Chapter 323: Wealth in the Deep Mountains Brings Distant Relatives

It really is true that wealth in the deep mountains brings distant relatives; even those without kin can conjure them up.

Looking at the envelope in his hand sealed with red wax, Luo Yan couldn't help but sigh with such a sentiment.

Without a doubt—

Hamorton had been played!

Luo Yan could guess with his eyes closed that it was one of two situations.

Either some noble who couldn't make it in the Imperial Shengcheng had managed to "connect" their usual tall tales with his own story, or some noble's ancestor hadn't drafted their genealogy properly and had tricked their own children into a limp.

In an empire with a thousand-year heritage, the sheer number of imperial descendants accumulated without a change of dynasty is immeasurable.

Especially since the title of Prince, unlike Duke, Count, or Baron, does not have a corresponding fief; any down-and-out noble who can claim even the slightest connection to the Emperor will use the title of Prince rather than hanging that pathetic barony or knighthood over their head.

And the reason Luo Yan chose to package himself as a Prince was precisely because he understood this historical background and was certain there were cracks to exploit.

In a small place like the Campbell Principality, tucked away near the Brass Pass, the title of Prince can enjoy royal courtesy without being exposed for an inability to justify the issue of a fief.

As long as he puts on enough of a show to bluff these local nobles without touching their fundamental interests, he is an undisputed Prince.

This is the same logic as impersonating an inspector from the Shengcheng to blackmail local officials with guilty consciences; he wasn't even playing the biggest game.

But even knowing General Hamorton had been played by an "acquaintance," Luo Yan couldn't expose that "distant relative" to his face.

After all—

This play had only just begun, and it had to continue.

Besides, this was a good thing.

How much could it cost to raise a few pigs?

"... Incredible. Our branch has been away from the country for over five hundred years; I never expected anyone in the Shengcheng to still remember us!"

Sighing with genuine emotion, Luo Yan opened the envelope in front of General Hamorton and took out the letter inside.

It was a personal letter written to him by Sir Edmond Dantès—

Out of curiosity, You You also leaned behind the Great Demon King and read along with him.

【Respected Prince Roxey Kelin:

When I learned of your news from the staff at the Shengcheng Port Authority, I was filled with immense joy; I wished I could fly to your side immediately!

Please forgive my lack of composure. When I presumptuously wrote this letter, my mood was both excited and apprehensive—after all, our two families have been separated for hundreds of years, and I never imagined that in my lifetime I would be able to reconnect with such a prominent figure as yourself.

My name is Edmond Dantès, 42 years old, and I am one of the last remaining descendants of the Dantès family.

I presume you may not have heard of a small, insignificant person like me, but I implore you to give me five minutes to briefly introduce my family and the historical ties between our two houses!

Five hundred years ago, Miss Marguerite of the Dantès family and the noble Prince Fernando Kelin were joined in matrimony. The two were deeply in love, a perfect match... and this marriage brought prosperity to both families; the Kelin family and the Dantès family were unrivaled in the Shengcheng at that time!

However, fate is always unpredictable. The respected Prince Kelin unfortunately encountered a shipwreck while crossing the Vast Ocean to open up territory for the Empire near the Kesen Port, and since then, there has been no news. Lady Marguerite was devastated, weeping day and night until the end of her days.

This shipwreck did not just leave behind an unfinished legend for the Kelin and Dantès families; it brought a massive tragedy to both.

You can imagine, how could a widow who had just lost her husband shortly after marriage face the wolves circling her?

At that time, Lady Marguerite was pregnant and gave birth to a son shortly after Prince Fernando Kelin went missing. Because the Kelin family was embroiled in internal strife over property rights, Lady Marguerite, to prevent herself and the only flesh and blood of Prince Fernando from being dragged into it, had to move away from the ancestral home, change back to her maiden name, name him Robert Dantès, and live in anonymity ever since.

Time flies, and five hundred years have passed. The behemoth of five hundred years ago has fallen apart, and the Kelin bloodline has scattered into several families in the Shengcheng. The Fernando line, however, only has the son born to Lady Marguerite remaining, continuing the ancient traditions of the main family.

In other words, our ancestors were brothers of the same father but different mothers!

For centuries, we have firmly believed that somewhere on the other side of the Vast Ocean, the noble blood of the Kelin family still flows... Saint Xisi above! Our piety and conviction were not misplaced; Prince Fernando Kelin is truly still alive! My mood is as if I have witnessed a miracle descend!

Noble Prince, thank you for reading this far!

Although I know my status is humble and I am unknown, knowing that the family bloodline still survives in this world brings me immense comfort.

