Along the way, Li Huailin asked for the beggar's name. As the system only displayed a "beggar", it didn't even give him a name. In the end, the beggar replied that he didn't even have a name. He was already a beggar when he was born, and he didn't have any parents. However, the beggars around him called him "coachman". This was because this guy had worked as a coachman when he was young, cleaning and bathing the horses of nobles.
Li Huailin had found the right person to lead the way. As Li Huailin wandered between the nearby cities all year round, he would beg wherever he could, so he was very familiar with the surrounding roads. Moreover, Li Huailin could also ask about the female knight from before.
"A female knight?" When the coachman heard that Li Huailin was looking for someone, he asked curiously, "This … is very rare. Normally, I would pay attention when I see her, but I don't seem to have any impression of her."
"About a month ago, before the war between the humans and the Undead broke out," Li Huailin said.
"That time?" The coachman thought for a moment, then said, "That won't do. We received the news long ago, so we directly ran to Salarian City in the south. It's even more impossible for us to meet."
"Received the news long ago?" Li Huailin was slightly stunned. "How did you receive it?"
"We beggars are always well-informed. As soon as the Undead army crossed the border, our people received the news. Of course, we immediately retreated," the coachman said.
"I see." Li Huailin nodded. "Since you're so well-informed, why don't you help me ask that female knight? See if anyone has seen her. Of course, I can reward you handsomely."
"Handsomely?" The coachman immediately became interested. "How much exactly?"
"How about this? I'll give you 1,000 Gold. Go and find this person. No matter how much you spend, the extra money will be yours," Li Huailin immediately said.
"One … One thousand Gold?" The stableman was frightened. "This … I don't even dare to accept that much money."
"Then you can scatter more. I'm looking for that person anyway," Li Huailin said.
The coachman thought for a while and then said, "Okay, I'll take it, but you have to pay me first. I can't do it without money. Give me half of it first."
"Alright." Li Huailin immediately handed 500 gold coins to the coachman.
Looking at the money that he had never seen in his life, the coachman's eyes were dazzled, and his mouth trembled a little. He thought about it and said, "Since you are not afraid that I will take the money and run away, you must be a very powerful person. But sir, you can rest assured that although I am a beggar, I still have a little faith. You can find a hotel in Degara City to rest. We will inform you as soon as we receive the news."
"Okay." Li Huailin nodded slightly.
The two soon arrived at the gates of Degara City. Of course, this was not the first time that Li Huailin had been here. He had been confronting the undead here for a long time. However, Li Huailin did not have a good look at the city. After all, the city was under martial law at that time, the markets were all closed, and the citizens could not go out of their homes. Compared with now, there was still a big difference.
As soon as they arrived in Degara City, the coachman here took the money directly and ran away. He should have started the operation. To be honest, Li Huailin did not believe him. There was a total of 500 Gold Coins, which was nothing for Li Huailin now. Randomly looking for a more conspicuous hotel in the city, Li Huailin registered a room, and then began to wait for news inside.
Of course, it took a long time. Li Huailin chatted with Su Ruoyan for a while. Now, Su Ruoyan was handling the company's loan business. One of the better news was that the company had now been approved, which meant that it could finally start operating normally. Fortunately, the face of Tiancheng Group here was still very big, so the process was relatively fast. Another good news was that Night Flight here had also introduced several presidents who had a good relationship with him to patronize. Although the actual content was still under negotiation, it was estimated that the confirmed loan could reach 1 million gold coins. According to the interest calculation, they could earn 70,000 gold coins just by opening the hotel, which was about 1.5 million credits. It could be considered a good start.
After chatting for a while, the hotel staff reminded Li Huailin that someone was looking for him outside. Li Huailin immediately went out to take a look. Sure enough, it was the coachman. But now the coachman had changed his clothes, and it wasn't a very nice outfit. It could only be said that he looked slightly better than before.
"Come up first." Li Huailin quickly brought him to the guest room. The two of them sat down, and Li Huailin asked, "There's news so soon?"
"Yes, it is a coincidence. Someone happened to see the female knight you mentioned." The coachman here said, "But things seem a little troublesome …"
"What happened?" Li Huailin asked.
"When the people on our side saw her, the female knight was about 20 miles east of Degara City, with about a dozen people. It seemed that they were rushing in the direction of Degara City, but I later asked the people in the city, and they didn't see them come in." The coachman said.
"In other words, they suddenly disappeared within these 20 miles?" Li Huailin asked. "Is there no news about that?"
"This is the more troublesome part I just mentioned. I asked again later, and the result was not good news. They did not see the female knight enter the city with a dozen people, but later they saw the people of the Creven Chamber of Commerce enter the city, and not long after they saw the female knight," the coachman said.
"Creven Chamber of Commerce?" Li Huailin was a little surprised. "What's wrong?"
