From the Ship of Fools to Earl of Wugang

After the incident with the Grey Swallow, Edmund was 100% convinced that the "Old Port" and even the Black Crown possessed extraordinary powers.

A preliminary investigation is necessary, and he also needs to improve his skills as soon as possible.

"The gold, silver, cargo, and ordinary spoils on the Black Crown can be distributed proportionally, but items involving the royal family may not be able to be sold smoothly."

Schinkel placed his palm on the old royal documents and then posed the question: "So, how does Mr. Cole intend to cooperate?"

"Before we talk about returns, I need something more tangible: you provide local guarantees for Adrian Cole, open your family archives, and rent me that old warehouse by the sea for three years."

The two discussed several rounds of questions regarding the value of the Farian coordinates, the privacy of family archives, and the arrangement of initial expenses.

Edmund noticed that the count was acting very cautiously when advocating for his interests, probably because the count was genuinely afraid that the investors in front of him would run away.

After the initial agreement was reached, Schenkel showed some unease for the first time and then raised a question that had not been explicitly stated before.

"I have little left to test the trust of strangers," the count said frankly. "Before you sign, I need to confirm that what you're preparing to invest isn't just enthusiasm."

Edmund was prepared and placed the bank-certified check on the table.

Upon seeing the numbers, the count's lips began to tremble.

After checking it several times, he pushed the check back to Edmund: "I was originally going to ask you to be careful with your spending. Now it seems that a small portion of it might be acceptable to spend it a little more aristocratically."

Edmund blinked. "Like, replacing horse-drawn carriages with cars?"

"For example, hold a banquet to let Twilight Harbor know that the Schenkel family has finally found someone who dares to dream and is also practical."

The two then negotiated the details of the rent and personnel selection, which took nearly an hour.

The negotiations were finally concluded, and the old butler was summoned to prepare a memorandum.

The agreement stipulated that the Earl's House would provide guarantees, open the archives, and hand over the old relief center; Edmund would complete the first round of investigations within ninety days, and the two parties would then sign a formal development agreement.

After the count stamped the document, he looked at Edmund's temporary permission and his expression immediately turned serious.

"Fritz, prepare the carriage, and take the charter and all the unmortgaged land certificates with you. We're going to the council immediately."

Edmund glanced at the clock on the wall: "Is the council's office about to close?"

"It's precisely because it's almost time to leave work that we should go there immediately. They'll leave every problem that can be left for tomorrow to tomorrow." Schenker got up and put on his coat.

"If you get deported because of your permission, then everything will be terrible!"

Some time later, Count Schenkel, Edmund, and the bank manager entered the council chamber.

As closing time approached, there were still more than ten people waiting to handle their business. Several employees rose and bowed to the Earl according to etiquette, but their faces showed little respect.

The clerk in charge of foreign registration recognized Edmund: "Mr. Cole, are you planning to ask His Excellency the Earl for a guarantee?"

The Earl placed the charter document on the table: "That's right, Mr. Cole and I have reached an agreement."

The clerk glanced at the document, his expression barely changing.

"Your Excellency, most of your business assets are mortgaged, and the guarantor needs to prove that he or she has the ability to assume the debts that the guaranteed party may incur locally."

The count responded, "My title has not been revoked, and my land has not been confiscated; this is a royal charter."

The clerk then turned his gaze to Edmund: "The North Shore Company is undergoing liquidation, and Mr. Cole lacks a stable employment relationship. Even if the Earl's guarantee is valid, we need to carefully assess his actual ability to reside there."

Several people waiting to handle their business nearby were already looking in this direction.

The Earl solemnly bowed his head to the clerk: "Then, issue a written rejection decision, stating that the noble rights recognized by the royal family have no guarantee effect. The application period will also be frozen while I send the documents to the Royal Household Department."

The supervisor, who had been watching from a distance, walked over as if he wanted to say something, but the count beat him to it.

"Or perhaps, there's another way to make things much easier?"

He turned to Edmund, gracefully raising his hand in an inviting gesture: "Mr. Cole, would you mind letting the council examine the check?"

Edmund smiled and placed the check on the table. The clerk glanced at it and his mouth dropped open.

The supervisor behind him poked his head out and asked, "What's this...?"

In the blink of an eye, another person with an "O" shaped mouth has appeared.

Seeing the supervisor pick up the check, the branch manager, who had been standing at the back, stepped forward.

"This cheque was issued by our bank before noon today and can be cashed in full at any of our branches, Mr. Cole, if he so desires."

The supervisor glanced at the manager, then at the check: "Is all of this money under Mr. Cole's name?"

The branch manager gave an understanding smile.

"The council has no right to demand that clients disclose their full accounts, but I can prove that the 50,000 gold coins are only a part of Mr. Cole's account, which was set aside separately for his preliminary investigation of Twilight Harbor."

A small gasp came from the lobby, and the noise from the people behind grew louder.

Edmund remained calm and composed, while the Earl looked with satisfaction at the astonished crowd behind them.

The supervisor, recovering from his shock, quickly composed himself: "In that case, Mr. Cole's residency status is naturally not a problem, and his three-month residency application can be expedited."

The clerk finally shut his mouth and hurriedly pulled out a new form: "Mr. Cole, please sign here."

While waiting to be processed, the murmurs in the lobby gradually grew louder.

"An investigation of the old port?" "The Schenkel family's underwater port?" "Fifty thousand is just the initial fee; who exactly is he?"

The clerk quickly completed the approval process, the supervisor personally signed the last page, and then had the clerk affix the seal.

"Mr. Cole, this is a three-month temporary residence permit, effective today." He even added, "If a formal company is subsequently established, you can directly apply for a long-term business residence permit with this record."

"Thanks for reminding me."

Just as the supervisor was about to return the check to Edmund, a slightly frivolous voice suddenly came from the stairs.

"Your Excellency, you rarely attend council meetings at this time. Could it be that the port that sank to the bottom of the sea has finally surfaced on its own?"

A man in his forties walked down the stairs into the lobby, wearing a red anchor-shaped lapel pin, followed by a young secretary carrying a briefcase.

The Earl's smugness dissipated, and he narrowed his eyes: "Member Wells, the Schenkel family has found a partner who is willing to seriously seek out Old Port."

"A collaborator?" The councilor feigned surprise. "Many people have visited the Earl's mansion over the years. What new method has this gentleman brought this time?"

Schenkel took the cheque, which had not yet been put back in its envelope, from the supervisor and turned it toward the member of parliament.

"Mr. Cole brought the results of the file verification, the exact coordinates, and 50,000 Eagle Coins."

The senator's gaze fell on the amount, and the smile on his lips visibly froze: "This is..."

"The first phase of the investigation covers funds," the branch manager said, standing to the side. "Our bank has already completed the guarantee."

Schenker pressed two fingers against the edge of the check to keep the number in the center clearly visible to everyone.

"Mr. Cole and I have reached an agreement that he wants to rent the old relief center, access family archives, and complete the first round of coastal and underwater surveys within ninety days."

The entire foyer held its breath in suspense. Edmund suddenly understood why the Earl had personally brought him to the council meeting.

The count ignored the ashen-faced councilor and turned to the crowd that had gathered in the foyer, solemnly announcing his arrival.

"Three days from now, in the evening, the Earl's mansion will be hosting a banquet at Wangchao Castle, and those who are interested will receive an invitation."

A young man standing by the door had already taken out a notebook and quickly wrote down what the two of them had said. Edmund recognized that he was wearing a press pass around his neck.

"At that time, I will publicly explain the scope of cooperation between the Earl's Palace and Mr. Cole, the investigation plan, and the follow-up arrangements for the Old Port area."