Hearing the maid’s greeting, Kant was slightly stunned. “Good morning?”

  He turned his head to look out of the window.

  The sky was bright, but it was not as bright as noon or afternoon.

  “Clang — Clang — Clang — Clang……”

  A dull bell rang.

  It was the bronze bell ringing.

  After ringing about it eight times, it meant that it was eight o’clock in the morning. It was not dawn but morning already.

  “This……”, Kant was a little stunned.

  This seemed to be no different from the time when he had just come to the room to sleep.

  Could it be that he had only slept for a short period of time?

  Kant was puzzled.

  The pretty maid pursed her lips and smiled lightly. She explained to Kant, “My lord, you slept for a day and a night. It is now the morning of the second day. I think you must be famished. You should fill your stomach with these desserts first.”

  On the tray, there were desserts that were similar to yesterday’s.

  However, they were steaming hot. It was obvious that they had just been made. They were sprinkled with dried dates and looked very tempting.

  “A day and a night.”

  Kant rubbed his hungry stomach and got out of bed.

  His entire body was stiff from sleeping for a long time. He twisted his neck and sat on the chair in his pajamas. He instructed the pretty maids, “Tell the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I’m very hungry now.”

  “Yes.”, a maid immediately turned around to pass on the message.

  There were desserts on the table. Kant stuffed a few pieces.

  It was really to satisfy his hunger. He did not like to eat sweets as his main meal, even though the price of this food was slightly higher.

  This was a habit he had developed over a long period of time.

  In the Dukedom of Leo, the food was mostly salty meat products.

  Although there were desserts, most of them were honey. Things like white sugar, brown sugar, and other things had never appeared before. After all, to obtain this kind of sugar, one needed sugarcane, a plant that produced a very high amount of sugar.

  However, the Dukedom of Leo did not have sugarcane.

  In Kant’s impression, things like sugarcane had also never appeared before.

  It was just like how livestock like camels had never left any records in the human countries of this world.

  For example, when Kant and Manid led the camel caravan to the Stone Pass, they attracted many curious gazes. However, most of them treated the camels as a different type of large workhorse. Their movement speed was not fast, and they did not have the high explosive power of warhorses, therefore, they quickly turned their curiosity into indifference.

  Among the horse breeds, the most precious was naturally the warhorse. As long as a country had a large number of warhorses, they could build a large and powerful cavalry force. They were the trump card on the battlefield and could easily decide the situation on the battlefield.

  As for the horse breeds that were beneficial to the people’s livelihood and could only carry goods, they were not considered important at all.

  This was the difference between the two worlds.

  After all, even the crystal wall system was not the same. Even the basic laws were fundamentally different.

  At least in this world, there were no camels and sugarcane. In comparison, there were no demons, spells, gods, and other things on Earth. Obviously, they were not the same and comparison was not relevant.

  Soon, the pretty maids brought breakfast.

  Fried steak, fried eggs, fried fish, and unknown tender wild vegetables, small skewers of edible berries.

  There was also oatmeal, toast, and date palm.

  The food was very rich.

  From this, it could be seen that the Senwaya Range was on the right track

  and began to provide some supplies to the Oasis Lookout. For example, these tender wild vegetables and berries were all brought back by the camel caravan.

  They were uprooted and temporarily transplanted into a wooden basin. After watering them, they would be transported back. This could guarantee its half a month’s worth of vitality.

  If they were lucky, they could even survive under the shade of the date palm tree.

  The shade of the trees could block the sunlight. The running water in the canal could nourish these edible wild vegetables and berry shrubs. Due to the camel caravan’s carrying capacity, although the amount transplanted was not much, it could provide for the Lord Kant to enjoy three meals a day with the hard-earned delicate wild vegetables and fresh berries.

  Just like Kant was enjoying the delicious food now.

  The lamb chops with a fresh and tender taste, the whole fish that was fried perfectly, as well as the berries and wild vegetables that were used as side dishes.

  The taste was excellent.

  Kant was stunned. This was even more delicious than before he left.

