People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Alright, alright, stop interrupting. I won't go into the opening platitudes; I'm sure you both know what I've called you here to discuss."

“We, or rather all local businesses in Kjerag, should be aware that our first wave of challenges is about to begin.”

Unlike Ernst, who uses flowery rhetoric to present his views, Enciodis is more adept at playing like a chess player, showing you every move and every piece's variation, making you understand what he's going to do, and leaving you helpless and unable to retaliate.

His style of doing things is very much like that of a "domineering CEO".

This time was no different; he didn't directly state what the "challenge" was, but Latatos nodded knowingly.

"The arrival of the Business Federation is indeed a huge challenge for Sherag."

The biggest change Ernst brought to Sherag during his trip to the Kazimierz International Games was not the two medals and the gold and silver medalists, nor the Lightbringer family, which was once quite famous in Kazimierz but had begun to decline in recent years, but the Business Federation.

Enciodes called the arrival of the Business Federation a "change" because change can be both good and bad.

The business federation may... no, it will undoubtedly bring more investment, larger-scale industries, a wider variety of goods, and a faster-growing economy to Shelag.

But what will be the price?

“The local industries in Kerlag will be impacted. Not only Kerlag Trade, but also Blantao Home Textiles and Perroch Food Processing Plant will not be spared.”

Enciodes's expression was very serious.

"How our businesses can weather this storm, how they can remain standing in Shelag, and how... how they can profit from this crisis—these are the questions I've invited you all to discuss."

His hands were crossed and placed on the table, his gaze sweeping over Actos and Latatos, as if waiting for their answer.

Actos was the first to become restless.

When he came in, Guluo was left outside, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. Sure enough, once he entered, Enciodes was up to no good!

"What do you mean?"

"Are you trying to ruin us? To boo our processing plant? Are you cursing it to go bankrupt right after it opened, cursing us to lose money?!"

Ensiodis shrugged helplessly. Actos raised his hand, seemingly wanting to gesture, but then lowered it, simply turning his head away and letting out an angry snort.

"Humph!"

This surprised the man who was ready to make his move.

Wow, Brother Xiong's gotten civilized? Didn't I notice today? Did the sun rise in the west?

Latatos raised her hand, signaling Actos to calm down.

“Although Enciodes may not always be telling the truth, this time, he is telling the facts.”

“Actoros, don’t underestimate the Kazimierz Business Federation. I’ve also done research abroad, and they… are very powerful.”

Unlike Actos, Latatos was not resistant to accepting new things from the beginning. She was just a little more moderate than Ensiodes and found Ensiodes's plan to wipe out the three major families completely unacceptable.

As the patriarch of her tribe, she had to ensure her people had food to eat. Therefore, in weighing the options, she had no choice but to side with Actos and pressure Enciodes. However, when Enciodes returned from his studies in Victoria, it was the Blantau family that proposed reinstating Shivaish into the Three Clans Council, giving Enciodes sufficient respect and dignity.

However, according to Ensiodis's original coup plan, he had no intention of giving anyone face.

The final outcome of the game was that Ernst ascended to the position of leader of the Scherrager, a decision that, in hindsight, was undoubtedly advantageous to Latatos. However, at the time, Latatos did feel guilty.

After all, compared to Enya, who was sent to the Holy Mountain and from then on "everyone had to treat her with utmost respect," the Shivaish family was far superior. Enya was still young and naive. Enshiodis was studying abroad, no longer in Kjerag. Ernst was the one she and Shurus truly considered childhood sweethearts. They grew up together. Pushing him into that position to bear the pressure was understandable for the Brantau chieftain, but as Latatos, she felt truly guilty.

Therefore, after Ernst took that position, she was one of the most proactive in responding to his policies. Moshi was her foolish sister's subordinate; did Hugh Rose really have the brains to have Moshi subtly help Ernst? Who hinted at this?

Even before the Holy Stone Trial, she risked offending the powerful Manjusaka Academy by secretly hinting to her foolish sister to help Ernst escape from Sherag.

