Aiwass took a deep breath and held the little crow huddled in his arms with both hands.
He lowered his head, stretched out his index finger to tease the crow's head, and said casually: "You gave the Star Antimony people a large number of orders. But the alchemists have never seen such a battle... They thought that big business was coming, so they
Continuously increase the recruitment of apprentices and continuously expand production.
"The king of Xing Antimony's generation, 'Valentin VII', did not realize the problem at first. He blindly increased the country's sponsorship of alchemists and trained a large number of extraordinary people to become alchemists.
"——Soon, the Alchemists were overloaded. Because the market was quickly saturated... or in other words, the orders you gave them were already saturated.
"There are also a steady stream of alchemists graduating from the academy, and the country must continue to provide a large amount of sponsorship funds to these young alchemists. A third-level alchemist can receive two hundred dollars a month.
The allocation of gold coins. However, the market has become saturated, resulting in a surplus of alchemical products within Star Antimony.
"The experimentation and development of alchemical products requires a lot of investment, but if there are enough colleagues with similar research progress, it is very likely that half of the research will be completed by a rival. So their research will either be scrapped directly or
So I was forced to push it to the market with insufficient perfection... I guess that’s good, right?”
"——You are indeed extremely wise, minister."
Grandet admitted it gently, and even added proactively: "There are too many goods and the quality has declined, so we must lower the purchase price. You should also understand that this is not our fault. It is because His Majesty the King is too impatient and
It is not our turn to compensate for the mistakes we have made."
"Yes, so you reduced the order size."
Aiwass touched the crow and said softly: "And this is the trigger of everything.
"In the alchemist profession, as long as you are not at the top of the market, you will basically lose money. More and more young alchemists are taking a fancy to the huge profits in this profession, and actively or passively invest in it, and they will soon give Star Antimony
financial pressure.
"The Wangli Alchemy Association has greatly enhanced its status and influence through huge profits in the past few decades. King Xing Antimony does not have the power of an authoritarian path, so he cannot forcibly control the situation. This makes it difficult for Xing Antimony to cancel the sponsorship system or reduce
Appropriation... So they chose to increase taxes, which directly led to an increase in tax revenue.
"But even so, too many alchemists are causing the cost of materials to continue to rise; a large number of low-level alchemists are squeezing each other's market, causing everyone's income to decline. Bankrupt alchemy workshops, unemployed alchemists
… They gradually became irritable. The way they tried to reduce the pressure within the industry was to rely on their own power to transfer the pressure to the botanists who provided the materials.”
Therefore, the "King" is constantly being forced to lower prices by the Alchemy Association. It has even been lowered to the point where it cannot make any money at all, and even loses money selling materials.
And they can only sell goods to channels other than designated suppliers... The "King" who chose to bring goods from the promotion ceremony must not be alone, and he is not the only one trying to smuggle goods overseas. People like this are still
There will be a lot. And this will further increase the cost price of alchemical products.
It is precisely because of this that Star Antimony continues to smuggle large amounts of alchemical products into Avalon through its connections with Lloyd's and Minister Drost.
——Because their goods have been hoarded to the point of going crazy.
The Goblin Chamber of Commerce basically monopolizes the trade ports. Even if they can seize routes, it will be difficult to reopen the market in other countries. Moreover, they have basically no knowledge of those unfamiliar markets, and they will probably only lose money if they enter the business rashly.
Even under this situation, Xing Antimony still decided to start from Avalon and open the western route.
This shows that they have been pushed to the limit.
Star Antimony seems to be extremely powerful, but they are already on the verge of disintegration.
They couldn't afford even the slightest defeat, so they never dared to really fight against Iris. Instead, they used all the strength of the country to make a sudden attack and captured Avalon. After taking Avalon, they completely ignored it.
piece of land...
One of the main reasons is to obtain the "claim" of the Silver Dragon Familiar.
With this name and the guarantee of the Pillar God, they can contact other countries and conduct trade.
After all, it is difficult for news across oceans to circulate in time, but the apostles can transmit it at will within the temple.
They must obtain the protection and approval of the apostles before the Star Antimony people can take the initiative to carry out trade; and they chose to take the protection of the Pillar God, probably in order not to be targeted and interfered by the elves. In addition, they probably realized that the Crown Lord has a strong influence on Avalon.
dissatisfied and realized that this was a good enough opportunity for NTR.
