A week after the wedding, Sevini appeared in front of Xu Yi and Steele to his surprise.
"I'm really sorry." Sevini apologized to the two of them: "I originally planned to attend your wedding and send you my blessings in person, but I was delayed by some unexpected things. I am really sorry. "
Xu Yi took a serious look at Sevini and found that her expression was full of exhaustion. He couldn't help but frown and waved his hands and said: "This is not a big deal. Her Royal Highness is busy with affairs, so it is normal for her to be delayed. But Your Highness, I heard... your recent situation doesn't seem to be very good... "
Sevini showed a hint of surprise, looked at Xu Yi, and asked, "Why do you ask that?"
"This is what I inferred from some things, and some people revealed some information to me..."
"Do these people include Earl Satsuma?" Sevigny asked again.
"Earl Satsuma didn't say it clearly, but he told me that his successor is from the Stark family. I think... this is definitely not the result that Her Royal Highness wants to see." Xu Yi paused, and then said: "In addition, Viscount Leslie also revealed some truth to me in his reply. Your Royal Highness, didn’t those guys in the Noble Senate always support you? Why are they suddenly turning their backs to support Prince Eric? "
Sevigny glanced at Steele.
Xu Yi immediately said: "Steele is my wife, I don't need to hide anything from her."
"I'm envious and happy for the close relationship between you and Steele." Sevigny showed a smile, shook his head and said: "It's a pity that I can't find anyone who can confess everything in front of him. , so... there are some things that I am not comfortable disclosing to you."
Xu Yi shrugged, smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "I originally thought that I was your staunch ally, Her Royal Highness."
Hearing that Xu Yi's address to him became an honorific, how could Sevini not know that Xu Yi was indirectly expressing his dissatisfaction. However, she could only smile bitterly and said: "Xu Yi, it's not that I don't want to reveal it to you, but I can't. There are many things, if you know them. I think based on what I know about your character, I'm afraid you must I will choose to participate. But for now, I don’t hope that the Xinfei Chamber of Commerce will develop well. I have always regarded it as the hope that our Lampali Kingdom will become stronger. Before it could grow, it was completely destroyed. Do you understand what I mean?"
Hearing the sincerity in Sevigny's tone, Steele reached out his hand. He shook Xu Yi's hand hard and shook his head gently.
Xu Yi sighed deeply, looked at Sevini for a while, and said seriously: "Your Highness, I understand your thoughts, but I also hope that you can understand mine. In my opinion, you are the most suitable for the entire kingdom. Heir. Because you really want the Lampali Kingdom to become stronger, not just for the crown, so no matter what, I will fully support you."
Although many people have automatically classified Xu Yi and the Xinfei Chamber of Commerce as supporters of Her Royal Highness Princess Sevigny, this is the first time that Xu Yi has stated his attitude so straightforwardly.
Sevini heard the solemnity in Xu Yi's words. My heart couldn't help but move slightly, but after hesitating for a moment, I slowly shook my head and said: "I am very happy to get your recognition and support, but please believe me, you are really not suitable to know something now. Wait until the right time , I will tell you.”
Seeing Sevini being so determined, Xu Yi knew that there was no point in talking any more, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I hope this day comes soon."
Sevini smiled slightly, took a breath, and wiped away the various emotional expressions on her face that should not have appeared on her face.
"Let's discuss business. Since you already know that the successor of Earl Satsuma is Earl Stark, you must already know the impact this matter will have on you and the New Flying Merchant Association."
Xu Yi nodded slowly: "Yes. But I only know that it will have a bad impact, but I don't know how bad it will be."
"I can only say...it will even be worse than you imagine." Sevini said seriously.
"Really?" Xu Yi and Steele frowned together. "So, your relationship with His Highness the Prince has reached such a naked level?"
"You can say that." Sevini's tone was a little helpless. "Although this is not what I want to see, it is the fact. And in this matter, I have no power to object, so I can only remind you to be more careful and try not to create excuses for Brother Wang. You understand me Do you mean it?"
Xu Yi frowned deeper and smiled bitterly: "Are you asking me to be a coward?"
"My father Zeng Jin once told me something. If you want to achieve great things, you must first learn to be patient when necessary. I will pass this sentence on to you now." Sevini said seriously.
Xu Yi glanced at Sevini, shook his head and said: "Your Highness, this sentence applies to me, but I'm afraid it doesn't apply to you. If you haven't made up your mind yet, I'm afraid you will disappoint many people who support you. . Do you really think that His Royal Highness Prince Eric is more suitable for the throne than you?"
"I don't want to discuss this issue." Sevigny shook his head and cut off the topic. "President Xu, this time I came out to send my blessings to you and Steele in person, but I also have a few important things to discuss with you. The first thing is about the magic trebuchet."
"Is there anything wrong with the magic trebuchet?" Xu Yi asked. "Viscount Leslie's reply said that the magic trebuchet showed great power in the battle on the northern border, beating the soldiers of the Sac Kingdom to retreat, and even unable to hold on to a single position."
