After the music started, I realized that as the person with the highest status at this dance, I should lead the first dance.

But when it comes to dancing, no one close to me has ever given me a good evaluation. Fortunately, Fichet once gave me special training. When he was a prince, he could only "teach" confidently by taking advantage of such an opportunity.

I.

Even under Fichet's extremely enthusiastic supervision, what I learned was only superficial... I am so busy, how can I have the time to study these things?

The prelude of the music was already halfway through, so I had no choice but to look around and invite a fashionably dressed lady to participate in this kind of social activity that was more tiring than fighting. And according to the social tradition of the nobility, only after I finished dancing the half song, the other

Only people will end up.

In order to keep my dance partner from being too nervous, I always kept a smile on my face - it took a lot of effort to choose this lady. She is too young to cooperate, and it seems that I have no taste when I am older. But this one...

It can be seen that she has just been newly married, with the charm of freshly blooming flowers.

Facts have proved that my choice was wise. This dance partner followed me to the middle of the hall, with an extremely proud look on her face. After she got used to my steps a little, she obediently kept up with my rhythm.

It seemed that it would not be a problem to survive this song, because there was quite warm applause from all around.

"It's a pleasure to dance with you." When the dance ended, I let her go: "Thank you."

"It is a great honor for me to have the first dance with the Governor." She saluted me and then left. Following the tradition of a gentleman, I had to watch her leave.

When she returned to her female companions, she turned back and smiled at me. Then I turned around and walked towards Colter. At this time, there were already several people around him waiting for my arrival.

"Mr. Governor." Seeing me approaching, Colter said, "Shall we go sit in the side hall?"

"Okay!" I looked at the other people around me and replied with a smile: "Let's go together!"

The side hall is right next to it, separated from the noisy hall by several layers of curtains.

"Everyone, sit down, don't be restrained." I first sat down on a comfortable armchair, and then greeted everyone: "I have wanted to talk to you for a long time, but I have been suffering from no suitable opportunity. I believe that everyone will have a dance tonight.

You have the same expectations as me!”

"Of course I'm looking forward to it. Isn't it a joke? Someone actually wants to buy the invitations I sent out at a high price!" Colter lost no time in interjecting: "Don't blame me, the city lord, for not explaining it first. Our governor is the most clear-cut between public and private matters.

Tonight is a private party. If you have anything you don’t understand or are dissatisfied with, you can speak freely. If tomorrow comes, if you want to see the Governor, you will have to follow the rules."

The people sitting here are all the most important nobles and businessmen in Wanpu. The communication between me and them started in such a relaxed opening remarks.

"The arrival of the Governor is an honor for all of us." A middle-aged nobleman raised his wine glass and said: "Of course, it is an honor for all of us. I hope that the Governor can stay longer and that we can spend more time with him.

Close."

Oh, he was asking me how long I would stay.

"Don't worry, everyone." I picked up the wine glass and took a sip: "The governor came to Wanpu this time. In fact, besides inspection, I have some things to deal with, so I won't leave immediately."

"I wonder what matters the Governor needs to deal with?" Another impatient businessman took over: "I'm sorry, I mean, if we can do our best, we are all willing to share the worries of the Governor."

"Speaking of these things, we need everyone's understanding and support." I shook the wine glass in my hand: "Everyone should know! The current situation in the empire is quite serious."

"This... we know a little bit." After a moment of silence, someone said: "But you also know, Governor, that Wanpu is a commercial port. We are better at business than politics and military affairs."

"Of course I know this." I laughed and said, "I can't let you go to the front line to fight!"

"Then...Mr. Governor," a cautious noble said, "What can we do for you?"

"Everyone understands that war requires money, a lot of money!" I slowly stopped smiling and said, "What I want you to support me with is funds."

After hearing my frank talk about scraping money, several people looked at each other and lowered their heads almost at the same time.

I glanced at them: "Haha, you are all the leading big businessmen in Wanpu. Seeing that the province's finances are tight, you won't express your feelings, right?"

"Of course... of course..." Several people talked perfunctorily with me.

"Don't worry, everyone, the Governor is not trying to bankrupt everyone." Colter tried to smooth things over: "You are all very important people. The Governor and I still hope that you can make more money for the province.

!”

"But we... are a small business, a small business."

"Small business? That's too modest!" Colter said back on the spot: "Sir, you have four spice shops, one grain shop, an offshore fleet and three ocean-going ships. It's quite small.

This business?”

The guy blushed and defended in a low voice: "But, business is not easy to do!"

"In today's world, it's not easy to do anything." Colter said with a wine glass: "It's not easy for you to do some business, but it's even more difficult for the Governor to manage the military and political affairs of the entire province... But one thing is for sure.

