The Knight's Journey to the Empire

The first is the buyout method.

The advantage is that Sauron can obtain a large amount of gold coins and invest them all in the development and construction of the territory!

With this huge investment of gold coins, Sauron has great confidence that he can help White Bear to develop, put on the wings of his dreams, and fly forward!

This is definitely a rare opportunity to enhance one's own strength and influence!

Of course, its disadvantage is that it is a one-time wealth and it will be gone once it is used up!

But it doesn’t really matter!

After all, if the snowflake sea salt business is no longer profitable, Sauron can still have other profitable businesses such as soap, sauce and vinegar!

Moreover, by then his strength and power will be greatly enhanced, and he won't have to be so cautious and hesitant like he is now!

Then there is the second method which is equivalent to sharing the profits!

The main advantage of this method is that it is long-term and has a promising future!

Although the share ratio of 1.5 seems relatively small, the actual amount of gold coins obtained is definitely not a small amount!

Because Sauron could vaguely feel that the monthly profit of this snowflake sea salt would definitely be more than just 80,000 gold coins!

The disadvantage is that without the injection of large amounts of funds, the construction of the territory can only continue to develop steadily and sustainably!

To put it simply, Sauron can't play recklessly, but has to stay safe and develop slowly!

But if you think about it carefully, it’s actually nothing!

Because for now, the White Bear Territory’s business of selling snowflake sea salt has a profit of nearly 10,000 gold coins per month, which is enough to support the development and construction of the territory!

Moreover, Sauron’s roots are basically insufficient. If he eats too much, he will easily become fat!

It may be difficult to digest by then, which would be unpleasant!

Of course, what Sauron was most concerned about was that if he chose the second method, the funds for the development and construction of the White Bear Territory might be controlled by others!

After all, no matter how much I say, it is an indisputable fact that my current strength and influence are not as good as others!

So to sum up, if Sauron really has to make a choice between the two, he actually prefers the second way of cooperation!

why?

Because if we put aside the above objective facts, doesn't Sauron have any selfish motives at all?

The main reason why he chose this second form of long-term cooperation was that he felt that this would give him more opportunities to communicate with Countess Katis, or to cultivate a deeper relationship with her!

Then he will have more chances to win her over, a beautiful girl hidden in a golden nest!

That’s right, Sauron was going to cut off her financial resources and kidnap her along with her money!

Well! In fact, Soran's biggest reliance is that he has the opportunity to make mistakes!

Otherwise, Sauron, who always believed in the famous saying "what you get is yours", would not dare to make such a gamble!

..............................

However, although Soran preferred the second form of cooperation, he would not agree to Countess Katis's request for cooperation on the spot!

Because he still had to go back to White Bear Territory to discuss things carefully with Wolfe, Adam and the others and ask for their opinions!

After all, this is a matter concerning the future development of the White Bear Territory, and they are also an extremely important part of the White Bear Territory!

Therefore, if they can participate, they can also provide some valuable advice to Sauron!

"My Lord Earl! I'm sorry. Although I am willing to cooperate now, I cannot give you an accurate answer right away!"

"I need to go back to the White Bear Territory and have a good discussion with my brothers and subordinates!" Sauron said in a very polite tone.

"Yes! Baron Soran, I understand your feelings! You can go back and discuss or think about it carefully!"

"But I hope that next time you come to visit Seagull Castle, you can bring me good news!" Countess Katis said politely.

But this last sentence!

The context is more of a threat!

"Don't worry! Respected Earl! I know my situation! So we will definitely be able to reach a happy cooperation!" Soran curled his lips helplessly and said in a somewhat deliberate tone.

This is the fact and it is irrefutable!

"Hahahaha...it's enough as long as Baron Sauron understands! I love dealing with smart people the most!" Countess Katis couldn't help laughing and seemed a little proud!

Sauron had no choice but to sit in his seat and drink the tea that had already gone cold!

"In that case, Baron Sauron should go back first! I'm looking forward to your good news here!" At this point, the matter had basically been discussed, so Countess Katis began to order him to leave!

"What? Respected Earl, is this your way of entertaining guests? You want to become partners, but you want to drive me away?" Looking at the complacent Countess Katis, Soran suddenly felt a little rebellious and spoke in a tit-for-tat manner.

"Hmm? Does Baron Soran have anything else to say?" Countess Katis asked hesitantly.

“If you have nothing to do, can’t you stay and have a simple meal? Could it be that such a big Earl’s Mansion can’t even afford to treat our partners to a meal?” Soran sobbed and started to act like a rogue.

Countess Katis' brows suddenly frowned!

It was the first time she saw someone dare to be so presumptuous in front of her!

But soon, she thought of how Soran had suffered a loss just now, and her brows relaxed again!

Isn’t it just a meal?

Compared with the process of refining and purifying sea salt, it doesn’t matter!

"In that case, Baron Sauron, please have a meal here before leaving!" Countess Katis said with a smile.

Finally, she looked at the sky outside, and subconsciously added: "Of course, if Baron Soran has time, he can stay in Seagull Castle for one night!"

Of course, this last sentence was just a polite remark from her!

But how could Soran miss such an opportunity? He took advantage of the situation and said, "Since the Earl has invited me so kindly, I will not refuse and will reluctantly stay here for one night!"

"I..." Countess Katis was suddenly speechless!

Hey Hey hey!

Which eye of yours saw my cordial invitation?

It's just a polite remark, can't you hear it?

You are so good, you take it seriously!

However, when she thought of Soran's eager eyes that seemed to melt her when he first saw her, Countess Katis felt relieved!

Isn't it just self-inflicted by doing this?

It must be because I was influenced by his extraordinary conversation when I was talking to him just now!

