In the evening, George hosted a banquet for Kevin, Ibe and Wright in his mansion. Also accompanying them were Hodge, Job, Torre and Woolley, whom George had to call despite being extremely reluctant. After all, Ibe and Wright came for this guy.

It is worth mentioning that, at least on the surface, the whole process of the banquet was harmonious. George openly apologized to Wu Lai for his negligence, and Wu Lai also responded humbly, repeatedly expressing his understanding of George's approach, and respectfully invited George to visit Salt Marsh Town when he was free: "Dear Sir George, Salt Marsh Town is an inseparable part of the city-state of Lunvington. Although the current conditions are poor and the environment is harsh, if you can come to guide us, I think it will be the greatest encouragement to the people of the town."

Although Wu Lai was so polite, George didn't dare to take it too seriously, but he still nodded, taking it as an agreement.

Of course, Wu Lai would not take George's nod seriously. After showing his attitude, he didn't say anything else. Instead, he honestly served as a guest and occasionally laughed along.

The banquet lasted for quite a while, and it was almost midnight when it came to an end. Banquets of Assyrian nobles are not just about eating and drinking. There are many entertainment programs one after another, which will slow down the pace of the banquet very much.

After the banquet, Ibe and Light stayed in George's house. Whether it was the guest's wishes or the aristocratic etiquette, it was inconvenient and there was no chance for the two of them to be alone with Woolley tonight. But it didn't matter, as they still had to stay in Lovington for a while, especially Light - as a special envoy of the temple, he had to deliver the "Round Shield Warrior" to Saltmarsh Town to complete his mission, which was not comparable to Ibe.

When he walked into the yard of the alliance headquarters, Wu Lai saw Nils sitting in the yard and Kai standing beside him.

"Oh, Nils, it seems that the people here lack respect for you. I will have to scold them later." Woolley was referring to the fact that Nils was sitting in the yard. There was a reception room in the residence, and it would have been more appropriate for Nils to sit there.

"Then I have to plead for them. Don't blame them. They didn't neglect me. I just wanted to sit in the yard and look at the moon. How nice." Nils said with a smile.

"Although I don't want to disturb your fun, I still think that we should go to my room and sit for a while now," Wu Lai said with a smile.

"Okay, as you wish." Niels stood up slowly, waved his hand to indicate that Kai was waiting in the yard, and said to Wu Lai, "It's a good opportunity to hear how you shined at the meeting. By the way, the timing of the two envoys' arrival is really a coincidence. Did you make an appointment with them?"

"Of course not." Wu Lai smiled and shook his head.

After they sat down at the table, Niels sighed and said, "You gave George a hard time today."

"You can't blame me for this. I had no idea about the special envoy beforehand, but I knew what George wanted to use against me long ago." Wu Lai said with a faint smile.

Niels nodded. "Well, you have the upper hand. Don't make any more moves in this meeting. The Duncan family still needs to maintain its reputation in Lovington. Although you and George are currently in opposition on the surface, in fact, you are still one family."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Wu Lai said readily. Although dealing with George was a pleasure, he did not come to Lovington to play official fights. There were still a lot of things waiting for him to do.

"Woole, the Supreme Council and the Temple sent envoys at the same time. What do you think?" Nils suddenly asked.

Of course, Wu Lai knew that Nils was testing him. It would be strange if Nils could still sit still when the Supreme Council and the Temple showed up at the same time to support him in a high-profile manner.

"I think it's normal. Think about it, everyone knows the importance of Salt Marsh Town. In extraordinary times, everyone is determined to win, so it's understandable to put in more effort. As for the temple, Wright is my best friend and partner, you know that, right?" Wu Lai asked.

Niels nodded: "Of course I know this. Well, I actually want to ask, since Chief Connor supports you so much, will he let you..."

"I know what you mean." Wu Lai laughed and interrupted Niels. "Let me be frank. I personally think that Chief Connor and the Supreme Council's support for Salt Marsh Town is out of consideration and need for the Assyrian situation, not out of concern for me, Wu Lailindo. To put it more bluntly, Chief Connor and I are not very familiar with each other. Sometimes I still wonder if I am the bait he threw to the Duncan family. Alas, forgive my stupidity, I am not sure of the answer yet."

Nils was stunned, and suddenly felt that what Woolley said made sense. According to the intelligence held by the Duncan family, Woolley and Connor only met after Woolley was assassinated. It was not realistic to say that the two had such a close relationship. This was also one of the reasons why Nils was willing to win over Woolley. However, today's Supreme Council supported Woolley too high-profile, which inevitably made him feel uneasy. Now that Woolley said this, he felt at ease.

