By the time Edward and Greene Turn's walk into the Fountain Garden, the feast had already begun, and the late autumn garden was bathed in the glittering lights and laughter, and guests dressed in different costumes wandered around the garden at their tables, serving the expensive delicacies at the tables, or sitting in comfortable chairs and couches, served by male and female waiters, and enjoying the performances of musicians and dancers.

High Ministers of the House of Representatives, Clerks of Ministers, Members of the Ancient Nobility of Turin, Presidents of Trade Unions of Various Trades, Wealthy Merchants of Dominica and the West Coast, Elders of Wizards' Guilds, Tutors and Deans of Famous Academies...... All sorts of guests filled the garden, and it seemed that more than half of the upper class people in the entire city of Turin had indeed received invitations from the Marquis of Hollard.

Edward walked past the crowd with a cold eye, and kept looking around - Marco Tasker carried out his task perfectly, although he waited until the time of departure to bring Edward a list of all the guests, but that was enough, he only needed to know what the names were connected to, not how many people would come for a drink.

If it is destined to be a big war, and there is no room for neutrality, he needs to know what role he will play and how much he can pay for it - Edward hates "compulsory labor" unless it is self-organized.

"Is it the first time to come to this kind of banquet, how does it feel?" While walking through the garden, Green chatted with Edward casually: "As a knight who has just arrived in Turin City, your manners and appearance are quite good, and you also have the status of a squire military attaché and a knight of the sacred tree, those beautiful noble ladies will flock to it." ”

"I didn't really know I had such a big charm. There was not a hint of uncertainty in Edward's eyes: "Maybe you just misread me, a country boy from the farm." ”

"But this country boy is in the capital of the Kingdom of Turin, wearing clothes and titles that are the envy of hundreds, and is highly expected by the Grand Master of the Knights of the Sacred Tree, and has the favor of His Majesty the King, and has almost been made a 'Holy Son' by the Church—whoever dares to think of you as a country boy is truly stupid. Green smiled at him, "You're still wary, Edward. But I'm openly advising you. ”

"Then tell me what you recommend?"

"This banquet is full of opportunities for you, you don't have to step into the whirlpool, you don't have any roots in the city of Turin. Green admonished almost bluntly: "Why don't you make yourself strong first, and then slowly try to get real power?"

"I remember some people who didn't tell me that before. Edward smiled: "You've been emphasizing loyalty, loyalty and absolute loyalty to me. ”

"It doesn't seem to be useful now, so I'm going to be blunt. Green shrugged his shoulders: "There are many wealthy people in the Chamber of Commerce at this banquet, and there are many declining Turin aristocratic families - the former can make you rich quickly, and the latter's family background can allow you to start to have a foundation, as long as you are willing to marry their daughters." ”

"Sir Edward Witwood?!" a voice full of surprise suddenly interrupted Green's words, Edward turned his head, and a merchant dressed in a Dominic costume suddenly walked over: "Do you remember me, when you were on Maple Grove Avenue not long ago, you saved the lives of our family!"

"How could I forget, respected Mr. Goodwin. Edward smiled kindly and took the initiative to extend his right hand, "Looks like you've been invited by the Mineste family too?"

"Uh...... Yes, but it's just a very remote location, and those ships of the Goodwin Chamber of Commerce are not worth a good seat for the Minnest family. Goodwin lowered his head in embarrassment and smiled self-deprecatingly, "I'm afraid even if I point it out, you'll get lost." ”

"Then change your seat, and let me go and talk to Lusen, there must be a vacant spot near the middle of the garden. Green Turn, who was standing next to him, suddenly spoke: "If the location is too remote, I'm afraid I won't be able to see the coming-of-age ceremony." ”

Goodwin looked at Green and Edward in surprise, and the royal knight glanced at Edward deeply, and the meaning was self-evident - let him seize this opportunity and have a good chat with the "rich but powerless" president of the Chamber of Commerce.

