"Two days ago, the seven major chambers of commerce in the business alliance had another discussion on the implementation of the lordship system. In principle, the seven major chambers of commerce do not object to being knighted. After all, the presidents of the seven chambers of commerce like ours can be canonized as grand dukes. , the only problem is the fiefdom.
The original plan was that there were a total of eight cities in the Faliqiu Plain, and the remaining seven cities except Morente City were sealed to the seven Grand Dukes. But this is because the area is too small and crowded, and the agriculture-based Ford Chamber of Commerce strongly opposed it, and even threatened to withdraw from the business alliance, so this plan was eventually abandoned.
For the business alliance, the sphere of influence is very large, but apart from the Mana Hill Plain, the area directly under its jurisdiction is the Cristo Hills. The final decision is that Faliqiu Plain and Morente City will not move. This is the foundation of the business alliance to maintain people's hearts and stability. The Christo Hills will be divided into more than fifty territories, which will be conferred on title holders below the viscount as fiefdoms. As for titles above earl, if you want to obtain the fiefdom, you have to fight for it yourself... "
When Lorist arrived at the Peterson Chamber of Commerce, Chairman Peterson didn't talk about the custom shipbuilding that Lorist encountered was cancelled, but instead talked about the seemingly irrelevant business alliance's decision to implement the Lordship system. But Lorist believed that Chairman Peterson must have some intentions when he said these things, he just had to listen carefully.
"Like the Grand Duke of Rulm in the Principality of Rulm, he has always wanted to join the business alliance since the independence of the former Krissen Empire. This time the business alliance decided to give him a chance, but asked him to cancel the principality and transfer the two Province, Ivis Province and Prigas Province were included in the direct jurisdiction of the Commercial Union. Then the Archduke of Rulm was made the Duke of the Commercial Union, and the Province of Ivis was sealed to him as the Grand Duke.
The province of Prigas, which is adjacent to the Faliqiu Plain, will become the president of the Ford Chamber of Commerce, that is, the territory of the Grand Duke Ford. The merits of the business alliance, so it will benefit his descendants...
Except for the remaining six chambers of commerce, the Liward Chamber of Commerce turned its attention to the weak Principality of Mobia next to the Christopher Hill, and planned to get its own Grand Dukedom from there. The Double-Headed Dragon Chamber of Commerce, the Mayflower Chamber of Commerce, the Vicia Chamber of Commerce, the Chicod Chamber of Commerce, and our Peterson Chamber of Commerce all set their sights on the former Krissen Empire. Our Peterson Chamber of Commerce is going to reintegrate the northwestern region of the Ridleys Kingdom and make it the Peterson Grand Duke of the Ford Business Alliance in the future.
Yesterday I invited Mr. Tim to come to discuss. He is willing to assist us in persuading other nobles in the Northwest Region, and said that after the establishment of the Grand Duke of Petersen, he will treat me as his upper lord and transfer the affiliation of the Viscounty of Tobury to Grand Duke Peterson came here to become a member of the Lords of the Commercial Alliance... "
In my opinion, the Ford Business Alliance is going to change the national policy of building a country based on business for more than a hundred years. Its powerful wings are already holding up the banner of expansion, and it is showing its sharp minions to the territory of the former Krissen Empire, which is like a plate of loose sand. , how much territory it can swallow depends on its appetite.
Also, even Mr. Tim, who was promoted to the noble class by Lorist, took advantage of the opportunity to change his family, and threw himself into the embrace of the business alliance. From yesterday to now, for such a long time, he has not even sent a reminder message. , It can be seen how thorough his speculative behavior is this time, this is no longer caring about nostalgia, it is simply a naked act of betrayal.
At this moment, thunder rolled in Lorist's heart, like ten thousand muddy horses running past. The hands holding the teacup began to tremble a little. This was not a small accident, but a major one that changed the history of Galintia.