"If it was really the Creven Chamber of Commerce, then this matter is troublesome. After all, we can't afford to offend the Creven Chamber of Commerce," the coachman said.
"Can't afford to offend them? It sounds like the Creven Chamber of Commerce is quite powerful, "Li Huailin said.
"Sir, you don't know, but in the southeast of the empire, the Creven Chamber of Commerce is the most powerful chamber of commerce. They can do whatever they want wherever they go, and even the lords have to give them some face. I guess you don't know because you are a northerner, but here, the Creven Chamber of Commerce is the number one force that can't be provoked," the coachman here said immediately.
"Well … Doesn't this guy have any competitors?" Li Huailin asked.
"Competitors?" The coachman thought for a moment, then said, "Not before, but recently … It seems that they have encountered some problems."
"Oh? Is there? "Li Huailin asked.
"It's a chamber of commerce in the north, and it seems that they are preparing to expand their power to our south," the coachman said. "Recently, it seems that the competition with the Creven Chamber of Commerce for the market has been very fierce."
"Oh? Alright, what's the name of the rival chamber of commerce? "Li Huailin asked.
"It's the largest chamber of commerce in the north, the De 'an Chamber of Commerce. This chamber of commerce is even more amazing. Now, their power has almost covered the entire human empire. It is said that their backer is the Duke of Aquitaine. With such a backer, it would be difficult for the chamber of commerce not to develop," the coachman said.
"Ahem, De 'an Chamber of Commerce?" Li Huailin was stunned. He did not expect that the chamber of commerce that the Creven Chamber of Commerce was competing with was actually the De 'an Chamber of Commerce under his control. This way, they could also help his chamber of commerce?
The current situation was very obvious. The female knight had disappeared halfway, and the Creven Chamber of Commerce that entered the city behind her was very suspicious. In any case, they should have something to do with it. Li Huailin was now naturally going to ask the Creven Chamber of Commerce for the person, but it would be very troublesome if they insisted that they had not seen her, so Li Huailin decided to force them to speak.
"Does the De 'an Chamber of Commerce have a stronghold in Degara City now? Something like a business department? "Li Huailin asked after some thought.
"Uh … there is a branch. What's a business department?" the coachman said.
"Yes, yes, a branch," Li Huailin said immediately. "Take me to the branch of the De 'an Chamber of Commerce."
"This … Sir, you also have a relationship with the De 'an Chamber of Commerce?" the coachman asked in surprise. "That's amazing."
"I'm the boss of the De 'an Chamber of Commerce." Li Huailin smiled and walked out.
"Eh? Boss? " The coachman listened for a while, but then he did not take it seriously. He quickly caught up with Li Huailin and continued to lead the way.
With the coachman leading the way, Li Huailin quickly found a three-story building in the southeast corner of the city's business district. There was a sign hanging on the door with the logo of the De 'an Chamber of Commerce engraved on it. Although it was not designed by Li Huailin (it had been here since the time of Marquis Filment, but Li Huailin did not change it), Li Huailin still recognized the logo. It was indeed his De' an Chamber of Commerce, not some chamber of commerce with the same name.
Looking at the guards at the door, Li Huailin walked over and said, "Hey, you two, I'm looking for your president, Polit. Hurry up and find me him."
"Huh?" One of the guards was stunned at first, then he immediately thought that Li Huailin was looking for trouble. After all, who would come in and say that they were looking for the president, and with such an impolite tone? "Who the f * ck are you? Why are you looking for trouble with our De 'an Chamber of Commerce? Are you thinking of … "
Before the guard could finish speaking, he was pulled back by the guards behind him. The guards next to him were sweating profusely as they looked at Li Huailin and said, "Duke, this person doesn't know any better, please be magnanimous."
"Duke?" The guard from before and the coachman next to him looked at Li Huailin in surprise.
…
In the reception room of the De 'an Chamber of Commerce branch, the branch president, Aixola, was sweating profusely as he looked at Li Huailin in front of him. How could he have thought that the Duke of Aquitaine would come here for a visit without even saying a word? Now, there was even some unpleasantness at the door. He did not know if the Duke of Aquitaine would really care about this.
"Where's Pollitt?" Li Huailin was a little impatient and asked directly.
"Duke, I've already sent someone to look for him. I believe that the president will come as soon as he receives the news." "Your Highness, why are you looking for the Guild Master? I might be able to help you." Aixla, the Guild Master, immediately said.
"Oh, that's true." Li Huailin nodded, then asked, "I heard that the Creven Chamber of Commerce is competing with you?"
"Eh?" Aixola's eyes turned slightly. Why would the Duke ask about such a thing? Could it be that he was not satisfied with the progress of the chamber of commerce? After thinking for a while, Aixola answered, "Yes, Duke. According to your plan, we will try our best to control most of the commerce in the Empire. We don't have enough time to develop the trade routes in the South. The Creven Chamber of Commerce that you mentioned is indeed one of the more powerful chambers of commerce here. They are also our main competitor here."
