Cecil stuff has become more and more common in the city since last year.
The wheels ran over the newly built road in the noble district. The high-quality road surface and the equally high-quality wheels almost completely offset the bumps when the vehicle was driving. Ferdinand Wendell sat in the black magical car, his eyes swept out the window, and saw There are new shops in the street that are getting their facades up—among the black spires of the rather Aldernan style, a striking expanse of glass windows takes up a whole wall facing the street, and inside are still unpacked The workers are putting up a signboard in front of the main entrance of the store, with a few words written in beautiful cursive letters on it:
“Best Dessert - Taste of Cecil”
"... It's as if only Cecilians know how to make desserts." Ferdinand frowned and couldn't help muttering softly.
The butler sat across from him, and this honest and reliable man who had served the Ferdinand family for decades shook his head: "Actually, the shopkeepers are only locals—the phantom drama has made those merchants with a keen sense of smell act. .”
"Phantom theater?" Ferdinand repeated the word that has been heard more and more recently, "I've heard of it... Last winter, Cecil's businessman bought a piece of land in the south of the city and opened a new theater. But it was for civilians—the tickets were cheap, and almost everyone was crammed into one hall.”
"Yes, it's a cheap drama for commoners, and nobody saw it at first," the butler said with a smile, "after all, no one knows what it's for—high-society people aren't interested, and commoners are very careful about their pockets." but the Cecil businessmen advertised in the newspapers at great cost over a month ago, and let the theater open for free for three days, and now it's all of a sudden popular, and brought Some shops…”
As the butler said, he looked out of the window, and the shop called "Cecile's Dessert" had passed the window, and it was almost out of sight.
"It is said that several kinds of desserts appeared repeatedly in the plot of the new drama, and at the end there was a scene where the main characters shared desserts after a safe gathering, so those desserts inexplicably aroused people's interest—the store you just saw, In fact, it is already the third one opened in the city.”
Hearing the butler's words, Ferdinand had an incredulous expression on his face. He frowned and shook his head: "I really don't understand... Dramas are supposed to be elegant and profound. What are those Cecilians doing..."
"It's really hard to understand, but the civilians seem to welcome it—after all, compared to jewelry and manors, desserts are at least something they can afford, and it can somewhat allow middle-class citizens to show their 'decency'."
"You know it very well," Pei Dinan couldn't help but glance at the housekeeper, "Have you also watched the so-called 'Phantom Drama'?"
"I haven't," answered the butler. "I'm past the age of the theater and the new stuff, but my son and two daughters have, and young people seem to like it."
Ferdinand seemed to be in a moment of thought, then he shook his head, picked up the newspaper that had been put aside before, and continued with the content on it—this newspaper was from Aldernan, and was published in the "Empire Empire" founded by Habiye Reston. After the great success of the "Newspaper", the emperor gradually opened the door to private newspapers, but the threshold for running a newspaper is still very high. Today, there are only three or four popular newspapers in Aldernan. Ferdinand Wendel, as a A somewhat staid old aristocrat, the only newspaper he loves is "Jazz Weekly".
Unfolding the second page of the newspaper, huge printed letters came into view—
It was an advertisement for Cecil Steel Investments looking for someone to operate in Aldernan.
The layout is large, eye-catching and luxurious, and it takes a lot of money to place such an advertisement.
"Even the "Jazz Weekly" began to appear advertisements for Cecil Merchant," Grand Duke Ferdinand said helplessly. "In the past, who would have dared to imagine such a thing?"
"This is probably the era of economic openness..." The butler cooperated with the master's topic, "It is said that our businessmen have also opened many shops in Cecil City... As long as the magic train is still speeding across the border, this situation will always happen in the future. There will be more and more, after all, no one will have trouble with banknotes."
Listening to the butler's words, Duke Ferdinand seemed to be thinking, but he didn't say anything.
…
"No one will have trouble with banknotes," Viscount Hermiel sat on a soft red sofa in a comfortable posture, gently shaking high-quality White Mountain wine in his hand, with a happy and sunny smile on his face, which seemed to be Being contagious generally makes everyone who faces it happy, "Of course, we used to say that no one would have trouble with gold coins—it's just that times have changed, Earl Hallmark."
