Phoenix Grand Lord

At noon.

In the meeting hall of the Viscount's Mansion in the Broken Star River Valley, Lord Mirandon Stam, who is about fifty years old, is sitting in the main seat.

Born as an Awakening Knight, he is still tall and tall at this age. Although his hair is gray, his eyes are still as sharp as an eagle, showing unquestionable majesty.

He was wearing a luxurious animal skin robe. The robe was not only embroidered with the noble emblem of the Broken Star Valley with gold thread, but was also dotted with dazzling gems on the front.

On both sides of him, there were several knights and bachelors standing respectively, while the male servants could only stand far away, leaning against the corner and waiting for orders.

On the long table in front of Viscount Mirandon, which was covered with a gorgeous tablecloth, there was also a thick hand-drawn map made of animal skin. On the map were drawn the main towns and manors of Broken Star Territory and several other surrounding noble lords.

At this moment, Viscount Mirandon was listening intently to the latest information from a young knight wearing a scout uniform:

“...Recently, there have been many civil unrests in the Sunset Mountain territory that borders our northern region.

“Several manors and villages under the name of Viscount Sunset Mountain were looted by a group of cursed believers who called themselves [Dragon Oracles], and two manor lords were even beheaded in public.

“The Lord of Sunset Mountain has mobilized his vassals and knights, and I believe it won’t take long to suppress these rabble.

“However, our trade line with the caravans in the Sunset Mountain Territory has been affected by the disruption of the cursed believers, and we may not be able to restart it in a short time.

"After the civil strife broke out in the Sunset Territory, we stepped up patrols at the northern border posts. So far, we have found no signs of the curse believers coming to harass and loot our Broken Star Valley."

After listening to the scout's information, Viscount Mirandon frowned and nodded slightly.

“Since the Apocalypse Era, the belief of curse believers has been secretly developing among the people, not only in the nearby Viscount territory of Sunset Mountain, but also in my Broken Star Valley territory, and even in the distant imperial capital City of Dawn.

"In the past, the believers of the curse lived quietly and only spread secretly among the poorest untouchables. Unexpectedly, they began to show up in recent years, and even committed unforgivable evil things such as cutting off the heads of nobles. .

“I don’t believe it if there is no driving force behind this.

"I hope my old friend, Lord Viscount Sunset Mountain, can suppress the civil strife caused by the curse believers as soon as possible."

Viscount Mirandon lowered his head and looked at the animal skin map. After thinking for a while, he said in a deep voice:

"Our trade with the capital of the empire relies entirely on the Sunset Mountain trade line - bachelor, please write to the Viscount of Sunset Mountain and tell him that if he needs help, he can ask at any time."

"Yes, sir." The bachelor bowed and wrote down on the notepad in his hand.

Viscount Mirandon waved to the scouts to retreat and rest, "What other government affairs need to be dealt with today?"

The bachelor replied: "Sir, there is one more temporary matter: your grain trade officer is waiting outside the door to be summoned."

"Grain trading officer?"

Viscount Mirandon was a little angry, "Bachelor, do I, the Viscount, still need to personally intervene in those trivial matters? You can just handle it yourself."

The bachelor quickly said: "Sir, according to your grain trade officer, this matter can only be decided by you."

Viscount Mirandon narrowed his eyes slightly, "Oh, really? Then I would like to listen to it."

"Pass the Grain Trade Officer!"

Following a shout from the guard knight, the grain trade officer who had just received Rowe bowed and walked into the viscount's meeting hall.

"Oh! Great Lord! Your wisdom and courage guide the people of Broken Star Collar to move forward. Your virtue and reputation protect us from living in peace of mind. May your glory last forever like the stars, and may your body be healthy and strong forever—— "

Viscount Mirandon waved his hand impatiently, "Shut up, Fat Jimmy. If you have anything to say, tell me quickly. Is it because I have too much food and it's moldy? I've already told you, even if it's moldy, you can't Give free food to those poor devils. Once they get used to it, if I don't give them free food in the future, they will dare to become dissatisfied. "

Fat Jimmy, the grain trade officer, said quickly: "No, no, sir, it's not that there is so much grain that it's moldy. It's that the lord of Merrill Valley Manor wants to buy twenty carts of our grain!"

