Since last year, Cecil's things had become more and more common in this city.
The wheels rolled over the newly built road in the Noble's District. The high-quality road surface and the equally high-quality wheels almost completely offset the bumpiness of the vehicle. Sitting in the black magic car, Ferdinand Wendell glanced out of the window and saw a new shop that was being renovated on the street. Between the black steeple buildings in the style of Oldenheim, an eye-catching, wide glass display window took up the entire wall facing the street. Inside the display window were shelves that had yet to be tidied up. The workers were hanging a signboard in front of the shop's main entrance. On the signboard were a few words written in beautiful cursive letters:
"The Best Dessert – Cecil's Flavor"
"… It's like only Cecil knows how to make desserts," Ferdinand frowned and couldn't help but mutter softly.
The butler sat opposite him. This honest and reliable man who had served the Ferdinand Family for decades shook his head. "Actually, the people who opened the shop are just locals. The magic movie drama has made those merchants who have a keen sense of smell take action."
"Magic movie drama?" Ferdinand repeated this word that he had heard more and more recently. "I've heard of it … Last winter, a merchant from Cecil bought a piece of land in the south of the city and opened a new theater. But it was for the commoners. The ticket prices were cheap, and almost everyone was squeezed into one hall. "
"Yes, it's a cheap drama for the commoners. Not many people watched it at first," the butler said with a smile. "After all, no one knew what it was for. The people of the upper class weren't interested, and the commoners were very careful about the small change in their pockets. But more than a month ago, those merchants from Cecil spent a lot of money to advertise in the newspapers, and opened the theater for free for three consecutive days. Now, it's become popular all of a sudden, and it even brought some shops along … "
As the butler spoke, he looked out of the window. The shop that claimed to be "Cecil's Flavor Dessert" had already passed through the window and was almost out of sight.
"It is said that several kinds of desserts appear repeatedly in the plot of the new drama. In the end, there is a scene where the main characters share desserts after safely reuniting. Therefore, those desserts have inexplicably aroused people's interest. The shop you saw just now is actually the third one in the city."
Ferdinand's expression was one of disbelief as he listened to the butler's words. He frowned and shook his head. "I really don't understand … Plays are supposed to be elegant and profound. What exactly are those Cecil people doing …"
"It is indeed hard to understand, but the civilians seem to welcome it. After all, compared to jewels and manors, desserts are at least something they can afford, and more or less, it allows the middle-class citizens to show their 'dignity'."
"You know it very well." Ferdinand could not help but glance at the butler. "You've watched that so-called 'magic movie' too?"
"I haven't," the butler replied. "I'm already past the age of liking dramas and new trends. However, my son and two daughters have watched it. The young people seem to like it very much."
Ferdinand seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. Then, he shook his head, picked up the newspaper that was placed at the side earlier, and continued reading its contents. This newspaper was from Oldenheim. After Habiye Reston's Empire Daily achieved great success, the Emperor gradually opened up the channels for the civilian press. However, the threshold for running a newspaper was still very high. Until today, there were only three or four popular newspapers in Oldenheim. As an old aristocrat who was more or less old-fashioned, Ferdinand Wendell was only fond of one newspaper, Jazz Weekly.
Flipping open the second page of the newspaper, huge printed letters greeted his eyes.
It was an advertisement for Cecil Steel Investment Company to recruit business personnel in Oldenheim.
The page was huge, eye-catching, and extravagant. Placing such an advertisement would cost a lot of money.
"Even Cecil Merchants' advertisements have started to appear in Jazz Weekly," Archduke Ferdinand said helplessly. "Who would have dared to imagine such a thing in the past?"
"This is probably the era of economic liberalization …" The butler played along with his master's topic. "It's said that our merchants have also opened many shops in Cecil City … As long as the magic train is still speeding along the national border, such situations will only increase in the future. After all, no one would say no to money."
Hearing the butler's words, Duke Ferdinand seemed to be in deep thought, but he did not say anything else.
