Alien world

Chapter 1540 174. Pressure
"It was almost like nothing in the first place, and after the pressure was put on, no one dared to take the risk to do so," said Olmedo.

"Then it seems there is nothing to be afraid of? Since the pressure from the Or Empire has no effect on us."

The Or Empire is located in the eastern part of Middle-earth, separated by a bunch of small countries and the Taturn Empire. They can't cross the empire and slap Free City.

That was not a slap in Annan's face, it was clearly a slap in the empire's ass.

“There is still some impact…”

Olmedo has been busy with these things these past two days. There are five commercial streets of theirs around the Or Empire, and all of them have been affected to varying degrees after the pressure was exerted.

The mayor of the city-state where the lightest commercial street is located said that it is enough to pay attention to it. However, the closer to the Or Empire, the greater the impact, especially in the commercial streets within the influence of the Or Empire, people frequently cause trouble.

For example, they searched for wanted criminals because they suspected they were hiding, broke into warehouses because they thought they were smuggling goods, and there were also radical remarks demanding the takeover of commercial streets or raising tax rates.

"Send Francois."

Since this concerns business stability, we can only send people who are trustworthy.

Olmedo frowned: "It's okay to go there, the key is how do we want to talk?"

"Our bottom line is that we can give up some benefits for stability, but if they are greedy and want to take everything..."

The black eyes that always held gentleness gradually turned cold: "I would rather give up the commercial street than break their teeth!"

"I think so too."

The commercial streets in Liberty City have been expanded to 207. Once they give in and surrender their interests under the threat of the Or Empire, other commercial streets will also become chaotic... This has nothing to do with the pressure from the Or Empire. If you can't treat everyone equally, why would anyone want to do business with you?

Calling Francois over, the shameless Baron, who had just returned from Siltovis two days ago, sighed but said nothing.

This kind of thing really requires you to go there in person.

"Bring a squad of the Punishment Legion to guard you." Olmedo suddenly said.

Francois, who thought it was just a minor problem, was slightly startled: "So serious?"

Annan could understand: "It's just like when Augusta sent someone to assassinate me. If we didn't know later that he was corrupted by the ratmen, no one would have thought that a great epic wizard would come up with such a stupid idea..."

"I'm still here." Olmedo glanced at Annan, who was speaking ill of his father.

"Sorry, couldn't help myself."

Annan looked at Francois and said sternly, "The princess once told me that you should never put your safety over the other person's possible rationality."

"You can gamble, but you can only lose once."

Francois left, setting out at night, with a small detachment of the Punitive Legion.

Unless the Or Empire breaks off relations and takes action personally, "a group of bandits" and "a passing dragon" cannot wipe out an entire team.

Annan and Olmedo did not think this was a big deal. After all, their opponent this time was the Or Empire, the Golden Family that came out of Wilhelm, one of the Thirteen Supreme Kings, an incomparable sea monster, and one of its thousands of tentacles was enough to kill the Free City.

Worried that Olmedo was under too much pressure, Annan comforted her, saying that Liberty City was still young, and being young had its advantages - it was easier to accept mistakes. Not all Supreme Kings were as barbaric as the Empire. If you offend me, I will kill your whole family. The Ol Empire should follow some rules...

"I'm just afraid you'll send Little Small again."

"I'm not stupid. The Orr Empire is not a force like Rekanel or Broken Mountains."

It's okay to shake a dilapidated wall, but you can't make a complete building collapse even if you shake it for a hundred years.

……

Francois traveled to four shopping streets in three days.

Faced with politicians who were asking for exorbitant amounts of money, Francois took out financial statements and reminded them how much money the commercial street had made for both sides. If they succumbed to the pressure from the Or Empire and affected trade, it would not be good for either side.

At the same time, we lobbied the nobles who had cooperation with the commercial street to stop just standing by and unite to resist the oppression that destroyed the business environment.

The essence of political struggle is the conflict of interests.

Those nobles who sided with the Or Empire and had no interests were willing to give it a push, while the nobles who profited from the commercial street would certainly not want to see the opportunity to make money disappear without doing anything.

By paying a portion of acceptable benefits, Francois gained stability in four commercial streets.

During this period, there were no accidents such as "robbery bandits" or "passing dragons". After all, Francois never left the city. He was either negotiating or waiting for the portal.

Early in the morning of the fourth day, he came to the Windmill Duchy, which was closest to the Or Empire, ready to repeat his old trick.

The construction of the commercial street is both complicated and simple: first, Ingrid and others from the Ministry of Finance inspected the local prosperity and security conditions, then negotiated with the lord and the city lord to buy a street that avoids the local commercial street, and after decoration, renovation, and construction of a portal, they purchased surrounding houses according to Annan's requirements, and then shipped in goods before opening for business.

At first, they were puzzled by Annan’s request to purchase the surrounding houses. He bought them but did not renovate them, but just maintained the status quo. Was he planning to expand?

As the commercial street was completed, customer flow increased significantly and surrounding housing prices skyrocketed, doubling in just a few months. Only then did they understand Annan's intention.

Francois arrived a step late. As soon as he stepped out of the portal, the person in charge of the commercial street said with a gloomy face that the Duke of Windmill had integrated the local forces in advance and forced them to hand over the commercial street.

That’s right, it’s not about giving up profits, but handing over the entire commercial street.

The commercial street brings in about 7000 kinnars in profit a year, while the locals make about 5000 kinnars.

The 5000 kinaers included taxes and profits, and were shared by local forces - they had a good idea: since the commercial street was so profitable, why give the lion's share to the Free City?
They want to take over the high street and own it all.

Francois felt it was difficult because this time even the nobles on their side were gone. He exhaled and said, "It's difficult but we have to do it."

Just meeting the Duke of Windmill was already full of difficulties. In order to intimidate him, Francois was turned away several times. When he finally met the Duke of Windmill, he deliberately avoided talking about business.

Finally catching up with the topic, Francois took the opportunity to say, "In fact, the Grand Duke has some misunderstandings about the commercial street. If the commercial street is really so profitable, why did it only become prosperous after Liberty City came here?"

Duke Windmill snorted coldly. Are they going to admit that they have no business acumen?
Francois continued, "Before the Free City Commercial Street, you should also know how the Windmill Principality's own commercial street operated. Making money depends entirely on Free City's marketing and products. Without our products, it would be useless for you to take over the commercial street."

Duke Windmill said lazily, "After we take over, can't you just continue to deliver the goods?"

(End of this chapter)