With his mind settled, Nils naturally followed Wu Lai's meaning and continued, "This is exactly what I want to remind you. Connor has been the chief for so many years, and many people have followed him, but he chose you to come to Salt Marsh Town. It's hard to say that he has no backup plan. Although the support for Salt Marsh Town is strong and you have been given many rights, as you said, it is not out of concern for you, but the need to control Salt Marsh Town."

Wu Lai nodded and thought to himself that since you think this way, what I said just now is not in vain.

"For now, what the temple can give you, the Duncan family may not be able to give you, but what the Supreme Council can give you, the Duncan family can also give you. Tell me, what kind of help do you need?" Nils asked. He felt that according to the current situation, it seemed necessary to give Wu Lai a little more sweetness.

Unexpectedly, Wu Lai waved his hand and said, "It's not necessary for now. Besides, it's not appropriate for you to help me in a big way now, because it will involve too much manpower and financial resources, and it's hard to guarantee that someone won't leak it. Once Connor gets a hold of it, our cooperation will not be able to continue. I still want to live the life of a high-ranking official."

"That's right." Niels nodded. "Then should we continue with the status quo?"

"This is the best. Don't worry, I can handle it. You don't have to interfere with George and the others. Especially with the presence of Special Envoy Ibet, it will be beneficial for me if they launch appropriate 'attacks' on me." Wu Lai said.

"No problem, I won't interfere. By the way, I came to see you tonight for one more thing." Neilston paused and said, "It doesn't matter what you do with Salt Marsh Town, as long as you stand on our side and take a clear stand at the critical moment. But as for the Salt Marsh Town Salt Field, I must reiterate that you must not interfere. There are too many people and things involved. In the past few months, Lovington will take action against the Salt Marsh Town Salt Field."

"I won't intervene." Wu Lai shook his head. "It's a thankless task. My recent focus is on construction. Salt Marsh Town's defense is already weak, and the temple has moved a "Bowler Shield Warrior". If I don't increase my defenses, if we lose the defense, bandits will rush in to burn, kill and loot. But if they damage the sculpture, I will be in trouble."

"Okay, we won't interfere with you. It's up to you to decide what you want to do first and what you want to do later." Nils smiled bitterly and shook his head, thinking to himself, so you are thinking about these things.

After talking for a while, Nils stood up to say goodbye, declined Woolley's offer to see him off, walked out the door, called Kai, and left through the back door.

After thinking for a while, Wu Lai opened the drawer, took out pen, ink and paper, and began to write a letter - "My most missed little canary, I miss you so much..."

…

A few days later, the annual city-state nobles meeting was over. During these boring few days, George managed to regain some face, but not from Woolley, but from several other scapegoats - George had a lot of anger in his chest, and he had to find a place to vent it.

Woolley didn't get any benefits either. Not only was he asked to pay the fine, but he was also told that the city-state's finances were stretched to the limit and that Salt Marsh Town's expenses would have to be delayed before they could be paid. When he heard this, Woolley wanted to argue with reason, but in the end he chose to give up because he saw that George had made up his mind to annoy him and even "blocked" other towns, at least on the surface.

Since this is the case, Wu Lai doesn't want to be the first to take action.

But some things had to be said, so at the dinner on the last day of the meeting, Wu Lai approached George openly and said, "Sir George, if you don't give me money, how can I build Salt Marsh Town if I don't have any money?"

Humph, you know to come to me now. George muttered to himself, and replied with a straight face: "Wulinglindo, the city-state's fiscal revenue is taken from the people and used for the people. Apart from the part that is handed over, the rest will be used for the construction of the city-state. You know this, right?"

"I know." Wu Lai nodded.

"No, you don't know." George shook his head contemptuously. "The construction is divided into two parts, one for the city of Lunvington and one for the villages and towns under it. The city construction of Lunvington must be given priority over the villages and towns. Now that the finances are tight, it is natural to slow down the villages and towns and protect the city."

"How long will it take?" Wu Lai frowned.

"That's hard to say." Job interrupted, "And according to convention, Salt Marsh Town will be put on the last list, so, Governor Wu Lai, please wait for a while, maybe a few months, maybe a year or two, who can say for sure."

"Okay." Wu Lai shrugged, "Then I'll figure it out myself."

