In the southern section of the ceasefire line between the Empire and Golden Gallen Port, the outlet of one of the tributaries of the Yongliu River is connected to a small bay.
This bay has a coastline of nearly ten kilometers wide. The higher peninsulas on both sides block most of the wind and waves for the waters in the bay, thus forming a small natural harbor.
Because the peninsula on the south side looks like half a banana on the map, nearby survivors simply called it "Biaotou Bay".
Because of the abundant freshwater resources and the tranquility of the waters, many fishermen with a radius of 100 kilometers regard this place as a haven. Once there is a storm, they will sail their fishing boats from the bay into the inland rivers with dense trees on both sides to take shelter, while they themselves hide in
In a prepared shelter nearby.
Some cargo ships that go around the southernmost corner of Borneo will also choose to take shelter from the storm here. Although they cannot enter the tributaries of the Everflow River, they can still take shelter from the wind and waves by peninsulas sandwiched on both sides of the bay.
Over time, a small-scale fishing village was formed here. A big-nosed man who was suspected of being a Weiland man even used a stranded abandoned cargo ship to open a hotel called "The Land of the Boat" here.
, providing cheap drinks, food, damp and moldy bedding and even old and faded clothes to nearby fishermen and passing merchants and sailors.
Perhaps because the Port of Golden Gallen is too dazzling, or perhaps because the land here is not suitable for growing crops and is sparsely populated most of the time, the empire seems to have selectively forgotten this land and has never sent a governor here.
Over time, this place became a "paradise" for fishermen, sailors and fugitive slaves.
But recently, the situation here has changed a lot.
First, the Alliance people planted a flag on the northern peninsula, and then walked away. Not long after, a group of imperial soldiers carrying tiger flags also followed. After some study, they started logging on the southern peninsula.
Trenches were dug to open up wasteland.
The relatively low-lying Jiaotou Village was caught between the two armies. Although the Alliance's machine guns could not be seen, the Empire's machine guns were already mounted overhead.
The local fishermen had never seen such a battle. They didn't have to wait for the imperial people to come and order them. They were so frightened that they jumped on the boats and fled out of the bay. They went south and north along the coastline and returned to their villages.
, each went to his own house.
And those sailors gradually disappeared because there were no ships to come. Now only some desperadoes with nowhere to go are still hiding here, waiting indefinitely for those smooth sailing ships that don't know when they will come.
.
It has been some time since we crossed the "borderline" of Golden Gallen Port.
Ever since he entered this small fishing village hidden in the bay, Kunal could only feel his heart beating violently, and his palms holding a bundle of sacks were sweating.
As a native of Golden Gallen Harbor and living in a slum near the harbor, he certainly has heard of Jiaotou Bay and the small fishing village located here, but he has never really been here.
Asin walked beside him with a normal expression, but his hands were always in his pockets and never came out.
Behind him followed about twenty young men, all of whom used to live on the same street. They carried all kinds of things in their hands, including wooden sticks, hoes, and even fishing rods, all of which were loaded with equipment. The corn was wrapped in a plastic woven bag, and it was impossible to tell from the outside whether there was a gun or anything else inside.
Glancing at the leader walking beside him, Kunal felt a little calmer, perhaps inspired by his calm expression, and began to observe his surroundings.
Most of the shacks built here have been abandoned, only the shallow hulk still has a light that flickers on and off.
The village that was supposed to have a population of two to three hundred people now has less than half of the population left.
The remaining people were either scrawny escaped slaves or ruthless characters with blood debts on their bodies.
While Kunal was quietly sizing them up, the locals were also vigilantly watching these unkind people.
Several ferocious-looking men turned around and walked into the alleyway between the shacks. Several black windows on the street suddenly closed their curtains.
A little bit
Kunal couldn't help tensing up because of all the disturbances. He swallowed, couldn't help but get closer to Asin, and whispered.
"Boss...many people are watching us."
"The eyes are on them, and they can look wherever they want, not to mention that we are so conspicuous." Asin looked at Kunal who was standing aside, and asked in a very soft voice, "Relax and behave naturally. It's like coming here all the time. The more scared you are, the more likely they will be to attack you... Now, take a deep breath."
Kunal obeyed obediently and took a deep breath slowly.
