Mystery: The New Dark Emperor Arrives

Chapter 572 The drama of seizing power on Changwei Island
Hobert did indeed completely take back the governance of Long Tail Island at the same time as the light bulb was released.

This will start from the beginning of June. The deadline for the third round of rubber acquisition has arrived, but the Lord's Palace of Longwei Island asked the manor owners to wait before sending rubber here on the grounds of maintaining the equipment of the rubber processing plant.

The manor owners were also surprised that the so-called processing plant only had some stoves and iron pots, so why did it need maintenance?

But they soon learned that it was they who needed "maintenance" because Hobert began ordering debt collection.

The first people to be pursued for debt by the lord's government were the opportunists.

After several manor owners obtained loans from Hobert, several of them teamed up to go to other islands to purchase rubber at low prices, preparing to sell it to the lord's mansion at 1.5 times the market price.

This is almost an open secret.

Forsi, who was based on Longwei Island, remained indifferent.

It wasn't until these people transported a large amount of rubber back to Longtail Island that Fors told them that the Governor's Palace would recover their 3000-pound loan in advance because they had seriously defaulted.

The contract made it very clear that the loan could only be used for growing rubber!
In the event of default, the Governor-General has the right to immediately withdraw the loan.

The manor owners were also panicked. In addition to using the loans to purchase rubber, they also invested all their savings. They had no money to repay the loans.

So they asked to sell the rubber first and then repay the loan.

Forsi's reply was: deal with your breach of contract first, and then talk about the acquisition of rubber.I'll give you 3 days. After 3 days, we will arrest the people and use your fixed assets to pay off the debts.

The manor owners hurriedly went to borrow money, but during this period everyone was frantically planting rubber trees, and no one had cash in their hands.

Then they hurriedly contacted the rubber buyers, hoping to cash in the rubber in their hands. However, they contacted two rubber buyers by telegram, and they both said that they did not need large-scale rubber transactions for the time being.

Three days later, Freya and the security guards came to arrest the man. The manor owners had no choice but to use their rubber plantations, villas, slaves, etc. to pay off the debt.

This kind of fixed assets usually come with a discount, and it is now up to Fors to decide how much discount to use.

After looking at it on the spot, Fors gave a conclusion ranging from 4% to 8% off. The main criterion for reaching this conclusion is the way they treat slaves.

The more brutally they treated their slaves, the more severe the discount Forsi would give them.

Those whose final fixed assets were less than 3000 pounds had to use the rubber they purchased to pay off their debts.

There are only two large rubber plantations on Longwei Island worth several thousand pounds. The other rubber plantations are not big and are only worth two to three thousand pounds. After such a discount, there will not be much left.

But using rubber to pay debts is definitely not calculated at 1.5 times the market price, but at 3% of the market price.

If you are unwilling to accept this method of debt repayment, then I'm sorry, the Governor's Mansion will arrest people, because these manor owners have seriously breached their contract, and all their assets will be confiscated.

At this time, the Governor's Mansion, or Hobert, suddenly showed a violent side, and several manor owners suddenly realized that they were not at the same level as Hobert in terms of strength.

Hobert just didn't use this method before, but now he started to use it, and he used it with reason.

As a last resort, these manor owners had to use their own assets to pay off their debts.

The Governor's Palace immediately received 6 rubber plantations and a large amount of rubber.

The default problem has been solved, and now the Governor's Office can purchase the rubber in their hands. However, because they have a serious record of breach of contract and are on the Government's distrust list, they can only buy it at a 4% discount on the market price.

Of course they were unwilling to sell and went to Bayam to contact other acquirers.

After solving the problems of these speculators, the sight of the Governor's Mansion, or Hobert's sight, turned to the other manor owners.

The Governor's Office has not purchased everyone's rubber for the time being, citing too much rubber to pay off debts. However, their loan has also expired and needs to be repaid immediately.

The previous loan contract clearly stipulated that as soon as the rubber trees began to produce gum, the Governor-General had the right to recover the loan.

Unlike the previous rubber saplings, the new rubber saplings will produce glue within half a month after planting. Although the amount is small, if the rubber saplings produce glue, according to the provisions of the contract, the Lord's Palace has the right to recover the loan.

These manor owners are not very panic at this time, because these manor owners all have some backgrounds, either as officials of Byam or looking after the manor for the wealthy people of Backlund.

