'On the hoard,' said Wonse.
'Ah, right.'
'While I am positive the people of the city will be very generous indeed once they fully understand the situation,' said the head merchant, 'I am sure the king will understand that there is very little gold in Ankh-Morpork?'
'Good point,' said Wonse. 'However, the king intends to pursue a vigorous and dynamic foreign policy which should remedy matters.'
'Ah,' the councillors chorused, rather more enthusiastically this time.
'For example,' Wonse went on, 'the king feels that our legitimate interests in Quirm, Sto Lat, Pseudopolis and Tsort have been seriously compromised in recent centuries. This will be speedily corrected and, gentlemen, I can assure you that treasure will positively flow into the city from those anxious to enjoy the king's protection.'
The head assassin glanced at the hoard. A very definite idea formed in his mind as to where all that treasure would end up. You had to admire the way dragons knew how to put the bite on. It was practically human.
'Oh,' he said.
'Of course, there will probably be other acquisitions in the way of land, property and so forth, and the king wishes it to be fully understood that loyal Privy Councillors will be richly rewarded.'
'And, er,' said the head assassin, who was beginning to feel that he had got a firm grip on the nature of the king's mental processes, 'no doubt the, er…'
Вы читаете Guards! Guards!