Countess Katis had never expected that a polite and well-spoken young nobleman would suddenly act like a rogue!

But now that things have come to this, there is nothing she can do!

After all, the words have been spoken, just like spilled water, can they be taken back?

Besides, now I can be considered as asking for help from others.

But then again, since the death of the previous Earl of Curtis, who was also her husband, it has been a long time since a man has stayed in Seagull Castle!

Except for male servants, of course!

Over there, watching Countess Katis suffer a setback, Soran felt that he had turned the tables.

So his mood became cheerful again!

Da da da da da da, da da da da da da! (This is a voice message in Doudizhu, which means to show off!)

..............................

However, the proud Baron Soran was about to be disappointed again!

Because in addition to dinner time, Countess Curtis had dinner with him and toasted with him!

The rest of the time, she stayed in the study to handle official business!

So until the next day, when Doug Johnson came back to pick him up, he didn't get to see the charming Countess of Curtis again!

This made him feel a little empty in his heart!

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Seagull Castle is built on a coastal mountain nearly 200 meters high, and its height is also 30 to 40 meters!

Seagull Castle is divided into four floors, and the Earl's study is located on the third floor of the castle.

In the Earl's study on the third floor, Countess Katis watched from the window as Butler Mark sent Baron Soren to the carriage! The coachman drove the carriage straight down the mountain!

Then she returned to her desk and continued to handle her official business with peace of mind!

On her precious desk, her personal servant had placed two thick stacks of official documents in different categories.

One of the piles is basically the internal affairs of the territory.

And what Countess Katis is dealing with now is this pile!

I saw the special brush in her hand dancing quickly, and she handled these official duties with ease and comfort!

So after a while, she finished processing the thick stack!

Obviously, the Countess of Katis is not just a useless vase decoration, her abilities in all aspects are also outstanding!

Immediately, she picked up another pile of official documents and started dealing with them!

This pile of official documents mainly contains correspondence between the Earl of Katis's family and the royal court of the Kingdom of Midburg, as well as other great noble families!

Still brushing and brushing, the pen and ink danced, and Countess Katis processed it quickly again!

But soon, she had trouble with one of the documents!

Because that is a special document sent by the royal court of the Kingdom of Midburg!

The information on the document mainly says:

Since the Kingdom of Essex has now deployed its troops on the southern border of the kingdom with unclear intentions, the kingdom may be in danger of being invaded at any time!

Therefore, His Majesty the King intends to activate the Kingdom’s Fourth Legion, the Wolf Warrior Legion, to guard against a sudden attack from the Kingdom of Essex!

However, due to insufficient funds in the national treasury, the task of recruiting soldiers for the Wolf Warrior Legion could not be successfully completed.

Therefore, His Majesty the King hereby issues an order, hoping that the kingdom’s key nobles will contribute money, people, and manpower to protect the kingdom’s security!

Of course, when the royal court distributed documents to various nobles, the contents were slightly different!

In the document sent to Countess Katis, it was clearly stated that it was hoped that Count Katis would take the lead in setting an example and donating money and materials in order to protect the safety of the kingdom!

……

With a "bang", Countess Katis slammed the documents in her hand heavily on the table!

Obviously, she is extremely angry now!

What does it mean that the treasury is empty and funds are insufficient?

What about setting a good example and donating money and materials?

Isn't it just bullying me because I'm a weak woman with no background?

What a bunch of greedy and cunning jackals!

……

The sea salt business of Count Katis's family originally occupied nearly half of the salt production and sales market in the Kingdom of Midburg!

But as of now, the piece of cake of the Earl of Katis's family has begun to be gradually eaten away by the Duke's family, which is also close to the sea!

Moreover, in this war of commercial erosion, the Earl of Curtis's family has clearly fallen into a disadvantage and is slowly losing its vested interests!

Currently, the Earl of Katis’ family has completely withdrawn from the sea salt market in the four southern counties of the Kingdom of Midburg!

..............................

Countess Katis is a career-oriented woman. She cares a lot about the power in her hands and will not tolerate any loss of it!

This can be seen from the fact that she spared no expense to obtain the sea salt refining and purification technology from Sauron!

Otherwise, after she became a countess, with the wealth of the Count of Curtis's family, she would have become a vase lady long ago!

How could he be so heroic and powerful as he is now?

But Countess Katis's maternal family is just a small noble family and cannot provide her with any help!

They even wanted to turn around and gain more benefits from Countess Katis!

Therefore, in this situation of being trapped both internally and externally, it was already very difficult for a weak woman like her without any background to rely on to hold on to the cake in her hands!

If you still want to turn the tide and defeat your opponent, it will be even more difficult!

And when she learned that Soren had innovated a new process for refining and purifying sea salt, she understood!

It’s a very suitable opportunity!

An opportunity to counterattack the opponent!

That's why she wanted to get it so badly!

Even willing to pay a huge price for it!

The purpose is to regain our own market share!

All in order to maintain the power in one's hands!

..............................

"Knock! Knock! Knock..." A dull knock on the door came from outside, interrupting Countess Katis's thoughts.

"Come in!" Countess Katis closed the file again and said in a heavy tone.

Outside the door, Butler Mark came in and reported softly: "Countess, Baron Soran has been sent away! He asked me to bring you a message!"

"Oh? What did you say?" Countess Katis asked with a little confusion.

"He said, 'Please rest assured, Your Excellency. I will consider our cooperation carefully! Also, Your Excellency, you are so beautiful!' That's what he said!" Butler Mark said expressionlessly.

"This..." Countess Katis smiled helplessly, but then she stopped caring about it!

Because she is also very confident in her own charm.

She had heard these words at least a hundred times and had become immune to them!

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