In a tavern not far from Hathaway, the shopkeeper of the inn where Hathaway was staying was standing respectfully behind an old man's side, and the two were standing behind a box window, observing Hathaway standing there.

"That sorceress is the one you said was sent by His Majesty the Emperor?"

The old man asked with some suspicion. He didn't doubt Hathaway's identity as a magician, but he was quite suspicious of the identity of the Emperor's secret envoy, after all, she was too young.

"Yes."

The shopkeeper's expression became more and more respectful, "Although they are not very old, the words and deeds that come out of the table are completely in line with aristocratic etiquette. ”

"You're still a little too reckless."

The old man shook his head: "That companion of hers has already alarmed a large group of people, but there is a tacit understanding between us, and no one intends to meddle in this matter, which is not of much interest to us." Moreover, the idea of hoarding food is not their patent, some people have already started to do it, and by the autumn it will definitely become a sugar craze. What benefits did those two people promise you? ”

"The proprietor, they said that after the matter is completed, they will present my name to His Majesty the Emperor and allow a reward." The shopkeeper replied at once, but he didn't say anything else.

"Reward? Are you short of money? The old man smiled mockingly.

"Proprietor, is that telling those agents who have something to do with the underground race?" The shopkeeper asked tentatively.

The old man immediately showed an impatient expression: "We have always been a human race, and we can make slight changes for the benefit of a certain range. But you can't cross the line. And we should not offend the royal family. As businessmen, we must be mindful of our neutrality, understand? ”

"Yes, the owner." The shopkeeper respectfully agreed, believing in the foresight of the owner, but he was still eager for the benefits that Hathaway had promised.

"Well, but since I've found you, don't turn a deaf ear, you can introduce a few firms. Remember. Only grain is involved. There are no underground races involved. "The old man thought for a moment and said again.

"Understood." The shopkeeper agreed again and again.

In a city on the edge of the empire, such as Mountain City, you have to deal with brutal city guards, rude mercenaries, and cunning merchants every day...... Dealing with all kinds of people. If you don't have a tangram heart. Do business in this city. It's just going to be fat in other people's mouths - even if there is a backstage, it won't work.

Originally, the innkeeper was very interested in Hathaway and Leonardo. Beirut's identity was also suspicious, but after Hathaway gave him a piece of paper, this suspicion was dispelled. He looked at the inscription almost in a pilgrimage manner.

Hathaway is not a saint, and she does not consider herself a savior who saves those refugees. Before leaving for Heidelberg, she worked with Petro. Hughes and others negotiated a set of plans. To go to Heidelberg was to ask for the consent of His Majesty the Emperor to obtain the sword above, but not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of the Empire...... Well, to put it in layman's terms, she just reached out to the old emperor to ask for benefits.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and she has almost managed the Cordillera territory, although there are still some hidden worries, but it is much better than the previous situation. In particular, this time the refugees were taken in, and they made a great contribution to the empire. On top of that, Hathaway had few financial claims, and even the services of the navy were exchanged for high-quality wheat seeds, so she deserved to ask for some benefits for herself—such as some materials on magical cultivation, as well as the proof required to ensure the smooth operation and some blank knighthood letters.

In ancient China, many successful businessmen hoped to gain official status after making a fortune. They were unable to obtain an official title through a scientific examination. However, it is possible to obtain an official title through guò donations, wealth, etc. However, usually such officials are honorable, and are intended to raise the rank of the family, or to avoid some tax servitude and the like. And in the world of Titans, the same is true. It doesn't hurt for a knight to do business. But it is difficult for a businessman to get a knighthood. Because the rank of merchants in this society is very low, it is difficult to buy social status no matter how rich they are.

The innkeeper still clearly remembered that Rogman, one of the six major trading houses in the city, was given the title of knight for his strong support for the procurement of military supplies by the Imperial Military Department. At that time, in order to review Rogman's qualifications, more than a dozen officials came from Heidelberg, and they almost collapsed Rogman, so that the matter was done and he got this paper. Then Rogman had a big banquet to celebrate the event. Even his own owner is disdainful, but the innkeeper knows that the owner is still very envious in his heart...... Merchants, with a title of nobility, even if it is just a lowly-level knighthood, the status is different.

In fact, in the city of Vannal, there are many people who envy Rogman, but there are not many who can get the corresponding opportunities, and the title of the empire will not be granted lightly, even if it is the descendants of nobles, there are many who have not inherited the title, let alone those ordinary merchants?

Because of this, the innkeeper began to suffer from gains and losses...... If Hathaway made a verbal promise, or bribed him with a large amount of fishing. I'm afraid he would have refused a long time ago. Because the chamber of commerce he works for has strong financial resources, not to mention the income after retirement in the future, even if he has a net worth now, it is enough to enjoy the rest of his life, and he does not have to bear any risks at all. But the knighthood ...... If this qiē is true, then his choice is beyond doubt.

With a choice, the rest is simple, and the innkeeper is very dedicated to Hathaway and Leonardo. Beirut brought in several grain merchants and rented a warehouse for them. However, when it comes to underground races, Hathaway and Leonardo. Beirut frowned.

In Vannar City alone, more than half of the seven major chambers of commerce maintain tendentious trade with the underground races, and they sell strategic materials that are prohibited by the Empire...... This trade alone has brought them rich benefits.

Hathaway had already guessed that this would happen, but she didn't expect it to be so strict, Leonardo. Beirut thinks about the entire empire, while Hathaway thinks about how strict the situation with the Cordillera will be?

"In your opinion, what about the situation in other border cities?" Leonardo. Beirut asked with a solemn expression. (To be continued......)