After leaving Lion's Roar Castle and returning to his residence, Earl Evan immediately packed up his things and prepared to go to Huayu City.
Looking back now, he felt more and more that this was Colin's trick to drive him away from Winter City.
In this regard, Earl Evan was not too surprised.
When Joyce came to visit with Knight Weber before, he realized that he would definitely be feared by Colin because of this.
Of course, there was nothing he could do about it.
Shalia was going to find Prince Lexi, and Earl Evan, even as her fiancé, couldn't stop her.
Moreover, this is actually what Earl Evan himself must do.
Prince Laixi had already given him a choice after the Yulongcheng incident. Since he had chosen to believe in Prince Laixi's innocence, Earl Evan could only go down this road.
Only by finding Prince Lech and clearing him of his crimes can Earl Evan gain the support and status he wants.
For Earl Evan, this is the first priority. As for adding some chaos to the northern border and planting a few nails, it is all a matter of convenience.
After packing up his salute as quickly as possible, Earl Evan found Shalia who was still packing up, and said, "Go ahead and pack up. I'll go out and be back soon."
"OK."
Saying goodbye to Shalia, Earl Evan changed into low-key clothes and walked out of the residence.
After wandering aimlessly on the streets of Winter City, he walked into a tavern seemingly at random.
In the tavern, Earl Evan went straight to the second floor, took a seat in a luxuriously decorated private room, and drank the wine brought by his attendants alone.
But the strange thing was that Earl Evan was the only one, but there were two wine glasses on the table.
Not long after, Arnold, the president of the Northwind Chamber of Commerce, walked into the room lightly, and bowed to Earl Evan.
"Please sit down." Earl Evan poured Arnold a glass of wine.
Arnold sat down to thank him, drank the wine in the glass, and then asked, "My lord, what is your order for coming to me this time?"
Earl Evan sipped the wine in his hand, and said lightly: "I'm leaving Winter City."
Arnold's eyes flickered, and he asked quickly, "So soon? Are you going back to the East?"
"No. I will go to Huayu City. So, if you have anything, you can find me there."
"Okay." Arnold nodded.
Earl Evan glanced at the merchant in front of him, and asked again: "I asked you to contact the major merchants in the northern border. How are you doing?"
Arnold frowned, a little embarrassed: "My lord, you are also aware of the current situation in the northern border. Although I tried my best to win over, that Oliver, relying on the support of Earl Angelet, took out the northern border The position of the trading company was used as bait, and it really attracted a large number of powerful businessmen from the north.
so… "
Seeing Earl Evan's uneasy expression, Arnold hurriedly said, "My lord, actually, I think it's too difficult to compete with the St. Hilde family in the matter of the Northern Foreign Trade Company, and the goal is too obvious, so it's easy to expose I, I think you also know that Earl Angelet is not a soft-hearted person.
Especially now that the situation of Master Joyce is not good, I am worried that if I provoke the other party... "
Earl Evan tapped his wine glass lightly, lost in thought.
He knew that recent events had set the businessman back.
Just for a while, Earl Evan couldn't come up with enough reasons for Arnold to continue to work for himself.
Seeing that Earl Evan was silent, Arnold suggested again: "My lord, I think we can find another way and use a more subtle but deadly strategy to cut off the St. Hilde family's attempt to control the northern business world." hand."
Earl Evan's complexion changed, and he immediately said, "Tell me."
"My lord, the goal of the Northern Foreign Trade Company is too big, and it is also valued too much by Earl Angelet. It is unwise for us to confront each other head-on in this regard.
I have been thinking hard for a long time, and I think it might be more appropriate to start with bonds. "
"Bonds?"
"That's right, this is also a policy that Count Angelet is planning to implement in the northern border recently, haven't you heard?"
"I know what's going on with bonds, so just tell me your solution."
"Yes." Arnold cleared his throat and explained a little excitedly, "Master Earl, have you noticed that the bond that Earl Angelet is planning to issue actually does not restrict the qualifications of buyers.
In other words, even merchants in the eastern region can exchange grain with the St. Hilde family for bonds.
If you're careful, you don't even have to alert the St. Hilde's to exchange grain for bonds through a trusted intermediary. "
Earl Evan's eyes lit up, obviously realizing something.
Seeing this, Arnold seemed to be encouraged, and immediately said more vigorously: "In this way, you can safely use the funds from the East to intervene in the business circles of the North.
Once we hoard a large amount of bonds in our hands, we will have an important handle on the St. Hilde family.
When the bond is about to expire, you can buy a large amount of grain and push up the price of food. At that time, these bonds will become a huge crisis for the St. Hilde family!
If they're willing to pay their bonds, they'll have to buy food at a high price, and you'll make a lot of money anyway.
And if they go back on their word, or if they are unable to buy enough food to repay the bond in your hands, it will seriously damage the reputation of the St. Hilde family, and even trigger a new round of turmoil in the northern border.
Of course, the Eastern Territory will also suffer losses in this way, after all, the bonds you hoard will become waste paper.
But the richness of Edom, my lord, do you think it is worth it to spend a sum of money to disturb the North? "
"Of course it couldn't be more worth it!" Earl Evan said immediately, and then raised his wine glass to exchange words with Arnold, his face full of approval.
In Earl Evan's opinion, this strategy is indeed very good, it is concealed enough, but it is also very insidious.
Regardless of whether the St. Hilde family is willing to pay these bonds in the future, the Eastland will surely make a profit.
To be honest, if you want to fight for military strength, the Eastern Territory is indeed very inferior to the Northern Territory. The long years of stability and no threat from foreign enemies have already worn down the will of the knights in the Eastern Territory. Go up and fight to the death with the northerners.
But compared to economic strength, the wealth of the eastern border is beyond the reach of the northern border.
Therefore, even if the Northern Territory chooses to forfeit these bonds due to high food prices, Earl Evan will not feel distressed.
Spending a little money can destroy the reputation accumulated by a paladin family for thousands of years, which is really a bargain.
Earl Evan became more and more excited as he thought about it. He exchanged glasses with Arnold, and quickly drank a bottle of red wine.
Arnold was about to ask his attendants to bring over some good wine, but Earl Evan remembered that his fiancée was still waiting for him, so he quickly stopped:
"No need, I can't drink anymore today. I have to go to Huayu City later."
Arnold looked regretful, but he didn't persuade him much.
Earl Evan patted Arnold on the shoulder affectionately, telling him to come to Huayu City to find him at any time, and then have a drink with him.
Arnold naturally nodded flattered and sent Earl Evan out.
Returning to the room, Arnold found that there was another person sitting in Earl Avan's seat.
However, without the slightest surprise or panic, he stepped forward to salute respectfully and said, "Lord Count Angelet, I have just followed what you said."
Colin played with the wine glass that Earl Evan drank just now, and said with a smile:
"Mr. Arnold, I am very relieved that you have made the right choice."
(end of this chapter)