Malan Port.
This is an ordinary port in Insman, with a daily cargo throughput of thousands of tons.
The blue sky was unobstructed. On the pier, a tax official responsible for registration yawned boredly and rubbed his eyes.
Even for an ordinary dock, the daily levy of boat parking and maintenance fees is not a small amount of money, enough to make a group of officials in the city hall jealous.
It was obvious that he had put a lot of thought into achieving this position.
However, it was obviously not yet the peak trading season for trade winds. The afternoon sun was lazily dispersing the early morning fog, making it easy for people to feel sleepy.
Suddenly, he looked in one direction and his eyes widened.
At the end of the blue sea, a black spot suddenly appeared.
The black spot was so small that it took a long time before it floated near the dock. It turned out to be a crude raft - a raft? !
"What the hell!"
The tax official rubbed his face in a daze, and blinked vigorously, only to realize that he had read correctly. What floated over was indeed an ordinary raft, not even as good as a fisherman's fishing boat, and there were also things on it. There is a figure with green hair.
boom!
The raft slowly docked, and a savage-like guy stepped onto the dock, looking confident and proud.
"Hello, sir!"
The tax officer looked at the patrolling soldiers around him, and suddenly felt confident. He took out a pen and paper and stepped forward: "According to the kingdom's laws, any ship that calls at the port must be registered. May I ask your name?"
At this time, Insman's law still had a bit of barbarism. For example, in inland territories, any goods dropped on the road would automatically become the property of the local nobles!
Therefore, there are many unscrupulous people who deliberately build bumpy roads in their territories in order to generate income.
Of course, such a group of lords had been gradually eliminated by the trend of the times at this time, and they looked even more unbearable under the comparison of the upstarts who were changing with each passing day.
At Insman's port, according to the laws of the Kingdom, as long as it is a ship, it must charge a port entry fee!
Does a raft count as a boat to a tax collector eager to generate revenue? Of course it counts!
"No problem...my name is Donald!"
Donald made a gentleman's salute. Although he looked like a savage at this time, he had an unparalleled aura and added: "The pilot of the Flaming Beauty!"
"Oh! God!"
The quill pen in the tax officer's hand suddenly fell to the ground: "Goddess bless you, are you still alive?"
"Um… "
Donald's voice was a little low: "Has everyone already known about our encounter with pirates?"
"As far as our port is concerned, yes, because your captain used this port as the final terminal and claimed the warehouse in advance. Until one month after the default, we got from those shareholders and creditors whose investments failed. The news that the Flaming Beauty encountered pirates and was completely wiped out... By the way, that ship was auctioned for 3,000 gold galleons at a certain pirate port... "
The tax officer told everything he knew and made an apologetic expression: "Also... Sir, because of your statement, I have to regretfully inform you that you need to go to the Port Security Bureau to accept the appointment from the Sheriff. Inquiry from the Naval Branch!”
Although the tax officer had roughly guessed from the other party's clothes and car that Donald was only a survivor, the necessary procedures still had to be completed.
Deep down in my heart, I sympathize with Donald.
Encountering pirates, being lucky enough to survive, escaping to a desert island, and successfully setting up ship to save yourself is an incredible thing.
With the currents and waves in the ocean, it is a miracle that a raft can actually cross it!
But it is a pity that after coming to Insman, the creator of this miracle received not flowers and praises, but a flood of debts!
He remembered very clearly that some of those debt collectors came specifically for Donald.
Once the word gets out, they won't miss it.
By then, the penniless Donald will inevitably fall into an extremely embarrassing situation, and bankruptcy is the best outcome.
"I understand, thank you for the reminder!"
Donald smiled slightly and took out a pearl: "This is my entry and berthing registration fee, and the rest is your tip!"
"Uh...thank you sir!"
The tax official looked at the pearl in his hand and couldn't take his eyes away.
Even with the advent of the Age of Discovery, precious items such as pearls and agate are still very valuable.
Especially when Donald opened the pocket, he took a quick glance and estimated that there were at least nearly a hundred pearls inside, right? The quality of each one seems to be better than the one I have!
"Now, find me a hotel before you take me to the Sheriff's Department. I need a good sleep, a shower, and a big meal!"
Donald smiled confidently, showing his white teeth.