I long for the opportunity to go to the New World to meet you, to tell you the story of our family in person, and I hope to reconnect the long-lost kinship, even if it is only a faint thread from afar.

Finally, thank you again for General Hamorton's generosity and kindness, which gave me the opportunity to offer you this greeting that is five hundred years late. Regardless of whether you are willing to acknowledge the blood connection between us, I wish you, Prince, good health and eternal family glory!

Your loyal and sincere distant cousin,

Sir Edmond Dantès.

Respectfully!】

】

"Was your ancestor named Fernando Kelin?" Seeing Luo Yan's gaze sweep to the last line, General Hamorton asked impatiently.

It was clear he really wanted this favor.

"... I'm not sure, General Hamorton. To be honest, the chaos my ancestors experienced is beyond what you can imagine."

Luo Yan pondered for a long time, ultimately not acknowledging it immediately, but giving an answer that could advance or retreat.

"In that era of extreme material scarcity, we could only carve limited information onto stones and masts, and we had to guard against the hostility of the Lizardmen, forcing us to migrate everywhere. As time passed... the original stones could no longer be found, and the masts had long since rotted into ashes. Much of what happened five hundred years ago has been lost."

"I hope with all my heart that the contents of this letter are true, but on the issue of bloodline, I must consider it cautiously."

Even though Luo Yan didn't think Hamorton had any need to test him at this juncture when the trade agreement had already been finalized, he still had to be loyal to his persona to avoid the General becoming suspicious later.

General Hamorton's expression was slightly disappointed, but he quickly expressed his understanding.

Three hundred years ago, Saint Yier Castle was still a desert island.

Expecting a poor soul stranded on a beach to pass down noble glory generation after generation was indeed too difficult.

Putting himself in their shoes, even if he encountered such a thing, he would have to fight with all his might just to survive; how could he care about those things?

"Indeed... the issue of bloodline must be considered cautiously. It was I who was too rash. Please do not take this letter to heart."

"How could I? I am very grateful that you are so concerned about my affairs."

Looking at the slightly disappointed Hamorton, Luo Yan smiled and continued in a joking tone.

"Moreover, some of the stories in this letter actually match what I know about my ancestors. Perhaps the first Kelin family member to land on this land was indeed named 'Fernando'? Or perhaps this was just one of his many names."

"In any case, I am interested in meeting that distant relative. If they are truly of the Kelin bloodline, I cannot leave them to fend for themselves. Besides, we also very much hope to complete the missing historical materials, which is a regret my father could not fulfill in his lifetime."

Hamorton's eyes lit up, and he immediately said.

"That's easy! I can help you invite that Sir Dantès over!"

Luo Yan shook his head gently.

"I'd better go over there myself... In a while, I plan to go to the Shengcheng, to step onto my homeland as a Prince, and hold a funeral for my father."

Pausing, he made a cross on his chest and continued.

"I will bury his honors and ashes in the cemetery of the Shengcheng; this was his lifelong wish. Now that the conditions are met, I hope his soul can rest in peace on the land he longed for day and night, and return to the embrace of Saint Xisi. Additionally, I have heard that the Empire's Shenxue Academy has profound attainments in the field of magic; if there is an opportunity, I myself would also like to visit there for academic exchange."

This was the persona he had fabricated from the beginning; taking such a trip could be considered rounding out the story, to avoid exposing flaws by dragging it out too long.

As for the timeline not matching up?

What a joke!

Aligning timelines and making excuses were things for historians to worry about; did he, someone who hadn't been buried yet, need to consider this?

If it were true, it would be considered his caution!

In an era with the internet, memories can be tampered with at will, let alone in this old era without the internet, where all the information everyone receives is not even as good as fragments.

If you lose, you're Gutaf, covered in shit.

And as long as he wins, there are naturally ten thousand ways to explain it!

After the banquet ended, General Hamorton bid farewell to Prince Kelin and left the fortress with his accompanying officers, satisfied, returning to the port of Deadwood Harbor.

It is worth mentioning that although he often came to Titch's place for meals during this time, he did not live at Titch's, but near the port under construction.

He didn't just build a house for Prince Kelin; he also built one for himself by acquiring land at the port through Titch.

Of course, in name, this property was one of the "offices" established by the Saint Yier Castle Logistics Department in Deadwood Harbor, belonging to the Imperial Navy and His Majesty the Emperor, only that he, as a General, enjoyed 24-hour usage rights.

After all, the Emperor didn't even step out of the palace gates, so it was impossible for him to come to this godforsaken place.

