Chapter 8

Rebo stated: "In conducting trade, one must consider the timing; wool after the rain and charcoal in summer are clearly difficult goods to sell. A family that has been established in southern France for nearly a century cannot be compared to a family that has just set foot here, whether in terms of reputation or popularity. Therefore, my grandfather only engaged in some trade in the early days, not entirely for the purpose of accumulating wealth, but more importantly to familiarize himself with the key figures in this channel. Only after building these connections does the real opportunity for profit arise. Does anyone know how much the price of glass differs between Italy and France?"

Everyone is puzzled: is this young man truly confident, or is it merely youthful arrogance, unaware of the vastness of the world?

Rebo slowed down, allowing the horse to leisurely stroll under the faintly red glow of the setting sun at dusk

The Duke of Foucault's status in France is undoubtedly unquestionable, but my grandfather is resolutely unwilling to sell. The Duke, of course, would be displeased; he holds significant power in the court and can acquire almost anything. However, in the end, he still did not manage to obtain a single horse. Some things cannot be forced.

Forget it, my uncle is still in good health. Besides, our family has never gotten along with him since my father. The middle-aged man shook his head and said

However, everyone finds it astonishing that the Haider family is so astute, no wonder such a family can thrive and prosper

The path in the forest after the rain is muddy, with droplets of water still falling from the leaves above. The branches and leaves of the plants extending on both sides of the road are also soaked with rainwater, gently brushing against me and instantly leaving traces of moisture on my body

Reibo furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment, then said: "I just feel that the accumulation of thunder elements in this land is rather unusual. The issue lies with the land itself, rather than with any plants or animals growing on it. According to what you just mentioned, all the magical elements in this land were originally in balance, and the changes began with the reconstruction of this villa seven years ago.

The owner of the villa had evidently seen him, as two servants emerged from the house, followed by the baron's daughter.

This matter is indeed quite strange. Ever since the renovation of this villa seven years ago, there has been a heavy rain every few months. This villa was built after our ancestors settled in Peyton, and there has never been any mention of such a peculiar phenomenon. However, since my wife and I decided to move here seven years ago, inexplicable heavy rains have frequently occurred, damaging many trees. Fortunately, there have been no incidents of injury, and lightning has never struck near the villa, so we have not paid much attention to it" said Baron Long.

"My father has been bedridden for nearly ten years. I inherited this title and my father's public office early. I am currently the Deputy Director of the Military Affairs Office," the Baron O'Neill introduced himself. It was evident that he was the most powerful among all the guests, dressed in the most luxurious attire. The only regret was that his wife was rather plain in appearance, yet there was a subtle air of pride about her. Rebo speculated that the reason this baron had reached his current position might be due to his wife.

The ring ultimately came into the possession of Baron Brown. This individual was evidently well-connected and knowledgeable, as he skillfully handled the ring, bringing it close to his eyes to discern the incantations engraved upon it. While nodding, he remarked, "This is indeed a rare magical ring; it surely contains powerful forces that I do not yet understand. The inscriptions on this ring are more numerous and intricate than any other magical equipment I have encountered.

Rebo looked at his suit, which was still relatively new but slightly too small, as well as the modest attire of his wife and child, and could easily imagine that their family's situation was likely more difficult than that of Baron Long.

"Most of today's guests are acquainted with one another, with the exception of one person whom you may not have met before," Baron Longna took the opportunity to introduce, pointing to Rebo: "This is Mr. Rebo Hyde, whose grandfather was the renowned Lord Kewailai Egrete Hyde, a distinguished politician and diplomat of the kingdom. He was an extraordinarily great figure, and it was his remarkable achievements that made the Bress Agreement possible, allowing the kingdom to enjoy so many years of peace and tranquility, the contributions of Lord Kewailai Egrete Hyde are indelible."

At that moment, the Viscount Talbot, who was not on very good terms with Baron Long, spoke up: "Since it is known that any family cherishes purebred horses immensely and would absolutely not wish to sell them, it should also be understood that these purebred horses are not available for rent either. Why force someone into a difficult situation?"

"Quickly tell us your findings," Midit said, fully aware of Baron Longna. The baron was not the type to be easily startled, so there must be some unexpected discovery.

The overweight man clearly realized that it would be inappropriate to speak nonsense in front of his sister and brother-in-law, and quickly shut his mouth

When they arrived at the place where the fallen trees had blocked the road, several workers were clearing the path by pushing a long cart used for transporting timber

This is Lord Skaz, who was my colleague for many years. When we were in the capital of France, we were the only two from the south in the entire department." The baron introduced the couple that Rebo had not seen before.