What happened next is clear. Ernst refused Hurruth's help, then summoned a miracle during the Trial of the Holy Stone, turning the tide and defeating the Grand Elder.

After that, Ernst opened up Sherag, and tourists from Victoria and Colombia began to flock in. Ernst frequently traveled abroad, and Latatos was not idle either.

From the moment she received the position of “Agent of the Kerrig Government’s Board of Trade in Kerrigan” from Ernst, she began her journey of studying abroad.

Victoria, Casimir, Colombia—she had also trod the soil of these countries, witnessed the spectacular sight of cities crawling across the land, and seen the terror of natural disasters that existed only in the legends of Shelag. Of course, she knew what the Business Federation was and how powerful it was.

That was not a simple corporate alliance. In Ernst’s usual words, it was a huge interest group, a new class, and a political entity dominated by a new ideology!

Latatos is more traditional; she prefers to describe it as: an era.

In Kazimir, the Supervisory Council, which is ten times stronger than the three major families, is still helpless against the Business Federation. The sandcastles of traditional families are destined to be shattered and destroyed in the face of the tide of this era!

This is why she pushed so hard for the rapid transformation of the Blanto family.

Challenges can come at any time.

It has already arrived.

Actos, somewhat bewildered, braced himself on the table and shouted:

"Can't we talk to Ernst and ask him not to let those guys in yet?"

"Hehe, hahahaha."

Ensiodis couldn't help but laugh. He looked at Actos, not with mockery, but with regret.

"Sure, of course, let's assume Ernst agrees, and then what?"

"When do you plan to let them in? Or are you going to never let them in at all?"

"I......"

Actos was speechless. Because he knew it was impossible.

If they're not allowed in, then why did Ernst even open Scherrager's gates?

Actos had also tasted the benefits of the influx of tourists. In the past, the Perroch family's livestock pens had never been in short supply, and the smiles of the people living in brick houses were genuine. They praised him as the "great" head of the family. So how could Actos have the nerve to tell them that their "great" patriarch wanted Ernst to close the open door of Shelag?

Challenges will always come.

"On the way to Manjushri Temple to worship Yeragand, believers enjoy the baptism and sublimation of God and the spirit brought by their piety, but they also have to face the test of wind, snow and cold."

Aktos silently recited verses from the Hymn of Jeragund in the Bible, gritting his teeth:

"Then tell me, what should we do?"

"How should Perroche deal with those outsiders trying to steal his business? Should he lead a group to raid their warehouse? Or should he disguise himself as a robber and hijack their car on the way?"

Ensiodis: "........."

Latatos: "........."

Actos realized he might have said something wrong and slammed his fist on the table.

"Why are you silent? Speak up! This won't work, so come up with a feasible solution."

Ensiodis coughed twice, attracting the attention of the two men.

"There is an old saying in Letania: only Originium Arts can counter Originium Arts."

"In order to preserve the competitiveness of our local industries in Kerlag after the Business Federation takes over, we should do the same."

Enshiodis paused for a moment, then slowly said:

“Establish the [Sherragh Business Federation].”

"The Karan Trade Association is doing its best to support companies that join the Shelag Business Federation, and to help each of us weather this storm and even benefit from it."

"This is the only foolproof solution."

Actos blinked; he understood what Ensiodis meant, but not so much his motives.

Are you Enshiodis? Enshiodis actually offered to help me? Huh?

Beside him, Latatos crossed her arms and nodded knowingly, while giving Ensiodis a deep look.

Having been to Casimir, she certainly knew what the Business Federation was.

The Business Federation of Shelag?

I'm too lazy to expose what you're really up to.

However, this plan is indeed correct and feasible. The fact that Kalan Trade, a company that has become wealthy earlier, is willing to contribute resources and manpower, taking risks during this crisis to boost local businesses that are still developing, is truly a rare opportunity. If we miss this chance, we'll never have another one.

