On the 31st of August, Laurist disembarked from the Flying Fish of the Kingdom of Dawn. Bofinger and Steward Hansk welcomed him at the dock.
"Not a bad haul this time. Seventeen ships, five large merchant ships and twelve medium-sized armed ships. They're all the fleets of the Haneabada Kingdom's slave masters. One of the fleets is transporting luxury goods. Steward Hansk, you'll be in charge of it. The other two fleets have more than a thousand slaves. They were all purchased from a few countries along the Golden Coastline in the south. Let them work on the island for a while. We'll set them free after we return from the expedition … "
"Yes, Sir," Steward Hansk replied.
"There are still more than two hundred slave hunters on the ships. Bofinger, send someone to interrogate them. Then, hang the slave traders and slave hunters. Do the same for the sailors. After interrogating them, don't let go of those who have done many evil deeds or are citizens of the Haneabada Kingdom. Understood? "Laurist did not mind that his few words had decided the fate of a few hundred people.
A while ago, Laurist was anxious from staying on the island. He couldn't bear the boredom and went to the Sad Ocean to commandeer a ship with Ingelek and the others. However, he didn't expect the Sad Ocean to be empty. Sometimes, not a single ship could be seen for an entire day. It made sense. After all, the number of ships along the coast wasn't unlimited. After Laurist commandeered two times, most of the smugglers' ships ended up in his hands. Even if there were some that escaped, they felt that something was wrong and hid away …
Helplessly, Laurist brought the Flying Fish and Stormy to the Haneabada Kingdom. They waited on the merchant route to Hidden Gold Bay, and the rewards were indeed extraordinary. Almost all of the slave masters in the Haneabada Kingdom had their own private fleets. The larger ones had seven or eight ships, while the smaller ones had two or three. In less than half a month, more than forty ships had been captured. As long as the Flying Fish of the Kingdom of Dawn approached it, with Laurist around, the ship would not be able to escape. The Stormy finally proved the power of its cannons. Seven or eight ships had been sunk because they tried to escape …
"Yes, Sir." Bofinger turned around and gave a few simple orders. Soon, a few Silver-tier Knights from the family led a large group of soldiers towards the captured ships.
"Sir, the remaining expeditionary troops in the family territory have all arrived on the island," Bofinger said.
"Yes, I saw the boats of the family fleet on the beach, so I knew they had arrived," Laurist said.
"But sir, I noticed that most of the soldiers who disembarked were dispirited. They're not used to drifting at sea for long periods of time. Many of them are seasick," Boddfinger told him the bad news.
"That can't be helped. Ask the apothecaries to make more seasickness potions. Everyone will have a bottle when we set off." Laurist could only come up with a not-so-good idea. "Is there anything else?"
"Sir, the 14 ships lent to us by the Peterson Chamber of Commerce have arrived. President Peterson also wrote you a letter. Also, Knight Lemmond has sent you a report on the outcome of the war in the Trombo Kingdom and His Highness' battle in the Redelis Kingdom, "Steward Hansk said as he handed over a letter.
As he opened the letter, Laurist asked, "What did the battle report say?"
"The Telimbo Kingdom is gone, and the Trade Union has won. Also, His Highness suffered a huge defeat in the Magick Province, "Boddfinger replied." I've placed the battle report in your tent, sir. "
"Oh." Laurist put the battle report aside and opened the letter from President Peterson.
Apart from greetings, President Peterson's letter briefly introduced the current situation of the Commerce Alliance and the upcoming changes. Most importantly, the letter stated a very serious fact. The eight-month-long glass war with the Tellimbo Kingdom had taken a huge toll on the Commerce Alliance. Even the Peterson Chamber of Commerce, one of the seven giants, had suffered a huge loss. Both in terms of business and the strength of the Chamber of Commerce, they were currently in a difficult period.
This was different from when the Trade Union had fought against the invasion of the former Chrison Empire. Back then, the Trade Union had been in trouble from all sides. The surrounding kingdoms and duchies all understood that once the Trade Union fell, they would be the next to suffer. Therefore, they had spared no effort in supporting the Trade Union. Everyone had a good relationship with each other. Even if the Trade Union suffered great losses defending against the invasion of the former Chrison Empire, they would make up for it in the next few years through trade with the surrounding kingdoms.
