"What wind brings Miss Surya here?" Ryan's eyes lit up.
The spirited female knight was dressed stunningly today, wearing a butterfly purple orchid chiffon shirt and a pink wool coat over white tight riding pants that outlined her long, straight legs, adorned with brown high boots featuring silver chains.
"I heard Lord Ryan had gathered the merchants, so I came to see. Do you mind?" The female knight revealed a charming smile, "Also, I have some matters I'd like to request from Lord Ryan."
"Miss Surya, please feel free to speak your mind." Ryan dismounted, always having a very good impression of this duke's daughter.
"My matter is not urgent, it can wait until after you've dealt with your affairs," Surya said calmly, her delicate smile as refreshing as dew in early spring, "If you are short on manpower, Mr. Ryan, feel free to command me, I believe I can be of good assistance."
"But as a baron, I dare not command a duke's daughter, dear Miss Surya, please, after you." Ryan's direct acknowledgment of their status difference rather displeased the female knight.
I'm a baron, you're a duke, I cannot command you.
Entering the hall, many prominent merchants were already waiting inside, including two familiar faces to Ryan, Hadrian and Oliver.
With some time left before the scheduled meeting, the merchants were mostly whispering among themselves.
"Hello! Mr. Ryan... no, it should be Lord Ryan now, congratulations!" Oliver, the merchant from the Empire, was the first to act familiarly with Ryan, loudly congratulating him on his promotion.
"Thank you very much! Mr. Oliver, you seem to be doing well lately too!" Ryan responded cheerfully, his shrewd demeanor making it difficult for Surya to discern whether he was a noble Holy Grail Knight or a cunning merchant.
Oliver was riding high recently. Following Ryan's advice, he quickly gathered manpower before the Nord's port closure and headed north, taking on a large amount of reconstruction work.
Ryan's endorsement proved very useful, and many lords trusted him upon Ryan's introduction. Oliver continuously received new jobs, earning a large sum of money, which he then used to buy bulk goods before returning to Marienburg to make another fortune.
This Empire merchant thus firmly believed that only Ryan was his savior, his lucky star. Upon receiving Ryan's letter, he not only brought manpower but also planned to relocate his main business here, intending to settle down.
He had already scouted and chosen a plot of land in the town in the past few days.
The relationship between Hadrian and Ryan needs no further explanation. Though not as intimately connected as Oliver and Ryan through shared hardships, they had business dealings. Upon hearing the news, Hadrian also personally brought people to Ryan's castle.
Other merchants had no such acquaintance with Ryan, despite their desire to greet him, but were stopped by the tax officer, Gasparton: "Please wait, gentlemen. The baron has matters to attend to, and it's not yet the appointed time. Please be patient."
Ascending the castle's wooden staircase, the female knight curiously remarked, "You seem to be quite popular with those merchants? They all seem very enthusiastic towards you."
"People naturally become enthusiastic when there's money to be made. They are a group chasing after wealth," Ryan said with a smile, "Their passion for wealth is no less than the knights' desire for the Holy Grail."
Surya frowned slightly upon hearing this comparison: "That analogy... seems somewhat inappropriate."
"The analogy is quite fitting, Miss Surya. Everyone has the right to pursue their dreams. We cannot say that our quest for the Holy Grail is noble while their pursuit of wealth is base. You must respect someone who gives their all for their dream... even if they are an enemy," Ryan continued, "Of course, when you meet on the battlefield, respect means you will do your utmost to defeat them."
These words gave Surya pause for thought: "To respect your opponent is to respect yourself?"
"That's the idea."
Ten minutes later, the baron, along with his tax officer and the duke's daughter who came as an observer, arrived in the middle of the castle's first-floor hall: "Gentlemen, you are all aware of the reason I invited you here today. I have a big business proposal for everyone, covering many aspects, so please, let's not rush and discuss them one by one."
The hall seated over a dozen major merchants, who nodded in agreement: "Please speak, Mr. Ryan."
"Firstly, my castle needs refurbishment and a complete foundational overhaul. I need to order a batch of the finest cherry wood furniture, carpets, and various decorations. Many facilities in the castle need to be newly built or improved, and I need to establish several new facilities."
"I need a new stable, one that can accommodate purebred elven warhorses."
"I also need a training ground, to provide an excellent practice area for my soldiers."
"I need a cellar, one that is deep enough and large enough."
"A spire, built exactly according to this design."
"I also need..."
Ryan first discussed the construction of his castle, planning to renovate and expand the entire structure, astonishing the merchants with the massive scale of the project. The astonishing cost was almost more than building a new castle.
After reporting the first project, he told the merchants, "I will pay forty percent of the construction cost upfront, and another fifty percent upon completion. As for the remaining ten percent, if there are no issues within a few years, the final payment will be settled."
The female knight, listening on the side, found Ryan's plan very secure and decided to discuss it with her father.
The merchants pondered for a moment, finding no issues, with the most modestly dressed and least talkative among them speaking up.
This merchant, named Ismael, appeared unassuming but was a renowned magnate in Brittany, formerly serving as the steward for Duke Boldero. Due to his exceptional business acumen, he was granted independence and the name "Ismael" by the duke. Now in his forties, with a goatee and handsome appearance, he exuded a leader-like presence among the merchants.