Asin reached out and hooked his shoulder, and pointed with the other hand to the only "Abandoned Ship" hotel with lights on that was stranded in the middle of the beach not far away.
"Imagine, that's our property, not even just the boat, but the entire beach..."
"Of course, we have to take it step by step. When we make the first pot of gold, I will buy the broken ship first."
Kunal, who had calmed down, looked at his boss in confusion.
If he could understand the housing project in front of the Governor's Mansion, after all, many citizens and businessmen who had smelled the rumors had gone there to inquire about the situation, and some even took out their money and made a fuss without even seeing what the house looked like. You idiot who wants to pay.
But this is completely an abandoned fishing village, right?
He really couldn't think of anything good to invest in here.
The positions of the Alliance and the Empire are not far away. Once His Majesty waves his hand, this place will become the forefront of the battlefield.
Even the fishermen living here have abandoned it, leaving only a few hopeless guys staring at the sea in a daze.
Although I did mention that I wanted to buy a boat, I didn't say that it was a junk that was stranded on the shore and obviously couldn't be repaired...
Just when Kunal was puzzled, the group of people had already reached the only light on in the village.
Across the rusty cabin and hatch, the group of people standing at the door could even hear the faint exchange of cheers, laughter and curses coming from inside.
After waving away the mosquitoes and flies flying under the light, Asin walked forward and knocked lightly on the door. Soon there was a sound of footsteps approaching, and then the door was opened with a creak.
As expected, standing at the door was an Imperial soldier carrying a rifle.
The tall guy stared at Asin and the group of skinny young men behind him, and then he let out a sneer and waved his hands as if to shoo away flies.
"Stay away, this place is reserved, go beg for food somewhere else."
Not caring about his sarcastic tone, Asin followed the example of the waiters at the entrance of the Triumph Hotel and nodded slightly respectfully.
"Please say hello to your commander for me and say that a businessman named Asin has brought something that interests him."
Without waiting for the soldier to laugh, he took out his right hand that had been in his pocket, held a 100 Xilan coin and stuffed it into the soldier's hand.
There was an obvious expression of surprise on the soldier's face, and he quietly accepted the money.
"Wait here."
Asin nodded slightly, watched the heavy hatch close again, and waited patiently for the hurried footsteps to go away.
Without waiting for a long time, the footsteps turned back and pushed outward again through the thick hatch.
This time the soldier didn't talk nonsense and just waved to him.
"come here."
Asin asked.
"Can I take my servant with me?"
For the sake of the one hundred Xilan coins before, the soldier was too embarrassed to refuse directly, and just said impatiently.
"Bring at most one."
"Thanks."
Asin gave Kunal next to him a look.
The latter turned back understandingly, and gave a few instructions to the young men who were following them nervously. Then they followed the boss and passed through the cabin door that they spent 100 Xilan coins to open.
inside
The space is surprisingly spacious.
The owner of the hotel changed the lowest deck into a lobby for dining and drinking, and going up the gangway is the guest room of the hotel.
About fifty soldiers from the empire sat at square wooden tables, noisily shaking dice and punching for money, while eating some side dishes and sipping low-quality beer.
Kunal glanced at the food and drinks on their table. They were all inferior to the swill poured out of the Triumph Hotel.
A month ago he would probably swallow when eating food, but now he just feels nauseous.
But unlike him, these soldiers ate with gusto, and could drink a swig of beer for just one fried bean.
It can be seen that they usually eat some pig food.
Although he was afraid of the guns in their hands, it did not prevent Kunal, who had already eaten and drank enough, from his heart to look down on these poor people.
Without stopping in the lobby of the hotel, the soldier guarding the door took them directly to the "private box" on the side of the corridor of the cabin.
This was probably the bedroom where the captain or first mate rested before, but now it has been converted into a private room for entertaining VIPs. There are three sofas in a circle in the not-so-spacious room, and there is a wooden coffee table in the middle.
The smell of tobacco mixed with the smell of sweat in your nose makes you breathless.
Five tall officers were sitting on the sofa, their red faces showing a hint of drunkenness and a hint of mischievous smiles.
Their coats were hung on the hangers at the door, and they were only wearing a white shirt. Each of them held a scantily clad girl in his arms. At first glance, it was impossible to tell who was suffering.
