Chapter 513
Cod, a big businessman in the Carroll area, has been in business for generations. He used to go out alone when he was young. He is quite famous in the northern part of the South. A standard merchant who also abides by the spirit of the contract, his family business covers many fields of fur, spices and pharmacy. Because he makes a wide range of friends, he has channels in the Holy Spirit Plain and the East.
Parr is Codd's eldest son - if nothing else, this young man with a talent for business will inherit his father's business.
Gawain looked at the big Carroll businessman in front of him and matched it with the information in his mind-this was the first time he saw Cod himself, but he was still quite concerned about the businessman's information. I understand, and the other party has two things that impressed him:
The first one is the reorganization of the Carroll Business Association. After the end of the South Frontier Reunification War, the Government Affairs Office took over the Carroll area. The original loose alliance of local businessmen was reorganized and placed under the management of the Government Affairs Office. The businessman was this Mr. Cod, and he also actively promoted the rectification of the business order in the entire region, so that he entered the sight of the local consul and had a place in the government affairs hall.
The second one is earlier - after the rise of Cecil's alchemy potion, cheap industrial chemicals quickly covered the entire southern border, and almost all merchants involved in the pharmaceutical business were affected, and Code's family was no exception. However, in the merchants When they all fled or changed careers or joined the Earl of Horsman, this Mr. Codd did an amazing thing: he abandoned all the family's finished pharmacy business without hesitation, and then started herbal raw materials and alchemy pharmacy Wholesale trading has become one of Cecil's earliest raw material suppliers and alchemy potion wholesalers...
An excellent businessman.
"Sit down, you don't have to be polite," Gao Wen chose to meet the businessman father and son in the study, naturally he would not show a high-level attitude, "Betty - prepare refreshments and bring them to the study."
There are tables and chairs in the study room for guests, Cod and Parr calmed down some nervousness and sat down as decently as possible - being able to sit face-to-face with such a noble aristocrat, this kind of thing is a commoner like them. It is an almost unimaginable adventure for a businessman. Even with Cod's mind, it is difficult to be calm, but the big businessman still hasn't lost his basic judgment - he noticed that this is a study room, which is undoubtedly a good phenomenon .
The living room is the most common place to receive guests, but the study room is more secretive. Many things that can be discussed in the study room cannot be discussed in the living room.
There is a big business today.
Gawain observed Cord and Parr's reaction, and smiled slightly: "Don't be nervous, today is about your professional field - Patrick recommended you to me. Mr. Cord, as far as I know, Your trade routes are extensive."
"It's all about making a living,
" Cod considered every word carefully, "It's nothing in front of you. "
"Don't be humble, the value of merchants is very important to the Principality - Mr. Cod, I heard that you even have business in the East?"
Cord was stunned for a moment, and he didn't know how to answer for a while, and the back of his neck was sweating slowly.
The Eastern Territory and the Royal Army are at war... Although the Southern Territory has not been involved in this civil war, the merchants with extensive trade routes have been affected to some extent.
In addition to his business in the southern border, Cod has a large market in the Holy Spirit Plain, and at the same time, he also has some contacts with the merchants in the eastern border.
Due to the changes in the situation of the rock fortress, the current trade route to the Holy Spirit Plain is slightly blocked. In order to avoid losses, many businessmen who do business with the Holy Spirit Plain are thinking of other ways out, and Code has also strengthened the connection with the eastern border— —Through the land corridor in the Gelan area as a transit, he has recently delivered several large shipments there, most of which are potions...
He hadn't violated Cecil's laws, all taxes were paid, all goods were registered, but the duke suddenly asked this at this moment... Should the answer be yes, or no?
Gawain Cecil was the founding grand duke of Ansu, so who did he support in this civil war? From the point of view of legitimacy, he may support the Royal Army... But to be honest, who is 100% orthodox on both sides of the current civil war...
There were countless thoughts in Cod's mind in an instant, and there were a lot of interests weighing one after another, but he had to answer, so after just two seconds of hesitation, he still opened his mouth: "...There are indeed some channels, but Due to the influence of the civil war, the channels are not very smooth..."
"For me, the Eastern Border and the Kingdom's army are the same," Gawain said unhurriedly, "It's just a fight between the juniors."
Cod's face was straight: "But the channels have been smoother recently."
"That's good," Gao Wen nodded with satisfaction, "The Principality needs your business."
Cod controlled his expression well, but his breath still couldn't help choking.
Big! pregnancy! meaning! !
Bigger business than he imagined! !
The big businessman's face was almost glowing: "I am willing to serve you - this is the supreme glory of our entire family!!"
Gawain nodded again with satisfaction, and then said, "Then, you should know more about this business..."
Cod listened carefully, not daring to drop a word.
Just as he expected - the duke wants to do business with the Eastern Territory and sell the potion to the Eastern Territory.
It's a bigger deal than the public, but it can't be done with too much fanfare, so it needs an agent.
Codd and his family will be the agents to execute the Duke's will and manage the flowing gold coins.
