A few days later, Charlotte and Javier left Headington to visit the towns of Alston and Farak. And Raymond, who got the money from the sale of the loot, also began to invest in several industries in Hydington according to Rickett's plan, buying a bankrupt equipment store and a grain store, which was put in the hands of Rickett. These two shops are not only to make money, but more importantly, to directly serve their escort team.

And Freddie took Raymond's 100,000 gold coins, and he didn't know what to do. Raymond didn't bother to bother and gave Freddie full freedom, because he knew very well that Freddie was not the kind of villain who coveted small profits.

In addition, the wharf jointly invested by Raymond, Headington and Javier is also in full swing. Since this is directly related to the future development of Heidington, the enthusiasm of the workers is high, and the progress of the project is extremely fast.

In this way, after a month and a half of being stationed in Beddington, everything seems to be on the right track on Raymond's side, and things are developing in a very good direction. But there is only one thing that is more annoying, and that is that Raymond's wallet is rapidly deflating.

A total of more than 300,000 funds, 50,000 investments, 100,000 to Freddie to establish an intelligence agency, part of the investment in the construction of docks, and a sum of money for the acquisition of shops, unconsciously spent more than half.

This is really a very bad signal for Raymond, whose only income can only rely on Drea's merchant ships to sell goods back and forth, not to mention that just raising Dreya's ship is a big expense.

Before Headington was officially developed, Raymond's investment didn't want to be rewarded at all, those two stores could make money, and he didn't know that the Year of the Monkey was gone, and there was a huge expense of Drea's Cangyun every month, as well as more than 100 guards, so Raymond suddenly realized that he was in an embarrassing situation of having to go in and out, and he was still quite "out".

He also wanted to set up a caravan and do some business with Javier, but Rickett, the only one who knew how to do business, was busy with all kinds of trivial matters at this time, and he was too busy to get out of the city of Headington alone, so this idea could only be put aside for the time being.

As a result, the former orc prince, like his father, soon tasted the embarrassment of lack of money, which is probably one of the family inheritances.

Raymond was in trouble, but Charlotte was doing well. The two cities of Farak and Alston not only agreed to resume business with Headington without hesitation, but also expressed a great welcome to Javier, after all, it is very rare to have a business partner with a deep background like the Lowville Chamber of Commerce.

The three parties soon reached an agreement that the produce of the two cities would be shipped to Headington and then transshipped overseas by Javier. Due to their remote location on the mainland of Veronica, the two cities, like Headington, have always struggled with the difficulty of doing business, and they naturally can't ask for it to expand their sales.

A few days later, Charlotte returned to Headington, and the good news once again plunged the town into great joy. Coupled with this time, Raimon's investment, and the jobs that came with the arrival of the merchant fleet, brought the otherwise lifeless town back to life, and almost all the residents believed that the worst was behind us, and that there was hope for a revival of Headington.

Charlotte also began to actively prepare, waiting for the first batch of specialties to be shipped from the two cities, and when the business started, everything could be back on track.

However, soon a week passed, and the caravan promised by the two cities was nowhere to be seen. Thinking that it would take time for the other party to prepare the goods, Charlotte waited for a few more days, but still did not wait for the caravan to arrive.

Both cities are near Headington, the nearest Auston is only a day's journey, and the bandit group has been wiped out, no matter how slow it is, so many days should be there.

Charlotte felt that something was wrong, and while hiding it from the residents, she sent people to the two cities to urge, anxiously waiting for the return.

However, the worst fears eventually happened.

A few days later, a group of men suddenly appeared at the door of Headington, but they were not caravans sent by Auston or Farak, as there were only a few of them.

The men arrived outside the gates of Headington, and the garrison was about to inquire about their origins, as was customary. Suddenly, when he saw a logo neatly embroidered on the other party's chest, he was immediately shocked.

Then the group entered the city and swaggered through the streets, and all the inhabitants who saw them looked panicked and stepped aside, and there was a great deal of discussion.

At this time, Charlotte was discussing with Raymond, Javier and others about rebuilding the dock. A member of the garrison hurried in and reported the news of the men's entry into the city, and Charlotte's face immediately changed.

"What's wrong?" Seeing her strange face, Raymond couldn't help but ask.

"Not good, the troublesome people are coming. Charlotte said anxiously: "It's the inspection committee directly under the Central Council of the Federation of Ravuit. ”

"Lavut Federation?" Raymond was stunned. Although Headington nominally belongs to Rawitt, he is too remote to see the influence of the Federation, so Raymond has no specific concept of it.

However, he didn't expect that all of a sudden, he would have to face this organization head-on.

But what does the Patrol Committee do?

As if seeing Raymond's doubts, Javier explained in a low voice: "The Patrol Committee is an organization directly controlled by the Central Council of Ravuit, responsible for handling commercial disputes between its various trading towns, or investigating various improper incidents that may threaten the Federation, and has considerable power, so for the towns that belong to the Federation, the arrival of the Patrol Committee is generally not a good thing. ”

As a member of the Lowville Chamber of Commerce, Javier naturally knows everything about his competitors.

However, unlike Charlotte's anxiety, the three Lamberts showed a hint of schadenfreude, as if they were looking forward to each other's arrival.