But the glass war this time was different. The Commerce Alliance was a victim in every sense of the word, but they just had to run into the one-track minded King Trumbo the Seventh. The Commerce Alliance was truly unlucky to have such an enemy. After being messed around by him for a while, the Commerce Alliance had successfully transformed from a victim into a major villain who bullied the weak with force.
In the eyes of the surrounding countries, this was clearly the beginning of the Commerce Alliance using its powerful strength to bully and annex the surrounding small countries after losing their powerful enemy in the north. Just like the glass war with the Telimbo Kingdom. The Trade Union must have been jealous of the Telimbo Kingdom's monopoly on the glass business, so they found an excuse to start the war.
The truth was not important. What was important was the fact that it had happened. The Trade Union's army had arrived at the Feyes Kingdom of the Telimbo Kingdom, swearing to destroy the Telimbo Kingdom. In the eyes of the surrounding kingdoms, King Telimbo VII might have been ridiculous, but the Trade Union had gone too far by threatening to destroy the Telimbo Kingdom. Therefore, the eleven kingdoms that sent reinforcements to the Telimbo Kingdom might have done it for the gold coins of King Telimbo VII, but it was also to guard against the ambition of the Trade Union.
But no one could have predicted the outcome of the glass war. Just like the military experts and war scholars who wrote the history of the war, they did not know where to start. There was not a single battle, field battle, or defensive battle. Apart from marching, robbing, assassinating, and counter-assassinating, the two armies sat in a stalemate for more than six months, and then mysteriously ended with the destruction of seven kingdoms.
It was a ridiculous war. It was full of despicable conspiracies, deals, and threats. Assassinations, surrenders, and betrayals. That was what a military expert had said. The truth was not much different from what he had said. At the end of the war, two second-rate chambers of commerce conspired to kidnap the family of a high-ranking commander of a small country's reinforcements. They forced the commander of that country's reinforcements to turn around and lead his troops back to capture the king and surrender to the Commerce Federation. Only then did they save the family's lives …
Chairman Peterson's letter was very straightforward. Although the Trade Union had won the glass war, the impact was still lingering. The good news was that the Trade Union had successfully implemented the Lord system. They had annexed seven surrounding kingdoms. Not only did they become the third largest country on the Galinthia Continent, they also had enough land to bestow nobles.
But the bad news was that the rest of the surrounding kingdoms had strengthened their defense against the Trade Union. Not only did it affect the expansion of Peterson's Trade Union's trade routes in other countries, some countries had also introduced restrictions or even expelled the Trade Union's trade points in their countries, and imposed heavy taxes on the caravans that passed through their borders …
Under these circumstances, Chairman Peterson had to admit that the Trade Union had encountered great difficulties. Although they had obtained the Trade Union's territory, their expenses had increased greatly. They needed to open new trade routes, reorganize the Trade Union's trade layout, appease the people of the new territory, develop and build the Trade Union's armed forces …
Therefore, Chairman Peterson hoped to delay the payment for the trade with the Norton family for a year and a half. He even wanted to owe the Trade Union the ten thousand sets of standard equipment that they had ordered from the Norton family on credit. In the letter, President Peterson also mentioned that the bartering method that he had originally planned to use was no longer possible. The eight-month-long war had cut off half of the trade routes of the Commerce Alliance, and the prices of goods had skyrocketed. For example, the food that the Norton family needed had quadrupled compared to before the war, and there was no longer any profit to be made.
"How much does the Peterson's Trade Union owe us?" Laurist asked.
"Sir, the Peterson's Trade Union still owes us three hundred and twenty thousand gold fords for the trade of magical beast pelts. Originally, they were going to pay with food and other resources, but they sent a letter saying that because of the war with the Telimbo Kingdom, they had to delay the payment for a while. Coincidentally, we also had the attack on Sirovas Island, so we agreed to their request. Together with the ten thousand sets of iron standard equipment that they are going to order from our family, it adds up to about one million five hundred and forty thousand gold fords. "
As one of the middlemen, Hansk knew the transaction like the back of his hand. "Sir, what did the Peterson's Trade Union say? When do they plan to pay? "
"Take a look for yourself …" Laurist handed him the letter personally written by Chairman Peterson for him to read.
