"I don't understand why Mayor Robert would want to get involved with Bidlir Blanche. Doesn't he know how bad Bidlir's reputation is in town?
On the surface, he's the workshop owner of the fish processing plant, but in secret, he's the boss of Blacksnake!
Isn't Mayor Robert worried that Bidlir will be implicated if anything happens to him? "asked Welikro.
His sister knocked him on the head. "You're really dumb, my stupid brother. How can you not understand something so simple?
Even though Mayor Robert has the title of baron, it's not hereditary and can't be passed down in his generation.
Even though his son is a citizen, I heard that he's a spoiled brat who's very good at squandering.
Clearly, Baron Robert knew that his son was mediocre and could only place his hopes on his grandson. Of course, he didn't want his grandson to only be a peasant in the future, which was why he spent so much money to become the mayor of Whitestag. It was obvious that he wanted to earn back some of the money he lost as mayor and save some for his grandson's future.
Therefore, he didn't value Bidlir Blanche as a person. He only valued the money that Bidlir Blanche gave him. This was the real reason why he spared no effort to support Bidlir Blanche.
As for Bidlir Blanche's reputation and what kind of person he was, it had nothing to do with the mayor. He could just say that he was hoodwinked when the time came.
Bidlir Blanche has always been hiding behind Blacksnake's back and the patrols didn't find any evidence of his crimes.
All the rumors about Bidlir Blanche are just rumors and not concrete evidence. As long as Bidlir Blanche isn't convicted, he's a law-abiding citizen and a workshop owner who has no problem paying taxes. There's nothing wrong with having a relationship with him as mayor. "
Welikro looked at his sister in surprise. "How do you know so much about it? You even know that Mayor Robert has a grandson."
Welikro's sister sighed and shook her head. "You just didn't notice. Didn't Mayor Robert brag about how smart his grandson was when he got drunk in the tavern? He even said that the hope of his family rests on his grandson. Think about how he came to be the mayor of Whitestag in the first place and it's obvious."
Claude was surprised as well. He knew that while Welikro's sister looked like a burly man on the outside, she was incredibly quick-witted and intelligent. She was able to deduce the motive and outcome of the incident from one of Robert's drunken words.
"I find it a little strange. Mayor Robert isn't an idiot. He should know that the two proposals, the tax and the donation, and the proposal to have Bidlir Blanche fund the garrison brigade won't be approved by the veterans. So, why did he bring it up?
Could it be that the meeting ended on bad terms be good for him? "
Kubrik said unhappily, "It's not that we don't agree with the tax and the donation proposals. It's just that the amount he proposed is too ridiculous.
Twelve hundred crowns were required to form a garrison, and two thousand crowns were required to maintain a garrison for a year. That was pure nonsense.
Let me do the math for you. We don't need that much money at all.
Recruiting a new soldier only costs one crown as a settlement fee. That's the rule of the kingdom's conscription.
A garrison of two hundred and twenty-four men would only cost two hundred and twenty-four crowns.
The military equipment and uniforms will be provided by the city. We don't have to bear the cost.
All that's left is for the garrison to be stationed at the barracks, as well as the storage of rations, medicine and other supplies. All of that will cost less than 50 crowns for a garrison brigade.
Coupled with the reserve funds for the brigade, we only need to raise 300 crowns.
The bulk of the cost of setting up a garrison brigade is actually the settlement fee and equipment. Once those two are taken care of, the rest won't cost much.
That dogsh * t mayor actually said 1,200 crowns? Does he think we're all idiots? Don't we know how to do the math?
Also, maintaining a garrison brigade doesn't cost 2,000 crowns for a year.
A soldier's salary was only one thale a month, and the annual salary allowance for a garrison of more than two hundred men didn't exceed five hundred crowns. Factoring in food and other miscellaneous expenses, it would only be eight hundred crowns at most.
He even argued that we didn't include the cost of training and drills. Two thousand crowns a year is already considered too little. That's bullsh * t.
His idea isn't bad at all. He wants us veterans to submit a petition to the city council. Once it's approved, the town hall will implement it. Then, all the blame will fall on us veterans.
As the mayor, he'll be in charge of the funds. He'll decide how much we approve and how much he'll spend. We won't even know how much of it goes into his own pocket!
Pfft, wishful thinking. He thinks we're all idiots … "
"Father, you've all fallen into his trap."
Welikro's sister sighed. "Actually, Mayor Robert proposed those two proposals to incite your disgust. That way, he would be able to propose the last proposal to have Bidlir Blanche fund the formation of the garrison brigade.
Now, your meeting ended on a sour note without any results. The blame is all on you veterans.
As the mayor, he's done his best to propose three proposals, but none of you agreed to any of them. It's obvious that you don't support the formation of the garrison brigade. "
"But … But those three proposals are all nonsense …" Kubrik was a little stunned.