They immediately sent reports to their respective masters, requesting part of the funds to repay the loans, and at the same time contacted rubber purchasers to sell the rubber in their hands.

These estate owners first discovered that the rubber in their hands could not be sold.

After much understanding, they soon learned that there were two main reasons why the rubber could not be sold. The first was that Earl Hobert purchased rubber on a large scale in Backlund some time ago, which resulted in a slight premium for the rubber.

At that time, major rubber buyers began to purchase rubber to supplement Backlund's rubber.

But Backlund's rubber market was only that big, and it was quickly filled up with the influx of rubber. The acquirer now had a batch of rubber in his hands.

The second reason is that the six speculative manor owners on Longwei Island have just purchased a large amount of rubber on other islands, making rubber suddenly a relatively popular bulk trade.

The purchasers were afraid that the price of rubber would rise, so they purchased another batch of rubber some time ago.

Therefore, the rubber in the hands of the acquirers is enough for them to complete normal transactions for more than half a year.

Such purchasers generally run a variety of large-scale businesses and cannot invest all their money in rubber, so they basically will not continue to invest in rubber.

Bayam's investors are most exposed to large-scale transactions of this type of raw materials.They all know that generally the supply of this kind of raw material exceeds demand.

Although the price of rubber has increased now, the entire rubber market is only so big, and the price will definitely drop in the near future!So no one among investors is willing to buy rubber.

So in the current rubber market of the Rhoside Islands, the estate owners on other islands except Longtail Island have sold all their stocks!
The price of rubber also seems to have increased due to shortage of supply, but there have been no large transactions on rubber in the past week!
Those manor owners who had previously had speculative ideas were anxious. They waited in Bayam for several days, but only waited for a transaction of 300 pounds, and they had to transport the rubber to Bayam.

They have now become very poor and cannot even meet their normal living expenses. They can only sell it to the Governor's Palace at a 4% discount on the previous market price.

After operating on Longtail Island for so many years, they finally left one after another with only a few hundred pounds to more than 1000 pounds.

Some of the original pirates began to recruit troops again, preparing to return to their old business.

Some of the wanted criminals in the Loen Kingdom went to other islands to look for opportunities.

Most of them are quite open-minded. Since they plan to do speculative business, they will either make a fortune or lose nothing!
The most indispensable thing in the Rhoside Islands is the drama of getting rich overnight and falling back into poverty overnight.

In the end, Hobert used a loan of 18000 pounds and about 5000 pounds in cash to obtain 6 rubber plantations and a large amount of rubber at a discount of about 3.5% from the market price.

In total, it is equivalent to using 23000 pounds to buy about 28000 pounds of rubber at the market price, and also got 6 rubber plantations.

This batch of rubber is enough for Backlund to use for a while.

Those manor owners who had not engaged in speculative transactions were also a little panicked at this time. The Governor's Mansion only gave them three days, but they got the news that the rubber in their hands could not be cashed in!
The noble people behind them are also hesitant to continue investing.

When they planted rubber trees before, those noble people had already invested once. In the next few months, there may not be many transactions in the rubber market.

The key is that they don't only own such a manor, and now this manor requires another 3000 pounds to operate normally.

This amount of money is enough to buy another small rubber plantation like this.

Just when they were hesitating, the debt collectors from the Governor's Mansion came and, without any explanation, used the rubber plantations to pay off the debts.

Some rubber plantations were not the property of the manor owners, but the Governor-General had the power to use them to pay debts, and finally sent a notice to the real owner of the manor.

This made the group of people behind the manor owner very angry. Although the Governor's Mansion had such power, it usually didn't use it easily. Who knew that doing so would offend that powerful man?

But the Governor's Mansion of Longwei Island did just that, and the notice it sent out was quite tough.

Most people were annoyed because they found that there was nothing they could do about the Governor's Mansion on Long Tail Island, which was the territory of Earl Hobert and was not under Bayam's jurisdiction.

Legally speaking, Hobert's boss is only one person, and that is King George III!

But he was still somewhat popular. In some social situations, Backlund denounced Hobert's atrocities on Longtail Island.

It was also at this time that everyone learned that while selling light bulbs, Hobert was also doing so many great things on Longtail Island.

No matter how much they discussed, it was of no use. In the end, Hobert used the loan of 54000 pounds to get 18 rubber estates.