  After taking a bite of the soft and crisp bread mixed with the fried eggs and swallowing it, Kant turned his head and asked the maid who was waiting beside him, “Are all the kitchens nowadays managed by professional chefs?”

  “You are right, my lord.”

  The maid next to him smiled sweetly and answered Kant respectfully, “The three chefs and seven helpers in the council hall are all professional chefs learned by the artisan guild.”

  “Well, this is very good.”, Kant nodded.

  The maid added, “Even the chefs in the tavern and the chefs in the military camp are all professional chefs trained in the artisan guild. The quality of the food in the castle has improved a lot. Compared to the food cooked by our aunties, it is much more delicious.”

  “I see.”, Kant chuckled. It seemed that after leaving, Firentis had recruited and trained full-time staff.

  The artisan guild could train all kinds of talents.

  Especially the crating talents. Whether they were blacksmiths, tailors, chefs, salt-makers, or tanners, they could all be trained. Ordinary civilians who did not have any skills became the pillars of jobs that were urgently needed in all walks of life.

  Chefs were like this.

  However, most of them were talents in weapons workshops, blacksmith shops, salt workshops, and sugar workshops.

  The amount of salt produced in the current “Drondheim” Castle had increased from 200 bags to 500 bags. The profits they could earn each month reached 25,000 great silver coins.

  Thanks to the purchase of more one-humped camels to form the camel caravan, they could transport more coarse salt back.

  However, they had to thank the excellent salt workers for replenishing their losses.

  25,000 great silver coins per month was a terrifying number in Kant’s eyes. If it could be exchanged for denar, he would laugh his head off!

  Unfortunately, money could not be exchanged.

  The denar could only be exchanged with the gold.

  Therefore, Kant sent Manid to the Stone Pass to inquire about the price of gold, a precious metal.

  Now, he had accumulated close to 100,000 great silver coins. If it was converted into gold, according to Kant’s rough understanding of the price, there should be 1,000 gold eagles, this kind of country-to-country currency.

  It was similar to a check, which was not circulated to the outside world. Only high-ranking noble families and countries would circulate it.

  However, as long as there was money, it could still be bought.

  Kant only sent Manid to probe in secret.

  If he could get a gold eagle, he would know the price of the gold and how much denar it could be converted into. This would give Kant a clear idea of how to make money quickly in the future and how to exchange for a large amount of denar conveniently.

  Soon after breakfast, the hunger in his stomach disappeared, bringing a sense of satisfaction.

  The pretty maid quickly tidied up the table.

  Kant walked to the top floor.

  `

  The council hall had six floors. The scenery at the top was very good and could overlook the entire castle.

  If he wanted to overlook his Oasis Lookout and Nahrin Desert, he could also go to the 40-meter-high watchtower to look at the surrounding scenery. It was even more magnificent and spectacular.

  However, Kant was not going to enjoy the scenery.

  He was going to the apprentice dormitory.

  This was the basic building of the Mage Tower in the Enfath Empire. It was where the apprentices lived and rested.

  Since Kant had selected this building, it had been combined with the council hall. At a cost of 50 denars per week, he was allowed to recruit one mage apprentice who had mastered a basic spell.

  Kant came to the apprentice dormitory. The exquisite patterns were mysterious and graceful like the Enfath Empire.

  His mind communicated with a certain golden card in his mind.

  “System, use the rule card!”

  Kant ordered in a deep voice.

  A dialog box instantly popped up on his retina.

  [ Ding…… system prompt ]

  [ Double recruitment (constant) used. ]

  [ Apprentice dormitory: The weekly recruitment has increased to 2 people. ]

  The golden card instantly shattered into pieces. Data streams gathered in the apprentice dormitory in front of him. The rules of the building had been changed. Although it was not much, it had a qualitative improvement.

  This was the level up that Kant had planned.

  After solving this problem, he came to the edge of the top floor of the council hall.

  Vaegir marksmen were standing guard.

