Hearing Henwell’s words, Papaste’s face stiffens for a mont before forcing a smile. “Sir, you might be misunderstanding . I just…”
Halfway through, Papaste feels Henwell’s icy gaze pinning him down, making him uneasy all over.
Kruze, Papaste’s father, sighs inwardly; his son is still too inexperienced.
Stepping forward, Kruze bows respectfully to Henwell. “My lord, please forgive Papaste’s youthful ignorance. We only want you to know we bear no ill will. We are genuinely grateful for your help. Since I see you don’t wish to reveal your identity, we also chose not to ntion it. Please pardon any oversight on our part.”
Henwell glances at him and casually pulls out a chair to sit. “Speak plainly. We’re all adults here, and ti is precious. There’s no need to waste it on ‘tests’.”
Papaste had guessed Henwell’s identity long ago. After all, news of Henwell’s journey to the Western Regions had spread widely.
As a core mber of the Rich Trading Group within the Lumir Trade Alliance, Papaste regularly accesses high-level intelligence and follows major continental events.
With Peace Haven erging as a new trade hub, everything about Lord Henwell is of great interest.
Being a young man himself, Papaste is well aware of Henwell’s exploits.
So shortly after entering the Scorching Sand Sea, Papaste pieced together who Henwell really is.
But since Henwell never confird it, Papaste dared not act on the assumption recklessly.
Now that they’ve arrived in Kriye City, Papaste hopes to leverage Henwell’s na to complete so things.
His father Kruze opposed the idea from the start.
To Kruze, soone like Henwell—capable of stirring the winds of the entire world, is far beyond what Papaste can manipulate.
Still, Kruze didn’t forbid it outright; he knows his son needs to be tempered and learn his limits.
As for Henwell, Kruze naturally wants to build a connection with him and is prepared to help his son recover from any failure.
Kruze stands respectfully beside Henwell, bowing slightly as he speaks softly, “My lord, you don’t lack money or any ordinary goods.”
”Coincidentally, our family’s caravan recently acquired a batch of extraordinary potions, only a thousand vials in total. Consider this our gift to you. We also have so small trinkets that will accompany the caravan’s visit to Peace Haven, as a token of our gratitude.”
That’s quite a generous gift!
At current market prices, this batch of extraordinary potions alone is worth half a million gold coins.
And those trinkets won’t be cheap either.
Henwell nods lightly. “That’s settled then. Now, tell what kind of cooperation you want.”
Kruze glances toward so competitors nearby, who are eavesdropping attentively.
He lowers his voice. “My lord, this isn’t the place to discuss such matters. I’ll take you to the back hall for a detailed talk shortly.”
Henwell toys with the pocket watch in his hand. “I said my ti is precious. Just say what you want now. I have a clear idea. If it’s not suitable, there’s no need to waste ti.”
Kruze hesitates a mont. “My lord, I want Lumir’s exclusive operating rights in your territory…”
Henwell cuts him off with a raised hand. “Enough! Don’t disturb while I’m eating. You all handle your business.”
“My lord, please hear the terms I propose first…”
Henwell interrupts again, chuckling. “Terms? No terms will do! This isn’t about business or profit. First and foremost, I’m a noble lord, then a rchant.”
”So things can’t be asured by money. What I want are trade channels and influence, not just pure profit. You may understand comrce well, but so matters are political at their core.”
He’s joking, right?
Henwell has long passed the stage of making money just to sustain his lands. Peace Haven’s current strategy revolves entirely around expansion.
What Henwell seeks is influence, planting footholds in key regions.
Handing over Lumir’s trade routes entirely to the Rich Trading Group might bring huge profits in the short term.
But that would make it difficult for Henwell to establish his own presence in Lumir.
Again, re gold and wealth aren’t enough to help Henwell seize more territory and population.
His foundation rests on a powerful ard force under his command, a developed primary industry, and abundant population.
Not on piles of gold.
To borrow a popular phrase from the past life: no troops or supplies ans you’re just soone else’s granary.
Gold doesn’t vanish into thin air; as long as Henwell gains more land and people, he won’t worry about earning gold.
Since he can’t expand militarily in the short term, he must rely on comrce and trade to gradually strengthen his control over surrounding areas.
When the ti is right, Henwell can expand his power more confidently.
So, he will never relinquish exclusive sales channels so easily.
What Henwell says is sincere, it’s not about profit, it’s a political matter.
Seeing Henwell’s firm stance, Kruze has no choice but to withdraw, promising to return later for a proper discussion.
After Kruze and his son leave, the well-fed middle-aged man from nearby approaches with a smile.
Soone who commands Kruze’s respect must hold considerable value to him.
“Sir, my na is—”
He starts confidently, only to be cut off by Henwell.
“Can’t you see I’m eating? I’m not interested in talking right now.”
The man’s face tightens, frowning. “Sir, you may not know who I am, but rejecting my goodwill like this isn’t wise.”
Henwell doesn’t even look up. “Get lost.”
“You—”
Before he can finish, an elderly man steps in. “Enough, Mifu! If you keep insulting him, no one will save you. The man before you has killed more people than you’ve seen in your entire life!”
Henwell shrugs. “That’s a bit exaggerated. I’m not that bloodthirsty. It’s always been out of necessity.”
With that, Henwell stands and says, “I am Henwell, Lord of Blood Hill. Pleased to et you, Count Lierul.”
Count Lierul is the real power behind the Lumir Duchy, belonging to the Dienbos family.
They’re also the maternal family of Ika Kingdom’s eldest princess.
Besides land and military might, the family owns a major trading company, a core mber of the Trade Alliance.
At Lierul’s introduction, the man called Mifu imdiately backs off in panic.
Lierul bows slightly. “Lord of Blood Hill, your presence is a surprise and an honor. On behalf of the Dienbos family, the Trade Alliance, and the Duchy, I warmly welco you.”
As a key figure at the banquet, Lierul is always under watchful eyes.
His high-profile greeting sparks a wave of murmurs throughout the hall.
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