When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Walking on the creaking stairs of the mansion, Halkin's mood was rather uneasy.

The smell of alcohol hadn't dissipated from him, and his steps were slightly unsteady.

At the recently concluded banquet, Halkin, as a member of the entourage, felt a sense of returning home in glory and being in high spirits.

Those master craftsmen who once called him a disgrace to the dwarves all came to toast him, because his Department of Industry was the department in charge of steel orders.

Old partners even ran over to build relationships, exaggerating his merits to no end and trying to get some inside information from him.

Don't let Halkin's soft-persimmon appearance of smiling at everyone fool you into thinking anyone can step on him.

In truth, although this one wasn't an internal beta tester from the Gulag era, he was still a public beta player.

In matters related to foundries and industry, this dwarf was also an authority.

Especially among the Reformist Dwarves, his reputation was unparalleled.

Even the dwarven grandmasters of craftsmanship were still 'craftsmen,' members of the middle class.

Although Halkin's position couldn't be inherited, it was already on par with middle and high-ranking nobles.

A Dragon-worshipping dwarf becoming a noble in a human kingdom was truly unheard of.

But no matter how high Halkin's prestige was among the Reformist Dwarves, he couldn't help but feel uneasy when summoned by the Holy Grandson.

Especially since he had just boasted to his underlings that he had some influence in front of the Holy Grandson.

Halkin had reassured them that with him around, His Holy Grandson would never allow New Coldspring to shake Coldspring's position.

But after the banquet, he was immediately notified to go to the mansion to meet the Holy Grandson.

This was alarming; could it be that the Cheka had reported him?

Standing in front of the red-painted door, while the monk went to announce his arrival.

Halkin first picked up a vase next to him, rinsed his mouth with the water inside, and spat it back in.

Then he straightened his hair and beard, smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, and arranged his collar neatly.

"Lord Halkin, are you ready? You may enter," the cardinal monk poked his head out from behind the door.

"Of course."

Stepping into the room, Halkin could see Horn sitting behind the long table: "Good evening, Your Majesty."

"Good evening, please sit down." Horn pointed to the chair in front of him, "Are you aware of the New Coldspring plan?"

"I fully support your plan." Halkin hesitated for a moment, then timidly opened his mouth, "But Coldspring is, after all, a metallurgical center of nearly a hundred years. It may take a considerable amount of time for New Coldspring to replace Old Coldspring."

"With our clockwork engine-driven ore crushers and conveyors, our development speed will be much faster than theirs." Horn pointed to the outside of the window, "Moreover, I don't intend to replace Coldspring; this is just a bargaining chip for applying pressure."

"You mean, New Coldspring is just a facade to scare them?"

"No." Horn naturally shook his head, "New Coldspring will still be built, but the main focus will be on copper smelting using gall water."

"That's natural; competition is what drives progress." Halkin breathed a sigh of relief.

Coldspring refines iron, and New Coldspring refines copper, the two engage in staggered competition.

Because Coldspring's iron industry is the larger part, and New Coldspring's copper industry is the larger part, the weaker smaller parts of each side cannot create pressure.

However, if either side is dissatisfied, His Holy Grandson can completely support the other side to create a balance.

It has to be said that this is indeed a good method.

"I suddenly remembered something, you have a good relationship with a noble lady from Crabapple Castle?" Horn suddenly brought up another topic.

Halkin hurriedly responded carefully: "Theodora, she is the daughter of the Grand Duke of Crabapple Castle, and also a bookseller. The publishing house and printing company she founded have brought us considerable revenue."

"Can you get her to help us recruit some talents from Norm, or even drifters?

The Mountain County still has too few people, and the people of the Plain County are unwilling to go up the mountain. I need enough people to reclaim land and build infrastructure for me."

"Of course." Halkin immediately patted his chest to guarantee, "With just a few gold pounds, the Grand Dukes of Norm County will pack up their people and send them over."

For the Grand Dukes, the people are like crops in the field, and it's normal to sell them off.

Feeling Horn's admiring gaze, Halkin immediately puffed out his chest.