Different from the previous 18000 pounds, this 54000 pounds is extremely watery!
First of all, these 18 manor owners each spent between 4000 pounds and 6000 pounds on their investment in new rubber trees, plus loans from the Governor's Mansion.

But the potion sold to them for 10 pounds actually cost only 5 souli, which was one-fortieth of the selling price.

Selling them saplings for 30 pounds each cost only 1 pound.

They thought they were trading with people from the Church of the Mother Earth, but in fact it was Hobert's subordinates who were selling them.

So most of these people's investments actually went into Hobert's pocket.

When their investment was used to pay off their debts, they used ungrown rubber trees to pay off their debts, each worth only 3 pounds.

Hobert is equivalent to using the financial and human resources of these estate owners to nearly triple the rubber planting area on Longtail Island!In the end, I made a profit.

This was the main reason for the irritation of those people.

Just when Backlund started talking about Hobert, Hobert's action against Longtail Island was not over yet.

At present, there are only three rubber plantations that belong to individuals on Longwei Island. One belongs to an adventurer named Anolin. When everyone was going crazy because of the discount offered by the Governor's Mansion, he calmly noticed that since A contract was signed for the loan from the Governor's Mansion, but no contract was signed for the purchase of rubber, so he did not make an investment beyond his ability.

The other two are large estates worth 7000 pounds and 8000 pounds respectively. Although they have made large investments in the past month and a half, they have not received loans from the Governor's Palace!
Hobert would not be able to do anything to them. On June 6, the Governor-General issued a decree regarding slaves on Long Tail Island.

In accordance with Loen's relevant decrees, Hobert gave all the indigenous people on Longwei Island the status of residents of Longwei Island.

If you want to employ the residents of Longwei Island, you need to have a clear employment relationship, you need to provide food and shelter for the residents, and you need to pay the salary directly to the residents. Anyone who robs them in any form is committing a crime of robbery!
Throughout the whole day, the manor owners and mine owners were confused, because they had never heard of such an amazing decree in the Rhoside Islands!
Of course, the most confused ones are the slave traders on Longtail Island. They are all residents. How can they make money?

Then the next day, June 6, the Governor's Office announced the tax law of Longtail Island.

Starting next month, whether it is rubber plantations or iron ore or copper mines, they must pay taxes in accordance with the relevant regulations in the Loen Kingdom's "Tax Law".

Self-employed individuals on this island are also required to pay taxes in accordance with the relevant Personal Income Tax Regulations.

Someone discovered that the income level of local indigenous people was basically not included in these tax regulations.

As soon as this decree came out, everyone seemed to suddenly realize that legally speaking, everything on Longtail Island belonged to the private property of Earl Hobert.

In other words, whether the assets in their hands were purchased or planted or developed by their own organization, the ownership is in the hands of the earl.

The remaining manors and minerals are basically the properties of some nobles.One of them sent a telegram to the Governor's Palace on Longtail Island: Are you serious?
In fact, they want to ask: You are driving away investment in Changwei Island. Do you know that this will lead to the isolation of Changwei Island?

Hobert asked the Governor's Mansion to reply: Very serious!

In other words: crystal clear.

So those nobles sold the properties of Longwei Island to the Governor's Mansion at a low price.

The reason why they took action was not out of frustration, but because the cost of production on Longtail Island was too high. You must know that if slaves were paid wages, the long-term cost would be two to three times that of similar industries on other islands!
Just out of cost calculations, they have to leave.

In the end, only the manor owner named Anolin remained in the entire private property of Longwei Island.

He actually said that he was willing to pay wages to the residents of Longtail Island and was also willing to accept the "Tax Law" promulgated by Hobart.

When discussing this matter with Fors, Anolin said: "In the Northern Continent, this is just the most basic requirement for human rights, but the manor owners in the Rhoside Islands are so surprised, which is very strange. funny!"

After Hobert learned that Anolin usually provided slaves with enough food and shelter to live in wooden sheds, he decided to purchase the manor from him for 5000 pounds.

For this reason, Hobert personally talked to him once: "The price I gave is already higher than the market price. You can buy a medium-sized rubber plantation with this money.

"What I need to explain to you is that I must take back the governance of your manor for overall management."

He said meaningfully: "You are the only person who escaped unharmed in this operation."

Anolin, who is in his 40s and has a beard on his upper lip, thought for a while before saying: "Mr. Earl, I am very curious about what Longtail Island will look like in the future. After selling the rubber plantation, I can continue to stay on this island." What?"