Welikro's sister shook her head and said, "Actually, the amount mentioned in the two proposals for taxes and donations is quite reasonable for the people in the prefectural capital.
You said that a garrison brigade only needs 300 crowns, but that's far from enough.
"You only considered the daily needs of the soldiers and didn't consider the expenditure of equipment during the formation process, the construction of defenses, the purchase of horses and the hiring of mercenaries.
I remember you saying that the prefectural capital's order was to set up a garrison in Whitestag to defend against pirate attacks, right?
Regardless of whether there will be pirate attacks or not, since the prefectural city gave the order, the construction of defenses has to be considered during the formation of the garrison brigade.
How many turrets, how many cannons, and who will be guarding the place all have to be taken care of. So, 1,200 crowns isn't too much of a budget.
"Also, even though 2,000 crowns per year for the maintenance of a garrison brigade is a little high, it's still reasonable.
"The prefectural city said that it would provide the necessary equipment for the garrison brigade, but it didn't say that it would continue in the future.
"I believe that it's a one-time payment. The garrison brigade will have to pay for the replacement of equipment and supplies in the future.
"Also, the training and drill costs will be a huge expense. Mayor Robert is right. The training and drill costs for the new recruits will be huge after the formation of the garrison brigade. 2,000 crowns per year isn't much at all."
"Were we wrong to object?" said Kubrik, annoyed.
"You're right to object. You're objecting to Mayor Robert using the opportunity to form the garrison brigade for his own personal gain. You're not objecting to the formation of the garrison brigade.
You're just being used by him.
"Actually, you'll understand if you think about it. The prefectural city council aren't fools. If Mayor Robert had proposed an unreasonable figure, the council would have doubted him. He wouldn't have made that kind of mistake.
"You're wrong in that you didn't understand that. Actually, it wouldn't have been a problem if you'd just mentioned that you're in charge of supervising the funds."
"That's right. I'll contact everyone right away and submit the proposal to the town hall tomorrow.
We'll just go with what Mayor Robert said. We just have to add in the regulations for supervising the funds to prevent him from pocketing his own money. "Kubrik leaped up and rushed out.
"Ugh … Uncle Kubrik …" Claude wanted to stop him, but he remembered that Kubrik was busy arguing with Mayor Robert about the formation of the garrison brigade and couldn't enter the barracks. There was no way he would know about his father's situation.
Just as he was about to leave, he saw Welikro's sister shake her head and sigh.
"What's wrong?" Claude asked.
Welikro's sister thought about it and said, "I suspect that my father and the others are a step too late. Mayor Robert must have already sent a messenger to the prefectural city with the results of this morning's meeting and the three proposals he proposed.
The tax and voluntary donation proposals are too disruptive to the people and the prefectural city council might not approve them.
On the other hand, Bidlir Blanche's proposal to donate funds to build and maintain the garrison brigade is likely to be approved. After all, the lords in the prefectural capital don't know who he is. The title of a workshop owner is enough for the prefectural capital to commend and reward him for his generosity. "
"Bidlir Blanche is just a commoner and not a retired soldier. What right does he have to be a platoon jarl of the garrison brigade?" Welikro retorted.
Welikro's sister gave him another smack on the head. "Who told you not to study properly? There's an exception to this in the past.
During the second war between the kingdom and the kingdom of Nasri, a riot broke out in the prison camp in Alfeis. Thousands of Nasri prisoners killed the guards and fled into the Mokaning Mountains with guns and ammunition. From time to time, they would form teams and go down the mountains to rob towns and transport vehicles.
Back then, the kingdom and Nasri were in a stalemate. Their rear was empty and they couldn't move their troops back either, so they couldn't do anything to the thousands of soldiers.
At this critical juncture, the wealthy merchant of Alfeis County, Klunzt Charlie, used his wealth to form garrisons in various towns along the Mokaning Mountain Range using his own mercenaries and hired hunters. He implemented a blockade strategy against the prisoners of war who escaped into the Mokaning Mountain Range. It only took a month for the remaining soldiers, who were starving and cold, to lay down their weapons and surrender.
After the war, Stellin IX specially conferred the title of Baron on Klenzt Charlie and gave him official numbers for the garrison troops of the various towns he established.
That's why the prefectural capital council might agree to Bidlir Blanche's request for his donation and use it as a warning to my father and the others not to obstruct the establishment of the garrison in the name of a veteran. "
Claude admitted that Welikro's sister made sense, but that wasn't his problem.
Since he couldn't find any news of his father, he would have to go back and think of something else.
So, he bid farewell.
Welikro's sister stopped him. "Claude, I know why you're here, but you're asking the wrong person for my father's help.
The real key to solving your problem lies with yourself. Think about your current position, and you'll know who to turn to for help. "