My Players Are So Fierce-Chapter 393

“You rarely appear in this place at this time, I’m truly surprised. Your eyes seem to be filled with some kind of indescribable determination. May I boldly ask what you just encountered?”

In the corridor office, dog planner Murphy, who had just completed the “Dungeon 003 Land of Rotting Corpses Planning Proposal Phase One”, put down his quill pen and looked at Count Andrei who had just pushed open the door and entered.

The Governor’s handsome face was full of smiles, and from the glint in his eyes, one could see that this bad fellow definitely knew why Andrei had come over.

He just wanted to hear this Count, who was a bit younger than him but equally ambitious, say it himself.

“I don’t believe you haven’t set up eavesdropping spells in your corridor, but I don’t care about that, and I must say directly, I feel you’ve recruited some extraordinary fellows from the otherworld.”

The Count of White Mountain said irritably:

“One of those warriors just gave me a deep spiritual persuasion earlier, I know he intends to use my reputation and status, however I have to admit, his rambling actually made quite a bit of sense.

I’ve already made my decision, and coming here to disturb you is only to confirm whether the business I’m about to invest in has received the promise and protection of the official Transian government?

Please understand, Governor Murphy, my background and my style determine that I cannot do things that would damage the family’s face.”

“If that’s what you want to ask, I’ll tell you that I don’t support their actions, but I won’t oppose them either. Whether the appearance of an otherworld casino will have a good or bad influence on this land needs time to verify.”

Murphy patted the casino proposal that Miriam had just delivered to him, those fellows had given this casino a nice-sounding name called “Treasure Bay”.

Although their chosen location happened to be right next to a bay of the Kadman River, so this name wasn’t too outrageous, but tsk, don’t think I don’t know where you got the inspiration from!

They’re determined to become Transia’s great goblins.

But these thoughts and complaints couldn’t be revealed to Count Andrei, so Murphy changed to a more gentle tone and told his most genuine thoughts to the northern lord before him.

He said:

“My Regent told me this project will definitely make big money, and with your participation, it will become an instant hit with the Nord merchants who have already entered Transia’s borders and are about to complete their first transaction in Bataxin City before heading to Crimson Citadel for inspection.

This is a rare opportunity for such an ‘entertainment industry’.

But my advice to you is, out of consideration for your reputation, you’d better not get personally involved. Choosing a ‘white glove’ is the most prudent approach.

Would you like me to introduce you to some candidates?”

“No need.”

After hearing Murphy’s response, Andrei had a sense of what to do.

Then, he somewhat embarrassedly replied:

“My servant Vesta will properly resolve these issues for me, and my coming to you today involves another awkward and unwilling request.

It’s somewhat embarrassing to say, but I might need to borrow some money from you first for investment.”

This was probably the first time the noble-born Andrei had made such an undignified request to others, and his fair face showed a hint of redness that appeared due to nervousness and shyness.

Murphy was stunned for a moment when he heard this request, then he immediately realized and thought to himself that this Life Is Pretty Good’s persuasion ability was quite good, managing to lead Andrei into another dilemma with just a few words.

The vampire lord immediately stood up and said:

“Isn’t this a bit too extreme?

What I mean is, I know you want to distance yourself from your sister and the Grand Duchess to prove your independence and growth, but there’s no need to be so thorough about it.

You need to grasp this delicate balance.

I believe if you send all your current assets back to North Wind Fort it will convey a rather unnecessary dangerous signal to Her Majesty the Wolf Queen, suggesting that you might want to sever certain relationships with her.

What I mean is, it’s enough to just stop requesting aid from now on, there’s no need to suddenly turn yourself into a pauper.”

“I understand, Lord Governor, I haven’t been that rash.”

Andrei explained:

“I’ve already sealed the funds and resources of the White Mountain faction, and they won’t be used before my personal speculative venture fails.

My thought is that I should start from scratch like you did, those resources represent a kind of ‘cowardice’, if I use them again it would prove that I’m far less excellent than I imagined myself to be.

This is a test for myself.”

“Well, such action shows me your determination, and of course, I will help you, as a friend and comrade.”

Murphy nodded and said:

“Later there will be funds sufficient for your initial investment sent to your residence, but please understand, since you want to give yourself a test, let’s do everything according to the rules.

The money I lend you will carry certain interest, though definitely lower than market rates.”

“I accept!”

Andrei let out a long breath and said:

“Don’t I need to sign an IOU? If my investment fails, you can take it to North Wind Fort to seek repayment from my sister.”

“I fear I would be cut down by the Nord Royal Guards the moment I step into the Ice Palace.”

