Chapter 197 The Real "Philanthropist"
In the towering castle, the solemn hall, a young king sits on the throne at the end of the red carpet.
The tall arched windows shed soft winter sunlight, and the stained glass depicts the glorious history of the Campbell family. A cashmere red carpet stretched from the door to the Grand Duke's throne, surrounded by attendants and guards. The air was filled with the warmth of the stove, blending with the slightly fragrant candles.
This is the audience hall of the castle.
Kneeling on one knee at the other end of the red carpet, Jan Andes looked pious and solemn, and said in a respectful voice.
…Your Majesty, your loyal servant Jan Andes in Thunder City pays you the highest respect!”
Looking at the prostrate Andes, Edward, who was sitting on the throne, nodded happily and said with a bright smile on his face.
"Please get up, my loyal Mr. Andes, your contribution to the Campbell family and Thunder City is obvious to all, even if I am sitting in the castle, I have heard about it. I wonder what good news you brought today?"
This sentence is a question that is clearly understood.
Of course he knew why Andes came. As early as earlier today, the news reached his ears.
Of course Andes also knew this, but he looked surprised, thanked him respectfully, stood up and said.
"Your Majesty is really good at predicting things. I dare not tell you the good news, but I do have a treasure that I want to give to you."
As he spoke, he clapped his hands gently, and an accompanying servant came forward holding a square wooden box.
After getting the nod from Duke Edward, Andes took the wooden box from the servant and opened it himself.
The moment the wooden box was opened, a diamond as big as a pigeon egg immediately caught the eyes of everyone in the hall.
Handes' position was very deliberate. He stood just under the sunlight passing through the colored window, allowing the dim sunset to fall on the velvet cushion just right.
The bright light shines in the main hall.
Although he had already heard about the charm of this diamond, Edward could not help but be attracted by its dazzling appearance.
It’s so beautiful!
His index finger couldn't help but rub the armrest of the throne, and he wanted to have the craftsman set it in his crown right away!
Seeing the reaction of Archduke Edward, Andes was slightly relieved. So far, Colin Mining has been more than half successful.
As long as you conquer the Campbell royal family, you are equivalent to entering the noble circle of the Lion Kingdom, and this itself is the largest piece of cake along the Whirlpool Sea.
With half a million gold coins to buy this market, and at the same time gain the favor of the Grand Duke, this transaction is a huge profit.
Cleared his throat, Andes continued.
“…I saw this diamond at a charity gala. It was a gift from Mr. Roxey Colin to your sister Eileen Campbell and Thunder City. Its crystal clear, clear and shining brilliance made me think of you for the first time. So I didn’t hesitate. Even if it offends your vassals, I will take a photo of it and present it to the truly noble you.”
These words touched Edward's heart.
Even though he knew it was just a polite word, he couldn't help but feel slightly touched, just like the tipsy feeling after tasting the wine for the first time.
"You are serious, Mr. Andes. My ministers only want to share the glory of the Campbell family, but no one has thought that they should do something for our glory. You are the only one who has thought of this, and you are not just talking about it... I am very satisfied."
Looking at Andes who nodded respectfully, Edward Campbell nodded with a smile and continued in a pleasant tone.
ulating Ö Ö– • being the most dazzling embellishment on Campbell's crown, just like you and your family have been to me. ‘Andes acted as if he was flattered, knelt down on one knee again gratefully, put his right hand against his chest, and spoke from the bottom of his heart.
"It is the Andes family's honor to be able to share your worries."
Edward nodded lightly and said elegantly but with dignity.
"Please get up, I can see your loyalty, you don't need to prove it to me again and again."
He was very satisfied with the steward his father left for him.
Be rich, decent, and know how to advance and retreat... There are many people who can do one of these things, but few can do them all.
The heads of the Andean family seem to have this ability, and this seems to be the reason why they have been able to thrive for so long.
The old diehards of the Principality of Campbell are always opposed to admitting rising citizens into the powerful class of the Principality, saying that those high-sounding reasons are just a reluctance to part with the power in their hands.
· No matter how gold coins corrode the foundation of the principality, the richest ones are these evil dragons who guard the treasury but cannot get in or out.
Edward despised those rhetoric.
Of course, his attitude towards Mr. Andes is not the unreserved trust seen by outsiders.
The Demon Hunter organization he established in the Knights of the Trident was not only for internal supervision to weaken Jerrock's military power, but also to strengthen control over Thunder County while implementing a series of reforms.
The Isaac dynasty died at the back of his own people. He was a man who learned lessons from history and would not make the same mistakes.
Looking at the treasure brought to him by the servant, Edward reached out and picked up the diamond from the velvet cushion, holding it in his eyes and looking at it carefully.
The neat sections are like kaleidoscope mirrors, reflecting the thousands of faces of his servants.
After a long pause, Edward suddenly spoke.
"Speaking of which, my sister must have been at your place recently."
Andes said respectfully.
