Chapter 3905: Mr. Finch

"Cousin?"

Xia De thought of the excuse Bella had used in Moon Bay last year, but Feilian shook her head:

"That won't work. I said that because of our family's hereditary blood disease, the population is very small, so a relative suddenly appearing would be very suspicious. As for my mother's side, no relatives have appeared for many years, so if you were a relative on my mother's side, it would also be very suspicious."

She produced an impeccable excuse:

"However, I'm not the kind of girl who would take advantage of such an opportunity to casually take advantage of others verbally. So your identity is my pen pal, and you also have some business dealings with my family. You are in the red wine business in Willowdale. Recently, you want to buy property locally, so you found Old Mr. Leibori, and therefore must obtain three books."

This identity is very suitable. Xia De nodded:

"No problem. But in this way, do I still have to call you by your name directly in a while?"

"Of course, otherwise it won't show that our relationship is very good. If our relationship wasn't good, why would I accompany you here in person even though I'm ill?"

The maid who was silent behind her only felt that her master's methods were so clever. Before this, no man had ever been able to call her name directly.

When Xia De and the witch arrived at the talk room, it was 1:55, and Professor Thorn and his friend were already waiting here.

Professor Thorn's friend was also a white-bearded old gentleman who called himself "Mr. Finch." He was sturdy, but not very tall. Judging by his temperament, he should also be a scholar or inventor working in a school or research institute.

Both old gentlemen were locals and naturally knew Feilian Astley's identity. They were very surprised that she actually came in person, and the process of Xia De and Professor Thorn negotiating the trade of the 1688 edition of the "Illustrated Book of Rare Plants in the Southern Continent" did not have any problems.

Feilian had prepared two trading plans in advance, one was to buy it directly with money, and the other was to exchange it with other precious books. Professor Thorn chose the latter directly, so perhaps his economic situation wasn't as bad as the outside world imagined.

The duration of this meeting wasn't long, and both sides achieved their goals, so they were naturally very happy. Feilian had originally thought it would take at least an hour here, but in less than half an hour, Xia De had communicated everything with Professor Thorn.

Upon hearing that Xia De wanted the illustrated book for the "Blue Ink Library," Professor Thorn, who knew the story of that library, kindly reminded Xia De that Baron Ramsey, the local deputy mayor who possessed the original design manuscript of the 【Mark I Steam Engine】, was not an easy person to talk to:

"He regards that original design manuscript as his most precious collection and has told his collector friends many times that he wants to pass that manuscript down as a family heirloom. Although you have Miss Astley's help, I don't think Baron Ramsey will easily let go."

Two of the three manuscripts had been successfully obtained. Xia De had long been prepared for trouble with the last one. After all, he couldn't have everything go his way:

"But no matter what, I have to try, and maybe Baron Ramsey will hit it off with me."

Both sides exchanged a few more pleasantries, and the maid gave the briefcase containing the precious book manuscripts to Professor Thorn, while Professor Thorn took Xia De to the front desk office area of the Candlekeep Library to complete the handover procedures for the 1688 edition of the "Illustrated Book of Rare Plants in the Southern Continent."

The handover procedure was handled by the library director himself, who was a middle-aged man who looked very shrewd, but was just an ordinary person.

Because the plant illustrations in the illustrated book were drawn with the size of real plants as a reference, even the trees were only reduced to a certain extent in proportion, so the book was really as big as a door panel.

Professor Thorn's friend, Mr. Finch, seemed to have quite a lot of prestige in this Candlekeep Library. He also talked to the library director for a few words, and then arranged for someone to send the book directly to the Fragrant Mansion. Xia De expressed his gratitude for this, and after this transaction was completed, he invited this 11th-ring old gentleman to have a separate chat.

"Feilian, go to the library lounge and wait for me, okay? If you feel uncomfortable, you can go back first. I'll chat with Mr. Javier Finch for a few more words."

"I'll go to the lounge with the maid and wait for you."

Feilian said, without asking Xia De what he was going to do. As for Professor Thorn, he had already carried the old book manuscripts traded for and went to the reading room, looking like he couldn't wait to flip through them.

Xia De then returned to the talk room with Mr. Finch. After confirming that the door was closed, Xia De raised his hand to summon starlight and drew the emblem of the 【Light-Guiding Yinxiu Society】 between the two, then introduced himself:

"John Watson—introduced by Old John from Tobesk."

He said and took out the letter of introduction Old John wrote this morning. Old John knew that Xia De could run around at will, so there was no date on the letter of introduction.