"Of course." Hobert smiled and said, "You can even join us, but you will need to undergo certain training and practice in some positions for a period of time."

"That would be my honor." Anolin said respectfully, "I am willing to sell my rubber plantation."

After the conversation ended, Hobert personally sent Anolin out, asked the financial staff to pay him the money as soon as possible, and asked the staff of the human resources department to arrange his training.

After sending Anolin away, Hobert and Fors began to calculate the total cost of regaining power behind closed doors.

"The first is Anolin's 5000 pounds." Hobert commented: "This is the most valuable money spent in this operation."

Forsi sat on the Governor's leather chair and began recording expenses.

"The other is the 26000 pounds spent on acquiring those mines and the two large rubber plantations." Hobert stood at the desk and commented: "Speaking of which, these nobles evacuated really neatly. I originally thought Scrape another layer of oil from them."

They probably sold off their property on Longtail Island at a discount of 5% to 6% off.

After Forsi recorded the second expense, he also said, "The reason why the nobles don't take the industry of Longwei Island seriously is probably because they have too many industries like this."

She sighed: "As you said, the difference between nobles and ordinary people is never their clothing and conversation, but their accumulation."

Hobert smiled: "Our lord's wife also has good political qualities."

Forsi also smiled slightly and accepted her husband's praise calmly.

"Let's continue." Hobert said: "The total loan issued is 72000 pounds, and the cost of purchasing discounted rubber is 5000 pounds.

"In addition, the iron ore and copper ore purchased in the past month and a half totaled about 16000 pounds."

This is to stabilize the necessary expenses of the manor owners and the mine owners. Only by continuing to purchase ore normally and creating an illusion that the money of the Governor's Mansion seems to be endless, can the manor owners feel free to get into Hobart. A trap designed for them.

The next step is for Hobert to find a way to get the money back, and then devalue the iron ore and copper mines before acquiring them.

However, because the nobles withdrew quickly, they did not give Hobert such a chance.

Therefore, the last group of nobles who evacuated did not actually lose much money.

Hobert said: "The last amount of money was for the medicine and saplings purchased from Bishop Jyoti. How much did it cost?"

Forsi flipped through the account book: "A total of 2360 rubber saplings and 3200 doses of medicine were sold.

"The total cost was 3160 pounds."

Hobert nodded: "Okay, this is the total cost, you can calculate the total."

Forsi quickly calculated: "122160 pounds."

"12 pounds!" Hobert smiled with emotion.

Then he added: "Let's calculate how much money was returned by using the extraordinary potion and rubber saplings."

Forsi calculated on the draft paper and said: "Each sapling will return 29 pounds, so 2360 trees equals 68440 pounds.

"Each dose of medicine returns 9 pounds 15 solers, and 3200 doses equals 31200 pounds.

"A total of 99640 pounds were returned."

Hobert sat on the large desk, glanced at Forsi's plump chest, and then picked up the papyrus: "So, I spent a total of more than 2 pounds to get the governance of Longtail Island. This time The operation was quite successful.”

If his plan can continue, he may be able to control the entire Longtail Island without spending a penny. Fors has no doubt about this.Then Hobert asked: "About how much money have we invested in the construction of Longtail Island?"

Fors dug out the accounts compiled by the financial staff from the relevant documents: "About 32000 pounds. In addition to the construction of the factory, there are also wages for civil servants, wages paid to slave traders, and workers and civil servants. food and necessary expenses.”

"I have contacted Upton." Hobert said: "Recently, we are planning to build a foundry, a machinery factory, an weapons factory and other factories with a certain industrial level on Longwei Island."

In the future, he plans to move the production of light bulbs and wires to Longtail Island.

In addition, since we have started electricity-related industries, we cannot only make light bulbs.

At present, relevant workers and technicians are unwilling to come to remote places like Longwei Island, but that will not be the case next year.

Forsi nodded: "I will make relevant plans with Conrad."

Hobert went to the wine cabinet and got a bottle of good wine and two glasses: "The next step is to fully take over Long Tail Island."

He smiled: "Conrad has been impatient for a long time."

As he spoke, he poured two glasses of wine and handed one of them to Forsi.

Forsi looked at the wine glass in a daze.

Hobert took a sip of wine: "What's wrong?"

Forsi looked at Hobert: "I just thought that you seem to be drinking more and more frequently recently."

