Realm of Power

The warm wind blows on my face, the river rushes, and a sheet of white waves rolls in.

At the front of the express boat from the Imperial Bank to Lisbon on the dock, a woman wearing a white dress appeared on the bow. The woman looked at the ferry in front of her and expressed her displeasure that the express boat stopped at this medium-sized ferry. I was puzzled. After asking, I was temporarily informed that two Imperial Bank customers were going to Lisbon by boat. Their pretty face immediately turned cold and they came immediately. He went to the captain and asked sternly, "Captain Anliya, what's going on? This time, the superiors specially sent a special ship to take Miss Anthea to Lisbon. For such an important task, why is there a free ship? What if something really goes wrong? , can you bear the responsibility? ""I also received a temporary order from above, asking me to wait for two guests here, but there is nothing I can do."

The captain was a middle-aged man with gray hair, and he seemed to be well-informed. When faced with the woman who came to accuse him, he was angry and did not dare to say anything, but explained helplessly that the identity of the other party was nothing, she was just an empire. She is the daughter of a person in charge of the southwest branch of the bank, not to mention that the person in charge is probably sixth or seventh in the ranking of the southwest district. It is also because of her connections that she has the opportunity to board the imperial bank's special express ship for personnel transportation.

But the other woman traveling with her was in trouble.

Miss Anthea, the daughter of Tomacri, the head of Imperial Bank's Northern Africa branch, also went to Lisbon on the same boat this time.

As the head of the Imperial Bank's Congo North Branch, Tomakri is known for his sharp methods. Among the more than 70 heads of the Imperial Bank's branches, he is also an important person who can be ranked in the top ten. It is said that Tomakri's Behind the back, stood Miss Berlant Bonnie, the commander of the Imperial Army in the North of Gangfei and known as the Emperor's disciple. This was an important minister of the Imperial Military, with power covering the entire North of Gangfei.

Based on this alone, even the imperial military was polite to Lord Tomacli.

Not to mention that since the northern army of Congo and Africa advanced eastward into the wilderness last year, annihilated the mountain province where the remnants of Gaul were located, and opened up the second golden trade route between the empire and Central Asia, the commercial status of northern Congo and Africa has been greatly improved. Few, going from the north of Congo to Central Asia is far safer and shorter than the cold land outside the long wall in the north. It has become the preferred route for imperial merchants to go to Central Asia.

After the war faded away, people who had fled and hid gradually returned. New farmland was reclaimed, and smoke began to rise in villages. A large number of businessmen who went to Central and Bibia also led to the prosperity and recovery of the region. According to the latest census of the empire, the population of northern Congo has reached 800 Seven hundred thousand. With the expansion of trade routes and the migration of other refugees from the empire, they gradually settled down. The northern area of ​​Congo, which was originally almost deserted due to war, was still far from the 30 million people who lived in the prosperous period of the Congo Empire. It's a big distance, but it's definitely no longer a desolate scene full of weeds.

Here, the contribution of the Imperial Bank to the north of Congo can be said to be the greatest. Without the large amount of loans provided by the Congo branch to imperial merchants, this golden trade route connecting the empire and Central Asia would never have developed in just two years. To this extent, there is news recently that Mr. Tomacri is expected to be transferred to Lisbon, the commercial capital of mainland China, to serve as the head of the branch there.

Although Lisbonto is only the size of a city, it seems that it is not as powerful as the head of a region like North Congo. In fact, everyone knows that Lisbonto is the most prosperous commercial center of the empire. If we only look at the size of the region, North Congo It is bigger than a hundred Lisbon trusts, but in terms of business development, one Lisbon trust can be equal to more than half of Gang Fei. If she is transferred to Lisbon, I am afraid that this lady is really going to take over Tomacri. Lisbon Toma was on the front line. Ever since the Lisbon Toto financial crisis, the person in charge of Imperial Bank in Lisbon Toma has been transferred away until now. If Tomacli is really transferred to Lisbon Toma, it means that Tomacri’s position in Imperial Bank is The position is expected to be among the top three. For the daughter of such a powerful figure, and during this most sensitive period, the Imperial Bank specially arranged for the Clippers to go to Lisbon. The significance can be imagined!

Just as the captain was explaining to the woman, a young woman with a slim figure also walked over from the deck of the ship. The woman glanced at her female companion, and the woman who was scolding the captain quickly stopped talking.

"Captain Anliya, I'm really sorry. My companion is very impatient. If there was any offense just now, I, Anthea, will apologize to you on her behalf." The woman smiled kindly and apologized to the captain.

"Miss Anthea is too polite. This matter has nothing to do with the lady's companion, and there is nothing rude about it. If I really want to say it, it is that the person who asked us to wait was really too slow," the captain said

"I heard that this news came from a special channel of the Imperial Military. Does this Imperial Bank Clipper also have military responsibilities?" Anthea's eyes flashed sharply. "This, please forgive me." explain"

The captain's expression changed slightly. The backstage of the Imperial Bank was the Imperial Military. Not much was actually known about this matter, and for some special reasons, even among the top brass of the Imperial Bank, it was taboo, because The senior deacons of the Imperial Bank are not all Imperial people. Some deacons use pseudonyms. Only the core members of the Imperial Bank are Only a few people know that the true identity of the person behind these pseudonyms may be an important minister of a certain country, or even the king himself. Once the identity of these people is leaked, it will be a big earthquake. I don’t know How many people will be killed, and how many places will turn into war zones in the blink of an eye. "It seems that people are really not simple this time."

