Chapter 343 The Demon King Teaching the Flowers of the Empire
While the barons in the Bailu District were busy racing and staking their claim, the mansion of the Dantès family was quiet.
In the study, the wall clock on the wall kept pace steadily and rhythmically, but Edmund, who was full of confusion and anxiety, could not calm down.
"Baron Corsia, I really don't understand..." Edmund, who had been pacing in front of the desk for several times, finally stopped and turned his gaze to Teach standing by the window. He finally couldn't help asking about the confusion in his heart.
"Since we want to acquire land in Bailu District, why do we do it with such a big fanfare?"
At first he thought that His Highness Colin had some back-up plans, but after waiting for a long time, he didn't see where the back-ups were. Instead, he watched helplessly as the land price in Bailu District doubled!
That’s not all—
As of now, the loan matter has not been settled yet. Although President Huck patted his chest and assured him that it would definitely work, and reassured him to wait, he could tell from the anxiety in the other person's eyes that this matter might not be as simple as he thought.
Teach was standing in front of the window, holding a half-full glass of red wine in his hand. The sun shines through the orange-red wine glass, illuminating the unhurried face.
Just when Edmund was about to lose his composure, he turned around and said with his usual calm smile.
"Didn't Lumir tell you earlier? Hiding and tucking him away won't accomplish anything big."
Edmund was stunned, his eyes became more and more confused, and he frowned and said.
"But the price we are paying for the land now is twice as high as before! I heard that some citizens in the city are now inquiring about the real estate in Bailu District. If you wait a few more days, it may be more than double! Sending money to the country bumpkins in the suburbs... Is this also part of your plan?"
Teach picked up the wine glass and took a sip of the wine with a half-smile, but did not answer.
Just when Edmund was about to ask further questions, a familiar and steady voice came from the door of the study.
"Of course, this is part of our plan."
Lumir walked into the study with steady steps and gently closed the door.
The expression on his face was always calm, as if he had anticipated Edmund's confusion, and looked at the latter to continue.
"But I have to correct you, we are not the ones giving money to the bumpkins in the suburbs... So far we haven't paid a penny, so what are you in a hurry for?"
Dantes opened his mouth and suddenly came to his senses.
It seems that the same is true——
They seemed to have spent no money except for publishing an inconspicuous piece of news in a newspaper that the rural nobles purchased every day.
The reason why I am anxious is probably because I am subconsciously trying to save face... I am worried that this matter will go wrong and that I will live up to the expectations of all the people who are counting on the Dantès family.
“…The project in Bailu District is just a cover? Could it be that…His Royal Highness has no intention of opening a factory there at all?” He thought for a long time and carefully asked about the confusion in his heart.
However, after hearing what he said, Tiqi, who was standing by the window, couldn't help laughing.
"How is it possible? If Your Highness has no such intention, what are we doing with so much effort? To amuse the people in the suburbs?"
"Then why——"
Think about why, it is the homework given to you by Baron Cosia. Now, I need you to carry out the second task given to you by His Highness."
Interrupting Edmund's question, Lumil paused for a moment and continued in a slow voice.
“I have made an appointment for you with the president of the Imperial Bank Head Office. You will meet at the place I arranged tomorrow afternoon. This matter must be kept secret and no third person must know about it. I am sure that this gentleman is having a headache now. After all, 1 million gold coins is not It’s a small amount... even for a person like him.”
In the final analysis, Prince Colin did not have any assets that could be mortgaged in the Holy City, and the person who applied for the loan was the Dantes Group, a small company that had just been established for less than a month.
If the president approves the loan, it means that if there is a problem with the transaction, he will bear extremely serious responsibility.
After all, the entire group's total assets that can be executed are only the property under their feet worth 5,000 gold coins.
But if it is not approved...
He had to worry that his caution would be regarded as "offensive" by the Colin family.
It was precisely in such a dilemma that when Lumil handed the business card to his desk, he almost immediately agreed to the invitation to chat with Sir Dantès in person.
However, unlike the president of the head office who was eager to chat with him, Edmund's face showed a bit of nervousness.