  When they saw Kant coming over, they all bowed respectfully, “My lord.”

  “Yes.”

  Kant nodded.

  The castle in front of him was well-planned. The roads and buildings were like a chessboard. They were clear and looked very pleasing to the eye. The military district, residential area, and crafts area were distributed reasonably, with a sense of symmetrical beauty.

  This was his castle.

  He turned to the Vaegir marksman on guard and asked, “Did you find anything unusual?”

  “No, the castle is very peaceful!”

  The other Vaegir marksmen quickly replied, “Everything is clear!”

  “Very good.”

  Kant smiled. “Stay alert.”

  “Yes!”, the marksmen answered firmly.

  Just as Kant continued to look at the other areas, a camel caravan made up of 20 camels came in from the east gate. The people around them moved aside and looked down from above. It was very eye-catching.

  “Manid is back.”

  Kant understood and turned to walk towards the stairs.

  This time, Manid should be able to bring back a lot of good news, oh, or bad news.

  After all, Kant had agreed to open up the trade caravan at the central posthouse. Any trade caravan could enter the posthouse to trade. There would definitely be a lot of noble families and merchants who would receive the news, as well as that Baron Dylan.

  Baron Dylan at the Stone Pass regarded Kant’s Oasis Lookout and salt mine as his exclusive property.

  Now that the posthouse trade was open.

  Everyone could go and buy table salt. This would violate his profits!

  If he didn’t make a move, Kant would never believe it, and Manid, who was trading and gathering information at the Stone Pass, would definitely bear the brunt. After all, everyone knew that this young man was actually Kant’s business spokesman.

  He returned to the first floor of the council hall and sat in his lord’s hall.

  Manid quickly walked in after arranging the camel caravan.

  “Thank you for your hard work.”

  Kant was the first to speak. He smiled and welcomed him, “I’m very happy to see you back.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Lord Kant.”

  Manid stood still and bowed respectfully to Kant.

  “Alright.”

  However, Kant chuckled. He looked at the fatigue on Manid’s face and said, “It seems that you must have encountered some difficulties at the Stone Pass. Normally, you wouldn’t be so serious.”


  Chapter 281: The pressure he was about to bear (first update)

  Kant and Ma Nide had been together for quite some time. He could sense that under the fatigue expression of this genius merchant, there was some anxiety regarding the future.

  It was obvious that this trip to the Stone pass had suffered a setback.

  After all, Ma Nide was not only responsible for trade cooperation but also for gathering intelligence.

  Although he had left the dukedom of Leo, Kant still needed to have a way to understand certain domestic intelligence, and the Stone pass was a good window. Every time Ma Nide would send people to inquire about it.

  It was definitely not normal for him to be so anxious now.

  That was indeed the truth.

  Ma Nide made no concealment when he reported to Kant, “At first, Baron Dylan was rather polite, but just before I left, you announced the news of foreign trade at the central posthouse, this made my situation very awkward. The farewell dinner that would usually be held had been cancelled as well.”

  “Yes, it’s predictable.” Kant nodded and rubbed the area between his eyebrows. “But this Uncle Dillard is really narrow-minded. After learning so many years of noble manners, he still acts like a warrior.”

  “I won’t comment on this.”

  Ma Nide said, “Lord Kant, my proposal for Baron Dylan to purchase arrows, crossbows, and military supplies has been rejected. At the same time, before I left, I received news that the trade of iron and grain in the Stone Pass has also been suspended by the noble’s official residence. Perhaps it’s also aimed at us.”

  Kant snorted. “It should be aimed at us. I didn’t know that other than the large-scale iron and grain purchases, the noble families and merchants of the northern county would be willing to fork out more money to purchase these things at the Stone Pass.”

  The northern county’s territory was remote. In terms of prosperity, they were not comparable to the southern county and the eastern county.

  Even their production of materials and assets were quite scarce.

  If a noble wanted to purchase materials on a large scale, they would send people to the southern county to purchase, including all kinds of ironware that were indispensable in daily necessities and some food to keep them survive.

