Chapter 345: Discussing Cooperation

"Snap!"

The newly replaced, exquisite crystal cup was once again thrown to the ground by Mailun and shattered into pieces.

"Letting Luoning become the lord of Jiliu Island, what is this King of ours thinking?"

Mailun could not help but be angry.

As the hegemon of the Screaming Sea, the Fleming Family had long regarded this sea area as their own territory; sometimes, they even felt that the royal fleet were merely guests.

Now, it was a fine mess; a second noble had actually appeared in the Screaming Sea.

Outsiders could all see that His Majesty the King was using this to check and balance Screaming Island, and naturally, Mailun could see it too, he just didn't want to admit it in his heart.

"No, I cannot let Luoning grow."

Mailun was furious for Along while before finally making a decision.

Qiaosi asked: "Is my lord preparing to make a move against Luoning?"

Mailun still shook his head, "The current Luoning is a favorite in front of Bruno, it is not appropriate for us to make a direct move."

He pondered slightly: "Let the Blood Sail and the White Whale grow stronger. In the future, whenever Jiliu Island wants to ship timber out or transport supplies in, rob them for me!"

What Mailun wanted to do was to make it impossible for Luoning to manage Jiliu Island well.

A desolate island posed no threat to him.

"My lord, this Luoning is also the Wubei Territory Count."

Qiaosi reminded him: "If Wubei Territory has a port in the future, he will no longer need to depart from Dennis Port, but can enter the Screaming Sea directly from the northern route and arrive at Jiliu Island."

Mailun frowned tightly.

If Luoning were merely a baron of Jiliu Island, he would have ways to ruin him, but the key was that the man also had such a large Wubei Territory as his domain.

"We cannot control matters on land; we only concern ourselves with the sea. Have them keep a close watch on the sea area near Jiliu Island, and rob any ship flying the Wushan Family flag!"

"An island baron who doesn't even have a few ships—give him time, and he still won't be able to compete with us at sea."

Dong dong dong~

While the two were talking, a knocking sound came from outside.

"Master, a knight named Tangmu outside has delivered a visiting card, saying that his master, Baron Luoning of Jiliu Island, wishes to pay you a visit."

Inside the room, Mailun and Qiaosi looked at each other.

They were just discussing how to deal with Luoning, yet they hadn't expected the other party to take the initiative to visit.

"Hehehe, I would like to see what he wants to do."

Mailun laughed: "Accept the visiting card and say that I am here awaiting his arrival!"

That afternoon, Luoning sat in a carriage, driving toward the Fleming Family's manor in Jinyu City.

Although he had had several conflicts with Screaming Island, and the other party might even have participated in the assassination attempts against him.

But he had to admit that he had no way to compete with them at sea in the short term.

Jiliu Island needed to develop, and its main source of income was the sale of timber.

Luoning learned from Wali Knight that Jiliu Island's timber was generally shipped back to Niujiao Bay, and among the buyers, besides some furniture merchants, the largest was this Fleming Family.

If the other party did not purchase Jiliu Island's timber, Luoning would need to pay out of his own pocket to support the more than twenty thousand people on the island, which was a huge investment.

This was not what Luoning worried about the most.

What he worried about most was the Fleming Family using their status as the hegemon of the Screaming Sea to blockade Jiliu Island.

Especially those pirates; if they specifically targeted Jiliu Island and Wubei Territory merchant ships, that would be a troublesome matter.

Although Luoning was not afraid of pirates, he could not follow the ships everywhere.

Just like the attack by the White Whale Pirate Group a while ago; if he hadn't been there, Lisi and the others would likely have been buried in the sea.

Therefore, he submitted the visiting card to Mailun this time mainly to ensure that the timber from Jiliu Island could be shipped out smoothly through business.

Even if it didn't make a profit, at least it would prevent him from losing money.

"My lord, the Fleming Family's manor has arrived."

"Good."

Luoning got off the carriage and entered the manor under the guidance of a servant at the entrance.

The Fleming Family's manor was very large, with all kinds of scenery and decorations inside, several grades higher than Zhaozebao.

"Perhaps at some point, I will also need to set up a Wubei Territory office in Jinyu City or Niujiao Bay."

"Wait until the silk and porcelain businesses are expanded."

In the living room, Luoning waited for a while, and then a brisk figure walked in.

This person was wearing gorgeous clothes and had a head of thick, curly brown hair; his eyes were deep and bright, revealing a shrewd and keen light, as if he could see through the value of everything in the world.

