In the city of Bona, a fortress on the western border of the province of Saône, a heavy snowfall a few days ago covered an area of dozens of square miles with a snow-white coat and a cold wind.

More than a month ago, the soldiers of the Welsh Legion, under the personal supervision of the Legion Commander Art, were still in a tense confrontation with the Duchy army. After the forces reached a settlement in Dijon, the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, the two sides withdrew their troops and returned to their camps. As a result, another scourge of war was averted.

According to Arte's previous deployment, after the war, Odo, the deputy commander of the Welsh Legion, selected 50 officers and soldiers to stay in Beaune City, and recruited a 500-strong Western Garrison Corps with these battle-hardened veterans as the core. The supply and armament were the responsibility of the Besançon court.

Angus will lead the rest of the Welsh Legion south to the Saône, cross the border of the Saône to the city of Kodor, and join up with the remaining troops of the Wells Regiment originally stationed in the city of Kodor. Together, they traveled to Fort Marssy, now part of the direct territory of Art, to join the army that had been garrisoned. At that time, most of the garrison of Fort Marsey followed the large force back to the valley. Thirty men were left behind, and on this basis a standing army of one hundred and fifty men was formed, which was responsible for the defense and security of the city of Fort Marci.

This was planned, but the plan to return home was put on hold due to a heavy snowfall a few days ago, and most of the Welsh regiment had to wait until the weather improved and the snow melted.

After months of fighting, the soldiers were physically and mentally exhausted. Now, the war is finally over, and everyone is idle.

In their free time after the war, many soldiers wandered around the large and small shops in the city of Beaune with some of the military rewards they had just received a few days earlier, hoping to buy some leather goods and bacon for their families in the valley. After many days of fighting, the family in the valley became an important source of strength to support them. And, of course, the high salaries and bounties of the Welsh Legion.

The lone soldiers wandered in groups from the Moulin Rouge and taverns all over the city to comfort their tired bodies and empty minds after months of fighting.

Because they were in a period of recuperation, the soldiers were relatively free. Welsh legionnaires were often seen on the streets, and the city's inhabitants were not very disgusted by these paid soldiers. Now that the war is over, the lord of Beaune City has long since changed its appearance, belonging to a new frontier earl, whose territory is far away in the remote valley to the south of the prince.

For the inhabitants of Beaune, it didn't matter who ruled the land. What they seek is a peaceful and peaceful life.

As early as the beginning of Art's acquisition of the city of Beauna, a series of proclamations were issued in the name of the lord of Beauna. It is stipulated that the garrison troops shall not disturb the people, shall not oppress the weak, and shall not burn, kill, and loot...... Once the military law is violated, the military salary will be confiscated at the least, and the head will fall to the ground at the worst.

So far, there have been no such incidents in the city. This is due not only to the serious and efficient military law system of the Welsh Legion, but also to the sense of discipline of the Welsh Legionnaires. Unlike other mercenaries and peasant soldiers, the Welsh legionnaires were paid high wartime salaries, and some of the loot they captured could be put into their own pockets. Therefore, any soldier with a little brain will not risk his life, and the slightly larger goods dare not hide them privately, so maybe the goods they loot are not worth a month's salary, and it is really not worth risking their lives and future.

…………

It's late December.

The snow around Beaune has begun to melt in the sunlight, and a road from north to south has gradually become clear, winding like a black ribbon across the vast plain.

After a few days of waiting, the soldiers of the Welsh Regiment returning south were already a little overwhelmed and homesick.

Seeing that it is approaching the end of the year, if we don't take advantage of the clear weather to pull out the camp, when the temperature is getting lower and lower, it will be even more difficult for the army to move.

After consulting with Odo, Angus decided to take the opportunity to leave Bonacheng and try to return to the valley before the New Year, so that the soldiers could be reunited with their families as soon as possible.

On the third Sunday of December, after careful planning and arrangement, most of the Welsh regiment marched east out of Beaune under the leadership of Legion Deputy Angus. Follow the trade route to the Saône and then head south back to the valley.

The group walked on the trade road where the snow had just melted, and it was muddy. As the snow melts, the temperature drops rapidly. Fortunately, the soldiers received winter clothes in advance, which were enough to withstand the biting cold wind that was whirring.

Even though the weather was cold and the wind was raging, everyone still had a smile on their faces. The thought of seeing his family in the valley soon, a warm feeling rose in my heart~

As the army marched south, there were some special trophies, which filled five wagons. When passing through muddy roads, it is inevitable that the wheels will sink deeply. Whenever the soldiers were pushing the cart, they could always hear the sound of metal clashing in the locked wooden boxes on the wagon......