"Everyone has made money in Wanpu. Isn't it a bit unreasonable to spend nothing at this time?"

Hearing what Colter said, the businessmen looked at me pleadingly.

"Don't worry, everyone. As I said just now, I'm seeking your support rather than forcefully apportioning it." I explained in a gentle tone: "The main thing is to see if everyone has sufficient funds."

"Of course, asking everyone to support me at this time can be regarded as a risky investment." Before they could react, I continued: "I am here to make it clear to you that as long as I, Cohen

·During the period when Al Qaeda is in charge of the Dark Province, you will receive corresponding rewards based on your contributions."

I made my promise. Businessmen, you look at me and I look at you, as if you are a little moved.

At this time, no one is sure what direction the situation will develop. If they invest in me now, they will have to take a big risk. If they don't get a return, no one will do such a stupid thing.

"Please forgive me, Lord Governor." The guy who had always emphasized that he was a small businessman stood up and said humbly: "I want to ask you a question."

"Please tell me." I said very patiently.

"Well, that's right." He said, "Mr. Governor, where can we get rewards from?"

"Government order!" I said in a positive tone.

"Government order?"

"Yes." I nodded: "If you support me at this time, of course I will support you at the right time. We all support each other! If you have this ability and your contribution is large enough, I will make an order that will be very beneficial to you.

decree."

"What about?" His eyes flashed.

"For example..." I smiled and asked him slowly: "As a businessman, have you ever had such a dream... that you can completely monopolize a certain industry? Or do you want to control all businesses in a certain area?

?”

After hearing my words clearly, his body completely froze. His eyes were first confused, then obsessed, and finally he couldn't control his body and fell heavily on the chair.

I laughed softly and drank some red wine in the glass... Well, this wine has a bit of flavor now.

"What do you think?" Colt saw that they had almost thought about it, and urged: "How much do you want to pay?"

The businessmen looked at each other, still a little uncertain.

"Since it is the Governor's wish." A guy sitting next to "Small Business" said: "Then...then I will send you a thousand gold coins tomorrow."

"Yeah, yeah...I'll give you a thousand as well."

"I, I'll give you one thousand and fifty."

There were painful expressions on their faces, and they looked at me with extremely sincere eyes, as if these more than a thousand gold coins were their entire wealth.

Indeed, in the eyes of ordinary people, more than a thousand gold coins may not be earned in a lifetime. Even my dear wife Dill Merlin, her family property did not exceed 4,000 gold coins when we first met. But.

At that time, she had a father who spent money like water.

After becoming my wife, Dill had to be merciful to these businessmen, because they had to rely on these guys to hold up the table in front to hide the fact that Dill was the largest merchant in Wanpu. During lunch today, she broke the

My fingers completely liquidated the property of these people for me.

Therefore, I know in my heart that these people are trying to deal with me by sending me away as a beggar, even though I have given such generous terms.

I glanced at Colter lightly.

"One thousand gold coins, haha." Colter walked over with a smile and stood next to the "small business": "It's really a lot, I have to thank you."

"Yeah..." This guy habitually replied: "This is almost all I have earned in recent years..."

Colter handed the wine glass to his left hand and patted "Small Business" on the shoulder with his right hand.

"In your eyes." Colter asked softly: "What kind of city lord am I?"

"Of course...of course he is a very good city lord."

"Then why don't you respect me and why do you want me to be embarrassed in front of the Governor?"

"I didn't...I didn't disrespect you, City Lord..."

Colter moved his right hand and pinched the cheek of "Small Businessman". This guy was the first adjutant I got along with on the battlefield. Although he had been a civilian official for several years, how elegant could he be in his bones?

"Fifteen days ago, you gambled at the Rose Bar in this city and lost eight hundred gold coins in one night." Colter looked at him coldly: "Twenty-seven days ago, you had a dispute with someone at the dock and claimed that you were thousands of gold coins.

The richest businessman in Pupu, with a wealth of tens of thousands of gold coins...is this you?"

"I...I...that's because I was drunk. Besides, quarreling with others is just for the sake of momentum, so I can't do it right!"

"Okay, I'll calculate it with you slowly." Colter continued: "There are thirty-two people in your family. In addition to your closest relatives, you have twelve concubines, forty-three servants, and more than fifty people."

Guards...how much do these cost per year?”

"I……"

"Don't be clever with me, just listen to me and continue to calculate for you..."

"Colter, don't be like this." I stopped Colter: "I have already said, you can take as much as you are willing to give. Forced force is not the governor's original intention."
To be continued...