"You're the one called...ahem, what are you talking about?"
The officer sitting in the center looked at the young man at the door, laughed, and rubbed his face.
Hong Zitou continued, "I heard that you brought something I'm interested in?"
"Yes, respected Mr. Gurgit, the commander of the Imperial Tiger Army," Asin nodded slightly and said respectfully, "My name is Asin, and I have long admired your name."
The air was quiet for two seconds.
Gurgit narrowed his eyes slightly, and suddenly woke up a little from the smell of alcohol all over his body. He looked at him with a half-smile and asked.
"Where did you hear my name?"
Sure enough, it's this one.
Asin's face remained calm, but he was relieved in his heart.
He didn't actually know the guy in front of him. He just heard from the fishermen who had recently returned from Jiaotou Bay that the leader of the thousand-man team on the southern mountain was called Gurgit. This man was a drunkard and often brought a group of confidants down the mountain.
When I go to the "Hometown of Boats" hotel to drink, I not only get credit every time, but I often drink all night long, and when I'm drunk, I brag without restraint.
certainly--
It was impossible for him to tell this guy the truth, but he used a general and vague statement.
"It was told to me by a nobleman who is in Golden Gallen Port and is waiting for His Majesty's good news. Not only did he tell me to find Captain Gurgit, but he also told me with certainty that the safety of this entire area is with you.
Responsible."
The officer named Gurgit narrowed his eyes even smaller, with an uncertain expression as if he was weighing something.
They had been here less than two weeks, and someone actually knew the defense situation here and even the officers stationed here.
I'm afraid the identity of this "noble man" is not simple...
Unable to make up his mind, Gurgit stared at the young man in front of him and continued.
"You said you brought something I'm interested in? Where's the stuff?"
Asin glanced at Kuerna who was following him. The latter quietly swallowed his saliva and stepped forward bravely.
Although he had carefully concealed it, his trembling hands still exposed the timidity in his heart.
Seeing the two hands shaking non-stop, Gurgit laughed at the local dog and waved his index finger at the subordinate on the side.
"I guess it's a bag of black beans." The latter smiled and stepped forward to snatch the sack from the clumsy guy's hand, then untied it and tied it to the bag.
of hemp rope.
However, at this moment, when he saw clearly what was in the sack, he froze on the spot.
A whole sack of Xilan coins...
He swallowed unconsciously.
After being a centurion for so many years, he has never seen so much money!
"Sir." He quickly turned back to look at the commander, his eyes full of surprise and greed, and he almost said "Let's do it" written on his face.
Of course, Gurgit, who was sitting on the sofa, also saw the sack full of banknotes. Although his reaction was not as exaggerated as his subordinates, he could not help but freeze the smile on his face.
Putting down his legs on his knees, he reached out and pushed away the girl who was sitting on his lap, smelling of alcohol and biting her ears. He sat up straight and stared seriously at the young man named Asin, and pointed at the stuffed bag with his chin.
asked the sack of money.
"This is?"
"It's a gift that the noble man asked me to give you," Asin nodded slightly, like a real servant of a wealthy family, and said politely, "I wonder if you are interested in this gift?"
Kunal quietly glanced at Asin next to him and gave him a surprised look.
They had clearly agreed before departure that this was the "deposit" for the smuggled goods, so why did it suddenly turn into a gift?!
Gurgit also stared at the young man named Asin, with surprise, greed, and a hint of unnoticeable fear in his eyes.
Unlike his simple-minded subordinate, he had to consider other issues besides money.
The money in this sack is at least four to five million, which is obviously not a huge amount of money that a poor rat tribe member can afford.
Thoughts were running through his mind very fast, and he had almost gone through the names of all the prominent people in Golden Gallen Port, but he still couldn't come up with any clues.
The atmosphere in the hotel lobby was so dark that it seemed like it could drip water. The two soldiers standing at the door had unconsciously placed their hands close to their guns under the hint of the centurion's eyes.
Kunal swallowed nervously, thinking hard about his ship and the girls waiting for their tickets, and tried not to let the timid expression appear on his face.
After staring at Asin for a long time, Captain Gurgit said slowly.
"I ask you again, where does the money come from?"
That voice had a sharp edge, as sharp as the sight, like a dagger at the prey's throat.