A middle-aged gentleman with a thin figure, a high nose bridge, and short blond hair tightly sticking to his scalp sat opposite Viscount Hermiel. He also held a wine glass in his hand, but his posture was obviously more upright and conservative than that of the young Hermiel.
He is Hallmark, a member of the high society in Aldernan, one of the ministers of economics appointed by Rosetta Augustus after the reorganization of the imperial order, and the Duke of Seven, who was also the minister of economics and was responsible for organizing the Imperial Bank Different, this conscientious and prudent earl is responsible for the external economic activities of the empire—since last year, he has been in charge of business negotiations with the Gaoling Kingdom and the Silver Empire, and has achieved great results.
"Paper currency has unique advantages—and if used properly, it can connect us more closely with our business partners." Earl Hallmark did not show any displeasure at Viscount Hermiel's relatively frivolous behavior, A seasoned socialite, he always puts the most appropriate attitude on any visitor.
"Yes, our business partner," Viscount Hermiel nodded, expressing his appreciation somewhat exaggeratedly, "I heard about the business negotiations between you and the Silver Empire, it is really a wonderful negotiation model, even if you only read some words For the record, I also admire your quick thinking. I've dealt with some elves before and know how hard it is to change their minds - they can be more elegant, friendly, and courteous than any noble, but that's not Means they're going to buy your stuff."
"The Silver Empire is a fortress that is difficult to conquer, because their society almost does not need Typhon's industrial products-advanced technology allows them to live without worry, and there is a kind of arrogance in their bones, but in the end our progress in the Gaoling Kingdom is The whole negotiation process opened up the situation," Earl Hallmark said unhurriedly, "The elves still need goods from the human empire, mainly enchanting paper and alchemy substrates...although the scale is much smaller than I imagined."
"But at least it gives us an additional trade route to the south of the mainland," Viscount Hemir said with a smile, "It is said that the merchants of the Cecils have already done business with the Ogulei tribal country, and even with the dwarves in the far west of the mainland. In terms of business, they are one step ahead of us."
"More than that," Hallmark shook his head, "They even have connections with the Silver Empire."
Viscount Hermiel's eyes widened in surprise.
"Silver Empire? Cecil?" The young viscount couldn't help but exclaimed, "How did they do it? I mean...there is such a vast wasteland in the middle that even a bird cannot fly through..."
"Of course it's not a commercial activity like ours, but the relationship between the Silver Empire and the Cecilians is indeed very close," Earl Hallmark said in a serious tone, "I heard the news from the Gaoling Kingdom as early as The elves and the Cecilians came together when the nations worked together to restore the Great Wall. Of course, that wasteland hindered their direct commercial activities, and only a few goods would come from the moss forest through the long land trade route. Depart, pass through the territories of gray elves, orcs, and goblins, pass through the rift valley area in the southwest of the mainland and the forest sea at the edge of the Gaoling Kingdom, and finally enter the territory of elves... "
Having said that, the middle-aged nobleman frowned and gently turned the wine glass in his hand: "This kind of circulation is not on a large scale, and it does not pose a threat to us commercially, but who knows what will happen in the future? Cecil People are too good at creating unexpected things, and they put great effort into maintaining the connection with the elves, so they must have plans for the future."
Viscount Hermiel's slightly frivolous smile also slowly disappeared. He stood up from the sofa, paced slowly while thinking, and returned to his seat after going around twice, taking a sip After drinking, he finally said as if he had made up his mind: "It seems... the market in the south of the mainland will become a 'battlefield' sooner or later..."
"Even if the Cecils don't intervene, the market in the south of the mainland will become a battlefield, Hemiel, you should know how many things our factory can produce in a day—short-sighted people only want to sell those things to their neighbors And country people, but those with a long-term vision will realize that the farther the goods are sold, the longer-term and richer benefits will be brought.”
Earl Hallmark said, showing a slight smile to Hermiel.
