Chapter 141

After the suffering caused by the Black Death ended, economic exchanges began to resume in various places.

The sale of goods and other items, which had been forced to stop before, has resumed, including the distribution of newspapers.

The Thorn Merchant Guild's branch has successfully established itself in the Saint Airo Empire, and even if the empire's king wanted to back out, it would be too late.

Moreover, this newspaper office was personally requested by Prince Warner to be located within the royal city, and its construction had already been completed beforehand.

The story of the mayor and officials of Kunseci colluding with bandits and harming the people was published in the newspapers shortly before Cyrus returned to Par Mountain.

Then, it was widely distributed in various places.

The previously isolated news spread instantly.

The article was written based on detailed oral accounts from some of the victims.

--An objective account of the whole incident, which also subtly mentions that the Kunseci incident was also related to the Saint Airo Empire.

The discovery of the minerals was only briefly mentioned in the past.

The key point is how the Lord of Desinia dealt with these mayors and officials who colluded with bandits and persecuted the people—he was ruthless and decisive, executing them on the spot in strict accordance with the laws established within his territory, showing absolutely no leniency.

The purpose of distributing this newspaper in various places was entirely to deter those who also harbored ulterior motives.

Many people are talking about what happened in Kunseci.

Especially afterward— the Black-and-White Cavalry forces swept through several territories on the border of the Saint Airo Empire, providing plenty of fodder for conversation.

The war between the Desinia Territory and the Saint Airo Empire was also featured in a section of the newspaper.

The outcome is clear.

After the newspapers were gradually published Saint Airo Empire, the already frustrated king immediately fell ill from anger.

He even wanted to suppress the Thorn Merchant Guild's newspaper store, forcibly closing down the store located in the royal city.

But Prince Warner stopped him.

Firstly, the establishment and existence of the newspaper office was originally the result of the royal family's tacit approval.

Turning their backs on us now will only make the outside world think that the imperial family is petty and intolerant.

--The defeat in the war can be said to be entirely the king's responsibility, attributed to the king's poor decision-making.

Secondly, it's just like the terms Warner. and Cyrus agreed upon back then.

This newspaper, located in the imperial capital, actually had a large portion of its published content controlled by Warner —whether or not the newspaper could ultimately circulate within the Saint Airo Empire was up to Warner.

But the king was unaware of this.

The eldest prince's residence.

Prince Kien arrived with a newspaper in his hand.

He sat in a chair, while Warner leaned against the window, quietly looking outside.

After a long pause, Kien spoke first, "Brother, this newspaper has been distributed throughout the empire. What are your plans next?"

Kien was aware of Warner's actions to some extent.

Especially in the newspapers, he understood that Warner was intentionally creating public opinion.

Warner turned his head, his icy blue eyes seemingly covered with a layer of frost, yet appearing to vanish completely under the sunlight, like an illusion.

He said, "If I were to lay a hand on Kashu... Kien, would you have the heart to do it?"

These words immediately silenced Kien; he had anticipated Warner's meaning.

"I won't be soft-hearted, brother."

"I'll always stand behind you, but what do you plan to do with Kashu?"

Warner: "If he's smart enough, I can guarantee he can still enjoy everything that royalty enjoys."

But if...

There's no need to say everything; Kien understands.

He asked, "Brother, Kashu is nothing to fear. In fact, most members of the royal family are on your side now..."

"What we need to consider carefully is our father."

"He is still the king, and he possesses power greater than yours... If you were to oppose him, are you truly confident?"

Kien knew that the publication of the newspaper was only the first step Warner took to undermine the King's authority.

When a king's flawed decisions directly lead to territorial shrinkage and unrest among the people, his throne will gradually become less secure.

But Kien had no idea what Warner planned to do next.

Kien would much rather his older brother Warner inherit the throne than the king.

This way, he wouldn't have to worry about the Saint Airo Empire ultimately collapsing under the king's rule.

But Kien was also worried that Warner's integrity would influence his decisions.

He didn't want Warner to be soft-hearted towards the King.

After all, the king had lovingly and meticulously nurtured Warner since he was a child, preparing him to become the crown prince of the entire Saint Airo Empire...

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Although the current king is somewhat confused, he still values Big Warner very much.

"Brother, I understand you're confident you can win the royal family's support. My question is... will you show mercy to Father?"

Kien asked seriously, "Are you really sure you want to ascend the throne while your father is still alive?"

He was neglected from a young age and had no deep feelings for either the king or his younger brother, Kashu.

The only two people he considered family were his older brother Warner and his younger sister Lennar.

Kien cares about Warner.

Once a choice is made, there's no going back, and they won't have the option to back out.

Warner walked over to Kien and pressed his fingers firmly against his shoulder. "I'm determined to ascend the throne."

"And as for my father..."

"My mercy depends on his actions. I am determined to have the throne, and I will kick away anyone who becomes an obstacle to my ascension."

Kien was relieved to hear this.

He said, "Brother, I will help you."

Cyrus was unaware of the impending upheaval in the Saint Airo Empire.

He is currently discussing with Archibald the possibility of merchant ships traveling through the port of Visas to Yami to conduct business.

Archibald meant that the original road to the southernmost point was firmly controlled by the Saint Airo Empire, resulting in heavy tariffs and exponentially higher prices for goods.

