Commercial Plans Finalized

Before long, Rein finished writing the contract and signed his name.

Although this might seem somewhat impolite, for the safety of his allies, he decided to be cautious first and act more tactfully later.

He handed over the contract and explained to the puzzled Mrs. Canossa, "Madam, although this is very impolite, it is indeed of great importance. Please forgive my rudeness. But I can assure you that if we can cooperate, this will be a crucial deal for the 'Black Gold Merchant Guild' as well."

"."

If it were anyone else, Canossa certainly wouldn't have paid any attention to such rudeness.

Negotiations haven't even started, and not a single piece of information has been revealed, yet they're already asking to sign an agreement?

What, are you planning to secretly establish a country?

But this young doctor in front of her was someone she couldn't bring herself to complain about at all. After all, he was the one who saved her life.

She read the contract and found no particularly special terms. She gripped the pen with her newly healed right arm and signed her full name.

Then, Canossa squinted at Rein and said irritably, "Alright, now that the papers are signed, can you tell me what's going on with your territory?"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but tease, "My dear Doctor Rein, you're being so secretive, don't tell me you're planning to establish a nation."

She truly didn't expect that her words of complaint would actually come true.

Rein looked at the magical runes on the contract and breathed a sigh of relief.

He expressed his thoughts in the most concise way. "I have previously discovered another pass that can traverse the 'Alkolon Mountain Range,' and together with Her Highness the Eldest Princess and the Kolman Tribe, we plan to establish a new, free territory there, independent of any power. Therefore, I would like to consult with you, Madam, and seek your expert perspective on how to plan the future business of our territory."

This is a very polite way of saying it; it's called giving pointers, but it's actually implying the feasibility of cooperation.

Currently, the mainstream commerce of the two great empires is controlled by official merchant guilds. Even if Rein and his people engage in trade, they will inevitably be restricted by the nobles at every turn.

However, if they could bring the "Black Gold Merchant Guild" on board, it would definitely bring a qualitative leap to their territory development.

"A new pass? You're really planning to establish a country?"

Upon hearing this, Canossa's expression immediately turned serious.

She knew about Princess Ymir's plan to establish a duchy. But given the current situation, the Five Great Families of City of Radiance would never give her a foothold or a share of the spoils if she wanted to build a city west of the Alkolon Mountain Range.

But now, they have found another "pass" by taking a different approach!

No wonder Rein was so cautious; now I understand.

This is indeed a "major secret" that deserves to be treated with great care!

However, at the same time, she noticed the difficulties involved.

Establishing a completely new territory, especially in a place west of the Alkolon Mountain Range where large machinery cannot pass, is a hundred times more difficult than building one within the two great empires!

"However, if it's just a new pass, the geographical location is indeed there. But if you want to build a city, there's still a long way to go. Are you asking if my merchant guild can assist you in building the city?"

Canossa said, glancing at Rein.

She would never refuse this life-saving favor, even if it seemed like a very risky deal to her business association.

She frowned in thought, then murmured, "In that case, it's not that I can't help you, but..."

A new "pass" could mean the potential creation of a second City of Radiance.

But it's only a possibility!

After all, the two great empires would never sit idly by and watch the Second City of Radiance was beyond their control, grow stronger.

However, if you want to build a city, the commotion will be enormous, and it won't be easy to keep it a secret from others.

But she didn't expect that before she could even voice her concerns, Rein's words would dispel them.

"As for building a city, Madam, you don't need to worry too much. We already have the foundation of the Mechanical City over there. As long as we can establish a foothold, we should be able to build a territory that can accommodate more than 100,000 residents very soon."

Rein didn't go into too much detail about the Airship Wreckage, but instead said, "What I'd like to discuss with you, Madam, is how to develop commerce in our geographical location after the Mechanical City is completed. You're an expert in this area, and if possible, we'd also like to cooperate with your 'Black Gold Merchant Guild'."

"Oh, you've already finished building the Mechanical City?"

Canossa felt it was unlikely; if there really was such a big commotion as building a new Mechanical City, there was no way she wouldn't have heard anything about it.

Because establishing a new territory in the wilderness, even the smallest one, requires an extremely large amount of manpower and material resources.

Moreover, it's west of the Alkolon Mountain Range, which stretch over mountains and valleys!

Even if that Princess Oma were to use the resources of the royal family, he absolutely could not accomplish this.

This made Canossa even more curious. Where exactly was the Mechanical City they had chosen as their location? And how could it have taken shape so quietly?

She asked curiously, "Where exactly is your territory?"

Rein took out a map and pointed out the location of the "Karatva Basin".

"It's here!"

