my pokemon player

Chapter 113 Sorry, I refuse!
"I still know something about your previous merchant alliance, but this is the first time I've heard of this business mutual aid association. Can Director Locke explain to me what this business mutual aid association is about?"

Ryan asked.

"No problem. In fact, there is no difference between the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchant Alliance in essence. They are all for mutual help and concentration of scattered forces."

"I don't need to say much about the achievements of the Merchant Alliance. It is no exaggeration to say that the influence of our Merchant Alliance in the southeast region is greater than that of Poseidon. Lord Ryan must agree with this."

Locke's tone was full of confidence.

Ryan didn't refute. Locke was indeed telling the truth. Not to mention Poseidon Temple, the Merchant Alliance's influence in the southeast region was greater than that of their nobles.

But Locke is very smart. Facing the baron Ryan, he did not compare the merchant alliance with the aristocratic class, but found another force, the Temple of the Sea God, so as not to cause Ryan's unhappiness.

After seeing Ryan nod, Locke continued:

"Of course, I don't say these words to brag, nor to show off. On the contrary, we are very self-aware of ourselves."

"After so many years of development, we have realized a truth. The alliance will never be able to get out of this southeast corner only by relying on the power of businessmen. Only by uniting the power of more people can we break through this cage."

"The Merchant Alliance is just a union between merchants, and the results are so remarkable. If nobles like you are added, our alliance will undoubtedly be even stronger!"

Locke's voice became louder and louder, and his expression became more and more excited.

"So we will change the Merchant Alliance into a Business Mutual Aid Association. In addition to you nobles, we will also contact the Poseidon Temple to gather everyone's strength, and then..."

"And then, like 13 years ago, the Earl led his army to beat him outside Guanhai City?"

Ryan directly interrupted Locke's speech.

"Forehead"

Locke's voice suddenly stopped, and he didn't know what to say for a moment, with an embarrassed expression on his face.

Why did this Baron Ryan not save any face, and directly exposed their shortcomings.

Being beaten out of the city by the army led by the earl has always been something that members of the merchant alliance avoid talking about, but these nobles talk about it all day long and mock them.

The key is that they can't refute it because it's the truth.

Thirteen years ago, their Merchant Alliance thought it was developing very well, and they were not satisfied with only occupying one Guanhai City. Seeing that other territories were fighting each other, they were unwilling to be lonely and set up ideas for surrounding territories.

They first promised a lot of benefits to the surrounding lords, took a financial offensive, and wanted to occupy the surrounding towns by evading the lords of Guanhai City.

But the lords directly rejected it. The fate of the lord of Guanhai City is vivid, how could other lords be fooled.

Seeing that they were too soft, the Merchant Alliance prepared to take tough measures. They spent money to hire a large number of Warcraft envoys, and then led them to attack the surrounding territories.

Since Yinghuo Town was closer to them, it naturally became their target.

While preparing for the battle, Ryan's father sent someone to the earl for help, as did other lords.

The Merchant Alliance didn't know whether they were overconfident in their own strength, or they really didn't have commanding talents. They actually divided their forces to attack various territories, hoping to swallow up all the surrounding towns in one go.

Originally, the strength of those mercenaries was not as good as that of the knights in the territory. With their large numbers, they still had the strength to fight. As a result, the merchant alliance directly cut off one of its arms.

This made Ryan's father very happy. He led the knights to attack and beat the mercenaries so that they were stunned and unable to fight back. This battle also established Ryan's father's reputation.

The people in the Merchant Alliance were not stupid either. They quickly realized their mistake and quickly gathered all the mercenaries. They also spent money to find some Warcraft envoys and prepared to gather all their strength to take down Yinghuo Town first. .

Faced with a large number of Warcraft envoys, Ryan's father could only retreat to Yinghuo Town, and at the same time made preparations for a deadly battle.

Fortunately, Earl Cross of the southeastern province rushed over with his army in time, and reinforcements from other territories also arrived one after another.

