Chapter 422 Aiwass: I Know Everything
“…I understand.
Ewass took a deep breath and held the little crow curled in his arms with both hands.
He lowered his head, stretched out his index finger to tease the crow's head, and casually said: "You gave a lot of orders to the Star Antimony people. The alchemists have never seen such a scene... They thought that big business was coming, so they continued to increase the scale of recruiting apprentices and expanding production.
"And the king of Star Antimony's generation, 'Valentine VII', did not realize the problem at first. He blindly increased the country's sponsorship of alchemists and trained a large number of extraordinary people to become alchemists.
"--Soon, the alchemists were overloaded. Because the market was soon saturated... or in other words, the orders you gave them were saturated.
"There are still a steady stream of alchemists graduating from the academy, and the country has to continuously provide these young alchemists with a large amount of sponsorship funds. Alchemists of the third energy level can get a grant of 200 gold coins a month. But the market is already saturated, which has led to an oversupply of alchemical products within Star Antimony.
"The experiment and development of alchemical products requires a lot of investment, but when there are enough peers with similar research progress, it is very likely that the research will be halfway through, and the production will have been completed by the other party. So their research is either directly scrapped or forced to be pushed to the market when it is not perfect...Is my guess right?"
"--You are indeed very wise, Minister."
Grandet gently admitted it, and even took the initiative to add: "There are too many supplies and the quality has declined. We must lower the purchase price. You should also understand that this is not our fault. It was the fault of His Majesty the King who was too impatient, but it is not our turn to compensate."
"Yes, so you reduced the order size."
Ewass touched the crow and said softly: "And this is the fuse of everything.
"In the alchemist industry, if you can't become the leader in the market, you will basically lose money. More and more young alchemists are attracted by the huge profits in this industry, and they actively or passively invest in it, which soon puts pressure on Xingti's finances.
"The Royal Alchemy Association has greatly improved its status and influence in the huge profits in the past few decades. The King of Xingti does not have the power of the authoritarian path, so he cannot forcibly control the situation. This makes it difficult for Xingti to cancel the sponsorship system or reduce the grant... So they chose to increase taxes, which directly led to an increase in taxes.
"But even so, too many alchemists have caused the cost of materials to continue to rise; a large number of low-level alchemists squeeze the market, causing everyone's income to decline. The closed alchemy workshops, the unemployed alchemists... They gradually became irritable. And the way they try to reduce the pressure in the industry is to rely on their power to transfer the pressure to the botanists who provide materials."
Therefore, the "king" will be forced to lower the price by the alchemy association. It has even been suppressed to the point where it can't make any money at all, and even loses money selling materials.
And they can only sell goods to channels other than designated suppliers... The "king" who chose to bring goods from the promotion ceremony must not be alone, and he is not the only one who tried to smuggle them overseas. There will be many people like this. And this will further increase the cost price of alchemical products.
It is for this reason that Xingti will continue to smuggle a large number of alchemical products into Avalon through the relationship of Lloyd's and Minister Droste.
- Because they have been stockpiling goods to the point of going crazy.
The Goblin Chamber of Commerce basically monopolizes the trade ports. Even if they can seize the routes, it is difficult to reopen the market in other countries. Moreover, they know nothing about those unfamiliar markets. If they rush into the industry, they will probably only lose money.
Even in this case, Xingti still decided to start from Avalon and open the western route.
This shows that they have been pushed to the limit.
Xingti seems to be extremely powerful, but they are already on the verge of disintegration.
They can't afford even the slightest defeat, so they never dared to really fight Iris, but instead used the whole country's strength to suddenly attack and seize Avalon. After taking Avalon, they completely ignored this land...
One of the main reasons is to get the "claim" of the Silver Dragon's followers.
With this name and the guarantee of the Pillar God, they can contact other countries and conduct trade.
After all, it is difficult to circulate news across the ocean in time, but the apostles can transmit it at will in the temple.
The Star Antimony people must obtain the protection and recognition of the apostles before they can take the initiative to trade; and they chose to take the protection of the Pillar God, probably to avoid being targeted and interfered by the elves. In addition, it is probably because they realized that the Crown Master was dissatisfied with Avalon and realized that this was a good enough NTR opportunity.