Besides this, Luoning also felt the fluctuation of Magic Power from the other party.

It was said that this eldest son of the Fleming Family was a Great Mage.

Mailun smiled, "Haha, it is my honor to receive a visit from the noble Flame Knight and the Baron of Jiliu Island!"

Luoning also said: "It is likewise my honor to have the opportunity to meet Lord Mailun today!"

The two shook hands enthusiastically like old friends who hadn't seen each other for many years, and only after exchanging several greetings did they separate to sit down; not a hint of conflict could be seen.

Next, Luoning repeatedly praised the power of the Fleming Family, while also expressing his admiration for the magic family.

Mailun smiled and responded on the surface, occasionally reminiscing about the past with the Wushan Family, while in his heart, he was pondering the purpose of Luoning's visit.

After some pleasantries, he did not want to continue exchanging compliments, so he couldn't help but ask: "I wonder what matter Baron has come to visit for today?"

Luoning slightly restrained his expression, becoming a bit more formal.

"As you know, the only thing Jiliu Island can offer is timber. As far as I know, among the buyers of timber in previous years, the Fleming Family was one of the largest clients. Now that I have become the lord of Jiliu Island, one of my purposes in coming here is to consolidate cooperation with your side."

Mailun laughed secretly in his heart; sure enough, he had come to talk business.

However, even though the quality of Jiliu Island's timber was among the top tier, how could he continue to purchase the latter's timber in order to curb Luoning's rise?

"Did Screaming Island purchase a lot of timber from Jiliu Island in previous years?"

Mailun said with a forced smile, "My apologies, Lord Baron. Procurement matters are generally handled by my retainers, so I haven't paid much attention. However, as far as I know, Screaming Island has several sources for timber."

His meaning was direct: having more from Jiliu Island wouldn't make much of a difference, and having less wouldn't matter either; his desire to continue doing business was not strong.

"Lord Mailun has many matters to attend to every day, so naturally, you wouldn't spend too much energy on such trivial things."

Luoning did not expose him, instead following his lead and saying, "If you are interested, Lord, you can have your retainers talk to me; I can offer a discount."

"Oh?"

Mailun raised his eyebrows, "How much of a discount are you prepared to offer? I can have someone relay it to my Business Official."

Wali had told Luoning that in the past, the selling price of timber from Jiliu Island was basically 7 to 9 gold coins per cubic meter, which was not a low price.

Luoning put on a pained expression: "I am willing to sell it at a price of six gold coins per cubic meter!"

Mailun was secretly pleased, but his face remained deep and inscrutable.

"I do have some understanding of timber prices. As far as I know?"

"It's not high anymore, my Lord!"

Luoning explained, "The oak from Jiliu Island is of top quality. Offering such a low price is purely to enhance the friendship between the Wushan Family and the Fleming Family."

"Friendship is friendship, and business is business."

When it came to business, Mailun became a bit more engaged.

If he could import goods from Jiliu Island at a low price, then it seemed he had no need to support a faction on Jiliu Island.

He raised his right hand and spread his five fingers: "Five gold coins. If you, Baron, are willing to sell to me at a price of five gold coins, then I will contract all of Jiliu Island's timber—I'll take as much as you have!"

Luoning cursed inwardly, his expression troubled, "Five gold coins, that's a bit difficult!"

If the other party pushed the price down to four gold coins, Luoning would make no profit. But if it were set at five gold coins, with three ships per month, there would still be an income of over three hundred gold coins.

The fact that the other party quoted such a price immediately showed that he had a deep understanding of the timber situation on Jiliu Island.

"Five gold coins is already very acceptable!"

Mailun said with a smile, "Although you wiped out the White Whale Pirate Group, the Screaming Sea is still not peaceful. But as long as you fly the banner of the Fleming Family, the overlords of the Screaming Sea, it is equivalent to having an invisible guarantee; those pirates would not dare to provoke us."

This sounded ordinary, but in reality, it faintly revealed a threat.

In other words, if Luoning did not cooperate with him, the pirates on the Screaming Sea would target the ships of Jiliu Island.

"It is precisely the influence of the Fleming Family on the Screaming Sea that I value!"

Luoning said without concealment, "How about this: I can consider the price of five gold coins, but I would like to purchase two cargo ships and one warship from your side at a favorable price."

"Hahaha, the ships from Screaming Island are the best among all the major shipbuilders along the coast, and the prices are the most fair!"

The more Mailun looked at Luoning, the more he liked him: "Buying from me is your wisest choice!" (End of chapter)