Chapter 322

On the dirt road leading to Deadwood Port, rolling dust rose with the sound of hooves, and several knight figures faintly appeared in the distance.

General Hamilton stopped to look, and a smile of expectation gradually appeared on his anxious face. He had waited too long, and his mood at this moment was like a drought-stricken land finally waiting for sweet rain.

Baron Titch stood beside the general, his slightly exaggerated baron attire fluttering in the wind, his expression clearly carrying some nervousness, and he kept standing on tiptoe to look into the distance.

"His Highness the Prince has finally come," he rubbed his hands and muttered excitedly in a low voice, "It's good to be back... it's good to be back."

He was not worried that the Queen of the Gutav Kingdom would eat the Demon King; those reptiles were all the right-hand men of His Majesty... what he was most worried about was that the Demon King would throw him here and ignore him.

He couldn't act out this play alone.

Captain Derrick, standing on the other side of General Hamilton, silently made a cross on his chest.

"Saint Xisi is above... I hope that lord brings news that surprises us."

Saint Ilburg had already invested too much manpower and material resources in Deadwood Port, to the point that the Viceroy of the Eastern Coast had some complaints—

After all, these supplies were originally supposed to be used to rebuild Sardo Port!

General Hamilton's behavior was clearly a high-stakes gamble.

Derrick couldn't imagine what they would do if the Gutav United Kingdom rejected this trade agreement.

Would they go and grab it?

That is a major power with tens of millions of people, not those primitive tribes scattered in the woods of the New Continent...

Derrick did not doubt that victory stood on the side of Saint Xisi.

But the price might be something they could not afford...

The knight team gradually approached, and the leading rider wore a black cloak with a Purple Moon emblem on his chest, his demeanor calm and unhurried.

Hamilton recognized that face at a glance—a captivating majesty radiated from that indifferent gaze.

As for the cavalry behind him, they were all wearing solid armor, and only black, hollow eyes could be seen in their shining silver helmets.

Restraining his exaggerated smile, Hamilton coughed hard, straightened his military uniform, and walked forward with his head held high.

He opened his arms and spoke enthusiastically and exaggeratedly.

"Haha, Your Highness the Prince, you are finally back! I have been worried about you these past few days. My subordinates repeatedly suggested that I send someone to check, but I thought that you were still in negotiations with the Gutav Kingdom, and rashly entering the other party's territory might cause misjudgment, so I didn't act without authorization... Seeing you return, my hanging heart can finally be put down!"

During this period of getting along, he had picked up some of Titch's bad habits of overdoing things. The difference was that Titch was acting, while he took it as the culture of the Janna region and learned it seriously to pull in the feelings of the locals.

"Your judgment is correct, General. Although the Gutav Kingdom does not exclude us, it definitely does not like us to break into their territory without authorization and offend the taboos of the Dragon God... whether from the sky or the ground. Besides, this is not my first time meeting the Queen of Gutav, you don't have to be so nervous."

Luo Yan pulled the reins lightly, and the steed neighed and stopped steadily.

He wore a gentle and reserved smile, jumped off the horse elegantly, and then looked at the few people beside Hamilton, saying with a kind gaze.

"Baron Koxia, Captain Derrick, I have kept you waiting."

"Not at all, Your Highness, it is my honor to wait for you." Captain Derrick bowed his head in flattery.

And Titch Koxia on the side subconsciously wanted to kneel and salute, but was stopped by a casual look from Luo Yan.

The chaplain nearby frowned slightly, vaguely smelling an extremely faint bad aura, and subconsciously looked toward the nearby woods.

I always feel there is demonic mental magic...

However, he would never have thought that the source of that aura was not some beautiful succubus Demon King, but came from this Prince Kelin before him.

Hamilton also smiled and waved his hand.

"That's right, what is this? As long as you are back safely! Your Highness the Prince must be tired from the journey, please be sure to rest for a while first."

This sentence "it's good to be back safely" was definitely from the bottom of his heart.

To be honest, he had always felt quite guilty; the respected Prince had only been back for one night, and before he could catch his breath, he turned back to the lizardman kingdom because of his own affairs.

The two-week mountain road was not easy to walk.

Luo Yan smiled and said in a gentle tone.