Another reason is that they only want the western port of Avalon.
That is not the Glass Island-Glass Island is in the southeast corner of Avalon.
So the Glass Island was abandoned and became so desolate...Ewass initially thought it was because of the influence of Shadow Tiansi. But now it seems that this is probably not entirely the case.
Because the Star Antimony people's eyes are not on the Glass Island at all!
The fundamental purpose is to solve the pressure in their own country.
They can cooperate with Avalon, just as Emma mentioned.
In this world line, Avalon is now thriving. Aiwass's influence is very strong, and the Great Arbitrator Meg was not killed by the Red Phase. The Star Antimony people dare not directly wage war against Avalon, so they choose to cooperate.
In the original world line, they could have done the same thing - Star Antimony provided the supply, and Avalon was responsible for digestion; Avalon, relying on its good relationship with the elves, could also take the initiative to set up routes to the west, and even open up trade channels with the Theocracy for the Star Antimony people.
——But in order to avoid being backstabbed by Avalon in the future, Star Antimony chose to flatten Avalon directly.
There is certainly a direct reason that Avalon is weak enough, which makes the Star Antimony people feel confident that they can win quickly, but the fundamental reason is that the pressure inside Star Antimony is about to explode. So they have to take the risk of offending the crown master and choose this dangerous path.
Because if they don't do it, they will die.
"The griffin countermeasure they prepared," Aiwass suddenly said, "is the gargoyle army."
Hearing this, Grandet showed a surprised expression for the first time: "You even... know this?"
With his deep mind, that may be a deliberate expression - after all, he can hide his surprise. And he chose to show it, which is also a kind of flattery.
Flattery for arrogance
Aiwass could see all this clearly. But he chose to follow Grandet and chuckled arrogantly: "I know everything. "For example, I know you are in trouble too. Your three plantations in the southern continent have all encountered resistance from local armed organizations, and you must have suffered a lot of losses recently." Hearing what Aiwass said, Grandet was really shocked. Because he had not told anyone about this, and even asked his employees to keep it secret - that is to say, Aiwass's eyes could even reach the southern continent. In fact, this is Grandet's reputation-opening mission. A group of relatively smart trolls who are said to have "escaped from the laboratory and thus become civilized" are trying to save their ignorant compatriots from the plantation. In fact, this group of trolls who seem to be pursuing freedom are from the ancient country of Parthia. sponsored by those "good people".
But Aiwas would definitely not give this information to Grandet.
He just smiled slightly and raised the crow in his hand.
The crow's ruby-like pupils stared at Grandet, which made him suddenly feel creepy.
Gray Green was too weak to even realize the abnormality of this crow.
But Grandet, who reached the fifth energy level of the wisdom path, could realize that the "crow" was the deep darkness like the abyss and the whirlpool.
"--I said it all, I know everything."
Aiwas's mouth corners slightly raised, and whispered Grandet's real name: "Grandet Dead Eye... or, 'Hidden in the Horse's Belly'. "Hearing this, Grandet's pupils shrank suddenly. He raised his head in astonishment, looking at Aiwass who cast a shadow, and the slightly reddish purple light flowing in Aiwass' pupils. He looked at the "crow" that he could not see through at all, and only felt fear. —— Grandet felt fear for the first time in a long time. Fine cold sweat broke out from his back.
Did this "crow" tell him?
... But to be honest, Aiwass almost knew these.
Although he vaguely heard some background stories from the forum, such as what happened when he was a child, he was hidden in the belly of a horse, and cured the plague by the way, but made him extremely ugly. But Aiwass was not sure that the details were absolutely correct, and he did not know the cause and effect. In order not to be exposed, he chose not to say anything, and only said those fragments that he knew and were absolutely accurate.
No need to say more. The more you say, the more mistakes you make.
The rest, smart people will fill in their own brains.
"Now, let's start this topic again. "
Evans leaned back, with a faint smile on his face, and said calmly: "Let's get straight to the point... What are your demands?"
It was exactly the same question as before.
But this time, Grandet gave an honest answer.
