In the vocabulary of the Western states, "Turin" is almost the representative of the East, and the Port of the Kings is the "gate" of the East, the vast sea of countless colorful and intricate routes, like streams converge in this beautiful bay, almost perfect excellent harbor brings great wealth to the city of Turin.

This is the most important port of the city of Turin, and the most important port of the entire kingdom, the only passage connecting the western world, and also an important lifeline of the kingdom on the sea - the city of Turin, with a population of 400,000, cannot sustain the consumption of food only on the farms of the surrounding towns, and the consumption of land transportation is simply unbearable, so the sea has become the only option.

Every year, ships laden with wheat, oats, potatoes, and carrots sailed from the south, and the lords and lords of the manors of the south also relied on the grain trade, the cattle trade to maintain their position in the kingdom, after all, it was impossible for the people living in the city of Turin to go without food - the good and stable shipping routes were also the guarantee of this maritime trade, and at least half of the grain in the city of Turin was shipped from the south every year, and then these ships were loaded with wine, silk, tobacco, and other luxuries, and returned the same way.

The busy trade not only made the city of Turin enormous, but also made this thriving port a place of little money, with buildings of all sizes, large and small, occupying almost all of the land, leaving only narrow paved roads in the middle, and the huge flow of people caused by the busy ships added to the congestion, and there was hardly much place to stay.

For this purpose the House of Parliament even opened a town hall in King's Harbour, where dozens of clerks and hundreds of hired clerks were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining order, checking for certain thefts and robberies, and receiving petitions and complaints, though not in a good way.

And at the mouth of a ship in the port, an excited Goodwin had just sent off his trading fleet, full of five sailing ships, all of which were about to sail to a certain city-state in the Kingdom of Dominica. Although his eyebrows were full of deep exhaustion, he still couldn't hide the excitement on his face - this was the biggest business in the history of the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce!

As long as it is done, the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce will be able to change the current situation immediately, and even be able to enter the House of Parliament and sit at the same table with the nobles to discuss things like the real big chambers - of course, Goodwin has not forgotten who gave all this, and for Edward Witwood, Goodwin is only full of gratitude.

However, as a businessman, Goodwin also knew that all this was definitely not without a price - when Sir Luceen Minest came to find him, arranged his seat and even introduced the guests of the original Minnest family, Goodwin quickly realized that the reason why the other party was so polite to such an inconspicuous little merchant was because of himself and Sir Edward Witwood.

So whether he wanted to or not, the relationship with Edward was already on the line, but his natural keen eye as a businessman convinced him that this young knight definitely had immeasurable potential - as long as he stood behind him, he could definitely make more profits.

"It looks like it's going to be a good day, and a wizard told me that the previous night's sunset was a sign that there would be no rainstorms for the next few weeks, and that your fleet would be able to reach Dominica without any problems. A slightly playful voice suddenly came from behind him: "The Goodwin Chamber of Commerce will definitely make a fortune this time." ”

"Sir Edward?!" Goodwin turned abruptly and looked at Edward Witwood standing behind him with some trepidation, the noble royal attendant was still like that, he liked to dress like a ranger, so that others could not easily spot him: "You, why did you come to King's Port?"

"For work reasons, I just got a very important assignment that I had to come here. Edward smiled and greeted, "Of course, I stopped by to visit a good friend, you look good, Mr. Goodwin." ”

"These are all thanks to you, and if it weren't for you, the Minest family would not have given us those goods and sailboats. Goodwin's expression was agitated, but he avoided what Edward had said—he knew that it was impossible for him to tell him what he was going to do, a small businessman.

"You're so kind, I just did a friend a small favor. Edward curled the corners of his mouth absently: "Friends don't need to thank each other for their help. ”

"But I still have to thank you!" Goodwin smiled humbly, then took out a piece of parchment from his cuff with some trembling eyes, and handed it to Edward with some pain, "Please take this." ”

"What is this?"