"The journey is not tiring; I have lived on this land since I was a child and have long been accustomed to rushing on mountain roads. It's just that the affairs of the Gutav United Kingdom are indeed cumbersome, and persuading their Queen took me quite a bit of effort... Fortunately, this Prince has not disgraced the mission."

Hamilton's eyes lit up when he heard this, and the excitement and agitation could not be concealed in his expression: "Then... so, the negotiation result is successful?"

Luo Yan smiled slightly and nodded to confirm.

"After all, it is a matter entrusted by the General, so I certainly cannot let you go back empty-handed."

Luo Yan deliberately did not lower his volume, letting all the soldiers around hear this good news.

Whispering sounds soon spread among the soldiers behind Hamilton, and expressions of joy appeared on those faces.

Although General Hamilton did not tell them the reason for coming here, they more or less guessed a little—eighty percent of it was that Saint Ilburg did not have enough food to eat.

Why is there not enough to eat?

Naturally, it is because of the great storm... I heard that the ports along the entire Eastern Coast were destroyed, and the ships transporting food were also destroyed.

Although there is some discrepancy with the truth, it is close enough.

Before long, this news will appear in the taverns of Deadwood Port, as an important part of Luo Yan's paving the way for the next plan.

Hamilton, in his excitement, lowered his voice: "Your Highness the Prince, this is a matter of great importance, can we borrow a step to talk in detail alone?"

Luo Yan nodded slightly, then signaled his personal guards to rest on the spot. He looked at Hamilton calmly and made a gesture of invitation.

"Of course, lead the way."

Hamilton suppressed the ecstasy on his face, immediately turned around to signal Titch to arrange the accompanying personnel, and personally led Luo Yan toward the fortress on the hill near Deadwood Port.

The two talked about information related to the Gutav United Kingdom while walking, and for Hamilton's questions, Luo Yan also knew everything—

Although what he said was basically the part that was more favorable to himself.

Fortunately, the Janna Continent is large enough for him to play freely; anyway, it is unlikely that General Hamilton would personally verify it after hearing it, and even if he went, it would not be so easy to walk through such a large continent.

"... Their faith is quite barbaric, practicing primitive blood sacrifice culture, and they are not shy about cannibalism. Can you imagine them letting clergy dig out their own hearts on the altar and offer them to the Dragon God? I just took a look from afar and couldn't bear to look anymore."

"Have you been to their temple? I have always been curious about what Gutav looks like." General Hamilton asked curiously.

Luo Yan shook his head and said in a humorous tone.

"Tolerating me entering their Shengcheng is the greatest courtesy they have shown me; if I went in, I might lose two eyes."

Hamilton was stunned for a moment and said with a wry smile.

"That is truly hell."

Luo Yan nodded.

"Yes."

Actually, hell is not like that.

But there is no need to show that you are very knowledgeable here.

The group soon arrived at the fortress near Deadwood Port.

Luo Yan, who passed through the gatehouse, was slightly stunned, looking at the mansion standing in front of him, and for a moment thought he had come to the wrong place.

The messy tent group had disappeared, replaced by a three-story small western-style house, the wood and stone structure walls were solid and sturdy, and the windows were wiped clean and bright.

The surrounding debris and mud had been cleaned up, replaced by paths paved with gravel and neatly trimmed lawns.

Even in the towns on the border of the Empire, such a residence could be considered very decent.

Is this still his fortress?

"This is a surprise prepared for you by General Hamilton!" Baron Titch stepped forward tactfully, saying with a full face of smiles, "Learning that your mansion had been destroyed by the storm, he proposed to build a new mansion for you. It just so happened that there were surplus materials for building the port, so he transferred a construction team to build this building."

Luo Yan turned to look at Hamilton, with a smile of satisfaction and gratitude on his face.

"Thank you for your hard work, General."

Hamilton laughed heartily, waved his hand and said.

"Your Highness the Prince, you are welcome, this is just a small effort! As long as you can live comfortably, everything is worth it!"

Hearing this, the quartermaster not far behind General Hamilton twitched his eyebrows slightly, resisting the urge to complain.

It was indeed a small effort for General Hamilton, but it was not for those who did the work, those who took things out of the warehouse, and himself who kept the accounts.

Obviously, this guy was using the Empire's military supplies to do his own favors again.

But he was just complaining.

After all, compared to other generals, Hamilton, who did not blatantly put gold coins into his own pocket, was already very clean.

Although clean does not mean saving, often he would end up spending more money...