  As for the scattered commodities, they were bought in by the civilians of the villages and small towns.

  The prices were naturally high.

  But there was no other way. This was also the way for the noble of the northern county to earn money.

  It was rare to see someone like Kant purchasing iron weapons on such a large scale. After all, these resources in the northern county were more than twice as valuable as in the southern county. It was definitely not worth it.

  There were many ways to trade, and the unspoken rules were even more complicated.

  Not to mention ordinary civilians, for newly promoted nobles if they don’t get a noble to lead their way, instead, they form a trade caravan to join the dukedom of Leo’s business by themselves, they probably would not have a good ending.

  They would definitely encounter robbers and end up with their trade caravan being destroyed, or their trade payment would be scammed.

  There had been such cases before.

  Even Baron Dylan had encountered this.

  The unspoken rules formed by the nobles had controlled everything in the dukedom of Leo. If outsiders and newly promoted nobles wanted to enter this market, it would be equivalent to snatching their jobs, this would definitely cause a conflict of interest.

  Baron Dylan had suffered a heavy loss in the early stages.

  It was only after he married the daughter of a merchant, by her family relationship his situation became much more stable.

  Kant pondered for a moment.

  Thinking of Baron Dylan’s current dependence on the table salt trade, he could guess how furious he would be when he announced the central posthouse could trade with foreign countries.

  However, in just three months, Baron Dylan had already earned a huge profit.

  If he wanted to give up.

  It was a little difficult.

  No, it should be said that it was very difficult!

  It was easy to go from frugality to extravagance and difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

  Baron Dylan had the wonderful feeling of being able to harvest thousands of great silver coins every month. It was simply a huge difference between heaven and earth, thinking about how his previous estate only produced less than 1,000 great silver coins every year!

  It was impossible for him to give up on the table salt trade!

  This was also the reason why Baron Dylan, like a noble warrior, gritted his teeth and willing to withstand the pressure from the dukedom of Leo and hold the frontline fire for Kant.

  But now.

  Kant’s opening of the trade was equivalent to giving up the foundation of their relationship.

  It also violated the fundamental interest of Baron Dylan!

  The Stone pass had been changing day by day since the opening of the table salt trade. It relied on the fine white salt produced in the depths of the Nahrin desert. They had been sold and resold, earning a huge profit margin with Baron Dylan as a hub.

  Therefore, they obtained this crucial opportunity that was once unimaginable!

  The conflict between both sides had become more and more intense under the ripping of their interests.

  The final result would definitely not be too great.

  Ma Nide understood this.

  Kant was clear about this either.

  When he decided to open the table salt trade and set the rules at the central posthouse, he had taken this into consideration.

  Following this, both of them had to face increasing pressure. The greed and probing of the noble towards table salt, and even the secret revenge of Baron Dylan, who was originally tyrannical and narrow-minded!

  Kant pondered for a moment.

  He looked up at Ma Nide and said, “Next, I will discuss the strategic and tactical plans with Firentiss.”

  “As it should be.”Ma Nide nodded.

  The business was dirty.

  Just like politics, they all had their own ulterior motives. They were all deceitful and dirty.

  All these words could be used to describe a business.

  After all, businessmen were mainly making money, they were capitalists. In their minds, they were thinking about benefits. The so-called morality was just a yardstick for them to measure how much money they could earn.

  There was once a quote from a great man on Earth.

  If capital had 50% profit, it would take risks. If it had 100% profit, it would dare to violate all the laws of the world. If it had 300% profit, it would dare to commit any crime, even if it has the risk of being hanged!

  This was the truth, even in this fantasy world.

  Cutting off people’s money was like killing their parents.

  Kant had to brace himself to face the pressure from all sides, especially the bandit groups that were about to appear. They were like cats and dogs that smelled blood, constantly running over to bite him.

  Fortunately, Kant’s power was no longer as it was in the past!

  If they wanted to bite him.

  They had to be prepared to break their teeth!

