Chapter 1174: Two-Way Choice, Geographical Advantage

Xia Duo has transformed into an Elf many times within the Projection Plane, and his knowledge and understanding of Elven society are perhaps more profound than those of most Elves themselves.

He knows well that a minor family like the Silver Leaf Family might be able to throw their weight around in some remote small city, but when it comes to massive interests, they would absolutely be swallowed whole by those Upper Families, leaving not even their bones behind.

If he is to find someone, he must find a family with an Advanced Rank Mage holding the fort, or a power group with an Advanced Rank Mage as a backer; at the very least, they could withstand the smuggling business, and perhaps even develop more in the future, not just spice smuggling.

But the problem is, as a Senior Arcanist, how could he possibly make an Elven Advanced Rank Mage—who is equivalent to a Great Arcanist, or perhaps even a few points stronger—bow their head and obey?

"Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!" Xia Duo sighed repeatedly in his heart.

Looking again at the expectant gaze of Lord Collins, he felt somewhat embarrassed to tell the truth.

At this moment, it is not just Lord Collins who needs his help; in fact, he also needs Lord Collins.

Xia Duo wants to construct an alliance with shared interests to deal with the various possibilities of the future.

And Lord Collins is perhaps a suitable candidate.

Before becoming a Senior Arcanist, there were no alliances, only reliance, but now, Xia Duo is qualified to win over allies and form a small circle.

In fact, Lord Collins seeking him out may not be without the intention of winning him over.

A long-standing Senior Arcanist has a great many trump cards in hand; he may not truly need the Cormanthor Elf channels on his side.

Thinking this way, Xia Duo attached even more importance to this cooperation; as for the issue of the agent's qualifications, before large-scale trade appears, the Silver Leaf Family is still usable.

Moreover, Lord Collins wanting to expand spice production is not something that can be completed in a short time; at the very least, a relatively complete expansion plan is needed, otherwise, blind expansion is just a waste of manpower and material resources.

As the scale of trade gradually expands, whether it is contacting more reliable Cormanthor Upper Families through the Silver Leaf Family or finding other methods in the future, those are matters for the future.

As the saying goes, "The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain," there are very few plans in this world that can be arranged properly from beginning to end; if one does not take the first step, perhaps there will never be a follow-up to speak of.

"Lord Collins, I am very interested in this cooperation. If possible, I would like to invite you to the Nanjing Sawier Ling after the Snow Melting Competition to discuss it in detail. At that time, Patriarch Aoruipusi of the Silver Leaf Family will provide us with more detailed information about the interior of Cormanthor."

"Very well."

Collins did not hesitate in the slightest and agreed immediately: "Please set a time, and I will visit in person then, bringing with me detailed information regarding spice varieties and output conditions."

Xia Duo recalled his recent schedule and casually stated a date: "Let's set it for the fifteenth day of next month!"

It is already the end of this month, and two days from now is the first day of the month of Snow Melting (May), which is also when the Snow Melting Competition begins.

Considering that the Snow Melting Competition will last for several days, and after the competition ends, Xia Duo will stay in Seventon for two more days with Niya, and then he still has to make a trip to Leisen Territory.

Setting it for fifteen days later is a relatively safe arrangement; the time will not be that tight, but it also shows the priority.

Collins agreed to this arrangement, and then the two looked at each other and smiled, "I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"

"Pleasant cooperation!"

……

The upcoming establishment of the Northland Alliance seems to be no longer a secret. In the following days, Xia Duo was visited by people constantly; some were there to chat about personal friendships, but most were there to negotiate trade route cooperation.

The geographical location of Savile Territory is relatively superior, situated exactly on the key land route from Netheril to Cormanthor.

Generally speaking, going east from the Nether Core Region, passing through the northern border of the Akaola Kingdom and continuing east, then heading south through the Dragonspine Mountains, one can also reach Cormanthor, but—

On this route, not to mention that the Akaola Kingdom is closed off, there are a large number of Orcs in the surroundings, and countless other wild creatures; more importantly, there are truly dragons in the Dragonspine Mountains.

In this Drow War on the Cormanthor side, many great dragons from the Dragonspine Mountains were controlled by the Drow—not in the frenzied state affected by the Dragon Madness Mythal, but a control similar to mind control, and they could even cast Magic to fight.

It is almost impossible for ordinary merchant caravans to pass safely through the Dragonspine Mountains.

Only by following the Nether River south, landing at the Nanjing Sawier Ling, then heading west and south to Konnifila City, and passing through the Taisha Qiao south of Konnifila City to reach Cormanthor, is the safest way.

Basically, a merchant caravan only needs to hire one or two teams of ordinary guards, and if conditions are better, hire one or two low-rank Mages, and they can safely complete the entire journey.

There will basically be no casualties.

In the past, Savile Territory has always served as a temporary resting point and material transfer station for northern merchant caravans heading to Konnifila City.

And now that the Northland Alliance is about to be established, it is foreseeable that trade between Netheril and Cormanthor will become even more frequent in the future.

In fact, it is not just with Cormanthor, but also with Yierlan and Ilfaran; however, trade between Netheril and these two Elven Kingdoms, especially Ilfaran which does not border it, requires going to the Dwarf port city of Asikeer.

It is foreseeable that the Underground Passage from Zhenisi to Asikeer will become increasingly prosperous in the future, but since a new god has appeared for the Drow, whether the Underground Passage will be as safe as it was in the past is hard to say.

As for the sea trade route, perhaps it will also usher in a small explosion.

But the sea trade route only has the advantage of short time and large cargo volume; the disadvantage is that the crises at sea are uncontrollable. Even with an Advanced Rank Mage, once encountering a massive sea monster, one may not necessarily be able to get the better of it.

How things will turn out in the future depends on the depth of the cooperation of the "Alliance" of the Northland Alliance, but judging from the sudden change in Cormanthor's attitude and their near-compromise stance, the cooperation of this alliance may be unexpectedly deep.

……

Xia Duo did not refuse any of the seekers of cooperation, but he did not discuss any specific cooperation as he did with Lord Collins.

After all, most of these people want to engage in import trade, and the small amount of exports are all resource trades such as precious metal ores and raw Gemstones.

It is difficult for Xia Duo to get involved, and he is unwilling to get involved. In his heart, he actually does not approve of these trades; whether it is introducing high-premium goods or the loss of resources, from a long-term perspective, it is not a good thing.

Of course, he is also very clear that if Netheril wants to develop, being harvested like leeks by the advanced is inevitable, as long as it can contribute to development.

The reason he did not refuse was simply because there was no reason to refuse; after all, one side wants to buy and the other wants to sell, so how could he, an outsider, interfere.