Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 291 Smith's Million Gold Coin Transaction and the Invitation of the Gray Market Trading Company

As the sound came from outside the door, Su Li immediately looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a pale, beardless, and feminine-looking man walking in from outside.

Remire and the other three wealthy merchants stood up at the same time, saluted respectfully, and said, "Greetings, Senator. May His Majesty Lanold bless you with everlasting good fortune."

Su Li raised his eyebrows, looked at Commissioner Smith, and asked, "Are you a follower of Lanold?"

Smith walked straight to the chair at the end of the long table and sat down. He calmly waved to everyone and said, "Everyone, sit down."

Then he looked at Su Li, who was still standing by the table without moving, smiled calmly, and said, "What a strange question! In this room, except for you, everyone else is a follower of His Majesty Lanold. In the empire, from the most powerful nobles to the lowest paupers, you can find Lanold's followers in all walks of life. Most of them have transcended their original living status through perseverance, talent, and luck."

"However, in front of the knights and priests of the Church of the Blazing Sun Goddess, the followers of Lanord usually hide the tokens they wear."

A chill crossed Hildur's heroic features. Clad in golden armor, she stepped forward and sternly declared, "Since you know we are followers of the Sun Goddess, you still dare to deliberately reveal your identities. Is this a provocation?"

Smith raised his gray eyes to look at the heroic and imposing Hildreth, and said calmly, "You are the famous War Saint Hildreth, right? I've heard of you, you're quite remarkable. If a conflict breaks out, I don't think we are your match."

"But one of the tenets of our Lanod church is to oppose unnecessary violence."

Then he tapped his head with his finger: "Make a living by wisdom, not by the sword."

Su Li didn't have such a fanatical faith in the Goddess of the Blazing Sun, so he calmly pulled Rashirud's wrist, asking her to calm down, and then said to Smith: "We, the Church of the Goddess of the Blazing Sun, have nothing to discuss with your Church of Rashirud."

Smith snorted, put away the token from the Lanold Church, and said, "So what now? As the senator of Maleburg and the lord of Hesse, can we talk?"

Seeing that Su Li didn't refute, he glanced at the two of them and said, "I still can't help but say a few words. You knights are too stubborn. It's obviously the same thing, but you always refuse to bend because of a little principle."

"If there are no principles, what is the difference between us knights and you Lanord believers?" Su Li responded directly and without any ambiguity.

"Tsk~" Senator Smith was surprisingly not angry. These followers of Larnor were indeed more flexible than the knights. In order to achieve their goals, they would do anything. "I think this is your prejudice against us Larnor followers."

"In fact, we, the followers of Lanod, are very different from your stereotypes. We hate violence and donate the money we earn to those in need. In the name of Lanod, we will protect the weak, expose the hypocrisy and brutality of the powerful, uphold the rights of ordinary citizens, and protect people from unnecessary persecution and exploitation."

Su Li replied directly, "But most of the followers of other gods believe that you are simply destroying the status quo in the name of freedom and justice, regardless of the corresponding social costs. It's not just us in the Fiery Sun Church who think so."

Smith snorted, his voice turning cold. "Other religious groups look down on Reverend Larnor, and Reverend Larnor doesn't much care for their superficiality. One of the Larnor believers' creeds is to expose the hypocrisy of those who are pretentious and self-righteous."

"Take you, for example, the Purple Flower Knight. You hold yourself in high esteem and appear righteous, but your desire for Lady Bayonica doesn't seem to align with the beliefs of your church."

Su Li's expression suddenly changed, and he looked at Hildreth. When their eyes met, they both saw strong disbelief in each other's eyes.

This matter has always been Su Li's top secret! He has only talked to Hildurd, and even Phyllis doesn't know this information.

Apart from the two of them, no one else knew this information. In the true sense, only Heaven and Earth knew it, and only you and I knew it.

Su Li absolutely didn't believe that Xilude would leak this news.

But such confidential information actually came out of Commissioner Smith's mouth.

Even if Su Li suspected that God or the gods had leaked the news, he would not suspect Hirud.

He quickly gathered his thoughts and said calmly, "I don't understand what you are saying."

"Tsk tsk, you see, I told you knights are full of hypocrisy." He flicked his hand, and President Ellie beside him brought a glass of golden brandy and placed both hands respectfully on his right hand.

He swirled the exquisite wine glass, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Amethyst Gold Brandy is truly an intoxicating wine. It's a shame to sell it for only 60 gold crowns."

"Drinking this witchcraft wine will make people lose their minds and become infatuated. I was originally planning to arrange for you to meet with Lady Bayonica to create an opportunity for you."