Another reason is because all they want is the western port of Avalon.
That's not the Glass Island - the Glass Island is in the southeast corner of Avalon.
That's why Glass Island was abandoned and became so desolate... Aiwass initially thought it was because of Yingtiansi's influence. But now it seems that this may not be entirely the case.
Because the eyes of the Star Antimony people are not glass islands at all!
Its fundamental purpose is to resolve domestic pressures.
They can cooperate with Avalon, just like Emma mentioned.
In this world line, Avalon is now vaguely prosperous. Aiwass's influence is extremely strong, and the Grand Arbiter Meg was not killed by the Red Phase. The Star Antimony people dare not directly launch a war against Avalon.
, so they chose to cooperate.
In the original world line, they could have done this - Star Antimony provided the source of goods, and Avalon was responsible for digesting it; Avalon, relying on its good relationship with the elves, could also take the initiative to set up a route westward, and even replace Star Antimony.
The Antimonians opened trade channels with the Theocracy.
——But in order to avoid being backstabbed by Avalon in the future, Xing Antimony chose to bulldoze Avalon directly.
Although there is a direct reason why Avalon is weak enough for the Star Antimony people to feel confident in winning quickly, the fundamental reason is that the pressure within Star Antimony is about to explode. That is why they must take the risk of offending the Crown Lord.
Choose this dangerous path.
Because if you don’t do it, you will also die.
"The gryphon countermeasure they prepared," Aiwass suddenly said, "is probably the gargoyle army."
Hearing this, Grandet showed a surprised expression for the first time: "Do you even know... this?"
Given his deep thoughts, that expression might have been deliberately revealed - after all, he could have completely concealed his surprise. And he chose to reveal it, which was also a form of flattery.
Flattery for an arrogant heart.
Aiwass could naturally see all this. But he chose to follow Grandet and smiled arrogantly: "I know everything.
"For example, I know you are also in trouble. Your three plantations in the southern continent have all encountered resistance from local armed groups. They must have suffered a lot recently."
Grandet was really shocked when he heard Aiwas's words.
Because he hasn't told anyone about this yet, and even asked his employees to keep it secret - which means that Aiwass's spy can even reach the southern continent.
In fact, this is Grandet's reputation opening mission.
A group of relatively intelligent trolls who are said to have "escaped from the laboratory and thus became civilized" are trying to save their ignorant compatriots from the plantation. In fact, this group of trolls who seem to be pursuing freedom are actually
Forces sponsored by the "good lords" of the ancient Parthian kingdom.
But Aiwass would definitely not hand over this information to Grandet.
He just smiled and raised the crow in his hand slightly.
The crow's ruby-like pupils stared at Grandet, making him suddenly feel terrified.
Gray Green was too weak to even realize the abnormality of this crow.
But Grandet, who has reached the fifth energy level on the path of wisdom, can realize that the "crow" is the deep darkness like an abyss, like a whirlpool.
"——I told you, I know everything."
Aiwass raised the corner of his mouth slightly and whispered Grandet's real name: "Grandet·Dead Eyes...or, 'The One Hidden in the Horse's Belly'."
Upon hearing this, Grandet's pupils shrank suddenly.
He raised his head in astonishment and looked at the shadow cast by Aiwass, as well as the slightly reddish purple light flowing in Aiwass's pupils. He looked again at the place where he couldn't see through it at all, and only felt fear.
The "crow".
——Grandet felt fear for the first time in a long time. Thick cold sweat broke out on his back.
Did this "crow" tell him?
…But to be honest, that’s about all Aiwass knew.
Although he had vaguely heard some background stories from the forum, such as the story about why he hid in the belly of a horse as a child and cured the plague, but it made him extremely ugly. But Aiwass is not sure that the details are absolutely correct.
There is no mistake, and I don’t know the cause and effect. In order not to be exposed, I chose not to say it at all, and only told those fragments that I knew that were absolutely accurate.
There is no need to say more. The more you say, the more likely you will be wrong.
Smart people will figure out the rest by themselves.
"Now, let's start this topic again."
