Chapter 39: 39 Better to do less than to do more

The small town of Brunas, inside the mayor's room, the sheriff and the tax officer were both present. The three of them were discussing matters related to Tang Mo's weapon workshop.

Lately, the biggest topic in the tranquil town of Brunas was likely this very weapon workshop of Tang Mo.

At this moment, the tax officer was sitting in a chair, looking over a rolled-up tax document. Seemingly indifferent, he casually mentioned, "I heard another delivery of supplies was sent from Northern Ridge to Tang Mo's weapon workshop?"

"That's right," the sheriff was aware of this, for he had sent someone yesterday to observe the caravan from Northern Ridge. His subordinate reported back that he had personally witnessed dozens of large wagons entering Tang Mo's weapon workshop.

This clearly affirmed that Tang Mo indeed had a close relationship with Lord Earl and had secured his support.

The appearance of the caravan, as well as the soldiers of Lord Earl, corroborated one thing: Tang Mo was not bluffing but genuinely had the support of the mighty Earl, sheltering him from storm and stress.

From this perspective, Tang Mo surely wasn't someone they could provoke at will. At least until Lord Earl fell from power, it would be better to avoid meddling.

It wasn't that they feared Tang Mo or Lord Earl, but rather they all adhered to an official's creed: Better to avoid trouble than to seek it. Everyone living in peace was truly the best outcome.

Sometimes, the goings-on in official circles were not as dark as imagined. Most officials actually had very clear thinking; they simply preferred not to take action out of indolence.

Not causing trouble or seeking action wasn't always about accepting bribes or intentionally coddling transgressions, but often a result of lazy inertia. However, regardless of the reasons, such a mentality was in fact erroneous, and utterly detestable to the people they governed.

While tending to his fingernails, the mayor drew out his words in a prolonged tone, "I heard that Tang Mo's weapon workshop has been setting up a school recently?"

"Yes, that is indeed happening," the sheriff, well-informed as he was, nodded in confirmation to the mayor.

The tax officer furrowed his brow unhappily and questioned, "Are we just going to let him mess around like this? You know, while the Kingdom's law does not forbid private schools, the management of this is very..."

He had always believed that all activities within his jurisdiction should pay taxes. Tang Mo establishing a school privately would naturally require a payment. If he didn't pay, that would be an offense.

The mayor understood quite clearly and pointed out directly, "You know, private schools are not forbidden because the Shireck Consortium also has schools. However, everyone is well aware of this; just because Shireck is allowed to operate schools doesn't mean the Kingdom will tolerate others doing the same so casually..."

Upon mentioning this, they involuntarily recalled the School Wars that occurred decades ago. The Shireck Consortium launched a war to fight for the right to operate schools, leading to the annihilation of three Kingdoms and forcing the remaining nations to capitulate, allowing the Consortium to run schools within their territories without any restrictions.

The war lasted for three and a half months. Tens of thousands died because of it, and millions were displaced, leaving a chilling memory that lingers to this day.

Back then, they were all young or rather just children, but the war was indelibly imprinted on their childhood memories, starkly vivid.

Such Kingdom officials had, more or less, heard some rumors from certain connections. This war could likely be a political reshuffling, primarily aimed at Count Fisheo.

The Sheriff, well-informed as ever, nodded in agreement, "Exactly, that Fisheo will definitely need to find himself a way out if he wants to survive! There are only two ways for him to live!"

The Mayor nonchalantly suggested the first option, "Hmm, go above, beg for mercy, and he probably ends up losing the Earl title, demoted to Viscount or Baron or something."

Stripping away his noble title to reduce Fisheo's influence and then marginalizing him was probably the Kingdom's most reasonable arrangement in dealing with him.

After all, Fisheo was a capable man; at least in the eyes of the ruling King, it was still not desirable to kill him outright. The Kingdom needed nobles who were willing to shoulder the state's backbone, and Fisheo was clearly such a noble.

So, the most sensible setup was to pin the blame for a defeat on Fisheo, to let him atone for his "crimes" and scoot off to a corner where no one could see him, scraping by day after day.

When needed one day, they would summon him back, assigning him an appropriate role to play. When he was superfluous, he'd better be content being invisible, hunkered down in that corner without any more moments in the spotlight.

"The other option is to lead his troops through the Vicious Forest, retreat to Brunas, and then, armed to the teeth, he can sustain himself here," the Mayor laughed, casually adding to the conversation.

"Most likely, he'll attempt to take both paths, and this Tang Mo, along with those elite soldiers accompanying him, they are definitely here for the second option!" the Sheriff continued.

"That makes sense indeed!" the Tax Officer, clearly enlightened, nodded in agreement with the two.

With a trace of regret, the Mayor said, "So think about it, Fisheo is probably going to spend some time in Brunas eventually; crossing him now wouldn't be wise."

"And what about the King?" the Tax Officer turned to the two, voicing his most pressing concern.

"Feign total ignorance of this affair, and isn't that the end of it?" the Sheriff planned to revert to his tried-and-true method of dealing with his superiors.

"Right, just vehemently deny any knowledge, and who could do anything to us? Offend neither side and simply wait for the higher-ups to decide; we'll carry out the King's orders once they arrive," the Mayor concurred, readily agreeing.

"Uh..." The Tax Officer had no better solution, so he nodded along.

The avaricious Mayor's eyes glinted with greed as he added with a sly grin, "Actually, we could wait and see whether this youngster Tang Mo is going to play ball..."

The Tax Officer's eyes brightened, and he nodded, "If he plays ball, then we'll do as you say, Lord Mayor. If he doesn't, we'll warn him off this school business!"

"Makes sense!" the Sheriff also approved of this approach.

"My Lord!" Just as the three had reached an agreement, a servant hurried through the door, and bowing his head, he greeted them.