Su Li's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Could he really meet Lady Beionica and have a chance to have sex with her?
Doesn't that mean there's a chance he could fly?
But he quickly controlled his thoughts. Women were never what he needed most!

His only goal from the beginning was to lie down peacefully. Provoking Lady Bayonica would seriously disrupt his current comfortable life.

He would win over this beautiful married woman, Bei Jie, but that would be when he could rival the legendary knights. Like the King of Qin conquering the world, he would gather concubines from all over the world to fill his palace, instead of having an affair with this Lady Bayonika.

So he said calmly: "I don't know how you were able to see into my mind, but I have to say, you don't understand human nature."

For the first time, Smith completely lost his composure and angrily said, "I don't understand people's hearts? Lanold has given me the ability of perfect empathy. I can slip into the inner world of others like a light-footed black cat. No matter what language the person I'm talking to uses, I can fully understand their meaning, plans, and thoughts at the moment! Don't you miss Lady Bayonica?"

Seeing this, Su Li felt relieved. He pulled out a chair and sat down in front of the three businessmen. He felt that he had overestimated these high-ranking officials in Maraisburg. These people were able to hold high positions not because of any talent, but mainly because of their family background and wealth.

It's normal to think about it. In such a huge empire, aristocratic rule is deeply rooted and the interest network is seriously intertwined. They firmly control many constituencies, so that many senatorial positions are hereditary.

Among them, there must be a large number of people who look glamorous on the outside, but are actually just useless people. If you put aside his prominent status and halo, his talents may not be comparable to those of Su Li's ministers.

Su Li had been dealing with these ministers for a long time, and he said with ease, "I'm afraid Senator Smith has been coveting Madam Bayonica for a long time. Why don't you take advantage of the city lord's absence and make a move on Madam Bayonica? Let's be frank. We all have no shortage of women. Would we lose our minds over something as simple as our lower body?"

But something unexpected happened to Su Li. Senator Smith's delicate, pale face quickly turned red. He clenched his right fist and instantly crushed the wine glass in his hand. "I don't want to mention that tactless bitch Bayonica anymore. Bauhinia Knight, I hope you're not such an ungrateful person."

Did he really try to seduce Lady Bayonica?
Su Li was not angry when he heard this. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and smiled. A person can express anger, but cannot express it in anger.

He was also completely disenchanted with Senator Smith. In such a diplomatic occasion where everyone was paying attention, he could actually quarrel with others in public.

The fact that such a person can serve as a senator shows that the corruption and darkness within Marley Castle is no better than that of the Empire.

He stretched out his hand and calmly played with Hildre's fair and soft palm. In front of the Chosen Knight, any threat seemed so insignificant.

With all the legendary knights invited to Modheim, the Chosen Knights are now the highest fighting force in the Border Princes' Territory. Especially Hilde, who is blessed with a large number of super equipment and has consumed a large amount of extraordinary grains and fruits.

To put it bluntly, even if there are one or two God-chosen assassins in the other party's manor, they cannot threaten Su Li.

Only then did he realize how strong he had become. No wonder the other party had taken the initiative to invite him to visit Mar-a-Lago.

"Let's get straight to the point. You're offering me this for no reason. What benefits do you want to take from me?"

Hearing Su Li's words, Smith finally suppressed his anger, revealed a satisfied smile, and said, "From now on, I will be the only sales channel for your Hessen Territory's equipment. All the dwarven equipment you ship to Maleburg can only be handed over to me."

This condition was extremely overbearing. Su Li did not rush to get angry or turn hostile. He looked at him calmly and waited for him to continue.

The room fell silent for a moment. Su Li's silence and lack of response surprised Smith. The two looked at each other for a moment. Smith lost his composure. After all, he had invited Su Li to the negotiation, so he cared more about this cooperation. He said, "Of course, we will offer you a price you can't refuse: 100 gold crowns for each set of armor! 40 gold crowns for each weapon!"

Su Li suddenly took a deep breath and couldn't help but tighten his grip on Hildur's hand. 100 gold crowns! This was already 37 gold crowns higher than the highest price Su Li had ever sold it for! This was already far beyond the normal price of the armor.

In the absence of extensive warfare, the normal price of a set of armor was between 20 and 30 gold crowns.

The other party raised the price to 100 gold crowns, which was simply unreasonable.

Su Li asked: "What are your requirements?" "We want to add star silver iron!"

After waiting for a long time without any response from the other party, Su Li frowned and asked, "No other requests?"

"No! This is just one requirement. It shouldn't affect the quality of the armor, nor increase your costs much."

Su Li and Hildurd exchanged a glance. Hildurd decisively leaned over and whispered in his ear, "My Lord, I suspect they're trying to pass off inferior equipment as superior, using this superior equipment infused with Star Silver Iron to supply the Maleburg Legion as exquisite Star Iron Armor. Based on the price they're quoted for Star Iron Armor, they can earn at least 300 Gold Crowns per set."