"You want me to persuade the president to approve the loan? This...isn't the reputation of the Colin family enough?"
If the name Colin cannot get the president to nod, Edmund feels that even if he goes, it will be in vain, and it will make the other party feel that he is not confident enough.
And…
He felt from the bottom of his heart that the person the other party really wanted to see was not him at all, but Prince Colin.
Having seen through Edmund's thoughts at a glance, Lumil just smiled slightly and said with mysterious eyes.
Not to mention that some well-intentioned people are trying their best to fan the flames.
Although Baron Devore and his neighbors were careful not to let the news leak out, the country people living in the White Dew District were not really stupid after all.
They only have blocked information channels, but they have not blocked their ears.
As more and more citizens in urban areas go to the suburbs to "view houses", they have more or less caught wind of the situation, and housing prices in Bailu District have also spiraled out of control.
Early morning.
The rising sun has just stood on the horizon, and the market in Bailu Town is full of people and bustling.
The stalls that usually had only a few villagers patronized were now crowded with unfamiliar faces from the city.
The citizens wore clean woolen coats and leather boots and walked back and forth on the muddy and watery streets without regard for dignity.
The old man selling apples stood in front of the stall. While putting the apples into paper bags and handing them to the strangers in front of him, he couldn't help but use slang to talk to the stall owner next to him.
"What a devil! There were more carriages passing by my stall today than I saw all last year!"
"These guys are crazy! Do you remember my house with a leaky roof? ? I was planning to turn it into a pigsty! But guess what? Suddenly a guy in a top hat gave me a bag of money and told me to get out of his house...Haha! I have never seen such a cheerful person!"
The proprietress of the grocery store was leaning in front of the counter and happily interjected: "Isn't that right? My old house was sold yesterday for 20 gold coins! My husband thought he was dreaming. Today he went directly to the city to help the children find schools!"
The neighbors around him were envious after hearing this.
Although they also have houses, they only have one, so they are reluctant to sell it...unless they pay more.
“That’s not much,” the young farmer in the next stall also came over and whispered mysteriously, “Those abandoned farms at the east end of the town are exaggerated. I heard that someone bought one of them yesterday for more than a hundred gold coins! Let me tell you...this group of city dwellers came here to gamble on the appreciation of land prices! Didn’t they say that a prince was going to come here to build a factory? I won’t be surprised if the price doubles next month!”
The proprietress of the grocery store was laughing just now, but when she heard these words, her face suddenly fell.
Even that shabby farm can be sold for one hundred gold coins?
She suddenly felt that she had made a loss.
On the street not far away, a fierce quarrel was breaking out in front of a dilapidated house that was in disrepair.
A well-dressed, fat businessman was waving his pipe impatiently and shouting at an old woman with a panicked face.
?! ?!since going over 30 pieces of gold?
The old woman clutched the hem of her apron tightly. Although she didn't feel confident, she still blushed and refused to give in.
"Twenty gold coins?! Don't even think about it! I will never sell it for less than thirty gold coins! Three generations of my family have lived here! I...I have feelings for this land!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a loud voice interrupted, and an old gentleman holding a cane and a servant came over.
"Thirty gold coins! I'm out! Madam, let's go to the church now and let the priests testify for our transaction! Your Majesty, Saint Sith, you can't go back on your word!"
Seeing that the cooked duck was about to fly, the fat businessman's face turned green, and he shouted loudly without caring about his dignity for a moment.
"Thirty-five gold coins! Sell them to me! I came first——"
"Forty coins." The old gentleman holding the cane raised his chin slightly, with a hint of sarcasm in his condescending smile, "You came first? I didn't see it... I only saw a scum who was full of lies and tried to use deception to facilitate the deal. Holy Sith, you should be ashamed of your behavior."
The fat businessman: "%￥#@!"
The sound of the two arguing attracted countless people to watch, and soon someone called for a higher price. This time, even the well-dressed old gentleman couldn't help but panic, and hurriedly urged the old woman to close the deal as soon as possible for the sake of Saint Sis.
The old woman opened her mouth wide, obviously shocked by the soaring prices in front of her. She was speechless for a moment and almost fainted.