Ensiodes truly understood their psychology. Even knowing there might be something fishy going on, as the heads of their families and corporations, they had no choice but to agree.

You've gotten stronger too, Enshiodes.

Perhaps sensing Latatos's gaze, or perhaps knowing that Actos didn't need to persuade anyone—he didn't even use his brain—the only person he truly needed to convince was Latatos, Ensiodis turned his gaze to Zalak, who had long chestnut hair.

"How is it, Latatos?"

You should say yes.

"indeed."

Latatos nodded.

"This proposal is perfectly reasonable. Faced with the threat from the Business Federation, the businesses in Sherag should unite. If I don't agree, I would seem to lack a sense of the bigger picture and disregard the overall situation."

"but--"

As the saying goes, once those two words are uttered, everything that came before becomes mere prelude.

A sweet smile appeared on Latatos's face:

“I went to see Ernst yesterday afternoon.”

"What I heard from him is slightly different from what you told me, Ensiodes."

"Is the Business Federation really so powerful that we are forced to accept the threats from the leaders of the Kalan Trade Federation?"

Yesterday afternoon, when Ernst saw Emengard and the Shapeshifter syndicate off, he mentioned that he had another meeting to attend.

It goes without saying who was waiting to meet Ernst at that time.

It was Latatos herself.

It's not just you who's improving, Enshiodis.

Latatos stared defiantly at the snow leopard across the conference table, whose smile had suddenly vanished.

Ernst wouldn't do something so unprofessional as to hand over local industries to large foreign companies, which could even lead to the loss of control over some key areas closely related to people's livelihoods. He wouldn't do that, and neither would any civil servant who has ever worked in investment promotion.

He was far more adept at negotiating business with foreign companies than at helping the Sarkaz establish a nation!

The terms had already been drafted, and the business association had voluntarily agreed. If any of Sherag's businesses had even a modicum of backbone, they wouldn't have been driven bankrupt by foreign competition under such blatant domestic protectionism.

There's no need to fabricate a "Casimir Business Federation threat" narrative in an attempt to create an enemy and unite the emerging forces of the three families around the Kalan Trade, siding with Ensiodis, this "world-opening" Sherag man.

Now, you're not the only one with your eyes open.

Latatos smiled and said:

"The establishment of the Shelag Chamber of Commerce is indeed necessary, and it is also for the sake of Shelag's future business activities. Enciodis is right about that."

"However, aid from the Kalan Trade Center is unnecessary."

“We are no longer toddlers. As the patriarch of a clan and the chairman of a company, we should, and must, be able to lead our companies through this ‘crisis,’ shouldn’t we?”

Latatos looked at Actos and said softly:

"Otherwise, we can't expect Enciodes to help us with everything in the future, can we?"

Aktos was stunned for a moment, his previously confused eyes suddenly cleared, and he slammed his hand on the table:

"Latatos is right!"

Ensiodis's smile froze.

Jian stared at his boss's tightly clenched fist under the table, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

She guessed that Ensiodes was probably screaming in his heart, "Ernst! I won't give up!"

Haha, it's a pity Nosis isn't here, otherwise I would have at least made a bet with him!

Chapter 473 Latatos: Can we start a company together?

Shelag, Shelag Government Office Building.

"So, Ensiodis really went to find you?"

After finishing the first meeting of the residents' committee representatives of Shelagsaqaz, Ernst sat in his office chair, holding a cup of instant coffee he had brought back from Casimir in one hand, tapping his fingers on the table with the other, and blinking with interest.

Latatos smiled and nodded, her eyes seemingly sparkling: "Your prediction is spot on."

Ernst took a sip of coffee, the cheap, bitter taste forcing him to grimace and shake his head.

This isn't really a prediction; it's more like a guess.

Having gone to Kazimierz, given Enciodis's personality, it's impossible that he would just obediently play his own matches. Moreover, he was eliminated in the first round there, yet he remained in Kazimierz afterward. Ernst isn't foolish enough to think that his older brother was waiting for him to join him.