"... I originally planned to persuade you to establish the Goblin Chamber of Commerce in Avalon."
Grandet made a low voice, took out a handkerchief that was extremely expensive by looking at the craftsmanship, and wiped his sweat: "But now it seems that you must have your own ideas.
"I still hope that Avalon can open a trading port. The 'Midsummer County' on the west side of Avalon has a good port, which is very suitable for transformation into a commercial city.
"As long as you are willing, as long as the port of Midsummer County is expanded... I can transfer three merchant groups to provide at least 8 million tons of goods import and export each year. Of course, if it is inconvenient for you, I can also send people to repair this port. "
"What about the cost?"
Evans asked with a smile, looking very worried: "Avalon's finances are not very good recently. Xingti has promised to help us build ports and railways."
"What you said is true - since we use it, then of course we pay for it."
Grandet wiped his sweat again and smiled politely and elegantly: "As long as the engineering documents on your side are signed, I can send people to start construction. In addition to the port of Midsummer County, we can also help expand Lloyd's Port and Queen's Port. I will send my engineering team over, half of them are extraordinary people, and it will take at most two months to complete the project."
"But our Avalon is still quite long from east to west... Will the goods in the middle occupy the old railway?"
Aivas asked casually.
Hearing Aiwas's question, Grandet was finally able to confirm that Aiwas also wanted to start a country.
-As long as you want!
Losing some money or something...that's nothing. As long as Avalon can negotiate, the Star Antimony people will have to pay back the money they lost.
"Three new railways," Grandet held out three fingers, "from west to east, running through all major cities. As long as there are more than three bishops garrisoned in the city, all will be connected. I will pay for it, and I will find people to repair it. Next summer Can be completed - we can also provide Star Antimony’s most advanced locomotives and sell ten locomotives to Avalon at cost price.”
"Twenty," Aiwass advised, "or twenty-five - our steam trains are too slow and don't carry good cargo."
"Only ten, only ten."
Grandet shook his head and said firmly: "Minister, you can also ask an alchemist to analyze the technology."
"Is it okay to pay in installments?"
Aiwass said with a smile: "You also know that Avalon's financial situation is not very good... If we allocate too much money at once, I may not be able to negotiate. Our decisions in Avalon must go through the Round Table Hall "
"This is easy to talk about. You can just find someone to talk to me later. Just come to the gray-green lady directly."
Grandet smiled and put the topic aside for now: "After all, I don't dare to get too close to Countess Emma. Maybe those cute little gold coins will disappear as soon as I close my eyes or open them.
"But in order to let our construction team in... you have to pass a law that allows foreigners to enter Avalon. There are still many trolls in my construction team."
"Ah, of course."
Aiwass nodded, knowing that this would happen sooner or later.
But he still said reservedly: "But I have to talk to His Majesty personally about this... After all, this violates Avalon's tradition."
"Oh, by the way, minister - I heard that the Moriarty family has also been in business for generations," Grandet smiled respectfully and politely, "The economy in Avalon is not very good now... I guess the economy will be tight. Bar?"
"Hmm... I don't know either. After all, I don't really care about the family business."
Aiwass smiled.
This is the rare truth.
But Grandet is hard to believe.
He lowered his voice and made a sign with a "six": "I can use my personal name to provide the Moriarty Consortium with an interest-free loan of six million star antimony gold coins for twenty years..."
--How many?
Aiwass was startled.
This is almost half of Avalon's annual military expenditure!
Judging from Grandet's intention, this seems to be a personal kickback to Aiwass.
Only then did Aiwass finally realize what his status meant.
He is indeed not very interested in money...but if you don't accept the money, it will be free, and it can help Isabel replenish the treasury.
So Aiwass nodded and promised: "I will give you an answer before Queen Sophia's funeral ends."
Hearing this, Grandet stood up from his seat.
This fifth-level powerful man who is very famous in the world, but he was extremely polite and respectful to Aiwass, who was only at the third level, and performed a very standard knight's salute, which is why it is extremely funny:
"—Yes, Minister."
It is not a salute to strength.
But a salute to power.
The update of more than 7,000 words is complete!