The Family's Decision

Following the unfrozen Seine River north leads to Dunkirk, the Gallic Empire's sole ice-free northern port. As the Empire's third-largest port and its most crucial trade hub connecting with the northern nations of the Western Continent, Dunkirk boasts a dense population and a thriving commercial scene, making it one of the Empire's premier business centers.

Several miles south of Dunkirk lies a vast black pine forest. The oldest trees within this forest are over a thousand years old. Due to legends of thieves and bandits frequently appearing within the black pine forest, very few law-abiding citizens dare venture deep inside.

The terrain within the black pine forest is uneven. Behind a small hill offering a view of the Seine River, a wooden structure built with the aid of the pine forest stands. These wooden buildings possess a rustic and wild design, each exceptionally spacious and lofty. Enclosed walkways connect the buildings, sufficient to block out the howling cold wind.

These wooden structures are clearly aged, covered in thick fallen leaves and moss, with countless lichens entwining them. Not only from afar, but even up close, anyone unaware of the place's secrets would never suspect the existence of such a settlement.

Furthermore, the wooden buildings are arranged at varying heights, clearly distributed according to a pattern that allows for mutual cover and protection. Any one wooden building falls within the arrow range of all other buildings, granting them astonishing defensive capabilities.

As dusk approached, in the main hall of a central wooden house among these structures, nearly a hundred burly men stood motionless.

Blackbeard, the vice-chairman of the Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce, the largest miller in Dunkirk, and also its biggest flour supplier, known in Dunkirk and surrounding areas for his benevolence and public service, sat imposingly on the hall's sole gilded chair, clad in a black bear skin coat. Puffing on a large cigar, he looked contentedly at the nearly hundred burly, arrogant, and unruly men filling the hall.

Blackbeard sported an exceptionally striking beard, its jet-black strands covering nearly half his face. Like Lin Qi, he had a sharply defined face, black hair, black eyes, and slightly sallow skin. He also possessed pure Eastern ancestry. However, much like Lin Qi, Blackbeard's physique was exceptionally imposing, towering over many Western men.

Unlike Lin Qi's slightly portly build, Blackbeard was tall and robust, with no trace of excess fat, only exceptionally well-defined muscle. Seated on his chair, he resembled a steel statue, exuding a wild, scorching, and suffocatingly fierce aura.

"I have some very unfortunate news!" After finishing a cigar, Blackbeard tossed the butt to the ground and crushed it with a heavy stomp. He then growled darkly, "Very unfortunate news! For the past year, the Empire has once again enjoyed favorable weather. Damn it, favorable weather! My twenty warehouses of wheat are practically sprouting, yet I haven't sold a single pound of flour!"

Nearly a hundred burly men sighed in unison, cursing the gods above for the Empire's years of good harvests. Their curses were varied and creative, filled with every imaginable obscenity. If someone fluent in local dialects were present, they would realize these men hailed from at least seven different countries and regions across the northern continent.

"However, there's also good news!" Blackbeard said with a beaming smile after the men had vented their frustrations with vulgarities. "The good news is that our inn is doing well, and our maritime business is also thriving. Especially thanks to the brothers' hard work, we've acquired two gold-carrying ships from the Vias Commercial Federation. This haul alone is enough to offset our losses in the flour trade."

Clapping his hands forcefully, dozens of burly men emerged from the back of the hall carrying heavy bronze chests. These two-foot square chests were placed heavily on the ground. As the men lifted the lids, they revealed interiors glittering with gold coins and gleaming silver coins.

"Therefore, the brothers will still have a prosperous year! But I must remind everyone: during the three-month winter break, you must all pray devoutly. Pray for a drought, or floods, or even locusts in the Empire next year, but never again for favorable weather!"

The burly men applauded and stomped their feet, shouting loudly and roaring with laughter. Gleaming gold coins, shining silver coins – Father is still Father, and he's as generous as ever! Of course, it was also thanks to the brothers' efforts; without their hard work, those two gold-carrying ships wouldn't have been captured, and they wouldn't be having such a prosperous year.

Just as the men were dividing the gold and silver coins based on the number of subordinates and their achievements this year, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Iron Hammer entered with heavy steps. Upon entering, he exclaimed, "Master, the young master has caused some trouble in Berely. He provoked a good-for-nothing son of the Bavier Family, and that brat actually enlisted the Dragon Cavalry and Copper Hat to cause trouble for the young master. Although the young master handled them skillfully, I fear there will be more trouble in the future!"

The burly men, who had been shouting boisterously, stopped simultaneously. They all turned to look at Iron Hammer, and then, as if on cue, nearly a hundred men drew their sabers and axes, roaring furiously, "Chop up the Bavier Family, kill them all!"

Among the burly men were several orcs with distinctly non-human features. These ferocious-looking orcs roared, "Father, let us take the brothers! Orcs attacking noble manors and slaughtering entire families, hahaha, such things are commonplace!"

The burly men brandished their weapons with murderous intent, showing no regard for a mere viscount family. They were seasoned veterans in wiping out entire families and plundering wealth, understanding that a thief can operate for a thousand days, but a guard cannot stand guard for a thousand days.

Only Blackbeard stood up nonchalantly, baring his teeth and letting out a cold laugh.

"The Bavier Family? You mean the Bavier Family of that Hausen, the so-called light of the Empire's army?"

Iron Hammer grunted dully and nodded. "That Hausen is now a major general in the Empire, commanding a standing army of ten thousand. The young master provoked someone from their family and, I heard, caused them significant trouble. I fear they might act against the young master!"

Blackbeard waved his hand dismissively. "No need for the brothers to act. Go back and have a good new year. Hmm, I recall thirty years ago, didn't that Hausen collaborate with us in the slave and arms trade? Find those old ledgers. If they dare to provoke Lin Qi, send those ledgers and witnesses to the Empire's Ministry of Supervision. We won't have to lift a finger after that!"

The burly men in the wooden house paused, then burst into frenzied laughter.

Blackbeard was indeed Blackbeard. To have a major general of the Empire in his grasp was truly formidable.