"Mr. Finch, I originally planned to visit you at the 'Finch Gear Workshop' in the outer city, but I didn't expect to meet you here."

The real identity of this Mr. Finch is a factory owner and inventor in the outer city. Old John didn't say more detailed things, but it seemed that his real identity shouldn't be that simple.

The 11th-ring old gentleman took the letter from Old John, read it carefully, and then looked at Xia De curiously:

"John and I don't see each other often, but we had a very good relationship when we were young. Young man, what did you do to make him willing to help you like this? In the letter, he almost directly gave you titles like 'Outstanding Youth of the Era.' How much money did John charge you?"

"This deal is free."

Xia De said, and Mr. Finch was amazed, folded the letter, and put it away:

"If it's free, then I have to raise your importance in his eyes again. Good afternoon, young man, welcome to Arcadia City."

"He said you are our friend. It seems you have provided great help in our cause. Then I won't probe into your privacy. Since John has spoken, I will help you."

"Thank you very much, but in this way, is the Yinxiu Society also a member of the 'Candlekeep Society'?"

Xia De confirmed, and Mr. Finch answered:

"Of course. In fact, the Yinxiu Society is one of the founding members of the 'Candlekeep Society.' We have always been committed to collecting and preserving the achievements of civilization, and books are the most important carriers of civilization. Although the Candlekeep Society has developed to this day, we no longer occupy a dominant position in it, but our influence on the Candlekeep Library is much greater than that of the Astley family—even if the Astley family is a branch descendant of the Delin-Oll royal family."

"Hmm?"

Xia De raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask much. The Delin-Oll Kingdom had long since perished, and even as descendants of the former royal family, they didn't have much value in the current era.

"When I was in Tobesk, I was also introduced to several ordinary Yinxiu Society scholars by Old John. Professor Thorn, who has been collecting plant seeds for the past few years, wouldn't be... I don't mean to pry into secrets."

Mr. Finch, sitting across the table, shook his head:

"It doesn't matter. Old John said you know the organization's affairs very well. I admit that Thorn is indeed one of us, responsible for collecting plant seeds. Alright, young man, let's get back to business. What do you want to do by finding me?"

Xia De stopped chatting:

"I want to obtain some 【Active Metal】. Old John said you might have some."

"I see..."

The old gentleman thought for a while:

"This is really a small problem... I can't give you an answer immediately now."

"How about this: if you have time recently, you can go directly to the Finch Gear Workshop in the outer city to find me. If I'm not there, you can go to the 'Mechanical Tower' in the upper city. The latter is a shop and exhibition hall specializing in selling various useless but expensive mechanical equipment to nobles."

"Those rich and idle nobles, if they don't get involved in bad habits, can only make their boring lives interesting through various fresh things."

"During your stay locally, if you have other things, you can also come to find me. I am very happy to provide you with help. Of course, if you have time, tell me about John. He has been in charge of the Yinxiu Society's major projects in Tobesk for the past few years. I don't know how he is doing recently."

Xia De nodded in agreement, shook hands with Mr. Finch, and then they left separately. He thought that since he might be active locally for a long time, it would be good to deepen his relationship with such local figures.

And after he reunited with Feilian, on the carriage back, Feilian talked to Xia De about Mr. Finch's identity:

"I didn't recognize it at first. Javier Finch is a very famous inventor locally. Although his nominal identity is just a factory owner, his prestige among inventors is very high. A few years ago, it was even rumored that the Karsenrick Royal Academy of Sciences wanted to give him a special appointment letter~ Do you know him?"

Xia De didn't reveal other people's privacy at will:

"I got to know him through a friend from out of town. That old gentleman has what I need."

"So he is a Ringed Shushi? Speaking of which, Professor Thorn's friend in the 'Candlekeep Society' is him, right?"

Feilian guessed everything at once. Seeing Xia De blink, she smiled again:

"Don't worry, cough, cough, I'll just pretend I don't know anything. I just feel that even if you didn't know me, it wouldn't be long before you could make a name for yourself in this Scholar City."

"For someone like me, fame is really the least valuable thing... Two of the three manuscripts have been obtained. Tomorrow night, I will be able to see Baron Ramsey when I go to the banquet with you. Things are going even more smoothly than I thought."

Xia De smiled, and the witch secretly watched:

"The Baron is indeed not an easy person to talk to. However, since you want that manuscript, I will definitely help you."

"Actually, there's no need to be too serious. After all, there are already many things I need to do locally now. Let's take it one step at a time. Maybe I will spend the entire spring of 1855 in this city."

Feilian Astley tried hard not to laugh. ===== CHAPTER 3906 =====