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Upon this, Count Evan was not particularly surprised.

Previously, when Joyce had visited with Knight Weber, he realized that he would undoubtedly be viewed with suspicion by Colin.

Of course, there was nothing he could do about it.

Even though Sallya was going to see Prince Lexie, Count Evan, her fiancé, could not stop her.

Besides, this was in fact something Count Evan had to do himself.

After the incident in Dragon City, Prince Lex had already given him a choice. Since he had chosen to believe in Prince Lex’s innocence, Count Evan could only follow this path.

Only by finding Prince Lex and helping him clear his name, could Count Evan himself acquire the support and status he desired.

For Count Evan, this was his first priority, as for creating some chaos and laying a few traps in the North Territory, those were just incidental tasks.

Having packed his belongings as quickly as possible, Count Evan found Sallya still sorting things out and said, “You continue, I am going out for a while, I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.”

Saying goodbye to Sallya, Count Evan changed into low-profile attire and left his residence.

After aimlessly strolling around the streets of Winterfell City, he seemed to casually walk into a tavern.

Within the tavern, Count Evan went straight to the second floor, sat down in a lavishly decorated private room, and drank the wine brought by his personal attendant.

But what was strange was that even though Count Evan was alone, there were two wine cups on the table.

Not long after, Arnold, the president of North Wind Business Association, entered the room quietly and greeted Count Evan respectfully.

“Please sit down.” Count Evan poured Arnold a glass of wine.

Arnold sat down and thanked him for the wine, quickly draining the cup. He then asked, “Count, what orders do you have for calling me here?”

Count Evan sipped the wine in his hand and calmly replied, “I am leaving Winterfell City.”

Arnold was taken aback, and quickly asked, “So soon? Are you returning to the East Territory?”

“No. I’m heading to Floral City. So, if you have anything, you can find me there.”

“Alright,” Arnold replied, nodding his head.

Count Evan glanced at the businessman in front of him and asked, “How’s the work on persuading the prominent businessmen of the North Territory coming along?”

Arnold frowned and seemed troubled. “Count, as you are aware, the situation in the North Territory is currently complicated. Despite my best efforts, Oliver, backed by Count Angler, has taken the position in the North Territory’s foreign trade company as bait, attracting quite a few influential Northern businessmen.

So…”

Seeing Count Evan’s expression unchanged, Arnold quickly added, “Count, in my opinion, it is rather difficult to compete for control over the Northern foreign trade company with the St. Hilde family, and our goal is rather apparent, which could easily expose us. As you very well know, Count Angler is not a generous person.

Especially now, with the situation around young master Joyce getting complicated, I’m worried that if we provoke them…”

Count Evan gently tapped the wine cup, lost in thought.

He knew that recent events had caused this merchant to falter.

However, for the moment, Count Evan himself couldn’t provide enough reasons to convince Arnold to continue taking risks for him.

Seeing Count Evan falling silent, Arnold again took the initiative to suggest, “Count, I think we could take a different approach – employing a more covert, yet even deadlier strategy to sever the St. Hilde family’s attempt to control the business circle in the North Territory.”

Count Evan’s expression shifted slightly, and he immediately responded, “Tell me more.”

“Sir, the North Territory’s foreign trade company is too large a target and is greatly valued by Count Angler. It is unwise for us to take them on directly in this regard.

I’ve pondered for a while and realized it might be better to attack them through bonds.”

“Bonds?”

“Yes, this is the policy that Count Angler is preparing to implement in the North Territory. Haven’t you heard?”

“I know what bonds are, just get to your point.”

“Yes.” Arnold cleared his throat and explained excitedly, “My Lord, have you noticed that the bonds Count Angler is preparing to issue have no restriction on eligibility.

It means that even a merchant from the East can exchange food for bonds with the St. Hilde family.

If you’re careful, you wouldn’t even need to alert the St. Hilde family – you can exchange food for bonds through a trustworthy middleman.”

The eyes of Count Evan lit up as if he’s just realized something.

Seeing this, Arnold, as if encouraged, explained even more enthusiastically: “In this way, you can use the funds from the East to get involved in the North’s commercial world without worries.

Once we stockpile a large number of bonds, we’ll have significant leverage over the St. Hilde family.

As the bonds approach maturity, you could buy up large quantities of food and drive up the food prices. By then, these bonds would pose a huge threat to the St. Hilde family!

If they’re willing to honor the bonds, they’ll have to buy food at high prices, and you would still make a fortune.

And if they back out, or can’t acquire enough food to honor the bonds, it would severely damage the reputation of the St. Hilde family and could even trigger another round of upheaval in the North Territory.

Of course, the East would suffer some losses too since the bonds you’ve hoarded would become worthless.

But given the East’s wealth, Sir, do you reckon it’s worth causing some disruption in the North Territory with a chunk of cash?”

“Of course, it’s more than worth it!” Count Evan quickly replied, lifting his wine cup to clink against Arnold’s, his face full of approval.

In Count Evan’s opinion, this plan is truly great; sufficiently covert yet extremely cunning.

No matter whether the St. Hilde family agrees to honor these bonds in the end, the East can’t lose.

Honestly speaking, if it were a competition of military power, the East would be inferior to the North. The long years of peace had eroded the will of the knights in the East. Unless it’s a last resort, Count Evan would never hope for a decisive battle with the Northerners on the battlefield.

But economically, the abundance of the East is far beyond what the North can ever hope to achieve.

Therefore, even if the North chooses not to honor the bonds due to high food prices, Count Evan wouldn’t regret it.

Spending some money to ruin the reputation that a Holy Knight family had built up over a thousand years, is absolutely worth it.

Count Evan was growing increasingly excited as he thought about it. He and Arnold emptied a whole bottle of red wine in no time.

Just as Arnold was about to ask his attendant to bring more good wine, Count Evan darted him down, remembering his fiancé was waiting for him:

“Let’s not drink anymore today. I have to go to Floral City later.”

Arnold looked slightly disappointed but did not insist.

Count Evan patted Arnold’s shoulder warmly, inviting him to visit Floral City anytime and have a good drink with him.

Arnold was flattered and nodded continuously as he saw Count Evan off.

Upon returning to the room, Arnold found that someone else had already occupied Count Evan’s seat.

However, he appeared neither surprised nor panicked, and greeted respectfully: “Count Angler, I’ve just done what you suggested.”

Colin was fiddling with the wine cup that Count Evan had just drank from, smiling and saying:

“Mr. Arnold, you have made the correct choice, and I appreciate it.”