Rose Empire

"Pearl business." Martin Kramer picked one and said.

Charlotte knew that the elders in Ambratu often had more than one or two businesses, but she did not ask further. Instead, she continued, "So where do the pearls that Mr. Kramer sells come from?"

"Naturally, my slaves fished them out of the sea for me. Of course, I also bought them from other ship owners and villagers." Martin Kramer said truthfully. There was nothing to hide.

There is no pearl farming industry on the Sokya Peninsula. The pearls they produce are all natural pearls, which require pearl divers to go into the sea naked to collect them.

"If one day Mr. Kramer suddenly announced that he would no longer purchase those pearls, would the villages and ship owners who sold the pearls to you be troubled?" Charlotte asked.

"It's obvious..." Martin Kramer seemed to understand what Charlotte meant.

"Pearls are just one example," Charlotte continued with a smile, "there could be many similar things, pottery, leather, fish, wool, or... food."

Martin Kramer's heart moved slightly, but he soon realized that it was inappropriate to discuss such a topic with an outsider like Charlotte, or even an "enemy". He immediately concealed his expression, sat upright, and said, "Miss Charlotte, please don't say such things. Ambrato is a democratic city-state, and the elders of the Council of Elders are elected by the citizens. We represent the wishes and interests of the citizens. We cannot pass on the slight losses we have suffered to ordinary citizens."

Charlotte smiled and didn't continue the topic.

Martin Kramer looked expectantly at Harvey Sherwin, who was just standing by. Harvey Sherwin felt very uncomfortable and had to bite the bullet and say, "Miss Charlotte, the people of Ambratu have a hard time. Too heavy taxes will cause business to wither and make people's lives even more difficult. Moreover, Mr. Martin Kramer is also a respectable nobleman in Ambratu. If there is no progress in this negotiation, he will definitely be criticized by those ignorant fools when he returns. It is really disgraceful."

There are so many things to complain about Harvey Sherwin's words that Martin Kramer doesn't know where to start. Should he first declare that he is not an aristocrat? Or should he first emphasize that the citizens are not ignorant fools? These two are the current political correctness of Ambratu.

However, Charlotte on the other side raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard what Harvey Sherwin said, and asked, "Are Knight Sherwin and Elder Kramer very close friends?"

Harvey Sherwin didn't know why Charlotte asked this, so he answered vaguely, "Mr. Martin has taken good care of me during my time in Ambratu..."

Charlotte nodded and continued, "Since he is Knight Shelvin's friend, I really can't let Mr. Kramer return empty-handed."

Martin Kramer felt pleasantly surprised, and Harvey Shervin was also a little surprised. The extent to which Charlotte showed respect was beyond his expectations.

"For Knight Shelvin's sake, I can waive the tariff compensation for one year." Charlotte said, stretching out a scallion-like finger.

Martin Kramer was very happy. He didn't expect that treating Harvey Sherwin to a few meals would bring such a huge return.

"Miss Charlotte, your kindness is admirable. As Mr. Harvey said, life is not easy for the citizens of Ambrato. I wonder if you can show more of your kindness, such as reducing the exemption for another year..." Martin Kramer said tentatively.

Charlotte covered her mouth and chuckled: "Mr. Kramer, you are joking. I am kind, but my kindness is not a reason for you to go further."

Martin Kramer rubbed his hands together in embarrassment.

"But... let's put it this way," Charlotte suddenly said, "I'll take a step back. Ambratu can pay the four-year compensation in eight years, and you only need to pay half of the tariff for that year each year."

"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Charlotte."

Martin Kramer smiled with relief. Although it was not perfect, with such a result, he could give an explanation to the Senate and the Citizens' Assembly. No one could say that Martin Kramer's trip was useless.

After the negotiations, Martin Kramer got up and rushed back to Ambratu.

Seeing that Charlotte had no intention of staying, Harvey Sherwin also went back to Ambratu. He had been living very comfortably in Ambratu during this period and had no intention of coming back.

After seeing the two off, Charlotte returned to the castle and happened to see Lilith packing her luggage. She suddenly thought of something and said to Lilith, "Lilith, you are going to the Sokya Peninsula. Can you help me kill a few people on the way?"

According to the information sent back by Robin Mancini, the twelve citizens on the Ambratu cargo ship were detained by the Little Sasini and hung on the flagpole at the dock, and humiliated. Charlotte felt that this was not enough, and she planned to throw a match into the dangerous situation between Ambratu and Little Sasini, which was like a powder keg.

Lilith heard what Charlotte said and squinted at someone: "I am an adventurer, not an assassin."

Charlotte looked at Renee beside her again. Renee smiled and said, "I'm just your maid. Please don't make it difficult for me to do anything other than a maid."

Charlotte pouted and finally had to let Renee go and call Knight Eric Scamario.

Charlotte believed that with Renee's skills and "extreme speed", she could easily move in and out of Little Sasini. Even if she failed to assassinate him, no one could stop her. Unfortunately, Renee was unwilling to leave Charlotte's side easily, and Charlotte had no way to deal with the little maid.