Murphy rolled his eyes and said:

“Persuading a dear brother to leave home is something unacceptable to any responsible sister, my image in Her Majesty the Wolf Queen’s mind will inevitably become extremely awful because of your speculation this time.

But that’s fine too, this is the risk that must be taken for friendship.

Merchants from your homeland will arrive at Crimson Citadel in a week, I know your personality has never liked participating in such social affairs, but if you want your investment to yield returns quickly, perhaps you should appropriately change your style a bit.

What do you think?”

“Hmm, good suggestion, I’ll take it. Then I won’t disturb you anymore.”

The Count of White Mountain rose to bid farewell to Murphy.

After he left, Murphy summoned his trusted intelligence officer and head maid Adele, having her withdraw funds from the Blood Vulture clan treasury to be delivered to Andrei’s loyal servant Vesta.

This was a private lending action, not to be recorded in the accounts.

However, the territory’s development and expenditures during this period had already made the Blood Vulture treasury less abundant than before, Murphy felt he should work on increasing income and reducing expenses.

But he also knew that this wasn’t the time to be stingy with money, if he couldn’t ensure the rapid development of the territory, then when the Black Plague truly reached Transia, the gnolls would definitely give him a big “surprise”.

“It’s decided!”

Murphy made up his mind in his office, saying:

“Before the Black Plague truly arrives, spend all the money in the treasury clean! At most leave a sum for rewarding the army and little players.

Hopefully the construction that this scattered money can bring will add one more chance of victory to this land.

But casinos always sound a bit strange, should I issue a ‘special business license’? To prevent such potentially harmful things from appearing again and again.

Wait

If it’s a license, wouldn’t that mean we could collect more money?

Tsk tsk, Miriam and Professor Malcolm will definitely criticize this as corrupting morals, but they will ultimately happily accept this proposal after realistic consideration.

Yes, let’s do this.” 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

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The merchants from Nordtov had already completed the first wave of material handover with representatives of the Bataxin Chamber of Commerce and Kadman People’s Army in Bataxin City.

This transaction was conducted under the framework of the “aid agreement” reached between the official Transian and Nordtov governments, and the merchants who could participate were all famous wealthy merchants from within the northern country and chambers of commerce with close ties to the royal family.

Knight Palen, who presided over this handover, could say without exaggeration that every single one of these northern merchants before her were all upper-class figures’ white gloves.

People who truly started from scratch and built their business to a level that could intervene in national commercial affairs didn’t exist in this era, but there was nothing to be ashamed of or despise about this. Because Knight Palen was very clear that she was actually one of them too.

Her current identity and status in others’ eyes was that of a “white glove” for the Transian Governor and Crimson Regent, to be honest, if not for this identity, Palen knew she wouldn’t even have the qualifications to look up to this circle.

And now she was leading her two assistants, who were actually her two precious daughters, checking inventory in the temporary warehouse newly built outside Bataxin City.

Members and subordinates of the Bataxin Chamber of Commerce were all busy here, all notable merchants big and small in Transia had been gathered and twisted into one rope by Knight Palen.

They were all shrewd people, naturally very clear that working well now could bring the possibility of class advancement for themselves and their families.

Driven by such desire, there was no need for Knight Palen to constantly remind them, everyone in the entire venue was working very conscientiously.

“Everyone put in more effort, finish the inventory count before evening, there’s still a banquet to attend tonight, all those who received ‘civil servant’ status should wear their best clothes and bring their families.”

Knight Palen stood on a box and called out to those around:

“If you haven’t prepared formal wear in advance, come get it from my eldest daughter later, Regent Miriam has already designed and provided ceremonial clothes for the civil servants.”

“This is too tiring, Lady Palen.”

An old merchant sat on a box resting while massaging his legs, saying with a strange expression:

“I used to always envy those dignified people’s leisurely lives, but after truly becoming one of them I realized their lives aren’t easy at all.

I never imagined that attending banquets would become something headache-inducing and resistant.

Now we have to listen to those northerners recite their sour poems at the banquet again, I think what my little grandson writes is better than theirs!”

“This is work, Patan, no one wants to lose face to curry favor with those fellows, but they can make us big money, so, what’s the burden in smiling?”

Knight Palen shrugged, while massaging her shoulders and replied, making the surrounding merchants holding account books laugh heartily.

However, soon Palen noticed her second daughter quickly walking into the warehouse, holding a folded note in her hand, the serious expression on her face indicating something had happened.

Palen’s heart jumped, she told the other merchants she’d return shortly and turned to walk to her daughter’s side, without asking much she took the note and looked at it, then let out a long breath.