"Let's get back to the topic, about this new city, let's call it New Coldspring for now. I'm wondering who should lead this matter." Horn stroked the bone china teacup, "This person needs to have experience in metallurgy and industry and commerce, connections in Norm, be good at recruiting talents, introducing craftsmen and merchants, and be not only flexible but also reliable. Do you know anyone?"

Metallurgy and industrial experience, Norm connections, talent recruitment, flexible and reliable…

Halkin's heart beat more violently than ever before: Heavens, this is me!

No wonder His Majesty asked him about these things just now.

But he still had to be humble and test the waters: "You said that recommendations shouldn't avoid relatives. My father, Brock, is good at metallurgy and very reliable."

"Brock is rigid in his thinking, more than reliable, but not flexible enough, and he doesn't understand the commercial aspect."

"Then what about Rector, he is an old monk…"

"He can't even be considered reliable."

Swallowing a mouthful of saliva that weighed more than a thousand pounds, Halkin stammered, "You, you mean?"

"Apart from you, I can't think of anyone else." Horn looked at him with a smile.

It's an external assignment!

Halkin didn't expect happiness to come so quickly.

There is an implicit rule within the Holy Alliance, which is that exorcist monks who want to be promoted to Gatekeeper Monks must first be assigned externally.

Especially at the cardinal level, if you want to be a cardinal, you must have local governance experience and be a chaplain before the Holy Grandson.

Even those who have been cardinals, such as Madelaine and Armand, have to make up for this experience.

Halkin is already a chaplain before the Holy Grandson, and his rank is still a high-ranking exorcist monk.

He had long wanted an external assignment. He had previously lobbied for Hollow Earth, but it was snatched away by Lener's Cheka.

If he could participate in the construction and governance of the city and turn this 'New Coldspring' into a new metallurgical center, he would not only be promoted to Gatekeeper Monk, but also have the qualifications to enter the College of Cardinals.

If this good opportunity slipped away, it would be unforgivable.

Halkin immediately stood up, his piety overflowing: "I will definitely not fail your trust. I guarantee you that this new city will not only be built but will also become your most reliable and most devout metallurgical center. Let Coldspring eat shit."

"Very good, in that case, you can start the preliminary work of establishing New Coldspring." Horn contentedly handed Halkin a hangover soup.

Taking the hangover soup, Halkin hadn't recovered from his excitement: "Now? Okay, I'll go back to South Mound County immediately."

"Look at you, what's the rush?" Horn blew on the water vapor rising from the hangover soup, "South Mound County doesn't have enough craftsmen, so you're going back alone?"

Picking up the top layer of files from the stack of documents next to him, Horn handed it to the dazed Halkin.

"Here is the Cheka's and the local archpriest's report on the division of industries and populations in North Mound County, as well as detailed information.

There is also information on the dwarves, but it is not detailed. You will have to rely on yourself for that.

You are the leading figure of the Reformist Dwarves, I don't need to teach you who is an ally and who is an enemy, right?

New Coldspring will definitely attract a group of middle and lower-level craftsmen, and the guild elders will definitely not let them leave. You can take advantage of this.

You can freely mobilize the local Cheka, and ask Spitrochu for help if there is danger."

With his mouth half-open, Halkin stood blankly in front of the table.

Isn't this clearly telling him to break face with the traditional dwarves?

Encouraging lower-level dwarven craftsmen and Reformist Dwarves to fight against the leaders and elders?

If it were in the past, Halkin would definitely not be willing.

But the golden gate called 'Cardinal' is right in front of him, should he refuse?

He missed the opportunity with Hollow Earth last time, if he misses it this time, will there be another chance?

After a long while, Halkin raised his head, and the face of a gambler once again appeared on his face: "I request the protection of the Shadow Guard."

"Granted." Horn snapped his fingers.

From the shadows of the curtains, Solan appeared out of thin air: "Someone will contact you within three days."

Halkin nodded heavily.

"I've set up the stage for you." Going around the table, Horn patted Halkin's shoulder with satisfaction, "You have to sing this show yourself."