The Ford Business Alliance decided to implement the Lordship System, just like a harmless little white rabbit suddenly turned into a vicious tiger with a big mouth open, although their current target is only the enemy who has been a life-and-death enemy for more than a hundred years. The Leeson Empire, but these are only the seven major chambers of commerce headed by the Commercial Alliance. As President Peterson said, titles above earls are self-acquired. What about nearly a hundred second- and third-rate chambers of commerce? Where will their goal of choosing the fief be
From the day the Merchant Federation decides to introduce Lordship, there will be no peace in Galintia. The business alliance is not an empire, but it has more strength than an empire. Whether it is wealth or population, its sphere of influence and influence are far stronger than the Krissen Empire in the past. It is a real behemoth, An unrivaled giant...
Lorist suddenly thought of the ambitious Second Highness, the 300,000 high-spirited army in his hands, who would unify the former empire as long as his father, the third prince, died. Poor Second Highness, you missed the best opportunity to unify the former empire and wasted a year in vain. An army of 300,000, hehe, it looks like a joke now.
Resisting the shock in his mind, Lorist asked calmly: "President Peterson, is Grand Duke Rulm willing to accept the terms of the business alliance? He was originally the lord of a duchy..."
President Peterson laughed: "The situation is uncontrollable. He has to accept the request of the business alliance. Originally, the Grand Duke of Rulm and several nobles in the principality would not deal with it. If it weren't for our mediation, the principality would have already broken out into civil war. Yes. This time the business alliance accepted his refuge, although it lost the name of the principality's lord, it was a relief for him.
Moreover, our business alliance did not treat him badly, not only gave him an interest-free loan of five million gold for ten years, but also sent someone to help him set up a chamber of commerce, and granted him the right to attend the highest business council of the alliance, as long as he repays five With a loan of one million goldfords, you will automatically get voting rights and become the eighth chamber of commerce in charge of the business alliance... "
I'm sorry, this is the real selling of land for glory. Grand Duke Rulm sold his principality for a good price. No matter who you are, you will think that the conditions offered by the business alliance are extremely generous and sincere. For Grand Duke Rulm, becoming the eighth Chamber of Commerce in charge of the Merchant Alliance is simply a leap to the sky, especially for the second- and third-rate chambers of commerce in the Merchant Alliance, this is their lifelong dream.
No, this is just a trap. Lorist was in a trance for a while before waking up. Grand Duke Rulm is finished, and the five million Kingford interest-free loan is a beautiful trap. If the loan is repaid within ten years, according to the business alliance's disposal method, the property of Grand Duke Rulm will be liquidated to pay off the debt. Simply put, he will be declared bankrupt, and by then, he will become the eighth person in control of the business alliance. The Chamber of Commerce is just a beautiful bubble.
The Big Seven will never let others put their hands into their bowls again, otherwise why hasn't there been a rising chamber of commerce on an equal footing with them in the past two hundred years? Lorist recalled a rumor that he had heard when he was at Dawn Academy, that as long as any rising chamber of commerce was about to surpass those seven, it would be conspired and attacked. This is an unspoken rule that most smart people in the business alliance understand in their hearts.
Fortunately, my family territory is in Northland and Hilovas Island, so I don't have to deal with these treacherous giants for the time being... Lorist was secretly glad in his heart just now, what President Peterson said next made him almost jump up.
"In addition to our Peterson Chamber of Commerce, the Double-headed Dragon Chamber of Commerce, the Mayflower Chamber of Commerce, and the Vicia Chamber of Commerce also set their sights on the Kingdom of Ridleys. Because we all know that the Second Highness of the Regent of the Kingdom of Antinac Under the attack, the Kingdom of Ridleys can't last long. In order to avoid another powerful force like the former Krissen Empire threatening its own safety, the Business Alliance has decided to intervene in this war and thwart the Second Highness's attempt to unify the former empire. …
The next thing is related to you, Brother Locke. The territory that Chickde wants to acquire is Hilovas Island, and has the support of the Business Alliance. As long as they get Hilovas Island, the Chicod Chamber of Commerce will be able to control all the sea trade routes north of the Golden Bay and become a veritable maritime overlord. Although I know that Hilovas Island is your family territory, but the trend of the times, I couldn't raise any objections at that time...