In General Hamorton's plan, the future Deadwood Harbor would be the logistics base for the Saint Yier Castle garrison and a vacation resort for officers.

The environment here was indeed good, with only a rainy season and a dry season, unlike the New World which was cold in winter and hot in summer.

He was very concerned about this grand plan, so he had always been building it as his own backyard...

Oh no, it should be said it was the Empire's backyard.

Not long after General Hamorton left, Titch finally relaxed his shoulders and leaned behind Luo Yan, saying with a wry smile.

"My lord... next time you have any plans, could you notify me in advance, at least let me have some psychological preparation."

This meal was probably the most uncomfortable one he had eaten this month, so much so that his stomach still ached faintly, as if cramping.

"Plans can't keep up with changes. I didn't know I would suddenly have a relative coming to recognize me in the Shengcheng."

Titch was stunned upon hearing this.

Didn't know?

He thought it was someone arranged by the Demon King himself...

"You mean... that guy is a fake?"

"Maybe, maybe not, who knows?" Luo Yan smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned, leaving only a thought-provoking remark, "When necessary, the fake can be real, and the real can be fake. Perhaps one day in the future, even if General Hamorton discovers he is making a deal with a demon, he will convince himself to turn a blind eye." Would it really be so?

That was the "Imperial Griffin," a General who had already become a legend!

Titch expressed doubt about this, but dared not question the respected Demon King, and could only nod in agreement, praising the Demon King's wisdom.

Perhaps General Hamorton still had a chance to get off the ship, but he had been completely tied to this pirate ship, sharing honor and disgrace with the Demon King.

Just as Lumier said, he was destined not to go to heaven, so he might as well find a good job in hell.

Perhaps hell was not as bad as the Empire advertised, just as the Empire was not as holy as it claimed.

Not taking Titch's flattery to heart, looking at this Baron who was saying things against his will, Luo Yan just ordered nonchalantly.

"You can prepare these few days. I will take you and Lumier to the Shengcheng."

Titch froze, instantly nervous.

"I... am I going too?"

Luo Yan said calmly.

"Didn't Lumier tell you long ago?"

This sounded very tempting indeed—

Titch swallowed his saliva.

"But what about Deadwood Harbor?"

Luo Yan said in a casual tone.

"Didn't you appoint a Viceroy? I've observed that Captain Kaiderson; he's a decent 'housekeeper'."

"But he is an outsider after all, I'm worried—" Titch's voice grew smaller and smaller, too embarrassed to say he was worried that guy would steal his gold coins.

It was fortunate he didn't say it, otherwise Luo Yan would definitely have kicked him in the ass.

"The first habit you need to break is worrying blindly about things that are not important at all, and then focus your attention on things that are truly important."

Luo Yan interrupted him and continued patiently.

"Our layout in Deadwood Harbor is already complete. The consensus established under the endorsement of multiple parties is not something a small Viceroy can influence. If he is smart enough, he will find his own value and position in this established consensus and become your most loyal supporter... just as you must and can only support me."

As long as the person is your own, what difference does it make whose hands the money is in?

Isn't that just a piggy bank?

Looking at the breathless Titch, Luo Yan smiled and patted his shoulder, continuing.

"Be happier, this is a great opportunity for 'returning home in glory'. No one will know you were once a pirate; they will only relish the story of a Baron who survived a disaster and the wealth he extracted from the colony... If I were you, I would use the time drifting on the sea to write a biography for myself; this might become your first pot of gold after going ashore."

As for the title, let's call it "The Strange Adventure of Imperial Baron Titch Kosia: Telling how he survived a shipwreck, drifted alone to the coast of the Gana Continent, lived for nearly ten years on the beach near the Sun Staircase Mountains, and finally how he was incredibly rescued by the Imperial Navy. Written by himself."

The abbreviation will be "Kosia's Drifting Chronicles".

Facing the slowly unfolding treasure map, Titch swallowed a mouthful of saliva with difficulty, swallowing along with it the reason that suppressed his madness, as well as the fear that made him shrink back.

The voice echoing in his ears carried a hint of seductive melody—

That voice was like a demon's whisper.

"Every penny and every piece of land that the servants of Saint Xisi cheated from your hands, your Demon King will take back for you."

"This is what I promised you."

For the rest of the day, Titch almost forgot how he spent it, with only one thought left in his head—

Perhaps he should seriously consider picking up the Kosia family genealogy again, and then seriously think about how to fill in the missing years.

Facing the stone wall of the fortress, sitting on a wooden stump, he suddenly blurted out a mutter from his mouth.

"Perhaps I should have a loyal Lizardman servant..."