Not noticing the intriguing expression on the quartermaster's face, Hamilton led Luo Yan into the interior of the mansion with great interest.

Passing through the porch, the two soon came to a carefully arranged dining room.

In the center of the dining room was a carved wooden long table, covered with a clean white linen tablecloth, the candles in the candlesticks jumped with bright flames, silver tableware was neatly placed on the table, and the atmosphere was very elegant and comfortable.

The back kitchen had already prepared today's lunch, and the waiter pushing the dining car brought the dishes to the table one by one. The appetizers were cream clam soup and citrus-marinated salmon, paired with white wine.

Hamilton personally pulled out a chair and invited Luo Yan to sit down, then picked up the wine bottle on the table and poured it for Luo Yan's wine glass himself, the smile on his face enthusiastic and sincere.

"Your Highness, this wine is a top-quality product I specially brought from Saint Ilburg. Today, to welcome you, please let me toast you! For our friendship!"

Having eaten the food of Deadwood Port for so long, this naval general also felt sorry, so he specially asked his subordinates to bring the treasures from his wine cellar from Saint Ilburg.

Luo Yan picked up the wine glass and took a light sip; the wine was rich and mellow.

He nodded with satisfaction and praised.

"The taste is indeed good, the General has a heart."

Hamilton laughed and raised his glass to toast back.

"As long as Your Highness likes it! Please allow me to toast you in the name of the Empire, thank you for your hard work and contribution!"

"I wish General success, I wish our Emperor longevity, and I wish the Empire eternal prosperity."

Luo Yan smiled and toasted, and touched glasses with Hamilton, who also raised his glass. The atmosphere in the dining room was harmonious and pleasant, and entered the main topic as the main course of herb-roasted lamb leg was served.

General Hamilton put down his wine glass, finally unable to suppress his inner urgency, and asked Luo Yan with a slightly expectant expression.

"Your Highness, regarding your negotiations with the Gutav United Kingdom, what is the result? How much food can they provide to support us?" Luo Yan put down his wine glass, smiled slightly, and his voice was clear and steady.

"General, please rest assured, the Gutav Kingdom still has plenty of surplus food. They agreed to export at least 20,000 tons of corn to Deadwood Port every month to ensure the supply of Saint Ilburg."

"20,000 tons!"

Hamilton was slightly startled, the expression on his face quickly turned from doubt to joy, and his fist couldn't help but knock on the table.

"Great, this completely solves our worries! Sorry... I didn't mean to be rude, I was just too excited."

Looking at Hamilton, who was embarrassed for knocking on the table, and the trembling ceramics on the table, Luo Yan smiled slightly and made an expression that he didn't mind.

Hamilton took a deep breath, calmed down a little, and then cautiously asked another question he cared about most.

"Then I don't know what payment method they proposed? Are Imperial gold coins okay? Our opinion is to pay with one hand and deliver with the other!"

Luo Yan shook his head lightly, his expression a little helpless: "Paying with one hand and delivering with the other is no problem, but Imperial gold coins... to be honest, I am very surprised; the fineness of the gold eagle relief has not changed for a thousand years, but the gold content has decreased almost every year."

Hamilton's face was suddenly a little embarrassed; the insufficient gold content of Imperial gold coins was almost an open secret. Although it didn't decrease every year, it had certainly decreased a lot compared to five hundred years ago.

"This... is indeed a problem, but we recognize the value of gold coins! The Gutav Kingdom can buy full-value goods in the Empire's market with these gold coins!"

Luo Yan looked at him regretfully and said.

"I believe it, but... I cannot persuade the Queen of Gutav; she has complaints about this and insists on using pure gold and pure silver for transactions."

Hamilton gave a wry smile and said.

"Pure gold, pure silver... this is a bit troublesome. The military expenses allocated by the Empire to Saint Ilburg are all gold coins, and Imperial law clearly stipulates that melting down gold coins without authorization is a felony."

Silver coins can be melted down; after all, the right to mint silver coins had long been ceded to various kingdoms... however, those with the right to mint were limited to the kings of various kingdoms, and they must leave their family emblems on the silver coins they minted.

Imperial princes are of course not in this category; ordinary nobles can only mint some copper coins, used to exploit the old farmers who buy bread with copper coins.

Are there any who mint gold coins without authorization?