Next to the overweight man sat another family. This gentleman was quite knowledgeable about raising children; he brought along four girls and one boy, making a total of five children. The youngest boy appeared to be only five or six years old, and he was seated next to his mother

"It is truly astonishing, I have never noticed this before. It is absolutely unbelievable, you cannot imagine who the guarantors and witnesses on this property transfer document are. It is astonishing, truly astonishing!" Baron Long said breathlessly.

The stable is presumably built behind these low houses, and there may also be cattle and sheep pens as well as pigsties, Reibo speculated

"Paul Loupis? Who is he?" Midit asked. The fat man also wore a puzzled expression.

This villa is not much different from most ordinary estates. Surrounding the living room are several sofas, covered with thick cashmere, a comfortable indulgence that does not require spending too much money. Payton is abundant in sheep, making cashmere quite inexpensive.

Upon hearing Reibo's question, Baron Long furrowed his brow and, after a long contemplation, said: "This villa was built long before my family's ancestral home; it was originally purchased by my ancestors from a person of significant status. If you wish to know the details, I will go to the study later to thoroughly examine the materials left by my ancestors. By simply looking at the property deed, one can ascertain who the original owner was, but I am quite skeptical about how useful that information would be"

Indeed, you are correct; it is His Excellency the esteemed Pope. Moreover, the guarantor on the seller's side is none other than the great and noble King Francis V. Oh my goodness! This sovereign is notoriously reluctant to sign, as recorded in historical texts. To date, there are no more than ten known signatures of King Francis V. My goodness, here is one.

However, Ruibo's demeanor of being at ease and completely unconcerned gives everyone at the dining table a sense of profound mystery

The ring was passed into the hands of the fat man, and of course, Midit would not miss such an opportunity either

According to the strict diet that Ecton set for himself, there are many foods that he cannot eat at all; therefore, Rebo merely touched his lips to them symbolically

After a period of chaos, most people sat down at the dining table. The baron and his wife occupied the main seats, with their daughter's place to the right, and the empty seat next to her was naturally reserved for Rebo. The stout man sat to the left of the baron and his wife, evidently a close relative of the family. Beside the stout man were his wife and two daughters, the elder one being of the same age as the baron's daughter, while the younger one appeared to be about the same age as Rebo. To Rebo's right sat the middle-aged man he had seen riding in earlier, clearly a solitary figure. Next to him was another family that Rebo had not encountered upstairs.

After a considerable amount of time, he hurriedly ran down the stairs, looking flustered, clearly having made a significant discovery

The bottle of wine was first opened, and each person who wanted to drink poured a little. After going around, some was still left.

The stout man sitting beside him tugged at the brother-in-law's sleeve, signaling for him to take a look as well

"It is roughly five times different," said Lord Skaz.

A redwood staircase leads directly to the second floor, appearing somewhat low. It is likely that there are several rooms upstairs

A platter of vegetables, containing freshly picked lettuce, cabbage, romaine, and cucumber, all sliced and arranged neatly, accompanied by shredded carrots, and drizzled with a creamy dressing, serves as a rather ordinary appetizer

I know that for any family, these purebred horses are absolutely not for sale, but could you ask your grandfather to lend me one for a few months? Soon, I will be going to France with my father. We have a beautiful carriage, but there is not a single horse in the South that is worthy of this carriage

In the center of the living room, there is a long dining table, which can obviously be folded up when not in use. If the space occupied by the dining table is cleared, the living room would still feel quite spacious.

I am still working at the Treasury, and I have also met your uncle, Mr. Hector. The introduced lord leaned forward to greet Rebo

Rebo heard everyone discussing topics of interest to him, and he pondered how he could take the opportunity to get Baron Long to provide some clues. After much thought, he concluded that the best approach in this situation was to make everyone believe he was an expert in this field. Ekt taught him a strategy called "disguising as a tiger to eat a pig," and he had also mentioned that such a simple tactic often had the highest success rate in deception. Moreover, he was not entirely without skills; at the very least, he had a wizard as a teacher, and that was completely true.

"Alright, alright, you all are speaking so passionately, yet we cannot understand at all, which is quite frustrating." Baroness Long stopped this topic that was making the ladies feel bored

A row of low houses is constructed in a circle in the distance, with mud tiles laid on the wooden roofs, simple door panels, and wooden window shutters; this is likely where the servants reside

The words of the baron undoubtedly attest to the value of this ring, while also confirming Rebo's identity as a magic apprentice

This cutting remark suddenly cooled the atmosphere at the dining table

"By the way, you just mentioned that the lightning element here is somewhat unusual. How do you know that? Are you a magician?" asked Baron Terbo.

