Chapter 403： open map

At a regular meeting of the Government Council in April 1994 in the Holy Calendar, Cecil, who was in charge of the intelligence department, briefed everyone on the latest situation in Jiaowan.

"Last year, there was an incident in which the archbishop's envoy was thrown from the second floor in Nessberg. I think everyone still remembers it. This angered the Angle Bay Archbishop Elvis and ordered the Angle Bay Alliance to hand over the so-called murderer, but he did not Satisfactory results have been obtained, and the Nessberg side has been procrastinating. In addition, the disposition of the current bishop of Nessburg, Angelo, was also ignored by the resistance of the Alliance Council. The country has generally expressed support for Angelo's retention as bishop."

Paul asked Cecil, "What about the religious tax increase?"

Cecil replied: "The various states have only increased a little symbolically, but it is far from the amount that Archbishop Elvis expected."

"That's all for Jiaowan Church?"

"Of course not. The Archbishop, together with Collins and other inland states, issued circulars one after another criticizing the coastal states, and threatened to excommunicate the rulers of each country."

Manager Ford stroked his beard and said, "It seems that the contradiction is getting deeper and deeper."

Cecil nodded: "It can be said so."

Everyone present laughed lowly. They all knew that the eldest son of the Foster family came to Northwest Gulf to buy weapons last year. If there is a fight, then Northwest Gulf will have something to gain.

During the dinner, only Ladi Setia had a heavy face, and she coughed heavily, "Everyone, war is not something to laugh at."

The laughter stopped, and everyone remembered that the hometown of this beautiful lady is Jiaowan, and they were suddenly embarrassed.

"That..." Cecil continued: "The rulers of the coastal countries have generally relaxed the arrest of wizards. Because the long-term high-pressure policy has caused a huge impact on the normal business environment, the rulers are supported by strong public opinion. They are forcing their respective local churches to make concessions." He thought this was good news that would reassure Ms. Setia.

Sure enough, Ladi's frowning brows were relieved.

"More than that, a new religious trend is spreading rapidly among the coastal states, spurred by the local church's previous high-handed measures."

"New religious thoughts?" Paul raised his eyebrows with interest.

"Yes." Cecil nodded, "Many people demand to re-interpret the teachings. Although these heretics... er... New sects are still in the stage of mixed views, they have one thing in common, which is to oppose the church's excessive interference in secular life. .”

Paul touched his chin: "It's interesting."

He looked around the crowd and asked, "How do you think Archbishop Elvis will end?"

"I will never let it go." Ladi said with certainty, "I heard about the reputation of this archbishop when I was in the corner. For such a 'pious' person, heretics are often more hateful than wizards and heretics. But... well, sooner or later, the Jiaowan Church will be punished for what it has done.”

There was a resentful expression on Ladi's face, which was very rare for her who rarely showed emotion on weekdays.

"If there is too much trouble, I think sooner or later the headquarters of the church, the Holy See, will be involved."

Manager Ford analyzed in this way, "The consecration in the Jiaowan area is one of the main sources of income for the Holy See. The Holy See will definitely not let the chaos in Jiaowan continue for a long time."

"My lord's words reminded me."

Hansel interrupted suddenly, "Master Greiman, I think you should be prepared—as the Northwest Gulf continues to prosper, the Holy See may strengthen its influence here."

Paul frowned: "What? I let the territory prosper to fill the stomachs of the people, not to honor those fat priests." Everyone present is his own, so he has no scruples about speaking.

Hansel spread his hands: "Maybe the big shots in the Holy See don't think so."

"Do you have any good countermeasures?"

Hansel lowered his voice and said, "Since the current bishop of the Northwest Gulf, Lord Leonard, has been in poor health since he was imprisoned by Maltz Kent in the War of the Ustor. Zhao, maybe this is an opportunity, if you want to seize it, you should prepare now."

"I agree with Sir Hansel's proposal."

Superintendent Ford seconded.

"I agree too."

"I agree too."

