[Du Wei's Plan to Get Rich]

Chapter 42: Du Wei's Plan to Get Rich (Second Chapter Today)

Very soon, the Black Pearl, flying its new flag, turned around and headed for the nearest port.

After a day and a half at sea, this former pirate ship encountered the Imperial Navy warship that had been pursuing them for the past two days!

Following a tense standoff, the officers aboard the naval vessel were astonished to see that the flag hanging from the other ship's mast was not a pirate flag... but a... strange banner!

Then their men reported that the pirate ship's signalman had sent a flag signal requesting surrender... They were not pirates.

What followed was much simpler.

The captain of the naval warship ordered his men to stay alert and accepted the pirate ship's "surrender." Then he learned that the Roland Family's young master, who had been missing for days, was aboard that very pirate ship...

What was more, that young master had actually captured an entire shipful of pirates!

The Imperial Navy captain's eyes went wide! According to Imperial law, any captive taken by a noble could be dealt with directly by that noble himself... Naturally, this did not include grave crimes such as treason or rebellion!

But if the young master wanted to deal with a few pirates... The captain of the naval vessel was quite willing to turn a blind eye.

After all, this was a young master of the Roland Family! The eldest son of Count Raymond!

Count Raymond, who had once served as a general in the Imperial Navy's expeditionary fleet, had extensive connections throughout the Navy! He also enjoyed tremendous prestige!

Naturally, no one aboard this naval ship would make things difficult for Count Raymond's son!

After the two ships came to a stop side by side, Du Wei was transferred by skiff to the warship. To ensure safety, the naval vessel also sent two squads of soldiers aboard the pirate ship to keep watch over the pirates.

"Young Master Du Wei!" The captain of the naval warship was a typical naval serviceman. He wore no armor, only a uniform. Short and stocky, with bronze skin hardened by sea winds and waves, and large, rough hands, he said, "Our entire fleet was scattered across these nearby waters searching for you! Orders were issued throughout the fleet: whoever found your ship first would receive a month's leave to rest in Walker Port! The gods have blessed me with such a tremendous achievement! Hahahaha..."

Du Wei was slightly surprised... An entire fleet had been looking for him?

Although his old man had once been a high-ranking naval commander and was now the second most powerful figure in the Imperial military... he did not like Du Wei. It did not seem likely that he would make such a huge fuss over finding him, did it?

With those doubts in mind, Du Wei spoke with the captain in his cabin. He quickly learned what had happened.

It seemed he had become a crucial bargaining chip in the Imperial military's negotiations with the Magic Union.

If they found him, they could turn a major matter into a minor one.

If they failed to find him... the conflict between the military and the Magicians' Union would intensify and sharpen! That was something no one wished to see!

"And these two are..." The captain looked at Vivian and Joanna beside Du Wei.

"My two friends." Du Wei brushed it off vaguely.

Of course, he would not say outright: They are the two magicians who caused havoc in the military camp! See that woman in armor? She is the one who nearly got me killed! She is the one who attacked the local military camp!

If he said that... it would surely cause a mess!

Joanna's magic had now fully recovered! If she started causing trouble, she could easily send everyone on both ships to a watery grave!

The naval captain was no fool, but he did not press the matter. He simply skipped over it. "Then please rest. I have prepared food and water... If there is anything else you need, I will do my best to arrange it... Please, do not stand on ceremony! My younger brother once served in the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet. He was an officer under your father's command! I deeply respect Count Raymond as well. He is the pride of our Imperial Navy!"

Before leaving, the naval captain could not help asking one more question. "Forgive my presumption... Young Master Du Wei, how do you intend to deal with those pirates? They are desperate criminals, and you..."

"They are my captives. I have the right to deal with them first, do I not?" Du Wei smiled. "As it happens, I am going to have a fleet. I will incorporate them into it. I need experienced sailors and seamen. Besides, I rather like their ship."

In truth, the naval captain wanted to remind Du Wei that he did not yet hold an official title, so strictly speaking, he was not permitted to maintain a private armed force.

But in reality, the children of every great Imperial family would eventually be granted titles. Whether they established private forces a little earlier or a little later, everyone turned a blind eye. Who would truly investigate such a thing?

"I have already named this ship the Black Pearl. It will be the flagship of my fleet," Du Wei continued with a smile.