Today seems to be Saturday, let's call him Saturday.

Just as he was conceiving the opening of his autobiography, rapid footsteps suddenly came from afar, and Captain Kaiderson ran over in a hurry.

"Baron, sir! Something terrible has happened!"

Titch didn't even lift his eyes, and said perfunctorily.

"What's wrong, Saturday, look at you being so anxious."

"Sat, Saturday?" Kaiderson was stunned for a long time, then said with a wry smile, "Sir, what time is it, do you still have the mood to joke?"

Titch smiled without saying a word.

If it's you, this grandson, who came, it means this matter definitely doesn't need to be rushed.

If General Hamorton or an Imperial messenger ran over, he might pay some attention.

By now, he finally understood why Lumier was always so calm.

This is called looking at problems from the height of a Demon King.

"Oh, then tell me, what's the matter."

Looking at the indifferent Titch, Kaiderson couldn't care about expressing dissatisfaction, and said at a rapid speed.

"It's those sailors and captains in Deadwood Harbor who don't work and eat for free! And the merchants stranded in the hotel! They were in an uproar when they heard about the secret agreement between Prince Kelin and General Hamorton, shouting why sell grain cheaply to the Empire, but let them endure flour at six silver coins a bag!"

Not working and eating for free must be slander; they paid a lot of money, otherwise they wouldn't react so intensely.

However... was that deal a secret agreement?

In Titch's impression, the Demon King didn't seem to avoid it at all, and said it directly in front of all the soldiers.

It's almost time for the tavern to open, so it's only natural that the news would spread.

There is only one explanation—

His Majesty the Demon King did it on purpose!

Titch is a person who learns and applies, and after mastering "Demonology", he immediately began to try to consider problems from the height of the Demon King, thinking seriously, trying to imitate Lumier to share the worries for the Demon King.

Kaiderson couldn't wait any longer, after all, those people had already surrounded his Viceroy's mansion, and if he waited any longer, they might rob his treasury!

"Let me see Prince Kelin!" He slapped his thigh and said anxiously, "I must report to him personally!"

Looking at this crazy guy, Titch hurriedly reached out to stop him and scolded.

"Are you not awake? That lord has no time to see you. If you can't even handle this little thing, there's no need for you and me to exist here."

Kaiderson's expression stiffened, and after a while, he finally calmed down and said tremblingly.

"Then what should I do... find General Hamorton?"

He was just a captain working for a chamber of commerce after all, in other words, a high-level leek of the Empire, not mature enough politically, and when encountering problems, he listed names like listing dishes.

Titch smiled and said calmly.

"Don't need to find anyone, this is your business."

Without waiting for Kaiderson to ask, he continued.

"I'll teach you a trick. Go back and tell those people, just say... Prince Kelin traveled day and night to Assam City to negotiate a trade agreement with the Lizardman Kingdom for them, and hasn't eaten a hot meal in two weeks, but they don't sympathize with the Prince who saved them from the shipwreck at all. Lord Saint Xisi is watching from heaven, and those who are ungrateful will go to hell."

First, you must occupy the moral high ground.

Looking at Kaiderson who seemed to have realized something, Titch continued unhurriedly.

"Then you tell them again that the rumors are inaccurate. The grain Prince Kelin sold to General Hamorton is not a secret agreement, but to fill the gap in the Empire's logistics supplies, for the benefit of the Empire... and it's not cheap either, thirty silver coins a ton."

This... isn't this called cheap?

Kaiderson was stunned, just about to ask, but Titch raised his hand to stop his speech and continued.

"Finally, tell those troublemakers that this grain will be delivered in three months, not appearing in the port immediately. Instead of complaining meaninglessly here, it's better to help the Empire's construction team build roads. Not only will they be fed three meals a day, but it will also make the grain delivery faster."

If you don't have money, contribute labor. This is the consistent policy of the Deadwood Harbor Viceroy's mansion. They have no obligation to support these idlers.

In this way, the sailors' problem is solved. Those captains and merchants alone can't accomplish anything.

Of course.

The Demon King is merciful and won't settle accounts with them just because their voices are a bit loud. Their problems will also be solved.

Titch learned the train of thought of that lord, looked at Kaiderson whose eyes were getting brighter and brighter, and said.

"In addition, if they are interested in corn at thirty silver coins a ton, of course they can also buy it from the Deadwood Harbor Viceroy's mansion. The merciful Prince Kelin will sell it to them equally."

"It's just that the delivery time is the same as the Empire's, which will be in three months."

"And you have to pay first." ===== CHAPTER 324 =====