Of course there are, although every noble claims that they absolutely abide by the law, only the stupidest leeks would take what nobles say seriously.

Imperial law is not meant to restrain nobles at all, just as the rope on a cow's neck is not meant to tie up the old farmers of the Empire.

Including Luo Yan himself, he had minted coins; that thing had no technical content at all, and the only gold content was in the gold itself.

As long as there is a transaction with the demons of hell, or there is a gold mine in the territory, one can do this.

However—

The trouble is that dirty money cannot go through the public account.

Hamilton's concern is exactly this.

He couldn't directly hint to Luo Yan—hey brother, you melt the gold coins I gave you, see how much gold you can get and use it first, and then return the excess or make up the deficiency later.

This battle-hardened general indeed did not have much political wisdom, but he was not that stupid.

However, Luo Yan saw his trouble, his eyes flickered slightly, and he spoke calmly.

"General, this is actually not difficult to solve. I can act as an intermediary for both parties. I will receive your silver coins and deliver them at the warehouse in Deadwood Port at a price of thirty silver coins per ton. In this way, the General does not need to violate Imperial law and can successfully obtain the required food."

After a pause, he continued.

"And I will use these goods to buy some handicrafts produced by the Empire from the merchants in Deadwood Port to sell to the Gutav Kingdom. Although they only accept pure gold and pure silver as a general equivalent, they are not uninterested in the Empire's goods... It just so happens that the Kelin family has some gold reserves, so I can advance the procurement cost for you first, and then find a way to earn this money back."

Hamilton felt both astonished and moved when he heard this.

Advancing the funds for food procurement!

This is how generous!

Then he looked at the quartermaster behind him and asked in a low voice.

"Thirty silver coins per ton... how is this price?"

The quartermaster, who had long been unable to hold back, quickly approached Hamilton's ear, lowered his voice, and answered excitedly: "General, this price is indeed slightly higher than usual, but not much higher! At present, the entire New Continent and even the Empire's mainland are affected by the great storm, food production has dropped sharply, and food prices everywhere have soared... Honestly, this price is actually already very cost-effective."

He was not sure if this price was heard by Prince Kelin from the sailors stranded in Deadwood Port, but if so, then this noble gentleman lost a lot!

Hamilton was dumbfounded, the expression on his face was even more respectful, and his eyes gradually turned into deep admiration.

He did not think that Prince Kelin had misjudged the situation outside; after all, flour in Deadwood Port was sold at a sky-high price of 6 silver coins a bag, and he knew the news himself, so could he not know?

Regardless of secular interests—that gentleman made an honest negotiation entirely out of noble honor and piety to Saint Xisi!

At this juncture when everyone is making a fortune from the national disaster, this noble Prince did not take the opportunity to raise the price to knock them for a sum, but took the initiative to propose such a relatively reasonable plan!

Compared to those Imperial merchants who only care about making war fortunes, this is simply too admirable!

Hamilton was moved in his heart and was extremely glad that he had made the most correct choice at the beginning, not getting mixed up with those chambers of commerce that threw olive branches at him.

Saint Xisi never abandons His believers—

Sure enough, he only took two steps forward and met like-minded people!

"Your Highness can take the overall situation into account so much, it is truly admirable! I accept this plan... if you have any difficulties, you must tell me!"

Just consider it as making up for his loss in this business!

Looking at General Hamilton with a solemn face, Luo Yan smiled faintly, waved his hand modestly: "The General is over-praising; I am a citizen of the Empire and naturally have to share the worries for the Empire. Moreover, money does not have much significance to me; being able to obtain the recognition of Saint Xisi is my greatest honor."

When he said this, Luo Yan suddenly paused and changed the subject.

"It's just that there is one more thing I must tell the General: these food supplies may not be available immediately. After all, the Gutav Kingdom has a vast territory, and the coordination of logistics takes time. Their Queen promised me that she would mobilize materials as soon as possible... but it will take at least two to three months."

Two to three months is just a conservative statement; actually, it is three months.

Hamilton was slightly startled, his brows furrowed, but soon relaxed again.

Three months is three months.

It takes a month and a half from the Empire's mainland to Saint Ilburg!

WWW? tTkдn? Co

In comparison, it only takes a week from Saint Ilburg to here; the time and transport capacity saved are profitable no matter how you calculate it!

The quartermaster standing not far behind him twitched his brows.

Three months...