The founder of the Holy Knight Order, the swordsmanship instructor of Francis V, "Paladin"! Baron Terbo quickly recounted everything he knew about this name

"How do you know these things?" asked the Countess.

The wall is constructed of ordinary blue bricks, with a contour outlined in white cement along the edges

"Brother-in-law, what exactly is going on with this villa? With the thunderstorm like this, if it weren't for Midit going into town to bring in workers, that big tree would have probably blocked all of us outside your villa." said the fat man

If this document is authentic and accurate, it is indeed an astonishing matter. Each of these three signatures is worth at least 20,000 gold francs. If you are willing to part with them, I can introduce you to Duke Doname or Duke Auburn; both of them would certainly have a keen interest in these signatures, especially the signature of His Majesty the Fifth, which is exceedingly rare.

The path leading from the forest to the front of the villa is paved with long strips of blue stone, while the adjacent small path is covered with gravel. A delicately designed small bridge spans the creek, and the vines extending from beneath the bridge indicate that it has some history.

The second benefit is the true source of my family's wealth. With my grandfather's method of operation, as soon as the first business deal is completed and the goods have not yet been loaded onto the ship at the port of Yilei, we are already able to initiate the second transaction. Therefore, even though the profits from each of our family's business dealings are far smaller than those of ordinary merchants, our capital turnover speed is several thousand times faster than that of other merchants. While other merchants typically require about three months to transport a shipment, my grandfather can finalize a deal in at most one hour.

I seem to have heard about this matter; the Duke of Foucault had his eye on several purebred horses back in the day, but in the end, he was unable to acquire them. For many years, the Duke has been constantly reminiscing about this incident. He has mentioned to me how beautiful and outstanding those purebred horses were. Little did he expect that it was your grandfather, Lord Kweirelle Egrete Hyde, who caused him to suffer a setback.

Finally, these two are Baron and Baroness O'Neill. Baron O'Neill is my godson, and his father is another good friend of mine.

Just as Rebo was looking around, suddenly, a cacophony of footsteps came from above the floor. Like most ordinary manors, the sound insulation here was not very good. Unlike Mr. Hyde's manor, where the floors were separated by stone slabs and steel bars, topped with thick wooden flooring, the noises from above could not reach the hall on the ground floor at all

You finally arrived. It suddenly started pouring just now, and I heard that fallen trees struck by lightning blocked the roads. We were originally worried that you wouldn't make it. How did you come on horseback? Why didn't you take a carriage? It should be over 100 miles from Lai to here. Riding a horse is too unsafe; what if you fell?

Ah, dear and *Tu* Shuribo, you have finally arrived. This sudden downpour made me think that your journey would be delayed. I was just about to postpone the dinner time, but doing so would be too neglectful towards the other guests. As soon as I entered, I heard the host of the room greeting warmly.

Oh, by the way, witness, this witness does not hold the same esteemed status as those two guarantors, but he is equally well-known, Francis Parod

Oh, there is nothing more lamentable than this. If possible, I would even be willing to kneel down and plead with that stern old lady, renowned for her severity, for the lives of these thoroughbred horses. Ever since the four thoroughbreds of the late Earl of Merdin were slaughtered, I had thought that there were no purebred horses left in the entire south of France. Today's discovery, however, is an unexpected delight. Sitting by the window is a tall, thin middle-aged man, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with thick tawny hair that has a slight hint of brown. He is passionately discussing the topic of horses.

The servant, upon hearing the command, quickly ran into the kitchen, and soon, dish after dish of freshly prepared food was brought out

Baron Longna, seeing that everyone was in agreement, had no choice but to stand up from the dining table and walk towards the study upstairs

No, the tea trade is only done occasionally; unless there is exceptionally fine tea, my grandfather would purchase some. However, most of it is sold and given away, supplying a few special customers. In fact, my grandfather cannot be considered a pure businessman; my family does not earn money through the buying and selling of goods.

"Monsters? Then aren't we in great danger?" shouted the fat man's wife

After politely greeting the workers and thanking them for allowing passage, Ruibo urged his steed forward.

"Mr. Hyde, you just mentioned that you have a purebred horse that comes from the Robeck family, is that correct?" asked Baron O'Neill

"I truly did not expect this, oh, Rebo, you and your uncle have never told me that you would become a magician. This is truly magnificent, but why have you never mentioned it before?" Baron Long asked.

This person must be a descendant of the Robeck family from Yile. I just saw his steed, which is indeed a fine horse. I have seen fewer than ten horses of such purebred lineage. The late Lord Medin, our esteemed former lord, had four purebred Portim horses, but since the earl died from a fall off his horse, his stubborn sister is determined to have all those purebred horses put down.