"According to my plan?" Li Huailin was slightly stunned. "When did I say that I want to control the commerce in the Empire?"
"Eh?" Aixola was slightly stunned. "This … I heard from the president …"
"Eh?" Li Huailin stared blankly for a moment. Just as he was wondering what was going on, a chubby man rushed in from the door and knelt in front of Li Huailin. "Subordinate Pollitt greets Duke."
Li Huailin lowered his head to take a look. It was indeed Pollitt. After not seeing him for almost a month, this guy had become a little rounder. It seemed like he had been living well recently. Li Huailin smiled and asked, "Speaking of you, Pollitt. When did I say that I wanted to control the commerce in the Empire?"
"Eh? Didn't the Duke say that? " Pollitt asked curiously. "But I clearly heard the Duchess instructing me to do this. She even asked me to speed up …"
"The Duchess? Ruoyan? " Li Huailin was slightly stunned. After thinking about it, it made sense. The territory's financial issues were all handed over to Su Ruoyan. The orders that were conveyed here were also his orders. Anyway, Li Huailin did not understand. So, he said, "Oh, yes, yes. This is indeed my intention. I have been so busy with the war recently that I have forgotten."
"Yes, the Duke is very busy. Leave these things to us. You don't have to worry about them," Pollitt immediately said.
"Although I said to leave it to you, some things are still … progressing too slowly." Li Huailin said. "Like this Creven Merchant Association. Tell me, what is going on? Why haven't they gotten rid of it yet?"
"This …" Pollitt thought for a while and said, "Duke, we are currently expanding our forces in the south and west of the Empire, as well as the Orc Empire and the Elven Empire. I am not very clear about the specific situation. Branch President Aixola, the Duke is asking you. You are the person in charge here. Quickly explain the current situation."
"Yes, President, Duke," Aixola immediately said. "It's like this. We are now in a stable competition with the Creven Merchant Association. The other party's foundation is still very strong. Although we have used a series of business methods, and both sides have suffered losses, this is their territory after all. Be it the merchants or the officials here, they are more willing to give them face. In this aspect, we are also working hard."
"What does this Creven Merchant Association usually sell?" Li Huailin asked.
"This … involves a lot of things, from all kinds of ordinary civilian things, clothing, expensive goods, spices, all the way to military weapons, horses, and so on. Everything is involved," Aixola replied.
"Then … does it involve human trafficking?" Li Huailin asked.
"Duke, are you referring to the trafficking of slaves?" Aixola said. "Of course it is involved. This is a very profitable area. Naturally, the Creven Merchant Association would not miss it."
"Involved …" Li Huailin nodded. "Where do slaves usually come from?"
"Usually, the source of slaves is war. Captured enemy soldiers in war would naturally become slaves. Another relatively large source would be the families of criminals. Others might not be able to survive, so they take the initiative to sell themselves. Otherwise, they can't support the large number of children in their family, so they sell a few for money," Aixola replied.
"Is it possible to directly capture people nearby and sell them as slaves?" Li Huailin asked.
"This … Duke, this is illegal," Aixola immediately said. Aixola immediately said, "If this is discovered, it will be a huge problem. Don't worry, Sir. Although we are involved in the slave business, the source of our slaves is definitely very legitimate. We will not do anything that will ruin Sir's reputation."
"Yes, yes, yes." Li Huailin could not wait for them to tarnish his reputation. After all, it might even further increase his popularity. "I am asking if the Creven Merchant Association would do such a thing?"
"Creven Merchant Association?" Aixola was slightly taken aback. "This … I don't know either. But when you mentioned this, I am a little curious too …"
"What's strange?" Li Huailin asked.
"As competitors, we will naturally investigate the source of the other party's funds. However, the Creven Merchant Association does indeed have some funds. We still don't know where they got it from. They seem to have hidden the source of this part of the funds very well. It seems that the source of this part of the funds is not very legitimate …" Aixola said.
"The source of the funds is not very legitimate?" Li Huailin asked.
"This … actually, we did not pay attention to it at first. Although this kind of thing is relatively common in the Merchant Association, our Merchant Association also has some sources of funds that are not very legitimate. For example, the money of some officials … We can't say that the officials gave it to others, or that it is the money from the transactions with the Demons. Of course, according to the Empire's law, this money is not legitimate. Although this is the law, the Empire will not actually investigate this aspect of the funds. Basically, it is a tacit state," Aixola explained.
"Understood." Li Huailin nodded. "In that case, let's directly break through. Polit, help me make an appointment with the president of the Creven Merchant Association. Let's meet directly."
"Huh?" Both Aixola and Polit were shocked at the same time.
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