When Galileo saw Wu Lai walking towards him with a smile and elegance, he was so excited that he almost cried. If it weren't for Wu Lai, he wouldn't have the happy life he has now.
"Priest Galileo, we meet again." Wu Lai said with a smile.
"Citizen Woolley, I have been looking forward to your coming," said Galileo.
"Not busy, right? There seem to be a lot of people here today." Wu Lai glanced in the direction of the fountain, where a group of people were praying in front of the fountain.
"It's still early now. More people will come later." Galileo turned around and looked at the crowd, then said with a smile, "Maybe there will be fewer people on rainy days."
Wu Lai nodded, and as he walked Galileo to a secluded place, he asked, "Will the temple not interfere?"
"No, your idea is effective. Now we only need to hand over fifty gold coins every month, and then be responsible for the repairs here, and also bear the monthly flower expenses of the temple. All in all, it's less than a hundred gold coins." Galileo replied.
"Do the priests have any objections?" Woolley was naturally asking the ones who were "exiled" here with Galileo.
Galileo shook his head. "I have no objection. Just as you said, we will count and register the silver coins we have salvaged every day, and then seal them up. According to the current situation, after deducting all expenses, we estimate that there will be nearly a hundred gold coins left this month. We have also agreed that each person will only receive two gold coins per month for their family, and the rest will all be invested in your business..."
"No, Priest Galileo, it's not my business, it's your family's business." Wu Lai corrected with a smile, "Also, the income from the Weiss Fountain exceeded my expectations, so we have to modify the plan as we go along, otherwise, the Weiss Fountain will soon be targeted by other people in the temple. We can't let this happen before we achieve our ultimate goal."
Galileo was stunned and nodded subconsciously.
"You must make sure that the accounts are accurate and clear, and that people with ulterior motives do not take advantage of the situation and slander the blessings of Amun." Woolley continued, "You must make other priests understand that their goal is not to make money, but to ensure the happiness of their families and to demonstrate their devotion to Amun."
"Well, just like you said last time, we are using our actions to show the glory of God Amon, and these cannot be slandered or defamed." Galileo nodded, "Don't worry, we will firmly guard the central square and will not let anyone with ulterior motives take it away."
"I believe you can do it." Wu Lai smiled. "God Amon will appreciate your integrity, courage and wisdom, and will also understand your short-term use of the income from the Weiss Fountain. I think when the ultimate goal is achieved, all your hard work and efforts will be rewarded in the best way."
"First of all, I have to thank you, Citizen Wu Lai. It is you who gave us such an opportunity. With your ability, you don't need us at all, but you still..." Galileo suddenly choked up.
"Oh, no, Priest Galileo, I am ashamed of your excitement." Wu Lai quickly changed the subject. "By the way, I just took a look and the exterior of the house has been painted. How is the interior being renovated?"
"It has been completely renovated inside," Galileo replied. "We haven't had time to open the large window in the wall as you drew on the drawing. But, are we really going to do that?"
"Of course, I need a house like that." Wu Lai replied. What he and Galileo were talking about was the small stone building facing the street on the left side of the square entrance. It was used for rest by the priests in the central square. It was short and cramped, and many tools were piled up in it before. It had been in disrepair for many years and was not very suitable for living.
Two days later, Galileo walked into the side palace of the temple with an account book and two bags of gold coins in his arms. The account book was redone completely according to Woolley's requirements, accurate and clear. The two bags of gold coins each contained fifty coins. One bag was handed over to the temple, and the other was privately handed over to a red-robed priest.
Galileo didn't stay in the side palace for long. When he walked out of the temple, there was a faint smile on his face and he looked particularly relaxed.
At the same time, Wu Lai appeared at the entrance of the academy with a smile on his face. When Klee, who was waiting outside the door, saw him coming out, he went up to him with a smile on his face and greeted him. Mo Li, who was originally talking to Klee, consciously stepped aside.
"How's things at home?" asked Woolley.
"Everything is fine. All the workshops are in good condition. Please rest assured, young master." After answering, Klee continued, "Mrs. Leah, Miss Tina, Mr. Xiban, Butler Gaogen... let me take care of this letter for you, young master. This is a letter from Mrs. Leah, Miss Tina, and Mr. Xiban."
