"Black market?" Russell shook a finger. "I am a lord, and even more so, a noble. I will not permit a black market to exist."
Hearing this, Horace immediately drooped in disappointment. "I'm sorry, my lord. I spoke out of turn."
But the next moment, Russell said, "However, Xiangshui River Cave does not need a black market. Following your idea, though, we could build an open and legal cave trading market, with normal trade and normal taxes."
"Ah." Horace froze.
Then he was overjoyed. "My lord is absolutely right. Please forgive my foolish brain. The pitch-black environment of the caves had blinded my eyes. You are of the noble Fluorite Mushroom Family bloodline; you can absolutely build a legal cave trading market!"
Although Cave Freemen had always been looked down upon by the nobility.
Legally, however, Cave Freemen were not criminals. On the contrary, they possessed commoner status within the Shadowflame Grand Duchy. They simply were not subjects of Guangguang River Valley, which was why they could only live in the caves around the territory.
If Russell established a trading market in Xiangshui River Cave and provided services to the Cave Freemen, it would be entirely lawful.
Nor would it violate the rules of Guangguang River Valley.
Still, Russell had only stated that he would not establish a black market. Whether or not to build a cave trading market required further investigation.
"Later, report your proposal to Charles, then discuss with him whether this business should be done," Russell said. "Submit the final conclusion to me, and I will decide whether to proceed."
After all, a cave trading market would involve all the caves around Guangguang River Valley, as well as more than three thousand Cave Freemen.
Including the population that had been concealed, there might even be four thousand.