Hearing this, Su Li took a deep breath. These followers of Lanod were really good at cheating people out of money. With almost no cost, the corruption in providing equipment to the army was as high as 300 gold crowns!

300 gold crowns, what does that even mean? It's enough to buy a manor in Hesse and over 200 acres of fertile farmland!
If I sell one more, I can buy an elite knight and dozens of armed servants to guard my house.

You know, all of this is profit from the cost of one piece! He didn't pay any price.

The key point is that as the chairman of the Equipment Production and Manufacturing Committee, if he could manipulate the matter, it would be impossible for him to falsely report only 1 or 2 items. The number must be at least 100!
100 pieces! He just opened his mouth and it said 30000 gold crowns!

According to the production of Hesse, if 3000 sets of armor were sent here a year, he would earn nearly 100 million gold crowns from Maleburg.

He did nothing to earn these 100 million gold crowns, just secretly transferring them.

Su Li twitched with envy. Only members of their committee could earn millions of gold crowns just by talking.

Su Li, with thousands of slaves, toiled tirelessly in Bjorn's Shallow Bay, but each season's grain harvest yielded only about 4000 gold crowns. This was only income, not profit. Excluding the slaves' food and drink and the investment of the Sisters of Dawn's divine arts, the profit was probably between 2000 and 3000 gold crowns.

Even in the Hessen Territory's most wealth-generating industrial manufacturing, according to Senator Smith's offer, this one item would only yield a few dozen gold crowns. However, this revenue would have to pay the salaries of over 800 dwarves and cover the cost of the ore. While Star Silver Iron wasn't as pricey as Vibranium, it was still a high-grade rare metal and its supply was limited. If demand increased, he would have to import from the Gray Mountain Dwarves to meet production needs.

More importantly, Heisen Territory would be taking a huge risk if the city lord discovered that a large amount of equipment from Heisen Territory was inferior, selling them fine-grade armor as exquisite-grade star iron armor.

The Hessen Lord would inevitably bear the wrath of the legendary knight. The city lord might be wary of the power behind Smith, so Su Li would be the scapegoat after the incident was exposed.

Su Li said with a decisive smile: "How can I enjoy such a good thing alone! The benefits must be shared equally. I only want the price of 80 gold crowns. And I will not be responsible for transporting it to Marley Castle, I will only sell it to the gray market business. As for how you will operate it later, I will not ask at all."

Su Li just wanted to extricate himself from this transaction.

In this way, in the future, even if Senator Smith's corruption is exposed, Maleburg will not be able to find Su Li responsible.

Their gray market business likes to buy some non-compliant things from all over the world. They sold the equipment to Commissioner Smith. What does it have to do with Su Li?
To put it another way, it was normal for Su Li to do business with any chamber of commerce. As for whether these equipment were sold to knights to kill people, or sold to senators as military supplies, that was the chamber of commerce's decision.

Have you ever heard of a knight who killed someone with a sword and the victim not seeking revenge on the knight but on the merchant who sold the sword to the knight? Going a step further and seeking revenge on the craftsman who made the weapon is even more unreasonable.

But this will allow the Hessen Territory to earn a steady profit from its equipment. Oliver mentioned at last year's year-end meeting that equipment prices would drop significantly this year. This deal will ensure the Territory's equipment maintains an unprecedentedly high value. And there's no need to worry about sales; just produce as much as you can. The dwarves will surely be enthusiastic.

After hearing Su Li's proposal, President Roger of Gray Market Trading Company did not have Su Li's mentality of avoiding him like the plague. Since he had already been tied to Senator Smith, he was not afraid of the risks in this project at all.

So he was actually very excited. This was like a windfall for him. He excitedly stood up, stretched out his hand and said to Su Li, "My good brother, Gray Market Trading Company will not forget your generous sharing this time."

What the Chamber of Commerce actually likes is not those high-risk, high-return projects, which are only liked by gamblers.

As the highest echelons of the Chamber of Commerce, they appreciated this stable income project the most. They could buy as much armor as they wanted and sell it all, without the need for stockpiling or worrying about sales. They could earn a steady profit of 20 gold crowns for each piece of armor they handled, which amounted to 60000 gold crowns a year!
Moreover, these are 60000 gold crowns with no capital collateral and no risk of unsold goods, which is no less than the transaction of 10 gold crowns earned by hoarding.

Smith was a little dissatisfied with Su Li's slippery hands, but thinking of the hundreds of thousands of gold crowns that the Hessen Territory's unique position close to the Dragon Rock Forge had brought him, he chose to endure it temporarily.