"I don't know what their intentions are, so I'll go and meet them first. Charlotte stood up and was about to walk out.

At that moment, the door suddenly opened, and several men swaggered in, with Morini following them

"Mr. Morini, what's going on?" Charlotte asked, surprised.

Morini whispered, "They are the members of the Patrol Committee, I met them on the way, and I had no choice but to bring them here. Be careful, Mayor. ”

Charlotte nodded in understanding, and then said to the others: "I'm sorry, I just got the news, and I didn't greet you in time, please forgive me." ”

"It's okay, we don't expect anyone to welcome us. A stern middle-aged man said coldly and sat down across from Charlotte, while the others stood behind him.

This man is about 40 years old, richly dressed, meticulous from top to bottom, and looks like a well-educated person. However, his face is rigid, there is no trace of softness in the tight facial lines, his eyes are as sharp as knives, and the whole person is like a neatly cut stone, giving people the feeling that they can't start.

If he is also a businessman, then Absolute and Javier are two types.

The others were also neatly dressed, not like ordinary followers. All of them had a logo on the chest of their clothes with a hanging blade inserted into a pile of money, which should be the emblem of the Patrol Committee.

"First of all, let me introduce myself, I am Paist of the Federal Patrol Commission of Rawitt, and I have been commissioned by the Central Council to come to Headington to investigate. The man spoke.

"I'm Mayor of Headington, Charlotte. At this time, Charlotte also calmed down: "I wonder what you want to investigate?"

"This is an internal matter within the Rawitt Federation, and I don't want outsiders to be there. Paist glanced at Raymond and Javier.

It was clear that the two were not from Headington, and it was obvious that Paist had come prepared.

Although he wanted to know the other party's purpose, Raymond really didn't have any reason to stay here, so he and Javier had to say goodbye and leave.

After the two of them left, Paist looked at Charlotte, and his gaze suddenly became very sharp: "Mayor Charlotte, please tell me, what's going on?"

"What?" Charlotte was stunned.

"Why are the people from the Lowville Chamber here?" said Paist, in a deep voice.

"We have a trade pact with the Lowville Chamber of Commerce, but..."Charlotte said hurriedly.

Paist coldly pressed his hand down, signaling Charlotte to stop talking: "The Lowville Chamber of Commerce has always wanted to infiltrate the Veronica continent and seriously threaten the interests of the Ravut Federation. However, you ignored this and summoned our enemy, Mayor Charlotte, and I would like you to explain this. ”

Charlotte hurriedly said: "I can explain this, for most of the past six months, Headington has been ravaged by robbers, and the town has almost collapsed, and I am also forced to seek cooperation with the Lowville Chamber of Commerce, because only the sea route can avoid those robbers." ”

"I have deep sympathy for what happened to Beddington. Paist said, but there was no hint of sympathy in his cold tone.

Then he added, "However, I have heard that the robbers have been eliminated. ”

Charlotte nodded: "Yes, thanks to Mr. Raymond, Hydington was able to restore its previous peace. ”

Paist's voice sank: "So, why are the people from the Lowville Chamber of Commerce still here?"

"What?"

"Now that the robbers have been eliminated, there is no reason for you to turn to them for help, but I have found that the people of the Lovell Chamber of Commerce have not only not left, but have a tendency to stay there. How do you explain that?" said Paister coldly.

Charlotte hurriedly said: "How can you say that, the other party is here to help us." How can you drive them away just because the crisis is over?"

Paist said, "In other words, you have no intention of driving them away?"

"Or did you summon the enemies of the Federation for another purpose?"

Unexpectedly, she was so unreasonably accused by Paist, Charlotte was shocked and angry, and she was so angry that she couldn't speak for a while. But Lambert and the others didn't say a word, and it was clear that they were watching from the wall, and Morini had no choice but to bite the bullet and say: "Mr. Paist, please listen to me, we are doing this, it is really..."

"The mayor of Headington is Lady Charlotte, and what I need is her answer. Paist interrupted him coldly.

At this time, Charlotte took a slow breath, as if she already had something in her mind. Then, she raised her head and met Paist's gloomy face: "Mr. Paist, I would like to ask you that not long ago we reached an agreement with Auston and Farak to resume business and trade in the past. However, after so many days, I haven't seen their caravan, I wonder what you know?"

Paist said unabashedly: "I have already been to these two towns before coming here, and I asked them not to send caravans to Headington. ”

"Why?" seemed to have expected this, and Charlotte was not too surprised.

Paist snorted, "I warn them that Headington has made a serious mistake, and until you correct this mistake, you are strictly forbidden to have any contact with you, otherwise you will be severely punished by the Federation." ”

Sure enough, it was Paist who was behind the trouble, and Morini was shocked to hear him make such a threat to two towns, but Charlotte was surprisingly calm.

Charlotte said calmly, "I never knew that the Patrol Committee had the power to interfere in our trade with others. ”

"This is a special authority given to me directly by the Central Council, and we have the right to take any action against traitors in the Federation. ”

"Traitor?" Charlotte's tone also began to carry anger, "I refuse to accept such unreasonable accusations!"

