I've heard about your cooperation plan with George. My Griffin family and I are willing to show greater sincerity. Let's find a place to talk it over." Owen tried his best to control his temper and brought the topic to what he needed. He didn't think Lin Xingchen would refuse such cooperation.
"If we want to discuss cooperation, please go aside and wait until I finish my business." He looked at the two people in front of him again.
"Whose rice and money do you eat? Can a stranger make you ignore me?" This sentence was very serious. Charles and Anasta immediately knelt on the ground and dared not say another word.
"Young master, I have something to tell you." Luke spoke even after frowning.
"you say."
"In fact, Anasta, Charles, and Barry all disagreed, and they were beaten for it."
"Who hit you?"
"It's Lord Griffin's men." Charles whispered.
"I misunderstood you just now. I apologize to you. It is indeed difficult for you to face the heir of a duke."
"Master, please don't be like this. It's our fault that we didn't do our job well." Anasta said in a crying voice.
"Okay, stop crying, and get up and talk."
"Barry, get over here!!!"
"Young Master, what do you want me to do?"
"Do you still recognize the man who beat you up? Tell me how he beat you up."
"Little master, I know he broke all my bones. If the old master hadn't felt sorry for me, I might have died." Barry said this while crying softly and thanking Green.
"Don't cry. I am the only one who can scold and beat my people. Find those who beat you."
Barry stood up with full energy and pointed at the followers behind Owen Griffin, "Young Master, those people have started to take action."
"Catch them all, break a pair of hands and throw out the Maple Leaf collar." He whispered to Luke.
"You dare!" Lord Xingchen, please watch your words. This is a follower of my Griffin family.
"These are the followers of my Xingchen Family. If you beat them at my doorstep, you are slapping my Xingchen Family in the face. Lord Griffin gives you two choices.
First, you lead your followers out of the territory of my Star Clan and never set foot in it again. Second, leave the lives of your followers to decorate the laws of my Maple Leaf Territory."
"There's no room for negotiation. Aren't you afraid of the two families becoming enemies?" Owen said this with a timid tone.
"The Star Clan is never afraid of any threats, even if there are only two of us left. I have the final say over the Star Clan, but I don't know if you can be the boss of your Griffin Clan."
Owen's face looked very ugly. According to his temperament, even turning away and walking away would be the lightest punishment at this time.
"I'll wait for you in the private room, you take care of the rest!" In the end, interests overcame anger and he simply abandoned those followers.
He nodded slightly to Luke, and Luke nodded and ordered all the followers who were running around to be arrested.
"All three of you have been beaten, so are you going to do it yourself or let those guards do it."
"Master, we were just beaten. Only the guards have the power to enforce the law. Let the guards follow our laws!"
Charles was like a drama spirit at this time, constantly emphasizing the laws of the Maple Leaf Territory.
"Very good, then hang him for three days, break his hand and drive him out of Maple Leaf Territory."
"Yes..." Luke signaled his men to take away those who kept begging for mercy, "Young master, I don't know what to do here?" He pointed to the church of the Church of Light.
“Where’s the tax collector?”
"Master, I'm here!" A figure came out in response. It was a familiar face, the one who questioned Lin Xingchen among the slaves.
"Since you are a tax collector, let me ask you, do you collect taxes here?"
"No, because there is no tax in the territory that mentions collecting taxes from the church." This guy is quite single.
"Well, now it is in place. Any church that receives donations in Maple Leaf Territory must pay 90% tax, and tax evasion will be punished at a 100-to-1 ratio.
You can go to Mr. Steve now to discuss how much tax he needs to pay on all the donations he has received since the church was established."
"This is my job, sir." The tax officer turned around and smiled at Bishop Steve. That smile made Steve shiver all over.
"Tear down this church and fill the ground. All the expenses will be charged to Steve. If he doesn't have money, throw him into a labor camp or let the people of the Church of Light redeem him."
"Mr. Xingchen, aren't you afraid that the gods will punish your clan and the entire Maple Leaf Territory?" Steve is no pushover either. Although Lin Xingchen's actions just now made him feel a little uneasy, he is still the bishop of the Church of Light after all.
"Don't be afraid. If your god can really bring down disasters, then I would like to see how he brings them down. But I hope you can live to see it by then."