Taking a gentle breath of the turbid air, Asin tried to stay calm and continued.
"It's not convenient for him to reveal his name. It's better for you and me to keep the necessary mystery... You don't want to be regarded as a nuisance after the ceasefire agreement comes into effect."
"What the hell are you talking about?" The centurion sitting on the sofa suddenly stood up angrily, with the gun on his waist drawn out and pointed at Asin's head.
For a moment, Asin felt that his hands and feet were cold.
In a trance, the man holding the gun to his head seemed to have turned into Vikram - the young wolf boy whose head was shot by him.
The way these people looked at me was probably the same as when I looked at Vikram, as if they were looking at a dead person.
Even if they are beaten by the Alliance on the battlefield, even if their ability is not much better than a pig, they are still unattainable big shots standing in front of them with power in their hands. They can crush them to death with just a few fingers.
he.
but--
He cannot die.
His family has just lived a good life, and the future will be even better. He also wants to send his younger brothers and sisters to Shuguang City to study, find them a sister-in-law who has studied, and give them his first child.
My friend Kunal buys a boat and wants to feed the people who are counting on him...
He must not fall before dawn!
The prostitutes sitting on the sofa were stunned, and Kunal was also stunned by the gun that was suddenly pulled out.
Asin swallowed lightly, tried hard to hide his fearful expression behind his numb face, raised his hands and took half a step back.
"Calm down...friends, killing me won't change anything except staining your clothes."
The man had already turned on the safety and moved the hammer with his thumb, but just a second before he was about to pull the trigger, Gurgit spoke.
"What does that noble man want to do for me?" He gestured to the soldiers at the door to take the policemen out of the room. He looked at Asin with interest and asked.
Looking at the muzzle of the gun that was moved away from his head and the door that was closed aside, Asin knew that this guy was really interested in what he was saying this time, so he calmed down and continued.
"It's an easy thing for you. You just need to turn a blind eye at the border and let the empire's goods pass through the customs and enter the Golden Gallon Port. That gentleman can assure you that every transaction that enters the port
You get 40% profit on all the goods.”
Gurgit sneered.
"His Majesty has issued a strict decree prohibiting all personnel and goods from entering the Port of Golden Gallen. That 'noble man' is so brave."
"The entire border is hundreds of kilometers long, and His Majesty's eyes cannot be at every point," Asin continued calmly, "If he really had that ability, your supply situation would not be like it is now.
...Sorry I can't find a more polite adjective to describe it, but you must know what I want to say."
Gurgit's expression changed slightly.
That guy not only mastered the Tiger Army's strategic planning and even personnel arrangements, he even understood their supply situation?!
What a shame!
He had even vaguely guessed the noble person behind this guy.
It is impossible for anyone other than Prince Dilip to have such a far-reaching influence on the empire's military system, not even Governor Nihak!
But Prince Dilip should be locked up by the Alliance right now. Could it be that the Alliance was also behind this incident?!
His heart was filled with turbulent waves, and Asin's mind was also spinning rapidly, adding the last sentence to his previous improvised remarks.
"General Gurgit, it is unrealistic for Your Majesty to expect to use an embargo to crush the Alliance. The people who will be injured will ultimately be the people of the Empire. Similarly, it is not cost-effective for the Alliance to rely on a seaport to feed the entire city's livestock. They
You have to constantly take money from your own pocket to buy corn to feed those people, and those people have to be full before they have the strength to work."
"What does this have to do with me?" Gurgit asked, narrowing his eyes.
"It has a lot to do with it," Asin said seriously. "They don't want the survivors of Golden Gallon Port to starve under their rule. If the goods exported from Jiaotou Bay are related to the livelihood of local survivors, I think even if the Empire and the Alliance
If we break up again, they won't do anything here."
He cannot guarantee this, nor can he give any guarantee.
However, Captain Gurgit, who was already trying to justify the identity of that "noble man" in his head, could not stop his wild thoughts.
That makes sense...
If I were the commander of the alliance, I would fire artillery wherever I went, so there was no point in attacking places where I had interests.
Just thinking about this made him excited. After pretending to ponder for a moment, he spoke.
"I don't have time to calculate your profits. I want to take 20% of the transaction amount."
This is not a deal that he can do alone. He also needs to manage some people up and down, including the level of a team of 10,000 people.
