Chapter 879 — Seepage
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 4
The space was large, eye-catching and lavish; placing such an advertisement must have cost no small sum.
"Even The Gentlemen's Weekly is beginning to carry advertisements from Cecil merchants," Grand Duke Pei Yi said with a touch of helplessness. "In the old days, who would have dared imagine such a thing?"
"This is probably the age of economic openness..." the steward chimed in with his master's theme. "They say our merchants have opened many shops in Xuanyao City too... As long as the magic-energy trains keep racing along the border lines, there will only be more and more of this. After all, no one quarrels with banknotes."
Duke Pei Yi listened to the steward, a thoughtful look on his face, but said nothing more.
...
"No one quarrels with banknotes." Viscount Hemir sat in a comfortable posture on the soft red sofa, gently swirling a glass of fine White Mountain wine. On his face was a cheerful, sunny smile—a smile that seemed infectious, capable of putting anyone who faced it in a good mood. "Of course, our old saying was that no one quarrels with gold coins—only the times have changed, Count Holmark."
A lean middle-aged gentleman with a high nose bridge and short blond hair clinging close to his scalp sat opposite Viscount Hemir. He too held a wine glass, but his posture was noticeably more upright and conservative than the younger Hemir's.
This was Holmark, a member of Aldernan high society and one of the economic ministers appointed by Luo Yan Augustus after the reordering of the Empire. Unlike Duke Seven, who was also an economic minister and charged with establishing the Imperial Bank, this earnest and cautious count was responsible for the Empire's external economic activities—since last year he had handled commercial negotiations with the Highland Kingdom and the Silver Empire, and had achieved considerable results.
"Paper currency has unique advantages—and, used properly, it can bind us and our commercial partners more tightly together." Count Holmark showed no displeasure at Viscount Hemir's somewhat flippant manner. As an seasoned socialite, he always faced any visitor with the most appropriate demeanor.
"Yes, our commercial partners," Viscount Hemir nodded, expressing his admiration with a touch of exaggeration. "I've heard of your commercial negotiations with the Silver Empire—a truly brilliant model of negotiation. Even from just a few written records, I must marvel at your quick thinking. I once dealt with some elves, and I know well how hard it is to change their thinking—they can be more elegant and friendly, more courteous, than any noble, but that doesn't mean they'll buy your goods."
"The Silver Empire is a hard fortress to storm, because their society has almost no need for Typhon's industrial products—advanced technology lets them live without worry, and they have a pride in their bones. But in the end our progress in the Highland Kingdom opened up the whole negotiation," Count Holmark said unhurriedly. "The elves do still need goods from the human empire, mainly enchanted paper and alchemical substrates... though on a far smaller scale than I had imagined."
"But at least it gives us one more trade route to the southern continent," Viscount Hemir said with a smile. "They say Cecil merchants are already doing business with the Auglei tribal kingdom, and even with the dwarves at the far west of the continent. In commerce, they're a step ahead of us."
"More than that," Holmark shook his head. "They even have ties with the Silver Empire."
Viscount Hemir's eyes widened in surprise.
"The Silver Empire? Cecil?" the young viscount could not help exclaiming. "How did they manage it? I mean... there's such a vast wasteland in between—not even a bird could cross it..."