"Hemir, we have opened up the trade routes leading to the Gaoling Kingdom and the Silver Empire. The Empire's Southern Investment Company has already begun to seize gold. Just like every new field, the first to gain a foothold in it is always will reap the greatest benefits."
"Of course." Hemil put down his wine glass, he breathed a sigh of relief, and a sunny smile appeared on his face again, "So I am willing to fully support your 'Southern Investment Company', and I am willing to invest one hundred thousand in the initial stage... no , one hundred and fifty thousand pounds. I trust, Monsieur Earl, that you will make good use of this money."
"Hermiel, my friend, you can stay home and wait for a good return." Hallmark stood up, showing a smile, and stretched out his hand to Hemiel, "Shareholder earnings will prove your sharp vision today. "
Hermiel also reached out and held Earl Hallmark's slender and thin palm: "Actually, I don't have a keen eye, I just discovered a trick, and I have been insisting on following it—"
"Oh?" Hallmark couldn't help being curious, "Would you like to share this know-how with your new business partner?"
"It's very simple—whatever the Cecilians do, I will follow." Viscount Hermiel laughed, "They invest everywhere, and I will follow—in this era of new things and new fields everywhere, I don't It is necessary to do the first, and it is enough to do the second."
Hallmark looked at the young viscount who was smiling happily, and was dumbfounded for a while.
After a pleasant conversation, the rising noble star who had been in the limelight in the past two years bid farewell and left.
Earl Hallmark, who was thin, with a high nose bridge and short pale blond hair, returned to the reception room. Looking at the two wine glasses on the small round table and the sofa where Viscount Hermiel had sat before, the expression on his face remained unchanged. , but still couldn't help muttering: "Hey, impetuous young man..."
The servant walked into the room and began to tidy up the things in the room. The butler also walked in, waiting for further instructions from the master.
"What kind of person do you think Viscount Hermiel is?" Hallmark turned his head, looked at the old butler who had served him for many years, and asked casually.
"I shouldn't judge a nobleman." The butler responded meticulously.
"An impetuous young man, but his talent cannot be ignored." Earl Hallmark didn't care how the butler responded, but just said to himself, "He has become the wealthiest member of the younger generation of nobles within a few years. It's not because of luck—although many people think that he was just lucky enough to meet that craftsman named Martin, and lucky enough to meet Angrey's loom."
Having said that, Earl Hallmark couldn't help shaking his head: "I admire such a young man, but like other young people, he only focuses on what he is interested in. From the standpoint of being a nobleman of Typhon, He said to Cecil... what is this?"
His eyes were suddenly attracted by the things a servant was picking up from the table, and he couldn't help asking—it looked like a thin book with a colorful cover and a cheap-looking book. Binding method, after the servant brought the things over, he could see the letters on the cover—
"Magic Life"
"Magazine..." Hallmark is not a closed person, he recognized that this thin book is actually a "magazine" that has gradually become popular in recent years, but this magazine is not something that his family subscribes to. Viscount Mir left?"
The butler came over and took a look, then nodded: "It looks like it is."
"A decent aristocrat probably wouldn't care about such a thing, but I'd better send someone to deliver it to him later," Hallmark said, taking the magazine and casually flipping through the first few pages of it, "Well... Was this done by the Cecils?"
"Yes, sir," the steward replied, "this is a magazine recently run by several Cecil merchants, and the content is to introduce the lifestyle of the magic era—of course, it mainly introduces the lifestyle of the Cecil people. It was very popular among the decent bourgeoisie, because many of the magic devices mentioned in the magazine were hot commodities on the market."
"Respectable citizens..."
"Yes, decent citizens who can buy a magic freezer a year, such as lawyers and doctors. Of course, many young nobles also like this kind of magazine—they like those novelty and interesting machines."
Earl Hallmark hummed, then asked seemingly casually, "Is anyone in this house subscribing to it?"
"Yes, as far as I know Mr Chef Richard is subscribing to it - he's been telling people a lot lately that he has a plan to add a magic player to his home..."
"Tell Mr. Richard—and everyone else—that if they bring something like that to this house, they can cancel all their shopping plans," said the count deadpan. "We don't have our own magazines." .”
"… Yes, sir."