Chapter 214 Farewell

[Roxel Colin has been confirmed to have returned safely to Baron Gus' territory. Her being in danger is just a rumor! ]

[Grand Duke Edward Campbell reviewed the Thunder City garrison yesterday and started a training exercise in the southern part of Silverpine Forest. Relevant people claimed that they had not heard of the news of a new round of military operations! ]

【——"Thunder City Daily"】

On the newspaper with the Velcro painting, Edward was reviewing the soldiers' drill, and Colin left a silhouette not far away.

The two of them appeared in the same frame in the newspaper, completely shattering all the rumors that Mr. Colin was captured by the devil.

Influenced by the clarification of the rumors, the stock price of Colin Mining Company hit a new high and once stabilized at around 30 gold coins. There was no one who lost money in the entire market.

If we have to say who lost money, it would probably be the mysterious seller who frantically sold off 100,000 shares when the price was less than 15 gold coins per share.

I don’t know if he regrets it.

At the same time, the Thunder City Daily also became famous in this incident! Due to its miraculous source of information and its almost exaggerated accuracy, half of the citizens in Queens held it in their hands.

Not only ordinary citizens, but even the "uncrowned king" of Thunder City, Jan Andes, was not immune.

The study in the manor.

Andes, who was wearing a monocle, finished reading the newspaper in his hand and turned his gaze to the butler standing beside him.

"Who publishes this newspaper?"

The butler nodded slightly and said respectfully.

"It is said that it was the driver who drove Mr. Colin."

Punk? That ordinary person without a last name, a farmer living in the suburbs, with a background that doesn’t even fill up a piece of paper.

Recalling the brief encounter at the auction dinner, Andes fell into deep thought.

After a long time, a shrewd light flashed in his eyes and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"I see."

Controlling the news is equivalent to controlling the future. While most people are still chasing after the news, that gentleman has already laid out the news channels ahead of everyone else.

If everyone believes something, even if it is a lie, it will become a fact.

Of course, given that gentleman's stature, there was no need for him to overdraw his credit by lying.

Sometimes selectively retaining part of the truth can still achieve your goal.

"It seems that we have to enter the media industry as well." Andes put down the newspaper in his hand and instructed the butler beside him.

The butler nodded slightly and perfected the idea for his master.

"I noticed that the Thunder City Daily has hired former bank employees to serve as editors. We can actually follow their example and allow employees who have reached retirement age to transfer directly to the newspapers we control."

Andes smiled and nodded.

"That's it."

Regarding the recent turmoil in Thunder City, the Andes family seemed to have not taken any action, but in fact, they have been observing secretly and making their own plans behind the scenes.

For example, when Colin first instructed his servant to buy the tea shop, he was paying attention to it, but he didn't understand it at first, so he chose to do nothing.

Later, when the stock was listed, he immediately realized that this guy was setting up an "exchange" to pave the way for stock trading and the issuance of more stocks.

At present, the Andes Bank is preparing for related businesses, and it will soon learn this model. Even if it cannot compete with the word-of-mouth effect of "Red Leaves", it can still get a share of it.

Today, we use newspapers to accurately target customer groups and guide public opinion, which is also learned from Mr. Colin.

That was why he was not worried at all that Colin would walk too fast and leave him behind.

There is no end to making money.

Someone was helping him feel for stones in the river, and he was so happy that he couldn't stop them. Just as Andes was planning the next step of his family's layout in Thunder City, his servant walked in from outside.

"My Lord, His Majesty has returned from Silverpine Forest. He will be outside the city in about three hours. What do you think... should we go out to greet him?"

Andes took off the monocle on his nose, stood up, and straightened his collar. "Of course, we can't neglect the master of this country. Prepare a carriage for me."

The servant nodded respectfully.

"yes."

…

Outside the Thundering City, flags were like forests and lances were like rain.

The shining armor was like the snow in the Silver Pine Forest, vast and white, dividing the horizon and the sky.

The wide main road was sprinkled with golden sunlight, and both sides of the street were already crowded with people.

Citizens either stood or sat, or climbed the walls or went up to the attic, just to catch a glimpse of the majestic military might of the Principality of Campbell and the mighty and domineering figure of Grand Duke Campbell.

There was an expression of admiration and envy on people's faces, and they did not hide their praise.

"His Majesty Edward is indeed the backbone of the Campbell family!"

"Look at their equipment! The armor alone is so bright that it would blind anyone!"

"God bless the Principality of Campbell! God bless our Grand Duke!"

Flower-selling children carried baskets and moved through the crowd, peddling flowers and petals that could be thrown into the air.

