Release that Witch Chapter 17: envoy (on)

"This place is still so broken," as stronghold Ambassador Petrov stepped out of the cabin, a rotten smell of wood came across. The air around is humid and dull, making people feel uncomfortable. He sucked his nose, raised head, the sky was gray and there seemed to be a heavy rain brewing.

"You came here last year, it was a year ago," the assistant diligently put on the wool coat to the ambassador, "there is nothing here except the stones."

"It was a year and a half ago," corrected Petrov. "Adult Duke draws different people every season. The last time I arrived at Border Town was summer. And in addition to stones, there are all kinds of fine fur, and ... "

"What?" The assistant looked blank.

Petrov shook his head, no answer. He crossed the ship's side, stepped on the mossy dock, and the board made a crunching sound. It will probably last for a few years, and this dock will be fragmented, he thought. Border Town has not only stones, fur, but also ... land. But these words are meaningless. The assistant is just an unknown document/secretary of City Hall. I can't see this at all.

There is a large area of ​​uncultivated land between Border Town and Longsong Stronghold. One side is Impassable Mountain Range and the other is Scarlet Water River, like a long and narrow corridor. As the outpost of stronghold, if it assumes the responsibility of the defense line, the large tract of land in the middle will be included in the hands of stronghold. They can be planted many times without cultivation, and with natural barriers on both sides, they don't need much effort to eat. This can just alleviate a series of problems caused by the growing population of stronghold. Border Town will also become an integral part of stronghold, instead of being separated into two independent territories as now.

The only disadvantage is that it requires three to five years of operation and a large upfront investment.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the predictability of investment, most nobles are not as good as a lame businessman.

"Well, why is it empty in the yard?" Helper pointed at an empty tunnel in the distance, "Shouldn't they have all the ore ready?"

Petrov sighed softly, "Let's go to the castle to see His Royal Highness."

"Wait ... Mr. Ambassador, aren't you waiting for their reception team?"

I do n’t know yet, but he thought so but did n’t say, “Let ’s go, Ma Ma is right in front.”

Now the trouble of splitting into two separate territories is obviously coming. King paper struggle for the throne throws Fourth Prince into this deserted land. What would a normal noble or royal disciple do? Of course it is all about owning this place. Let the ore and jewellery be traded for food and bread? The prince's eyes may only see gold royal.

If he is, he will do the same. Seeing that the output in his territory has been converted at such a low price, I am afraid no one is willing to accept it. And the prince does not have to go to stronghold. Most of the people in the family forget the fact that Scarlet Water River does not only pass through Longsong Stronghold. He can sell the ore to Willow Town, Fallen Dragon Ridge, and Scarlet Water City at market prices, and then take the people to take refuge in these places. -- is just a little further away.

Then what can Longsong Stronghold do? Block the river and intercept the prince and his party? It was simply a blatant confrontation against the Greycastle royal family! Everyone knows that Fourth Prince is not liked by King, but no matter how bad it is, it is also the bloodline of King. This is beyond doubt.

They rode on the rented horse and walked slowly along the river stone slab. The stables were all old horses with mixed hairs and skinny bones, and even when walking slowly, they trembled as they walked. For these two idiots, he had to pay two gold royal as a deposit.

"Look, sir, is that Willow Town's ship?"

Hearing the helper, he looked in the direction of the opponent, and saw a single-pole sailboat with green leaves and machete flags slowly approaching the river. The hull has a high waterline, indicating that it is full of cargo.

Petrov nodded expressionlessly, but sank inwardly, the other party moved faster than expected. If the prince has already started to contact those towns downstream of Scarlet Water River, he will have one less chip in his hand. He originally intended to persuade his father to agree to buy ore for 30% below the normal price, which would still make a profit, not to mention luxury goods such as jewellery, which can multiply several times after being polished. Unfortunately, this monopoly business is not his decision, nor is it Honeysuckle Family. There are six noble participating in the Border Town mining industry. Without the majority consent, a resolution cannot be formed.

But they are slow to respond, thinking that the situation is still the same as before ... Or, mining site's output is not worth their too much attention. Anyway, the other five were indifferent, and his father rejected himself with confidence. In fact, they are very wrong. The main reason for the low output of mining site is this mode of bartering. If it becomes a normal trade, the more it is produced, the more it earns. It is likely that the ore output will reach a level by next year.

If we talk about the previous monopoly plan, it is very likely that it is not right, it is certain that impossible has been realized. Petrov thought, as can be seen from the empty dock yard, the prince did not plan to let these stones to replace qualitative wheat, he was already contacting other buyers.

If you still want to hold this trade line, 30% discount is his last bargaining chip. The distance between Willow Town and Border Town's makes the ore transportation cost increase, and Willow Town has more than one ore source point, and their price is likely to be half of the market price. As for Fallen Dragon Ridge and Scarlet Water Town, they will only drive lower, so Fourth Prince may agree that Longsong Stronghold will still monopolize --, especially gem trade.

But the question is, if he is good at signing a contract, will his father agree? As for the other five companies, will you feel that your move is a surrender to Border Town and will you give up your family interests?

After all, in their eyes, Border Town is still the pasture controlled by stronghold itself.

The two slowly crossed to the castle in the southeast corner of small town. Petrov is not the first time here, but this time, the owner has changed.

The guards saw the ambassador's credentials and immediately went in to notify feudal lord.

Fourth Prince Roland Wimbledon soon summoned Petrov. When the two were introduced into the parlour, the prince was already waiting in the main seat.

"Mr. Ambassador, please sit down."

Roland clap your hands and let the waitress serve a sumptuous meal. There are roasted whole chicken, mushroom boar leg, buttered bread and a large pot of vegetable soup. Apparently, the personal enjoyment of the children of the royal family has not been compromised.

Petrov is naturally not polite. It takes two days to go from stronghold to Border Town, even if it is downwind. If it is a multi-masted and multi-pulp cargo ship, it is slower and takes three to five days. There is no kitchen on board, and you usually eat your own dried meat strips or wheat cakes. Seeing the steaming dishes, he felt his saliva flowing in his throat.

However, he has maintained perfect dining etiquette for many years of noble cultivation. On the contrary, His Highness eats much less --, especially the use of knives and forks. Petrov noticed that, except that the Fourth Prince will use a table knife when cutting meat, other actions are done with a pair of small wooden sticks. And it looks like ... two wooden sticks are much more convenient than forks.

"What do you think?" Roland asked suddenly when the meal was about to end.

"Uh, what?" The ambassador never returned.

"This," the other person shook the wooden stick in his hands, and did not wait for Petrov answer. He said straightforwardly, "An iron fork is a luxury for most people, not to mention a silver fork. Instead Grasping with your hands directly, it's easy to eat dirty things together in your stomach. Illness comes from the mouth, you know? "

The ambassador doesn't know how to answer. He doesn't quite understand the meaning of illness from the mouth, but according to the understanding of the previous sentence, it probably means that dirty things stick to food and eat easily. But everyone came this way, and no one died of it.

"A pair of oak sticks, how much is needed in Hidden Forest, both clean and easy to get. I plan to promote this in the town," Prince sipped, "Of course, now my citizen has almost no meat. Eat, it will gradually get better after you can. "

Petrov breathed a sigh of relief, but he still knew how to pick it up. After routinely expressing approval and blessing, he did not agree with bottom of heart. Let citizen have meat to eat? It's whimsical, even Greycastle can't do this, let alone a deserted place like Border Town.