"Then I'll trouble you, please apologize to His Highness Anson for me, and I'll rush over immediately. Edward shrugged his shoulders helplessly: "It won't take too long." ”

"I'll quit first, Mr. Goodwin, and have fun. With a slight smile, Green Turn, with his hands behind his back, turned away, as if he couldn't wait for a snack.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Goodwin, if Greene's actions have caused you any unnecessary trouble, please allow me to ......"

"No, actually...... I'm grateful, I'm a very serious Sir Edward. Goodwin's sweaty face had a flattering smile: "But that's not why I'm bothering you, I want to thank you - a sergeant of the Order once passed by our house, and he said that my son is really at the headquarters of the Knights of the Sacred Tree, serving as a temporary squire for Knight Leonardo Cambrai, and it is a great honor!"

"Of course, thank you for your help in the future, not only did they not harass my family anymore, but they rarely even showed up - because there was a whole squad of capital guards patrolling the streets outside my house every day, and I knew that it was all your help. I really—I really don't know how to say thank you......"

If Goodwin was only grateful for Edward's help, now he was a little "scared" - especially when he heard that his businessman friends who were similar to him were now either on the verge of bankruptcy or completely lost their place in Turin, and only he was still intact.

He had an extremely tough backer, Goodwin knew that this young man was not just a knight of the sacred tree, he also had the title of military attache of the royal family on top of his head, and it took him less than half a month to get this title - look at it just now, even the commander of the capital garrison was willing to owe him a favor and use his relationship.

The only thing that bothered Goodwin was that Edward was always reluctant to offer him his price, and he never had the intention of repaying him himself - as a businessman, he would never believe that there was anything in the world that did not cost money, and that "favors" were the best loan sharks in the world, and the longer he dragged on, the more he owed, until in the end he had nothing to repay except to sell himself.

If you don't know how to reciprocate, just accept it as a gift for the first time between friends. Edward replied with a smile, "You also know that I don't have many friends in Turin City, and as long as I have the opportunity to meet him, I will spare no effort." ”

"And as a friend, I'm going to give a second gift, it's a very interesting list. The black-haired boy handed a very casually folded envelope to Goodwin: "You also know that due to some special reasons, the capital has not been very welcoming to Dominica merchants recently, and many captains of Turin have refused to run ocean trade for them, but business still has to be done......

"You—what do you mean ......" Goodwin immediately became agitated.

"They're all going to turn to the Minesters for help, because they don't have a ship, but you have- we don't have to fight with the Minesters for those sumptuous and expensive dishes, the big dishes will be given to them, as long as there is a bowl of leftovers, you say?"

"I see!" Goodwin couldn't even say words of gratitude right now - the most important thing in business is to be well-informed, to know who needs what, and what business can't be done?

"You are independent, Mr. Goodwin, and that's why I'm willing to make friends with you—there are many merchants in this city who have the money to form a small fleet, but none of them are willing to take such risks, preferring to entrust them to powerful families, so they never have a chance to make a fortune. ”

"Sir Edward......" Seeing the large fortune in his hands, Goodwin was a little afraid: "Do you need a lot of money?"

"A single gold coin might employ a few thugs, or a good meal at a fancy restaurant on Silk Street, but ten thousand gold coins stacked together are worth far more than they are. Edward glanced pointedly at the surrounding garden, his obsidian eyes staring at the one-horned seahorse flag in the distance: "Hasn't a certain family already proven it?"

Goodwin trembled violently, as if he had caught a cold, his hands were shaking violently in a cold sweat, but he kept pinching the letter, he didn't want to let go at all, his eyes seemed to be burning with flames - he had worked hard for most of his life, wasn't it just to have such a day?!

"It looks like you're having fun, what are you talking about?" The graceful and elegant tone, this voice almost made Edward subconsciously vigilant, but with a happy smile on his face, he bent down towards the plump and pretty figure: "Good night, honorable Lady Angelica!"

"Good night, Squire Sir Edward Witwood, Attendant. Angelica's gorgeous jade face smiled sarcastically: "You have asked His Royal Highness the Prince to wait, and I have no choice but to come and 'invite' you in person." ”