"Oh?"

Hearing Mr. Grandet's words, Ivas raised his head with interest: "Why do you think so?" ”

Although that's exactly what Ivas himself thinks...... But this attitude cannot be easily demonstrated.

- You still have to bargain.

"Let's get straight to the point," Ivus asked, leaning forward and asking with interest, "what is your appeal?" ”

Grandet did not directly answer Ivass's question.

Instead, he shook his head and said, "I'll give you a message for free, Minister. ”

The low, elegant standard Avalon dialect came out methodically and slowly from the goblin trader's mouth: "The Starantimons have been studying anti-griffin technology for decades, and they have recently made a considerable breakthrough......"

The green-skinned goblin casually pulled up the low-hanging pocket watch, which he clutched in chains, and placed it back in his breast pocket. Let the golden chains hang out just a little.

"There aren't many top-level transcendents in Avalon's generation. It can even be said that ...... Quite rare. The size of the army is decreasing year by year, and how much combat effectiveness can an army that has not fought a war for decades and is pampered and pampered have? ”

The goblin uttered a magnetic voice, "And you and I both know that Avalon's true deterrent is the Griffon Legion. And the combat effectiveness of the Gryphon Legion certainly does not lie in the frontal battlefield.

"As long as the griffin legion can enter the territory of the other party, it can rely on its strong mobility to attack back and harass the rear; It can also rely on excellent mobility to block supplies, divide and encircle, and bomb and harass. Although when Avalon was invaded, there was little the Griffon could do...... But griffons can in turn attack the opponent's homeland and engage in a bloody 'war of attrition in the rear'.

"It is because of this strategic deterrence that Avalon has been able to remain isolated. But let me say, Honorable Minister, that days like this are coming to an end. ”

The goblin merchant's deep, dark pupils were like a bottomless lake, and he couldn't see his specific thoughts.

He can make them very convincing by simply saying what everyone knows in their hearts calmly and rationally: "I guess Count Emma has come to visit this time to discuss the issue of the treaty port.

"If I'm right, she'll convince you with the excuse that Star Antimony is heading east."

"That's true."

Ivas nodded slightly: "That's what she said." ”

The goblin said, "Star Antimony has ambitions to unify the continent. When Star Antimony swallows the irises, do you think Avalon will be able to survive on its own? Or do you really think that Star Antimony will leave Avalon uneaten? ”

"Of course I do."

Ivus nodded and asked rhetorically, "So what?" What do you want to do when you come to Avalon? Lobbying Avalon to lift the ban, allow goblins to establish a chamber of commerce, and allow Avalon to open up trade? ”

"That's right," said Grandet, "after all, Avalon must be in tune with the world, otherwise it will only be abandoned by the times."

"And the star antimony ...... Oh, IMHO, most of what they promise you is a blank check. Because they're too busy to take care of themselves now. ”

Hearing this, Ivas suddenly understood...... Why did this top big capitalist come to the door at this time.

If Avalon really cooperates with Star Antimony, the treaty port will be opened...... That means that the ports in the west of the entire continent are all indirectly controlled by star antimony and iris in disguise.

Avalon itself doesn't have much of the resources to speak of. Despite its abundance of metal ore, it is nothing for Star Antimony, which is several times the size of Avalon. Not to mention that Avalon's food structure is very dangerous – the Corn Laws were not passed by Queen Sofia, which has led to Avalon's grain being almost entirely dependent on imports today.

- Imported from star antimony.

And the real significance of the occupation of Avalon is to gain geographical advantages.

If Avalon goes to the northwest, it is the Sect, and if you continue to go northwest along the Sect, you can follow the northern continent all the way. To the southwest of Avalon is a sea of chaos...... It's easy to get lost if you want to go from there.

The oceans of this world are very chaotic and restless, and the farther away from the land, the more dangerous they become—though it was similar in the original world. Drive straight to the destination, and there will always be an accident after a long time. And freighters can't afford to lose.

Therefore, although ocean voyages are said to be "ocean-going", at least they should not be too far from land. At least be at a distance where you can see the land with a telescope, otherwise it will be difficult to find the right direction.

In the sea, even if it was only a deviation at first...... When you arrive at your destination, you will go straight to another country.