At this moment, Ruibo finally had the opportunity to carefully observe his surroundings

Reibo dismounted from the horse, handed the reins to the two servants, and then took something from the pocket on the left side of the saddle and presented it to the baron's daughter

Did your ancestors leave any records explaining why a villa was built here? This place is somewhat distant from Pidton, and it must not have been very safe to live here alone during your ancestors' time

Baroness O'Neill is not a fool; her expression turned unpleasant as she sat there in silence, not uttering a word

There is a small door opened in the corner against the east wall, which should lead to the kitchen

"Oh, thank you for your kindness, but you must understand that this is a family heirloom, a true family treasure, and I will not part with it." Baron Longna quickly declined, saying, "I even hope you will never mention to those two gentlemen that I possess these three signatures; otherwise, they might come to me to borrow this document, and that would give me a headache." Baron Longna said with a smile.

Yes, when the glass is loaded onto the ship, it has already doubled in price. This includes the taxes that must be paid to Italy and the fees charged by the Italian commercial guild. Once it arrives in France, upon disembarking, the price doubles again. All this money goes into the national treasury, so what the merchants painstakingly earn is merely a transaction of capital and profit. Moreover, one must account for losses and unexpected damages, which is why often the sinking of a single ship can lead to the bankruptcy of several wealthy merchants. said Rebo

Reibo noticed everyone staring at him and began to speak leisurely: "What you may not know is that many people have approached my grandfather with the intention of purchasing or renting those purebred horses, among whom the most distinguished is Duke Fokos, the Vice Chairman of the Elders' Council.

Unlike the day of the ball, the young lady is dressed quite simply today. She is wearing a white short-sleeved dress with a low neckline, without any jewelry. The only accessory is a blue silk scarf tied around her waist, fashioned into a bow on the right side.

Baron Longna was evidently in high spirits; he commanded loudly, "Serve the main course, it is time for the main course. Quickly, bring out the fine wine!"

Beyond the stream lies a stretch of lush, even grassland. Unlike the velvet lawn of Mr. Hyde's estate, this grassland appears more natural and harmonious, not artificially flattened or manicured. A few trees grow on the grassland, including willows, locust trees, and two ginkgo trees

The relationship between the elderly couple and Baron Long is evidently worlds apart from that with their son-in-law, as the two elders listened with beaming smiles while looking at Rebo

The baron's villa is deep within the woods. On such a muddy road, an ordinary carriage would take at least half an hour. However, Rebo's horse is indeed quite exceptional; in less than ten minutes, the red roof of the villa came into view.

The most conspicuous bottle is undoubtedly the one sent by Ruibo.

Reibo has always been unable to make any guesses about this

In addition, another reason for making money is that as the business grows larger, much of my grandfather's capital comes from debts owed by others or advances made by him. This has two advantages: first, it effectively increases my grandfather's capital by tenfold, twentyfold, or even a hundredfold; second, it is important to understand that profit is proportional to the capital invested. The additional capital, although intangible, translates into tangible profits.

Everyone at the dining table sat in silence, not uttering a word. In his heart, Ruibo pondered whether Mr. Hyde had anticipated this very scene by having him ride over. Was this yet another difficult problem, a challenge meant to test him?

The banquet has not yet officially commenced, yet such a difficult request is made. It is evident that this baroness does not believe that Rebo has any possibility of refusal. Lord Kewai Eile Egrete Haide is at best a common nobleman, and moreover, a common nobleman who has become wealthy through commerce. His own uncle wields significant power in the southern region of France; aside from the Medin family, who would not want to secure a share for their own family? The term 'borrow' sounds pleasant, but whether it will be returned after borrowing is a matter to be discussed later. Furthermore, he is a common nobleman who has become wealthy through commerce, and his own uncle holds considerable influence in southern France; aside from the Medin family, who would not want to secure a share for their own family? The term 'borrow' sounds pleasant, but whether it will be returned after borrowing is a matter to be discussed later.

"Good wine, truly good wine!" the fat man exclaimed repeatedly

"Who says otherwise? The Duke owns six horse farms and nearly a thousand fine horses. If he cannot be found in the Senate one day, he is surely at the horse farm. People joke that to get the Duke's help, one only needs to present him with a fine horse, and any matter can be resolved. When discussing official business with the Duke, it is best to do so while on horseback; at that time, the Duke is in the best mood," Baron Brown added.