After accepting the stack of letters from Klee, Woolley nodded and asked again, "Is the Seneca garrisoned?"
"The day I left the city was the day when the garrison entered the city. However, it seemed that only half of the garrison was stationed there first, so there were not many people. The weapons and shields were all brand new, and there were not many bags of baggage." Klee described it as best he could.
"Got it." Since he met him when he was leaving the city, Klee naturally couldn't know too much. After confirming this, Wu Lai stuffed the letter into his arms and asked, "Did you bring what I wanted?"
"I have brought it." Klee quickly took out a small account book and handed it to Wu Lai. "I have brought all the items and people that the young master wants. I originally wanted to bring only 5,000 gold coins as the young master requested, but Teacher Xiban, Madam Leah, and Butler Gao Geng were worried that the young master would not have enough, so they asked me to bring 3,000 more. Now, the carriage and the carriage are parked in the yard of the hotel where Janus is. Malone and six slave guards are watching over them, and Janus is also helping to watch over them."
"Got it." Wu Lai nodded and waved his hand, "Come on, take me there. By the way, you've worked hard along the way. I'll have to reward you well at lunch."
"Thank you, young master." Keli thanked him quickly, and added at the end, "Actually, this is what we should do."
"Clare, you are becoming more and more like Gauguin." Wu Lai laughed and walked towards the carriage driven by Clare.
Soon, Woolley saw a group of people coming from Seneca. To his surprise, El was there too.
As if he had noticed Wu Lai's surprise, El explained in a low voice after asking for the gift: "Master, it was Teacher Xiban and Butler Hippo who arranged for me to come here. They were worried that Janus was not taking good care of you."
"The academy is not Baishi Building." Wu Lai smiled slightly and continued, "But it's good that you're here. I can help out a little."
El was delighted and nodded happily.
After checking the goods that Clee and his party brought from Seneca, Woolley took Clee to the central square again. Firstly, he wanted to introduce Clee and Galileo to each other, and secondly, he wanted to tell Clee some of his own ideas.
"Klee, I plan to use this small building to open a unique store." Wu Lai smiled and patted Klee's shoulder. "I have high hopes for you and plan to keep you here to run this store for me. What do you think?"
After hearing this, Klee was delighted at first, but then he became hesitant.
Wu Lai naturally knew what Klee was hesitating about, and immediately said, "Bring your two sons here as well, and let them be apprentices first. If they can learn half of your skills, I will open another shop for them in this Assyrian city. In addition, if you think there is a need, you can also bring your wife and daughter here."
"That's great, Master Wu Lai. To be honest, I was just thinking, if I stayed in Assyria, my two sons..." As Keli was talking, his eyes suddenly turned red. He quickly turned his face to the side and wiped his eyes. "Thank you, Master Wu Lai, thank you, Master Wu Lai."
Wu Lai nodded and asked, "Who do you think is suitable to take over your job?"
Klee was stunned for a moment, then shook his head: "Master Wu Lai, I can't give you any advice on this." Since becoming Wu Lai's butler, Klee has spent most of his time on the road transporting goods, and naturally lacks understanding of other people.
"Then let Gauguin and Voss share the burden first. You have already paved the way for them." Wu Lai said, "Do you know why I didn't hire anyone in Assyria?"
"Why?" Klee asked quickly.
"Because I only trust you guys." Wu Lai patted Klee's shoulder with a smile.
Before nightfall, Wu Lai returned to the college. As soon as he entered the residence, he saw Guru sitting on the steps, pretending to be dissatisfied.
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"What's wrong? Who bullied you?" Wu Lai asked casually.
"By a man named Wulaglindo." Gulu curled his lips and said, "I took a scolding from Vice President Lini for you this afternoon. In the end, he asked me to tell you that he will wait for you in the Art Building at noon tomorrow."
"Waiting for me? Or in the Arts Building?" Wu Lai was stunned. "Gulu, are you sure it's Vice President Lini and not some beautiful girl?"
"Wulai, if it was a girl, I wouldn't tell you." Guru laughed and replied.
