As a commercial center of the Kingdom of Cyris, Hippo City is very busy with shipping, and the docks of Hippo City are crowded with merchants coming and going and the crusaders who embark on the road to the East.

In the afternoon of the same day, countless merchants poured into the Red Moon Tavern. But when the fat butler of the City Lord's Mansion came out of Merlin's room, everyone sighed, and the merchants who wanted to take the lead all let out a sigh. Baron Merlin, who was willing to pay five thousand gold coins for that rocky beach, did not know how to do business at first glance, let alone the doorways and tricks on the docks.

The fat butler of the City Lord's Mansion is different, he has been operating an old fritter on the dock for almost half his life, and no merchant can take advantage of him.

"The new dock belongs to Lord Harrell and Baron Merlin, and the sixth floor of the proceeds belongs to Lord Harrell. Mombasa, the fat butler of the City Lord's Mansion, stood in the center of the Red Moon Tavern with a thick stack of documents in his hand and read out, "The charges for the new dock refer to the fees of the old docks, but the good news is that the warehouses on the side of the docks can be rented, and all transactions in this free trade zone belonging to His Highness Merlin will be free of charge, and there is no need to pay any fees." ”

This is a powerful bombshell, and it is as if the pot has exploded among the businessmen. The Hippo City transaction tax is paid directly to the Abbey of Michel, which is not particularly high among all the cities, but it is almost 20% on average, if it can be exempted. Then this free trade zone of Baron Merlin will be very attractive to these merchants.

There are no absolute enemies, there are no absolute friends, there are only interests in business. Merlin is very clear about this. He owns a piece of land in Hippo City, and Merlin has a tax exemption on this land, which Merlin has obtained in exchange for Ice Potions and St. Thomas.

In terms of trading alone, this time Michel Abbey definitely made money. However, Merlin also knew that with this paper contract, it was impossible to get a piece of the business operation of Hippo. Because Merlin was a baron with no roots. If you rush into the commercial market of Hippo City at this time, these merchants here will be like hyenas who will destroy the scum of Merlin's free trade zone.

So Merlin needs a partner to work with, and in the process of contacting the lord of Hippo City, Merlin found that this was a depressed man, but in his suppressed eyes, there was a trace of unwillingness.

It only takes an opportunity to ignite the fire in this man's heart. Merlin doesn't have to worry about the rest.

**

At noon, there was no wind and the sun was blazing. The living room in the bamboo garden of the monastery was very cool, and the sturdy manservant carried the ice cubes into the living room one by one, and then brought out the water that had melted the ice cubes.

Vivien was still sweating in a silk vest, and a maid beside her was fanning the wind with a fan, and her movements were a little slower, and she kicked her out of the door.

"You know, Vivien," Sister Rand said calmly, holding a cup of hot tea, slowly unbuttoning the lid and watching the crisp leaves churn up and down. "You're just a person who can't do big things. ”

"My lord, Vivien doesn't understand that the new trick that the country baron has come up with is to steal money from our monastery. Vivien's face flushed, "You're not in a hurry?"

Sister Rand shook her head, put down the teacup in her hand, and then stood up and looked at the bamboo forest outside the window. This is a plant that came from the far east. The thick bamboo at the mouth of the bowl was tall and straight, blocking the summer heat, and it was originally planned to cut down all the bamboo forests, and the monastery was to build a new confessional room, which was the best location, but under Rand's insistence, the bamboo forest was left with only this.

The breeze blew through the bamboo forest, sending a rustling sound. The nun hesitated again, unsure if she had made the wrong choice again this time. Perhaps destroying all these exotic bamboos is the best option.

The Convent of Michelle has recently had many sick people, and the news that Lord St. Thomas had dealt with the Ice Demon had spread all over the Endless Ocean, and soon the cardinals of the Holy City would have another headache.

"The free trade agreement was written by the saint himself, do you want to oppose it?" Sister Rand looked back and looked at her most proud student with some disappointment, "What does the saint's handwriting mean in Michel's convent, don't you understand?"

"Do you want to let that kid from Merlin continue to be arrogant?"

"The Ice Demon Possession has an important medicinal herb from Ashforge Castle," Sister Rand said in a solemn tone, "You know what?"

"I'm not reconciled!" Vivien snorted.

Sister Rand left the bamboo forest without looking back.

**

It was almost midnight, and Merlin stood up from his chair with the remaining half of the old cellar vintage. There weren't many people left in the hall of the Red Moon Tavern. Yuri rarely didn't go out to find his nightlife, and he followed Merlin in a hurry, scratching his ears and cheeks as if he were covered with countless lice.

"Your Highness, now that the people of Hippo City are waiting to see our jokes, why aren't you in a hurry?"

"What am I anxious about?"

"Wharf, now there is not a single coolie on the wharf, when those ships come, how can we unload them?"

"That's what you're talking about," Merlin rolled his eyes, and poured another sip of the old cellar for aging, Hippo City is good for everything, but the taste of this wine is too light, think about it, what kind of good wine can be made under such humble conditions. Only this old cellar has a hint of alcohol, and Merlin began to consider whether to make a batch of wine himself. Or take the liquor and distill it. Anyway, the grapes are almost ripe in Ashfurnace Village. It's almost time, and I can't stay in Hippo for too long.

"Your Highness Merlin, are you listening to me?" Yuri was a little anxious.

"What did you just ask?"

"Now that we don't have coolies on the docks, what should we do when the merchant ships come?"

"You don't have to worry about this matter, you can't unload the goods, isn't it something that those merchants should be anxious about, we just provide a place where you don't have to pay taxes. When the time comes, they can't trade, and they are more anxious than anyone else. Merlin smiled, "It's time to go back to Ashfurnace Village." The grapes are almost ripe. Let's go back to making wine. The wine here is too unpleasant. ”