The conditions offered by the duke are excellent - although from now on, the family will no longer enjoy all the profits from the potion business in the East, and will need to hand over most of the profits to the duchy, but this part of the "loss" and the upcoming profits It's not worth mentioning in comparison.
With the Duke's support, how many times will the family's pharmaceutical business in the Eastern Region expand? ten times? Twenty times?
Only more than that!
Cod knows what kind of business it is to be an agent of the nobles. He is a commoner, and he knows that there are many people like himself who have to fight for such an opportunity even if they lose most of their family wealth: this is a way to enter the upper class and obtain The path of bloodline honor.
Good agents can secure a real title for posterity, and they are willing to pay dearly for the possibility.
Although the nobles in the southern border have no real power, and only have honorary titles and limited hereditary treatment, on the other hand, the duke does not need him to pay a huge price, and he can even earn a lot - the world There's nothing better than this.
After explaining most things clearly, Gawain looked into Cod's eyes: "So, do you understand?"
"Yes, Lord Duke, I fully understand," Corder nodded quickly, then he pulled his bow tie and asked cautiously while calming down, "But I don't understand...why did you choose I?"
"You are capable and a smart person," Gawain leaned on the back of his chair, "Besides, I didn't specifically select you - Patrick recommended twelve candidates, I just selected from twelve alternatives. hit you."
Cod blinked, a hint of understanding appeared on his face, then he stood up and lowered his head deeply: "I understand - Cod Baldwin, swearing in the name of the family, will be loyal and will never betray and your oath."
"You will," Gawain nodded with a smile, and took out a stack of documents, "then let's sign the agreement - then Patrick will contact you to make all preparations for your next business. As for How to start a business in the Eastern Border... I don't need anyone else to help you."
Cord solemnly took the stack of documents and scrutinized it from top to bottom twice—the duke's agreement was more formal than he imagined, even better than the contracts signed between many merchants Even more professional, he can't see anything that can be questioned at all.
So he signed his name on it—with a long sigh as the final stroke fell.
The young man named Parr just watched quietly, he kept in mind his father's teachings, and he didn't say a word or miss a word on this occasion.
After the contract was established, Cod's heart was completely put down, and then he looked at Gawain cautiously, with a hint of hesitation on his face.
Gawain was ready to return to his previous job at this time, but noticing the big businessman's reaction, he still asked, "Mr. Cod, what else is there?"
"Lord Duke - I have a very presumptuous question...and maybe several questions, I hope you don't take offense," Cord was more careful about his words just now, and he continued after getting Gawain's permission. , "When we came, we saw the new vehicles on display in the square... That incredible magic car is impressive, I would like to ask... Is it for sale to civilians? If you want to buy it, what are the requirements?"
Seeing the big businessman's face full of anticipation, Gawain couldn't help laughing: "Of course it's for sale, just like the mining machine, the magic car can also be bought and sold, of course, it will be very expensive at the beginning, just like the earliest mines. The machinery is the same, but for a wealthy businessman like you who needs it, it's an affordable price. Also, since this is a brand new thing, the factory production line is still undergoing further adjustments, and some follow-up management systems have not been made public yet, you probably It will take a while to buy it. As for the conditions... First of all, you must be trained to master its control methods, and secondly, you must obey the traffic laws that go with it, because it is a vehicle that is faster and more powerful than a bull-horse vehicle. We must ensure its safety during use."
"Oh, I completely understand this," Cod nodded again and again, "I have seen mining machines, and I can imagine how powerful a vehicle that is also driven by a magic engine will be. This kind of thing runs on the road, and it is not possible to be careful. "
Gawain was very happy to see that someone realized the function of a new thing so soon after it was born, and actively wanted to contact and use it. He saw that Cod had something to say, so he encouraged: "What else do you want to say? Say it, go ahead—I'm not a strict person, and you don't have to be nervous."
"Thank you for your understanding, I have one more question," Codd said as he organized the language, "Regarding the broadcast of the magic web... There is no broadcast device installed in the Carroll area, but in the Rock City further north and further south The Kant area has…”
Listening to Cod's words, Gawain sighed slightly in his heart.
What the businessman said was the fact that the current coverage of the magic net broadcasting device is indeed quite limited compared to newspapers. This is because the production capacity of magic net terminals is limiting its laying. The limited number of terminals determines that Gawain can only Install them in the necessary places first. Rock City belongs to the frontline fortress, and Kant City is a new industrial city. These two places are naturally included, and the development of Carroll area can only be postponed.
"The magic net terminal is limited, so it has not been able to cover the Carroll area in time, but you can rest assured that Cecil will not abandon any piece of land and the people there, and the next step we will start to include Carroll in the Install terminals in secondary towns within the country."
Hearing Gawain's explanation, Cod first expressed his gratitude, and then said: "Then if the Carroll Business Association is willing to provide funds... We pay for the machines, lay the relay tower, and pay for the maintenance, we can give priority to us. Install? I just have a small request..."
Gawain was stunned for a moment, and then showed a scrutiny look: "What request?"
Codd cleared his throat and began to describe his thoughts: "That's it, on the way here I inquired a lot about magic web radio, and I thought of a... thing, which is somewhat similar to the 'show' on the magic web, But the content is different. I want to use it to introduce the specialties of the Carroll region and the business projects of our business association..."