  Kant and Ma Nide had a long discussion, they made tons of suggestions for the next central posthouse.

  Most of them were about the economic exchange.

  With Rolf, the scoundrel noble, suppressing the local, and three Swadian royal knights who were at the peak of the Grand Knight, there would probably be no big trouble, perhaps some minor disturbances.

  In the early stages, even if there were probes or revenge from the nobles, at most they were some ordinary bandit groups.

  It was still uncertain about their combat strength.

  “In that case.”

  Kant finally made a decision.

  He turned his head and instructed Ma Nide, “Since the Stone pass is not acting naturally, there is no need for us to show our excessive passion to them. Since the salt mine is in our hands, we have the initiative.”

  “But if that’s the case……”Ma Nide was slightly stunned and frowned. “It will break our relationship.”

  “If it’s broken, then it’s broken.”

  The corner of Kant’s mouth curled up slightly. “Politics is not business. There are not so many amicable ways to make money. There are only interests involved and interests broken. Moreover, when did my Uncle Dillard have a close relationship with us?”

  Ma Nide still had a businessman’s mentality.

  He was paying attention to build a good relationship, but he did not see the compromise between the two parties at the deepest level.

  In the beginning, when Kant was weak, Baron Dylan was unable to enter the Nahrin Desert.

  Following their mutualism phase, Kant grew stronger and stronger. Baron Dylan was building new things day by day as well and he had the confidence to enter the desert. Perhaps in the near future, or even this year, he would be able to organize an army to go deep into the Oasis Lookout, to protect Kant’s estate and solve the threat from the surrounding Jackalan.

  Perhaps in one of the battles, Kant, the lord of the Nahrin desert will take the lead and assault the group of the Jackalan. His heroic and tragic death was worthy of the bloodline of the Lion Archduke, Cameron.

  This was a palace drama that could easily be understood by just thinking about it.

  “I understand.”

  Ma Nide sighed softly. He understood deeply the struggles of the noble.

  However, Kant had made an arrangement for him, “I opened up a secret trade caravan recently, it is heading to a place called the Fangorn forest to conduct trade with a group of Shu Ren. I think you can be the first leader of the trade caravan and lead a team to explore the way. This will provide a perfect start for our future business exchanges.”

  “Shu Ren…… of the Fangorn Forest?”

  Ma Nide was slightly stunned as he looked at Kant.

  Obviously, he could not understand this kind of fantasy race.

  Kant simply explained, “It’s just a group of ancient trees that have souls, they can think and move. They are no different from the wisdom of ordinary people. Some of the ancient trees even have the wisdom of the wise among humans.”

  “Uh……”Ma Nide nodded and accepted this explanation in his heart.

  After all, this was a land of miracles.

  This explanation was sufficient.

  He could encounter anything. Even the wolves in the wilderness could transform into human-like forms.

  Now that this group of ancient trees had gained intelligence, they could also accept human-like activities. Moreover, even rocks and water could transform into human-like forms. They could summon the so-called water and earth elemental warriors from thin paper and rampage on the battlefield. It was not surprising at all with Shu Ren.

  Two of them chatted for a short while before Kant asked Ma Nide to have a rest after finishing his breakfast. After all, this young merchant was extremely tired after a long journey.

  After the conversation ended, Kant went to the city wall for inspection.

  The construction of the Drondheim castle was almost complete, but this was not the end.

  Currently, in the system, the level of the castle has reached its limit.

  But in terms of construction, it was still a small castle.

  Kant could still build walls, towers, and arrow towers to strengthen the castle’s defence as Drondheim which stood in the Oasis Lookout, was the most eye-catching location in the desert. It was also equivalent to being the target of public criticism.

  That was indeed the truth. The current Oasis Lookout really became the target of public criticism.

  The news had already spread.

  The noble families behind the merchants all began to size up the desert with their thoughts.

  There was hostility, greed, and evil intentions.

  At the same time, there was also hatred that would devour them.

  For example, the Stone Pass.

  Baron Dylan who had a bad temper was so mad and irritable.