…………

By the time most of the Welsh Legion was heading south back to the valley, the fifty wagons of the Continental Merchant House under Art's name were less than a day's journey from Besançon. This time, in addition to the grain and grass for the royal court, the caravan also purchased a large number of southern goods from Provence and Lombardy, which were urgently needed in the north.

With the end of the battle for the successor, the business of the Hou Kingdom also began to show signs of recovery. The trading houses in the major central cities of the north urgently needed a stable supply of goods from the south to provide their shops in the cities with goods for sale.

Previously, due to the war, many caravans supplying major trading houses were either killed or fled, resulting in the dilemma of shops in various places facing no goods to sell. If it weren't for the European trading houses that transported grain and grass for the palace to supply the major trading houses, I am afraid that half of the trading houses in the Hou Kingdom would have gone bankrupt and closed down by now.

Half a month ago, as soon as the 20 truckloads of southern goods transported to Besançon by the European Commercial Bank arrived at the city gate, the heads of the major commercial houses hurriedly led people to surround them and demanded that they buy them at a high price. If it weren't for Salt, the head of the Hou State Chamber of Commerce, it is estimated that those southern goods would have been looted long ago. In addition to the southern goods ordered specifically for the palace, the price of the southern goods has increased several times, allowing the European Commercial Bank to obtain a net profit of more than 200,000 fennigs.

At this time, the European Continental Commercial Bank has leapt from an inconspicuous small commercial house to the largest and strongest commercial bank in the Hou Kingdom. In addition to the name of the palace charter firm, it is also related to the fact that the European merchant house monopolized the entire southern goods trade in the entire succession war.

Taking advantage of the favorable winds of the war, the European Continental Merchant Company not only provided food, grass, baggage, weapons and armor to the Liberation Army, but also provided essential daily necessities to Besançon and other places where supplies were scarce. made a lot of money from it.

With the end of the war and the revival of the Hou Kingdom's commerce, the role of the European trading houses became more and more important. More and more gold coins are entering Art's pocket.

As far as the eye can see, the fifty horse-drawn carriages passing through the trade road are quite spectacular. In addition to a coachman, each carriage was staffed by two retinues of miscellaneous servants. The accompanying caravan guards were as high as more than 150 people, all of whom were well-armed. If they hadn't followed the caravan, they would have been seen as a formidable army. Along the way, no bandits dared to approach the caravan, and they would hide far away when they saw this large group of men and horses. In addition to the fear of the large number of guards, more importantly, these things belong to the new Earl of the Frontier who made a name for himself in the First World War, Art. Wood. Wells.

"Hurry up and keep up, be sure to rush to the manor in front before dark~"

It was getting dark, and the head of the caravan, who was walking in the middle of the procession on horseback, commanded the group in a loud voice.

"Lord Salt, the value of the southern goods we transported this time is much more expensive than the last time, and we will definitely increase the profit by 20% on the basis of the last time~"

One of the stewards who followed the caravan leader spoke with a hint of excitement.

With the increase in the profits of the trading houses, everyone from the heads of the trading houses to the coachmen and handymen can get a lot of money from them. This is Art's manipulation technique.

"Alright, stop talking nonsense, hurry up and call the people behind to follow!"

With that, Salter rode to the front of the group.

…………

In the evening of the second day, the caravan carrying grain, grass, baggage, and southern goods finally arrived at a large warehouse in the city of Besançon.

This is the distribution center of the European comptoir in Besançon. After the arrival of all the southern goods, they will be counted in the warehouse first, and then the major commercial houses will be notified to send people to come and retrieve them. Grain, grass, baggage and other items belonging to the palace are sent to the warehouse belonging to the palace for storage.

After arranging the inventory and warehousing of the southern goods, Salter didn't even have time to take a sip of water and rode towards the south of the city accompanied by two guards~

…………

"Sarter, you're here, sit down."

"Thank you, sir~"

In the south of Besançon, in the residence of the military lieutenant of the court, after Sal was seated, the servant brought the wine that had been prepared.

"How many southern goods did you bring from Provence this time?"

Art asked with a smile as he put down the silver wine glass he had just taken a sip.

Salter glanced at the servant next to him, and then at Art. Silent.

"You stand down first, don't come in without my orders."

"Yes, Lord Count."

The servant turned and slowly retreated.

"My lord," Salter leaned closer to Art, "this time the caravan has purchased thirty truckloads of southern goods, and I have roughly estimated that in addition to the cost and the salary of the coachman's miscellaneous servants and guards, we can make a net profit of 300,000 pfennig~"

Salter was so smiling that he almost burst out laughing.

