Black Iron Crown

January 1st, Year 26 of the Empire.

early morning.

The atmosphere in the Castle of Mecaron is very lively. Countless servants and servants have put on the latest outfits, and the chefs also wear various decorations on their heads.

Even the old housekeeper, who was the most rigid and solemn in the castle, who was patrolling around in black robes and a dark face all day long, added some other colors to his clothes at this time, and everyone's faces were full of smiles. smile.

Today is the first day of the new year, which is no less important among the Ridkar than the third day of the third month of the Holy Father's creation.

Moreover, unlike the solemnity of that day, where Mass was held in the church all day, today’s Beginning Festival is more derived from the primitive beliefs of the Ridka people.

For example, carnival and drinking and having fun, as well as the custom that couples are more likely to conceive a child when they have intercourse on the same day, all come from the reproductive worship and joyful thoughts of the primitive era.

At the same time, the residents in the folk also prepared a lot of ingredients, and the family reunited to eat and drink together.

On the second day, although the festival was over, the joyful atmosphere continued, but the residents had resumed work.

More and more shuttles are acquired by people of unknown origin, and Logan's investigation continues.

In the "King's Wardrobe" chamber of commerce, five branch leaders gathered together again.

"Gentlemen, I think we should change our approach!" Roselle looked at the crowd and said.

"Although the price we paid for the flying shuttles is not high, we still need to spend money. However, it is not too troublesome for Duke Leiner to make those flying shuttles. If we pay too much, the loss outweighs the gain!"

"Then what do you want?" Mr. Battelle looked at him and asked.

"Intensify the rumors! I have to say that the prestige of the Duke of Leiner in this land is too high. Even though we have spread a lot of rumors, it still can only make these residents a little suspicious. We must spread more rumors." Terrible remarks can destroy Duke Lena's prestige!"

Everyone present nodded one after another. They were also vested interests, and they were also unwilling to let the shuttle play a role.

"If it's just like this...it's not enough!" Old Battelle shook his head.

"So,

What do you think? "Roselle still has a lot of respect for Battelle. The wisdom in the head of such an old businessman is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"Raise the purchase price of linen, and lower the price of some sisal and flax!" Battelle said, stroking the few remaining gray beards that had fallen off his chin.

"What?" The others exclaimed.

"Doing this will cause us great losses!" They said in unison.

"Stupid!" Battelle stomped his cane vigorously, and said bitterly, "How can there be rewards if you don't pay? Haven't you understood this law after all these years of business?"

"You always need capital to make a profit!"

"What we are going to do this time is a big deal. How can we succeed without paying a big price!" Bateer sighed and said, "We have to do this if we want to keep the market for traditional fabrics!"

Listening to his reprimand, everyone was silent. In any case, the loss of doing that was too great, and they were really reluctant.

"Okay, I'll listen to you!" Roselle gritted her teeth and said, then looked at the others.

"We...we are also willing..." The remaining four people also had ugly expressions like dead parents, but they still chose to agree.

As a result, the residents of the northern border discovered that those cloth merchants who were ruthlessly lowering prices like vampires became inexplicably generous.

Originally, the two-meter-long and one-meter-wide linen could only be sold for two coppers, but now it was sold for four coppers.

This is more than double the original price!

If the price can be kept at this level, they can bring an income of four silver coins to the family this winter!

This is definitely a huge sum of money for an ordinary family. Even if they don't work, it is enough for a family of five to eat and drink for half a year.

Inspired by the money, the residents in the northern border picked up the looms and started weaving, hoping to go faster and faster.

Even if it is only a little faster, it is only a difference of one or two coppers.

After they wove the cloth, they immediately sold it to the merchants who bought the linen, but the price did not change at all.

And when they went to buy flax and sisal as raw materials for weaving, they found that the prices of these raw materials were more than a little lower than in the past.

This further stimulated their enthusiasm for weaving. For a time, the entire northern border was filled with the sound of weaving tools.

"Is it "The King's Wardrobe"?" Reiner narrowed his eyes.

Logan stood aside respectfully. In fact, this investigation was not difficult.

Such a large-scale purchase of cloth at high prices and the sale of sisal and flax at low prices hardly requires a second thought to know who did it.

If you quietly arrest a few businessmen, you don't even need to torture them to know who is behind them.

"So, the rumors some time ago were also written by them, right?"

"Yes, Lord Duke, after my investigation, they also spread the previous rumors!" Logan said respectfully.

"Aha, it turned out to be them, I should have thought of it earlier!" Reiner couldn't help but shook his head, feeling ashamed of his own slowness.

The development of woolen cloth weaving by themselves will inevitably have a huge impact on them. At that time, the sisal, flax, and linen business will definitely not be easy to do, and it is only logical to stop themselves.

"Okay, continue to monitor, but don't act rashly without my order!" Reiner said lightly.

For his level, a small chamber of commerce is nothing.

After all, he is the grand duke who controls the entire northern border, and all the military and political power is in his hands.

What's more, the northern border does not completely rely on commercial activities, and it is difficult for a chamber of commerce to have any impact on his territory.

If Reiner really annoyed him, he would directly ask the army to wipe out these people, or directly increase the tax rate on linen, sisal, and flax, so that they cannot be sold, these are all easy things.

What he is worried about now is how to make the residents accept the new tool of flying shuttle.

Although their own prestige is very high, a large part of the old-fashioned people do not necessarily believe in the efficacy of the flying shuttle. They would rather stick to the low-efficiency weaving method than make new attempts.

He is not in a hurry to eradicate the "King's Wardrobe" chamber of commerce now. If he directly uses the army to interfere with commercial activities by violent means, it may have a great impact on the newly prosperous northern business.

After all, he was the one who promised not to use violence against business, and also promised to protect all businessmen who came to the north to do business.

Back-and-forth is not always a good reputation.