Chapter 196: Money and People
Jick’s ship slowly sailed into the harbor of Black Forest Island, naturally drawing the attention of both Duane and Freddy.
"I never thought the deserted Black Forest Island could be this lively."
Freddy said with a smile, "Baron Duane, let’s consider the deal for three million pounds of grain settled. I’ll send my people over every September. Payment upon delivery."
Duane nodded and added, "I just hope the person you send isn’t someone like Garrot."
Freddy didn’t answer. He strode to the edge of the pier and said to Ashman,
"I’m done here. Let’s head back."
Repeating the feat from his arrival, he leaped across the eighty-to-ninety-meter gap and landed precisely back on the deck of the *Sword*.
Torre followed closely behind him.
Earl Ashman offered a goodbye and then departed as well.
The *Sword* slowly got underway, brushing past Jick’s vessel.
Both parties simply watched each other, exchanging no greetings.
Jick, however, was on edge. He had seen portraits of the three men on the other ship.
’Three Celestial Tier Warriors, all here on Black Forest Island? What did they do to Duane?’
On the pier, Duane gazed after the departing ship.
"Those three have perfect control over their Strength. I’m afraid they’ve all reached the Peak of the Celestial Tier."
When they’d jumped over, the harbor was large enough that they only needed to clear an eighty- or ninety-meter gap to land.
But on the jump back, they had to land on that tiny patch of deck. That required Freddy and the others to have precise control over their Strength and trajectory.
Simone sighed in admiration. "They are all battle-hardened Warriors. They possess not only skill but also daring."
Ordinary people wouldn’t dare attempt such a jump.
After all, to leap so confidently in front of foreign nobility only to end up in the sea would be a deeply humiliating affair.
Duane gave an order, "Quick, have Heck and the others move the cargo ship aside. Our friend, Baron Jick, has arrived."
Jick was only an Earth Tier Warrior; he couldn’t get ashore on his own power like Freddy and the other two.
The docks became a flurry of activity once more.
Before long, Baron Jick was stepping safely onto the pier.
The moment he saw Duane, he asked, "What were they doing here? They didn’t give you any trouble, did they?"
"No."
Duane shook his head. "Freddy claimed he was just passing by to meet me, but it felt more like he was trying to intimidate me and vent some of his frustration."
Jick watched the warship setting sail, still a bit shaken. "Their grudge against you must be quite strong."
Duane laughed heartily. "With His Majesty the King and Count Kais protecting me, they wouldn’t dare do anything to me."
"That’s true!"
Jick also agreed that they wouldn’t dare make a move against Duane.
"Alright, Duane, I’m here for two main reasons this time."
He shifted the conversation to the purpose of his trip.
"First of all, I’m buying your threshing machine."
He gestured, and men on the ship began to carry down several chests.
"This is five thousand Gold Coins, every last one of them. Have someone count it."
Duane’s face lit up. "You are truly generous!"
As he spoke, he motioned for Raymond to carry the chests away and hand them over to Ralph.
"Generous? A good portion of this is from Count Kais. In fact, he told me to remind you to hurry up and repay the three-thousand-odd Gold Coins you owe him."
Duane mentally rolled his eyes.
The loan agreement stated it was to be repaid within five years, with an additional 400 Gold Coins as interest.
’If I could get the 400 Gold Coins waived by paying it off early, that would be one thing,’ Duane thought. ’But the key is, I can’t.’
’So what’s the point of repaying it early?’
"Five thousand Gold Coins is a lot, but my expenses are huge right now!"
He pointed to the Guards and Militia on the shore. "So many men, so much equipment... the annual costs are enormous!"
Jick just chuckled. He had delivered the Count’s message, and the rest had nothing to do with him.
He pointed to the fifteen craftsmen in linen clothes behind him.
"I’ve brought fifteen carpenters. Their skills are pretty good. Have your people teach them the techniques as soon as possible. I’ll come back in a month to pick them up."
Duane nodded eagerly.
’In truth, manufacturing the threshing machine isn’t difficult,’ Duane thought. ’Under Riesen’s guidance, these already experienced carpenters could probably master it in a day or two.’
’If I group these fifteen men properly and have the oak ready, they could assemble one machine every three days.’
’Over the course of a month, factoring in the time it takes them to learn, they could produce about nine threshing machines.’
’It might not seem like a lot, but it’s basically free production. Who wouldn’t be happy with that?’
"Leave it to me. I guarantee they’ll master it," Duane said, patting his chest as a promise. The two of them continued talking as they walked toward the castle.
"How are things at the Silent Shore?"
Jick said, "Many of the nobility have arrived recently. The second prince, Prince Otto, had also reached Sea Cliff Castle before I left. As soon as the delegation from the Akutas Kingdom arrives, the negotiations can begin."
"I can’t stay for long this time. I have to leave tomorrow morning, and I don’t want to miss the main event."
Such formal negotiations between the two kingdoms were a rare occasion.
Duane nodded slowly. "Simone, go back and prepare. Tomorrow, I’ll have Heck follow Baron Jick’s fleet with one of our passenger ships."
Simone acknowledged the order and rode off on his horse to prepare.
Jick asked, surprised, "You’re not going?"
"I’m not going."
Duane smiled. "My compensation is just a minor part of the proceedings. Simone is more than capable of representing me."
Jick glanced at Simone’s retreating figure and pursed his lips.
"You have a point, but is this subordinate of yours really up to it? If he gets stage fright in front of all those nobles, it won’t just be your honor on the line!"
Hearing this, the expressions of Kaelon, Gaius, and the others nearby grew somber.
They could tell that Jick looked down on them for not coming from prominent backgrounds.
But they couldn’t refute it. If they were the ones in such a situation, it would be impossible to claim they wouldn’t be intimidated in the slightest.
Duane, however, just laughed. "Don’t worry. Simone is an experienced man."
"Oh?"
Jick’s curiosity was piqued. "Does he have some kind of special background?"
"You’ll find out in due time."
Duane then asked, "You said you came to Black Forest Island for two reasons. What’s the other one?"
Jick slapped his forehead. "Look at me, I almost forgot."
He looked out at the sea, where the rest of his ships were now approaching the shore.
"I’ve brought you six hundred laborers this time, all of them strong men and dexterous women. The Count hopes you’ll put these people to work clearing the tea plantations as soon as possible."
Duane’s brow furrowed. "Why only six hundred? The Count promised he would send over six thousand people!"
"Don’t be so anxious!"
Jick explained, "A group that large will obviously be sent in batches. Besides, could you even accommodate six thousand people if they arrived all at once? If any of them get sick and die, you’ll be held responsible!"
Duane’s mouth twitched. ’I thought the Count was supposed to be responsible,’ he grumbled to himself.
’Whatever,’ he thought. ’What I need is the manpower.’
"Fine, I understand!"
Duane thought for a moment, then said, "When you go back, tell the Count I will have this group build a living area in the Hot Spring Mountain Range. I’ll make sure their livelihood and personal safety are guaranteed."
"That’s a given," Jick said matter-of-factly. "You can’t just let them sleep in the forest."
Duane wholeheartedly agreed with that statement.
’So, it shouldn’t be a problem to have these people help build a few extra houses, right?’