Happily, the farce finally came to an end when her son rushed out of the house when he heard the noise, excitedly held the hand of the old gentleman with the highest bid, and took him to the church in a hurry.
The tavern not far away.
The townspeople who had already had their morning drink toasted each other excitedly, and even the tips given to the waiters were changed from copper coins to silver coins.
He was slightly drunk, and his face was red with excitement. He kept slapping the table with his hands: "Praise the emperor! Praise the prince! Just the day before yesterday, my blacksmith shop and the yard behind it were sold for fifty gold coins! I have never seen so much money in my life!"
He had been busy for a year and could not have two gold coins left. With this money in his pocket, he could retire and live in peace and happiness!
Of course——
According to the way he drinks, I'm afraid it won't be long before Xiaozhao has to go to the dock to help people move boxes.
The woodcutter next to him chuckled, obviously looking down on the neighbor's short-sightedness, and said calmly.
"What's the rush? With so many people rushing to buy it, the price will definitely go up."
"Wait a minute? I think this is gambling!" The bakery owner in the town shook his head and persuaded, "I don't think this is right. How many of the people who are buying houses really want to live here? What if the price drops one day?"
The old blacksmith heard this and laughed.
"Well, it's good to fall down! If it really falls down, I'll buy the shop back again."
Everyone heard this and laughed and cursed.
"Haha! You old thing is so weird, I'll let you pick up every bargain!"
"That's it! Get out and don't come back!"
Laughter and the sound of clinking glasses were heard one after another in the tavern. Splashing beer foam and people's spittle stars intersected in the air. It looked so lively.
For a whole day, almost every resident of Bailu Town silently cheered the same name in their hearts.
This name is neither Saint Sith.
Nor is he an emperor.
It was His Highness Colin who made them rich...
A civilian councilor born in the Demon Temple...
Influence share: 03% (↑01%)
Overdraft limit: 0%
Dominion efficiency: 100%
]
The ancient and magnificent staircase lecture hall of the Royal Academy of Arts was packed with people.
The soft sunlight shines through the towering stained glass windows on the attentive young students, while the hot and curious eyes converge on the tall figure behind the podium.
That gentleman is none other than "Prince Colin" who has been in the limelight in the Holy City recently.
He was wearing a well-tailored black dress, with an amethyst brooch on his chest. Under the sunlight, it shone breathtakingly, just like his deep purple eyes.
The young ladies sitting in the front row looked secretly at those eyes, their gazes were eager but shy, afraid of meeting his gaze, but they were also troubled that he didn't notice them at all.
It is not easy to get a front seat in this lecture. It cannot be "won" by putting a piece of paper on the table the night before.
The seats at the front have been arranged long ago, and there are some seats that are not fixed, but also require their family backgrounds to show their talents.
The students who can study in the Imperial Academy are not ordinary people in the empire. They are either the top geniuses or have top backgrounds.
For example, Miss Ophia Castellion, who was holding her chin in her hands and looking at the podium with her thoughts in mind... If it weren't for His Highness Colin, her classmates would have almost forgotten that there was such a person in their class.
The educational environment of universities in the empire is very relaxed, especially for noble people.
Although some girls sitting in the back seats seemed to be taking notes attentively, in fact they couldn't help but secretly raise their eyes and carefully look at the figure on the stage through their long eyelashes. Some people were biting the tip of their pen unconsciously, with many misleading thoughts appearing on their faces.
As for what His Highness Colin said...
It is not important to most of the students who come here because of the reputation. After all, students from the painting department alone cannot fill such a large lecture hall.
In short, when the students of this college learned that His Excellency Colin, at the invitation of Principal Hilfen, was going to hold a public lecture on "Avant-garde Art School: Abstract Painting Style" in the college's lecture hall, students regardless of whether they were studying painting or not came to attend.
To be honest, Luo Yan is actually very happy that there are not many professionals sitting here - not even one tenth.
After all, he doesn’t know how to draw at all, and even the lesson plans for his lectures are given to players through quests issued by the acolytes of the necropolis.
It’s more than that.