This time is not short!

The fastest time for the Empire to reorganize supply ships is three months... if they also need so much time to obtain food from Deadwood Port, then why did they come to build this port that has nothing to do with the interests of Saint Ilburg?

Of course, he had to admit that although General Hamilton took some detours to achieve his goal, their benefits were indeed not completely non-existent.

As Hamilton calculated, they could save a lot of transport ships and time costs for food supplies.

According to a rough estimate by the logistics department, this supply line from Saint Ilburg to Deadwood Port only needs 13 3,000-ton cargo ships.

And if it were purchased from the Empire's mainland, the number of sailing ships invested would be more than double, and the loss at sea would have to be taken into account, and the food at that time might not be much cheaper than it is now.

The most critical point is that if they can determine that Deadwood Port can move 20,000 tons of corn to the warehouse in the port area in three months, they don't have to bow their heads to the chambers of commerce on the Empire's mainland and the nobles behind them to seek help immediately.

Saint Ilburg's food reserves are enough to support until then.

Even if it is a bit reluctant.

The fist on his knee clenched unconsciously, Hamilton went through a battle between heaven and man, and finally made a decision.

He had a pretty good impression of this Prince who valued honor, whether it was the first impression or the way they had been getting along.

This gentleman always puts the interests of the Empire and the honor of his family first.

And such a person is worth his gamble!

Watching Kelin's eyes, he said seriously.

"I can understand that so many materials cannot be mobilized in one day. Three months is no problem, but are you sure... at the latest in three months, can we see 20,000 tons of corn in Deadwood Port? Whether it is for the Empire or for me, this is very important!"

Feeling the trust and seriousness in that gaze, Luo Yan also made a solemn expression, nodded and said.

"I can swear by my emblem and guarantee it with the reputation of the Kelin family."

"Three months is the deadline, you will definitely be able to see the food you need at the port of Deadwood Port..."

When he said this, he deliberately paused and continued in a tone that eased the atmosphere.

"By the way, in order to keep those corn from piling up in the open space, you might have to trouble yourself to build a few warehouses for the port of Deadwood Port... although I want to do this myself, you have also seen that the labor force in Deadwood Port is really stretched."

Hamilton was stunned when he heard this, and it took a long time for him to understand Prince Kelin's humor, and he laughed and said.

"This is easy to handle! Leave it to me!"

Luo Yan smiled slightly, raised the wine glass in his hand, and made a gesture of toasting.

"Then I wish us a happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

Completely unaware that he was trading with a demon, Hamilton drank the white wine in his glass in one gulp, while Luo Yan, sitting directly opposite him, took a light sip.

He didn't like the sour taste in this wine; the fine wine brewed by the Land of Nightmares using grapes from Thunder County was more to his taste.

Unlike him, who only used wine as a tool, Cici really had some research on wine.

After three rounds of drinking, the business was finished.

The people sitting at the table began to focus on dealing with the sumptuous lunch.

After the main course was consumed by more than half, the waiter pushing the dining car returned to the table again, serving the guests a platter of butter-fried seasonal vegetables and butter mashed potatoes roasted soft, glutinous, and fresh.

In Deadwood Port, where a bag of flour can be sold for six silver coins, these delicacies are enough to make the sailors who drink corn porridge with smoked fish cry with greed.

Watching this table full of hometown-flavored dishes, General Hamilton, who felt homesick, suddenly remembered one more thing, looked at Prince Kelin who put down his wine glass and said.

"By the way, Your Highness, there is one more thing..."

Luo Yan smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone.

"What is it?"

Hamilton smiled and said.

"Out of custom, when I reported my work to the rear, I also reported your affairs to the rear... Out of admiration for your loyalty, I took the liberty to use my connections in the naval system to investigate the Port Authority of the Shengcheng, and found that 500 years ago, a ship did indeed disappear on the route to North Tiaoke Port."

There were many merchant ships that disappeared five hundred years ago.

Unlike Titch, who was curling his toes, Luo Yan, who had seen the world, didn't take it seriously at all, just sipped the white wine calmly and asked with interest.

"Oh? What did you discover?"

Hamilton smiled embarrassedly, took out a letter with wax seal from his arms, and placed it gently on the table in front of him.

And his next sentence almost made Luo Yan spray out the wine in his mouth—

"I found your distant relative in the Shengcheng!"