Chapter 367 - 307: Scheming Goblins

Chapter 367: Chapter 307: Scheming Goblins

Conflicts often broke out between the three major kingdoms on the continent. While they never escalated to full-blown war, Shire knew the most recent incident was a maritime conflict between the Fran Kingdom and Savoy. The Fran Kingdom accused Savoy of sheltering Pirates, which had led to their merchant ships being plundered multiple times. Savoy, however, vehemently denied the accusations.

Thus, two years ago, a naval patrol from each side had a "head-on" clash in a coastal area.

In that light, what Herbert had said—"we are enemy nations"—made sense.

However, Shire believed that over the past few hundred years, whenever a kingdom underwent a major upheaval, neighboring powers would do everything they could to seize the opportunity for their own gain. A prime example was the military fortress "Giant Nest," where the Duke of the North was currently stationed. It was originally just a military camp built to defend against the Demon Army’s invasion. But after the Gate of Darkness was closed, the Argon Kingdom to the north grew restless. They prepared to invade the Fran Kingdom, exploiting the military vacuum left by the war against the Demons. This threat directly prompted the establishment of the Giant Nest.

Now, the Giant Nest had become a massive defensive Fortress, housing multiple military branches and covering a vast area.

In the end, Shire agreed to the Vampire Count’s proposal. He would use 300,000 Gold Coins to trade with the Wolfman Count named Jean, exchanging them all for Counterfeit Coins minted by the other party. The Fran Kingdom’s Silver Coins had no serial numbers, so there was no way to tell the real ones from the fakes.

As for how he would deliver the Gold Coins and retrieve the Silver Coins, Shire told them not to worry about it, stating that he had his own methods. This piqued Herbert’s interest. After all, secretly transporting 300,000 Gold Coins to a specific city in Savoy was a near-impossible task.

Unfortunately for him, Herbert asked many times, even offering to waive his introduction fee, but he couldn’t get an answer out of Shire. In the end, he had no choice but to give up.

Based on the information Shire got from Herbert, if this speculation was successful, he would earn a profit margin of nearly one-fourth. That amounted to almost 70,000 Gold Coins. After deducting various expenses, he would still have an income of 60,000.

Shire’s eyes lit up. ’I wonder if I can get another low-interest loan from them after this is all over.’

’This is a much faster way to make money than selling Red Bull. The first payment won’t be settled for over a month, though. Still, that’s fine. Rebuilding the City of Ten Thousand Races requires a massive amount of money. I’ll just consider this the Commerce Alliance’s contribution to the project.’

Shire smiled and closed the notebook in front of him. Forest Whisper had said, "They’re coming again." ’Turns out it’s not all bad news,’ he thought. ’Some of them are here to deliver money right to my doorstep.’

"Miss Mary," Shire said, standing up. He looked at Mary, who had returned after seeing Mr. Herbert out. "This is a list of items we need to order for the near future. I’ve intentionally increased the quantities."

Mary took the list and gave it a cursory glance. "Boss, aren’t the quantities for these parts a bit high?"

"No, not really. After all, the bank is dying for us to increase our trade volume right now," Shire said with a smile.

"I understand," Mary said with a nod. She then continued, "There’s news about the textile workshop you had me apply for. The town hall has approved it. When should we start?"

"You can go ahead and scout a plot of land. We’ll build the workshop just outside Yangjiao Town. I only have one requirement," Shire said, holding up a finger. "Pay in cash and settle it all at once. Don’t leave any loose ends with the land deal."

Mary nodded vigorously, her face flushed with excitement. This was the first time she had been entrusted with such a big project. Although she had dealt with many craftsmen before, this was her first time overseeing the establishment of a large workshop.

Shire looked at his "capable assistant." She was bursting with joy but trying to remain composed. He couldn’t help but smile. Who would have thought that this young woman, who was never seen without a book, was just the daughter of a common village Blacksmith? And that just over a month ago, she had planned to elope with some poor boy. "Do your best. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. When Little John gets back, I’ll have him report to you."

"Yes, Boss," Mary said with a deep bow. "I will be sure to make good use of Jack."

Shire knew that Jack was Little John’s nickname. "Good. Work him hard."

...

When Shire returned to the Fortress, he found Nine-finger waiting anxiously for him.

"Someone’s here to ask for our surrender?" Shire was stunned when he heard what his subordinate said. "What are these goblins thinking? They’re taking the initiative to ask *us* to surrender?"

"Yes, Chief. Those guys are waiting by the Centaur Village right now. Do you want to see them?"

"I’ll see them," Shire said with an immediate nod after thinking for a few seconds. "An opponent this interesting is someone I definitely have to meet."

He didn’t know what the other party was thinking or where they got the courage to come and demand his surrender, but this might be a good opportunity to extract some information. ’Who cares,’ he thought. ’Maybe the Feathered Serpent gave them their courage.’

A short while later, Shire, accompanied by a few of his goblins, met the goblin "Surrender Envoys," who were sitting on the ground, picking bugs off each other out of sheer boredom.

Calling them Surrender Envoys was a gross overstatement. The goblins were dressed in tattered rags, shivering in the cold winter wind. Only two of them had any items made of fur, which looked to be stripped mouse pelts.

In contrast, Shire and his subordinates stood before them in warm clothes. The goblin envoys couldn’t help but shrink back, pulling their necks into their shoulders.