The mercenaries of the Merchant Alliance were naturally no match for the knights. They were defeated as soon as they met. Count Cross led his army directly to the outside of Guanhai City.

This frightened the merchant alliance and made them feel aggrieved at the same time.

Why are you no one caring about the fierce fighting among the nobles? We didn't even take down a small town, and you are overwhelmed by an army. It's not fair!

The nobles said that no matter how hard we fight, it is still an internal matter of the nobles. When will it be the turn of despicable businessmen like you to intervene? Just pay the taxes honestly and that's it. Do you really take yourself seriously?

If the lord of Guanhai City hadn't surrendered and openly recognized the legitimacy of your merchant alliance in Guanhai City, we would have fought here long ago.

After being beaten violently by the nobles, the merchant alliance finally recognized its own strength, apologized obediently, paid a large amount of compensation to the nobles, and made a promise that it would never use force to invade other territories again.

For the sake of gold coins, the nobles didn't bother them. After all, they had to rely on these businessmen to pay taxes, so they couldn't kill them all with one blow.

So after receiving compensation, the nobles withdrew their troops one after another, and the merchant alliance also escaped and became particularly honest from then on.

Even if the kingdom promulgated laws that were unfavorable to businessmen, they accepted them silently, not even daring to say a few words of complaint.

But this humiliating battle is not without any benefits. At least it made the merchants realize the importance of cultivating their own armed forces. Mercenaries are really unreliable.

Not only were their combat power very weak, but they were also just grassroots. Seeing that the merchant alliance lost power, they immediately turned around and robbed them. They smashed, looted and burned the shops, which was quite similar to the behavior of black people from a certain country in their previous lives.

Therefore, they have recruited many Warcraft envoys in the past few years and set up the so-called guards, which nominally protect their safety when they go out to buy and sell goods, but are actually their personal armed forces.

After having its own armed forces, the Merchant Alliance has also become more rigid. Although they still dare not show shame to the nobles, they are not polite to civilians and Warcraft envoys.

In the past few years, because there were a few Warcraft envoys who hadn't paid the toll, they just mobilized all their strength to chase and kill them. The purpose was to show their strength and get back the lost face.

But in the eyes of the nobles, the behavior of these merchants is as funny as the long-tailed monsters in the circus, and they would laugh at them from time to time about the fact that the merchant alliance was beaten to the gate of the city.

It was not mentioned much until the royal family's power gradually declined in recent years, and the nobles were busy fighting each other.

Unexpectedly, this Baron Lane was so young, but he was so clear about this matter, which made Locke very embarrassed.

In fact, Ryan didn't know much about this matter at first, but someone did. White personally participated in the war against the Merchant Alliance back then, and followed Ryan's father and Earl Cross all the way to Guanhai City. He knew this very well. But that's all.

A few days ago, White saw that Ryan was looking for information on various forces, so he told Ryan about the glorious history of him and Ryan's father.

Ryan also understood this matter so clearly through White's description.

And this can also explain why White, who has always been stable and mature, was so angry when he heard Andy's provocation, and he wanted to do it directly.

Originally, he had no good impression of the Merchant Alliance because of the war more than ten years ago, but he was provoked by his defeated general again. White could not bear this anger. He didn't draw his sword directly, so he had a good temper.

"Director Locke, don't care, I'm just joking, but I can't figure it out. You have clearly learned a painful lesson, why do you still want to be contaminated by the power of the nobles?"

"Could it be that more than ten years have erased your memory? Or do you think that our nobles are busy fighting among themselves and won't be as united as before?"

Ryan's tone was very flat, but what he said was very aggressive.

"No, no, no, you may have misunderstood. Our Chamber of Commerce has absolutely no intention of tainting the power of the aristocracy. We just want to have some business cooperation with you."

Locke quickly waved his hands and denied that the blame thrown by Ryan was too big, and he did not dare to bear it.

"Business cooperation? What are the specific contents?"

Ryan asked with interest. In fact, he knew that these businessmen did not dare to unscrupulously contaminate the power in the hands of the nobles. He said those words just to scare Locke and take the initiative in the conversation.

