Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 569: The Official Representative in Horn Bay
Chapter 569: The Official Representative in Horn Bay
TL: Rui88
The Administration Council’s Director-General, Old Ford, and the Director of the Department of Intelligence, Cecil, sat on the sofa in Paul’s office. On the lord’s desk, several resumes were laid out. Paul was also holding one, reading it carefully.
Old Ford said, “Lord Grayman, these are the candidates we recommend for you. Please make the final decision.”
The purpose of their visit today was to select, together with Paul, an official representative of Lakeheart Town in Horn Bay, to strengthen official-level contacts with the various countries of Horn Bay.
After the sea route to Horn Bay was opened, the connection between the Northwest Bay and Horn Bay had been primarily through private merchants. The Horn Bay side had once sent an envoy from the Horn Bay Alliance…Marquis Foster’s eldest son…to purchase weapons. But from the Northwest Bay side, apart from Quik commanding the Southern Star on its maiden voyage to Horn Bay, no other figure representing Lakeheart Town had ever gone there. It was all left to the merchants to fend for themselves.
The enterprises under the control of the Administration Council did have people in Horn Bay, but that was still on a private level.
Now, Lakeheart Town had a very urgent need in Horn Bay. For example, to purchase or lease a piece of land to provide a foothold, a supply station, and a sanctuary for their own merchants affected by the Horn Bay war. And since they were going to send mercenaries to Horn Bay, it would be best to build a fortress there as a military base. It was only at this moment that Paul realized he didn’t have a single representative in Horn Bay with enough clout.
Given that the functionaries currently selected by the Administration Council through examinations had basically never been to Horn Bay, the Administration Council suggested that Paul select a representative from among the private trade practitioners.
“Jerrod John?”
“My lord, this is the business representative of our ceramics factory in Horn Bay. He is well-acquainted with the upper echelons of the Horn Bay Alliance. The dignitaries there are very fond of our porcelain.”
“Uh… he’s a bit old. If he has to travel frequently between countries, it might be too much for him. What about this one… Stevie Paredes?”
“My lord, he was sent by the Port Fran shipyard to Horn Bay to poach… cough, to recruit talent.”
“Then he should be very familiar with the shipbuilding industry there, and talent recruitment is also a very important job. It’s better not to move him.”
After looking at several, Paul was not very satisfied, until he picked up the last one.
“Friedrich Liszt?”
“Oh, my lord, this is the business representative of the Todd Shipping Company in Horn Bay. The Todd Shipping Company has a very extensive shipping business, and he often travels between the various countries of Horn Bay for business.”
Paul looked at the resume, his eyebrows raised. “Hmm, this one seems quite good. He is familiar with the official figures, civil forces, and all social strata of the Horn Bay countries, and he is in the prime of his life.”
Old Ford and Cecil exchanged a glance. This was the last candidate, and the lord seemed quite satisfied. It looked like this was the one.
Paul asked, “I just don’t know what this Mr. Liszt’s attitude towards Lakeheart Town is?”
Cecil said, “His attitude towards Lakeheart Town is unknown for now, but he holds you, Lord Grayman, in the highest esteem.”
“Oh? How so?” Paul became interested, a smile appearing on his face. ‘Haha, so I have fans?’
Cecil explained, “We investigated his correspondence with his friends and found that this Mr. Liszt has been studying your various economic measures over the past few years, such as the policies to support industry and commerce, the reform of the tax system, and especially the establishment of the customs union and a unified market. Liszt has lavished praise on you for this, his words filled with utmost admiration. And he has even written a book summarizing your policies, which he is commissioning a friend to publish at a printing house in Alda. The title has not yet been determined. Several options are Tariffs, Markets, and Government Intervention, Several Stages in the Rise of a Backward Economy, and The Political Economy of…”
Before Cecil could finish, he and Old Ford both noticed that the lord’s previously relaxed eyebrows twitched violently.
The atmosphere in the office suddenly became strange.
“This book hasn’t started printing yet, has it?” A strange smile appeared on Paul’s face, yet his tone was chilling as he asked.
“Uh…” Cecil didn’t know which sensitive area in the lord’s heart his introduction had touched. He stammered in reply, “It shouldn’t have. The latest news I received is that the book is still under review…this is something you personally stipulated, that any publication must be reviewed before it can be published. But…”
“But what?”
“Because it doesn’t involve any specific sensitive technical information or any statements against you…and in fact, it’s full of praise for you…I think the review will pass quickly.” 𝘙Ã𐌽οβЁŝ
“Is the content of this book very detailed?”
Cecil recalled for a moment and said, “It is said to be several hundred pages thick, rich in detail, and well-documented, listing a large amount of statistical data…all collected from public information, of course.”
Paul let out a heavy sigh, then said in a resolute tone, “Immediately terminate the review of this book.”
“Allow it to be published directly?”
“No! Send the manuscript to me. I want to see for myself what this Mr. Liszt has written.”
Cecil replied, “I understand.”
The Administration Council’s Director-General, Old Ford, asked hesitantly, “Then, Lord Grayman, should this Friedrich Liszt… be brought under control? Or directly…”
He made a cutting motion with his hand.
Although Old Ford didn’t quite understand why Paul was reacting so strongly, this Liszt person must have committed some taboo in the lord’s eyes.
Seeing Old Ford’s gesture, Paul was somewhat speechless. When would these subordinates of his ever move beyond that “Game of Thrones” mindset, always shouting to kill and exterminate entire families at the drop of a hat?
Couldn’t they be a bit more civilized?
Paul shook his head. He instructed, “I am very interested in this Friedrich Liszt. Our official representative in Horn Bay will be tentatively set as him.”
Ah? Old Ford and Cecil were very surprised. The lord’s reaction just now was as if Liszt had stolen his underwear, so why was he suddenly entrusting him with such an important task?
“I think this is a man of talent. A talent who likes to dig deep into the essence of society and the economy. Such a person, of course, must be recruited for my use. To be just a business representative in a private company is truly a waste.”
Paul explained to Old Ford and Cecil the reason for his special regard for Liszt.
“It’s just that I hope he can return to the Northwest Bay to meet with me. I have a lot to say… ah, never mind. The situation in Horn Bay is so chaotic, and he will have many things to do after becoming my representative. A trip back would cause a lot of delay.”
Paul thought for a moment and said, “Let’s do this. I will write a long letter to him. Director-General Ford, Cecil!”
He looked at the two men and commanded:
“You are to send men to be by his side, to help him and assist him, and at the same time, you must ensure that he faithfully carries out my instructions.”
Chapter 569: The Official Representative in Horn Bay
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