Hansk quickly turned pale with fright. "Sir, no, we can't agree to the Peterson's request. If they want to delay the payment for a year and a half, our family would have run out of money. According to Spear's calculations, our family's reserve fund will be used up by May or June of next year, according to the budget. Now, we can only count on the money from the Peterson's Trade Union to help us finish all the development and construction projects in our territory. Otherwise, our territory will be in big trouble … "
Laurist nodded. "Alright, I know what I'm doing. I'll write a reply to Chairman Peterson. Hansk, the goods and valuables on the captured ships should add up to about a hundred thousand gold fords. Go and register them first. We'll take what we can for now. "
Hansk left in a hurry.
Bofinger couldn't stay calm either. "Sir, is the family really facing this financial problem?"
"Yes. If it wasn't for the fact that the captives are going to be released this year and the attack on Sirovas Island, our family would still be able to survive. We can even make a small profit from the new products we've launched. " Laurist smiled bitterly. "I didn't expect so many captives to join our family's armed forces after being released. They all fit the recruitment regulations of our armed forces. It's easy to reject their request, but it's a pity to give them up. Moreover, we heard that the Chicant's Trade Union is planning to attack Sirovas Island, so it's imperative to expand our army and prepare for war.
With these tens of thousands of people, we still have to equip them and train them. The military expenses are practically multiplying. Especially the expenditure on the naval army and the training camp for sailors. That's the biggest part. Just the cost of the Lightstorm, the bronze cannons, and the training of cannoneers add up to about thirty thousand gold fords.
To make matters worse, our family's Shirovas Island territory was attacked by the slave traders and slave hunters of the Kingdom of Haneabada, causing great losses to our family. Just the cost of the aftermath and compensation for the bereaved is incalculable. In addition, we have to gather our armed forces to attack the Haneabada Kingdom for revenge. The military expenses have increased by a few hundred thousand. Chief Spear's budget is correct. If we don't have a large income by May or June next year, the family will go bankrupt. "
"Sir, is there no other way?" Bofinger grew anxious.
"Hmm …" Laurist waved the letter from President Peterson in his hand. "Originally, I wanted to take advantage of the Trade Union's trade unions that have obtained territories and set up the trade union's armed forces. But now, it seems that the glass war has dragged on for too long, and the Trade Union has suffered great losses. Even the Peterson Trade Union, one of the seven giants, is having a hard time, let alone the second and third-rate trade unions. It seems that we'll have to wait two or three years before we can complete this business. We'll have to wait until the trade unions have recovered. "
"Sigh …" Bofinger was a pure soldier. He could only sigh at the sky, worrying about his family's financial crisis.
"Bofinger, let me ask you a question. Do you know what makes money the fastest in this world?" Laurist asked Bofinger an unexpected question.
"Hmm …" Bofinger thought for a long time before answering hesitantly, "Is it the business of military equipment? I've always heard Knight Shredder say that the business of military equipment is extremely profitable. When we organized the convoy to travel north, we transported military equipment … "
"No …" Laurist shook his head. "The fastest way to make money is through robbery. Robbing the nobles of those territories. Do you still remember that after we defeated Count Corbili in the Redelis Kingdom and occupied his city, I returned to my family's territory first. Shredder stayed with you for three months and did business with the nobles of those territories with military equipment. The capital of the convoy did not exceed a million gold coins.
After that, you led the convoy to the Andinac Kingdom. Although you were used by His Highness the second prince, you still swept through the entire Andinac Kingdom with the powerful force of the convoy. Almost two-thirds of the nobles were hanged by you. From the manors and castles of these nobles, you obtained more than two million Gold Fords …
In the North, we defeated Duke Lujins and looted the Grand Ducal Territory. We got more than a million gold coins. When we returned to the family's territory, the total value was almost five million gold coins. If we didn't do anything, this huge sum of money would be enough for me and the knights of the family to live extravagantly for a few lifetimes.