In this way, grandfather successfully completed a business transaction, duly paid the taxes, and received the money. The merchant then went to Yilei to transport the goods back, and any losses incurred during the process were his own responsibility. However, he did not need to pay any taxes, as they had already been settled. Over time, grandfather became increasingly well-known and his reputation improved, allowing him to forgo placing advance orders with the glass factory. Both the glass factory and the merchants were willing to pay upfront, and this is how grandfather amassed his wealth. " explained Ruibo

This was originally my personal thought, but I have not yet received the consent of my grandfather and uncle. My uncle is very busy, and he hopes that I can inherit the family business. My grandfather is in this condition now, but I truly love magic, and my teacher, Mage Mashek, has agreed to take me as his disciple. He gave me this ring. " Saying this, Ruibo took off the sapphire ring and handed it to Baron Long.

The Viscountess accompanied her parents, Baron Henry and the Baroness, whom I must respectfully refer to as Uncle and Aunt. When my father was alive, the two of them were very close friends with my father and my father-in-law. They were also very affectionate towards Fanny, who treated them as her own grandparents

"Not bad, not bad! Impressive, impressive!" The fat man nodded repeatedly and said, "Your grandfather is truly a genius, able to conceive such an ingenious business model. However, this approach seems extremely risky; if any setbacks occur along the way, it could very likely lead to a situation where the funds cannot be managed effectively."

Sitting beside this couple is their daughter, who, although not on par with the baron's daughter, is quite remarkable in her own right, and is of a similar age.

Inside the golden wrapping paper is a bottle of red wine, not the usual crude ceramic jar, but rather the kind housed in an exquisite glass bottle. Under the sunlight, the glass bottle radiates a vibrant rose-like red.

"Alright, alright, let us discuss the horses later. Everyone may take their seats now. Fanny, please arrange the seating. Once everyone is seated, I will introduce you to one another," said the owner of the villa.

This is a profit; the prices of goods fluctuate with different seasons. Capitalizing on this is the true reason for my grandfather's wealth. For instance, these teas are not produced in Yilei, but are also imported from abroad. The season when tea arrives in large quantities is from March to May, during the trade winds. At that time, tea is relatively inexpensive, and my grandfather would buy a batch to store. However, for the French, it is quite expensive throughout the year, so partnering with anyone would yield profits.

Most other people clearly had not heard of this name either, except for Lord Talbot sitting at the other end, who thought for a moment and said: "The Pope during the time of Francis V was Paul Loupis, who is none other than the renowned Loupis III"

It is evident that most people present believe that Ruibo's response was far too direct and impulsive. Even if one must refuse, it should be done in a more tactful manner. It is truly hard to imagine how such an impulsive young man could be regarded by the baron as a youth diplomat with exceptional diplomatic talent

Lord Skaz pondered for a long time and suddenly exclaimed: "No, this doesn't make sense. In this case, your grandfather actually didn't earn any money; he essentially worked for that merchant for nothing. The merchant spent money to buy glass, transported it back, and after paying taxes, if the price of glass didn't increase and the price of the glass factory in Italy didn't decrease, that merchant wouldn't suffer a loss. Your grandfather couldn't possibly earn a single penny from this, and even if he made a small profit, it wouldn't have made your grandfather so wealthy."

This villa is no different from the estates scattered throughout southern France; looking at such an ordinary household, it is hard to imagine that a baron resides within.

Grandfather did not focus on this shipping route; instead, he invested a considerable amount of energy and incurred great costs to open several channels in Yilei, Xibai, and Frangis. Take the glass from Yilei as an example: Grandfather secured deals with two glass factories and the officials in charge of glass exports at the Yilei Chamber of Commerce. He arranged for the glass needed for production to be made into orders, allowing the factories to produce it in advance. This batch of glass was considered purchased by Grandfather. He then took the orders to the merchants in Nankang, soliciting bids and selling to the highest bidder.

"If you are willing, you can call me Bayer." The chubby man was clearly someone without much pretense: "I have met your uncle before; your family is a well-known wealthy merchant. I work at the tax office in Sersburg, and we have had some dealings. However, I never knew that he had a nephew like you. Had I known, I would have..."

Seeing that Ruibo was not taking action, that beautiful young lady personally selected a few refreshing and palatable cucumbers, mixed them with cream, and placed them on a clean plate. She pushed the plate in front of Ruibo

"No, I think that is impossible," Rebo replied bluntly. In any case, if something were to happen, offending some powerful figure would pose no threat to him personally. Agreeing to lend the horse would instead leave him unable to explain himself to Mr. Hyde. At present, Rebo's only concern was Mr. Hyde; beyond that, he cared not even for His Majesty the King.

The beautiful baroness quickly assigned seats to the guests, ensuring that the older individuals were seated first, and those of higher status were not left standing for too long

"Indeed, everyone should consider the ladies at the dining table and discuss some light topics," said the stout man as he chewed on the lettuce mixed with cream.