"Yes, your majesty, she is staying at the manor where we had such a pleasant conversation, with her bodyguard."
Edward continued.
"Then what? What is she doing there."
Andes nodded and said.
"As you can see, she is only fulfilling her stated obligations, such as paying attention to the movements in the labyrinth below Thunder County, such as practicing swordsmanship, such as rescuing the poor people outside Thunder City."
Edward looked at Andes with a half-smile, and said pointedly.
"Just to save the poor people, do we need to taste their food?"
Andes was stunned for a moment.
"Your Majesty, I...don't know what you are talking about."
He really didn’t know this time.
After all, he got on the carriage and rushed to Fort Campbell with the diamonds early in the morning, fearing that he would be cut off on the road if he was a step too late.
"Nothing."
Looking at Andes who really didn't know what was going on, Edward smiled faintly and brushed off the topic in an understatement.
Whether he is pretending or not, this matter actually has nothing to do with the Andes family, but an internal matter of the Campbell family.
In the past thousand years, it didn’t matter what ordinary people in this land thought. The only difference was to be a happy sheep or an angry sheep.
If she is trying to win people's hearts, it can only be said that she is still too naive. Many things are enough to become her political capital, such as the imperial nobles who came from afar, and the sword of orthodoxy in her hand... but only the love of the people cannot become her.
Even on the contrary, people's cheers may expose her ambition too early, allowing a group of people with ulterior motives to push her into a dangerous position.
Especially when people hail the glory of the Campbell family, but forget who the real owner of this principality is.
"I am very grateful for your support for my sister, but you are a person who knows how to measure and should know where the distance is. In addition, if you want to do something for me, please share this virtue with Erin Campbell."
That understatement seemed to be as light as a feather, but it fell like a thunder in Andes' ears, causing sweat to break out on his back.
With his ability to observe words and emotions, he could tell that these words contained a hint of murderous intent, even if this person was his closest relative.
Swallowing with difficulty, Andes said respectfully.
"I will keep your Majesty's teachings in mind, and I will definitely remind Her Royal Highness the Princess to pay more attention to her words and deeds."
Looking at Andes, who did not dare to take a breath, Edward nodded with satisfaction and gently put down the respectful servant.
Very good.」
His attacks on the Andes family have come to an end. After all, he still needs the financial resources of the Andes family to support his ambitions and to check and balance his increasingly disobedient brother.
Changing into a relaxed tone, Edward continued with a smile.
"By the way, what's going on with Colin? I heard that he has been very popular recently, and his popularity in Thunder City seems to have surpassed yours."
Andes said respectfully.
"The identity of Mr. Colin seems to be a noble from the empire. According to various rumors, his father is the prince of the New World."
A prince who owns a continent should not care about the title of a principality. Is this guy really just attracted by the appearance of Irene Campbell, as the rumors say?
Edward always felt that it was not that simple. He tapped his index finger on the armrest of the throne, thought for a moment and said to himself.
One-stop version!
"When did the nobles of the empire become interested in us."
"Maybe it's just the interest of the Colin family or Mr. Colin himself?" Andes said cautiously, "At least he hasn't shown anything more so far. Ambition...I don’t think he would support His Highness Irene in doing dangerous things.” He didn’t care what happened to Irene, but he was worried that Archduke Edward’s jealousy would spread to Mr. Colin, thus affecting the prosperity of the Andes family in the next century.
But it seems that there is not so far.
"Yeah." Edward just responded vaguely, and he didn't know what he was thinking behind his pensive face.
Andes was rarely able to see through his thoughts.
After a long while, the noble Grand Duke finally spoke.
"Perhaps I should find time to go to Thunder City and pay a visit to this mysterious and noble imperial friend."
"That is naturally the best. The citizens of Thunder City welcome you," Andes breathed a sigh of relief and continued respectfully, "And I believe that gentleman and the Colin family behind him will also hope to make such a prominent and noble friend as you."
...
The diamond presented to the Campbell family by the Andes became the most dazzling treasure in the crown of the Duke of Campbell, and the story about this diamond also successfully became a good talk among the upper class of the Principality of Campbell.
The lobby restaurant of Dawn Embrace Hotel.
Andorra, dressed in a tuxedo, is like a round penguin, standing next to the bar with a bottle of champagne in his hand, chatting and showing off with the friends he has recently made.
…That night, I was at the auction site, and the diamond was less than fifty meters away from me! Maybe forty meters... But that’s not the point, the point is the shining light! I can swear to Saint Sith, I have never seen a more dazzling treasure than that, and there will never be any treasure that can surpass it in the future!”
That eloquent voice attracted countless eyes of admiration and envy, but some also cast disdainful glances at him.
There were quite a few people who also attended that auction, and there were certainly some here, but they would not show off as loudly as this upstart.
It is worth mentioning that although Mr. Andorra has sold the hotel, he still visits here from time to time.
Even though he claims that he is nostalgic for his past career and hopes to retain his previous time, everyone knows what his ambition is.
But no one cares about such insignificant things.