Even the abstract painting hanging on the blackboard at the moment was painted by Baron Harvey Media - the gentleman had previously promised to give him an oil painting, and just yesterday, the painting was finally delivered to him by Count Hilfin.
Thanks to the works of Baron Medea, he is finally no longer a one-man show, but can, as a discerning art connoisseur and patron, appreciate the works of real masters together with the future artists of the empire in front of him.
“…The truly sublime art is not a simple reproduction of things in nature, but a direct confrontation with the unfathomable soul hidden in the human heart…The above is my brief opinion on this art genre.”
In the corner of the lecture hall, Kawena Devore, who came to join in the fun with her best friend, suddenly realized after hearing this.
So this is abstraction?
She looked at the oil painting hanging on the blackboard again. It felt like Baron Medea accidentally knocked over the paint bucket, and it didn't seem to be anything special.
This... I can do it too!
In an instant, a fire of confidence ignited in her eyes without any artistic bacteria, as if she saw the hope of entering the world of painting!
“Of course, this is an emerging genre after all, and its future is still waiting for young artists like you to explore.”
Luo Yan picked up the water glass on the podium and took a sip to moisten his dry throat.
The more than an hour long talk is coming to an end.
Seeing that the bell had not yet rang, he turned his attention to the assistant teacher on the side - the helper arranged for him by Count Hilfen.
"The next step is the free question time. Principal Hilfen has arranged for me an excellent teaching assistant, who will call everyone's name. If you have any questions, you can raise your hands to speak."
After Prince Colin's words fell, there was a burst of whispers in the wide lecture hall, and soon a pair of small hands were raised eager to try.
In order to make her father feel that her money was not in vain, Kawenna also raised her hands high, but obviously... it was not her turn.
The young teaching assistant standing on one side of the podium saw this and immediately straightened his back, scanning the students under the stage with high spirits.
He still clearly remembered the earl's "inadvertent" hint to him earlier - it was necessary to create more opportunities for Prince Colin to communicate with the "talented and beautiful young ladies" of the school.
He knows very well what that gentleman means!
In fact, there was no need for the count to give any hint. As early as a week ago, several servants of the eldest lady came to him to take care of things.
Withstanding the pressure and pretending not to see Miss Castellon's raised hand, he quickly locked onto a lady sitting in the front row.
That girl has a beautiful appearance and an elegant temperament. Her eyes are like big almonds, and her snow-white skin is like mutton-fat jade. And the most important thing is... her family gives the most, so she will definitely not let down His Highness Colin in the dowry.
"This... lady in light blue clothes, please ask a question." He coughed and said as if he was acting impartially.
The girl stood up gracefully, looking at Prince Colin with curiosity and a hint of imperceptible admiration in her bright eyes and said.
"Your Highness, I am very curious... What was the continent of Janna where you grew up like? Is it any different from the New World?"
This question is obviously far from art.
There were some suppressed chuckles from the audience.
Although they didn’t listen carefully, they couldn’t ask such a thoughtless question.
Hands of eyes were waiting for her to make a fool of herself. Even the assistant teacher's expression was a bit unbearable. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her father. I was afraid that the money would be wasted.
However, His Royal Highness, the gentleman, did not embarrass the lady. Instead, he was grateful that the assistant Mr. Hilfin arranged for him accurately found a straw bag among the crowd.
This is a good thing.
Luo Yan said with a smile.
“Well...the continent of Janna is a beautiful place with vast forests, endless grasslands, and beautiful and charming coastline. If I were to describe it, Saint Sith must have poured a different kind of feeling into it when he created that land. If you have the chance, I welcome you to see the scenery there with your own eyes."
Looking at that handsome and charming smile, the girl's cheeks turned red, and she didn't sit back in her seat until the assistant gave her a wink.
Ophelia glanced at the girl jealously, and then raised her hand again not to be outdone, but unfortunately, she was selectively ignored by Count Sylfen's confidant.
In the back row of the lecture hall, the sound of whispers spread.
The best friend sitting next to Kawenna had a nymphomaniac expression on her face. She looked at the figure on the podium with excitement and murmured to herself.