Locke was indeed frightened by Ryan's words. He stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point:

"After you join the Chamber of Commerce, you will receive our full support. Whether it is funds, materials or Warcraft, we can provide it."

"In addition, as our partner, we are naturally obliged to ensure your safety. You also know that we have an elite escort team in Guanhai City, and they can be used by you when necessary."

After hearing Locke's words, Ryan was indeed a little moved. He is currently short of money. With the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce, the school and Pokémon center he planned can be built.

As for the escort at the back, Ryan wasn't very interested.

Although Locke's expression was very cryptic, Ryan knew what he meant. Didn't he just want to use the escort to conquer other territories?

But the army of players in the future is no weaker than these guards, not to mention that if other nobles know that he borrowed the power of a merchant, they will definitely regard him as a traitor and exclude him from the circle of nobles.

"It sounds good, but don't just talk about the benefits, you have to mention the costs as well."

Ryan knew very well that from ancient times to the present, businessmen have always been willing to pay so much profit because they must want to get something from Ryan.

"You are too serious, the price is not worth mentioning, but you need to bear some small obligations."

"For example, when Guanhai City is attacked, you have to send knights to protect us. Also, members who have joined the Chamber of Commerce cannot attack each other. Of course, you can still attack territories that have not joined the Chamber of Commerce. We We will fully support you.”

"In addition, since we are already partners, it is natural to exchange what we have and reduce some commercial obstacles. When we buy and sell goods in your territory in the future, I hope you can exempt us from taxes. What's more?"

"Okay, shut up first."

Ryan interrupted Locke angrily.

Good guy, this can be called a small obligation. At the very beginning, it deprived him of his two most important powers, the power of war and the power of taxation, and even talked about nonsense cooperation. These businessmen are just trying to make a fuss. He's here.

It seems that these guys have learned a lot and know not to blatantly occupy the territory of the nobles, so they have begun to use the form of mutual aid associations to evade them step by step.

"Are you treating us nobles as fools? With your request, it is impossible for nobles to agree to join any mutual aid association."

"You are a bit arbitrary. In fact, there is already a baron who wants to join our chamber of commerce."

Ryan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he heard this. Is there really a fool who would agree to such a request?

"Who joined? Could it be Baron Lancaster from Rose Town in the north?"

Ryan immediately thought of the famous "Baron Rose". He is a loyal follower of the Merchant Alliance. If he was not afraid of losing the protection of the noble circle, he might have completely surrendered to Guanhai City.

"No, it's Baron Bach of Ironthorn Town." Locke replied.

"Baron Bach? How is this possible?"

Ryan was a little unbelievable. In his memory and impression, Baron Bach had always been a hardliner. He would fight against Yinghuo Town for some mineral resources. How could he hand over the power of war and taxation.

"Nothing is impossible, and it was Baron Bach who took the initiative to ask us for cooperation. We only came up with the idea of ​​establishing the Chamber of Commerce after receiving his request."

Locke explained.

The instigator who co-authored this Chamber of Commerce is Baron Bach, but it doesn't make sense, why should he rush to hand over the power in his hand, unless there is a greater interest that prompts him to do so.

Thinking of this, Ryan asked:
"In addition to him and me, the target of Director Locke's trip is Baron Lancaster of Rose Town?"

"Sir Ryan, there is no need to test me. I will tell the truth. Baron Bach only proposed cooperation to us in order to occupy Rose Town, and we will fully support him."

Sure enough, only territory has such a powerful temptation that Baron Bach is willing to give up the power in his hands.

It’s just that Ryan thought Bach’s target would be Firefly Town, but he didn’t expect that what he really wanted to capture was Rose Town.

"You actually gave up Rose Town? Baron Lancaster has always followed your example."

"That adult is indeed very supportive of us, but his potential is too poor, and he won't provide us with much benefit in the future. It's better to use it in exchange for a stronger partner."

"Besides, Rose Town has just changed its owner, and our interests have not been harmed."

Locke replied in a cold tone.