"As for these people who have nothing better to do, write down their names for me. I remember there are many places in the territory that need laborers, so let them go. This church is about to be demolished.
Just let them demolish it, and let them go when they come to their senses. If they really have done nothing wrong, delete their household registration and let them ask the gods to arrange their lives.”
"Uncle Luke, notify everyone that no religious leaflets or missionaries are allowed anywhere. People will also be arranged to check the entrances to Maple Leaf Territory. Anything related to missionary work is not allowed to enter."
"Young master, doing this will offend some forces." Luke reminded carefully.
"Don't be afraid. We survived even without the gods' care. Now we have food and drink, so what are we afraid of? Just do as you say."
Luke nodded and personally led the team to arrange these things. Steve naturally had the tax officer to play with him, and took Charles to the Chamber of Commerce where there was someone waiting for him.
When they arrived at the Chamber of Commerce, a waiter naturally led Lin Xingchen to find Owen. When they saw him again, this guy had already controlled his expression and tone very well.
"Your Excellency Xingchen, I lost my composure just now. I apologize to you for my inappropriate words." He then touched his chest.
"Those things are in the past, tell me about your story!"
"I have heard about your cooperation with the George family. I can agree with this and even discuss some details."
"They have the Kingdom of Monteta in the south as a sales location. I can see the returns, so I am willing to cooperate with them. However, it seems that the only way for your province of Lube to continue to move eastward is to go further east.
Although it is possible to go east, the grassland country has always been known for its instability. What can you do to make me believe that I can get a stable return by cooperating with you?"
"Indeed, the grassland is unstable, but it is also the best place for goods to be dispersed. Maybe we won't get such a big return in the early stage, but as long as it continues for a few years, I am sure that I can make back the money of the first three years in one year."
"Great! You have a good eye. Although the Sharpnero Empire is indeed a good place, how can you ensure that you can withdraw the money safely after transferring it?"
“Hahaha… It seems that Lin, you have also set your sights on the Sharpnero Empire. This way, we have a common goal, right? As long as we can establish connections with the tribes on the grassland, we can transport the goods directly to there.
By then, we will be able to make them dependent on our exquisite goods, and as long as we do this, we can ensure the safety of our own funds."
"I have thought about this scenario a long time ago. Do you know why I didn't do it?" Lin Xingchen did not despise him. After all, he really couldn't do it.
"I've thought about this, too. You lack reliable subordinates and sufficient manpower. The main problem is that your supply of goods is insufficient. Even if you keep developing the Maple Leaf Mountains, your manpower determines your supply of goods."
Lin Xingchen touched his nose and nodded helplessly, motioning him to continue. He waved his hand and the waiter quickly brought the best tea.
A good-looking waitress was in charge of making tea, and the whole process of making tea was smooth and pleasing to the eye.
"Try it. This is the best tea and is never sold to outsiders." He picked up the small teacup and motioned for Owen to taste it.
"It's indeed a little different, the taste is more mellow."
"Bring some for Grandpa Griffin when you go back. He should like it." Lin Xingchen changed his previous attitude and showed goodwill in disguise.
"I think Grandpa will definitely like this kind of tea. You know, ever since you brought out this bitter tea and told him about its benefits, he basically doesn't drink much. Of course, the red wine you produce is an exception."
"That would be even better. If you can also take a box of red wine that I brewed myself, he will probably be even happier. It's a pity that there are less than five boxes of this wine left, otherwise I would let you take more."
"Haha... I guess this kind of wine must be fascinating. I've always heard that the best goods in Maple Leaf Territory are not in Maple Leaf Chamber of Commerce, but in the Duke. It seems that the rumor is true."
"If you can impress me with what you say next, I guess the best goods will appear in your wine cellar or warehouse."
"I have opened a chamber of commerce in the Sharpnero Empire. Although the goods sold there are just ordinary goods, the sales are very good.
I have negotiated with several local nobles. We will deliver the goods to them in the same way as your agent, and we will only earn the difference.
This kind of business over long distances naturally cannot involve trading in things like rice and flour. We only focus on supplying the most profitable goods, such as wine, tea, white sugar and brown sugar.”