After becoming a marine sorcerer, he can take whatever treasures there are from the bottom of the sea. What does a mere debt mean
…
Just three days later, a shocking news spread in Malan Port.
The navigator of the Flaming Beauty, who everyone thought had died in the sea, actually returned to Insman six months after the accident!
In fact, not only was he lucky enough to survive the pirates, but he also miraculously discovered a pearl treasure, paid off his debts in one fell swoop, and became a moderately famous rich man!
Officials are also happy to see Donald become famous.
First of all, Donald passed the inquiry and found out that he had nothing to do with the Octopus Pirates.
Then, the port needs to set up a model to stimulate more people to embark on maritime trade and create wealth.
The most important thing is that Mr. Donald is really generous in his actions. In addition, Insman spares no effort in protecting private property, and they don't want to do anything thankless.
The gossip always gets more and more outrageous.
In the end, the drunkard in the tavern vowed that Donald had discovered the treasure of the previous pirate king and was even planning to use some of it to buy a title from the royal family!
While these busybodies were discussing whether Donald was going to buy a baron or a viscount, this influential figure in Malan Port sat in a black carriage and silently came to a countryside.
Insman is a maritime country, and the construction of the port is perfect, but inland, it has a different flavor.
Above the horizon, there are fields and ridges, huge windmills are spinning slowly, and there seems to be a scent of wheat in the air.
The carriage kept moving forward, and finally stopped in front of a wooden house side by side.
Donald was wearing a black tuxedo, a top hat, a civilized stick, and moccasin boots. He looked like a successful member of the upper class.
He looked at the wooden house, his eyes were a little moist, and he stepped forward and knocked on the door.
With a creak, the door opened, revealing a little head with blond hair and a pair of eyes as blue as the sea.
The moment he saw the child, Donald felt his heart melt.
"Mom... there is a stranger!"
But this little clever guy rolled his eyes and yelled.
"Are they those creditors again? How many times have I told you, Donald is not dead, and his debts..."
The door opened wide, revealing a peasant woman in her thirties.
She was dressed simply, with obvious anger on her face, but could not hide the panic in her pupils.
Apparently, news in the countryside was poor, and the rumors from the port had not yet reached here.
At this time, when he saw Donald, his words stopped and the bread basket in his hand fell to the ground.
Although Donald had more green hair, his face was still the same as before, without any change, and she recognized him immediately.
"Bad guy! Don't bully mom!"
At this time, the kid opened his hands, like a hen protecting its chickens, and stood in front of his mother.
"Sorry... I'm late!"
Donald took off his hat and hugged the two of them into his arms. His eyes were already full of tears: "Nia, don't worry... there is no debt anymore, and our future will be very good!"
Hearing this, Nia could not speak for a long time, but tears fell down immediately.
…
The dinner was very sumptuous by country standards.
Not only does it have fragrant white bread, but there is also a large basin of vegetable soup and a plate of sausages.
In the condiment bottle next to it, there are even olive oil, refined salt, and spices from the New World.
When the little guy saw this, his eyes were already shining.
"Nia... Thank you for your hard work over the years. Don't worry, although I encountered pirates, I was a blessing in disguise. I got a lot of money, enough for us to move to the city. In the future, little Arthur will go to the best school. Enter the circles of high society! Become a decent gentleman!"
Donald squeezed his wife's hand in determination.
"I trust you!"
Nia's face suddenly brightened, she cut off the largest piece of bread and placed it on the plate in front of Donald.
"Before dinner, I'd like to pray!"
When it was time to start, Donald took out his precious pendant: "On this ocean... I almost lost my life. It was only through the blessing of the Lord of Dreams and Weapons that I came back alive... great The Lord of dreams and weapons is a righteous God, worthy of my trust and life being entrusted to Him!"
"In that case..."
Nia was just a country woman without much knowledge. At this time, she said to little Arthur: "This is your father's belief. We must also maintain respect and put down the knife and fork first!"
"oh!"
Hearing this, the little guy put down the tableware obediently and watched his father's every move.
"Thank you, my Lord, for giving me food..."
Because there are no prescribed rituals, the prayer is very simple. After just saying a few words, Donald picked up the knife and fork: "Let's get started!"
But he decided in his heart that after the meal, he would introduce the great master of Dream Soldiers to these two people.