As all eyes turned to him, Ismael spoke, his voice as gentle as a breeze: "Lord Ryan, your demands are high, and your payment method is very reasonable. However, I wonder how much you are willing to spend on this reconstruction project?"
"How much I spend depends not on me, but on you," Ryan's statement was startling, leading many merchants to think he was inviting them to quote exorbitantly.
"Let me give you gentlemen some time. According to my standards, please calculate your quotes and write them on a slip of paper for me. I will choose the lowest and most reasonable quote to take on this project," Ryan continued.
The merchants were initially shocked, but quickly grasped Ryan's intent.
He was using this method to minimize costs as much as possible.
Still, the project's profit was too lucrative, and merchant rivalries quickly emerged. They carefully calculated costs and profits, trying to offer enough to outbid others without sacrificing too much margin.
Only Ismael remained calm, confidently writing a number on a slip and handing it to Gasparton through his subordinate. Backed by Duke Boldero, his costs were far lower than other merchants', allowing him to undercut competitors while still making a substantial profit.
As expected, Ismael's quote of 7800 gold crowns stood out among the average quotes of eight or nine thousand, securing the first major project.
"Leave it to me, Lord Ryan. In four months, you will see a brand-new castle. This ancient fortress will be completely transformed," Ismael shook hands with Ryan, his smile assuring despite earning less profit through Ryan's method, but still seeing a significant opportunity.
"I look forward to it," Ryan nodded and smiled as they officially signed the contract under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Hadrian was secretly frustrated, knowing he couldn't offer as low a price as Ismael since transporting materials and manpower from Marienburg would incur substantial customs duties. So, he focused on the upcoming projects.
"The second project involves roads and aqueducts. My lands need irrigation for the fields, and residents need clean water to avoid diseases. Good roads will ensure comfortable travel for distant visitors and accommodate more freight."
Soon, a merchant from the Duchy of Cacassonne took on the second project, promising to build the most convenient stone roads.
"The third project, I plan to establish some workshops along the River Shennon for producing weapons, armor, and other items," Ryan spread his hands, "I have plenty of technology for crafting rune weapons but lack the interest and energy to engage in this construction, so I'll contribute technology as a shareholder."
Hadrian's eyes sparkled, aware of the secrets Ryan held. Thus, this southern magnate agreed to collaborate with Ryan at a high cost, jointly establishing several manufacturing workshops.
Subsequent projects, covering various aspects of Ryan's territory, provided many merchants with their main profit-making direction for the near future. Ryan spent more than half of the sixty-plus divine gold coins he had accumulated, even causing the listening female knight to pity his extravagant spending, a level of spending not even Duke Winfort himself had engaged in.
Gasparton was shocked by his baron's wealth, not having expected Ryan to be so affluent.
As the money flowed out, Ryan's expression remained unchanged, aware that only by investing could he see real effects. Hoarding money would only lead to stagnation, while circulating wealth would bring prosperity to his lands.
The town and villages needed expansion, and streets required replanning. Empire merchant Oliver took on this project, leading his team in the task.
The baron methodically arranged various matters, with merchants eagerly taking on desired projects and money being spent in waves. Ryan's innovative methods surprised Surya.
"The final project," the baron briefly introduced the last project, planning to develop the Jean Vineyard into a resort combining cultivation, wine production, and leisure.
This resort would easily gain fame, with Ryan already having a complete plan in mind.
As he finished introducing the project, the female Duchess of Winfort stood up, addressing all present merchants: "Good day to everyone present. I am Surya-Kumani-Antre-de-Winfort."
"Greetings to Duchess Surya!" The merchants bowed in response, recognizing the duke's daughter.
"Thank you all for attending Lord Ryan's meeting today. However, I regret to announce that the last project will be undertaken by our Antre family on behalf of," the knight turned to Ryan with a straightforward expression, "The Antre family's court craftsmen will create the finest furniture and artworks for the Jean Vineyard, and our court winemakers will provide sufficient technical guidance. We will offer Lord Ryan a satisfactory price."
The merchants sighed, realizing the meeting had come to an end.
Brittany's wines are renowned throughout the Old World, with the northern Duchy of Connacht, the western Duchy of Boldero, and the southern Duchy of Cacassonne all famous for their wines.
None, however, could compare to the Duchy of Winfort, known as the "land of fine wines and olive oil," home to three of the Old World's best five wineries. Its most famous top-tier wine, "Lucius," produced only fifty cases every three years. When Surya spoke, all merchants knew they had no place to compete in this arena.
Thus, everything was settled. The merchants signed contracts in front of the Lady of the Lake's statue with Ryan, binding them by divine witness.
They were ready to begin.
As the crowd dispersed, Hadrian and Oliver sought to catch up with Ryan, but noticing the duke's daughter seemed to have more to say, they promptly offered to visit another time.
With affairs concluded, the baron jovially teased, "Miss Surya, you've scared away my guests~ What is it? Please, speak your mind."
"Lord Ryan, you are truly talented. Many of your methods are new to me," the female knight stood tall, maintaining perfect etiquette and grace. Seeing Ryan's gaze, she smiled and produced a wax-sealed letter: "This is a letter from my father."
"We have a request for you concerning security within the territory."
"Recently, it seems there have been sightings of undead within the Duchy of Winfort."
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