Ruth Hayden, director of the Department of Public Safety, and others also expressed their opinions.

Manipulating the bishop of a region? It's exciting to think about it.

"This..." Unlike these "cold-blooded" guys, Paul's first reaction when he heard Hansel's words was a little sad? He still had a good impression of Leonard, the old bishop. En Zhao is really a pity.

"Let me think about this..."

If you intervene in the dispute between bishops? Who should you support? At present, there are only two high-level religious figures in the Northwest Gulf that he has made friends with. One is Anderson, who succeeded Leonard's original position as the dean of the North Shore Abbey, and the other is Morrison, who served as the vice dean—that is, Paul sieges and entrenches in Port Fullland When he was in the Shark Gang of Pirates, he rescued a prisoner from the church, because of a dishonorable past as a thief, he was caught by Paul.

Although the North Shore Abbey is located in a remote place, it is an important cradle of church clergy in various parts of the Northwest Gulf, so its status is very special.

But Anderson's qualifications are too low? Can he become the abbot or was he promoted by his teacher Leonard? And he is a bit unemployed? He deals with flowers, plants and other plants every day. He is not so much a monk as he is a scholar.

Morrison is more tactful and sophisticated? He is also good at dealing with mundane affairs. He is in charge of the North Shore Abbey on weekdays, and he manages it in an orderly manner. So it seems like a good candidate for support. I just don't know if I can control it after becoming a bishop.

At this time, I heard Hansel say again: "Can we still ask His Majesty the King for help? There was an agreement between the royal family and the Holy See..."

royal family? Huh? This is also a force that can be used? In order to maintain the relationship with the royal family in the counter-insurgency war, I have invested a lot. According to the news that Hansel brought back from Jingyao, he has a good impression of Jingyao's big shots.

"Master Grayman, I think of another point."

Old Ford said suddenly.

"Once the Horn Bay war starts, it will definitely affect our trade with the East."

Paul was surprised. The manager was right. A large number of goods from the Northwest Gulf were shipped to Jiaowan, and then the merchants in Jiaowan acted as second-tier dealers, and then sold to the east. Once there was a war there, they would not be able to play the role of the middle hub Worked.

He thought for a while, "Then it would be better for us to transport the goods to the east without middlemen to make the difference."

"Exactly."

Manager Ford agreed. He had wanted to say this for a long time, and added: "However, our caravan is not familiar with the route to the east. We need to send a special survey fleet to explore the route, draw charts, and inspect the port."

"You're right, notify Austin immediately to start preparations! Oh, let him come to Lake Town first."

"Yes, my lord."

"Huh?" Paul slapped his forehead and suddenly thought of something.

"Everyone, in addition to exploring the East, we can also explore the West."

The west? Everyone was puzzled, what else is there in the west except the vast sea? At most, they are some desolate islands, and if you are lucky, you can only find some indigenous people who are still in the tribal era.

In fact, in the world view of most people here, the Aldo Kingdom is already the extreme west of the world.

On the contrary, Ladi understands what Paul means. As a scholar, she has come into contact with many novel viewpoints, "Your Excellency, what do you mean... verify that theory?"

"Haha, that's right!" Paul picked up a pen and paper and drew a circle on it.

"Didn't someone suggest that the earth is a sphere? Then let's verify it. UU Reading If it is really a sphere, then we will send two exploration teams one east and one west. Return to Aldo.

"This..."" A sense of absurdity arose in everyone's hearts. The dignified Earl of Arda actually believed in such fallacies?

There are also people who have heard the theory of the circle of the earth, but it is just something new, and people with normal minds think it is impossible. If the earth is a sphere, wouldn't people living on the ground have to fall, no, they should fall "up". Oops, how to describe it.

"Uh...Master Graham."

Superintendent Ford wanted to persuade.

"I've made up my mind, one thing and one thing! One thing and one thing!"

Paul's tone was beyond doubt.

Well, he is the lord, and everyone is helpless. Everyone has to obey what the lord decides.