The expression on Gawain's face didn't change, but his heart was already startled. He listened to Cod's words, but his eyes couldn't help but fall on the unfinished plan.
Cod, on the other hand, was in a state, his tension finally subsided, and his words became more fluid: "People say Carroll is nothing special, but we actually have a good cheese over there, with local ochre yellow. Wine is absolutely delicious, but few people outside the country know about it, and it is difficult to sell it. This time I heard that I was coming to Cecil City, and a few of my friends dragged me to discuss it for a long time. I rented a small space in the 'newspaper' to introduce this speciality, but no one knew exactly what to do. We studied all the laws published by the Government Affairs Office and found no prohibition on this, so I decided to come here Tried my luck, but after seeing the magic web broadcast, I think it's better than the newspapers..."
Gawain couldn't help interrupting the other party: "Do you still want to advertise in the newspaper?!"
" Advertisement After reacting for a while, I understood the meaning, "Ah, so you have already imagined this thing?"
"...No, this was created by you," Gawain pinched his eyebrows and waved his hand, "Go on, Mr. Cod, go on, all your thoughts, all your thoughts, speak up."
"Yes. I think the magic web broadcast is a better thing, you see, it's more impressive, the picture of the event can also show the goods directly, and it can spread faster than the newspapers - but if it can also be in the newspapers 'Advertisement' would be better because newspapers are distributed more widely..."
Codd seemed to be more courageous after being encouraged by Gawain. He said with excitement on his face, so that Pal next to him was stunned: This young man has not seen his father so excited for too many years.
"Actually, we also considered whether to buy a printing press and print the propaganda by ourselves, but the Government Affairs Office told us that this is illegal...
"There are a lot of merchants in Carroll who are buying machines and wanting to build textile mills and brick and tile factories. The council approved our request, but it is difficult for us to recruit people, and the things we make are not easy to sell. ...We produce strictly according to the requirements of the Government Affairs Office, but it is too difficult to publicize things...
Gao Wen listened to the big businessman's narration one by one, and when the other party finally finished speaking, he let out a soft breath.
"Lord Duke," Cod seemed to realize that he was too bold just now, with an uneasy look on his face, "I'm just some bold ideas, you can..."
"These ideas are interesting," Gawain interrupted, "and valuable."
Cod looked overjoyed: "Then... do you agree?"
"I think it's feasible - of course, this requires strict planning and supporting institutional constraints," Gawain nodded. "Can you imagine what would happen if businessmen were allowed to publish their own advertisements in newspapers and radio?"
Cod frowned and thought, and said while thinking: "Things will be easier to sell, and many people will know the specialties in the distance..."
As he spoke, he hesitated a little, but continued: "...there may also be people who make up overly exaggerated descriptions, or even completely false information...If the situation gets out of control, people will even stop believing in newspapers and radio programs. The stuff on..."
Gawain nodded secretly - this is indeed a smart person and a qualified businessman.
He'd been thinking about false advertising long before advertising was even born—though it didn't look like he was going to use it.
"As you said, Mr. Codd, this kind of new thing needs to be treated with caution," Gawain said, "before we let it go, we must make stricter rules to prevent people from cheating and deceiving the audience. , we have to set up an audit system and a punishment system, and on the other hand, we also have to set up a management system for those who are responsible for auditing by the Government Affairs Department to prevent them from using their power for personal gain and using audit qualifications as a tool for profit..."
Strict institutional constraints - Cod unconsciously thought of the soldiers in front of the post who did not accept a single penny.
Although he didn't know what methods the duke used to restrain the soldiers, he must have played an important role in the strict system and discipline.
The big businessman bowed his head in front of Gawain and was convinced: "Governing a piece of land is more complicated than I thought, and I take everything for granted."
"Governing a piece of land is really complicated, but I'm more fortunate that there are diligent and willing thinkers like you on this piece of land. Every question you raise is making this piece of land more advanced," Gawain stood up. , He left the desk, came to Cod, and stretched out his hand, "Mr. Cod, thank you for your contribution to Cecil. I will remember your needs, please go back and wait for the good news. "
The big businessman left with his son in awe, while Gawain stood quietly in the study for a while, then turned back to the desk and sat down.
He looked at the plan he had drafted and the half-finished clauses on it. After thinking for a while, he raised his hand and brushed it across the paper.
The unfinished page was instantly reduced to ashes.
Then Gawain stretched his hand to the blank manuscript paper next to him, preparing to rewrite the plan, but before that, Amber's yawning voice came from the empty window sill: "Oh huo - write in vain."
Gao Wen threw a ball of paper without looking back. Hearing the exclamation of "Mom" coming from outside the window, he picked up the pen again, took out a special notebook from under the desk, opened it, and wrote a few words in Chinese characters on it. Sentence:
Ansu 736 Brumaire 8, a new lesson.
The people don't need you to teach.
Don't make mistakes like this again.
(Recommend a book, "Dungeon Players", a dungeon production and construction story full of sand sculpture (crossed out) fun, you can read the book shortage.)