"Of course, of course, it is well known that the Robeck family excels in breeding purebreds," said the one at the other end of the table, who evidently did not get along well with the baron, in a cold tone.

Although the candles inserted in the chandelier have not yet been lit, the servants have already gone to fetch the long candlestick.

So who is the witness? Hurry up and tell me," the fat man shouted

"A thoroughbred horse? Oh, a thoroughbred horse! Wait a moment, you must let me see it," the chubby man said eagerly a moment ago

These matters are surely unheard of by the noble guests present here

In his hand, he held a roll of parchment, which had long since yellowed, with even a black spot appearing on the edges.

Therefore, everyone is eagerly anticipating what astonishing performance this young man will deliver

"How could someone who is not a businessman be so wealthy?" the fat man asked

As for her friends, they were sitting on the sofa nearby, and it was not yet their turn; there were also two younger children standing at the staircase, curiously peering down.

Indeed. The fat man also suddenly realized.

My name is Midit, a good friend of Longna. Fanny calls me Uncle. Like Longna, I do not need to concern myself with any official duties. This is my wife and our four children

Is this the little diplomat you have always praised? Could you introduce him to us? said a middle-aged man beside him

Stepping out of the woods, I was greeted by a bright sight: a neatly arranged area for empty space and books within the forest environment

At this indirect remark, everyone at the dining table shares a knowing smile

The butler inquired one by one along the dining table about the guests' preferences, asking whether they wished to drink wine or other beverages. Behind him followed a maid, who arranged the glasses neatly according to the guests' requests

After everyone took their seats, the servants brought out the appetizers

In the distance, a two-story villa is reflected in the afterglow of the setting sun, its crimson roof leaving one to wonder whether it is its original color or merely an illusion created by the sunlight.

"What a precious gem this is," Baron Long said after examining it for a long time.

A large bronze chandelier hangs from the ceiling of the living room, clearly just polished.

This couple is of a similar age to the baron and baroness, and their social status is comparable. The wife and the baroness evidently share a deep friendship; however, the husband seems to harbor a grudge against the baron, as the two have not exchanged a single word and even deliberately avoid making eye contact with each other

"I cannot consider myself a magician, but I have a great possibility of becoming one. After I fulfill my grandfather's wish, I plan to learn magic from my teacher, Mr. Mashek," said Rebo.

Fortunately, her husband understood that a magician's belongings are absolutely untouchable. For these special individuals, power holds no sway, especially since they possess mysterious abilities. If one were to provoke their vengeance, the law would be utterly powerless to protect you from that catastrophic disaster

"Please do not call me Miss Longna, just call me Fanny. Otherwise, I will call you Mr. Hyde in retaliation." The baron's daughter smiled as she opened the gift

Everyone at the dining table turned to stare at Ruibo, eager to see what abilities this exceptionally talented young man, as described by the baron, possessed. Although the peculiar business methods he had just presented had left many in attendance utterly astonished, not a single person fully understood them. Only a few individuals working in the finance or tax departments grasped a bit of the content, while the others, especially the ladies, were completely bewildered and found it utterly incomprehensible

Others at the dining table were also urging on the side

Indeed, my dear father, this matter may be of great importance. Although those thunderbolts have not harmed anyone thus far, it is difficult to guarantee that we will continue to be so fortunate in the future. Since Ruibo has found some clues, it would be wise for you to make a trip. " The beautiful daughter also chimed in, playfully.

The ring was passed from one person to another. Although no one could discern the mysterious power contained within the ring, the enormous, pristine sapphire deeply captivated everyone.

"Reibo, do you have any insights?" the baron asked. "Your grandfather traveled the world, and his insights must surely be broader than ours. Your uncle Hector is also a learned man, as many here know. Surely you must have some profound insights on this matter."

However, this is more a testament to Lord Kewai Eile Egrete Hyde, a brilliant diplomat and merchant who is undoubtedly a genius. Everything exhibited by Rebo merely proves that the old man is also a genius educator. To everyone, this young man before them is undoubtedly the carefully cultivated heir of that elder. Although the results of this cultivation are quite remarkable, they should be attributed more to that wise old man.

This vacant land covers an area of over 20 acres, with a clear stream dividing it into two parts

"Is there anyone who hasn't evaded taxes?" the fat man interjected.

The villa in the forest, after the rain, was originally shrouded in a dampness, but fortunately, the roaring fireplace has dispelled all the moisture completely

A pot of clam chowder, with sliced cheese served on a plate beside the chowder, allowing one to add as much as desired.