"That's great. I support you in finding a solution yourself." Job raised his glass with a smile. "If the governors at the town level can be as sensible as you, my life as the governor of the city-state will be much easier."

"Maybe." Wu Lai waved his sleeves and turned away.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

Seeing that Woolley was obviously unhappy, Jobe smiled triumphantly, winked at George, and asked, "Are you relieved?"

"Of course." George took a big gulp of wine and said, "I don't want to see his disgusting face at all. The sooner he gets out of here, the better."

"Of course he's leaving, George. Just wait and see. It's true that the Supreme Council and the Temple have good intentions towards Woleglindo, but this is actually putting him on the spot. With the arrival of the Buckler Warrior, Saltmarsh Town has to be transformed into a new look. How much money is needed to make a town look brand new? If I were him, I would be so worried now that I wouldn't have the time to ask for small amounts of money for office expenses."

George narrowed his eyes and a smile appeared on his face.

At noon the next day, Wu Lai hosted a banquet for Ibe and Wright at the residence. Although the three of them had talked in the past few days, they were all in the presence of outsiders and could not have a full conversation.

"Finally, I can drink with you happily." Wright raised his glass and said to Wu Lai, "The wine in Lovington is awful. Luckily, I brought a cart of wine with me. It was originally for you, but now it's 20% less, hahahahahaha."

Wright laughed wildly, but Ibe didn't care. How could he not know what kind of character this big playboy was? Seeing Wu Lai rolling his eyes at Wright and preparing to pour wine for himself, he stretched out his hand to gently stop him and said with a smile: "I have been drunk for several days in a row. I have to return tomorrow. I don't want to take the car when I am dizzy."

"Vice President Yibei, it's still early. Please do me a favor and have a few more drinks. Can't you just not indulge yourself tonight?" Wu Lai pushed Yibei's hand away without saying a word and filled the glass to the brim.

"You, you..." Ibe smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Okay, let's have a few drinks with you two."

"It's my pleasure." Woolley raised his glass.

After three rounds of drinks, Ibe started to talk more: "Wu Lai, what I brought this time is all that the Supreme Conference can give you. You have to make good use of it. Also, I have to remind you that you should not use the power of emergency appointment and removal of personnel if you can. If you must use it, you must use it with care. This power is actually the most powerful when it is not used..."

"...Chief Connor is very interested in the additional departments in your report. He said that your method is very good. It will make management easier by breaking down the affairs. With more departments, more people can be involved, so that they won't have to eat for free..."

"...The power to adjust the military and civil arrangements. This term was not even mentioned before you. It was added especially for you. I can't quite figure out Chief Connor's thinking, but I think you understand. Regarding this power, my suggestion is to think it over before using it. Lovington is the territory of the Duncan family and the only city-state in the Assyrian territory with only one legion stationed. You know..."

"You have already started to organize an army, so I will not elaborate on it. Let me tell you the last thing. You are allowed to intercept half of the salt production to use as military expenses. Since it is interception, that is to say, whether it is salt or money, you have to intercept it yourself. This is also what Chief Connor specifically told me to tell you. You must remember it and find a way to intercept it."

When Ibe's hand patted Wu Lai's shoulder heavily, Wu Lai nodded seriously, with deep gratitude in his heart - although he had only had a few interactions with Ibe in the Citizens' College, Ibe's expectations for him at this time were no less than those for Lini, and his concern was beyond words.

"Okay, okay, let me say a few words, Wu Lai, are you in any trouble now?" Wright interrupted.

"Yes, the difficulties are quite big," Wu Lai replied.

"Tell me about it, maybe I can help." Wright said immediately.

"No, I'll do it myself. You can't help me." Wu Lai shook his head.

"Impossible! It's not like we're mobilizing troops for a war. Is there anything I can't help with?" Wright didn't believe it.

"Yes, say it out loud and let everyone help you." Ibe also said.

Wu Lai smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's really not that easy to help. The Supreme Council has given me so much power. I know what they want me to do, and I plan to do it better. The temple sent me the Round Shield Warrior and gave me so many rewards. I have to hurry up and deal with the temple's affairs, but Salt Marsh Town doesn't even have a hundred gold coins now..."

"It's no big deal. How much do you need? I'll get it for you!" Wright interrupted Wu Lai immediately and patted his chest to show his generosity and determination.

Wu Lai laughed and asked, "If I said it was two million gold coins, is it there?"

"Ah?!" Wright's eyes widened immediately.