industrial lord

Chapter 685 Going South

In May 1038, the "Wesson Daily" suddenly published seven travelogues in seven consecutive days: "Grand Duke Wesson and the Magic Map", "Grand Duke Wesson and the Secret Chamber", "Grand Duke Wesson and the Prisoner of the Sea", "Grand Duke Wesson and the Fire Ants", "Grand Duke Wesson and the Gold Brick Society", "Grand Duke Wesson and the Half-Blood Princess", and "Grand Duke Wesson and the Treasure of Death".

These travel notes fabricated a series of stories about how Frederick discovered an ancient magic treasure map, found the secret room where the real map was stored, found clues left by someone who was keeping a secret in the vast ocean, and then came to a land where people had fire-colored ants living in it, where he met an organization called "Gold Brick Society", and then had an unclear relationship with a mixed-race princess, and finally discovered a dead treasure containing a large amount of gold.

In the teahouse, a group of food and catering businessmen were talking about Grand Duke Wesson and the treasure.

The magic map was too small to be noticed, and the person who donated the map used a pseudonym, so everyone felt it was impossible to verify.

However, someone said: "I think this map may be related to the Meyer couple. They came back from the Kingdom of Angland to report to Grand Duke Wessen about the coal mine with only a short news report."

"Remember, they went south later, and Grand Duke Wessen's fleet also went south."

"So I suspect that the Meyers got this map by chance when they were in the Kingdom of Anglan, and gave it to Grand Duke Wessen after they returned."

Everyone thought it made sense, because the Meyer couple's sudden disappearance after obtaining a large amount of wealth was not in line with the tradition of the Duchy of Wessen. It would make sense if it was related to the treasure in the south.

Later, even people in the Kingdom of Anglia believed this statement.

The article "Archduke Wesson and the Secret Chamber" blurred many details, and no one knew where it was exactly, only that it was in Bohemia.

Today the merchants invited those who had traveled to that land with Frederick to inquire about that mysterious place.

Dafranche slapped his thigh and said, "I know where the secret room is. It should be in the city of Black Wolf!"

The people around me suddenly understood.

The story of the black wolf had been reported for a long time, and people knew that it had been living in the shelter leading to the well, where Frederick had entered.

If Frederick was looking for the secret room at that time and Black Wolf happened to live there, then it would make sense.

More importantly, the first version of the "Maria Plan" was proposed after leaving that place, followed by shipbuilding. People believe that Frederick regarded this huge wealth as a sure thing at that time.

The more they discussed it, the more they thought it was possible. Someone asked Davranche, "Prince, you come from the seaside. Is it true that there are prisoners of the sea?"

According to the newspaper, the person who holds the final secret of the treasure is imprisoned on the island.

Davranche nodded and said, "That's true. Many serious criminals and political prisoners are imprisoned on the island."

"I've heard that there are a few small islands that are about the size of a small castle. There is a castle built on it. Some powerful nobles are imprisoned there, and the guards are also servants."

"The windows of those castles are very small, less than shoulder width, so they are afraid that the prisoners will get out and jump into the sea to escape."

"I heard that some big shots were declared dead, but were actually imprisoned in this kind of prison. In order to avoid being recognized, they wore iron masks with only their eyes, mouth and nose exposed."

"If the island is in the ocean far away from land, it would be even simpler. If you throw people there, they will never be able to leave."

"In fact, it is very simple to confirm this matter. As long as Grand Duke Wei Sen disappears for a few days in a place with an island nearby, he must have gone to the island."

Everyone believed what he said because it sounded like the truth, and they thought his last words made a lot of sense.

An old lady said: "My grandson is in the fleet. I will ask him when he comes back and find out."

"Really?" A tall man was a little surprised. "My friend, Father Abs, is also on the ship. He sent a telegram inviting me to raise chickens in the south."

Dafranche immediately asked, "Spike, are you really going to the South?"

Spike said hesitantly, "I want to try my luck and discuss it with my family."

Dafranche thought for a moment and said, "I think it will take some time before I can get there."

"The fleet must have to rest for a while after traveling so far, and they may even need to repair the ship."

"When Grand Duke Wesson comes back, you can look at the movements of Wesson Bank. If there is a special loan, it means that this matter has a great chance of success. Grand Duke Wesson supports it. It won't be too late to make a decision then."