The Chicod Chamber of Commerce has already known your identity, and proposed to take compulsory measures against you, coercing you to transfer Shilowas Island to them. However, I strongly disagree. Even if you are not my friend and guest, doing such a thing in Morente City will have a great impact on the reputation of the business alliance, so other chambers of commerce agreed with me, refused and warned the Chicod Chamber of Commerce to strictly prohibit Clash with you in Morente City.
At present, your safety is still guaranteed in Morente City, but once you are about to leave, I suspect that the Chicod Chamber of Commerce may attack you at sea. Brother Locke, I suggest you abandon that ship and leave by land for safety. The strength of the Chicod Chamber of Commerce is at sea, and it is slightly inferior on land. With your skill, it's easier to get away.
Forgive Brother Locke, I can't help you as a friend. This is the resolution of the business alliance, and the Chicod Chamber of Commerce allocated the sea route from the Golden Bay to the Viscount of Taberley to our Peterson Chamber of Commerce, and promised not to interfere in this sea area. In exchange, I have no choice but to express neutrality between them and you, and neither will help. So telling you this news is already the best I can do... "
At this moment, Lorist just wanted to scold his mother. This was probably the so-called sitting at home behind closed doors. Misfortune came from heaven. The Chicod Chamber of Commerce even took aim at its own family territory, Hilovas Island, and it is likely that it also took a fancy to its important strategic location. There are also many smart people in this world, and others who can see it themselves can also perceive it. Owning Hilovas Island is equivalent to dominating the ocean north of Hidden Gold Bay. It is not a joke to become the overlord of the northern sea.
"Brother Locke, if you don't mind, I can help you negotiate terms with the Chicked Chamber of Commerce. You can sell Hilovas Island to the Chicked Chamber of Commerce like Grand Duke Rulm did. I will never let you down in terms of price." You are at a disadvantage. And I think this is the only way to avoid war. After all, your family’s old territory is in the Northland. Selling Hilovas Island for a good price will not only win the friendship of the Chicod Chamber of Commerce, but also benefit you in the Northland. It will also be of great help and benefit to the development of the family territory." President Peterson persuaded.
Lorist shook his head slowly: "Thank you for your kindness, President. It's just that the Norton family comes from military nobles, and they are never afraid of the threat of war. Don't mention the sale of the territory. Lovas Island is their family territory, so be prepared to pay the price of tens of thousands of lives. The Norton family will let them understand how terrible it is to provoke the angry bear in the North... "
Hilovas Island plays an extremely important strategic role in the future of the family in Lorist's plans and assumptions. Losing it is tantamount to cutting off the future of the family's rise, and Lorist is absolutely unwilling to compromise on this point. Since the business alliance wants to implement the lord system, and the Norton family is also involved in this vortex, then come on, what the Norton family fears the most is war.
"Brother Locke, think about it again. The Chicod Chamber of Commerce is the largest force at sea in the business alliance. Other chambers of commerce are like us. Although they also have fleets, they are not large in scale. Only the Chicod Chamber of Commerce has seven large ocean-going ships. The merchant fleet has nearly a thousand armed ships, more than 100,000 sailors and crew members, and has a strong influence in the Armada of the Commercial Alliance, the armed fleets of the Kingdom of Habiabada and the Kingdom of Shayslan .Silovas Island is in the sea after all. If there is a war between your family and the Chicod Chamber of Commerce, you will suffer a lot... "
In President Peterson's view, Lorist is just being stubborn because of his youth and vigor. Compared with the powerful sea power possessed by the Chickard Chamber of Commerce, Lorist now doesn't even have a large ocean-going merchant ship. The baby is going to duel with a giant, and the result of the outcome is self-evident. Pointless resistance will only bring great losses and casualties to the Norton family.
It's just that Chairman Peterson himself didn't realize that the sea strength he emphasized on the Chickard Chamber of Commerce actually made Lorist make up his mind, because he found a glimmer of hope. As long as he defeated the Chickard Chamber of Commerce, the Norton family would Become the new overlord of the sea in one fell swoop. Perhaps, dealing with one chamber of commerce at sea should be much easier than dealing with four chambers of commerce on land...