Hobert had always been very temperate before.

Hobert spread his hands and smiled helplessly: "I am the 'Degenerate Earl'. Drinking more wine can be regarded as a kind of 'degeneration'."

Forsi was relieved: it turned out to be an act.

She knew that compared to other nobles, Hobert was actually very restrained. As he said, drinking too much was considered a "degeneration" for him.

After finishing their business, the two of them drank a few glasses of wine to celebrate the results of this operation.

Hobert sat on a chair and held Forsi in his arms. He thought about the future of Longtail Island in the office, and then returned to Backlund.

Because of everything that happened on Longtail Island, Backlund's public opinion was very unfavorable to Hobert, and he wanted to solve this problem next.

Back in Backlund, Hobert poured himself another glass of wine and celebrated alone the digestion of his own potion in a series of actions on Long Tail Island.

The things he did on Long Tail Island were very immoral to all the powerful people. What Hobert didn't expect was that it made his potion digest well.

About three-quarters of it has been digested now, far exceeding his expectations.

Originally, he thought it might take next year to fully digest the potion, but now it seems that it might be able to be fully digested this year.

If we carry out some similar actions or some similar events, it may be digested faster.

When he came to the study, Hobert briefly calculated his recent expenses on Backlund.

Regarding the early use of electric lights, Hobert did not plan to make money. He hoped to popularize them in Backlund as soon as possible so that everyone would associate electric lights with Earl Hobert.

Therefore, the expenditures in this area were almost regardless of cost. Not only did they spend all the bounty from hunting "Pirate General" some time ago, but they also spent 10 pounds from the savings of "Disordered Country". In the end, they also spent about there.

It wasn't until light bulbs started to go on sale and deposits for batteries started to be collected that Hobert's finances in Backlund quickly recovered and he began planning to invest in surrounding cities.

There is no problem with Backlund's funds now, but the problem is how to solve the jealous problem of Backlund's nobles.

The key is that the nobles whose interests have been harmed in Longwei Island, as well as those nobles and wealthy people who want to participate in the light bulb business, now seem to be united.

They are taking advantage of what happened on Longwei Island to portray Hobert as a despicable villain who will do whatever it takes to make a profit and create appalling acts of robbery and robbery on Longwei Island!The people of Changwei Island suffered huge losses.

In a noble interaction a few days ago, Hobert had told Princess Alice that the case he had entrusted to the Queen had achieved some preliminary results, and he hoped that the Queen could fulfill her previous promise in advance.

Previously, the queen asked Hobert to investigate who had cursed Duke Bowen, but Hobert never started to investigate. Even the information the queen gave him was gathering dust in a drawer in the office.

Hobert's request was tantamount to asking the queen to fulfill her promise in advance.

The queen did not expect that what happened in the Rhoside Islands would actually affect Backlund's public opinion.

This is something that rarely happens, or it is difficult for a colony to affect the mother country. The queen even knew the approximate location of Longtail Island after looking at the chart.

Because Hobert's previous protection of Princess Alice gave the queen a deeper understanding of Hobert's abilities and confidence in the investigation he "conducted", so the queen decided to redeem her previous promise in advance.

So the queen held a small-scale palace dance on June 6.

The ball not only invited some earls and viscounts, but also barons and lords who had some criticisms of Hobert.

Of course, nobles such as Earl Hall, who has a good relationship with Hobert, and Duke Christine, who is now increasingly powerful in Backlund, were also invited.

This surprised the nobles who attacked Hobert in public opinion. It was obviously the queen who personally mediated between the two parties.

On the 25th, at the palace ball, Duke Christine shocked the nobles.

Although many barons and lords talked about Hobert in private, and some even spent money to publish some reports criticizing Hobert, but in front of big nobles like Christine or Earl Hall, they didn't even give a damn. Dare to let go.

The dance officially began, and the queen spoke to everyone, saying that Hobert had done some things on Longtail Island that were very fruitful for human rights and the legal construction of the Rhoad Islands.

This surprised many nobles. They did not expect that the queen was not here to mediate, but supported Hobert one-sidedly.

Next, the queen's speech implicitly warned the nobles that if they felt that they had suffered a loss on Longtail Island, they could ask Hobert for compensation, but in the Kingdom of Loen, such slander against an earl was not allowed.

This warning has made many people tremble. Originally, they were all ready to negotiate the terms with Hobert.