It wasn't long before Eric Scamario arrived at the castle, and Charlotte received the knight in the study.

"Knight Eric, I have an assassination mission, but I don't know who should be the best person to complete it. I heard that Knight Eric is very familiar with the local knights of Lanwan, so I asked you to come and help me with advice." Charlotte said straight to the point.

"Please tell me, Lord Viscount. I will do my best to help you," said Eric Scamario.

Charlotte then told them that the citizens of Ambrato were being held captive by the Lesser Sassenians and that she was going to send someone to kill those twelve citizens.

Eric's heart was filled with emotions after hearing this. Charlotte's words revealed so much information, it was so shocking.

The citizens of Ambratu were held hostage by the Little Sassini. What did this have to do with Viscount Lanwan? Why did Charlotte send people to assassinate the citizens of Ambratu? What did she want to do?

Could it be that Charlotte is against Ambratu...

Eric soon realized that he was facing not just a simple consultation, but also a test.

Viscount Lanwan is testing the Southern Knights. No, perhaps not only the Southern Knights. She is testing whether there are any reliable and useful people among the local knights of Lanwan.

Eric's thoughts were churning, and he suddenly thought that this might be an opportunity...

"If it's just little Sasini, I don't think there is anyone more suitable than me in the entire Viscountry of Lanwan." Eric said in a deep voice.

"Oh? Really?" Charlotte seemed amused by the answer.

"I used to go to Sokya often, and I've been to the city-state of Little Sassini more than a dozen times. I have a few friends there." Eric smiled casually, "To be honest, the wool of Little Sassini is really good. I can make a lot of money by selling it to the Principality of Green Plains."

"Well then," Charlotte said with a smile, "Since Mr. Eric is familiar with the situation over there, I will leave this mission to you. In addition to the assassination mission itself, I have two additional requirements: first, even if the assassination fails, you must not reveal the identity of the Lanwan Knight; second, you need to come back alive."

Eric Scamario stood up, put his right hand on his chest, and said firmly: "Your will."

On the other side, Martin Kramer returned to Ambrato and informed the Elders of Charlotte's conditions.

The democratic elders were very happy with the result. Viscount Lanwan did not ask Ambratu to pay a large sum of cash immediately, which undoubtedly made these elders, who knew how tight the public treasury was, feel relieved. So they all praised Harvey Shelvin, the "cousin who had a very good relationship with Viscount Lanwan" who had made great contributions to the negotiations.

Harvey Sherwin felt very proud and was in a very happy mood.

The elders of the oligarchs remained silent about the result, neither opposing nor supporting it. The elders of the democratic faction were not surprised to see this situation. The oligarchs' previous firm opposition did not allow them to vote again in favor, and keeping silent was actually tacit approval.

The democratic elders immediately decided to convene a citizens' assembly, intending to strike while the iron was hot and pass the agreement in one go.

"What do they want to do?" Pande, who was notified to attend the meeting, asked the one-eyed old man beside him.

Originally, Pande didn't want to attend the so-called Citizens' Assembly at all. Ever since the Citizens' Assembly agreed to the proposal proposed by the Council of Elders to stop paying his father's allowance, Pande felt that this so-called Citizens' Assembly had long since deteriorated and turned into a ridiculous organization that only cared about the interests of a group of people.

However, Pande had to come because citizens were paid to attend the citizens' assembly. Although the money was meager, it was better than nothing for a poor family.

The one-eyed old citizen beside Pende said without hesitation: "What else can these elders do? They just continue to exploit us."

"Logan, don't say that." John Rice, the elder of the oligarch faction, happened to be walking with the two men, and he tried to persuade them upon hearing what they said.

The one-eyed old citizen known as Logan chuckled, pointed to the high platform that had been set up in the small square, and said, "John, if you dare to stand up and say loudly that the Council of Elders will never exploit us today, then I will immediately apologize to all the elders."

Young Pender looked at John Rice hopefully.

John Rice came from a lower-class citizen family and was elected as an elder based on his military achievements accumulated in his youth.

Contrary to the citizens' impression of elders who talk incessantly and eloquently once they open their mouths, John Rice is not good at speaking and rarely speaks in the Council of Elders. Therefore, many citizens doubt whether he is capable of governing the city-state well.

But no citizen would doubt the character of John Rice. When he was young, he was very poor and lived in the most dilapidated streets in the city. Many elders from the lower classes had similar experiences when they were young, but soon after they became elders, they would generally move to beautiful big houses or manors. However, John Rice was different. He still lived in his old house, wore the simplest clothes, and ate a diet similar to that of ordinary citizens.

If other elders said that they had not embezzled a penny of public funds, Pende would sneer at them, including Antanas, the leader of the oligarchs who also came from the lower class. But if John Les said this, Pende would believe it without hesitation.

However, this time John Rice also disappointed Pender. Facing Pender's expectant eyes, John Rice did not dare to look him in the eye.