"Then what is your fleet called... Oh, no, no, I am not being nosy. It is simply that they are pirates. Though they now belong to you, once we go ashore, I will need to handle some paperwork. I must know these things so I can fill out the documents and remove them from the Navy's list of targets. So I need you to provide your fleet's name."

Du Wei smiled. He pulled the captain onto the deck and looked toward the Black Pearl not far away.

"Do you see the flag on that ship?" Du Wei was grinning happily.

"...I see it." The captain found it rather strange. "I have never seen such a peculiar flag... What does it mean?"

If someone from Du Wei's previous life were standing beside him now and saw that banner, they would surely faint on the spot!

Because emblazoned on that flag was a huge, round, capital English letter "M"!!

"McDonald's!" Du Wei answered without changing expression. "My fleet is called the McDonald's Fleet! You may put that name down in the paperwork."

Watching the utterly bewildered captain depart, Du Wei entertained a malicious thought...

Someday in the future, when a dozen warships all flew McDonald's flags, what an amusing sight that would be, wouldn't it?

After the two ships sailed on for several more days, they arrived at Walker Port, a port city on the east coast of Lier Province in the southern Empire.

It was a typical small coastal port city. A naturally curved bay formed an excellent harbor sheltering from the wind. Countless vessels of all sizes were moored at the docks—merchant ships from every region, privately armed merchant vessels... The piers teemed with sailors seeking amusement after disembarking, busy clerks, tax officials, laborers, porters, and cargo handlers...

Naturally, there were also taverns of every size and cheaply dressed prostitutes in gaudy colors, ready to wring the last copper coin from sailors who had been pent up at sea for months!

Once the two ships docked, Du Wei and the others finally set foot on the continent!

After so many days at sea, the moment he took his first step onto solid ground, Du Wei even felt his legs go weak.

Fortunately, he had returned alive. And besides...

Du Wei smiled and casually touched his head.

He wore a handsome hat and had changed into a naval officer's uniform without epaulets. He looked like a young, handsome naval officer... only far too young, and rather too thin.

Walker Port was a civilian harbor, not a naval port. No Navy troops were stationed here. The nearest force was a local garrison camp, where a thousand-man infantry regiment was posted.

This bustling port city provided the Empire with vast amounts of tax gold every year, while maritime trade brought in enormous profits as well.

The moment Du Wei stepped out of the harbor, he immediately felt just how prosperous this place was!

It differed from the Empire's majesty, steeped in the luxurious air of high society. It was also unlike the peaceful, harmonious cities of Roland Plain.

Here... the first impression was... crowded!

The roads teemed with all kinds of people—drunken sailors, seamen, pot-bellied merchants, and tax officials on horseback.

All kinds of shops lined both sides of the streets as well.

It could be said that flourishing maritime trade had brought Walker Port goods from nearly every corner of the world! Anything rare or unusual, you could see it here and buy it here!

Du Wei even saw that this port city actually had a branch of the Mage Union!!

Protected by a squad of naval soldiers, Du Wei had no room to wander about. He went straight back to the inn—the entire inn had been rented out by the navy.

So, what came next?

Du Wei waited patiently.

Two days later, Knight Robert and Ruolin's group arrived. After receiving the message sent through the Mage Union's magic, they had rushed here without sleep or rest.

Knight Robert had grown two sizes thinner. He looked utterly haggard and deeply remorseful. Ruolin's face was pale; her injuries had only just healed, and the constant rushing back and forth these past days had exhausted her as well.

The two of them had brought an entire contingent of the Roland Family's private light cavalry—one thousand men in all!

They had also brought bad news.

Because of what had happened to Du Wei, the Roland Family had been forced onto the storm-tossed brink of conflict with the Mage Union! Under those circumstances, even if they did not wish to become enemies with the Mage Union, the Roland Family had no choice but to confront the Mage Union needle for needle, blade for blade, for the sake of their honor and reputation!

This had put Count Raymond in an extremely awkward position.

And in his eyes, all of this had been caused by this son of his!

What Knight Robert brought was not merely a troop of cavalry to protect Du Wei. He also brought the Count's harsh reprimand, along with an order:

Du Wei had to return to the castle on Roland Plain immediately, and he was forbidden from leaving for one year! This was his punishment.

Moreover, his allowance for the next year was to be cut off... the three hundred gold coins he received every month were gone!

Du Wei was also ordered not to interfere in any of the family territory's businesses!