However, some nobles continue to wait and see. Now they are warning the nobles who slandered Hobert. They may also warn Hobert later.

Until Princess Alice invited Hobert to open the ball with her, all the nobles understood that the Queen and Princess Alice really fully supported Hobert.

In this case, unless the king is invited to come forward, it can be assumed that the entire royal family supports Hobert.

But how could the king come forward in such a matter?
Even if the king came forward and Hobert told everyone his legal principles on all the property on Longtail Island, everyone would have nothing to say.

Who makes Longwei Island’s situation special?
At this time, Alice was dancing with Hobert on the dance floor. She said, "In a moment, you can tell me the details of what happened on Long Tail Island. It sounds very exciting."

Hobert smiled: "I'm happy to oblige."

"I really envy you!" Alice said: "You have your own territory, and you can do whatever you want on that island."

Hobert smiled helplessly: "I'm not that free. If I could do whatever I wanted, those manor owners and slave traders would already be working hard on the construction site."

Alice was somewhat puzzled: "You seem to dislike the estate owners of the Rhoad Islands very much?"

"I just don't like the colonial method of Loen Kingdom." Hobert replied: "Or I don't like this colonial-style development."

"But this is how Emperor Russell made the Republic of Intis stronger."

"This method worked well in the past, but in the future we may have to suffer the bitter consequences of colonization." Hobert said: "Besides, Emperor Russell may not always be right."

Princess Alice smiled and said: "I just like your low-key arrogance!"

Since the last time they experienced something together in Ma Xi, the conversation between the two has become more and more casual.

After the dance, the two people each took a glass of wine from the waiter and began to chat about another thing in the corner.

Alice whispered: "According to your previous warning, I haven't done any investigation recently. I can feel that the surveillance on me has become less and less."

Hobert knew that she was talking about the investigation into the cause of Prince Edsac's death, so he smiled and said: "Slowing down some things will have unexpected effects."

Alice asked again: "Then what should I do next?"

If it were before, Hobert would definitely not express his opinion on this, but now the relationship between the two has become much closer.

At the same time, the queen and Alice really helped Hobert today. It was understandable that the queen helped. After all, they had made a promise before, and this was just an early fulfillment of the promise.

But Alice’s favor must be repaid.

Hobert thought about it and looked around. Although there were nobles paying attention, they didn't dare to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Don't worry." Alice said, "Since just now, I have activated the magical item that prevents eavesdropping. Among the guests today, only you and your son are demigods."

Alice has a magical item that prevents others from eavesdropping on conversations, but it can only prevent ordinary people and extraordinary people below demigods from eavesdropping.

Hobert thought about it for a while before saying: "Have you ever thought about it, your Royal Highness, that although the people from the Witch Church are serious suspects, the people who actually killed the prince might not be from the Witch Church!"

After Alice was slightly surprised, she immediately understood: "People from the royal family?"

The princess was very smart, but she was eager for revenge and did not think of this.

Since it is a cooperation between the Witch Church and the royal family, if there is a problem with this cooperation, it is very likely that the Witch Church will deal with the witch, and the royal family will deal with the "problematic" prince!

"It's not impossible." Hobert couldn't remember the specific details. He probably remembered that it seemed that someone from the royal family forced Prince Edsac to commit suicide.

Alice sighed: "I understand."

She smiled slightly: "I owe you a favor."

Hobert also smiled and said, "No, we are helping each other."

The intimate conversation between the two people made many nobles feel anxious. In their view, Princess Alice, who had always been aloof, talked to Hobert so enthusiastically, and continued to express her feelings for Hobert on this matter. support.

if not?Could it be that this princess fell in love with Hobert?

After the court ball, no noble dared to use the incident on Longtail Island as an excuse, and no noble dared to go to Hobert's mansion to demand compensation.

But Hobert knew that this was an excellent opportunity to build a community of interests!Returning to his Earl's Mansion, Hobert asked Dophis, who had recovered many memories, to prepare a dinner party.

The next day, Hobert went to work at MI[-] as usual.

Today he did not fish for fish, but searched in the drawer for a long time and found the information sent by the queen.

The queen has already "paid" in advance. Regardless of whether the matter is dangerous or not, she must investigate.

As the Queen said before, since Duke Bowen became ill last year, seven demigods have diagnosed him.

Their diagnosis was unanimous, that the Duke of Bowen was cursed.