Canossa immediately recognized the advantages and disadvantages of the geographical environment there. Her face filled with disbelief, she exclaimed in amazement, "That's a very dangerous fog zone within the Xid Empire! How did you find that pass?!"

"That's a complicated matter, I'll explain it to you in detail later."

Rein didn't dwell on the issue.

But since Canossa had indicated that cooperation was possible, he didn't stand on ceremony and said directly, "Now that my allies are in this basin, they should have established a firm foothold. So I think I need a strong business partner."

Upon hearing this, Canossa didn't rush to answer, but instead asked solemnly, "Doctor Rein, are you serious?"

Rein nodded. "Yes."

"."

Upon hearing this, Canossa frowned slightly, remained silent, and her mind raced.

Now, their "Black Gold Merchant Guild" is being coveted by the Established Nobles of two great empires, and their situation is indeed somewhat difficult.

Moreover, if they want to develop business west of the Alkolon Mountain Range, they have to be mindful of the City of Radiance's attitude.

It now appears that City of Radiance has colluded with Omar. This lucrative prize will undoubtedly fall into the hands of the "Sunflower Merchant Guild," with no chance left for the Black Gold Merchant Guild.

But now, this problem has taken a huge turn for the better!

If, as Doctor Rein says, the pass truly exists, and Mechanical City has already been built to allow it to establish a foothold in that dangerous area, then...

This means that all constraints will be broken!

This is not just about expanding into a new market; it also gives the "Black Gold Merchant Guild" a crucial breakthrough.

With the strength of their "Black Gold Merchant Guild," along with some powerful allies and their uniquely advantageous geographical location, they were able to achieve their goals.

She is very confident that in a few years, it may really develop into a second City of Radiance!

No!

With the full support and investment from their "Black Gold Merchant Guild," regardless of other aspects of strength, they can catch up with City of Radiance in business in a short period of time, or even surpass it!

"I plan to allow free trade within my territory, but initially I'll definitely need to attract some trustworthy merchant firms."

"I don't trust others, so..."

"."

Rein briefly outlined his plans, but being a business novice, he wasn't entirely confident in the feasibility of his ideas, so he asked again, "So, Madam, do you think we can reach a cooperation agreement?"

His idea for collaboration was still in its infancy. Although he had considered some aspects, it was certainly not as comprehensive as what a professional like Canossa had thought of.

Upon hearing this, Canossa promptly replied, "Of course!"

"Oh? That's great."

Rein's face lit up with joy, and he also breathed a sigh of relief.

He then pointed to the map and said, "Of course, that pass is within the territory of the Xid Empire, which might be a bit troublesome."

Upon hearing this, Canossa shook her head, disagreeing with the statement. "No, no, no! This is not a problem at all, but rather a convenience."

Rein looked at her, slightly puzzled. "???"

Canossa smiled in response and explained, "Compared to the Oma Empire, Sid is the focus of our Black Gold Merchant Guild! The location of the pass makes it easier for us to transport all the resources developed in your territory."

Upon hearing this, Rein assumed she was doing him a favor, and said, "Thank you so much."

Canossa smiled and said, "No, I agreed to cooperate not just because of you. It's also a win-win situation for our 'Black Gold Merchant Guild'."

At this point in the story, the lady's keen intuition, typical of a professional businesswoman, had already stirred a subtle excitement within her.

The pass has a very advantageous geographical location. If a city is built in this territory, their "Black Gold Merchant Guild" will have a real safe haven.

At that point, no matter how much pressure the two great empires of Sid and Omar exert, they will have a way out.

Therefore, once she went out to confirm the truth of the matter, she even planned to move the headquarters of the Black Gold Merchant Guild, as well as all future centers of the Chamber of Commerce, to that "new city"!

This is not just about repaying a favor, but also about huge profits.

For Canossa, both Rein and the Her Highness the Eldest Princess were a million times better partners than those greedy Established Nobles.

At this moment, Rein realized that once trade was established, a new territory with a strategic and status equal to that of City of Radiance would definitely threaten the interests of the Five Great Families, and that various forces such as Sid and Omar would certainly not stand idly by.

He hadn't considered the aspect that Canossa had taken into account, and asked with a slightly worried look, "Wouldn't our cooperation cause unnecessary trouble for your chamber of commerce?"

"If we don't cooperate, will those guys stop bothering 'Black Gold'?"

Canossa smiled dismissively.

To give Rein a clear understanding of the Black Gold Merchant Guild's strength, she added, "Actually, several years ago, I was already wary that those Established Nobles would see our chamber as easy prey and devour it. After all, you know, unless you're already a top-tier Established Nobles, no one can hold onto such a large and enviable fortune. That's why our Black Gold Merchant Guild has kept a low profile all these years. But as our business has grown, it has still attracted the attention of some people."