Because of this, if Avalon's navy and griffon legions were to set up a checkpoint in the direction of the Church to the northwest, it would pose a great threat to the startail's shipping routes.

It is also because of the tension between Avalon and Star Antimony that Star Antimony's shipping route can only be taken from the south, close to the edge of the southern continent. Either take the short route and make a short freight from Star Antimony to the Southern Continent, and then hand over the goods to the goblins. The goblins resold and transported from their long-established trade routes to the rest of the world.

In this process, goblins are largely not involved in production other than "training trolls". They are only responsible for buying at a low price and selling at a high price, relying on the routes and ports that have been established and maintained in various countries for many years, as well as the highly synchronized supply and demand information of commodities, to continuously deliver goods to the most suitable places.

"Obviously, the Star Antimony people are red-eyed."

Ivas chuckled, leaning back slightly, leaning back comfortably, "They want to mix in too." ”

"That's what the layman always thinks."

Mr. Grandet just chuckled, "The Starty People are so confident that they are about to explode...... They stubbornly believe that they have insight into the mysteries of alchemy. The only question that can easily turn low-value raw materials into products that are tens or even hundreds of times more valuable is who to sell them to. ”

"Naturally, I can only sell it to you."

Ivus smiled sarcastically.

Grandet humbly corrected, "That won't. Although I am also a member of the 'Chamber of Commerce', the members of the Chamber of Commerce are free to each other. No one is anyone's king.

"Star Antimony can't deal with the large amount of alchemy products inside, so naturally it has to contact the 'Chamber of Commerce'...... Among them, Avalon also has a lot of credit. Or rather...... You're the head worker. ”

Hearing the goblin merchant say this, Ivas was in a slight trance.

He reacted—

- That's because of Avalon's tariffs on the alchemical products of Star Antimony!

The royal family had been cursed one after another, and Avalon was never sure if it was the Iris or the Star Antimony people, and there was no solid evidence to be found. Because of this, they are reluctant to enter the war, and they are dragged into the quagmire of war by the two countries that are directly opposed.

But Avalon still maintained a rather hostile attitude towards Star Antimony - which was actually meant to be shown to the people.

Regardless of whether the source of the curse is an iris or a star antimony, it can only be a star antimony. Because Iris Avalon can be beaten, but Star Antimony everyone knows in their hearts that it really can't be beaten.

The constant condemnation of the Star Antimony is actually a delaying strategy to appease the people, and it is also to paralyze the Star Antimony people and give them a feeling of despising Avalon...... Behind it is the "Shadow of Avalon" project that the Queen wants to quietly start.

Although this plan failed before it could be carried out due to Jacob's interference......

…… But now it seems that the higher tariffs at that time have had a good result.

Star Antimony and Iris are clearly hostile countries - Star Antimony wants to annex Iris, but it is difficult to eat it directly. Because of the obvious gap between the ideological trends of the two countries, Star Antimony obviously wants the population and talents of Iris, rather than leaving land and no people. Once caught in the millstone of a bloody war, it is easy to generate hatred, so Star Antimony only wants to quickly accomplish its strategic objectives through a war that is short enough.

Because of this, it is unlikely that the iris side will accept the dumping of star antimony.

The best way to do that is actually Avalon.

Avalon and Star Antimony do not have a grudge, and even have a "Decame-Day War" feud with Iris. In addition, Avalon has a high-pressure rule of authoritarian paths, and the alchemy is very backward, and the people are relatively wealthy. As long as Avalon can take over the dumping of Star Antimony, Star Antimony does not need to contact the Goblin Chamber of Commerce at all.

Thinking of this, Ivas suddenly understood before-

Why did Star Antimony smuggle alchemical products to Avalon through Lloyd's connections? Why even the hands of low-level minions like "Da Zi" can have the "drunken dream tincture" from the alchemist of Star Antimony; Why did the "king" complain that the alchemists were squeezing the botanists in the country and constantly lowering the purchase price? Why did the alchemists in the realm of Star Antimony become so arrogant and manic, while the demon scholars maintained a subtle restraint and quiet......

Behind all this, in a sense...... The culprits are these goblin merchants.

(End of chapter)