Laheim stepped into the small cottage in Quareala on the banks of the Winterspring River. In the past two months, his business has suffered many times, first with the Empire's leather trade order, because Quarella and a few new nobles rushed to buy furs, which caused him to fail to deliver the goods on time, and lost a large amount of profits, and almost paid liquidated damages, and then these competitors worked in his winery, causing the vodka to become sour and stinky, unable to be sold, and losing a lot of money, and in just two months, he lost at least five or six hundred gold crowns. It is equivalent to the income of an ordinary nobleman for an entire year.

And he came here not for anything else, but to conduct a negotiation between opponents, and by the way, extend an olive branch to these outsiders, as for whether the other party is willing to compromise, Laheim has no bottom in his heart.

"Laheim, ah, come in. ”

After being debriefed by the attendants, Quarellara invited Laheim into his house. Inside, Skagard and Clive were already waiting inside.

The house in Quaralla was built on the banks of the Winter Springs River, close to the downstream location. And it's a bit out of the downtown area. Since he had just arrived at Blackhammer Castle and had not yet studied his residence, he casually built a two-story villa. Compared to the heavy and huge houses of Kislev, the dwellings here are simple and thin. However, this is only temporary, and if he settles down for a long time, the old nobleman from Kislev will surely build a residence like the Laheim mansion.

"Your Excellency, we meet again. ”

As soon as they entered the inner hall, two of Quarella's colleagues stood up and greeted Laheim. Although everyone knows in their hearts that they are competitors and are in a state of life and death, they still have to pretend to be a gentleman on the surface. They had met before, but they parted unhappily and very awkwardly.

"Laheim, my friend, you ought to let me know in advance if you are coming, so that I can set up a dinner party. ”

Quarellara said with a laugh.

"It's not necessary, the dinner party can wait until later, there is an opportunity. ”

Raheim replied, the corners of his mouth furrowed into a strange smile. It is not a good feeling to be stabbed in the back, but now he has to greet him with a smile, and he hopes to finish his words as soon as possible and end this torment as soon as possible.

"Three colleagues, I know that you are all great nobles and wealthy merchants from Kislev. For Blackhammer Fort, it is also a first visit. I'm a straight person, and when I have something to say, I speak straight. I think all of you here are people with strength and status, there is no need to be so embarrassed, if a few people also want to stay in this place, we can discuss it carefully to see how to carve up the market here, instead of stabbing in the back and making a river of blood and embarrassment. ”

As soon as the ass sat down, Laheim said bluntly.

"Your Excellency, there is one thing that must be made clear first, we are not big nobles, big rich businessmen. On the contrary, we, like you, are just little people who are not well known. As for what you're talking about, we're not very clear. I do want to stay here, but I won't embarrass you. "Good

Skagard returned with a smile.

"No need to disguise, colleagues, I know that you are deliberately trying to make it difficult for me, otherwise I will not be able to buy all the furs of Blackhammer in a short period of time, you don't have a stable shipper here, the motive is obvious. But this matter has passed, and I will not pursue it anymore, I can only say that I was too careless, and I didn't even know that I had ears next to my pillow, and I had already disposed of her. I just want to have a good talk with you next, we are all colleagues, and this little interest of Blackhammer is not worth it for us to fight so much, is it? If you are willing to talk to me today, I can do it to your advantage in some places. Wouldn't it be nice to live together?"

Laheim held back the anger in his heart and calmly spoke to the three of them. He knew that the comer was not good, the other party was strong, and the combined assets of the three of them might be even bigger than himself. Therefore, I was ready for peace talks long before I came.

"Your Excellency, I still don't understand what you're talking about, my friends, do you understand what Lord Raheim is saying?"

Quarellara said, turning to Skagard and Clive beside him. The two shrugged their shoulders and said nothing.

"Buying goods at a low price and then selling them is a common method used by every businessman, how can it be said that it is aimed at you?"

Quareala continued.

Raheim's face was gloomy, he leaned forward, a pair of brown eyes stared at the old nobleman in front of him, he was cunning, Laheim knew, but he also knew that they were stupid.

"Don't beat around the bush anymore. I'm going to hang my words here today, and if we cooperate, we'll discuss how to coexist peacefully, own the market here, and profit from this wave together. If I don't want to, then I'll have to resort to other less friendly means. ”

Laheim put down the harsh words-

"I know who you're working for, what did that dwarf promise you? Will you be able to divide my property after I die?Or will you take my market share, or will you be Rhodes's partner in my place? They have troops at hand, they are rulers, and they have the right to execute anyone in their realm if they wish. And we are different, we can be partners, and we must be partners, to keep each other warm. As long as we join forces, we can control the markets of Blackhammer, and if you take that gnome's words, I promise you'll regret it. If I'm defeated, or if I get out of here, I'll guarantee that Rod and Alves will be next targeted. Only by cooperating can interests last forever, and the seizure in a short period of time will eventually be lost. ”

Sitting in front of the three of them, Laheim said solemnly word by word. What he knows is not that he has the evidence, but that he guessed and guessed the hidden truth behind it. Only with the support of Alves and Rhodes will these nobles from Kislev be able to gain a foothold in a short time and squeeze themselves. The thing is so obvious.

And killing people in the back, he knew that Rhodes would not do it. Maybe other lords would, but Rhodes wouldn't. Laheim knew that for two years, the most important thing that Rhodes had gained was nothing but prestige. It is this prestige that has led more and more people to come to him and keep Black Hammer Castle growing, without this prestige, Black Hammer Castle would not be where it is today. At least, the Norsca Warband, known as the champion of mercenaries in the North, were the savages who admired Rhodes in the first place......

Of course, he also prepared for the worst, if Blackhammer Castle couldn't stay any longer, he would leave with all his possessions and go to live in the Empire. Kislev can't go back, the empire is a choice, although when he gets there, he has to start from scratch. And the level of competition within the empire is not comparable to the environment of Kislev and Black Hammer.