The next day, the halfling Gudel was sitting in the reception room of the General Affairs Office in Shawan Harbor, anxiously waiting for Dane's arrival.
Speaking of this General Affairs Office, it also has a glorious history.
In the past, Shawan Port was not established by any warlord at the beginning, but thirteen merchants with outstanding vision united to build such a port with a very adventurous spirit in order to open up trade routes. These thirteen big merchants established the so-called Shahai Chamber of Commerce at that time, became the actual masters of the city, and maintained their independence amidst the warlords' hegemony.
But this situation did not last long. The merchants had money, but they lacked strength in the construction of the army. Even if the Shahai Chamber of Commerce spent a lot of money, recruited its own army, and then hired a large number of mercenaries to protect the city, but such a big piece of fat, how could a group of merchants of them be able to protect it forever?
What's more... There are other businessmen who are also peeking at the interests here.
There are vicious wolf-like warlord forces prying outside, and other chambers of commerce and big businessmen's malice, so that's all. The Shahai Chamber of Commerce itself also has disagreements because of the city's interests. In the end, this independent free city was taken down by the warlords. After countless years, after circulating in the hands of countless warlords, it was in the hands of Ma Long and then in the hands of Dane.
But, then again, no matter which warlord controls Shawan Port, the owners of this city will always be businessmen. The role of the warlords is more of a protector of the city. They provided military protection to Sandy Bay Harbor, and merchants paid taxes for protection.
The warlords want to intervene in the industrial layout of the harbor? too difficult.
And this General Affairs Office is the current office address of the Merchants Federation. Businessmen from various industries, based on their respective industries, have offices here.
In other words, this General Affairs Office is, in essence, the core building of Shahaiwan Port. The various departments opened here are the central nerve of Shahaiwan Port's business and the real controllers of the upper layers of the city.
These big businessmen with a keen sense of smell, after Dane defeated the legions of Marlon and Gusha, knew that Shawan Harbor had changed. After Ma Long was sentenced to death at the trial conference, this was beyond doubt.
For the new protectors, the merchants in Shawan Harbor must of course meet them.
It's just that how one sees it is also very particular. Therefore, Goodell, who had contacted and cooperated with Dane, was pushed to the fore.
In other words, Goodell still bears the title of "Deacon of the Alchemy Guild" in the General Affairs Office. This is also due to Dane. If it wasn't for the fact that we worked together to develop the black crystal at the beginning and made a lot of money, and later established a long-term and stable cooperation after the development of the black crystal mine in Comilla, it probably wouldn't be enough. Hang this title on the grid.
Before, he was complacent about it—it was a status symbol in Shawan Port.
Until yesterday, he had always felt that way.
Yesterday, the General Affairs Office asked him to meet with Dane. Of course, the purpose was to say hello to the new general, give some gifts, and improve the relationship so that it would be convenient for future actions.
At that time, he took over the task in a big way, and was happy for his "foresight" at the beginning and his status that would be improved in the future. But now he feels that this is a big chore.
All of this is due to the news from Dane's General's Mansion yesterday that the tax on the caravan going to the north will be increased.
This news caused an uproar.
Merchants are not particularly interested in conquests among warlords. Anyway, no matter which warlord is in power, they always need money, so this requires their support.
Supporting which warlord is not supporting
In other words, for businessmen, as long as the war does not involve their own interests, it doesn't matter.
Now, between Ou Ze and Kangli, some businessmen have chosen to stand in line. But this is to press all of his wealth, even his life. Businessmen don't do such risky things, so not many people actually do it. Everyone is doing business normally, with both sides facing each other, but standing in neutral, waiting for the real winner and loser, and then see what to do next.
But Dane's approach annoyed them. Because, the outcome of this war has affected them.
Think about it, after the tax increase, Cinderella and Lost City will certainly be affected, and the losses of the merchants will be even greater. They will bear heavier costs, and it will be more difficult to sell the goods, and the prices of products purchased from Lost City and Cinderella are bound to rise. In the end, the result of all this will be that businessmen will suffer great losses.
They didn't care about the struggle between Dane and Conley. Some people were even happy to see this kind of thing happen, and they were gearing up to make a fortune from the war. But when all the merchants who want to do business in the north are affected, the merchants are boiling.
Therefore, last night, as soon as the news came out, Goodell received an urgent request that he express the indignation of the commercial guild for the tax increase in the meeting with Dane today, and strongly demanded that Dane Stop this policy that will harm the development of Sandy Bay Harbor.
But this kind of thing can be justified by talking about it? It's not that Goodell doesn't know what Dane's character is like!
Moreover, the commercial guild also arrogantly changed the way of meeting. Originally, Goodell was going to visit, but now, he was asked to wait here, and the people from the business guild sent a letter to Dane, asking him to come to the General Affairs Office to meet people,
Such an arrogant behavior made Goodale terrified. He was almost 100% sure that if the businessmen did this, they would definitely anger Dane.
He originally wanted to shirk this matter, but he couldn't.
This kind of good job turned into a hard job really made him want to cry.
But he had no choice, he could only come to the reception room of the General Affairs Mansion early, sit in his seat and wait for Dane's arrival obediently.
Ten o'clock was the time agreed in the letter sent by the chamber of commerce, but Dane didn't arrive.
The lateness of big shots can always be forgiven, and Goodell waited in place.
And then waited until lunch time.
It should be a depressing thing that the person I was waiting for did not arrive. But for Goodell, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
"It's okay if you don't come... It's okay if you don't come... I'm embarrassed when I come, I don't know what to say..."
With this in mind, Goodell waited for another afternoon, but Dane did not come. (To be continued.)