It wasn’t any sudden bad news, but rather information from the Crimson Citadel administrative office.

It said the Count of White Mountain and his servant would arrive in Bataxin City tonight to participate in receiving the northern merchant group, requesting the Bataxin Chamber of Commerce and Lady Palen to prepare for reception and assistance.

Palen was a very shrewd person.

She almost immediately tasted the hidden meaning within.

As far as she knew, Count Andrei who resided in Transia was a rather reclusive important figure, she had never seen the Count of White Mountain so actively participate in a ceremonial reception, this was enough to indicate that lord would have some moves at this banquet.

Considering that all those being entertained tonight were the Count of White Mountain’s “old neighbors”, perhaps this banquet would also be given some political factors.

Knight Palen’s mind turned quickly, and she soon had an idea.

Returning to her merchant companions, she waved the note in her hand and said loudly to others:

“Good news, fellows! Tonight a truly important figure will grace Bataxin City with his presence, for this we must raise tonight’s banquet standards.

Fortunately everything is prepared, we just need to make some detailed adjustments.

Fanny, and Lewis, you two stop being busy here, you’ve served great nobles before, now quickly go to the banquet hall to make some adjustments.

Bring out our highest standards that we can currently manage.

Tonight we will no longer be the protagonists but supporting roles, which means we can truly enjoy and relax in our stolen leisure time.”

Under her command, several merchants hurriedly left, while the rest discussed tonight’s affairs in the warehouse.

Since the Bataxin Chamber of Commerce was Transia’s only large commercial organization, they had some official background which gave these fellows quite many channels for obtaining information.

They gradually pieced together the “truth” behind this banquet through their exchanges.

“I heard the new village chief at Farm No. 1 has already signed a contract with the Stonemason Guild, they’re going to build a casino by the river bay outside the village!”

An old merchant puffed on his pipe and said in a low voice:

“Most importantly, according to what my old townsman in the Stonemason Guild said, that casino is specifically for serving foreigners, locals can’t go.”

“There’s an agreement between Farm No. 1 and Farm No. 2.”

Another merchant looked around and said quietly:

“Farm No. 2 has been making carriages these past few days, and they happened to hire my former colleague, he said the village chief of Farm No. 2 plans to do transportation and reception between Bataxin City and Crimson Citadel, and his designated route just happens to take a detour through Farm No. 1, this is clearly bringing customers to that casino.”

“The Count of White Mountain is the northern queen’s brother, and suddenly appears now to meet with merchants, this itself reveals something strange.”

Knight Palen sat on a box, squinting her eyes and said:

“What do you say about this possibility, the village chief of Farm No. 1 has already connected with the Count of White Mountain, asking him to appear to add some prestige to that casino?”

“Possible! But that casino hasn’t been built yet”

“The Stonemason Guild builds very fast, they only need 1-2 days to build with spirit energy, if not considering comfort and having preparations in advance, then a week’s time is enough to open for business.

The northern merchants need at least a week to get to Crimson Citadel, they still have to finish the follow-up material handover here.”

“Should we wait and observe? See the casino’s business situation before making a decision?”

“It’ll be too late to buy in once they’re making money! The northern merchants are also very shrewd, now with the Count of White Mountain giving support, even if they don’t care about this matter they’ll pretend to be very interested.

They will definitely invest there!

Even if just to please the Count, that’s a royal family member! Such an opportunity to get closer and earn favor is simply heaven-sent.”

“Our only advantage now is that the northerners won’t know this news until tonight, they’ll need at least 2 days to react!

Everyone, we can’t wait anymore! Send someone to Farm No. 1 immediately to check the situation, if everything is true, I still have some spare money”

“Invest in the name of the Bataxin Chamber of Commerce!”

Lady Palen reminded:

“I estimate they won’t accept private investment, this matter must have received the approval of the Governor and Regent, this is an official project.

As Transian merchants how can we sit by and watch our own property be tainted by outsiders?

My opinion is, each family contribute a little money to pool together, get our hands in before the wealthy northerners enter the scene, their casino will definitely need all kinds of supplies to operate, this is exactly our strength.

Let me reveal some news to you in advance.”

The Bataxin knight lowered her voice and said:

“Next month, or at latest the month after, the Governor will send a group of merchant representatives from Transia to the Genoa Peninsula to purchase supplies.

The list hasn’t been decided yet.

If you want to squeeze in you’ll need to show some gesture, this is the best opportunity right now, Lord Murphy’s eyes are always watching Transia, nothing that happens here can escape him.

It’s not just the northern merchants who need to build relationships and connections, everyone, we also have a thick thigh waiting for someone to hug.

Everyone, let’s take action!”