John Rice cannot come to power not because he feels that the result of the tariff negotiations is the exploitation of the lower-class citizens, but because he is an oligarch, and according to Antanas's requirements, the oligarchs must remain silent on this matter.

But in Pender's opinion, such performance undoubtedly shows that John Rice is guilty.

On the podium, Martin Kramer proudly recounted the negotiation process and results between him and Viscount Lanwan.

"Tsk, you just want to raise taxes!" One-eyed Logan sneered softly, "Don't these elders know that we are so poor that we have to sell ourselves into slavery?"

Listening to Logan's incitement, the last bit of rationality in the young Pender's mind burned out. He suddenly shouted and interrupted Martin Kramer's speech: "Do you want to raise taxes?"

Martin Kramer was frightened by Pender's voice. Before he could come to his senses, Pender angrily questioned him, "Tell me, does the Council of Elders want to increase taxes? If not, what are you going to use to bribe that damn Viscount Lanwan?"

"The Council of Elders is planning to increase some taxes..." Martin Kramer was just about to explain that the Council of Elders was planning to set up a tax checkpoint near Ambratu on the Isthmus of Lanwan. This would certainly be suspected of exploiting businessmen, but it would actually have little impact on lower-class citizens like Pande.

However, Pande, who had had enough of the Council of Elders, especially democrats like Martin Kramer, did not want to listen to Martin Kramer's explanation. He rushed to the platform, kicked over the clay pot that was going to be used for voting later, waved his fist at Martin Kramer and other elders, and shouted: "If you want to bribe, just take out your own treasury! Don't come and rob our pockets!"

The whole audience was silent for a moment, as if everyone was shocked by Pender's bold behavior.

Suddenly, there was a cheer from the audience: "Well said!"

The one cheering was Logan.

"well said!"

"well said!"

Two more sounds.

Then came three tones, and four tones!

Then, most people in the audience were incited.

Each "well said" is like a wave.

Even though some citizens standing far away didn't understand what was happening, they also cheered along with the enthusiastic atmosphere.

Amid this wave of noise, several elders of the Democratic Party were driven off the platform in a panic.

The elders were driven away, and the citizens burst into great cheers again, as if they had won a great victory.

"Perhaps..." Martin Kramer, who was covered in dust, returned to the Elders' Council and said gloomily to other democratic elders, "We can consider letting the citizens understand our recent troubles..."

PS: Please give me some votes~~~

PS2: There are so many inexplicable sensitive words that it affects normal speech.

Volume 52: Chapter 45 Chapter Mountain People and Price Gouging

Celine lay on her small wooden bed with her face buried in the pillow.

"The Viscount asked you to guard the castle, but you just lay down at home and slept!"

From outside the door came the dissatisfied rebuke of his father, Ed Adkins.

"Don't bother me!"

Celine shouted back.

"What do you mean I shouldn't bother you? Your Excellency thinks so highly of you..."

"It's so noisy, so noisy, so noisy..."

Ed Adkins wanted to say a few more words, but Celine covered her ears and shouted, interrupting her old father's nagging.

Ed Adkins had no choice but to give up the idea of ​​persuading his daughter to go back to work: "Forget it, I'm too lazy to care about you, I'm going to the guard."

"Go away! It's all your fault! It's all your fault!"

From the bedroom came the sound of the daughter chasing someone away.

Ed Adkins didn't understand what Celine meant at all. He just thought that his daughter had reached the age of rebellion. He shook his head and went out helplessly.

After her father left, Celine stayed in bed for too long and felt a little bored, so she wanted to go out for a walk. However, when she sat up, she saw the gorgeous ice gem steel armor hanging on the hanger.

"Will you protect me, my knight?"

Celine thought back to Charlotte.

"Ah ah ah..."

Celine fell back on the bed, covering her face and rolling around.

Charlotte asked Celine to go to the castle to guard the castle. Celine was not very resistant, she just didn't know how to face Charlotte.

What if Charlotte locks me up again and I can’t get out of bed for seven days?

What's even more frightening is that Celine found that she was not as resistant to that kind of thing as before.

If I had another seven days...

"Miss."

The voice of the old servant of the Adkins family came from outside the door.

"No! Not even for a day!" Celine suddenly let out an inexplicable scream.

The old servant was startled by Xilin. He was stunned for a moment before saying, "Miss..."

Hearing the old servant's voice, Xilin realized her own misconduct, and quickly coughed twice and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Just now, a villager came to report that a lot of people came out of the mountains in the north." said the old servant.

North, mountains, people...

The simultaneous appearance of these words immediately touched Celine's sensitive nerves. It should be said that any young person who grew up in the northern knight territory would be extremely sensitive to these words.

Because to the north is the Campe Mountains.

These young people have heard horrific stories from village elders about tribesmen ransacking and slaughtering their villages, or they may have experienced it themselves.

"Send someone to the guards to inform father immediately. I will go to the north to take a look first."