September, the cold autumn is approaching.
Hallwood Castle, the political center of Wales, is undergoing a major relocation. After more than a month of busy work, the grain harvest has been completed. Although the southern war has had an impact on agriculture, this year is undoubtedly a good year for Wales.
The wheat harvesting and tax collection were completed. As the Welsh Army successfully captured Rock Castle, the government officially began to move to Wellsburg, and the center of gravity of the Welsh Province began to shift southward.
Speaking of moving the capital, it is actually not as large-scale as imagined. Nowadays, the core part of Wellsburg and the city wall have been built, but only the Second Military and Government Palace, the Lord's Hall and the military barracks have been built, while infrastructure such as residences, free markets, and church squares have not been built. Therefore, only the Government Affairs Office and the Military Affairs Office have moved to Wellsburg. Even the Earl's Palace of Art has not yet been officially moved.
According to the plan of the government, the city of Wales will be built step by step in the next five years, and the Valley Wooden Castle will be completely transformed into a trading castle oriented towards cargo distribution in five years, becoming an important node on the new trade route of Wales.
Behind the wooden castle, on the hill.
An old man who was over fifty years old stood on the top of the mountain. Next to him stood a green-black mule with short mane about five and a half feet tall. Behind him was a personal guard with a steel knife on his waist and a young political officer in a tight cotton robe.
"It's been almost ten years. I built it brick by brick with my own hands. I really can't bear to leave." The old man stroked the head of the green mule beside him and sighed softly while looking at the simple but lively castle at the bottom of the mountain.
The young administrative officer behind him heard the old man's sigh and stepped forward softly, "Lord Cooper, when I first came to the valley, there was only a fence, twenty or thirty wooden houses and thatched huts here, but now it has turned into a mountain city. Tomorrow in Wales is always better than today, and your departure is for the sake of tomorrow in Wales. Besides, there is your mansion here, and you can come back at any time."
Cooper, who had a gray beard, turned around and glanced at this young and promising political officer. His name was Ian. He was a refugee from South Provence and fled north. His father was a patrolman who died in the patrol team, and he and Ron's family were from the same hometown.
After his father died in the war, Ian's family was resettled by the civil administration. In addition to a small amount of land, his mother and sister were recruited to work in the wooden castle. Two years later, he also entered the then parish school as an apprentice.
Two years ago, he graduated as an apprentice and was assigned to be in charge of the village. He rose to prominence by leading villagers to do business and get rich. In the early spring of this year, he was recruited by the Government Affairs Bureau to join the Ministry of Commerce of the Government Affairs Bureau as a steward-level commercial officer.
In serving as commercial officer for more than half a year, Ian has demonstrated extraordinary abilities. The revenue of the business district in Côte d'Or Province that he is responsible for has doubled compared with the same period last year.
Hence this relocation of the Government Affairs Office, Cooper also plans to make appropriate adjustments to personnel appointments to adapt to the complex situation that will follow.
"Ian." Cooper spoke, "I have put a lot of effort into transferring you from the Ministry of Commerce this time. Salter has just resumed his job, and we urgently need someone like you to stay around."
"The Ministry of Commerce and the Continental Commercial Bank are certainly important to the Province of Wales, but as you said, the Province of Wales needs young people like you more in the future."
Ian is devout and well-educated. He respects this old man with white hair and white beard from the bottom of his heart, not only because he is a baron and the governor of the government, but also because this old man in his dying years has forcibly built this valley.
"Lord Cooper, Sir Salter told me when I left the Ministry of Commerce that the Government intends to send me to Beaune City as a political officer. Beaune City is an extraterritorial territory of our Province of Wales. It is an important passage for European merchants to enter and exit the Principality of Burgundy and the Kingdom of France, and it is also a border fortress for the entire princely country. I know that this heavy responsibility will not disappoint your high expectations."
In addition to the two core territories of Wells Valley and Tyniec County, Arte also has three territories in the entire Burgundy Kingdom, namely Marcy Castle in the Côte d'Or Province, Beaune City in the Saône Province, and a southern county in the Yona Province.
The territory in the province of Yona is only nominal. Art can receive taxes every year, but it is actually directly controlled by the Marquis of Flanders, so Art only needs to manage two other territories.
In the past two years, Art has set his sights on the Wells Valley and the south. The rule of Fort Marsi and Beaune City has also been based on military occupation. Governmental governance is somewhat loose, so he asked the government to select capable talents to control the two enclaves. After all, those two places are strangulating the necks of European trading companies.
Cooper shook his head, "Before yesterday, the place where you were going to take office was indeed the City of Beaune, but just this morning, the Count sent an order back from the south, asking me to select ten courageous young officials from the government who understand Lombardy and send them to the southern war zone. The Count named you in the order."
Ian was a little confused. No wonder this old man who had so many things to do had to drag him around on the hill today.
"Lord Cooper~"
Cooper raised his hand, "I know what you mean. Bona City is located at an important border point in the north. It not only manages the border entry and exit of the entire princely country, but also controls the lifeline of commerce. Bona City's political affairs officer is one of the most important. You are a minor prince."
"But the province of Wales respects military force. Now there is a war in the south. You are not only a political officer, but also the backbone of the garrison's standing peasant soldiers. I must know that you understand Lombardy, so I specially recruited you. This trip south must be promising."
Cooper paused, "Of course, the war zone is extremely dangerous and you may die at any time. If you die on the battlefield, I will properly arrange for your mother and sister. You should rest assured about this."
"Your Majesty's order is urgent, and I don't have time to let you think about it. I value your talent and don't want to force you. If you decide not to go, I can intercede with the Earl on your behalf, and you can continue to stay in the Ministry of Commerce."
"Master Cooper, I obey the order and am willing to go south to the war zone."
Cooper patted Ian hard on the shoulder, and the corners of his gray beard rose, "Excellent!"
"I appoint you as the Administrative Officer of the Southern Theater Command of the Wells Provincial Government, and the other nine people are also directly graded and placed under your jurisdiction. In addition, I will discuss with Lord Bass to give you a flag captain-level military position in the garrison to facilitate your operations in the war zone."
Ian was a little surprised. Although the Southern War Zone Administrative Officer was only a subordinate to the Minister of Government Affairs, the entire Southern War Zone outside of Nanguan Army Fort was under his own jurisdiction. He should have been promoted to half a level, and could barely be regarded as deputy ministerial level.
In addition, the military position at the level of flag captain of the garrison regiment is an officer in the proper sense. If you can achieve some military exploits, you can be directly promoted to a trainee knight.
"Thank you Lord Cooper!"
"Go, I'll give you one day. Early tomorrow morning, you will lead the team south and report to Lord Earl at the Lakeland garrison camp."
"Yes."