Chairman Peterson finally sent a reply to Lollister before August arrived. The letter explained the changes that had happened to the various merchant guilds in the Trade Union over the past half a year after their defeat in the duel last year, as well as the tension between the various merchant guilds. This caused Chairman Peterson to be unable to unify the opinions of the merchant guilds. Most importantly, the chairman of the Twin-Headed Dragon Merchant Guild, Duke Camberlet, was gravely injured and bedridden. He had only recovered slightly now.
President Peterson attributed the delay to the defeat of the Trade Alliance, and even exaggerated the difficulties they faced. For example, because of this great defeat, the two remaining factions of the sixteen kingdoms in the central and south of the continent had once again bared their fangs at the Trade Alliance's territory, and were eager to make trouble. It was only when the Trade Alliance announced that the southernmost territory of the former Duchy of Gonlinia would be given to the Storm Sword Saint as a territory that the two allied factions stopped their attempts to provoke conflict.
Laurist had to praise the Trade Alliance for making a good move. They had clearly been forced to give the Duchy of Gonlinia to the Storm Sword Saint as a reward for challenging Laurist to the duel. Seeing that the Storm Sword Saint was about to break free from their control in the blink of an eye, they had decided to confer a title on him. They wanted to tie the Storm Sword Saint and the Trade Alliance together no matter what. At the same time, they had stabilized the situation of the newly annexed provinces in the central and south. They had used the might of the Storm Sword Saint to effortlessly destroy the plans of the two allied factions of the sixteen kingdoms in the central and south who wanted to take advantage of the situation …
However, Laurist was curious as to why the Storm Sword Saint did not leave the Trade Alliance like he had said on the lonely mountain. After thinking about it, he concluded that the Trade Alliance must have paid an extra price in exchange for the Storm Sword Saint's silence. There was no other reason other than the attractive benefits. Even if the Storm Sword Saint had become the ruler of a country, he would definitely need large amounts of resources to develop and develop his territory. The Trade Alliance must have used this point to force the Storm Sword Saint to continue working with them.
President Peterson only used a small amount of space to describe the situation and future plans of the Trade Alliance, but he spent quite a few pages discussing business matters with Lollister. He even gave an example, arguing that there was a mistake in the pricing of the goods produced by the Norton Family's territory that were currently appearing in the southern and central markets of the continent. They needed to increase the price by at least two or three times to obtain the greatest profit, and not allow these exquisite goods to become commodities that could be bought by commoners.
Laurist laughed out loud. It was obvious that the goods produced by the Norton Family's territory in the southern and central markets of the continent, through the hands of private ship owners, had already threatened the monopoly of the Trade Alliance's market. The Peterson Merchant Group was definitely one of the victims. The Trade Alliance's influence had been greatly reduced due to their defeat, and they were unable to consolidate their market share. They had actually allowed President Peterson to use the name of a veteran merchant to advise the Norton Family on how to increase their profits. Did he really think the Norton Family was one of those greedy noble families?
It was easy to raise the price, but it would cause the goods produced by the Norton Family's territory to lose their competitiveness in the market. The Norton Family wanted a market share, and they would execute a strategy to encircle and suppress the Trade Alliance. They would use the same type of exquisite goods at the same price to defeat the shoddy goods produced by the various merchant groups in the Trade Alliance. This would deal a fatal blow to the Trade Alliance economically, and completely destroy their hopes of making a comeback. Without market share and the competitiveness of their goods, Laurist believed that the merchant groups in the Trade Alliance would soon be reduced to ordinary nobles. Other than taking money from their pitiful subjects, it would be difficult for them to have any other income.
Without profits from business, would the Trade Alliance still be called a Trade Alliance? The merchant groups' territories would soon become true nobles' territories. Since the merchants always wanted to keep up with the nobles, then they would become true nobles' territories. Laurist believed that he was doing a good deed, and that he had allowed these merchants to be reborn into the nobles' circle. This was a great merit. As for whether the merchants of the Trade Alliance were willing, Laurist did not care at all. In any case, he had ways to force them to submit.
"It seems like these merchants are still unwilling to bow their heads and admit defeat." Laurist waved the letter in his hand. "I don't understand. Don't they say that merchants are the smoothest and most open-minded? Why do the merchants of the Trade Alliance refuse to bow their heads? What else does the Trade Alliance rely on to maintain their uncompromising stance? Are they preparing to launch a counterattack? Do they still have the ability to do so? "
Standing in front of Laurist was Tagger. He respectfully lowered his head and reported, "Your Highness, news from the Twin-Headed Dragon Merchant Group's territory says that Duke Cambert has recovered from his injuries and returned to the board of directors. The chaos in the Trade Alliance has come to an end. Apart from the Chikder Merchant Group, which still ignores the orders of the Trade Alliance, the other merchant groups have expressed that they will continue to unite with Duke Cambert and work together to tide over the Trade Alliance's most difficult period …"
Last year, the Trade Alliance had suffered a great defeat in the decisive battle in Brewia City. The luckiest of them all was the Chikder Merchant Group's armed forces. Because they were at the back, they had not been attacked much. Their losses were negligible, and they had retreated early when they saw that the situation was not good. They were the only merchant group that had retreated in full force.
