Compared with the guarded, even secretive cooperation between the Candel Empire Navy and the Xinfei Merchant Guild, the other empire on the Sains Continent was far more open.
The Xinfei Merchant Guild's First Fleet had concluded its exploration of the northern waters by successfully reaching Stansome Port, marking the establishment of a sea route between the Stantin Duchy and the Malo Empire at last.
With the arrival of spring, the floating ice in the northern waters gradually melted. After spending nearly two months at Stansome Port, the Xinfei Merchant Guild's First Fleet retraced its route to the Stantin Duchy, carrying large quantities of ore purchased in Stansome City and the surrounding area.
After the First Fleet departed, convoy after convoy of Large Cargo Magic Locomotives and traditional freight wagons streamed toward the Northern Malo Empire.
Most of their supplies came from the Xinfei Merchant Guild and the other magic machinery merchant guilds investing in the Malo Empire. A smaller portion came from major local merchant guilds and several Malo Empire nobles led by Marquis Southgate.
According to the Xinfei Merchant Guild's plan, over the next few years, they would make full use of this northern sea route to build a new Magic Industrial Base around Stansome Port, using the port as a transfer hub for goods.
Marquis Southgate and several other Malo Empire nobles were very interested in the plan and joined at the Xinfei Merchant Guild's invitation.
"Manager Hogan, this place is utterly barren. There aren't many people or resources, and once winter comes, it's too cold to stay outside at all. Why would your Xinfei Merchant Guild be interested in this godforsaken place?"
Hogan turned toward Viscount Seymour Macalose beside him, who had bundled himself into a fur coat with only half his face showing. He thought the