From Philip's point of view, this work describes the internal management of a medieval monastery. Like the description of Tom's craftsmanship, it is also rich in details and eye-opening. There is no mysterious religious atmosphere in it, but it is more like the operation of a company, with factional warfare, the implementation of power, the establishment of regulations, and perhaps more importantly, careful financial management and balance of payments. Philip was a very capable man, and he kept his monastery in good order, but a fire nearly pushed him to the brink. At this time, Tom, who fell from the sky, is a bit like the god of construction sent by God to help him. How can he refuse. Tom's description of his reconstruction plan to Philip is a classic scene. In this long speech, with heavy brushwork, Tom is confident, calm and confident, showing his craftsmanship, while Philip is attracted step by step, fascinated by the center of vision. This passage is also reminiscent of the scene in "Prison Break" where Scrooge describes his plan to escape from Fox River Prison to his brother Lincoln. It may not be entirely coincidental that Scruffy, like Tom, is an excellent architect, and technology is the common law for their survival.
Tom's design is much grander than the original church. Of course, there is his selfishness in it. He can prolong the construction period and ensure the long-term livelihood of the family, but this is also beyond reproach. As far as Philip is concerned, making the church bigger is certainly not bad. It can expand its influence and attract more people. But there's something else, there's a craftsman's pride and expectation in his craft. Philip asked Tom why he wanted to build a cathedral, and Tom replied, "Because it's beautiful".
The blueprint of the plan is good, but the reality is much crueler. There are financial problems, there is obstruction from higher levels of the church, the change of the throne, and the melee of warlords have added various obstacles to the construction project, and even a devastating blow. From here, the construction of the cathedral is embedded in a vast twelfth-century historical picture. You could also say it's nothing more than a commercial, bestselling novel full of intrigue, violence and sex. But there's something in here that we're missing,
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