The problem was that the Chikder Merchant Group's armed forces had retreated in full force. They did not choose another strategic location to clean up the mess of the defeated Trade Alliance. Instead, they retreated to Ma Wei's Fulin Province's military grain storage warehouse and plundered a large amount of rations before retreating to their own merchant group's territory in the south. It was said that on the way back, they suddenly attacked the newly established Visia Merchant Group's territory and kidnapped a large number of craftsmen and fine iron. Because of this, many merchant groups in the Trade Alliance requested that the Chikder Merchant Group be punished for their betrayal. Although there were no conflicts between the two sides, they had always been in a war of words …
"Hehe, the Chikder Merchant Group is very smart. Seeing that the broken ship that is the Trade Alliance is about to sink, they went ashore and casually made a huge profit. Looking at the current situation, the Trade Alliance has no way to punish the Chikder Merchant Group. I reckon that in the end, they can only swallow their anger and not be laughed at. I believe that with the Chikder Merchant Group as an example, the other merchant groups will start to have other ideas, "Laurist commented.
"Your Highness, you are right. Other than the Ford Merchant Group, the Livord Merchant Group, and the Visia Merchant Group, which have lost their merchant groups' territory, and the twenty or so second and third rate merchant groups who have also lost their merchant groups' territory, they still firmly support the Grand Duke of Cambert and protect the Trade Alliance. The Mayflower Merchant Group and seven other second rate merchant groups have privately formed another alliance. They blame the defeat of the Trade Alliance on the Grand Duke of Cambert and question his ability to govern, intending to remove him from office.
According to the reports of our intelligence investigators, other than the Chikder Merchant Group that has almost raised the flag of rebellion, the Peterson Merchant Group has been drifting around, swaying left and right. They don't seem to have their own stance, but in reality, they have already obtained a lot of benefits from both sides. Your Highness released President Peterson in hopes that he could put in some effort to reach a truce agreement between the three parties. However, President Peterson only tested Grand Duke Cambert's opinion a little before tossing our proposal to the back of his head. He did not lobby or advise the other merchant groups … "
Alright, Laurist had to admit that he had once again misjudged Grand Duke Cambert and pinned his hopes on the peace talks on President Peterson. After a moment's silence, Laurist asked, "Other than these internal disputes, has the Trade Alliance made any other moves?"
"Yes, after Grand Duke Camberlet returned, he once again transferred nearly a hundred thousand men from each of the Chamber of Commerce's armed forces. They were divided into ten divisions and deployed at the borders of the five provinces that were swept clean by our family's armed forces: Giedlinke Province, Mawifulin Province, Sangan Wabba Province, Hausmok Province, and Clinchus Province. They formed a new defensive line and stabilized the situation in the remaining twenty-three provinces of the Commerce Federation. But what's strange is that, looking at the locations of these ten divisions, the Commerce Federation seems to have given up on the five provinces around the Mana Hill Plains …"
Looking at the map, Laurist nodded. "Grand Duke Cambert is very wise. These five provinces are currently of little value. If the Trade Alliance wants to retake these five provinces, we will definitely not let them do as they concern the safety of the Mana Hill Plains. Furthermore, these five provinces have become empty land. The Trade Alliance's armed forces will need to prepare a large amount of military supplies and logistics, as well as a large amount of transportation resources and manpower to enter these five provinces. If we were to fight a protracted war, the entire Trade Alliance's economy could easily collapse.
Therefore, he simply gave up on these five provinces and turned them into a buffer zone between us and the Trade Alliance. If we were to attack the Trade Alliance, we would also need to cross a province and would also need a large amount of military supplies and logistics. The Trade Alliance's armed forces could even launch surprise attacks and guerrilla attacks on our rear through the empty areas of the surrounding provinces. They would be able to take the initiative on the battlefield. That is why I said that Grand Duke Cambert was very wise to give up these five provinces. "
"I see." Tagger nodded. "Your Highness, there are two more pieces of news. Apart from forming the ten divisions to complete the defense line, Grand Duke Cambert is also preparing to convene a meeting of the Trade Alliance to discuss how the Ford, Livord, Visia, and the second and third rate Trade Alliance's territories will be redistributed to the southern part of the continent.
However, the provinces in the southern part of the continent were annexed by the Trade Alliance a few years ago and were not well governed. At the same time, they were subjected to cruel oppression and forced conscription by the Trade Alliance. Many of their subjects fled and had a strong sense of resistance. Therefore, many Trade Alliance did not wish to go to the south. In addition, there was the betrayal of the Chikder Trade Alliance in the south. Even the Ford, Livord, and Visia trade alliances were hesitant.
