A woman's voice came from the wall, and both Tepesh and Arthur could tell who it was.
The stone wall that seemed to fit perfectly actually had a secret door hidden inside, which was slowly pushed open from the inside.
It can only be said that this is the heritage of an ancient family. A castle that has been renovated for many years may have hidden many secrets.
Moreover, the most surprising thing is that there was only a faint sound during the entire opening process of the door.
As a liberal arts student, Tepesh had no ability to see what kind of technology was involved.
A noble lady in a long dress with folded flowers came out of the secret passage with her skirt lifted. She was Arthur's mother, the Countess of Sandria.
A married lady sneaked into a young man's room late at night. In many stories, I'm afraid that what will happen next is an indescribable erotic scene.
However, such a good thing will not happen to Tepesh, because the lady's own son is still in the room.
Otherwise, let Arthur leave for a while and come back in two hours. Well, maybe it only takes an hour and a half.
While Tepesh was daydreaming, the secret door on the wall was closed again. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would definitely not believe that there was a secret door here.
In the room, a mother and son who were used to going through the secret door looked at each other and ignored Tepesh.
Hey, this is my room, okay? Why do you come here whenever you want? The castle is yours.
After complaining in his heart, Tepesh didn't say anything and let the mother and son continue to look at each other.
"Mother, why are you here?"
Finally, Arthur asked the question first.
"Tsepesh, you need money to gather troops, and my son Arthur needs to inherit his father's title.
If you agree, we can make a deal and use a sufficient subsidy in exchange for Arthur's future."
The Countess answered irrelevant questions, and it can even be said that she ignored Arthur at all, but her words hit the core of the problem.
Wanting her own son to inherit the family property is the most simple wish of every stepmother.
"Mother, please don't say that, it will embarrass my father."
Arthur frowned, and the Countess's words made him feel embarrassed in front of Tepesh.
"Your father will not be embarrassed, he never will! He will only give everything to the child of that Polish woman.
Isn't it just that there is a marquis uncle, isn't it bullying that my mother's family has fallen.
One day, my little Arthur, I want you to take back everything that should belong to us!"
Rather than saying that the Countess was answering the question, it would be better to say that she was talking to herself.
The noblewoman who had been suppressed for a long time always needed to vent. Compared with some dirty deeds, just saying a few vicious words was already very noble.
Arthur lowered his head, rubbed his temples, and was speechless about all this.
He didn't want to compete with Ferco for the title, he just wanted to snatch Gina from Ferco.
However, the two were contradictory to each other, so he didn't agree or object.
Tepesh shrugged and said ambiguously:
"Aunt, as long as I have power, Arthur, as my best friend, will definitely become one of the most powerful people in Wallachia.
Now can you tell me how much money you can give us? If the gold coins are not much, you can also take out a few pieces of jewelry."
This was a small language trap set by Tepesh. He only said that he would make Arthur one of the most powerful people.
But there was no guarantee that Arthur would be able to inherit Nightingale Castle and become the new Earl of Sandria.
A woman in a state of intense emotional fluctuations would not consider these details, and the countess directly quoted the price.
"Fifty gold coins, and I have a nephew who is a baron, from whom I can gather ten trustworthy warriors."
Fifty Ducat gold coins are equivalent to 12,000 deniers, which is about 6,000 kilograms of food.
Recruiting infantry with their own weapons and equipment, one person per month, rations plus military pay, requires about 100 kilograms of food.
Currently, a secret force is being recruited, and only pure patriots are recruited.
It is equivalent to only accepting conscripts, and there is no need to pay a high price to feed mercenaries who may return water at any time.
In terms of expenses, conscripts per month, about 30 kilograms of food is enough
Moreover, compared with mercenaries, they are more brave and loyal.
Of course, there are also disadvantages, that is, low combat effectiveness and uneven training levels.
Among the patriots, there may be retired soldiers and even retired knights, but there are definitely many people who have not received any training.
The fifty gold coins from the Countess can feed two hundred people for a month. Although it is still less, Tepesh will never refuse this deal.
Take the money first. If it is not enough later, you can ask the Countess for additional investment.
I believe that for her lovely son Arthur, she will definitely open her wallet again without hesitation.
"Aunt, give the money to Arthur tomorrow, and I will tell him how to spend the money."
"Okay, our deal is done, let's draft a contract now."
The Europeans of this era are so obsessed with written contracts that it's outrageous.
Trade transactions require contracts, hiring soldiers requires contracts, and even some people hire killers to kill people, and they all have to keep a written contract.
Tepesh didn't know how to answer the Countess's request. Arthur, who was standing by, said angrily:
"Mother, how can you write a contract for such a thing? I believe in Tepesh and I am willing to guarantee him."
"My little Arthur, many things cannot be judged by feelings alone. You must know that I am doing this for your own good."
The 15th century Eastern European version of "I am doing this for your own good" was staged in front of Tepesh.
He certainly would not write the so-called contract, so he could only use other methods to make the sensitive Countess give up this neurotic idea.
"Aunt, in order to win your trust, I can help Arthur solve Miss Gina's problem in advance and teach Ferco a lesson."
"Oh?"
Tepesh's confident words surprised the Countess a little.
"If you can really do what you said, then I will give the gold coins to Arthur, and you don't need to write any contract.
However, before midnight tomorrow, if you can't do what you said, I will consider whether to continue this deal."
"Aunt, prepare the money and prepare to watch a good show."
"It's a deal."
The deal was reached, and the countess left Tepesh's room along the secret passage, leaving only him and Arthur in the room.
"Tepesh, what are you going to do tomorrow? Are you sure that I can be with Gina?"
Arthur didn't care much. The deal between his mother and Tepesh, the beautiful Miss Gina, had completely occupied his mind.
Looking at this guy, Tepesh smiled and said:
"Go back to your room and sleep, and then prepare to reunite with your sweetheart. Leave everything to me, and you don't need to worry about it."
Arthur asked Tepesh's plan many times, but still got nothing.
In desperation, Arthur had to leave the secret passage and return to his room, thinking of the beautiful Miss Gina and falling asleep.
After the mother and son left, Tsepesh moved a small table and placed it where the secret passage was.
When you are asleep, you must never leave a free passage for others to enter and exit.