The letter was full of complaints from Yord Jr., accusing Webb of "tyranny"—Byrne was able to recover and prosper in three years because of Ebolden's funding and the "fleeing" clergy of Byrne's church, and the other half by this kind of near-bottomless loan.

Once the United Chamber of Commerce can no longer continue to lend huge amounts, it will be difficult for the United Chamber of Commerce to effectively control the merchants and chambers of commerce in various places - it will no longer be possible for Loren to mobilize the resources of the entire principality to launch an expedition or reconquer the Yunling Kingdom with a single order to replicate the Centaur War.

For if Loren did not want his army to quickly degenerate from disciplined knights to bandits who were "recruited on the spot", he had to provide them with adequate logistics and salaries, which required a lot of money.

In addition, Weber's "new reform" against the Byrne Church also caused the United Chamber of Commerce to lose a lot of money; without these clergy who resold the church's assets and indulged in pleasures, the United Chamber of Commerce would have lost a group of important "old customers," and a large number of luxury goods could not be hoarded and sold, and it would be difficult to make a profit on exports.

Once the supply exceeds the demand, the profit will decline rapidly, to the point where it cannot make ends meet.

The most immediate consequence of these developments is the serious imbalance between the Syndicated Chamber's income and expenditure, the absence of loans and borrowings, and the lack of an important source of usurpative cash.

In the past three years, Loren has implemented a new military system, established a demon hunter corps, organized wizard guilds and academies, and later works in the floating city... All of them were huge loans from the United Chamber of Commerce, and once the United Chamber of Commerce could not borrow money, it would have to consider raising taxes.

Little Yode, who gritted his teeth, used more than half of the text to warn Loren of the consequences of the linkage if he continued to let it go on like this-the collapse of the Chamber of Commerce would inevitably lead to the collapse of the duchy's finances;

In a word: no money, don't look for me, you can do it yourself!

Gently putting down the letterhead in his hand, Loren simply didn't know what to say.

In addition to the case of the Byrne Church, the rest of the content is the latest progress of some projects: the main trunk of the road network connecting the thirteen Lords of Byrne has been completed, and the branch lines are to be completed by the Earls of Byrne;

The implementation of the new military system has already begun to bear fruit, and Charlotte Turin, in the name of "restoring the old system of the 'Black Duke'", ordered the knights gathered from all over the country to take turns to be stationed in the fortresses of the Red Blood Castle.

The compulsory system was abolished and replaced by the "public service" system, and it was expected that the principality's treasury could afford a standing army of 2,000 knights;

Charlotte's idea was to simply restore the "knightly system" of the knightly king's era, but the finances were a little tight because of the recent reception of a large number of grassroots bureaucrats from the church;

The Wizards' Guild is in good shape, and can already run on its own and bear half of the expenses of the Wizarding Academy, without the need for the Duchy's treasury, provided that the apprentices are obligated to serve the Guild and that the Guild itself has a seat in the Council of the Round Table;

This may have aroused the displeasure of some counts, such as Earl Gary Hess, who was known for his piety, but Weber should have been able to convince him—the only merit of the 'living saint'—that was the exact words of Yoder the Younger.

The city-states of the Yunling Kingdom in the south had gradually begun to negotiate with the principality on the terms of "cooperation" (vassalization), and the "Horn Fort", a floating city that had been put into actual use, was working well and could be put into actual combat.

Isaac Grantham was very much looking forward to the "second phase of the project" on top of this, building a number of simple "floating airships" to deter the dwarven city-states;

The rest are introductory information and accounts, and in short, little Yod is desperately emphasizing the importance of his "tax collector" to the principality - at least for now, there is no one to replace him.

Although what he said was correct and it was all true, he said that he should not look for him, and at the same time he desperately emphasized his importance......

This guy... How arrogant is it?

"Well... The plan remains the same, but with a slight change. The black-haired wizard sighed heavily, "We may have to return to the Red Blood Castle as soon as possible, not even a day!"

He seriously doubted that if he wasn't there, these people would really be able to tear the Duchy of Byrne apart.

"The situation... Is it really that serious?" the little wizard was a little hesitant, looking at Loren with a hesitant expression.

"Well, why do you ask?"

"No... Don't get me wrong, I didn't doubt you, I just ......" Ai Yin looked at him in a daze, and stopped talking: "I just think that you may have guessed this situation Loren." ”

The black-haired wizard's expression stiffened, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, and he sighed a little lost:

"It's... I can't hide anything from you. ”

"Oh, really?!" Even though he had expected it, the little wizard who was admitted to having guessed it was still surprised.

"Uh... The same cannot be said exactly. Loren smiled bitterly and scratched his head wryly: "Although I guessed that there would definitely be a conflict between Webb and Little Yode, I didn't expect it to be so serious." ”

"I see... But why did the two of them become like this?" the little wizard looked confused: "There shouldn't be any direct contradictions and conflicts between the Byrne Church and the United Chamber of Commerce—right?"

"It's not a direct conflict, it's a deeper reason – money lending business and debt, just an excuse for Yod Jr. Loren shook his head and looked at Al Yin indifferently: "He will do this because he feels threatened." ”

The little wizard who still didn't understand blinked, very distressed.

Loren smiled slightly, and did not continue to explain.

In fact, the answer was clearly written in the letter, and the threat he felt was not from profit, but from position—he was vaguely aware that the Byrne Church, which was about to rise strongly in the near future, was about to become the new core of the principality's future.

This powerful, semi-independent organization will use her resources and strengths to further unite the growing riches and strengths of the principality under one banner, and for years to come, Byrne will need more than wealth but hearts and minds.

This means that the United Chamber of Commerce, which has already become important in the principality, will have an extremely obvious decline in status, after all, there is only one leader in a court, and only one second-in-command.