"Three hundred thousand?"

Art was taken aback. In just a few months, the European Continental Commercial Bank under his name can only basically maintain no loss at the beginning, and now it has made a net profit of 300,000 pfennigh in one trip. This really made him a little incredulous.

"That's right, my lord, 300,000."

Again, Salter stressed.

"Now the business of the Hou Kingdom is beginning to show signs of revival, and there is a shortage of southern goods. At present, apart from the European Continental Commercial Firm, there is no second one that operates the southern goods trade. As a result, the price of southern goods has increased several times. Even so, the southern goods transported by the caravan to Besançon were snapped up early the next morning by the large and small trading houses in the city. ”

Yate was overjoyed, and after many years of running his own business, the European Comptoir has finally become a cash cow.

"Your Excellency?"

Seeing that Art didn't react, Salter shouted softly.

"Go on."

"My lord, I think that while the commerce of the Hou Kingdom is gradually revival, the scale of the caravan should be expanded. At the same time, we will swallow up other weak caravans in one fell swoop, and completely control the southern goods trade in our hands. Once you succeed, you will become the richest person in the entire Hou Kingdom~"

Salter tells Art his thoughts on the current situation, his eyes fixed on Art.

Art looked at the former down-and-out merchant in front of him. Since Salter followed him, he has been instrumental in transforming the European Merchant House from a small caravan with only a few carriages to the largest merchant house in the Hou Kingdom today. If the current momentum of the European Comptoir continues, Art will not worry about the huge amount of money that will be spent to feed the gold-swallowing behemoth of the Wells Legion.

Once the European Continental Commercial Bank controls the economic lifeline of the Hou State, its position will definitely rise~

"Alright, Salt, just do as you say. The cost of expanding the caravan is to be taken from the profits made by the merchant house at present, and this is left to you. When it is done, I have a great reward. ”

"Thank you, sir!"

Salter was so excited that he quickly got up and thanked him.

"Sit down and talk."

"Yes, sir."

"There's another thing that called you this time."

"Your Excellency, please."

"A few days ago I asked the court for a large number of farm implements and grain, and you will bring them back to the valley and give them to Cooper on your journey south to Provence. I have written back to the valley and he knows what to do. ”

"Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely send this batch of supplies to the valley safely."

Art nodded and continued.

"Besides, don't bring other goods to Provence to trade with you when you go south this time. Purchase some materials that are urgently needed for the future construction of the valley, which will be used in the future when gradually expanding to the south. ”

"My lord, I understand~"

…………

On the second day, Art went with Salter to inspect the warehouse of the European Comptoir in Besançon, and after rewarding the men of the comptoir, he took Ron and a few accompanying escorts to the Moulin Rouge~

"Oh, this lord, it's been a long time since I've seen you here, please come in. The girls can wait for a few masters inside~"

The Moulin Rouge in Besançon, the place where business became more and more popular after the end of the war. The open-breasted woman at the door kept greeting the guests who came in and out.

As business grew, Emory bought two properties in the vicinity, more than doubling the size of the Moulin Rouge. Even so, it is still impossible to meet the needs of customers who come to have fun every day, and it is often difficult to find a room.

Amory, who was standing at the door to greet the guests, saw Art and the others coming from the crowd from afar, and hurriedly greeted them.

"Your Excellency, you're here."

Emory bowed.

"Inside."

"Yes, sir."

Immediately, the group came to a secret room on the second floor near the backyard. A few guards behind him stood guard at the door.

"My lord, if you have any instructions, you can just send someone to inform you, why do you still run there yourself?"

Emory spoke as he poured wine for Art.

"I came this time to personally ask how the things I told you last time were going." Art gets straight to the point.

Emory thought for a moment, then touched the red beard on his chin.

"Your Excellency, do you mean our men at the Court and at Earl Balwin's mansion?"

Art stared at Emory and nodded.

"Don't worry, my lord, I've made all the arrangements. As soon as there is any trouble, I will send someone to inform you immediately. ”

Art nodded with satisfaction and said, "You have done a good job in this matter. From now on, you are my eyes in the Northland. In addition, one-twentieth of the profits of the Moulin Rouge will go to you in the future, and you will have another credit for gathering intelligence information. The rest of the expenses are deducted from the remaining profits. As long as you can do things for me with peace of mind, your benefits are indispensable. ”

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir! ”

Emory was unusually excited.

"Remember, you are shadows, and nothing is visible. If the news leaks, not only your head, but everyone here will die. ”

"Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely remember!"

After a short time, the group left in a hurry. Emory, who was standing at the door, touched the cold sweat on his forehead, and then turned to greet the guests inside......