Oh, dear brother-in-law, could you please make a trip to the study? After all, the main course has not yet been served. Do you want us to wait here, filled with curiosity, unable to satisfy our strong desire to know, and thus lose our appetite?

"How can he be a child? He seems to be two or three years younger than your beloved daughter," shouted a stout man sitting in a corner of the living room. However, a clearly annoyed glance from the Baroness made the stout man close his mouth.

On this side of the stream, there are some farmlands. It is late autumn, and the melons, fruits, and vegetables in the fields are growing quite abundantly, presenting a scene of bountiful harvest

"Just a joke, merely a joke," Baron Long quickly intervened, "This is Viscount Talbot. The Talbot family holds considerable prestige in Sesthorpe, and the Viscount himself was the private secretary to the late Lord Oldmead. His wife is a childhood companion of my wife.

Thank you, Ruibo, now we have drinks for the banquet as well. We had originally prepared some wine, but it pales in comparison to this bottle. The baroness's daughter spoke directly, showing no restraint, as if she had already considered Ruibo one of her own.

Against the eastern wall is a fireplace, with neatly chopped firewood stacked beside it. The fire in the fireplace burns brightly, warming the interior of the house.

"I apologize for being late, Miss Longna. Please accept this as a token of my sincere apology," said Ruibo

"Of course, it is fine wine. The 'Fengdeng Wine' brewed by the Robeck family is usually only consumed by their own family, and is exclusively offered for the Pope to taste," said Viscount Terbo.

Indeed, almost every business in Nangang manages to evade a bit of tax, but it is impossible to become wealthy through this means. The business association in Nangang oversees this matter; they do not wish to see excessively brazen tax evasion, as it would be unfair to the majority of businesses and could also lead to trouble.

The baron pointed to the fat man beside him and said: "Reibo, this is my brother-in-law, Lord Buffon"

Hearing someone meddling nearby, Baroness O'Neill appeared somewhat displeased. She coldly remarked, "Mr. Talbot, if these thoroughbreds were yours, you certainly would not have rented them. However, Lord Kewell-Egret-Hyde may not be so inclined. I believe he would surely be generous in gifting them."

Therefore, merchants can at most transfer losses and unexpected damages to their taxes, and the chamber of commerce turns a blind eye to this. However, the profits of the merchants still do not reach fifty percent, and they must also pay wages and shipping costs

Yes, therefore, my uncle is preparing to gradually diversify the business to reduce risks, or invest in several reputable merchants. He simply cannot manage everything alone, and our family's wealth has already accumulated to a considerable extent.

It seems that stripped of their dazzling noble status, they are still just ordinary people

The two individuals, working in tandem, conveyed a message that essentially served as a warning to Baroness O'Neill. Lord Kewell Egrett Hyde, even when faced with insurmountable obstacles, could ensure that as long as a purebred horse was gifted to Duke Foucault, the Baroness O'Neill's support would be rendered ineffective.

Middlet is currently a lord, but in the future, he is expected to become an earl. His uncle, Earl Fisnan, is well-known in Sesthburg, and the sole heir of the Old Medin Earl family has yet to appear. Earl Fisnan is temporarily fulfilling the duties of the lord, and Middlet is the only heir of Earl Fisnan

Reibo's words caused those around him to once again fix their gaze intently upon him

The beautiful and charming baroness's daughter reluctantly left Rebo's side. She entered the kitchen and instructed the servants to set up the dining table. Once everything was arranged, the young lady hurriedly ran upstairs, clearly indicating that more guests were not in this small living room.

As the autumn breeze blows, a few golden ginkgo leaves flutter down from the ginkgo tree, falling into the water. On the grass, they are scattered everywhere like stars.

"Count Laomedin is a person who enjoys drinking. He has a vast collection of wines. As his private secretary, I have gradually come to understand these items. Moreover, the glass bottles used for the wine bear the mark of the Robeck family, and the taste of the Fongden wine is so unique that it cannot be imitated at all," said the viscount.

Next to the elderly couple is likely their son and daughter-in-law

One by one, the guests came down from upstairs, both men and women, young and old, making the living room appear somewhat crowded

Rebo's words were somewhat perplexing, but at least those present understood one thing: Lord Kawei Ailei Egeleite Haide was immensely powerful, even the Duke of Fokos could do nothing against him, let alone a small noble from the south

Just now, in the lounge upstairs, we tasted Baron Longna's tea, and it was truly exquisite. I heard that this tea was gifted by Mr. Hyde. Does the lord run a tea business?" The elderly Baron Henry diverted the topic.