Because they, sitting here, are also eager to curry favor with that mysterious imperial noble.
Even different from the past, this time they had a clearer goal, which was to get more diamonds from his hands.
Based on the various clues he revealed at the banquet, everyone can infer that this diamond was not obtained by chance from the Colin family, but came from the diamond mines in the New World controlled by the latter.
Compared to a shining diamond, that is what they really covet.
The only regret is that Mr. Colin is so mysterious that even the hotel staff don’t know where he is.
People don’t even know whether he was in the hotel, or on the ship in the port flying the purple moon flag, or whether he had a tryst with the respected princess in some unknown place.
While everyone was talking about it, something happened that made them even more jealous.
With the official inauguration of Colin Mining Company in the port area of Thunder City, a batch of small but equally shining diamonds quickly landed at the port of Thunder City, just like those mattresses that had traveled across the ocean.
The diamonds that appear in Osland are completely incomparable to these carefully selected and cut treasures, as if they are from two dimensions.
As everyone expected, once these diamonds appeared, they immediately caused the upper class society in Thunder City to go crazy!
Especially influenced by the story between Princess Irene and Mr. Colin, and with the deliberate promotion of the Andes family, those shiny and precious stones seemed to have a love filter attached to them, and became popular tokens of love in the upper class society of Thunder City and even the Principality of Campbell.
Even not only the nobles of the Principality of Campbell, but also the nobles of the Kingdom of Lane, and even the nobles of the empire sent people to the port of Thunder City to "hunt for treasure."
It's just that unlike the previous spring mattresses, these diamonds are too expensive and not as practical as the former.
The cheapest F-grade diamond certified by Colin Mining Company is more than 100 gold coins. And if it is an A-grade or even AA-grade diamond, it is simply unimaginable for ordinary people.
If a mattress worth 10 or even 20 gold coins is still within the acceptable range for wealthy citizens, then the love of 100 gold coins can only make them look up to it.
It’s better to give your lover a bouquet of flowers.
In fact, those shiny stones themselves do not emit light, but the eyes of the pairs of people looking up give them a light that they do not have.
While the entire upper class of Thunder City was salivating over the wealth of the Colin family, this respectful and generous gentleman did not enjoy this glory to himself. He actually chose to share his wealth with the citizens of Thunder City.
At a certain tea shop in Queens, a piece of gossip spread like wildfire——
In order to solve the problem of diamond supply exceeding demand, and to satisfy the desire of people in the Principality of Campbell and even the entire Whirlpool Sea for such sparkling jewelry, the Colin family plans to further develop the diamond mines on hand and at the same time go deep into the Kao continent to find more treasures.
This requires money.
And it’s a lot of money!
Even Mr. Colin, who was so powerful that he bought a hotel just to stay for ten days and a half, and casually threw away 10,000 gold coins just to make Pomeranian smile, he had to carefully consider the turnover of this fund.
Assets are not equal to cash.
For example, Father Matt, the largest landowner in Silverpine Town besides Baron Gus, although it is true that he has tens of millions of Austrian silver in his name, many of them are actually real estate in Thunder City and local real estate in Silverpine Town.
The more traditional aristocrats are, the higher the proportion of land holding assets, and the aristocrats of the empire are no exception.
Hence, the distinguished Mr. Colin planned to use one-tenth of the shares for "financing" and use the raised funds to expand production in the colony.
Financing is undoubtedly a new concept for Osland, but the concept of equity is not unfamiliar to the locals. It was a concept that was born in the Isaac Dynasty, but ordinary people rarely participate in it.
Now, Mr. Colin came up with a brilliant idea to split the equity worth tens of millions of gold coins into ten million shares and conduct a public auction in the form of registered tickets.
The starting price is tentatively set at 1 gold coin. Anyone, whether noble or citizen, can participate in the bidding, as long as they can produce proof of assets worth more than 100 gold coins.
The popularity of diamonds and the shortage of supply are obvious to everyone. Even before the increase in production, the profits were millions of gold coins a year. The profits after the expansion of production are simply unimaginable!
If you spend a hundred gold coins to buy a diamond, it will still be the same diamond ten years later. However, if you invest a gold coin to buy the shares of Colin Mining Company, you can participate in this transaction. Not only can you get dividends, but the gold coin may turn into a diamond ten years later!
According to the anti-usury bill promulgated by the Campbell royal family a hundred years ago, the highest legal interest rate in Thunder City is only 6%. In the eyes of the citizens of Thunder City, the potential income of a hundred times in the past ten years is no different from charity!
Sure enough, kind people can always make a couple.
The kind Princess Eileen made hot porridge available to the poor people outside the city, while the respected Mr. Colin opened his wallet to the citizens of Thunder City without hesitation.
As soon as the news spread, it immediately caused a sensation throughout Thunder County, and once again made the Colin family a topic of discussion throughout the city.
The last time there was such a sensation in Thunder City was when the demon king Reggie Dragon had just been sent away...