…
"No one would say no to money." Viscount Hermil sat comfortably on the soft red sofa, gently swirling a high-quality white mountain grape wine in his hand. He had a cheerful and sunny smile on his face, which seemed to be contagious and could cheer up everyone who faced it. "Of course, we used to say that no one would say no to money. It's just that times have changed, Count Hallmark."
A thin, middle-aged gentleman with a high nose and short blond hair that stuck close to his scalp sat opposite Viscount Hermil. He also had a wine glass in his hand, but his posture was obviously more upright and conservative than the young Hermil.
He was Hallmark, a member of Oldenheim's upper-class society. He was one of the economic ministers appointed by Rosetta Augustus after he reorganized the order of the empire. Unlike Duke Severn, who was also an economic minister and was responsible for organizing the empire's bank, this serious and cautious count was in charge of the empire's external economic activities. Since last year, he had been in charge of the business negotiations with the Kingdom of Kaolin and the Silver Empire, and had achieved great results.
"Paper money has a unique advantage. If used properly, it can bring us closer to our business partners." Count Hallmark did not show any displeasure at Viscount Hermil's frivolous behavior. As a seasoned socialite, he always treated any visitors with the most appropriate attitude.
"Yes, our business partners." Viscount Hermil nodded and expressed his appreciation somewhat exaggeratedly. "I heard about the business negotiations between you and the Silver Empire. It was a wonderful model negotiation. Even if I only read some of the transcripts, I have to admire your quick thinking. I have dealt with some elves before, and I know how difficult it is to change their minds. They can be more elegant, friendly, and courteous than any nobles, but that doesn't mean they will buy your things. "
"The Silver Empire is a fortress that is difficult to conquer because their society almost doesn't need Typhon's industrial products at all. Their advanced technology allows them to live without worries, and they have a kind of pride in their bones. But in the end, our progress in the Kingdom of Kaolin opened up the whole negotiation process," Count Hallmark said unhurriedly. "The elves still need goods from the human empire, mainly enchanted paper and alchemy matrix. Although the scale is much smaller than I expected."
"But at least it gives us a trade route to the south of the continent," Viscount Hermil said with a smile. "It is said that the merchants of Cecil have already done business with the tribal kingdom of Augulay, and even the dwarves in the far west of the continent. They are one step ahead of us in terms of business."
"More than that." Hallmark shook his head. "They even have connections with the Silver Empire."
Viscount Hermil's eyes widened in surprise.
"The Silver Empire? Cecil? "The young viscount could not help but exclaim." How did they do it? I mean, there is such a vast wasteland in the middle that even a bird can't fly across. "
"Of course, it is not a commercial activity like ours, but the relationship between the Silver Empire and the people of Cecil is very close," Count Hallmark said in a serious tone. "I heard from the Kingdom of Kaolin that the elves and the people of Cecil came together as early as when all the countries worked together to repair the Great Wall. Of course, that wasteland hindered their direct commercial activities. Only a few goods would travel through the long land trade route from the moss forest, through the territories of the gray elves, orcs, and fairies, through the rift valley in the southwest of the continent, and the forest on the edge of the Kingdom of Kaolin, and finally into the elves' territory. "
At this point, the middle-aged noble frowned and gently swirled the wine glass in his hand. "This kind of trade is not large-scale. From a commercial point of view, it is not a threat to us, but who knows what will happen in the future? The people of Cecil are too good at creating unexpected things, and they spend a lot of effort to maintain the relationship with the elves. They must have something in mind for the future. "
The slightly frivolous smile on Viscount Hermil's face slowly faded away. He stood up from the sofa and slowly paced back and forth as he pondered. After circling twice, he returned to his seat. After taking a sip of wine, he finally seemed to have made up his mind and said, "Looks like … the market in the southern part of the continent will become a 'battlefield' sooner or later …"
"Even if the people of Cecil don't interfere, the market in the south of the continent will become a battlefield. Hermil, you should know how many things our factories can produce in a day. Short-sighted people only want to sell those things to their neighbors and countrymen, but far-sighted people will realize that the farther the goods are sold, the more long-term and lucrative the profits will be."