Viscount Mirandon frowned slightly, "Only twenty cars? Is this worth wasting my time? If he wants to buy it, then you can sell it to him! Give him a maximum discount of 20% on the grain, and a maximum discount of 20% on the carriage and horse fees! That's it, you You can go away!”

Fat Jimmy bowed and replied: "Yes, sir, but, sir, he has one more request, sir.

"He said that this request can only be decided by you personally, Lord Viscount. If you agree, then he will start a long-term cooperation with your grain trading house. Otherwise, he will go to the Marigold Territory to buy grain."

Viscount Mirandon sneered, "For a mere twenty carts of grain, less than fifty gold coins, he actually made demands on me?

"But okay, I think the lord of the Merrill Valley Manor can buy twenty carts of grain in one go, so he should be quite powerful. If we can develop long-term grain trade cooperation, it can also weaken the trade volume of the Marigold Territory, and it can also Prevent food from rotting and moldy in my granary——

"Tell me, what is his request? Does he want me to continue discounting? Or pay in installments? Or does he want to meet me and have a meal to curry favor with me?"

"None of that, sir."

Fat Jimmy paused for a moment and said cautiously: "He wants you to send a team of knights to escort the grain truck, sir."

Viscount Mirandon suddenly frowned and said, "Send a team of knights to escort? Is he the lord of the manor in the Sunset Mountain territory?"

Fat Jimmy shook his head and said: "No, I have already asked clearly. He is the lord of Merrill Valley Manor in the Western Purple Forest Territory. The route to escort the grain truck only needs to go west through the Marigold Territory, which is about five days' journey. arrive."

"Purple Forest Collar? Merrill Valley Manor?"

Viscount Mirandon immediately picked up the animal skin map to check, but after searching westward near Zilin Town for a long time, he could not find the mark of Merrill Valley Manor on the map.

Viscount Mirandon looked confused: "Why is there no mark on my map? Is he the lord of an abandoned manor?"

Fat Jimmy said quickly: "He looks very young, and he only has one female knight with him."

"It turns out to be a little guy who became a lord for the first time."

Viscount Mirandon smiled arrogantly, "Okay, you go tell him and I will send two junior level 1 knights to accompany the team to escort him."

Fat Jimmy stood still and said, "Master...he said that it must be led by a junior level 3 knight. There must be at least 3 knights to escort the grain truck, and the tolls will be borne by us."

Viscount Mirandon suddenly looked puzzled, "As far as I know, the security in the Marigold Territory is good, and there are no monsters on the road. As for tolls, they are pitiful. Why would he make such a request?"

Fat Jimmy spread his palms and said, "I guess he wants to see our sincerity in cooperation, sir."

Viscount Mirandon suddenly understood, and then smiled contemptuously: "This kid has so many things! A little lord of an abandoned manor without even a map mark, actually still wants to see my sincerity in cooperation? I really don't know how high the sky is!"

Fat Jimmy asked tentatively: "Then, I will reject him, sir?"

"No, why should I refuse him? My food is almost rotten, and the granary can no longer be piled up. I don't know when the trade route in the east will be restarted. How can I watch Lord Marigold make away with the money? ?”

Viscount Mirandon tapped the table with his fingers and made the final decision:

"Go back and tell the little lord that I am sincere in starting long-term cooperation with him in terms of food, but he must also show sincerity.

"He must buy my grain at the current grain price for 12 consecutive months. I will assign him a level 3 knight and two level 1 knights to escort the grain truck. We will bear all the expenses including tolls - that's it. "

Fat Jimmy still stood there without moving, but took out a prepared grain purchase contract from his arms, "He said, if you agree, sign and seal this contract, sir."

Viscount Mirandon took a deep breath several times, "Why is this guy so difficult to deal with?! What's his name?"

Fat Jimmy quickly replied: "Rovie, Rovie Valentine, sir."

"Rovie Valentine..."

Viscount Mirandon narrowed his eyes, and then smiled sarcastically, "Oh, it's him, that loser who can't even handle his stepmother. Okay, I don't think he can make any trouble."

Viscount Mirandon signed his name on the contract, poured wax on it, and sealed it with the noble coat of arms on the ring.

Fat Jimmy held his chest in excitement and bowed, "You are so wise, Master!"

Viscount Mirandon waved his hand impatiently:

"Go away, don't bother me with such little things in the future."

…