At noon the next day, when Klee and others were busy making preparations, Wu Lai walked into the Art Building with some trepidation.
The building was unusually quiet. When Wu Lai pushed the door open, he immediately saw Lini sitting in front of a French window.
"Is it Woolleglindo?" Rini asked, but his eyes were still on the parchment in his hand. The words on the paper were fine and sloppy, making it difficult for him to read.
"It's me, Vice President Lini. Guru said you were looking for me?" Wu Lai answered as he slowly walked towards Lini.
"Sit down first." Rini didn't look up, but pointed to an empty chair opposite him with his left hand. "I'll talk to you about business after I finish reading this short paragraph."
"Oh, okay." Wu Lai sat down on the chair and casually glanced at the wooden shelves around him. In fact, the art building of the college can be called the first library in the Assyrian territory. Guru told Wu Lai that there are nearly a thousand wooden shelves here, and many clay tablets with text are neatly stacked on each wooden shelf. The total number of clay tablets in the whole building exceeds 70,000, covering religious inscriptions, literary works, scientific documents, historical records and legal documents from the ancient Assyrian period. It is said that the closest clay tablet is a product of more than 600 years ago. According to Wu Lai, everything in this house is antique.
Wu Lai frowned slightly. The smell of castor oil in the air made him feel a little uncomfortable. Applying castor oil on clay tablets was a common method of protecting clay tablets in the Assyrian territory. It was as important as adding a wooden frame to the clay tablets.
After sitting for a while, Lini put down the parchment scroll in his hand, rubbed his forehead and said, "Wuliglindo, have you been here before?"
"I've been here once," Wu Lai replied. He didn't regard the Arts Building as a treasure house. To him, the things on the clay tablets were not important at all. Besides, there was a strong smell of castor oil, which was not very friendly to the human body. If it weren't for the fact that freshmen had to visit it "with reverence" when they entered school, he wouldn't want to go in here.
"You should come here more often," said Lini. "Here you can learn about the origin of the Assyrians, and even the origin of the world. You can also learn a lot of other things, which will be of great help to your future."
It's better not to come here often. Wu Lai muttered to himself, but nodded with a smile on his face.
Lini was very satisfied with Wu Lai's attitude, and the tiredness on his face was also relieved. "During this period of time, your comprehension is amazing. I am very satisfied with your performance, but there are still some minor flaws in some aspects. But we will discuss these later. Now I have a small question for you. Do you think that the academy's method of preserving text tablets is good or bad?"
After pondering for a while, Wu Lai shook his head and said, "Vice President Lini, I really can't say for sure." The reason for his answer was that, firstly, he was not sure what Lini meant, and secondly, there was actually nothing wrong with the current preservation method. Although it was called a clay tablet, it was actually fired. Although its solidity was not as good as that of high-quality pottery, there was absolutely no problem in preserving it like this.
"Wuli Glindo, are you afraid to say it? Or are you unwilling to say it?" Lini looked at Wu Lai with a sharp and firm look.
"Well, Vice President Lini, I don't like beating around the bush, and I'm not sure how you want me to answer." Wu Lai smiled and met Lini's gaze, "So, if you think it's important, you might as well say it directly."
Lini frowned for a moment and then relaxed his brows. "Okay, then I'll get straight to the point. I need you to make a contribution to the academy. To be more precise, you need to turn all the clay tablets here into books. Then, the academy can find a quiet cave to keep these great and ancient clay tablets there forever. That way it will be much safer."
"I'm very curious, why does Vice President Lini have such an idea? Wouldn't it be nice to put them here?" Wu Lai asked curiously, but he couldn't help cursing in his heart. Good guy, he actually plotted against me, turning all the clay tablets here into books, are you still asleep?
"I am not the only one who has this idea. The academy has been working on this project for several years. The initial method was to copy it on parchment, but there are several disadvantages, such as fading of dyes, transcription errors, etc. Moreover, only citizens are allowed to touch these clay tablets, so there has been no major progress." Lini sighed and continued, "These clay tablets are the roots and heritage of Assyria, and they cannot be lost. That's why I came to you."
"Why me?" Wu Lai frowned.