The rise of the newcomer will inevitably have the "old man" to take a back seat, and of course Yod Jr. will not give up the power he has spent so long and resources in exchange for the power in the Byrne court, and resistance and suppression are inevitable.

Except that the struggle between the two sides was too fierce, it was basically expected by Loren - to a certain extent, he supported the little priest Weber, and he had the idea of suppressing little Yode.

He doesn't mind that his subordinates are ambitious, and he doesn't care if they have their own dreams, which is actually better to a certain extent, after all, most people who don't even have ambitions and dreams are not very capable.

As long as they can use it for themselves, or work with them, then it's all right.

Regardless of ambition, regardless of morality, as long as ability... And then maintain some kind of balance between these courtiers who have "bad intentions" and "big dreams......

Yes, like His Majesty Eckhart II in the Sky Dome.

The corners of his mouth were curled up, and there was a slight self-deprecating irony - whether it was himself, Brandon, or Charlotte Torino......

Those of us who... It's really unconsciously that I have become the "nasty look" I once had.

"Na... Loren. The little wizard couldn't help but ask, "Who do you think is right and who is wrong this time?"

"What about Ain, who do you think is right and who is wrong this time?" said the smiling black-haired wizard, throwing the question back.

"I don't know... I just feel that little Yod is a little pitiful. Ain frowned slightly: "Although he did a lot of bad things, almost all of them were done for Byrne's sake - it would be too ...... to have him alone to bear all the consequences now."

Well?

Loren's eyes widened at first, then he smiled dumbly.

"Do you think so even Ain?"

But instead of answering his question, the little wizard raised an eyebrow curiously.

"I'm also... Could it be that anyone else but me has said something like that?"

"Oh, no, no! I said casually, subconsciously... You know, sometimes it's like talking without thinking. ”

The vague Loren waved his hand, quietly hid the letter sent by Charlotte in his sleeve, and looked at the little wizard with a somewhat suspicious expression on his face.

"Actually, that's not wrong to understand it - yes, I did everything Yod Jr. did, or at least acquiesced, Byrne had won the Centaur War three years ago, but his finances were on the verge of collapse, and his tax revenues were not enough, and if he didn't think of something soon, it was only a matter of time before he split again. ”

The shocked Ain looked stunned, completely unexpected, and the situation that was obviously going well at that time would be dangerous like this.

"At that time, we were at odds with the Yunling Kingdom, and we were hostile to the Heavenly Dome Palace and the church, so there were actually very few ways to choose from, so we could only authorize Little Yode, so that the United Chamber of Commerce could get enough financial resources almost single-handedly by means of loans, bribery, and embezzlement, and fill the gap in tax revenue. ”

"From that point of view, I'm really sorry for little Yod for doing this. With a sneer, Loren lifted the letterhead again: "But if you really believe in his 'poor selling', then it is really a big mistake." ”

"You mean, his current weakness and low voice are just disguised?" The little wizard reacted very quickly: "Supporting the finances of the principality is equivalent to controlling all the financial power of the principality, little Yode... He took the opportunity to save a lot of benefits for himself?"

In a word, the black-haired wizard's expression stiffened a little.

Why does Ain feel a little different today?

How to say... No, no, no, the way she just analyzed the problem was almost the same as Charlotte's.

Having said that, Charlotte doesn't seem to be as strong as she used to be, and has become a little gentle......

What has happened in the past six months?

Quietly burying his shock in his heart, Loren nodded cautiously: "That's right, it can be said that the current United Chamber of Commerce is no longer completely controlled by me; ”

"If we don't find a way to contain little Yod, sooner or later the United Chamber of Commerce will empty the Round Table Council and control all the affairs of the principality—because the Round Table Council, whether it's the Thirteen Counts, little Yod has their IOUs in their hands. ”

The use of debt and monopoly trade to finally empty a country and government has happened in the world of the black-haired wizard in his previous life;

At that time, he was just a bystander, and he could calmly say that "this is the inevitability of social development, the development of the market economy will inevitably bring about the rise of small citizens, and the rise of free cities."

But that doesn't mean he can sit back and watch a new power rise up and threaten his position without the slightest means of containment... Just like Eckhart II did with the wizarding class.

Well, a good way must be found to balance the contradictions between Weber and Yod Jr., so that they can co-exist with each other and watch each other over, so that the principality can stabilize in this dynamic.

"Actually... There's no need to rush back, right?"

Ai Yin, who looked indifferent, said very abruptly.

"Well, why?" Loren raised an eyebrow, his expression a little strange.

"Because Loren, you're not nervous at all until now, and you're at ease. With a chuckle, the little wizard's expression was very flat: "You believe her, I believe that she will be able to deal with these disputes calmly, so that everything will be safe and sound when you go back, and there will never be any chaos." ”

"Uh... Probably. Loren frowned slightly, faintly feeling that Ain's mood was a little low: "Because they are friends, just like I also absolutely trust Ain, you and Isaac - we can go all the way to today, it is because of the absolute trust between each other that we have overcome so many difficulties and obstacles to have a foothold in Byrne." ”

"In the past three years, we have built a strong principality, growing stronger, and waiting for the arrival of the 'Black Cross' Selior. ”

"Just friends?"

Alas?

The black-haired wizard looked stunned.

"Ain, ...... you?"

"We'll leave tomorrow, early in the morning. The little wizard smiled slightly, got up and left: "Don't forget to say goodbye to Leah, she has been waiting for you for a long, long time." ”

After speaking, Ain, who was clenching his pink fist tightly behind his back, turned to leave, leaving only Loren's back.

The stunned black-haired wizard sat still, clutching the letterhead in his hand and sleeve.

Charlotte... Leah ......

What the hell is she trying to say?