Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 649 The Earl's Business
Hines Webster had just stepped off the Magic Power Train when he was immediately stunned by the bustling, vibrant scene before him.

The long journey to the North took a heavy toll on his already pampered and obese body, and the train speeding through the underground of the Divine Ridge Mountains almost broke his old bones apart.

Fortunately, his attendant managed to buy some "motion sickness medicine" from the official vendors who were traveling on the train. After taking it with courage, he was finally relieved of his discomfort... At least he didn't vomit in front of a train full of gentlemen and wealthy merchants, thus saving face for the old aristocracy.

As he stood there looking around, he suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out, "My Lord!"

Turning around, he found himself facing Dickinson, whom he hadn't seen in a long time... the chief knight Dickinson, with whom he had worked for a long time in the old capital.

This was the first time Hines had seen him in casual clothes in public. The crisp, dark black short uniform made him look exceptionally smart, and the silver-gray embroidery on the collar and cuffs was also very distinctive. One glance was enough to tell that this outfit was quite expensive.

"Ahem... Stop calling me Earl, Dickinson. I am no longer the Earl of the Palace."

Dickinson nodded somewhat awkwardly and suggested, "Come with me into the city first. There are just too many people coming to the capital lately, and you probably won't be able to find an inn on your own."

The count raised an eyebrow and quickly asked, "Are there many people coming to see His Majesty the Emperor?"

"His Majesty is not someone you can see whenever you want... They are just some merchants from other places and foreign countries who came during the trade fair to compete for the right to purchase and sell goods."

As he spoke, he led Hines and several entourage out of the station, pointing to the alchemy wheeled vehicle parked beside the paved road. “Logically speaking, picking you up today should be considered a private trip, but I violated regulations by using the department’s assigned vehicle, which is really inappropriate… However, the higher-ups are always lenient and should turn a blind eye.”

The Earl carefully climbed into the open-top carriage, tugged at Dickinson's sleeve, and whispered, "So... what you mentioned to me in your letter is true? You are now a powerful figure in front of His Majesty the Emperor?"

“It wasn’t me, but my staff… However, due to confidentiality regulations, I can’t go into details with you.” Dickinson turned to look at his former colleague and explained gently.

The Earl nodded knowingly, patted Dickinson on the shoulder, and said with emotion, "If it weren't for your numerous letters to me, conveying the various political trends in the capital, the trouble that Earl of Westwind secretly stirred up in Golden Radiance City some time ago would have almost implicated me as well."

As a powerful minister who served as the former Grand Duke of Saint Valen and was one of the few members of the former royal family, Hines spent almost all of his wealth after the fall of the capital in order to save himself and his family. He even took the lead in surrendering the fiefdoms he controlled. His many actions greatly pleased His Majesty Harvey.

His ability to make such a decisive decision to cut off his arm to save his life was due to two factors: firstly, he was always good at assessing the situation; secondly, the Earl's family did not rely entirely on land taxes for their livelihood, but had many businesses throughout the country, the most important of which was the trade in sea salt!
After the news of the abolition of currency spread, he also believed that the emperor's move was an attempt to seize all the wealth of the kingdom and to discard the nobles who had chosen to submit and serve him after they had served him... In addition, the state-run market in the old capital had almost completely monopolized the trade of grain, agricultural products and many other commodities, squeezing private merchants to the point of exhaustion.

Under such circumstances, the Earl could not contain himself and sent people to secretly contact the spies that the Earl of Westwind had planted in the city. He also secretly formed a party with a group of nobles who were also driven to desperation by the abolition of currency, seeking to side with the church... in an attempt to lead troops to regain control of Golden Radiance City.

Fortunately, Dickinson's letters completely extinguished the Earl's delusions and brought him to his senses. Just as the letters subtly hinted, within a few days... the noble circles of Golden Radiance City were swept clean by the Emperor's "secret police" and the Ministry of Justice with lightning speed. A large number of nobles were accused of colluding with foreign powers and plotting rebellion, and were imprisoned one after another like grasshoppers strung together. Having long lost their fiefdoms and military power, they were powerless to resist.

Count Hines escaped death thanks to the Emperor's praise of his upright conduct during the Great Purge, and his wise decision to abruptly halt the proceedings.

His personal trip to the capital was not only to thank Dickinson in person, but also to make connections and inquire about the extent of the shock and repercussions of the impending abolition of currency.

“Even before Xinghuo City was built, it began using the gold-yuan paper money privately minted by His Majesty. This is a mandatory decree representing the Emperor's will, and there is absolutely no possibility of it being abolished or reversed midway.”

Dickinson sighed, understanding the Earl's purpose in coming, and patiently advised him repeatedly: "The sea salt trade controlled by the Earl's family is a very lucrative business. As long as you strictly abide by the kingdom's laws, set price limits, and prohibit exporting to foreign countries... there will be no problems."

The count rubbed his hands together, looking anxious, and said, "But...but His Majesty's state-run chamber of commerce sells grain and imports sea salt from Pharos at prices lower than mine. If this continues, my business will be gradually eroded until there is no profit left."

Moreover, the ironclad cargo ships that sailed day and night on the Ralph River far surpassed ordinary sailing ships in both carrying capacity and speed. The Earl's family's fleet was clearly lagging behind the Emperor in terms of transportation time alone.

“I’ve heard that after His Majesty’s purge of nobles and wealthy merchants who opposed the abolition of currency, many people in cities across the country are planning to take their wealth and move to neighboring countries. In the future… perhaps only state-run chambers of commerce will be able to conduct business and trade smoothly in Saint Valen?”

“How could you think that?” Dickinson frowned and asked. “Has Your Excellency forgotten the most important point? His Majesty abolished commercial taxes throughout the kingdom after ascending the throne!”

Commercial tax...

The count froze, then suddenly realized... That's right! In the past, when running the family business, they often used the name of royalty and nobility to never pay any taxes to the Grand Duke. On the contrary, as a class of tax collectors, they squeezed a lot of taxes from the people. But the price he had to pay was no less than paying taxes... When necessary, the Hines family's fiefdom always had to respond to the Grand Duke's wartime call first. The knights and squires trained by the family also had to fight for the Grand Duke in various battles. He had to pay for the cost of raising and maintaining the army himself.

In a sense, this was also an equivalent exchange the count used to gain tax-free business and reap profits.

Now, His Majesty the Emperor has confiscated the fiefdoms and military power of the nobles, but has not demanded additional taxes... In this respect, he seems to treat merchants of all backgrounds, whether noble or commoner, with equal respect.

"So, does Your Excellency understand now? The state-run chamber of commerce is geared towards the lower classes, ensuring their daily necessities... If you insist on competing with the people for profits, you will inevitably be suppressed by His Majesty. However, if you change direction and start anew, your noble status, along with His Majesty's approval of your conduct, will become an advantage and reliance that far surpasses that of others."

(End of this chapter)