"The most important thing is to understand the situation there in advance. Madam Caspar, if Caspar comes back, can you tell us?"

In just a few words, he had decided to go to the southern continent to see if there might be a greater opportunity.

In the following time, Davranche's mind was full of this, and no one said a word when everyone discussed the half-blood princess.

This state lasted until he returned home. After returning from the Bohemian region, Dafranche moved out of the Iris Community and rented a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment with Ella in the newly built Taohuashilou Community near Weissenburg.

There were several full suitcases in the living room, and Ella had just put the dough in the oven and was about to put the pot of potatoes and beef on the stove.

Ella was very satisfied with the integrated wood stove that has become popular in the Principality of Wesson in recent years. It looks like a big box, with fire burning in the stove on the left, an oven on the right side of the stove, and pots can be placed on the stove to cook food at the same time.

Davranshe originally wanted to buy a magic stove, but Ella was a little afraid to use it, so she used a wood stove.

Ella put the pot in place, made sure the firewood was burning, and came to the living room to sit next to Davranche. She leaned on his shoulder and asked, "Dear, have you bought the boat ticket?"

According to the plan, they were going to return to Dafranche's hometown in a few days, but Dafranche said, "Now the situation has changed, I don't want to go back yet."

Ella asked a little nervously, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Davranche had already arranged his business affairs, and the only thing that could change his schedule was health problems.

"Don't you know whether I am in good health or not?" said Davranche in a frivolous tone.

Ella blushed and punched him.

Dafranche continued, "Recently, the newspapers reported on what Grand Duke Wessen did in the southern continent. I think this is a new business opportunity."

"The oysters in the northern seas are different from the oysters in the southern inland seas, so there must be oysters that people have never eaten in the distant seashores of the southern continent."

"There are many people eyeing my business, and I've learned a lot, but I got there first so they can't compete with me."

"But recently, someone from the United Fruit Company started a canned oyster business on the south coast of the Inland Sea. I didn't follow that step, so I lost a lot of money."

"If we lose the business in the southern continent as well, we will lose even more money."

In his eyes, no profit means loss.

The United Fruit Company was part of the aristocratic circle of the Rhine Alliance, with a very strong backing. He could neither squeeze into the circle nor defeat them, so he had no choice but to give in.

It seems that there are no gangs occupying land in the southern continent now. The United Fruit Company has just carried out a major expansion this year, and its funds are tied up on the southern coast of the inland sea. This is his opportunity.

When Ella heard that it was about making money, she immediately said, "It doesn't matter if we go to Le Havre later. Is there anything I can do?"

Davranche nodded seriously and said, "Yes, kiss me."

Ella reached out and pinched his waist hard, while giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Dafranche said with pain: "The most important thing now is to get information, especially political trends."

"The Grand Guild of Wesson will release the news in informal settings first, so you should try to attend salons and tea parties organized or attended by Miss Eltal and Ms. Tarot."

Ella nodded immediately. She loved participating in such activities attended by aristocratic ladies. This was something she had never dared to imagine before.

She was constantly learning the behaviors of the ladies so as not to be regarded as an impolite country girl.

"Okay!" Ella nodded heavily. "I happened to be invited to Miss Eltal's tea party on Sunday."

Dafranche gritted his teeth and said, "I'll use the money I saved to buy hunting rifles and fishing gear to buy you new clothes and jewelry. Not the kind of glass that fools country bumpkins, but real gems. This way you can become the focus of everyone."

"I plan to build a canning factory over there, and then I will mainly take care of things here."

He noticed that Ella's eyes were glowing.

What girl doesn't like new clothes and jewellery?

Their conversation was not isolated in the Duchy of Wessen.

The next morning, Davranche came to the study, pounding his waist, and began to write a letter to his brother.

"My dear Philip, I am writing to you so that you do not worry about my health. I am in good health, and so is Ella. Business has been good. I plan to leave for a long trip to the south soon, and I may not write to you for several years. If I really do not write to you, don't worry. I will return to Le Havre when I become rich (by the standards of the Duchy of Wesson). I hope that time will not be too far away, and then we can live happily together..."

(End of this chapter)