Chapter 284: Changes and Conspiracies

In the busy factory, Howard looked mysterious and whispered to the worker next to him:

"Have you heard that the higher-ups seem to be sending a new manager?"

"Does Big Head want to quit?"

"Of course not. Since the last expansion, there are now hundreds of workers in the fourth factory. Big Head, an ogre, can't manage them all, so he applied to the higher-ups for several managers to help manage us."

"Tsk tsk, I really envy these adults. They can get more salary than all of us combined just by sitting in the office and eating and drinking."

The worker named Chris couldn't help but sigh.

"You can't envy them. Who told them that they are dragon blood nobles? For people like us, it's good to have food. If it were in the Principality of Rackman, we might not even be able to survive in winter."

"I don't know what kind of personality the new adult has. Can he be more relaxed?"

Howard neatly sealed the canned packaging, and skillfully placed it on the assembly line, and said casually.

But when he was busy, a familiar voice came from behind, and it seemed that someone patted his shoulder.

"Howard, long time no see."

"George——"

Howard quickly heard it, turned around with surprise, and blurted out the familiar name.

But he suddenly found that his familiar friend had become a little strange. The man was wearing a luxurious gray suit, a wool scarf that only rich people could use, and even holding an exquisite gentleman's cane - this was completely different from the taciturn, honest George in his memory.

Although Howard had imagined countless times how beautiful the future would be if the lucky person was himself, and even talked about "the enviable George" in casual chats, using this friend as a topic of bragging, but the cold facts were in front of him -

They were already people from two different worlds.

Howard's expression froze, his lips trembled slightly, and even his head drooped involuntarily.

Soon, he added two words after the words that came out of his mouth: "Sir."

"Sir George, it's been a long time since I last saw you."

The workers around were also attracted by George who "returned home in glory", and they all cast envious or jealous eyes.

George shuddered immediately. He also realized the difference brought by the change of identity, but he still straightened his clothes and continued to speak along with Howard's words.

His voice was quite loud, because he was not only talking to Howard, but also to more than 30 workers in the factory.

"But I came here this time, not just to visit old friends."

"The Kingdom is officially recruiting factory managers. I happened to have experience working here, so I took the initiative to apply to be the manager here."

"I am familiar with the work in the factory and can understand your feelings. I hope that in the future you can make progress with me, work more efficiently and actively, and work together for the glorious cause of the kingdom."

He has been rehearsing this line for a long time, but he still stumbles at this moment. Fortunately, it is harmless and the workers' attention is focused.

George paused and coughed deliberately.

"Of course, as a former worker, I will not treat you unfairly. I will pay the performance bonuses as usual."

"Pa pa pa!"

"Good!"

Sporadic applause sounded, and George turned his head and saw that it was Howard who was clapping vigorously.

Then, the workers in the factory all applauded, showing that they were very satisfied with the new supervisor - after all, this "Lord George" who had changed his appearance could decide their salary.

Howard quickly got rid of the momentary stiffness, adapted to the change of identity, and even secretly climbed up his thigh.

George looked at the flattering smiles on the familiar faces, and suddenly felt mixed emotions. He didn't know what to say, so he could only smile and applaud.

"Pa!"

Grand Duke Leo slammed his big hand on the table, and the solid birch tabletop cracked.

There was a piece of white paper on the table, which recorded in detail the recent trade data of the Principality of Bosk, and the outflow of gold was almost immeasurable.

"These greedy merchants should all be hanged on the gallows!"

"And those stupid civilians, do they know that they are aiding the enemy! Every copper coin they spend will eventually flow into the pocket of the red dragon and become the military expenses of those monster legions! Become a tool to destroy their homes!"

Count Trischka smiled helplessly: "My Lord Duke, there are some things I have to say."

"The quality of local cotton clothes is average, but the price is more than seven times that of the cotton clothes of the Burning Kingdom. In the face of such huge interests, those merchants will take the risk of smuggling and selling even if they risk being hanged, not to mention that we have already signed an agreement and cannot directly attack the caravans of the Burning Kingdom."

"I have to remind you that the country ruled by the red dragon is no longer a typical monster nest. The influence of this behemoth has spread throughout Anzeta. Their products, tools and even culture have become an important part of the operation of the North."

He pointed to the white paper on the table.

"You see, even these papers are their creations, but you don't realize it."

"This is the terrifying influence of the Burning Kingdom. Without knowing it, they have silently invaded our lives and changed everything in Anzeta."

Grand Duke Leo's expression suddenly became more solemn. He stroked his fluffy white beard, as if thinking about something.

Tlishka took out another new document and spread it out.

"In April, we seized 1,245 pieces of smuggled goods from the Kingdom of Burning Ashes. These smugglers tore off or covered up the emblem of the Kingdom of Burning Ashes and replaced it with the emblem of the Bosque family. They also claimed that these were local products with a 'hundred-year heritage' and marked them with extremely low prices, which attracted a lot of looting by the nobles."

Grand Duke Leo frowned and asked, "How did you find out?"

Tlishka smiled bitterly and replied helplessly, "Because the quality of this batch of things is too high, there is no workshop of this scale and quality in the country, so it is almost a sure thing."

"And there are still many such behaviors in the market, and we can't control them now."

"Damn it."

Grand Duke Leo gritted his teeth, and his weathered face was full of haze.

Since the "Lionheart Alliance" more than 30 years ago, the Grand Duke has not felt this sense of crisis for a long time, but the appearance of Cassius changed everything. He has never encountered such an enemy.

Moreover, even a direct war or conflict has not occurred yet. Just the simplest trade has made him unable to cope and put his country in a dilemma.

The shadow of the red dragon covers the entire Anzeta, and the tentacles of the Burning Kingdom have spread all over the north. He can't even imagine how terrible it will be when this behemoth really starts to operate and devotes all its efforts to the war.