During his confinement, Du Wei was not allowed to take even a single step beyond the estate surrounding the castle! At the same time, he was to obey the old steward in the castle.

If Du Wei caused any more trouble for the family... then what awaited him would likely be an even harsher punishment!

But Du Wei did not care in the slightest!

He had long expected Count Raymond to vent his anger on him.

Confined for a year? In any case, Du Wei had planned to stay obediently in the castle for the coming year...

He needed to properly digest... Chris's gift! Heh heh...

It was exactly what he needed: plenty of time to study!

As for his allowance... three hundred gold coins a month? Du Wei cared even less about that!

"I'm confined personally, and forbidden from interfering in the family businesses... is that all? Nothing else? Then if I do other things, or send people out to do things for me, that won't fall within those restrictions, right?"

Robert shook his head. "That... shouldn't be included."

"Then that's good."

Du Wei smiled with satisfaction. "Oh, Ruolin, has your injury healed? That's wonderful. I happen to have something in mind. I've been thinking about it for a long time, and I'm afraid you're the only one I can entrust it to."

Afterward, Du Wei had everyone withdraw, then invited Joanna over.

"Joanna, look. This is your partner." Du Wei smiled. "You won't go back on your word, will you?"

Joanna was somewhat helpless. "All right, kid, I do owe you my life! But remember, only this once! I'll only help you finish this one thing!"

What Du Wei wanted Joanna to do was very simple... this master of both magic and martial arts would take Du Wei's Black Pearl... out to sea!

Her mission was to sweep through and plunder every pirate she could find!!

Du Wei's reasoning was simple: I can't do business now, I have no capital, and I have no experience in maritime trade... I don't even have an allowance anymore. Where am I supposed to get money for magic experiments... and for my McDonald's Fleet?

After thinking it over and over, there was only one word left!

Rob!

Rob the Imperial Navy? Du Wei did not dare.

Rob merchant ships at sea? Du Wei did not want to cause more trouble.

Then... the only choice was to rob pirates!

Robbing pirates was not against the law! It was even something encouraged by the Imperial Navy! The Imperial Navy even offered bounties—huge rewards for the heads of certain notorious pirate captains!

So, with an expert like Joanna, and the Black Pearl, which knew everything about the pirate world, sailing the seas...

Others might not be able to find those pirates! But Captain Jacks Pailuo certainly could! After all, they had once been pirates themselves!

Then the rest was simple!

Rob!

Rob the money! Those pirates definitely had savings! They must have hoarded all the wealth they had plundered over the years! It would be perfect for replenishing Young Master Du Wei's currently shriveled purse.

Rob the men! Du Wei could continue "capturing" those pirates. The disobedient ones could be sold to the Imperial Navy for bounties; the obedient ones could stay and be incorporated into Du Wei's private fleet...

Rob the ships! Du Wei would not tolerate his "McDonald's Fleet" having only a single Black Pearl! He had no money to buy ships, so he could only seize pirate vessels!

Joanna's formidable strength was the greatest guarantee!

This kind of business required no capital... Of course, others had thought of it too... But whose household could find a master with the status of a Grand Magician to help with such trivial work?

Those Grand Magicians all had their chins tilted up at the sky! Even royal ministers might not be able to win their favor!

"Legally make my purse swell as quickly as possible!" This was Du Wei's guiding principle!

Naturally, this matter could not be entrusted to Joanna. That girl was only helping him temporarily for three months because she owed Du Wei a favor! Once those three months were up, she would leave.

Of course... when persuading her, Du Wei had also employed a tiny little trick, such as... looking into her eyes.

That made Ruolin the best choice for this task! This female knight had once been an adventurer; robbery, capturing people, collecting bounties—she knew all those things like the back of her hand.

Besides, flying the banner of the Roland Family, the navy outside would not make things difficult for her.

Once everything had been arranged, the female magician and the female knight both left. At that moment, someone who had been waiting outside for a long time finally rushed in. The moment he entered, he threw himself before Du Wei, wrapping both arms around his leg.

"My esteemed master, I am your most loyal servant, Made..."

Du Wei glanced at his former groom and smiled. "Oh, dear Made, long time no see."

Made had also had a miserable time these past days. He understood very well that everything he had depended on this young master... If the young master was finished, then he himself would probably have no choice but to go back to being a groom!

"All right, Made, you've dirtied my trousers... Now, pack our luggage. We're going home!"