Chapter 1467: The Debt Collector

"Dike." Nashadier did not sit down, but instead stood at the doorway.

Looking at Dike, who was sitting brazenly in the seat of honor inside, this Spokesperson of Egypt, now an ally of Longyan.

"Nashadier, it's not bad here; it's a real pity you have to move out." Dike wore a smile, looking at Nashadier in a very provocative manner.

The corners of Nashadier's eyes twitched, but he was not provoked.

Dike's grandstanding was merely to assert sovereignty over this city, telling Nashadier that this city would belong to him in the future.

To make Nashadier behave himself and stop jumping around.

Dike looked at Nashadier's expression, which showed neither anger nor joy, and laughed: "Sit down. We are allies now; we should work together."

Nashadier ignored him.

Long before this, regarding the issue of the Suez Canal, Britain and he, Nashadier, had been in a long-term standoff.

Their relationship was not harmonious to begin with, but what Dike feared was the Longyan, not him, Nashadier.

Dike would not give Nashadier any face on any occasion.

Instead, Nashadier took a seat on Dike's left side.

Dike raised an eyebrow, looking at Nashadier sitting beside him, his expression sinking slightly.

Sitting beside him meant that Nashadier was on equal footing with him, not to mention sitting on the left.

In the ancient customs of Longyan, the left is superior and the right is inferior.

This was telling Dike that, for now, he was still the one who called the shots in this city.

Dike remained calm, merely taking a sip of tea indifferently.

The atmosphere in the room was very cold.

The two did not speak to each other; Dike was waiting for something.

This silent environment did not last long before it was broken by the voice of a servant.

"Lord Dike, there are three people outside asking to see you, saying you summoned them."

Dike lowered his eyes, the corners of his mouth rising involuntarily, and said indifferently: "Let them in."

Dike turned his head, looked at the composed Dike, smiled, and said indifferently: "These three people are said to be the greatest power in this city."

"Subdue them, and you possess this city."

"However, I heard that no one can subdue these three people right now. One relies on the Noble to control power and money, one is an alliance formed by retired French soldiers who control military power, and one is the Militia Union that controls the lower-class society here."

"These three control every aspect of this city."

Dike looked at Nashadier with a hint of provocation and asked: "I don't know, brother, have you subdued them?"

"I paid a great price to subdue them," Dike said contemptuously.

He had indeed paid a lot in interest-based transactions to subdue these three forces.

Moreover, the money these interests could generate was an astronomical figure; Dike's purpose in doing this was to bind his own warship to these three organizations.

To tell Longyan, to tell Nashadier, and to announce his control over this city.

Although this city was an important port city of France, the only use for Britain after occupying it was to provide a port for landing on the Mediterranean coast.

In this way, the British navy could directly threaten countries in the heart of Europe from the Mediterranean, which had strong strategic significance.

The local bullies here had to be won over.

At least in the initial stage of the successful trade with Longyan, Britain still needed this person to maintain this city.

To maintain his own rule.

Dike thought carefully; he had gone to great pains to subdue these three people.

Not to mention spending a lot of effort, he had even made many promises, and even hinted to the Egyptian Noble here that if they supported him, it was very possible for them to become the King of Egypt in the future.

Dike knew well that what these people could not let go of most was power, so he told them that power was something Britain could

bestow.

As for those retired French soldier-thugs, they were actually local Egyptians, but after getting French weapons in their hands, they were relatively puffed up.

For these people, Dike used both kindness and force.

He rewarded them with money and women.

But he also warned them, telling them of Britain's might.

And as for those common masses in this port city, the bottom of this society, what Dike thought was that these were the labor force.

Only by stabilizing these people could they create huge profits for Britain.

But for these people, Dike used the simplest, most worthless thing—promises.

He promised the Militia Union equality, promised the Militia Union money, and promised that everyone who worked for Britain would gain a higher status and a better class.

For the Egyptian commoners still under Serfdom, this was undoubtedly fatal.

But Dike only made these promises as verbal agreements; as for paying anything, he did not!

The heads of these three forces would surely show him the utmost respect; Dike had even imagined that scene.

Dike had the victory in his grasp and looked at Nashadier triumphantly.

Nashadier looked at him indifferently and did not speak.

Dike chuckled, assuming in his heart that Nashadier had nothing to say.

At this moment, those three people walked in and stepped forward.

Looking at the two people sitting in the seats of honor.

These three people, without a second thought, bowed three times to Nashadier, who was sitting on the left.

"Master, you have come."

Dike was overjoyed, his face full of joy, and he looked at Nashadier without hiding his provocative intent.

As if to say, see that? These leaders of the port city have already surrendered to the deterrence of our Britain.

Nashadier glanced at him and remained silent.

"Everyone, please rise; there is no need to be so courteous," Dike said with an imposing air.

The three people looked up for a glance, then with lightning speed, they violently lowered their heads, and even lower than before...

Dike was slightly stunned; they must have been frightened by his current aura.

Dike coughed twice to restrain himself slightly, walked forward, and supported the three of them, acting like a leader who values talent: "You are all the future pillars of our Britain; there is no need to be so nervous."

The three people looked up at Dike and asked indifferently: "Who are you?"

Dike's expression stiffened slightly, and his brows furrowed tightly.

At this moment, Nashadier stood up and walked over; the three people's attitudes became even more humble, their faces full of fawning: "Master, what are your orders?"

Nashadier did not even look at the three of them and walked away directly.

Dike was petrified on the spot, feeling as if a bolt of lightning had struck him hard from above his head.

His entire person lost the ability to move, and his mind went blank.

At this time, a breeze seemed to blow by, but it could not blow away the awkward scene Dike was in.

From his perspective now, everything he had just done was a joke in Nashadier's eyes.

Thinking of this, Dike wished he could die on the spot.

He had been showing off and posturing in front of his mortal enemy Nashadier; now it seemed he was nothing but a clown in the eyes of others, not worth mentioning!