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“A loan?”

“Yes! Use the future tax revenue of the territory as collateral to borrow from merchants. As long as the interest rate is reasonable, I believe many big chambers of commerce would be willing to help us.”

The old butler frowned deeply, hesitating about Colin’s decision.

In the perception of people in this world, borrowing is not something glorious.

Especially for a noble.

It’s almost like declaring to everyone—I am short of money.

For the prestigious nobles, this is a very disgraceful thing.

Unless they are on the verge of bankruptcy, no noble gentleman would borrow money from others.

“Master, I fear this… this might affect the reputation of the Angler family…” the old butler advised with concern on his face.

“Reputation is illusionary.” Colin waved his hand, unconcerned.

For a traveler like him, borrowing money for development is a matter of course.

In fact, those nobles who would rather die than borrow, are the real fools in Colin’s eyes.

Building one’s strength with other people’s money is a smart move.

Even in the worst-case scenario, if the loan can’t be repaid, as long as the Angler family’s army develops smoothly, is there anything to fear about debt collectors?

“Alright, I’ve made up my mind. Release the news tomorrow. We’ll organize a meeting and invite some powerful chambers of commerce to discuss the details of the loan.

“Yes, Master.” Seeing that Colin’s mind was made up, Emon didn’t dare to speak any more.

The next day, when the news of Viscount Angler’s plan to borrow was released, a group of merchants rushed to Ice Rock City like sharks smelling blood.

Just as these merchants rubbed their hands in anticipation of winning this deal, a merchant arrived at the Red Fortress ahead of others, requesting to meet Viscount Angler.

Originally Colin didn’t intend to meet any merchant alone.

In his view, only by gathering these merchants and letting them compete could he get the best loan conditions.

However, when the attendant told him that the visitor was Oliver from the Tulip Chamber of Commerce, Colin still agreed to the meeting request.

After all, he was an old acquaintance, and though Oliver had offended Colin, he had also sincerely apologized afterward.

To Colin, Oliver was someone who knew how to get things done.

“Honorable Viscount, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet me! I’m honored!”

This rotund merchant with a fawning smile immediately bowed ninety degrees upon seeing Colin, extremely respectful.

“Alright, Oliver, there’s no need to stand on ceremony with me. I know what you want. Let’s hear the terms of the Tulip Chamber of Commerce. If they’re suitable, I wouldn’t mind borrowing from you out of our old acquaintance’s sake.”

Oliver laughed heartily and said, “Viscount, please rest assured. Based on our past relationship, the Tulip Chamber of Commerce will definitely give you the best loan terms.

However, before that, please allow me to present you with a gift as a celebration of your elevation to the rank of Viscount.”

“A gift?” Colin chuckled.

He remembered that the last gift this fat merchant gave him was a set of armor, in exchange for his forgiveness.

So what’s this gift for?

One thing Colin was sure of was that Oliver’s gift was definitely not a celebration of his promotion to Viscount as he claimed.

This was clearly a bribe. “What gift?”

Colin sneered in his heart.

If Oliver thought a small gift would make him give this big loan deal to the Tulip Chamber of Commerce, then he was seriously underestimating him.

Oliver signaled to his servants from behind.

Two servants came forward carrying a large box.

When the box was opened, a chilling frosty aura struck them.

It was an enchanted armor set.

And it was the one Colin had asked the price for earlier, but couldn’t afford!

“I recall the price of this enchanted armor set is fifty thousand gold coins, correct?”

“Yes, Viscount.”

“Are you sure you want to give this to me? Let’s clarify, even if I accept this armor set, it doesn’t guarantee that I will favor the Tulip Chamber of

Commerce with the loan.”

“Of course, Viscount. This set of armor is simply a celebration of your promotion to viscount. There’s no other meaning to it and it certainly has nothing to do with the loan.”

Colin was immediately suspicious.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

He firmly believed in this saying.

Oliver’s extravagant gift must have some request behind it.

Remember, fifty-thousand gold coins is absolutely not a small sum.

Back when the Angler family was a baron, the whole baron’s annual tax income was only three thousand gold coins.

Even now, being a Viscount with a territory several times larger, Colin estimated that the entire viscount’s annual income wouldn’t exceed thirty thousand gold coins.

“Be frank, who sent this gift?” Colin didn’t believe that Oliver, a chamber of commerce manager, could make this decision.

Thinking of the person behind the Tulip Chamber of Commerce, Colin realized something.

At this point, Oliver also dropped his smile, his tone becoming serious: “Viscount, not to withhold any information from you, but this gift was personally decided by the president of our chamber.”

“Who is your president?”

Hearing this question, Oliver didn’t answer immediately, instead looking around with a mysterious expression.

Colin waved his hand, ordering his attendants, “All of you, leave us.”

When only Colin and Oliver remained in the hall, the rotund merchant finally spoke again, “Viscount, the president of our Tulip Chamber of Commerce is Ms.Penny.”

“Ms. Penny?” Colin thought for a while before finally matching a name from his memory.

Isn’t this the birth mother of Colin’s sister’s missing husband, and also Count Uman’s lover?

Colin immediately became alert, “Why would Ms. Penny give me such a generous gift?”

Oliver bowed his head, “It is an apology from the lady.”

“What do you mean?” Colin squinted his eyes.

“Knight Walra has safely returned to Fallen Eagle City. However, he was once under your father’s command and failed to protect the Baron. Therefore, Ms.

Penny is expressing her sincerest apology on behalf of her son.”

Upon hearing the news that his long-lost brother-in-law suddenly appeared in Fallen Eagle City, Colin’s eyes began to gleam with danger.

He tried to control his anger from showing, and asked calmly, “How is Knight Walra? Where has he been?”

“The Knight is doing just fine. He was captured by trolls in the previous battle, but after the Dark Cavalry gave chase to the Troll Army, he was thrown into the ice plain along with other human captives. Thankfully the Lord of Glory watched over him, and after enduring many hardships, he returned to the North Territory..”