Paist sneered, "Mayor Charlotte, you don't have to act anymore. Headington's unauthorized trading with the enemies of the Federation has violated the covenant you signed when you joined the Federation, and this is the worst form of treachery. ”

Speaking of this, his tone softened slightly: "However, considering the special situation of Headington, the Central Council has decided to give you a chance to repent. As long as you can get rid of the Lowville Chamber of Commerce, the Federation will re-admit Headington as our member. ”

"I refuse. Charlotte immediately said categorically.

"What did you say?" I thought that Charlotte would immediately give in after the threat, but she refused so simply that Paist could hardly believe his ears.

By this time, Charlotte seemed to have opened up everything. She said in a deep voice, "You accuse us of violating the Covenant, but what about the Lavit Federation?

"When the three bandit bandits appeared outside the city, we asked the council several times for help, but received no response, what do you explain for this?"

Confused by her sudden questioning, Paist reluctantly said, "Yes, we didn't get any help, maybe there was a misunderstanding..."

"Didn't the Covenant say that the Federation would keep our small towns safe?" and that "where is the Federation when we need it most?"

"It's you who don't care about our lives or deaths, so in order to survive, we can only ask for help from the outside world, and at this point, Hairington has nothing wrong with it!"

I didn't expect Charlotte to be so tough, Paist's face turned blue with anger, and he snorted angrily and stood up: "Mayor Charlotte, for the sake of Headington's future, I advise you to think about it carefully! Otherwise, you will definitely regret it!"

As he spoke, he left with his entourage without looking back.

When the conference room was quiet again, Morini tentatively asked, "Mayor Mare, have you really decided?"

Charlotte nodded: "I won't drive Mr. Javier away because of their threats." ”

"Don't be stupid, Charlotte, do you still have to defend them at this time?" said Depero suddenly.

Charlotte said: "It's not called maintenance. Mr. Javier helped us at a critical time, how can we break our promises for no reason. ”

Fanning said: "But you have also heard Mr. Paist's words, if you insist on going your own way again, you can only fully offend the Federation, have you ever thought about this consequence?"

Lambert followed, "I'm sorry for them, but for the sake of Beddington, we can only do what the council wants." ”

When Paist reprimanded Charlotte just now, the three men did not say a word, but at this time, they all persuaded Charlotte to give in, which was really strange.

Charlotte patiently explained: "I didn't do it on my own initiative. Please think about it, there are too many suspicious points about this bandit attack, and who is behind it has not yet been clarified. And the attitude of the Federation before and after is even more far away, so how can people trust them. ”

"But after all, we belong to the Lawitt Federation, and it is really unwise to offend the Federation for the sake of a foreign chamber of commerce at this time. Depero persuaded again.

"All I know is that it was Mr. Raymond who helped us when we faced the threat of banditry, and the Lowville Chamber of Commerce, not the Federation that had promised to protect us. Charlotte said firmly.

"Don't you think about Haydington?" said Fanning.

Charlotte also raised her voice and said, "It was for the sake of Headington that I rejected Paist. Don't you see it clearly? The Federation doesn't take us seriously at all, all they care about is the fight against the Lowville Chamber of Commerce, and we are just a dispensable victim. ”

"If we get rid of Mr. Javier, or even Mr. Raymond, it won't end well. Headington is still just a small town in the middle of nowhere, and if we want to survive, we have to decide our own destiny. ”

Speaking of this, Charlotte looked at the three of Lambert and said seriously word by word: "So, I will never give in." ”

Unexpectedly, she was so resolute, the three of them looked at each other, and Lambert suddenly sneered: "Hmph, is it really like you said? Or have you actually reached some agreement with those two guys in private, so you don't hesitate to sacrifice Beddington and fight the Federation to the end." ”

"What are you talking about!?" Charlotte was surprised and angry when she couldn't think of her own excuses, but in exchange for such suspicions.

"It seems that you really don't fit to be the mayor of this town. The three of them didn't seem to want to give Charlotte any chance to argue, so they left this sentence and turned away.

Watching the three of them walk out of the conference room, Charlotte's strong eyes suddenly showed a complicated expression, and she sat back in her chair in a dejected manner: "Mr. Morini, did I really do something wrong?"

Morini sighed: "No, I think you are quite right, agreeing to Paist's conditions will not do us any good." ”

Then he said: "However, you can't blame Lambert for them, they are just too afraid of offending the Federation, so they will say such things." ”

Charlotte nodded: "I understand, I hope they will understand one day." ”

"Mayor Mare asked, now that we've rejected the Federation, we can't do business with Auston and Farak anymore, what's next?"

Charlotte said: "I can only maintain cooperation with the Lowville Chamber of Commerce first, and then find a way." Fortunately, Mr. Raymond will continue to increase his investment, and after the dock is built, I will ask the Lowville Chamber of Commerce to introduce more merchant fleets, hoping to survive this for a while. ”

Morini said helplessly: "It seems that this is the only way." ”

"By the way, I'm going to tell Javier and Mr. Raymond about the negotiation just now, so as not to cause any misunderstanding between them. Charlotte said, standing up.

With that, she also left the conference room.

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