The sky was still dark when Laurist woke up. The silver moonlight shone softly in front of the window.
Laurist stretched lazily, no longer feeling sleepy. At this moment, he felt extremely spirited. He could not help but recall the scene of him fighting the black-robed figure. The cold light that had split the entire space and covered his entire field of vision continuously swept towards him. In the depths of his heart, he actually felt an urge to spar with the black-robed figure again.
Laurist was surprised to find that he no longer felt uneasy and vigilant towards the Great Swordmaster. It was as if he only saw the Great Swordmaster as an opponent on the same level as himself.
His body felt great. After a long sleep, his tiredness was gone. He was in a state where his old strength was gone, but new strength had yet to be born.
Laurist got off the bed and got into a horse stance. He first used the Crimson Blood Dou Qi passed down in his family, and then he used the Goldwater Spell. Over and over again, the cycle repeated until his Dantian was filled with inner energy.
Although Laurist had used up all his Qi in the fight with the black-robed figure, he was pleasantly surprised to find that his Qi, which had been stagnant for a long time, had increased by a large amount. It seemed that he needed to use up his Qi frequently to recover it. Only then would it be of help to his training. Laurist pondered as he looked inside his body.
Familiar footsteps came from outside the door, and Laurist realized that the sky was already bright.
Redi opened the door and saw Laurist standing in front of the window. He was overjoyed, "My Lord, you're awake?"
Laurist nodded, "Redi, make something to eat. I feel like I can eat a cow right now …"
"My Lord, you've slept for two days and three nights. Of course you're hungry! Wait here, I'll go make something for you. "Redi turned and ran.
"What? I slept for two days and three nights? That long? "Laurist was shocked, but Redi ran too fast and he could not ask clearly.
Luckily, Padt heard the commotion and woke up. Padt said that his Lordship was sleeping like a log, and no one could wake him up. The Knight of Josk said that Master's breathing was very long when he slept, so he must have slept for so long because he was too tired. It's okay, just let Master sleep. He'll wake up when he's done sleeping.
Redi quickly ran back with a few loaves of white bread and a pot of Micos: "My lord, please fill your stomach first. I've already told the kitchen staff to wake up and prepare a sumptuous feast for you."
"Did anything happen while I was asleep?" Lollister broke open a roasted chicken leg and asked as he ate. It was Lollister's first time eating a roast chicken so early in the morning. However, he was very hungry after sleeping for so long, so he couldn't care less.
"Yes. Yesterday, Princess Sylvia sent someone to pass a message saying that she'll be departing for Makinohara Province in two days. She specifically asked you to escort her, my lord. Also, Earl Gammas and Baron Shaheen have been quarrelling for the past two days. It seems to be because of our snow salt business. Earl Gammas says that Baron Shaheen is selling snow salt at a low price, that he doesn't know how to do business, and that he's affecting his family's snow salt business. Baron Shaheen says that the Gammas family is a profiteer, mixing sand into the snow salt and selling it for two catties. They're too black-hearted. Both of them had an unpleasant quarrel and Baron Filim was watching from the side … "Redi reported.
"These two …" Lollister scolded: "I'll deal with them when I'm full."
… …
Baron Shaheen Henned and Earl Gammas did not get along well for the past two days. In fact, they all knew the reason why Lollister asked them to meet with Baron Filim in Gildusk City. After chasing away the second prince, just like what Lollister said, the entire Northern Lands would be under the control of the four families. As long as they formed an alliance, they would no longer have to worry about anyone trying to climb over their heads and act like a tyrant.
However, Henned did not expect to be reprimanded when he met with Earl Gammus. The reason for this was that Laurist had sold him a million pounds of snow salt at a price of ten thousand gold fords. He had doubled the price and earned himself ten thousand gold fords, reducing the burden of military expenses. This made him very happy. However, who knew that Earl Gammas would scold him for being brainless, and he only sold the snow salt for twenty thousand instead of thirty thousand. This greatly affected the Gammas family's snow salt business.
Henned did not give Earl Gammas any face. Although they had met a few times at the Northern Lands Noble Gathering hosted by the second prince, the two of them did not interact much. In his eyes, Earl Gammas was just a useless prodigal who mingled with women. He only tolerated him for Lollister's sake. After all, everyone knew that Earl Gammas and the Norton family had a very good relationship.
Now, the two of them started quarreling in front of Lollister, like two extremely angry roosters with their necks stretched out. One called the other a brainless bull, and the other mocked the other for being a gigolo who only knew how to mingle with women …
Lollister looked at Baron Phillip, who was watching the commotion with great interest, almost applauding. Lollister sighed. He still had to deal with these two troubles himself.