But they used various methods to deal with the curse, but they had no effect at all.

After a brief reading, Hobert figured out many ways to solve the curse through some fragments of the demigod's "diagnosis", but it only enriched his knowledge, and the problem was still not solved.

At the end of the information, there are brief introductions to some political opponents and enemies provided by the Duke of Bowen himself.

After reading it over, Hobert still shook his head. It didn't seem like these political opponents and enemies were causing trouble. Take these political enemies as an example. They were all political enemies from a few years ago or decades ago. Some of them were even friends with their ancestors. grudges.

If they really had to use this method to kill people, they would have used it long ago. The key is that Hobert knows these nobles too well, not that they are so noble or upright.

Rather, they try not to get themselves into trouble.

Attacking the current queen's brother would most likely bring them huge trouble, and they would not take the risk.

As for those enemies, there are a few who may have such means.

Hobert took note of their information, and then decided to meet the Duke of Bowen privately to see if he could find any clues about him.

The first thing he thought of was to visit Duke Bowen at night, but he also wondered if the Duke had any anti-theft sealed items in his home.In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, it is better to notify in advance.

Because Hobert had no friendship with the Duke of Bowen, he simply wrote a letter to Princess Alice and asked her to help facilitate this private communication.

It's best to meet at night, preferably alone.

After writing the letter and sealing it with a wax seal, Hobert asked his secretary Charlene to run an errand and deliver it to Princess Alice in person.

Hobert knew that this secretary was sent by Georgina to look after him, and Georgina was loyal to the royal family, so she could feel free to let Charlene deliver letters to the royal family members.

As soon as Charlene left, Qionas, the director of the operations department, came over and started chatting with Hobert.

The two first chatted about the light bulb business, which is still very popular, and then Qionas mentioned that there was a cocktail party at the "East Balam Veterans Club" tonight, and he hoped that Hobert could go to it.

This is not the first time the club has issued an invitation. Hobert knows that this is someone from the military who wants to cooperate with him.

Because of Christine's relationship, Hobert has a military label. Of course, his first batch of cooperation partners will give priority to people from the military.

Hobert had refused to participate before, but now the time was just right, so he agreed to the invitation.

Qonas breathed a sigh of relief: This guy finally let go.

In the afternoon, Hobert got a reply from Princess Alice. At ten o'clock this evening, Duke Bowen met Hobert alone at the manor where he visited the Duke last time.

Hobert shook his head and smiled. The evening schedule is very full!
At about six o'clock, Hobert and Qunas came to the "East Balam Veterans Club".

After learning that Hobert was coming to attend, today's reception was particularly lively.

Many people came to inquire how the matter on Changwei Island was being handled. If it has not been handled yet, they were willing to provide some help.

In fact, they had been supporting Hobert before this. The officers who had been in the colony hated those nobles very much.

The profits they fought so hard for were divided up by these nobles who did nothing.

Because the Queen and Princess's dance to support Hobert was only held yesterday, the information had not spread yet. Everyone only found out today that the original problem had been solved, which made them a little disappointed because they lost a channel to cooperate with Hobert.

However, after the reception started, Hobert took the initiative and said: "I know why you invited me here today. Many of you are my elders. I won't say anything insincere to you.

"Today I brought 20% of the shares of the 'Earl's Light' light bulb factory. These shares require 60 pounds to purchase."

The reception immediately fell silent. 60 pounds was not a small amount of money in Backlund!

A year ago, Hobert wouldn't have dared to think of such a huge sum of money.

Even seven or eight months ago, he was still worried about the tens of thousands of pounds that Jeffrey had received.Five or six months ago, Hobert reached a deal with Sharon for 15 pounds. He was so happy that he could dream about rolling around on piles of money for several days.

But now, Hobert has exported 60 pounds, which makes him look like a multi-millionaire.

At this time, Amyrius, who was also attending the banquet and had been promoted to admiral, asked: "In such a short period of time, the 'Earl's Light' light bulb factory is already worth 300 million pounds?"

Hobert smiled and said: "You may have overlooked a very important thing. Let me take the first day of light bulb sales as an example.

"There were more than 36000 reservations that day, and almost everyone paid a £10 deposit."

Everyone took a deep breath. In other words, on that day alone, the income of "Earl's Light" was as high as 36 pounds!No wonder Hobert asked for 60 pounds as soon as he opened his mouth!

(End of this chapter)