Chapter 172 The three major organizations in the dark
After unloading the goods, Kalites' fleet returned, and there were about 500 people left to transport the goods, most of whom were craftsmen, and a few were guards and traders from the chamber of commerce.
Although with the help of storage space, there are still a lot of goods that need to be transported by horse-drawn carriages, but the convoy is also very long. About 50 horse-drawn carriages line up in a long line, walking on the undulating mountain roads, like ants moving, submerged in the green
among the sea of trees.
It took about a week to pass through the coastal provinces, and now we returned to the Blue Coat Province.
After stopping in Ladored, everyone was finally able to have a good rest for two days. The facilities here are complete, there are sufficient food and water sources, and it is also a relatively stable area. Unlike some provinces, the nobles are particularly careful about the caravans coming and going.
harsh.
"We meet again, Miss Mecia." In the living room of the mansion, Lorraine Hill and Luna entertained the local businessman.
"Hello, Mr. Kurea..." The girl was sitting on the sofa, while the maids brought hot tea.
"I didn't expect that Miss Mecia's caravan would arrive so soon. It's really surprising." Kureia picked up the tea, blew it in his mouth, and then took a small sip. Looking at his satisfied look, he seemed to be satisfied with it.
This kind of tea is amazing.
Of course, this is extraordinary tea produced from the Tixilan Mountains, and is naturally a rare and top-quality tea.
After the two briefly exchanged greetings, Lorraine Hill asked the businessman about his purpose.
"I wonder what kind of cooperation Mr. Curea is here to negotiate this time."
"It's not that it must be a business matter, I'm just a little interested and curious, and want to make friends with Miss Mecia." He did not hide his thoughts, his body was stretched, and he had a calm temperament...
"From now on, Miss Mecia can come to me if she encounters any trouble while doing business in the South. I think I can still help you in this regard."
"Then what do you need?" Lorraine Hill looked at this man. He didn't look like the kind of person who was addicted to women or someone who was irrational.
"Of course we also have some demands, that is, we hope to get priority in purchasing and purchasing compared to other chambers of commerce."
"This is not a big problem." Because now, only the fabrics hanging under the "Black Rabbit" Chamber of Commerce are special.
"Hahaha, I know Miss Mecia is still a lot surprised and confused, but please believe me, there is indeed no malicious intent in this."
After that, Mr. Curea chatted for a while before saying goodbye and leaving.
"I wonder if Miss Mecia will be free tomorrow. A few friends and I have prepared a banquet for you."
Upon hearing such an invitation, Lorraine Hill thought briefly and then nodded in agreement.
"Then I look forward to your arrival." After saying that, the tall man picked up the hat in his hand and put it on, waved and walked out of the courtyard of the temporary residence.
The living room became quiet. Luna looked at the leaving figure and asked curiously, "Has this man worked with him before?"
"Actually, we only met twice. We signed contracts with many people at that time." The girl shook her head. She couldn't figure out what the purpose of Kurea's invitation was, but she wasn't afraid.
"Get ready tomorrow and Luna will come with me."
"Oh, me?" The light-blond haired lady blinked and then nodded.
"Yeah, I understand." Compared to Lorraine Hill, Luna is actually more like the eldest lady of the Chamber of Commerce.
Although the only surviving descendant of the Philalu Chamber of Commerce has not inherited the legacy of the previous chamber of commerce, he has seen and understood a lot of the internal situation of Carites in the Southern Islands over the past few years, and he has some business practices.
Not unfamiliar.
"Actually, it's because I often have trouble getting away, so I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to help with business-related matters in the future." Lorraine Hill looked at the grown-up girl with a little emotion in his heart.
Time flies so fast.
"I would be very proud if I could help Sister Lorraine." Luna said she didn't care, smiled, and then asked Lorraine Hill for information related to the previous contract.
At noon the next day, in Culea's mansion.
The clear pool water has a light blue color, and the waves are swaying in the sunshine. Not far from the pool, several tables are placed on the grass, with various fruits and snacks on them, which are very exquisite.
Several guests were chatting happily, sitting casually under white parasols, drinking cold and sweet juice or tea.
"Haha, how about it, Miss Mecia, you should get used to it."
Wearing loose clothes, the big businessman sat under an umbrella by the pool and waved to Lorraine Hill.
After approaching, the girl sat down, and the two sat at the white round table and continued to talk.
"The scenery and environment here are indeed beautiful." Lorraine Hill simply praised, and then the big businessman nodded with a smile.
"It's such an honor to be appreciated by Miss Mecia"
"Actually, I came here this time to ask if you have any idea of trading other goods from your chamber of commerce. I know this is very rude, but there is no other good way." He apologized first, and then
Explain your intention.
Did you discover those extraordinary fruits on the caravan?
Although some measures were taken to eliminate the magic power or isolate it from detection, it was still discovered unexpectedly. In other words, it is already very difficult for so many special fruits to be discovered only now.
"I can sell you a small portion, but you should also know how rare this is, so we can't sell it in large quantities."
"I understand, I understand." Kurea nodded.