"Can't the two of you just let me be a little more worry-free? Speaking of which, the two of you are relatives … "Lollister saw the two of them ridiculing each other, and his anger rose, so he tried to mediate.
"What did you say? I'm related to him? Why didn't I know … "Henned pointed at Earl Gammas, extremely shocked.
Earl Gammas slammed the table and stood up. "Who said we're relatives? How is that possible? We've never had any contact with his family. Loke, you can't talk nonsense … "
"Sigh …" Lollister sighed and looked at Earl Gammas. "Didn't you say that if it wasn't for your cousin's disappearance, you would definitely send her to me as a concubine? You also said that apart from Princess Sylvia, your cousin is the most beautiful woman you've ever seen, right? "
"Yes, yes. What about it?" Earl Gammas never thought that Lollister would mention their private conversation. For a moment, he did not understand what Lollister meant, and could only nod dumbly.
Earl Gammas once chatted with Lollister about the difficulties his family faced in becoming a noble, and the price they had to pay in order to become a noble family. At that time, he spoke of his cousin with great pity. In order to establish a foothold in the North, his father had sent his 21-year-old cousin, Olivia, to Duke Lujins to be his mistress. Two years ago, when the Norton Family had taken over the Grand Duchy, his cousin had gone missing.
At first, he suspected that she had been kidnapped by the Norton Family. However, with Lollister's permission, he sent people to investigate. After checking all the new household registrations, he had no choice but to admit that Earl Gammas's cousin was missing. Earl Gammas said that his father was too short-sighted. To think that he would use the family's most beautiful flower to please the Grand Duke of the North, hoping to become one of the upper echelons of the North. In the end, Lollister appeared out of nowhere, and all of his father's plans went to waste.
If his father had been more foresighted and endured for a while, then his cousin would have married Lollister. Then, he would not have to worry about anything. Earl Gammas felt sorry for his cousin. If she had not gone missing, even if she had been the mistress of the Grand Duke of the North, she could have been given to Lollister as a concubine, and the relationship between the two families would be further improved.
A concubine was usually a relationship between a noble and a maid who had been taking care of them for a long time. If they could not take her as a wife, they would promote her to a concubine and keep her by their side. Although their children were considered illegitimate children, there was a high chance that they would be officially registered as children of the family and enjoy the treatment of children of the main family.
Earl Gammas also swore that his cousin was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, aside from Princess Silvia. She had always been treated like a treasure by his father, and he loved her as if she were his own. His father had once said that his cousin could be a marriage insurance for the family. However, when they came to the North, they were unfortunately seen by Duke Luggins. Because of his cousin's beauty, he used both carrot and stick to force his family to submit.
The Gammas Family had just arrived in the North, and had not yet established themselves. Moreover, it was a crucial time for the family to become a noble family. So, his father could not withstand the pressure and could only offer his cousin to Duke Luggins. Earl Gammas said that if his cousin had not disappeared, it would be a good choice for her to be Laurist's concubine. It would also be a form of compensation for his cousin.
"Hey, ask that guy if his favorite concubine, who gave birth to a fat son last year, is called Olivia. That guy even officially recorded his precious son into the family tree and made him the heir of his family …" Loriste was referring to Henned. This guy had written a letter last year asking Laurist to be his precious son's godfather.
"What? This pretty boy is Olivia's cousin?" Henned's jaw dropped in shock.
"You only care about her body, and not her past? She slept with you for more than two years, and even gave birth to your son. You don't even know about her family? "Loriste said impatiently.
"This, this, Olivia has never mentioned her past. She only said that she was born into a merchant family, and was forced by the Duke to become his mistress. This kind of thing is very common, so I don't think much of it … "Henned replied embarrassedly.
Speaking of which, this guy was also a lover. Ever since he and Redi kidnapped Duke Lujins' favorite mistress, and took away the four surviving beauties from the Norton Family, he announced that all five of them would become his concubines. He also swore that he would never marry a wife, and that the children of these five women would become the heir of his family.
Unfortunately, the first three were all daughters, until the Duke's mistress gave birth to his precious son. He was overjoyed and celebrated the fact that his family had a successor. He even made Laurist the godfather of his precious son.
Later on, Loriste heard Earl Gammas talk about his cousin. Once he thought about Henned and Redi's plot, he asked around and found out that the Duke's mistress who gave birth to Henned's precious son was Earl Gammas' cousin. Originally, he wanted to find a private opportunity to tell Earl Gammas, but now that the two of them were fighting like chickens, he had no choice but to clarify their relationship.
