In Baron Goya's study, Butler Ines was making a report. He finished talking about the performance of the various businesses under the Baron's name last month. Baron Goya sighed and said, "Without the ironware business, the family's income has dropped by more than half. Even the previous investment did not get enough return. We lost money in this business."
"Master, there is always a chance. Those Chinese people will not give up just like that. I believe they will be happy to find another place to cooperate." Ines said.
"Let's put it aside for now. I didn't expect these guys to be so weak among the Chinese. They were actually beaten to this state by another faction. After this incident is over, we still have to carefully select people to cooperate with."
Ines nodded.
"By the way, there is something here. Please arrange to send two copies out, one to my good friend Baron Lanhe, and the other to Marquis Baldini." Baron Goya took out two leather bags from the drawer of the table and handed them to Ines.
"Master, what is this?"
"The one for Baron Lanhe contains the details of our transaction with the Chinese, including some figures, names, and some of my research on the Chinese. Although I don't think they have any reason to take any excessive actions, we still have to be on guard." Baron Goya used his fingers to open a leather bag, revealing a few pages of paper. "The one for Marquis Baldini is the deed to the bakery in the east of the city. The old man has been eyeing my property for a long time. If we have a hard time in the future, we may need him to take care of us. Send this to him, and he will understand."
"It's just that the Marquis of Baldini has never had much contact with us."
Baron Goya said: "Bardini is a man of measure."
"I see, sir."
"That's it, then."
"But..." Ines hesitated.
"how?"
"Master, you have been too busy with official business recently, and the atmosphere in the mansion is very tense. Madam wants me to organize a performance at home to relieve boredom. It just so happens that a very famous southern bard will pass through Suero recently, and she wants me to arrange a family performance."
"A famous bard... Women like fancy things like this." The baron frowned and asked, "Is it expensive?"
"Sir, if this is not a public performance and is limited to your family members, I can keep the cost under two golden axes."
"Well, if she can stop nagging me, so I can be quieter and come up with more business ideas, then it will be worth it."
"Madam wants to arrange it the night after tomorrow. The young master who is serving as a servant in the Marquis's house will be back that day. If we call the eldest young master who is in the city guards back home, the whole family will be together."
"Okay, you can arrange it. Just remember to save some money."
Ines obeyed the order and left the study. He turned around to look at the study behind him and sighed secretly.
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Ines got on the carriage and headed for the Suero City Lord's Palace. When he arrived outside the City Lord's Palace, he saw Xiao Chen and Master Ikasa coming out of the City Lord's Palace, accompanied by the Marquis of Baldini. The Marquis's fat face was full of smiles, and he seemed to be having a good chat with Xiao Chen.
He knocked on the carriage hastily to stop it, and for a moment he was hesitant about whether to leave.
After the people at the gate of the City Lord's Mansion said goodbye, they went their separate ways. However, Ines saw Xiao Chen slowly walking towards his carriage.
Ines hurriedly opened the bag for Baron Lanhe, took out two pieces of paper, tore them into pieces, stuffed them into his mouth, and swallowed them with great effort. He held his chest and swallowed for a while, and when he saw Xiao Chen was about to walk to the front of the car, he quickly got out of the car, then bowed his head and saluted Xiao Chen.
"Butler Ines, would you like some water?" Xiao Chen laughed coldly.
"Sir, I'm not thirsty." Ines remained calm, but his hand holding the leather bag was shaking slightly.
"It seems that the Baron is still a little scared, right? He wants to seek the protection of the Marquis?" Xiao Chen said, looking at the bag in Ines' hand.
"This is just a land deed related to a business deal with the Marquis." Ines handed the leather bag in front of Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen smiled and pushed the leather bag back: "There is no need to do business between the Baron's Mansion and Marquis Baldini. I have done it for you. I know that you hope that the Baron will not fall into a miserable state, and you can't help but do something according to his instructions. But it's too late, you have betrayed him, you can't go back, in this case, then don't betray me again. Do you understand?"
"Sir... I understand." Ines lowered her head even more.
"Do what you are supposed to do, and know that we are watching you all the time."
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Ines came to the backyard of the Baron's Mansion and saw Robert instructing several trusted members of the caravan's stewards. As Ines' son and the chief steward of the Baron's Mansion, he actually had considerable power and directly managed nearly half of the caravans. This time, with the help of his father Ines, they had placed their trusted members in the caravans that had recently departed.
"Remember, you have only one mission this time. No matter what happens on the way or what rumors you hear, you must complete the business and bring back the people and the payment for the goods."
"Butler Robert, may I ask what is going on? Is there any unexpected event?"
"Don't ask questions that you shouldn't ask. Just remember, if anyone runs away with the goods or money, there will be no good end for them. Only if they come back will you have a good life. Do you understand?"
"I understand." Several people nodded and left.
"Father." Robert nodded to Ines. To this day, he still felt a little embarrassed in front of his father. After all, in that extremely real dream, he abandoned his father.
"Is everything almost arranged?"
"Yes."
"How about the magic mark they put on you?"
"It doesn't hurt."
"I have something to tell you." Ines stood in front of him with her hands behind her back. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "This matter is over. If you can get away with it safely, then just work for them wholeheartedly. Don't have any other thoughts. Do you understand?"
Robert didn't actually understand why his father said that, but he nodded and replied, "I understand. I will definitely do as you say."
"Your mother and sister... There's no point in talking about this now. Just take care of yourself first. As for the others... You will naturally make your own choices when the time comes." Ines said.
"Father! Why do you talk like that? It makes me worried." Robert said.
"There's nothing to worry about. Everything will be back on track the day after tomorrow," said Ines.