The second piece of news is that Grand Duke Cambert has sent many envoys to the central and southern sixteen countries of the continent, as well as the Chigda Kingdom. He has spread the word that the Andinac Kingdom is a threat to the central and southern countries, and is trying to convince them to ban the goods produced by our family's territory from entering their borders. He is also trying to form an alliance to prevent our family's armed forces from attacking the Trade Alliance. This is to prevent the other countries in the central and southern regions from supporting us and recreate the situation of resisting the Crisen Empire … "
Laurist laughed heartily. "Is the Trade Alliance still dreaming? At this time, they are still trying to resist the Crisen Empire. Don't they know that the Trade Alliance is the biggest threat to the central and southern continent? How many of the former thirty-six countries are left? Including the Trade Alliance and the Chigda Kingdom, there are only eighteen countries left. The other eighteen countries have been annexed by the Trade Alliance. How can they still have the face to persuade those countries to join forces to resist our kingdom?
Don't worry, the Trade Alliance's scheme will not succeed. Our family established the Freedom Alliance, which means that we have no interest in the central and southern territories. The five provinces around the Mana Hill Plain that were swept clean by our family's armed forces proves that our family has no ambition to occupy the central and southern territories. As for the goods produced by our family's territory, it does not matter to us whether they are banned or not. We only do wholesale in Moronte City, and it is none of our business where we sell them. The actions of the Trade Alliance only proves that they are in chaos. "
"However, we still have to teach the Trade Alliance a lesson." Laurist stroked his chin. "Our family's armed forces have been very busy this year, and we have no time to care about them. Perhaps next year, we will send troops to sweep them clean. Right, Tagger, go and find out which countries were the territories of the five provinces around the Mana Hill Plain. Also, find out which countries have been annexed by these three provinces of the Trade Alliance. At the same time, find out if there are any heirs or descendants of the royal family surviving in these countries. "
"Yes, Your Highness," Tagger replied.
"Right, didn't Senbarwood place a sea ban on the territory of the Chigda Merchant Association? I heard that people in the territory of the Chigda Merchant Association have to buy seafood from other places. Go and order Senbarwood to write a letter to the Chigda Merchant Association. Tell him that if the Chigda Merchant Association is willing to break away from the Trade Alliance and establish themselves as a kingdom, our family can make an exception and remove the sea ban on their territory, allowing their merchant ships to trade and fish in the sea. If the Trade Alliance uses the Storm Sword Sage to threaten them, tell them that I am willing to personally guarantee that the Storm Sword Sage will not do anything to them … "Laurist added fuel to the fire of the Trade Alliance.
At the end of August, Laurist brought only a few guards and secretly boarded a Thunderstruck Warship. Under the personal accompaniment of Admiral Senbarwood of the North Sea Fleet, he returned to his family's territory without anyone knowing. This time, he had specially returned to accompany Princess Silvia and his concubine, Daisy, and take care of their childbirth.
On the 11th of October, Princess Silvia gave birth to another chubby little boy. Three days later, Daisy gave birth to a boy as well. Laurist stayed by their side until the April of the second year. Only then did he set off for Moronte City again.
Attached is a list of Laurist's children:
Mother, former maid Elina (died of a sudden illness)
Eldest son, Norton Lescott (deceased), executed by Laurist for rebellion and tyranny.
Second son, Norton Wilward. After his mother died of a sudden illness, he was adopted by Laurist's cousin, the Golden Knight Kristya.
Mother, Nicole Tracy, headmaster of Nicole Academy, lover of Laurist.
Eldest daughter, Nicole Aligas.
Second daughter, Nicole Freysia.
Mother, Dina Aridoli, female knight of the Dina Family, acting head of the family, lover of Laurist.
Eldest son, Dina Triak.
Youngest daughter, Dina Ellie.
Mother, Princess Silvia, matriarch of the Norton Family, wife of Laurist.
Eldest son, Norton Anderbell.
Youngest son, Norton Jedbinns (in memory of Deputy Commander Paul Binns who died heroically in the Artillery Battalion)
Mother, Delia, young aunt of Aridoli and Finagalli, concubine of Laurist.
Eldest son, Norton Schroebel.
Youngest daughter, Norton Vivian.
Mother, Dina Finagalli, younger sister of Aridoli, concubine of Laurist.
His daughter, Norton Deloria.
Mother, Maria, eldest daughter of a minor noble. Taken by Laurist as a concubine.
Son, Norton Makino Peter (in memory of Deputy Commander Peter who died heroically in battle)
Mother, Daisy, best friend of Maria and second daughter of a minor noble. Also taken by Laurist as a concubine.
Son, Norton Rollins (in memory of two old students of Dawn Academy who died with Laurist)
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