In fact, there were not many people who originally drank alcohol, and the ladies certainly abstained completely. The old baron seemed to be under the control of his wife, only able to drink a bit of malt beer. The little boy, of course, was given milk, and Reibo himself also did not drink alcohol

Yes, it is a four-year-old horse. When our family moved from Italy to France, we brought four purebred horses with us, and the horse I am riding now is their grandson

Oh, indeed, who would pay attention to the guarantor and witness in a property certificate? Unless one is a judge. However, this property transfer certificate is entirely different; both parties to the transaction are clearly unknown individuals. My ancestors have left no mark in history, but who has ever heard of Botani Leidu? I certainly have never heard of him. Yet, the guarantor and witness are completely different. Our family's guarantor, my goodness, is Paul Lupis, my goodness!

"You are asking in a manner that seems rather impolite," the Baroness admonished.

This Lord Buffon is evidently very afraid of his sister, and immediately fell silent.

The iron fence, wooden-framed windows, and the ordinary household are not much different; the only distinction is that the window frames are inlaid with pieces of glass, indicating that the owner here belongs to a family of status and standing

When the ring was passed to the Countess O'Neill, her eyes sparkled with delight, and she could hardly put it down, clearly contemplating the idea of temporarily borrowing it again

Reibo had long anticipated that these individuals would react in such a manner, as he himself had initially thought the same. With a smile, Reibo explained: "There are many ways to make money in this, not counting the price differences. Joint ventures are the simplest method. Grandfather uses half of the goods as capital to do business with that merchant, thus splitting the profits and reducing risks. Most merchants are willing to do it this way.

The muddy road still bore the traces of wagon wheels, and Ruibo pondered whether the other guests invited by Baron Long had just passed through here

Thinking of this, Reibo pretended to ponder and asked the baron's daughter sitting beside him: "Miss Fanny, have you unearthed any statues, stone slabs, or the like? Perhaps, during the renovation of this villa, you encountered items whose purposes were unclear."

Next to this large family sat a young couple, appearing to be under thirty years old, but accompanied by a daughter around six or seven years of age. At the far end of the dining table was an elderly couple, likely of a similar age to Mr. Hyde, though they were evidently in much better condition than he.

"My name is Joseph Brown, hereditary baron of the Treasury Department of Sesthburg, and I have also met your uncle, Mr. Hyde," introduced the man sitting next to Rebo. "Although I have heard others mention that your family was once quite esteemed in Yire, I never expected that you were actually a branch of the Robeck family. The Robeck family has produced renowned politicians and diplomats for generations, and it seems you have inherited all of these talents"

Reibo's response clearly infuriated Baroness O'Neill; she had never expected this young man to be so audacious

"Could there be any magical beasts hidden in the forest?" Lord Skaz asked. "I once heard Elder Fulei say that some magical beasts, upon reaching a certain stage of growth, can cause abnormal changes in the weather"

On the north and south walls of the living room, more than ten candlesticks are hung, already filled with candles. As the sun still casts some afterglow, the owner of the villa merely instructed the servants to light the candles on the north wall

Although the horse ran smoothly and steadily, the mud and water on the ground still splashed up, so after running a short distance, Rui Bo was once again splattered with some rainwater and mud

Reibo was not concerned about this; in fact, it was precisely the topic he excelled in. Eckert had once mentioned a peculiar business method from which Mr. Hyde had made a substantial profit. However, due to the high risks involved, he never engaged in it again. This business, from one perspective, could be seen as a form of fraud, yet from another perspective, it was entirely legal. Initially, Reibo spent a full two days trying to understand this peculiar business method.

The words of Baroness O'Neill were such that even her husband felt it was inappropriate to say them in this context. He smiled, genuinely wanting to step forward and smooth things over, but his wife shot him a cold glare, forcing his words back.

Reibo let out a long sigh and urged the horse to move forward

During this period, Baron Longna evidently devoted considerable effort to investigating the character of Lord Kewai Eile Egrete Haide. The results of his investigation were quite satisfactory to him

The Duke of Foucault is indeed a true lover of horses, who in France does not know this? said the fat man.

Moreover, as you can see, the metal used to forge this ring is mythril, a divine metal so rare that even our esteemed King does not possess such a ring. The only mythril in His Majesty's possession is sufficient to cast a flat disc with a diameter of half a centimeter. Our King has set that piece of mythril into the ring, wearing it on the ring finger of his right hand, alongside the renowned 'Heart of the Angel' ruby ring

"But you are, after all, his only heir; the title of Count will eventually be passed on to you and your son," the fat man interjected.

The beautiful young lady blinked her eyes, trying hard to recall, but after all, that was a matter from seven years ago, when she was only eleven years old and did not understand things.