Rein listened with a slightly serious expression.

Greed is human nature, especially for those high-ranking nobles who are used to controlling everything. They would never allow an ordinary person who is richer than themselves to exist.

A chamber of commerce with wealth comparable to that of a nation, yet lacking any political foundation, is essentially a piece of "fat meat" that can be easily manipulated.

Now that they've fattened them up, they're just waiting to be slaughtered.

Canossa continued, "Although I have spent money to buy a few high-ranking titles over the years, it is still insignificant compared to those deeply rooted, intertwined Established Nobles groups that have been entangled for thousands of years through marriage and interests. I can't even get into the core noble circle."

"."

Rein listened without speaking, but fell into deep thought.

He was also surprised that Canossa, a businesswoman, had considered all these aspects so early on.

He was keenly aware that the aristocratic system in this world had become rigid in its class structure.

For high-ranking nobles such as dukes, princes, and various Lord-tier, their titles are almost always hereditary, and they emphasize bloodline and surname.

Even some impoverished and destitute high-ranking nobles, because of their noble surnames, are more arrogant and dignified than lower-ranking nobles who are a hundred times richer than them.

Intermarriage among high-ranking nobles also followed a closed loop. They would never intermarry with commoners, or even lower-ranking nobles, in order to preserve their so-called noble "pure noble bloodline."

The upper class almost never intermarries with the lower class, which leads to almost all resources being concentrated in the hands of a few top nobles, leaving the poor with no chance of rising to prominence!

This is also one of the root causes of the increasingly irreconcilable social conflicts.

That's not just a few families, but a huge chain of interests.

The most significant obstacle to Emperor Oma's failed reforms lay here.

He threatened the interests of the Established Nobles, which in effect meant threatening the interests of all the beneficiaries in the entire chain of interests!

But now, isn't the "Black Gold Merchant Guild" facing a situation of being completely besieged by the two great empires?

Canossa, a top-tier businesswoman, clearly recognized the advantages and disadvantages of this "closed loop of the aristocratic circle" long ago.

Breaking it was impossible, so she came up with a good solution.

Canossa continued, "So, over the past few years, I've spent a lot of money subtly altering some of Sid's laws to make them serve our Chamber of Commerce. I've also brought a group of established local Established Nobles to the Chamber's cause."

"What? You secretly changed the law?"

When Rein heard about her methods, he thought about it carefully and was truly amazed.

Paying money to alter the law?

How to bind local lords to a web of interests?

Holy crap, Lady Canossa's methods are so sophisticated!

No wonder Canossa was so dismissive of the "Sunflower Merchant Guild" before; she was prepared all along!

The local lords were essentially "local emperors".

Although they claim to be loyal to the imperial power, they are actually like feudal lords. Once their vital interests are threatened, these lords are capable of doing anything crazy!

The Established Nobles circle united against a common enemy, that's right, targeting someone like Spurglin XV who wanted to take away the interests of all the nobles.

However, even without external conflicts, they are not a monolithic entity internally.

Self-interest is the best way to divide and conquer.

After all, business also has regional characteristics.

The "Black Gold Merchant Guild" ceded profits to a portion of local nobles, achieving a win-win situation through cooperation.

At this time, if a high-ranking noble in the capital wanted to take over the Black Gold Merchant Guild, it would directly harm the interests of local nobles.

You, a nobleman from the capital, what gives you the right to try and cut off the financial lifeline of local nobles? Who gave you the audacity?

The conflict between merchants and nobles directly transformed into a struggle for interests among nobles themselves.

That's a brilliant tactic!

He was secretly relieved that such a powerful figure was an ally, not an enemy.

Clearly, Canossa also regarded Rein as their most important future partner in the "Black Gold Merchant Guild," and she became increasingly serious when discussing business.

The two hit it off immediately and began discussing the details.

"The mountain road leading to that pass is very treacherous, making transportation a problem."

"The Kolman Tribe are skilled at taming magical beasts, so this shouldn't be a problem."

"Are those Kolman people trustworthy?"

"Absolutely no problem."

"What about the City of Radiance?"

"Although we don't want war, I, Ymir, the Kolman Tribe, and the Five Great Families of City of Radiance are all mortal enemies. Besides, they will absolutely not allow us to grow stronger."

"Oh, that's perfect. I was also planning to settle accounts with those backstabbing bastards."

"Then this agreement?"

"Sign!"

"By the way, if I may be so bold as to ask another question, will the president of your 'Black Gold Merchant Guild' agree to such an important decision?"

"The chairman is my father."

"Oh, then that's fine."