industrial lord

Chapter 784 Always Repaying Kindness
It is said that the Duchy of Weisen is full of legends of people becoming rich overnight.

Count Marchin thought it was just propaganda when he was in the Kingdom of Piast, until he witnessed a crazy investment feast in the town of Carlsbad and realized that the rumors were true.

The meticulously planned scam from last year is still fresh in my mind.

Marcin brazenly stole a large amount of military rations and supplies from the 3rd Division of the Weisen Army. Seeing that his scheme was about to be exposed, he went all out and secretly colluded with the 3rd Division to attack the logistics warehouse of Gubinburg.

The towering flames devoured everything, including the incriminating evidence, which was reduced to ashes in the firelight, leaving no trace.

When Eugene led the main force of the 3rd Division to storm Gubinburg, Marchin and his accomplices had already destroyed all the surrounding bridges and roads.

In their report to King Casimir, they described the complete disruption of traffic as a fierce battle of attrition, claiming that it successfully halted the advance of the Wesen army deep into the heart of the Kingdom of Piast, ultimately forcing the enemy to retreat.

This narrative naturally and strikingly coincides with the complaints that Weisen himself intentionally or unintentionally spread after the war.

Senior officers of the 3rd Division, including Eugene himself, have expressed their frustration on several occasions, stating that if the enemy had not reacted swiftly and decisively destroyed all the key transportation routes, they could have swept through the southern provinces of the Kingdom of Piast, relying on the abundant logistical supplies captured from Gubinburg.

Kazimir was convinced of this; it was exactly in line with the style of the Wessen army, known for its fierce attacks.

As a result, Marchin and his accomplices were not punished for the loss of Gubin Castle, but instead received generous rewards from the king.

The problem is that Eugene and others' frustration is genuine.

They did have this plan, but most of the grain in the Gubinburg warehouse had been stolen and sold off by Marchin in advance, which was not enough to support several large-scale battles, so the plan had to be abandoned before it could even begin.

The Kingdom of Piaster suffered another crushing defeat at the hands of the Visen army. In this war, Marchin's performance was the only bright spot, and he was therefore entrusted with an important task.

Therefore, he was entrusted with an important task by the king, a highly confidential mission.

This time, Kazimir appointed him as a special envoy to secretly travel to the Duchy of Wessen to meet with the Grand Duke of Wessen, who was so powerful that even children dared not cry at night.

Frederick simply sent Marcin to wait in Karlsbad, while he himself would go to the famous spa town for a winter vacation.

Thus, Marcin arrived at this small town surrounded by mountains and shrouded in steam ahead of schedule.

With the Grand Duke yet to arrive, Marcin was happy to have some free time, so he embarked on a leisurely public-funded vacation, fully enjoying this unexpected leisure time.

Shortly before Marcin arrived, Reniger's team, having successfully demonstrated the groundbreaking animated film to Frederick, also traveled by train to Carlsbad.

The news that Frederick had personally invested in the team spread like wildfire.

Countless speculators with dreams of getting rich quick, businessmen waving huge checks, and landlords with burning eyes flocked in from all directions like sharks smelling blood, pushing this town, which was originally known for its tranquility and health, into an unprecedented hustle and bustle.

Reniger's team quickly booked a fully equipped theater and began screening and demonstrating the animated film to the public.

Those short, fifteen minutes of magical light and shadow left every viewer mesmerized and amazed.

However, behind this glory lies the unspeakable hardship of the projectionists.

Each 15-minute screening ended with only a pitiful two minutes for clearing the room, followed by three minutes of chaotic entry, and then it was back to the next screening, and the next one after that… This cycle repeated from the first rays of dawn until the lights were dim late at night. In the first few days, the team members responsible for the hand-cranked projector were so sore by the time they finished work that they could barely lift a knife and fork.

The situation only eased slightly after several strong temporary workers were urgently recruited locally and someone directed the work.

Count Marchine himself was completely engrossed in this feast of light and shadow.

He had lost count of how many times he had squeezed into the theater seats and watched this amazing short film over the past few days.

Although every scene, every line, and even every subtle sound in the film is deeply etched in his mind and he can recite them by heart, he still can't help but buy tickets to see the film again and again, as if the constantly flashing images hold some kind of irresistible magic.

At the entrance of the hot spring hotel where the team was staying, the investment negotiation appointment book for Reneg's team was already packed full, with the latest available slot booked a full thirteen days in advance.

Marcin estimated the time; his steward and attendants should still have enough time to deliver the astonishing sum of money he had been instructed to bring to the bustling town in time.

However, he felt that fate was playing a cruel joke on him, because Frederick came and met him at the same time.

Marcin was able to prioritize, sold his reservation at a high price, and arrived at Frederick's hotel on time.

"You want to invest in animation?" Frederick didn't ask Kazimir what business he had with him when they met, but instead brought up Marchin's business.

Marchin was not at all surprised that Grand Duke Wesen had investigated his every move so thoroughly, and said seriously, "Yes, I think it will be very popular."

Frederick waved his hand and said, "I always repay kindness. I've given you the agency of the Kingdom of Piast. How you explain it to Kazimierz is your business."

He had considered having the 3rd Division invade the Kingdom of Piast if necessary last year, but that would not be an easy task and might end in failure.

However, with the help of Marchin and others, the 3rd Division destroyed the originally heavily fortified logistics base, which greatly shook the morale of the enemy outside Hongshuiche Village, and can be considered a great achievement.

Frederick's approach has always been to follow those who can make money. Since Marcin has done him such a big favor, he's sure to get something in return.

Marchin was stunned for a full half minute before his breathing became heavy, his eyes turned red, and it took him two or three minutes to calm down.

"Thank...thank you!"

The news came so suddenly that he didn't know what to say for a moment.

For Marcin, business was secondary; the most important thing was Grand Duke Wessen's attitude towards him.

The Kingdom of Piaster now needs the help of the Duchy of Wesen, but just a year ago they were at war, not to mention the historical grudges. Asking for a favor is no easy task.

Marcin believed that if the Grand Duke of Wessen had a slightly higher opinion of him than other nobles in the country, then he would be the best choice for the Duchy of Wessen's diplomatic work, and the benefits behind it would be enormous.

He became confident about the secret negotiations.

(End of this chapter)