"President, when will the Business Alliance decide to implement the Lordship System?" Lorist asked.
"After winter, the Lordship system will be announced on March 18th of the new year, which is the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Ford Business Alliance. At that time, the Grand Duke of Rulm will be announced to join the Business Alliance. Accept the canonization. At the same time, more than one hundred people who have made outstanding contributions to the business alliance will be canonized and awarded titles and territories." President Peterson replied.
"President, the more than a dozen principalities and kingdoms around the business alliance have always been potential allies of the business alliance, and they are also the sphere of influence of the business alliance. It has provided great support and is also the guarantee for the final victory of the business alliance.
Well, now the business alliance is going to implement the lord system. Except for you few big chambers of commerce who are focusing on the Ridleys Kingdom, those second- and third-rate chamber of commerce presidents will also be granted the title of marquis and earl, so their fiefdoms should be what to do? Will the business alliance allow them to take their own territory, will it cause unrest and disputes in the duchies and kingdoms? " Lorist asked again.
President Peterson nodded: "Galintia has implemented the system of enfeoffing lords for more than a thousand years. This system has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. It is almost everyone who is motivated to obtain a hereditary territory for their family and future generations. Dream. Although the business alliance is unique in Galintia, when doing business with those dukes and nobles, there is always a feeling of inferiority, which is also the original intention of the business alliance's decision to implement the lord system.
The biggest problem that confuses the business alliance is the fiefdom. Even becoming a noble without a territory is just an honorary title. In fact, two years ago, someone proposed to annex the weak countries in Zhoubian to lay the foundation for the business alliance to implement the lord system. However, considering the bad influence, the Supreme Commercial Council would easily damage the image of the commercial alliance and become the biggest public enemy after the former Krissen Empire, so it gave up this plan.
The resolution of the Supreme Commercial Council this time guides all title holders who wish to obtain fiefdoms to the Kingdom of Ridleys and the Kingdom of Antinac. The possibility of unification is buried, so that the business alliance will no longer have to worry about going north, and three times, it can also appease the concerns of those duchies and kingdoms that implement the Lordship system for the business alliance, so that they do not have to worry about their own safety for the expansion of the business alliance. safety.
Therefore, the entire territory from the Ontario Plains to the Kingdom of Ridleys will become a land of knighthood for the business alliance. reason for receiving. With love and reason, the Commercial Alliance will never allow Shilovas Island, which threatens the coastal areas of the Ontario Great Plains, to drift outside the jurisdiction of the Commercial Alliance... "
Chairman Peterson finally said sincerely to Lorist: "Brother Locke, don't look at it, it's only the end of November, and there are still more than three months before the commercial alliance announces the implementation of the Lordship system, but in fact, a few months before and after the resolution was made Here, all the chambers of commerce and individuals who promoted the implementation of the Lordship System have done a lot of preparation work. In a few days, the Grand Duke of Rulm will sign the agreement, accept the conditions of the business alliance, and cancel the title of Principality.
The Liward Chamber of Commerce also hopes to follow the example of the Principality of Rulm and bring the Principality of Mobia under the control of the business alliance. The rest of the Double-Headed Dragon Chamber of Commerce, the Vicia Chamber of Commerce, and the Mayflower Chamber of Commerce are all explicitly or secretly strengthening the armed forces of the Ridleys Kingdom. As long as they fight against the 300,000 troops of His Highness the Second Highness, they will lose both. The various chambers of commerce in the alliance came out to clean up the mess and receive the fruits of victory and the ending of the fiefdom.
I think that when the strength is not as good as the opponent's, it is a wise choice to endure the momentary mood and avoid damage to the family. Brother Locke, please consider my proposal again. Don’t decide to start a war lightly. A sea battle is not a land war. In this regard, the Chickard Chamber of Commerce has great advantages and experience. It's just the Chicod Chamber of Commerce's strategy of suppressing you... "
Lorist replied solemnly: "Okay, President, I will seriously consider your proposal."
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