We invested this money into the development and construction of the family's territory. We built a powerful family army and eliminated the horde of magical beasts that had ravaged the family's territory for more than two hundred years. We gave the families of the refugees and soldiers who followed us to the North a stable and happy living environment. We also built a lot of workshops, towns and villages, elementary schools for children to read and write, and we are going to build an official college … "Translator Ramblings: I'm going to build a school …
We found an estuary at the end of the Blade Peak Mountains and built a port city. We turned the dangerous Black Clay Swamp into fertile land. The family has been investing a huge sum of money to have the prosperous and lively family territory we have today. The family spends more than a million gold coins on investments every year. We even invested the profits we earned from doing business, such as the two million gold coins we earned from trading standard equipment with our three allies …
If the slavers and hunters had not attacked the island of Shirovas, perhaps I would have led you to attack the Duchy of Madras, for there is no one else in the north for us to rob, except the Duke of Madras, who seems to be relatively wealthy. My original plan was to land at the Platinum Beach in the Sigler province and raid the Madras Duchy's lair. After plundering his wealth, we would retreat from the sea and use the loot to solve our family's urgent problems. "
"Don't look at me like that, Borg. You are my trusted knight. I don't mind telling you the truth. I made this plan because I wanted to give our family's armed forces a chance to fight. Elite soldiers are not trained, but trained through war. Secondly, the Madras Duchy is our enemy, so it's only right for us to attack them. Thirdly, I wanted to make use of this opportunity to make the Madras Duchy lose some money. "Laurist laughed.
"Now that the Kingdom of Haneabada has come knocking on my door, I can let Grand Duke Madras go for now. Anyway, his nest is in the Sydhelgrad province, and he won't grow wings and fly away. I can leave him until I have the chance to come again. Just like how I'm not worried about my family's upcoming financial crisis, I believe that the Kingdom of Haneabada must be much wealthier than the Madras Principality. Those slave owners, nobles, and slave traders must have earned a lot of dirty money over the years. I think I'll be happy to collect their ill-gotten gains and use them in the right place … "
A sinister smile appeared on Laurist's face. "Bofinger …"
Bofinger quivered. "Sir, I'm here."
"Remember, the first mission of this expedition to the Kingdom of Haneabada is to save those who have fallen into the hands of the slave masters and slave traders. The second mission is to plunder the Kingdom of Haneabada's wealth to solve our family's financial problems. As for our family's soldiers, we have to spread the word that we are on this expedition to avenge the people who died tragically on Syrovas Island. We have to liberate the slaves in the Kingdom of Haneabada so that our family's soldiers will believe that we are on the side of justice. This way, our family's armed forces can become a powerful military force and not a bunch of bandits. Do you understand? "
"Sir, I understand. Just like you said, those who offend Norton will be punished no matter how far away they are! We are going to punish the slave masters and slave traders. Seizing their wealth is just something we can do, but we can't say it … "
"Very well, Borg. Now, tell me what Lemmond said in the battle report. How did the second prince suffer such a huge defeat?"
"Yes, the Glass War is over. King Trumbo the Seventh committed suicide, and the Kingdom of Trumbo is gone. A few countries that sent reinforcements to support the Kingdom of Trumbo were annexed. Two of the reinforcements' commanders defected. I don't know if they were bribed or something, but they brought the reinforcements back to their countries and captured their own king to surrender to the Commerce Alliance. Now, the Commerce Alliance has become the third largest country in terms of territory. This has aroused the suspicion and vigilance of the surrounding countries.
Lemmond said that the prices of goods in Morent City were very high now. The Red Raven Tavern's ale that originally cost two coppers per mug had risen to ten coppers per mug. He also asked for a raise in his salary, or else he wouldn't be able to support his seven wives and so many children …
As for the second prince's defeat in the Magik province of the Redelis Kingdom, he only found out about it after reading about it in Morent Daily. The newspaper said that there was a military expert in the Redelis Kingdom's coalition army called Zturam or something. He took advantage of the second prince's carelessness and led the second prince's 70,000 troops to a low-lying area. Then, he dug a dam that had been built beforehand and used the water to destroy the second prince's army. It was said that although the second prince escaped with his life, there weren't many of his 70,000 troops left. The second prince was so angry that he vomited blood and swore that he wouldn't stop until he killed Zturam … "
… …
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