Now that we have maritime transport here in Cyrus, we can naturally abandon the route of the Saint Airo Empire.

If the goods are not restricted, he plans to build a branch of the Nagabi Merchant Guild in Yami.

Archibald asked Cyrus how he planned to determine the port's taxes.

--The Nagabi Merchant Guild and the Thorn Merchant Guild have business dealings and cooperation. Is it possible to appropriately reduce prices?

"I just helped you, Little Zuoyi," Archibald said, propping his head up with one hand.

Cyrus: "Opening a branch of the Nagabi Merchant Guild in Yami is certainly not a problem."

"In fact, I intend to expedite Yami's economic recovery and development, and with Nagabi's help, this will undoubtedly proceed more smoothly..."

"But have you ever considered joining North-South trade?"

Archibald, upon hearing this, asked seriously, "What do you mean?"

Cyrus: "Some things that are commonplace in the North are rarely seen or even absent in the South, and some things that are common in the South are equally common in the North."

"If trade between the North and South were swapped, a great deal of profit could be made from it."

Seeing Archibald's interest, Cyrus continued, "I plan to first establish a fleet specifically for north-south trade."

"This fleet includes not only merchant ships from the Thorn Merchant Guild, but also other merchant guilds and even individual merchants."

"Archie, what do you think?"

Cyrus smiled and asked, "Want to join us?"

Archibald laughed, "You want to steal the Saint Airo Empire's trade routes?"

"How can you call it robbery?"

"The distance from the Saint Airo Empire to Yami is, after all, shorter. If some people feel that the sea route is too far, they can naturally choose to start from the Saint Airo Empire route."

In any case, it's all about doing business in Yami, so it makes no difference to Cyrus.

He was simply providing another option, allowing more people to move within the Desinia Territory and thus promoting economic development.

Furthermore, the territory still exists in a state where the land area far exceeds the distribution of the population.

He needs to attract more talent to settle in the Desinia Territory.

And it wasn't just about trade between the North and South.

Yami needs to be developed in two aspects: firstly, the city's infrastructure, and secondly, the port of Yami needs to have its facilities and related systems improved first.

He could subcontract the work of paving roads and building houses to foreign merchant caravans, allowing them to find ways to hire more craftsmen and laborers.

These people must have come from places outside the Desinia Territory.

--As long as there is population movement, there will be people settling down.

Archibald then said, "But sea transport is no less dangerous than river transport."

"How do you plan to attract numerous merchants to abandon the route from the Saint Airo Empire to Yami and instead use sea transport?"

Cyrus stroked her chin thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "Do you think Orca are cute?"

Those large black and white fish?

Archibald nodded.

Cyrus said, "What do you think of Orca as lucky mascots of the sea? They are symbols of good fortune at sea, and even more so, a blessing from the Creator God."

"Is that all?" Archibald asked, frowning slightly.

He felt this was not enough to attract foreign merchants to reach Yami via the port of Visas.

Cyrus: "What if we add another message?"

"Archie, Samuel has been followed by Orca all the way on the Windrider as it sails out to explore the New Continent."

"The reason they were able to find the New Continent smoothly and without encountering any danger was also due to the protection of this Orca."

"These are things that Samuel mentioned to me after he returned."

Cyrus said these things without blushing at all, after all, there were objective facts.

He said, "If we publish this news in the newspaper, do you think it would successfully attract some people?"

He wants to build a positive image for Orca.

But before that, he needs to further improve the laws concerning Orca —prohibiting the hunting of whales at sea, and if discovered, the perpetrators will be expelled from the territory at best, and sentenced to death at worst.

Archibald: "If this news were published in the newspapers, it would definitely attract a bunch of businessmen."

Samuel's story and reputation at sea are sure to attract the attention of most people.

Cyrus wondered, "So, in what form should this matter be presented in the newspaper?"

--The written description is too monotonous, and simply adding illustrations is not enough to express the meaning.

Five days later, when Gena Kozmo arrived in the Desinia Territory, a cartoon was published in the newspaper.

The comic is titled "The Adventures of Samuel Fern at Sea".

For this purpose, Cyrus specially invited the illustrator who had drawn the illustrations for the Tales of the Gods series and made some requests to him—such as the format of the images and the appearance of the characters.

Afterwards, he went to Samuel and told him about it, advising him to spend more time with the painter and describe some details.

Then, let the painter make appropriate changes.

Cyrus then had Samuel describe in writing what he saw and heard during his voyage to explore the New Continent and his arrival New Continent.

--Leaving aside the gold, write more about clothing, customs, and eating habits that differ from those on the Western Continent.

Cyrus asked Samuel, "For example, what kind of clothes would those people wear, and what kind of jewelry would they wear?"

"Once you finish writing this book... well, let's call it Fern Travelogue, it will definitely be printed and circulated, and the merchant guild will also produce the clothing, accessories, and other items described in the book."

"... adding new designs to the sold clothing."

"Samuel, your contribution is significant, and I will give you the reward you deserve."

Faced with the temptation of "candy" from Cyrus, Samuel Fern agreed and enthusiastically began writing Fern Travelogue.

Not long after, he saw the cartoon published in the newspaper—a round and adorable black and white fish.

What about him?