"Goodwin Chamber of Commerce's vouchers for goods, worth at least one-tenth of the proceeds of all goods - I know you have declined my thanks, but this is no less a gift. Goodwin rubbed his hands, "I'm a businessman, and the only thing I can do to help you is money, and you must be in need of money in Turin City." ”

"Sir Edward Witwood, you have told me why you have helped me, and I am so keen to maintain my friendship with you, so please accept this 'gift' as a testimony to my relationship with you. ”

Goodwin placed it in his hand very solemnly, and Edward nodded slightly, but still pushed the credentials back: "I thank you for your kindness, but I won't take it - I'm afraid it won't be long before you're very short of money, and you can't waste a single thing." ”

"What do you need me to do?" How could Goodwin not understand what Edward meant by this, as if he was immediately in his spirits, he asked anxiously, "As long as you need it, even if it is a loan of 30,000 Turin gold coins, I am willing to help you raise it!"

"No, what I need you to do is more exaggerated and more difficult than that. Edward shook his head, "The Goodwin Chamber of Commerce is also in the money lending business, and has shops on several Dominica streets, right?"

"Of course, any businessman who knows Dominica knows that the most lucrative business in the world is lending money and buying land, and one lucky fortune is enough to make a fortune. Goodwin nodded as a matter of course: "Of course, the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce only has a small money lender, and our main business is still running an ocean business." ”

"Well, then, I need you to announce early to-morrow morning that all debtors will be forgiven at once, and that the books of accounts must be burned in public. Edward said with a solemn expression: "Then immediately sell those shops, don't leave any of them - don't care about profits, the important thing is efficiency!"

"Sir Edward, this is too ......" Goodwin was already frightened, knowing that although the Chamber of Commerce's lending office was not very large, but those debts were all forgiven at once, large and small, and a very large amount, "Can you tell me why?"

"It's up to you to choose, and I'm just offering you and the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce a promising choice - such a powerful Chamber of Commerce shouldn't be on the verge of extinction. Edward's expression was as silent as a pool of stagnant water, but he smiled slightly: "Of course, I will still make little Goodwin my squire when he is twelve years old to ensure the continuation of your family, but that's about it." ”

After saying that, Edward greeted him slightly, smiled and hid in the crowd at the docks, and stood in place, a somewhat dazed Mr. Goodwin stood alone on the docks, looking at the sailboat that had disappeared from the sea in the distance.

.................. "So, you didn't really convince our dear Mr. Goodwin. Marco Tasker looked at Edward in surprise, "Are you going to abandon him so soon?"

"Of course not, but I've already said what I should have said. Edward took a sip of coffee on the table with a slightly frowning expression: "I don't need a businessman who is only grateful to me, I need a loyal money bag, if he can't do it, then leave it to his own devices." ”

"Really...... A cold and realistic adult. The silver-haired wizard's face showed a slight expression of excitement - isn't this why he would choose to follow Edward?, and then smiled lightly: "In this case, even if the matter of the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce is over, what do you still need to solve?"

"I need to be given the lead in hosting the Dominica mission, which is important to Holard Minest, and it is important to me at the moment. Edward put down his glass, "But Your Majesty has arranged for three people—me, Greene Turn, and Bernard, the court ceremonial officer. ”

"All of them are close to His Majesty's cronies, but they represent three groups - you are the representative of the Knights of the Sacred Tree, Lord Bernard, the court ceremonial officer, is from the oldest Turin nobility, and Sir Green Turn, who is now isolated, Your Majesty needs to woo and comfort him, a very balanced arrangement. ”

"Greene Turn, don't ask, but the court ceremonial officer ......" Edward shook his head, his brows furrowed even more: "This lord will not give up easily, after all, he is so 'loyal'!"

Marco Tasker frowned as well, silently pondering. The little maid Angela sat in the center of the soft couch, her big eyes blinking, and her curiosity flashed: "Didn't you say that Horace made Prince Anson in charge of receiving the envoys?"

"That's right, Miss Angela. Marco smiled bitterly and explained to the little maid, although she didn't even mean to look at the silver hair: "But that Highness Anson is just a disguise, what can a child do......?

Marco was stunned as he spoke, and raised his head with wide eyes, only to find that Edward was also looking at him: "That's right...... Anson is the real person in charge, and theoretically we are just standing up to assist him!"

"I've heard that this court ceremonial officer, Lord Bernard, is a nasty old man. Mark raised the corners of his mouth: "You don't need to squeeze him away at all, you should even take the initiative to let Xian and Lord Bernard be the main person in charge." ”

"Then let His Highness Anson hate him......" Edward snapped his fingers lightly.