"I often cooperate with the military. Although I have helped them complete a lot of things, the rewards have never been much. The only advantage may be that after being under the banner of the military, other chambers of commerce will not dare to offend me too much."
"In the empire, the nobility and the military have great power. Our chamber of commerce often has to suffer some losses in order to achieve business, so I deeply understand the importance of keeping a low profile."
"I've always been curious about where Miss Mecia's goods come from, but I didn't expect them to be so rich. It's really eye-opening."
"If you are not stingy, I hope we can further cooperate. I will open up to you the contacts and channels accumulated by the Chamber of Commerce over the years, so that you can trade freely in the southern provinces."
"Of course, I believe that with Miss Mecia's methods, these are easy to do, but it can save some time, right?"
Then the big businessman went on to talk about many benefits. It seems that he is indeed very greedy for those extraordinary fruits. After all, with these, he can cultivate a group of capable extraordinary people in troubled times, and his own safety performance will be greatly improved.
"It's just that these are not enough." Lorraine Hill shook his head, his chestnut-blond hair swaying on his shoulders.
"I also hope that Mr. Curea can be more sincere, for example, as a recommender, so that our chamber of commerce can also join that larger organization."
"I have also heard some rumors that the large chambers of commerce in Blue Yi Province actually have a tacit understanding and work together on many issues. In this case, you must have a more stable alliance agreement."
Hearing these words, Kureia paused for a moment, looking surprised.
"Miss Mecia always makes surprises, so I won't talk in circles."
"There is indeed such an organization, and I happen to be a core member of it, but when it comes to invitations, I'm afraid it's a bit difficult."
"Because the purpose of our alliance is to gain a little freedom under the rule of the empire, and such behavior is obviously jealous of the nobles. They don't want to see these well-connected businessmen unite, which will be difficult for them to handle.
"
"Therefore, in order to avoid exposure and cause alarm, we have always been cautious about recruiting new people and do not take risks easily."
"Your chamber of commerce is not local, and everyone's understanding of you is limited, so even if I agree, it will be difficult to join."
"I see, can you tell me your name? This can satisfy my curiosity."
"Haha, this is not a big problem, because we never tell the public our names."
"'Gyre', that's what we call it internally." He lowered his voice to make sure no one else was eavesdropping.
"Speaking of organizations, I can also tell you about the three major organizations, or alliances, hidden in the southern border today. They are intelligence organizations composed of mercenaries, adventurers, idlers, workers, thieves, bards, etc.
The 'Three Eyes', the 'Agate Stone' composed of wandering mages, alchemists, down-and-out nobles, scholars, herbalists, etc., and the 'Seven Rings' where various large chambers of commerce cooperate with each other and fight against the nobles."
"These three major organizations are actually very loose and look like an alliance, but their affiliated branches are very close. After all, they are our own people. For example, our 'Circulation' is one of the seven rings."
"'Three Eyes' refers to the three intelligence organizations, 'Fire-Eyed Warbler', 'Blindfolded Man' and 'Poisonous Water Lizard'. They actually have a lot of fights with each other, but they only occasionally negotiate a truce together."
"'Agate Stone' is divided into four categories: 'Ruby', 'Green Jade', 'Transparent Stone', and 'Bone Gold'. They are more mysterious and are said to be different from each other. There are many alchemy workshops, private schools, and herbal medicine shops in the south.
They are the ones supporting the pharmacy and the extraordinary faction."
"In the past, when the Paskar family ruled the southern border, we had to be careful to hide ourselves and seek opportunities for survival in the cracks. But now, the forceful suppression by the Imperial Legion has allowed various organizations to develop suddenly."
"Ordinary people will never know or understand this information in their lifetime, and they have never even heard of the name. But for our local elders or families, everyone has actually heard about it, and it is considered an open secret.
"
So it turned out that after suddenly receiving this information, it seemed that the fog in Lorraine Hill's mind suddenly lifted a lot, and he had a completely new understanding of the Southern Territory. Many things that he had not understood or had doubts about in the past were also solved one by one.
No wonder the 'Fire-Eyed Warbler' dared to rob people at the execution ground of the nobles, and no wonder the butler led by Wenlani was able to control his position for so many years with the help of potions, making it extremely stable.
It turns out that these organizations have been fighting against the powerful rule of the empire for a long time in the dark and invisible. Of course, their purpose cannot be said to be noble, it is just for self-protection or profit.
Perhaps your future plans will need to be adjusted again to take these factors into consideration.
Lorraine Hill stood up and expressed his gratitude.
"Although I couldn't join and become one of them, I got a lot of new information this time. I will ask the caravan personnel to send you the corresponding goods."
"Thank you so much, Miss Mecia, haha." The big businessman laughed generously again.
The small gathering in the courtyard was still going on. While Lorraine Hill and Kurea were talking, Luna was also surrounded by many young talents.
"Sorry, onee-sama is coming to see me. Luna, please excuse me now."
Seeing the girl stand up, Luna finally found an excuse to get away and walked over in small steps.
"Sister Luolan, when are we leaving?"
"I think it should be soon." Looking at the girl who was similar in height to himself, Lorraine Hill smiled and nodded.