Count Hallmark smiled at Hermil as he spoke.
"Hermil, we have opened a trade route to the Kingdom of Kaolin and the Silver Empire. The Southern Investment Company of the Empire has started to seize the gold. Just like in every new field, the first to gain a foothold in it will always reap the most benefits."
"Of course." Hemil put down the wine glass and breathed a sigh of relief. A bright smile reappeared on his face. "So I'm willing to support your 'Southern Investment Company.' I'm willing to invest 100,000 … No, 150,000 pounds in the initial stage. Mr. Count, I believe you will make good use of the money. "
"Hermil, my friend, you can stay at home and wait for the rich returns." Hallmark stood up, smiled, and extended his hand to Hermil. "The shareholders' profits will prove your keen insight today."
Hermil also extended his hand and held Hallmark's slender hand. "Actually, I don't have keen insight. I just found a trick, and I've been following it —"
"Oh?" Hallmark could not help but be curious. "Are you willing to share this trick with your new business partner?"
"It's simple. Whatever Cecil's people do, I'll follow." Viscount Hermil laughed. "They invest everywhere, and I'll follow. In this era of new things and new fields, I don't need to be the first. I just need to be the second."
Hallmark looked at the young viscount, who was smiling happily, and was speechless for a moment.
After a pleasant conversation, the rising nobleman, who had been in the limelight for the past two years, took his leave.
Count Hallmark, who was thin, had a tall nose and short blond hair, returned to the reception room. He looked at the two wine glasses on the small round table and the sofa where Viscount Hermil had sat. His expression did not change, but he could not help but murmur, "Ah, impetuous young man …"
A servant walked into the room and began to tidy up. The butler also came in, waiting for further instructions from the master.
"What kind of person do you think Viscount Hermil is?" Hallmark turned his head and looked at the old butler, who had served him for many years, and asked casually.
"I shouldn't judge a noble," the butler replied meticulously.
"An impetuous young man, but his talent is hard to ignore." Count Hallmark did not care about the steward's response. "He became the richest man among the young nobles in a few years, not because of luck. Although many people think that he was just lucky enough to meet the craftsman named Martin and the Angres loom, many people think that he was just lucky enough to meet the craftsman named Martin and the Angres loom."
Speaking of this, Count Hallmark couldn't help but shake his head. "I admire such a young man, but like other young men, he only focuses on what he's interested in. As a Typhon noble, he … What's this about Cecil?"
Hallmark could not help but ask when his eyes were suddenly attracted by something that a servant was tidying up on the table. It looked like a thin book with a colorful cover and a cheap binding. When the servant brought it over, Hallmark could see the words on the cover.
The Life of Magicians.
"A magazine?" Hallmark was not an ignorant person. He recognized that the thin book was actually a "magazine" that had gradually become popular in recent years, but this magazine was not something that his residence subscribed to. "Did Viscount Hermil leave it behind?"
The butler came over to take a look and nodded. "Looks like it."
"A respectable noble probably won't care about this kind of thing, but I'll send someone to deliver it to him later," Hallmark said as he took the magazine and flipped through the first few pages. "Hmm … Is this done by Cecil's people?"
"Yes, sir," the butler replied. "This is a magazine recently published by several merchants of Cecil. The content is about the lifestyle of the Age of Magicians. Of course, it's mainly about the lifestyle of the people of Cecil. In the past two months, it has become very popular among the respectable citizens because many of the magicians mentioned in the magazine are popular products on the market. "
"Respectable citizens …"
"Yes, respectable citizens, such as lawyers and doctors, who can afford a magician refrigerator a year. Of course, many young nobles also like this magazine. They like the new and interesting machines. "
Count Hallmark hummed and then asked casually, "Does anyone in this house subscribe to it?"
"Yes, as far as I know, Mr. Richard, the chef, subscribes to it. Recently, he has often mentioned that he has a plan to buy a magician player in his house."
"Tell Mr. Richard, and the rest, that if they bring anything like that into the house, they may cancel all their shopping," said the count, with an impassive face. "We have our own magazines."
"Yes, sir."
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