Now, it was Earl Gammas and Henned's turn to be embarrassed. They stared at each other for a long time, unable to say a word.
Finally, Earl Gammas managed to force out a sentence, "That, that Olivia, how is she?"
Henned quickly replied, "She's fine, she's a good mother …"
Just as he finished speaking, he remembered that he kidnapped Olivia and even gave birth to a child. Now that the family came to him, he felt embarrassed and lowered his head like an ostrich …
Loriste was laughing inside, but he had no choice but to help them out. He reached out and knocked on the table, "Alright, let's talk about family matters when we get back. First, I'll talk about the purpose of our four families meeting here. Now that the second prince has run away, and his whereabouts are unknown, the Northern Lands are basically under the control of our four families. From now on, no one is above us, and I don't want anyone to climb over our heads. So, I want everyone to discuss this. With our four families forming an alliance, the Northern Lands will be under our control. If one family is in trouble, the other three families will help. Do you all agree? "
No one disagreed. This was a good thing, and everyone was looking forward to it. Baron Filim laughed exaggeratedly, "I suddenly feel like the sky is clear. No one is controlling us, and the feeling of freedom is so good."
"Then, let's each determine the boundaries of our own territories, to avoid any future disputes over the boundaries of our territories. The Northern Lands are vast, and there are many open spaces. If you want to develop, go ahead. However, I have a request. If you want to occupy more land, that's fine, but you have to develop and build on the land you occupy. If you only occupy the land without developing, I will not recognize the ownership of these territories. I hope you all remember this. "Loriste was very forceful at this moment.
Henned, Earl Gammas, and Baron Filim pondered for a while, and agreed with Loriste's words. Occupying land without manpower, money, or resources was useless, and they would offend the Norton family. This was obviously something only a fool would do.
"Also, I have a suggestion," Loriste said. Lollister said, "The dispute between Earl Kempis and Henned over the sale of snow salt made me think that our four families need a link of interest. I've decided to set up a snow salt merchant guild, which will be responsible for the sale of snow salt. The Norton family will supply snow salt to the merchant guild at the price of ten thousand gold fords, and the guild will then sell it. Are you all willing to participate? "
"How will the profits be divided?" Earl Gammas asked.
"Each of you three families will take thirty percent of the shares, and each will contribute ten thousand gold fords as capital. Then, send people to manage and sell it. I will take ten percent of the shares, and will not send anyone to manage it. If you all agree, I suggest that the Gammas family be in charge of the sale of snow salt, and the two of you will send a few accountants to supervise. In the future, the profits will be divided according to what I said, "Loriste said.
"I am willing," Baron Filim was the first to speak up.
This was like a pie falling from the sky. Of course, Baron Filim agreed. He wanted to hug and kiss Loriste a few times to express his gratitude.
"I am also willing," Henned said. After all, he was only doing the snow salt business out of convenience. He wanted to earn more money for his family's armed forces. And Earl Gammas was right. He was not cut out for business.
Now, only Earl Gammas was left to ponder. To be honest, Loriste's suggestion would hurt his family the most. His family could earn thirty to forty thousand gold fords from the snow salt business. If he joined the merchant guild, he would definitely not earn as much as he did on his own. Furthermore, he had to share seventy percent of the profits with three people. It was not worth it no matter how he looked at it.
But when Earl Gammas raised his head and saw Loriste's half-smile, he suddenly understood Loriste's intention. He wanted to use the profits from the snow salt business to form a close alliance of benefits. Then, if his family was in trouble, the other three families would sincerely help the Gammas family. In this way, the profit of selling snow salt that was tens of thousands of gold fords was nothing compared to the three real allies.
"I am in. I will help everyone make a lot of money," Earl Gammas said sincerely.
"Then it's settled. Write an agreement according to what we discussed just now, and everyone just needs to sign it." Loriste slapped the table.
…
With just a few words, the alliance of the four families in the north was established. Later generations of historians greatly praised this alliance. They believed that it was the alliance of the four factions that brought great opportunities for development and long-lasting peace to the Northern Region. It made the Northern Region a blessed land that countless civilians yearned for and their families migrated to when the war broke out later.
Especially these four families. Throughout the millennia, they still remembered the alliance that their ancestors had signed in the north. None of them betrayed or reneged on it. No matter when, when one family was in trouble, the other three families would help. There were even a few times when a family was in danger, but with the help of the other three families, they managed to turn the situation around, allowing the family's name to continue to be passed down. As a result, the alliance of the four families became a widely spread legend of keeping promises.
…
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