a problem now. It is better to let Derail take all of the heat.” Liu Feng said.

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