On October 15, 1622, the Z215 returned to Krasbourg after a week-long journey north.

Accompanied by Roland, the Imperial visitors such as Fogel Sr., Alberton Jr., and Palatine all returned safely. After a long journey, it was inevitable that they would be a little tired, but the passengers were all excited and returned to the hotel with souvenirs purchased from Kitland and White Gull Harbour, and they were still interested in exchanging experiences on the trip.

Roland set up the visiting group, unloaded the burden on his shoulders, went back to sleep, and slept until dawn.

The next morning, Fogel Sr., Alberton Jr., and Palatina resigned to Rudolf I and his cabinet on behalf of the delegation, and returned to the holy city of Assan, at the end of their ten-day visit.

As he had done when he came, Roland personally went to the airport to see him off. Before boarding the airship, Palatina said goodbye to him in a special way, frankly admitting that she had been deeply touched by what she had seen and heard in the Far East during these days, realizing how naïve and ridiculous the prejudice against the Far East and its people had been, and deciding to submit a report on her visit after returning home, persuading Prince Frank to learn from the experience of the Far East and carry out reforms.

Roland was happy to see her mind change, but he wanted to know if her opinion of herself had changed as well. Unfortunately, Palatine did not answer directly, but gave him a delicate look, turned and ascended the gangway, leaving him with a moving back that aroused endless reverie.

Jacob Fogel and Alberton Weinstein Jr. also got acquainted with Roland during the trip, and they were a little reluctant before leaving.

Fogel Sr. hinted to Roland that the visit had convinced him that the government of Kerras had won the hearts of the people, that all sectors of society and all walks of life in the Far East had shown vigorous vitality, that it was a blessed land of endless business opportunities and a place of unity. The Assanian Empire may be able to temporarily occupy this land with its strong military power, but it will not be able to conquer the people of this land, let alone become the master of the Far East as before, and military operations will only bring a series of defeating disasters, which is not a wise move. After returning to China, he will present his views to His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial Cabinet, and do everything possible to prevent the Emperor from launching an Eastern Crusade.

Roland admired the fat old man's long-term vision and offered to help him take good care of Anthony. In fact, Anthony is the biggest beneficiary of Dad's trip. Although the Fogel family had invested some chips in the Far East before, they did not attach much importance to it, and only regarded investing in the Far East as an idle move, and Anthony, as the family's agent in the Far East, had limited attention and power.

The trip to the Far East changed Fogel's concept, and after returning to the Far East, he was bound to increase his investment in the Far East, and Anthony's good relationship with the royal family of Kolas became an important factor in ensuring investment returns.

Alberton Jr.'s mentality is both similar and different from that of the two traveling companions. Born in the richest family in the empire, and well-read under the guidance of that legendary grandfather since childhood, little Alberton is not the kind of "boy brother" who only shows off his wealth and pickles girls, he has always been a "scholar" in the eyes of others since he was a child, and a leader among the young generation of intellectuals in the empire.

The trip to the Far East left a good impression on him, but he enjoyed chatting with Roland more than the beautiful scenery and simple customs along the way. The two are of similar age, like-minded, and both have profound knowledge and rich practical experience. There are endless topics to talk about, from academics, business to politics, and although their views are not always the same, academic discussion itself is a useful exchange, and the truth may not become clearer the more it is debated, but it will lead to the discovery of worthy opponents.

The core competitiveness of the Weinstein family lies in the high-end manufacturing industry (magic guide), which is dominated by the military industry, and the Fogel family, which started in finance, can use all kinds of roundabout means to invest in the Far East, but it is difficult for the manufacturing industry to break through the restrictions of national borders, let alone countries that are hostile to each other.

Alberton Jr. apologized for not being able to directly help Roland build the Far East, and planned to do his part through other channels.

"At the beginning of February next year, there will be an academic symposium in the holy city of Yasan, and His Royal Highness Frank hopes to take this opportunity to invite famous scholars from all over the world to jointly contribute to the social reforms he is strongly advocating, which is a good opportunity to present his ideas to the academic circles of the Empire and even the high-level leaders of politics and business, Brother Roland, I very much hope that you will attend this grand event, if you can convince the top of the Empire that there is a way out of the financial predicament without waging war, then even if the military raises its voice to incite the East, it will not get a response from the rulers."

Listening to little Alberton's words, Roland couldn't help but feel moved, this is indeed a good opportunity to ease the contradictions between the Far East and the Empire.

Little Alberton noticed the change in his expression, and said with a smile: "As long as you are willing to attend the meeting, I will be responsible for the invitation, and our Weinstein family will also be responsible for the safety of your stay in the Holy City, ensuring that you are indispensable for a hair." ”

"Thank you, Mr. Weinstein!" Roland shook little Alberton's hand vigorously, and replied gratefully and calmly: "I will carefully consider your invitation and reply as soon as possible." ”

"Goodbye then, Brother Roland, and we look forward to seeing you again in the Holy City next March." Little Alberton patted him on the shoulder and turned to board the airship.

The "Dawn" airship retracted the gangway, activated the magic floating engine, and slowly rose.

Roland watched the airship lift off and fly westward under the cover of white clouds, until it disappeared at the end of the sky.

……

On 16 October, the delegation returned safely to the holy city of Yashan. The Quds press gave a brief report on this, and it seemed that both the government and the opposition were deliberately downplaying this sign of a major shift in diplomatic relations between the empire and the Far East.

In late October, Far Eastern Foreign Minister Kuntilian was invited by the Imperial Central University to attend an academic conference on international trade in an unofficial capacity. Perhaps by coincidence, the Count of Müller, Prime Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, was also present on the same day. Taking advantage of the reception held by the organizers, Kuntilian met with Müller and exchanged views on unofficial cooperation between the empire and the Far East.

After the meeting, Quintilian returned to Krasbourg the same day, bringing back a secret agreement. According to this agreement, the empire and the Far East will agree on the price of grain exports, take advantage of the oligopoly position of the two countries in the international grain export market, and cooperate to establish a monopoly advantage.

The conclusion of this agreement marked the temporary abandonment of the intention of the Imperial authorities to use force against the Far East under the influence of Fogel Sr., Alberton Jr., and Palatina, and others, and instead sought cooperation, accepting Roland's initiative to join forces with the Far Eastern government to form a "grain price cartel" to jointly push up the price of grain exports.