Butter Tavern.
The merchants had already left, leaving only Arnold sitting alone in his seat, pouring wine into his mouth one cup after another.
This gathering, which Arnold had high hopes for, can be said to be a complete failure.
Although after Colin left, he still successfully formed the Northern Merchants Association and became the president, but judging from the absent-minded and perfunctory attitude of the merchants later, Arnold knew very well that his Northern Merchants Association was nothing more than a Just a joke.
Fear, bewilderment, anger, unwillingness... All kinds of emotions were changing back and forth on his face, and this businessman who once called the wind and rain in the northern border exuded an indescribable sense of desolation at this moment.
With a creak, the door of the tavern opened.
Arnold squinted his eyes and looked back, and saw Knight Weber walking in.
"Since you've already left, why are you coming back?" Arnold's tone was full of sarcasm that couldn't be concealed.
But just after saying this, Arnold discovered that there was actually another person behind Knight Weber.
After seeing the man's face clearly, Arnold's wine was half awake, and he immediately stood up from his seat, bowed and said: "Earl Evan, I didn't expect to see you in Winter City!"
Earl Evan walked in with a smile and said, "What? Is the northern border not welcoming me?"
"Of course not, I'm just a little surprised." Arnold quickly poured a glass of wine for Earl Evan, and at the same time asked, "Are you going to the northern border this time?"
Earl Evan's eyes were obviously attracted by the wine on the table. Instead of answering Arnold's question, he picked up the wine glass, put it under his nose and sniffed it for a while, then took another sip, closed his eyes, and pondered for a while, finally He let out a long breath and praised:
"Not bad! Wines from Winster Manor will never disappoint!"
Arnold quickly flattered: "My lord, you really know wine. I still have a lot of treasures in my wine cellar. If you are willing, I would like you to help me appreciate it!"
Earl Evan raised his brows and looked very moved. However, he still held back the desire in his heart, sat down in front of the bar, and said to Arnold:
"I came to the north in a private capacity this time, so I hope you will not reveal my whereabouts."
"Of course, of course, I will not talk nonsense." Arnold moved slightly in his heart, constantly guessing the reason why Earl Evan came to Cold Winter City.
It has never been a secret in the Glorious Empire that the eastern border does not match the northern border.
Therefore, Arnold immediately and keenly realized that the second son of the Duke of the Eastern Region suddenly met him secretly under the leadership of Knight Weber, and he probably had other plans.
However, this is also my own chance!
What happened tonight made Arnold understand that Earl Angelet was determined to integrate the business community in the north, but unfortunately, he was not the spokesperson for the business community that he liked.
This disappointed Arnold, and angered him.
But the appearance of Earl Evan gave him a glimmer of hope again.
While thinking about it, Earl Evan had already drank the wine in his glass.
Arnold hurriedly continued, and at the same time Earl Evan said, "I heard that Earl Angelet wants to form a Northern Foreign Trade Company?"
"Yes, my lord count."
"So, Mr. Arnold, are you going to contribute money to join this company?"
"Of course. Lord Earl, I have to join, otherwise, it won't be long before my name will not be heard in the northern business district."
Earl Evan nodded, expressing his understanding, but at the same time suggested: "Mr. Arnold, I don't know much about the specific operation of this new company.
However, I think you can start with the board of directors that is similar to the Senate. "
Arnold rolled his eyes and said, "You mean, I can try to control the board of directors?"
"Yes. You can give it a try. With your prestige in the northern business community, it is not difficult to win over a group of businessmen and gain a certain right to speak on the board of directors."
"Thank you for your suggestion, I will try to do it." Arnold said thank you, but he didn't think so in his heart.
In his opinion, this northern foreign trade company is so important, how could Earl Angelet let the board of directors take control
The St. Hilde family doesn't mind that all major businessmen invest in this new company to occupy a certain amount of shares and share part of the benefits, but if someone really does not know what to do and tries to snatch the control of the company from the St. Hilde family, hehe, really Do you think those noble gentlemen can't kill people
Earl Evan seemed to see through Arnold's doubts, and asked with a smile: "Mr. Arnold, are you worried that doing so will attract retaliation from the St. Hilde family?"
Arnold looked at the young face of the Earl of the Eastern Region, and thought of his current embarrassing situation and gloomy prospects, he couldn't help but nodded and said frankly: "Yes."
Earl Evan laughed and comforted him: "You don't have to worry about this, the northern border is not the northern border of Vera and Colin."
Hearing Earl Evan's profound words, Arnold's heart moved, and he asked eagerly: "Lord Earl, please forgive me for being dull and unable to understand what you mean."
However, Earl Evan only cared about drinking and didn't answer Arnold.
Just when Arnold was anxious and irritable, Knight Weber, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "Mr. Arnold, haven't you heard that Master Joyce and Princess Judy get along well recently?"
Um
Master Joyce
Arnold originally wanted to say, now that the ownership of the Duke of the North has been settled, could Master Joyce still stir up any disturbances
But immediately, Arnold realized that if Master Joyce could marry Princess Judy and even get the support of the royal family, it would be possible to get rid of the current embarrassing situation.
Arnold's eyes swept across the faces of Knight Weber and Earl Evan, and his heart suddenly cheered up.
If the royal family, Sebastian Consul and the East all support Joyce... then even if he cannot become the Duke of the North, he will definitely be able to form a force in Winter City that can compete with the Duke of the North.
In this case, wouldn't he be able to seek asylum
Seeing that Arnold's eyes gradually brightened, Earl Evan smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Arnold, are you confident now?"
Arnold suppressed the excitement in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "I wonder if you can arrange for me to meet Master Joyce?"
Knight Weber nodded reservedly, and said, "If the time is right, I will arrange it."
Earl Evan also urged again: "Mr. Arnold, if you need financial support, the St. Pros family may be able to give you some help."
"Thank you so much!" Arnold quickly thanked you.
"But don't be too happy." Earl Evan reminded, "The financial assistance that the St. Pross family can give must be limited. After all, it is difficult for me to persuade my father to invest a large amount of money in a company in the north.
What's more, if you take out a large amount of funds from unknown sources at once, it may arouse Earl Angelet's vigilance. "
"I understand." Arnold has regained his fighting spirit at this time, and said confidently, "Please believe in my appeal in the business circles of the northern border for so many years. How can that little boy Oliver beat me?"
Earl Evan also echoed with a smile: "Haha! I think so too, Earl Angelet is indeed wrong!"
After talking about the topic, Arnold immediately issued an invitation: "Master Earl, are you free to taste the good wine I have collected?"
Earl Evan's eyes lit up, he nodded repeatedly and said, "Okay! I believe you will not let me down!"
(end of this chapter)