The reputation of Dragon Rock Forge and the Gray Mountain Dwarves was the most important factor in his secret deal, and no one was more suitable than the Redbud Knight. Furthermore, the other party's equipment had already gained a reputation in Maleburg last year, making it a perfect fit for this plan.

He also knew that it was normal for the other party to be reserved during initial contact, so he stood up and said to President Roger with a smile, "Our Redbud Knights have given you such great benefits. As the master of Maraisburg, you must treat our new brother well."

Roger said excitedly: "Haha, it's my duty, it's my duty! I'll spend a fortune tonight, and Lord Bosuli will smile."

"Just a lavish spend?" Guild Master Yi Li leaned against Su Li's shoulder, took his arm, and said to Roger coquettishly, "Our brother Su Li has brought you tens of thousands of gold crowns in net profit. Isn't it a bit stingy to just spend a lavish spend? I think we must spend a ton! How about this, in three days our Crankenfield Auction House will have an auction with many treasures from Araby. I think President Roger will cover the auction fees for brother Su Li tomorrow, how do you think?"

Su Li's eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at President Yi Li, and suddenly felt that her whole body was glowing. As expected, the charm of a mature young woman is hard for men to resist. How can a young girl compare to her considerate appearance?

President Roger immediately gritted his teeth. This woman really knows how to use flowers to pay tribute to Buddha!
As soon as she opened her mouth, she would have to bleed heavily, perhaps even 10,000 or 20,000 gold crowns could not stop it. And she would take half of the favor?
So, President Roger's expression suddenly changed, and he angrily shouted, "What do you mean? Our Gray Market Company doesn't have any goods that can satisfy the Bauhinia Knights? Why should we go to your Crankenfield Auction?"

If he hadn't considered Senator Smith's attitude, he would have directly scolded this stinky bitch, "If you want to sell friendship, pay for it yourself! Don't use our gray market business's money to sell favors here."

Guild Master Yi Li smiled and blinked, saying, "I'm just worried that Guild Master Roger might be reluctant to auction off truly valuable treasures. But we at Crankenfield are different. We'll definitely auction off the best items."

After that, she turned to look at Senator Smith: "What do you say, Senator?"

Of course, Smith couldn't be such a villain. He smiled softly and said, "Let the Redbud Knight decide for himself."

Su Li is not as humble as them. This is the critical moment to gain benefits for himself.

It is impossible for the gray market company to turn against him and give up such a huge fortune just because of a word from him.

Even if he was angry, the target of his resentment was President Yi Li, so Su Li said decisively: "You all saw it when you entered the room. I came to Maleburg for only one purpose, and that was to participate in an auction. I need to sell a number of important props in exchange for a large amount of wealth, and at the same time buy a batch of supplies to accelerate the development of the territory."

Then his attitude is very clear.

Roger cursed her inwardly as a bitch, but still forced a smile and said, "Mr. Su Li is quite frank. Then tomorrow, President Yi Li and I will personally accompany you to an auction."

Of course, Su Li didn't want to offend him, so he smiled and said, "I heard that your Gray Market Company has a lot of taboo items. I think we can cooperate."

"Oh? Lord Su Li, do you have any treasures worth selling?"

"Of course, you may have heard about it. I defeated the green dragon in the Blood Pine Forest, cleared out a large number of wizard towers, and collected a large number of powerful wizard items!"

In addition to being the president of the Gray Market Trading Company, President Roger himself is also a powerful Five-Ring Wizard. Upon hearing this, his eyes lit up and he said, "I wonder if I could have the honor of tasting it?"

"Of course!" Su Li turned to Hildreth and gave her an instruction, asking her to send someone to call Ariana.

Before he arrived, he had already made arrangements. Fastrick's legitimate treasures would be auctioned off at the auction house. These were legitimate treasures and would not cause any trouble.

The forbidden witchcraft items in the box that Ariana brought were sold to merchants like the Gray Market Business who were willing to deal in these equipment of unknown origin.

Soon, Aliana came into the room carrying a wooden box. Roger opened the lid and took a look, then decisively closed it. He said calmly, "There are dozens of items in here. I can't identify them all in a short time. Why don't you, Mr. Su Li, come to our trading company headquarters? I'll find a few more appraisers to examine them, and I'd also like you to take a look at our special slaves."

Su Li was very tempted by this proposal, but he didn't want to get too involved with Senator Smith. He always felt that Senator Smith was very feminine and arrogant, and there was a huge vortex behind him. He even dared to harass Mrs. Bayonica. He didn't know whether it was arrogance or fearlessness.

He took the opportunity to leave and go to the Gray Market Trading Company for a visit.

(End of this chapter)