Looking at the shivering son of a merchant kneeling in front of him, Harlet suddenly stood up and gracefully performed a standard aristocratic salute.

"Hello, Bernard. Although we are meeting for the first time, I have already heard of your name.

As the most prized heir of the owner of the Roldan Chamber of Commerce, you have taken over part of the family business since the age of sixteen.

By working with the Merchant Alliance, the trade from Ascatra to Baldur's Gate was tripled and profits tripled in just one year.

By the time you're twenty-five, you're already a sophisticated merchant in your own right, and you've even done business further north in Waterdeep, Neverwinter, and Luskan.

Because profit is paramount, you never care whether the goods you buy or sell are legal or illegal, and you don't care who you trade with.

It is this that makes you favored by your own father.

This time, you're risking your own risk to escort a valuable shipment of contraband to Port Carlin in the south.

The main purpose is to reach a long-term supply agreement with the local thieves' guild, which has mastered the smuggling channels, so as to ensure the smooth flow of one of the most important and profitable trade routes for the entire Roldan Chamber of Commerce.

But what you never expected was that you were betrayed and betrayed by your blood relatives. ”

"You...... How do you know this? Bernard's eyes widened in shock.

He couldn't believe that the other party knew him so well.

In particular, the less legitimate businesses in the northern region are often very hidden, and only a very small number of core members are aware of them.

Harlett explained with a smile: "I have a lot of friends who are good at asking for news. So when you take this business, ask them to collect some information about you in advance. It has to be said that as a businessman you are successful and excellent. But as the heir to the Chamber of Commerce, you are still a little lacking. ”

"What do you mean?" Bernard frowned inexplicably.

"It's easy!

First of all, you are not ruthless enough to cut off those brothers and sisters who may pose a threat to your status in the first place.

Secondly, you completely fail to understand a chamber of commerce, it is not enough to make a lot of money, it also requires a minimum of force protection.

But in order to pursue the ultimate profit, you did not hire adventurers and guards to protect yourself at all, and ignored the lack of safety.

Being caught by me this time is the best proof of this. ”

Harlett is like a seductive old-timer at the moment, pointing out the fatal mistakes made by the other party.

As he said.

In Ferron, where dragons, magic, monsters, bandits, and all kinds of evil forces are everywhere, if a chamber of commerce wants to grow, it is not enough to make money alone.

Smart merchants will work with powerful local organizations, such as the Mage Guild, the Thieves' Guild, or the temple of a powerful god.

Working with them can often deter those who are hiding behind in the shadows and plotting bad things.

No matter how bad it is, he will spend some money to hire adventurers and mercenaries to escort him.

But there was nothing on the captured merchant ship.

There was only a group of coolie sailors whose combat effectiveness was almost negligible.

After hearing this, Bernard's face suddenly became very ugly, and he retorted loudly with emotion: "What do you know! Do you think I don't want to? In order to make more profits, to win my father's approval, and to defeat those brothers and sisters, I can only reduce the cost as much as possible. ”

Harlett sneered and shook his head, "Look, that's the most ridiculous and stupid part.

You work hard every year to hand over the money you earn at great risk to the Chamber of Commerce.

Your father will then take a portion of the money and give it to your competing siblings to find new trade routes and markets.

And what about them?

Always be careful to hide the profits you make, and then use them to make allies, recruit and form factions that only do your bidding.

In the end, some of them aren't even satisfied and want to take you out and replace you.

Remember, never give the power to decide your own destiny to anyone, even if that person is your biological father.

Remember the motto of the merchants of Askatra?

A businessman who has only wealth and no power is pathetic because he will become fat in the eyes of all.

Rights are never given by anyone, but by one's own hands. ”

I have to say that "Bloody Hand" Harriet is a very intelligent and unique person, who was speechless to Bernard in just a few words, and the whole person seemed to have received a huge blow, looking depressed and depressed.

Because the young businessman knew that the other party did not say a word wrong.

After being silent for a long time, Bernard raised his head and asked with a wry smile as if he had accepted his fate: "Can you tell me who the inner ghost who betrayed this route is?" What conditions did he or she offer you? ”

"Sorry, no.

I'm a man who keeps my promises.

Since you have promised to keep every partner confidential, you can't reveal the slightest bit of useful information.

But you're not without a chance.

If the client does not intend to fulfill his promise, then I will sign a new contract with you as is customary.

At that point, our relationship will change from enemy to ally, and you will be given a chance for revenge.

Okay, relax, I'm not going to kill you just yet, so there's no need to be so desperate.

Come, eat something, drink something, I'm sure you'll be hungry and thirsty. ”

With that, Harlett pushed the soup, rusks, and wine glasses in front of him forward, and then made a gesture of please.

It can be seen that he is in a very happy mood at the moment, and even shows a certain temperament, demeanor and knowledge that only nobles can have.

After all, knowledge has always been a very expensive and luxurious thing in Faerun.

Ordinary people find it difficult to ensure even basic livelihood and have no access to education.

Only wealthy merchants and aristocrats were eligible to hire tutors or attend expensive colleges in the big cities.

From this alone, it can be judged that the probability that this pirate leader is of noble origin is quite high.

Boom!

Looking at the food and wine in front of them, the four captives began to swallow their saliva in unison, and their stomachs gurgled even more uncontrollably.

They had not eaten anything for a whole day, and had not even drunk a drop of water, and they could not resist such temptation.

Just as Bernard cautiously stretched out his hand to serve the already cold soup, he suddenly heard a voice behind him.

"Don't touch that bowl, and don't put the contents in your mouth, if you don't want to die."

Moment!

Everyone present, including the pirates, turned their gaze to the pitch-black bushes that made the sound.

In about ten seconds, a human warrior with a hooded helmet on his head, wearing chain mail, holding a short sword in one hand and a shield in the other, appeared in their line of sight.

"Who are you? What do you mean by that? Did my missing crew die at your hands? Harlett asked, narrowing her eyes.

At the same time, his pirates took up arms and surrounded the stranger from both sides.