"no problem!"
Asin agreed immediately.
Although he soon regretted that he had agreed too quickly, the other party seemed to have experienced this for the first time and did not notice anything strange.
The matter was decided happily.
The thousand-man team under Gurgit used the name of logistics procurement to cover the goods entering and exiting the gate, placing the merchants and goods in the fishing village of Jiaotou Bay, while the payment of goods and the negotiation of the transaction were carried out "before the boat rushes".
Completed in the hotel in the village.
As their first business, Gurgit said that he could provide him with a batch of chickpeas and black beans with a total weight of 600 tons at a price of 5 million Xilan coins.
make a deal.
This batch of goods is equivalent to 2 Xilan coins per catty, which is even cheaper than the market price before the alliance landed in Jingallan Port!
At present, the price of a pound of beans has exceeded ten. Shipping these beans back to Golden Gallon Port and selling them will almost double the profit!
Although Gurgit generously waived the commission on the first sale, Asin knew very well that this greedy guy must have included the commission in the total price.
As for where and how he got so many beans, he didn't ask too much. After all, it was none of his business.
He just proposed that he planned to buy a batch of two-headed cows next time and asked Gurgit to help keep an eye on the linen and dye merchants, and the latter readily agreed.
The two parties agreed on a time for delivery of payment.
In order to show his sincerity in cooperation, Gurgit even waved his hand generously and gave the hotel built on the hulk directly to Asin.
Anyway, it was just a matter of words to him.
As for the original owner of this hotel, he was tied up with stones and thrown into the sea by his men a week ago because he was asking for drink money and because his nose was not big enough.
To be able to sneak around and open a shabby hotel in this remote area of the country, and still be so ignorant, even if he is a real Willant, he is probably still a Ratman among Willant.
What’s more, doesn’t he have the final say?
The employees here didn't even know that something had happened to their boss, and they were still looking forward to the old man who called himself a Wilant man to come back and settle their wages.
"Goodbye friends, this is the happiest meal I have ever had, and I hope it will be the same in the future."
Standing at the door of the hotel, Gurgit had a cheerful smile on his face, and stretched out his arm to hook Asin's shoulder with a drunken look.
Since he was sent to this hellish place, this was the first time that he happily patted his butt and left without drinking until dawn.
Asin nodded respectfully and looked at the officer with a smile.
"Welcome back. I guarantee that when you come back in two days, you will be able to drink wine that truly matches your distinguished status. Recently, many good things that can only be purchased with silver coins have arrived at Golden Gallon Port, including those in the shelters.
Wine for the residents."
"Haha! Then I have to look forward to it!"
Gurgit Guoyan was overjoyed, he smiled and patted the young man on the shoulder, expressing his attitude in front of his subordinates.
Just looking at this intimate look, one could never imagine that this guy's men had just put a gun to this kid's head.
Watching the group of soldiers leave in the south direction, Asin didn't pat his shoulders lightly until they were far away.
Like dusting off that place.
The young men standing in front of the hotel looked at the boss with reverence, as if they were paying homage to a god.
However, they didn't know that their boss was almost exhausted by just standing here without lying down.
"It's faster than I thought. I originally planned to buy this place after making the first pot of gold, but it happened before then."
After clearing his throat, which was about to be broken, Asin regained his original speaking tone.
He first glanced at the hotel behind him pretending to be relaxed, and then glanced at Kunal next to him who almost had the word "worship" carved on his face.
"There will be a lot of customers here in the future. We need to renovate it and at least raise its quality."
"Yes, boss! I'll find someone to do this immediately." Kunal straightened his back, like a loyal soldier, without any doubts about the "general's" order.
Asin nodded, and then looked at the low shack next to him, as well as the pairs of pupils filled with fear hidden in the dark corners.
The pair of eyes that had dared to look at him unscrupulously before, now no longer even dared to meet his gaze.
But there was no ridicule or ridicule in his heart.
The one thing he learned the most from the empire's disastrous defeat at Golden Gallen Harbor was unity.
He is always thinking about how to unite these poor people like him.
Money and dignity.
I happen to have extra to give to them.
"Kunal, my friend, you are right... we do need a ship to do our work, and here we happen to have a group of sailors who are not very experienced but can barely use it."