"Not only has it not been damaged, but it will increase. After all, you still have to pay taxes when you go to Qiangwei Town to buy and sell goods, but after Bach occupies Qiangwei Town, you don't have to pay taxes."

Ryan sneered.

"It's just mutual benefit."

"You win together, and the sacrifice is for Baron Lancaster's interests. Having said that, aren't you afraid of Baron Bach's breach of contract? Do you really believe that he will listen to you honestly?"

"We have always trusted our partners, but in order to avoid some unexpected situations, we have to sign an agreement before cooperation. In case something bad happens, we will make this agreement public."

Locke took out a pre-drawn agreement from his backpack and handed it to Ryan.

Ryan took it and threw it on the table without looking at it.

"This is a good move. After the agreement is announced, the aristocratic circle will naturally no longer agree with him, and you can justifiably attack him."

"But have you ever thought about how strong he will become after occupying other territories? With those guards who are essentially mercenaries, are you really sure that you can defeat him?"

"Even if we are sure to defeat him, what if he refuses to admit his debt in the end? Your merchants have a bad reputation here. If he is willing to cede some of his interests, I believe there will still be many nobles who will help him. .”

After hearing Ryan's analysis, Locke was secretly surprised. He didn't expect Ryan to see the problem so thoroughly. No wonder he managed the territory in an orderly manner at a young age.

It seems that this negotiation will not be so easy.

Locke still maintained a calm look and said:
"Of course we know this. Not everyone can be as honest as us, so..."

"That's why you came to me. As long as I also join the Chamber of Commerce, Bach and I will be able to restrain each other. You must have investigated the relationship between Yinghuo Town and Tiethorn Town and know that we are inseparable. It is impossible to Let’s work together to deal with you.”

Ryan replied.

"Yes, this is also an important reason why we are looking for you to cooperate. According to our latest evaluation, your potential is no worse than that of Baron Bach. In my personal opinion, you are even a little better than him, so we are sincerely I want to work with you.”

Locke still kept a faint smile on his face.

"In that case, I have to thank the last beast swarm. I guess you also learned that we successfully resisted the last beast swarm, so you think we have the potential to compete with Ironthorn Town."

"Otherwise, our Firefly Town will be treated like a gift to Baron Bach, just like Rose Town."

Locke didn't speak when he heard the words, but just smiled, which was equivalent to acquiescing to Ryan's assumption.

"Then here comes the problem. In order to win over Baron Bach, you gave him Qiangwei Town in a disguised form."

"And I am quite important to you, right? What price are you prepared to pay to win me over?"

Ryan picked up the agreement and said.

"Let me make it clear first that we did not give Rose Town to Baron Bach. Rose Town needs Baron Bach to lead his own troops to occupy Rose Town. At most, we will provide him with some material support."

"And it's not without cost. He will sell the iron stone mountain's minerals to us at a relatively low price."

After emphasizing this point, Locke continued:
"Of course, as I said before, your potential is greater than that of Baron Bach in my opinion, so we will increase our investment in you."

"In addition to the previously promised funds and supplies, we will also train you Warcraft envoys to enhance the combat power of your territory. If you have any objections to taxes, we can also pay taxes. These are all negotiable."

"In addition, if Baron Bach really violates the agreement as you said, we will attack him together with you. After defeating him, the territory will be divided equally between our two families. What do you think?"

After Locke finished speaking, he looked at Ryan confidently. He believed that no one would refuse such a generous offer.

"Your conditions are indeed very attractive."

Ryan said.

Locke was overjoyed when he heard this, and the smile on his face became even brighter. It seemed that this cooperation was going to be successful.

Before he was happy, he heard Ryan go on to say:

"But sorry, I refuse!"

"What if you agree? You refuse?"

Locke's smile suddenly froze on his face.

No, why would you refuse? !

　Let me go, why didn't it succeed on time? Fortunately, I looked at the Writer's Assistant before going to the toilet. I might as well publish it manually. The update of [-] words was successfully completed, and there will be today's [-] words in the evening.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)