Aiwass leaned back, with a vague smile on his face, and said calmly: "Let's get straight to the point...what is your request?"
Exactly the same problem as before.
But this time, Grandet gave an honest answer.
"...I originally planned to persuade you to establish the Goblin Chamber of Commerce in Avalon."
Grandet made a low voice, took out a handkerchief that was extremely expensive judging from the craftsmanship, and wiped his sweat: "But now it seems that you must have your own ideas.
“I still hope that Avalon can open a treaty port. The ‘Summer County’ on the west side of Avalon has a good port and is very suitable for transformation into a commercial city.
"As long as you are willing, as long as the Shengxia County port is expanded... I can call over three business groups to provide import and export of at least eight million tons of goods per year. Of course, if it is inconvenient for you, I can also send people to this port.
Come and fix it.”
"What about the cost?"
Aiwass asked with a smile, looking very worried: "Avalon's finances are not very good recently. Star Antimony has promised to fund the construction of ports and railways for us."
"What you said - since it was us who used it, then of course it was us who made it."
Grandet wiped his sweat again and said with a polite and elegant smile: "As long as you sign the project documents, I can send people to start the construction. In addition to the ports in Shengxia County, we also have Lloyd's Port and Queen's Port.
I can help with the expansion. I will send my engineering team over, half of them are extraordinary people, and it can be completed in two months at most."
"But our Avalon is quite long from east to west... Will the goods in the middle occupy the old railway?"
Aiwass asked casually.
After hearing Aiwass ask this, Grandet was finally able to confirm that Aiwass also wanted to found a country.
——As long as you want it!
Losing some money or something...that's not a problem. As long as Avalon can negotiate, the Star Antimony people will have to spit out the lost money.
"Three new railways," Grandet held out three fingers, "from west to east, running through all major cities. As long as there are more than three bishops garrisoned in the city, all of them will be connected. I will pay for it, and I will find someone to repair it. Next summer
It can be completed - we can also provide Star Antimony's most advanced locomotives and sell ten locomotives to Avalon at cost price."
"Twenty," Aiwass advised, "or twenty-five - our steam trains are too slow and don't carry good cargo."
"Only ten, only ten."
Grandet shook his head and said firmly: "Minister, you can also ask an alchemist to analyze the technology."
"Is it okay to pay in installments?"
Aiwass said with a smile: "You also know that Avalon's financial situation is not very good... If we allocate too much money at once, I may not be able to negotiate. Our decisions in Avalon must go through the Round Table Hall
, nor is it a conversation between me and His Majesty."
"This is easy to explain. You can just find someone to talk to me later. Just come to the gray-green lady directly."
Grandet smiled and put the topic aside for now: "After all, I don't dare to get too close to Countess Emma. Maybe those cute little gold coins will disappear as soon as I close my eyes or open them.
"But in order to let our construction team come in... you have to pass a law that allows foreigners to enter Avalon. There are still many trolls in my construction team."
"Ah, of course."
Aiwass nodded, knowing that he would get through this sooner or later.
But he still said reservedly: "But I have to talk to His Majesty personally about this... After all, this violates Avalon's tradition."
"Oh, by the way, minister - I heard that the Moriarty family has also been in business for generations," Grandet smiled respectfully and politely, "The economy in Avalon is not very good now... I guess the economy will be tight.
Bar?"
"Hmm... I don't know either. After all, I don't really care about the family business."
Aiwass smiled.
This is a rare truth.
But Grandet found it hard to believe.
He lowered his voice and made a sign with a "six": "I can use my personal name to provide the Moriarty Consortium with an interest-free loan of six million star antimony gold coins for twenty years..."
--How many?
Aiwass was startled.
This is almost half of Avalon’s annual military expenditure!
Judging from Grandet's intention, this seems to be a personal kickback to Aiwass.
Only then did Aiwass finally realize what his status meant.
He is indeed not very interested in money...but if you don't accept the money, it will be free, and it can help Isabel replenish the treasury.
So Aiwass nodded and promised: "I will give you an answer before Queen Sophia's funeral ends."
Hearing this, Grandet stood up from his seat.
This fifth-level man, who is very well-known in the world, was extremely polite and respectful to Aiwass, who only had the third level, and gave an extremely standard, and because of this, extremely funny knighthood: