. However, compared to the hugely profitable southern goods trade, the profits from selling food are not something that people care about.
"Twenty carriages, this is enough for us to collect southern goods to supply the North. Sir, your idea is really good. The Dean family has cut the size of our caravan in half, and we will find the other half in Provence. No matter how powerful the Dean family is, it is impossible to interfere in the southern goods market in Provence." Since leaving Aosta City, Raven, the deputy steward of the caravan, has been following Art on horseback. The purpose of this trip to Aosta has been basically achieved, so Raven is also very happy.
"Raven, you are right. After we establish our foothold in Provence, we will be able to purchase southern goods at low prices in the south. This will be much cheaper than purchasing southern goods in the south of Burgundy. Moreover, once we form our own stable source of goods, we will be able to slowly control the southern goods market in the north. At that time, the Dean family will have to weigh whether they dare to restrict us..."
Just when Art was looking forward to dominating the southern goods trade with Raven, Lusignan, who had been responsible for scouting the guards near the convoy, rushed to Art's side and reported urgently: "Sir, a group of shadows appeared a mile away from the left wing of the convoy. There are quite a few people, but they are all on foot. What should we do? Fight or not?"
"Raven, put all the guards on alert."
Lavin turned his horse's head and arranged for the convoy guards to be on guard.
At asked Lusignan again: "Are there any enemies or ambushes directly in front of the convoy?"
"The front is inspected by Jafar personally, and there is no enemy or ambush."
Art lowered his head and considered for a while, and ordered to Felix who was catching up: "Felix, order everyone to get on the carriage, we will pass quickly."
The convoy immediately took action, everyone got on the empty carriage, and the long convoy galloped towards the north...
………
"These cowards run really fast. But it seems that their carriage is empty. Forget it, let's not chase, guys, follow!" The large group of shadows in Yate's motorcade stopped chasing and allowed a cloud of dust to rush to the north...
Another narrow escape, Yate simply asked all the caravan attendants and guards to ride on horse carriages and ride fast horses, so that everyone could quickly pass through dangerous areas, and even if there was danger along the way, they could form a formation of carriages to resist the impact.
· After three days of galloping, the convoy that went south to deliver grain successfully returned to Kitzby.
Sart, who was sent to contact business friends in Provence more than ten days ago, also returned to Kitzby with good news.
In a tavern in the city of Kitzby, Art held a simple banquet for the caravan guards and employees to celebrate the initial success of the trip south.
"Sir, almost all trade routes in Provence have been cut off. As you expected, the merchants in Provence have long been troubled by the idle coins. They said that as long as we really have the strength, they are willing to lend money to our European commercial bank to expand our power. However, in addition to receiving back the loaned silver coins on schedule, they also require a quarter of the profits from the invested money as remuneration."
"Sir, a quarter of the profit share is indeed high, but we are most short of money now, and we urgently need a large amount of silver coins to be injected into the European Commercial Bank, so I initially agreed to their conditions and promised to persuade you to agree."
Ate nodded after hearing this, picked up the wine glass and clinked it with Salt, "Sart, since I sent you to negotiate with them, I absolutely trust you, and what you say represents what I mean." Salt held the wine glass in both hands and said excitedly to Art, "Thank you for your trust in me." After that, he drank the wine in one gulp and filled Art's glass.
"My lord, now that you have obtained the southern goods trading charter from the Provence court, you are also fortunate enough to be the palace's trading agent. With a charter and a special identity, those merchants are more willing to cooperate with you. Tomorrow I will take these two documents to talk to those merchant friends and try to get the silver coins out of their wallets as soon as possible..."
Art listened carefully to Salt's plan. After Salt finished speaking, Art added: "We can sign loan contracts with businessmen and use business licenses as guarantees. Tell those businessmen friends that if our cooperation can earn them a lot of money, I hope to become their "commercial agent" and sign a "cooperation contract" with them. Their silver coins will be used as a share of the European commercial bank, and I will give them one-third to half of the profit share..."
"In addition, the Southern Caravan of the European Trading Company was immediately established. Now that I have the identity of a Provence Palace Merchant Agent, I can openly recruit caravan drivers and escorts in Provence. I have thought about it. The Southern Caravan consists of twenty carriages and thirty attendants (including stewards, guards, coachmen, stablemen, and servants). Most of the members are recruited from Provence. They are more sophisticated than the people of the Count of Burgundy. We are familiar with the situation here, but we need to send people to be the stewards of the caravan, and we need to lead the guards and coachmen. After a while, I will let a few suitable wounded and retired legionnaires join the southern caravan as escorts, and you will also select a few reliable guys from our caravan in the north to work in the southern caravan. I will first give you 50,000 pfennigs to rent a carriage, hire an entourage, and start moving around."
"The northern caravan is basically on track, and there aren't many places to fight for. I plan to temporarily arrange for Lawrence to take over the northern caravan, while you will personally lead the southern caravan. After all, Provence is where you have been doing business for many years, and there are many things that require an excellent businessman like you to handle. I really can't find a more suitable candidate than you." Art patted Salt on the shoulder.
Sart was deeply moved, "My lord, don't worry, I will definitely let the European trading companies take root in Provence and flourish."
Sarte said. "But my lord, I have a request." Salt said.
「You say it!」
"Sir, the officials and coachmen of the southern caravan can recruit Provençal people, but for the main bodyguard I hope to use the troops of the Northland caravan led by Lavin. Most of the Northland caravan guards have experienced battles, and the guard captains like Lavin themselves came from your army. The situation in Provence is more dangerous than that of Burgundy. I can feel more at ease with them guarding me."
Matt put down his wine glass and thought for a moment. As Salter said, the southern trade routes of Burgundy have been much calmer due to the suppression of bandits. In addition, the Northland Trading Guild has accepted European trading companies, so the danger of the Northland caravan is not high, and ordinary young men can be recruited to serve as guards. But Provence is different. The country is in a state of raging war, and the principality is in chaos. Without a reliable escort, it will be very difficult for the southern caravan to gain a foothold and develop. The army that Art is about to send will only escort food southward. They cannot always protect the caravan to purchase southern goods.
"Okay, I agree to your request. Except for leaving a few old guards to reorganize the Northland caravan guard team, I will transfer all the rest of the guards to the southern caravan. You and Lavin will personally recruit the remaining remaining manpower."
“That’s great, thank you sir.” Salt raised his glass again.
At also picked up the wine glass on the table and touched it gently with Salt, and asked: "Sart, do you know where your son and daughter are now? Do you want to take them to live in the valley?"