Looking at the citizens who respected him, Edward had a satisfied smile on his face. He then entered the city greeted by his ministers and went to the Andes family's estate with his personal guards.

As for the other soldiers, they returned to their respective garrisons after their glorious triumph.

After being suddenly dragged out into the wild and forced to camp outdoors for several days, they all needed to rest and report their safety to their families.

After getting off his horse, Edward suddenly looked at Andes who was following beside him.

"Mr. Andes, I have something to discuss with you. I hope to take up a moment of your time."

Although he didn't know what play His Majesty was singing, Andes nodded slightly and said.

"No problem, Your Majesty, it would be my honor to be of service to you."

Edward waved his hand, then took him to the garden nearby, and spoke after sending everyone around him away.

"I heard from Mr. Colin that your business has now expanded to 2 billion gold coins?"

The moment he heard this number, Andes' heart trembled. He didn't expect that Mr. Colin would actually reveal this number to His Majesty.

"Your Majesty, this statement is actually inaccurate..."

"I know. Colin explained it to me. It's something called market value. Although it sounds a little novel, it's not difficult to understand."

Looking at Andes, whose forehead was covered with sweat due to nervousness, Edward smiled and continued in a gentle tone.

"Don't be nervous. I'm not planning to borrow money from you, and I don't have any idea of ​​levying a tax on market value for the time being. What I want to discuss with you today has nothing to do with your business in the New World, but something else."

Andes said cautiously.

"What is it?"

Looking at the fountain in the garden, Edward continued in a nonchalant voice.

"Mr. Colin told me that on their fiefdom, the ownership and use rights of the land can be handled separately. This will improve the efficiency of land use. What do you think?"

He actually omitted some of the implications and did not tell him everything that Mr. Colin told him, and he did not mention a word about the blueprint he saw.

Although he had no doubt about Andes' ability, he was well aware that this man's loyalty was questionable, especially when it came to interests.

At this moment, as the master of the principality, he needs the other party to consider the issue from the perspective of the principality, rather than from the perspective of the head of the Andes family.

Unfortunately, he still underestimated Andes' intelligence. Not only did the latter immediately understand the benefits of this proposal to himself, he even understood the blueprint that Edward did not show him.

In Leiming County, the feudal nobility and the emerging bourgeois nobility were actually a force that checked and balanced each other. Although ordinary people living on this land were exploited by both, they were also protected by both.

And now, they have the opportunity to unite and join hands to harvest the tenants in the fields and the citizens in the factories! This guy is simply a genius! Andes couldn't help holding his breath and trying to restrain his pounding heartbeat.

If he had some complaints about Colin's outspokenness a second ago, now he couldn't help but hug him and kiss him...if Miss Irene didn't mind.

Andes controlled his facial expression, pretended to think seriously, and spoke after a moment.

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, this is a brilliant idea... and you have actually been working on this all along."

"Oh? How come I didn't know that?" Edward looked at him, his eyebrows slightly raised.

Andes continued in a deep voice.

"Strictly speaking, the citizens of Thunder City rent the royal estates, but you, who are generous and benevolent, have never exercised the power granted to you by Saint Sith on your own land. You only collect taxes from the citizens living here. The wealth we have obtained now is enough to prove the wisdom of you and your ancestors. I think Mr. Colin should suggest that you extend this tacit understanding to the territories of the lower nobles. In this way, they will not only be more active in creating wealth for you, but also more active in opening up more previously idle land for you."

Edward smiled.

"It sounds like there are only benefits and no harm, but I always feel that there is no such good thing in the world."

Andes nodded.

"Of course, this comes at a price. Some tenant farmers may lose their land and be forced to leave the countryside where they live, but sometimes a price does not mean a bad thing. They who used to spend their lives in mediocrity will live a better life in Thunder City. The real power of their lords will be weakened, and the Duchy of Campbell will accumulate greater wealth because of their migration."

It can weaken the power of the lords and increase the wealth of the royal territory.

This is exactly what Mr. Colin said.

If it weren't for Andes's previous timid look, Edward couldn't help but suspect that the two had colluded with each other beforehand.

However, he was more inclined to believe that Colin had not discussed this matter with Andes, just as he could read from the faces of Colin and Andes respectively.

Whether it is the nobles of the Duchy of Campbell or the nobles of the Empire, they are actually in the same camp.

From this point of view alone, it is unlikely that the Colin family will become true allies of the Andes family.

Because only the Campbell family is worthy of being the former's ally.

Edward said after a moment's silence.

"All the barons of Thunder County are my direct vassals. I plan to implement the new policy in this land first. As for other earldoms in the principality, I need to discuss with several other earls and seek their cooperation. I hope you can cooperate with Governor Wilson to achieve some results and let them see the benefits of the changes. I believe that I will face less resistance in promoting the new policy."

"The Andes family is willing to serve you!" Hiding the ecstasy in his heart, Andes bowed respectfully and said in a trembling voice, "I can swear to Saint Sith that Thunder City will become the most shining diamond on the northeast coast of the Whirlpool Sea under your rule!"

Looking at Andes who bowed respectfully, Edward smiled and nodded.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

“I look forward to this gift.”

…

In mid-February, the spring breeze blew across the land of Thunder County, and new green appeared under the snow that had turned into spring water. The streams in the fields were flowing again, and the whole county was thriving and full of vitality.

Not only the farmers of Leiming County were happy, but also the nobles and citizens who lived on this land.

For them, this spring was particularly different from previous years, as two major events that were worthy of being recorded in history happened in succession.

The first thing was that the Grand Duke of the Duchy of Campbell made a rare appearance at the city council and announced a new policy in front of everyone, clarifying the ownership and use rights of the land.

The former is protected by the Holy Light, while the latter is protected by the laws of the Principality and is equally sacrosanct.

This is undoubtedly a benevolent policy.

Especially for those citizens who have rented royal land for generations, their property and security were originally based on a long-standing tacit understanding, and now this tacit understanding has finally become a written law.

As for the nobles of Thunder County, they had long been corrupted by money. Most of them, like Baron Gus, were eager to move into the city to enjoy a more luxurious and decent life, but they had to stay in the countryside due to traditional feudal obligations and the inability to cash in their land.

Although church officials had complaints about this regulation, believing that the word "sacred" should not be used outside of Saint Sissis, the clever Archduke Edward would not allow a group of priests to become a stumbling block to his reforms, and he immediately silenced them with the provisions on royal authority in the Book of the Holy Word.

The divine right of kings is sacred, and the articles stamped with the royal wax seal are naturally sacred and indisputable.

As for the nobles of other earldoms, their opinions were divided into two groups.

The Earl of the North Valley thought this was contrary to tradition and became even more dissatisfied with the young Grand Duke, while the Earl of the South Valley was indifferent and even showed a hint of interest.

Another meaning of the transferability of land ownership is that he can instruct his own merchants to purchase land from other small nobles.

He is not like those citizens who are easy to bully and can only cry over a few pieces of paper when being robbed. He has his own army and even has extraordinary powers. No small noble dares to cheat him.

He did not need the royal family to enforce justice on his behalf; he had the ability to establish order on his own.

As for the tenant farmers in Thunder County, most of them didn't care.

It is difficult for news to reach them, and their voices are rarely heard.

However, at least the farmers around Thunder City welcomed Grand Duke Edward's new policies.

Some of them rented land from the royal family, some rented land from nobles and clergy, or some land with unclear ownership.

Although this kind of renting is also renting, the rent is a confusing account. In the end, after working hard for a year, no matter whether it is a good year or a bad year, there will be no money left. All the food is taken away by the nobles' lackeys, leaving them with only a part that is just enough to eat.

If they wanted to save money, they basically had to use the "wasteland" in the fields to cultivate some vegetable gardens or plant some fruit trees. These scraps were generally not valued by anyone, and as long as they didn't do too much, the lackeys of the nobles were too lazy to calculate.

After all, by the time they figure out the situation, the vegetables might have rotted, so it’s better to turn a blind eye.

As for now, better days seem to be coming.

Anyone could buy the right to use the land from the nobles by spending a sum of money.

From now on, the crops they grow will be their own, and they can even negotiate with merchants themselves and sell them for whatever price they want.

Not surprisingly, Edward's new policies received applause from the entire city council and were welcomed by citizens of the city.

As for another incident worthy of being recorded in history, it is related to Mr. Colin, the dear citizen of Thunder City.

After completing the fundraising of 80 million gold coins, this distinguished gentleman finally started his first big move - placing an order worth tens of millions of gold coins with the Thunder City Shipyard to purchase steamships to form an ocean-going trade fleet!

As soon as this news was published in the Thunder City Daily, it immediately caused a sensation in the whole city!

That's 10 million gold coins! Converted into copper coins, that's 100 billion! The tax revenue of the entire Thunder City for several years is not this number! Although the residents of Thunder City have become somewhat numb to the extravagance of the upper class during this period, it is undeniable that most people still use copper coins, and the nobles use Austrian silver on a daily basis. Only when making large payments or bank-to-bank transactions will they use the Austro Empire gold coins.

The energy contained in these ten million gold coins has surpassed all unfathomable magic and is even not inferior to the miracles bestowed by the gods themselves.

After all, there is no magic that can create 2,000 rich people and tens of thousands of jobs overnight, but Mr. Colin's order can.

From the lumber mill to the steel mill, and from the steel mill to the mechanical power plant and the ship design company in the port area, everyone shared the benefits brought by this feast.

Of course, the biggest winner among them is naturally the respected Grand Duke Edward.

He implemented the New Deal with great success, and became the most popular person among commoners and nobles for a time, eventually overshadowing his sister.

On the other hand, orders from Colin Mining Company greatly enriched the royal treasury.

The shipyard in Thunder City is very similar to the Imperial Royal Shipyard. Both belong to the royal family, but they are run by managers sent by the royal family.

What a good person! Edward was filled with joy every time he thought of how much help Mr. Colin had given him.

This respected gentleman not only helped himself to accumulate a huge fortune, but also spent every penny where he wanted. There was not a trace of selfish desire in his clear eyes.

Even the Andes family couldn't satisfy him so much! And the most important thing was that he was a true nobleman, not only possessing a noble title, but also being so elegant and impeccable in every move! He had no doubt that if he were a woman, he would definitely fall madly in love with him!

Of course this is just an exaggerated metaphor and does not mean that he is unfaithful to his wife.

However, happy times are always short-lived. Just as the spring rain was falling and everything was waking up, Roxie Colin, who had emerged from the wind and snow, suddenly expressed her wish to say goodbye.

The Morning Embrace Hotel had an elegantly decorated restaurant box, with royal guards guarding the door.

The chef's hands were shaking with excitement as he pushed the dining cart into the box, because from now on he would be the man who cooked for His Majesty, and he would have a halo on his head that no one else could achieve.

Even though the distinguished Majesty turned a blind eye to the delicious meal he had cooked with all his life's learning, his eyes were full of eagerness on the gentleman across the table.

The distinguished Majesty even dismissed the servants, took the initiative to pour red wine for the gentleman, and then raised his glass enthusiastically.

"Mr. Colin, please let me toast you. You are simply the gospel sent to me by Saint Sith!"

There's no one else around anyway.

He didn't have to worry about the royal dignity and could use his private enthusiasm to win over this distinguished guest as much as possible.

Luo Yan smiled and clinked glasses with him, gladly accepted His Majesty's praise, and returned the honor to him.

"You are exaggerating. I just made some minor suggestions, but you are the decision maker of all this."

A bright smile appeared on Edward's face, but then the smile turned into reluctance.

"This feast has just begun, are you sure you don't want to stay here for a while?"

The reason why he came to this hotel this time was actually to bid farewell to Mr. Colin.

According to the latter, he was about to go to the Holy City to visit friends there on behalf of his father, and then take a ship to the territory of the New World to continue the unfinished business entrusted to the Colin family by Saint Sissi.

Due to the dimensional turbulence, the teleportation array cannot send overly large goods directly to the Kao Continent. It is only suitable for exchanging relatively small and light letters and things of certain value such as diamonds and gold, so he has to take a boat and cannot fly there directly.

These situations also exist on some of the empire's overseas colonial islands. They are not uncommon and there is nothing to doubt about.

After taking a sip of the wine, Luo Yan put down the glass in his hand, sighed softly and said.

"Your Majesty, we will have a long time to spend together in the future. Why do you care about this moment? I will be back next year at the latest, and it may not take that long."

The dry wood in Thunder City has already encountered the raging fire, and it will take some time for it to turn into a raging fire.

He has done what he needed to do, and now all he has to do is wait and see what happens.

After a pause, looking at His Majesty who looked reluctant, Luo Yan continued in a gentle tone.

"Besides, I haven't abandoned this place. I have already instructed my servants to continue my business here. It doesn't really make any difference whether I am here to guard them or not. And if I don't go back, some things will be difficult to carry out."

Hearing this, Edward finally gave up trying to keep her and just said with regret.

"Well... I admit that I can't bear to see you leave. And I think it's not just me, my dear sister feels the same way, I'm sure you can see that."

Family ties finally prevail, at least at this moment, partially.

"Me too."

Luo Yan nodded slightly, and as Edward expected, he then said the words he most wanted to hear.

"… Whether for your sake or for Her Highness Irene's sake, I will come back as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)