"Yes, the magic trebuchet is indeed powerful. But the better it performs, the less the military wants to leave the technology for making this thing in the hands of others. After research and decision by the military, it is hoped that the New Flying Chamber of Commerce can make the magic trebuchet The technology of the trebuchet was handed over to the military, and relevant technical personnel were sent to assist the military's arsenal in mastering all the technologies for producing magic trebuchets." Sevini said.
"Your Highness, is this what you mean?" Xu Yi asked seriously.
Sevini blinked and replied: "This is what the military department means."
Xu Yi suddenly understood: "Then can I refuse?"
"Terror cannot."
Hearing this answer, Xu Yi couldn't help but sneer: "Then I can ask. Will the military department give me any compensation?"
Sevini was silent for a while, and then slowly replied: "This is a joint resolution between the top military officials and the Kingdom's Parliament. From now on, any technology related to military equipment in the Kingdom cannot be in private hands."
"That is to say. No compensation?" Xu Yi asked.
Sevigny slowly shook his head.
"Very good." Xu Yi sneered again. "To put it bluntly, you are asking me to hand it over for free. It seems that the people in the military department are not that thick-skinned. I know that I am embarrassed to make this request to me in person, but I actually pushed you, Your Highness, as a shield. Okay. This is it. I can choose to hand over the technology for free. After all, I am an ordinary businessman and cannot compete with the military. But please tell the military and the Kingdom Council for me and let them think about the serious consequences of this."
Sevini showed a bitter smile and sighed: "Xu Yi, I hope you don't lose confidence in the kingdom because of this matter. Father, he still values you and the Xinfei Chamber of Commerce."
"If you value it so much, then it's okay not to." Xu Yi snorted coldly, and then gave Sevini a meaningful look. "As for losing confidence... I only have confidence in you, Your Highness, and I just hope you don't let me lose confidence."
Sevini remained silent, and the room fell into silence for a while.
Feeling the awkward atmosphere in the room. Steele forced a smile and said to Sevigny: "Your Highness, this is the first thing, what about the second thing?"
Sevigny took a breath. After regaining his composure, he smiled slightly at Steele and replied: "The second thing is good news. My father has decided to connect the three cities of Bonta City, Kalma City, and Saltan City together and officially list them together." It is the Lampali Kingdom Special Economic Zone. In this special economic zone, all commercial activities in the three cities will enjoy the preferential policies and conveniences of the Kingdom.”
"This is good news, but the timing of this decision is too coincidental, right?" Xu Yi's tone contained disdain. "It happened to be announced just when Earl Satsuma was about to be transferred and Earl Stark was about to take over. Your Highness, are you sure this is not paving the way and creating momentum for Earl Stark?"
"No matter what you think, this is a good thing for Bangta City after all, isn't it?" Sevini said. "After being listed as a special economic zone, all chambers of commerce in Bangta City will enjoy special treatment from the kingdom's policies. For example, when the goods of the chamber of commerce in Bangta City are circulated within the kingdom in the future, the taxes paid by each place will be a fixed The numbers are not affected by the tax standards created by each place. I think you should know how much benefit this alone will bring to the Chamber of Commerce in Bonta City.”
"Well, this is indeed a good thing." Xu Yi nodded.
Because there is no unified tax standard in the Lampali Kingdom, different places are basically set by the city lords themselves.
For example, the standard for business tax in Bonta City is 34%, while the standard in Kalma City is 37%, and the standard in Saltan City is 38%.
The tax standard in Bangta City is the lowest because Earl Satsuma has always supported commercial development. After the Xinfei Chamber of Commerce promoted the development of Bangta City, he further lowered this standard in order to promote the commercial development of Bangta City.
The standard of 34% is the lowest in the entire Lampali Kingdom.
In other cities in the Lampali Kingdom, the standards are often much higher than these three cities, and some of them even exceed an astonishing 50%!
In Xu Yi's opinion, this is clearly the standard of being mentally retarded.
Business in the Lampali Kingdom is not developed to begin with. Under such circumstances, instead of quickly lowering taxes to promote business development, they set tax standards so high. It would be a damned thing if business could develop.
In the past, goods from major chambers of commerce in Bangta City had to be paid according to local tax standards when shipped to various places. Therefore, if you choose to transport the goods to other places for sale, and then factor in the freight, in many cases it is actually far less expensive than in Bangta City. It is more profitable to sell goods to several surrounding cities, so many chambers of commerce in Bangta City are only willing to sell goods locally in Bangta City and have little interest in exploring foreign markets.
Now His Majesty the King has set up this place as a special economic zone and implemented unified tax standards, which can indeed effectively promote the development of the Chamber of Commerce in Bangta City.
But Xu Yi was not very happy.
First, this standard is the first time that the kingdom's unified tax standard has been implemented in the Lampali Kingdom. Xu Yi doubts whether this rule can be truly implemented.
Second, it is good to set this place up as a special economic zone, but it is Earl Stark who will take over from Earl Satsuma as the city lord.
Even if we put aside the attitude of the Stark family towards the New Flying Chamber of Commerce, will this Earl Stark have enough foresight and courage like Earl Satsuma