"His Royal Highness Colin is such a gentleman... He actually forgave his student who offended him in public."
Although the Imperial Academy of Arts is not a conservative school, the academic atmosphere here is still very rigorous.
If you ask questions that have nothing to do with your major in class, you will almost certainly be ridiculed by the professor. And this is also the reason why many nobles just come here to get a diploma and don't actually come here to take classes.
This sentence was recognized by the students at the Academy of Fine Arts nearby. The girl nodded with deep understanding and said with emotion.
"Yes... If it were Baron Medea, he would scold her and let her get out of the classroom mercilessly."
Then, the student would probably not be able to come to class for several days.
This is what happened before.
"Really or not? Is Professor Mitya so irritable?" Kawena was surprised. She had heard of the professor's name. It was said that he was also a great painter and a handsome guy.
"Generally speaking, no, but in the professional field, his persistence even reaches the level of paranoia."
Speaking of this, the girl's face showed a troubled expression and continued.
“And I don’t know if it’s my misunderstanding. I feel that he is more patient with boys, but a little too harsh with girls.” Kawenna was surprised when she heard this gossip and didn’t know what to say.
At the same time, the atmosphere in the lecture hall became increasingly active.
Seeing that His Highness Colin was so easy to talk to, the originally shy students raised their hands enthusiastically.
The elegant and easy-going Prince His Royal Highness also maintained his demeanor. No matter what questions the students who stood up asked, whether it had anything to do with art or not, he always answered them with a smile.
As long as the questions have nothing to do with art, he answers them very fluently.
Especially about the continent of Janna.
At first, Luo Yan didn't think anything was wrong, but felt relaxed.
But after this round of questions, almost all the people who stood up to speak were female students, and he gradually felt that it was a bit inappropriate.
Seeing the young teaching assistant looking for girls in the crowd again, he coughed lightly and reminded gently: "Mr. Teaching Assistant, I understand your care for the ladies, but you should also give the gentlemen here a chance to speak."
The teaching assistant was frowning, why did he order so many girls to speak, and none of them interested His Highness Colin?
Just when he was worried, he suddenly heard this sentence and was shocked.
Could it be that the thing that makes His Highness Roxey Colin's heart beat...isn't actually a girl? !
Almost subconsciously, he turned his gaze to a quiet and thin young man sitting in the corner. Regardless of whether the child asked questions or not, he spoke in a panic.
"You, you ask the question!"
Confirming that the assistant teacher was looking at him, the young man stood up with a blank look on his face, thinking that he did not raise his hand, and somehow stood up inexplicably.
He was unprepared and didn't think about what to ask. After holding it in for a long time, his cheeks turned red, like apples hanging on a tree, which immediately caused a burst of snickering from the students around him.
Seeing that all the people who did not raise their hands were selected, Ofelia, who still did not get a chance to speak, became even more angry. She glared at the assistant teacher with her beautiful eyes.
If looks could kill, he would have died countless times!
The teaching assistant trembled behind his back, trying not to look in the direction of Miss Castellón, silently praying that she would never take revenge on him.
If you want to blame it, just blame Count Hilfen, it was all his orders!
"Friend, please sit down." Looking at the young man whose temperament was somewhat similar to that of Ige, Luo Yan sighed and motioned for him to sit down.
At this point, no matter how late he was, he realized what kind of medicine Count Hilfin was selling in his gourd.
After a pause, he looked at the students in the lecture hall and said.
“That’s it for this class. If you still have any questions, you can ask Baron Medea from the Academy of Fine Arts... He is a professor here, a real expert, and the author of the painting behind me. Unlike collectors like me, he will give you more opinions in professional fields.”
"If you want to take the path of abstraction."
Even though he said this, he actually did not recommend these students to enter this track, nor did he intend to fool these flowers of the empire into wasting their lives on things that they may not even understand.
However, he still underestimated the appeal of the name "Prince Colin".
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the lecture hall, and pairs of fiery eyes shone like magic crystal lamps.
A mudslide that is about to sweep through the imperial art world is brewing quietly!
As for what shape this trend will take in the end, I am afraid that even Saint Sith may not know...