Anthea shook her head, smiled indifferently, her eyes flickered, and she looked at the people coming and going on the pier.

This time when she went south to Lisbon, she actually received a temporary dispatch. The Congolese Northern Army encountered trouble when a batch of goods purchased from the Imperial Sea City landed in Lisbon. This batch of goods was very difficult for the Congolese Northern Army. It's important, but it's just that. She didn't want Asiya to go. What really made her go was a woman's order.

The order signed by Berlant Bonnie, the commander of the Northern Army of the Empire!

After all, it was caused during the New Year's Eve. The most talked about thing during the New Year's Eve was the arrogant provocation of the Four Southern Nations Alliance in the Imperial Capital, and was finally slapped in the face. There was also the matter of China and Bia. The Yelu Dynasty fully opened up the trade route and was tax-free for one year. The news immediately caused a swarm of imperial chambers of commerce.

For other places, this may be regarded as a business opportunity and negotiation material, but as the most convenient golden route to Central Africa, northern Congo can be said to be the first to feel the changes and impact before this news. The annual meeting has not yet ended, but the number of businessmen coming to northern Congo from all over the empire has tripled.

With the end of the New Year's Eve, the news of the full opening of the Yelu Dynasty spread throughout the empire, which is even more incredible. It is conservatively estimated that the number of imperial merchants who want to rush into the Central-Biya Golden Route is at least five times more than the previous imperial merchants. Not only that, in order to obtain a trade approval from the Congolese Northern Army, seventy or eighty of the top 100 chambers of commerce in the empire had come, almost breaking their heads.

The party that seized the goods over there was the major chambers of commerce that previously controlled the Sino-Biya trade routes. Since the Yelu Dynasty has shown that it can no longer control it, it can only make plans on the trade route.

This trade route crosses the wilderness from the north of Congo and Africa into Central Bia. The final end point is also the West Road of Dijing in Central Bia controlled by the Northern Army of Congo and Africa. The entire route is within the scope of the Northern Army of Congo and Africa. A move by the Northern Army would be enough to make other chambers of commerce that want to swarm the China-Biyar trade route retreat.

These large chambers of commerce had a good relationship with the Northern Congolese Army before, and they also purchased some goods on behalf of the Northern Congolese Army. This time, during the Imperial Capital Annual Meeting, they also purchased goods on behalf of the Northern Congolese Army. Only this time, I deliberately found a reason to detain a batch, just thinking that the top officials of the North Korean Army would come to negotiate.

Unfortunately, these large chambers of commerce obviously misjudged Bonnie Berlant's temper. This knight sister had already tasted the benefits of trade routes when she was in the northern grasslands. Now that she is on the golden trade route, she naturally hopes to come to Gangfei. The more merchants there are in the empire in the north, the better. The empire is adopting a transaction tax. There is no tax on long-distance transportation. Taxes are only imposed on transactions. As the starting point and end point of this golden route, the two major places where the transaction takes place are both areas of the North Korean Army. Such a big piece of meat will, in the long run, Being stuck by a few wealthy businessmen who didn't open their eyes, Bertrand Bonnie had long been dissatisfied with it.

If it weren't for the emperor's strategic plan, he would have found a reason to break up the monopoly of these wealthy businessmen.

Now that I see the influx of businessmen coming, it is even more impossible to cut off my own financial path.

The other party deliberately chose to take action in Lisbon Tor because they knew that the Emperor had stipulated that imperial soldiers were not allowed to enter Lisbon Tor at will. Otherwise, Bertrand Bonnie would directly assign her own guards to Lisbon Tor. Although now she only sent a guard captain. , but unless the other party really wants to fight to the end, and is not afraid that all his trade routes in the northern part of Gangfei will be blocked to death, he can also sneer at his authorization letter from Bertrand Bonnie!

It's just that the price is too high to bear! "I don't know. Until now, I don't know who I'm waiting for?" The captain looked embarrassed and reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"In that case, excuse me."

Anthea, who felt like she couldn't ask anything, raised the corners of her mouth slightly, turned around and prepared to walk to the deck. Anthea's true identity was actually Bertrand Bonnie's new guard captain. Now the main force of the Northern Army of Congo is in Central Asia, so This batch of goods involved the interests of the Congolese Northern Army, so with no one available, Bertrand Bonnie could only send herself, the newly promoted captain of the guard, to Lisbon to handle the matter.

"Who is going to Lisbon?'

Anthea stood at the bow of the ship facing the wind. Although she was the captain of Bertrand Bonnie's guard, she had only served for less than three months. Although she had a written authorization letter from Bronte Bonnie, in fact, Anthea She was unsure, but her father was the head of the Imperial Bank of China, and her female companion card Trina's father is also a person in charge of the Southwest District of the Imperial Bank. Relatively speaking, as the daughter of the person in charge of the Imperial Bank's North Africa branch, she can make the other party feel more pressure, and those big businessmen are all based in Southwest District, not North Gangfei, this is the reason why she took her female companion.

At this moment, there was a rapid sound of horse hooves coming from the direction of the ferry, and smoke and dust rose.

I saw a group of about thirty black-armored cavalry in the distance heading towards the ferry. At the front were a young man with black hair and a middle-aged man with gray hair. After the other party dismounted at the dock, they headed directly towards the Imperial Bank. The clipper is coming

Seeing that the identity of the visitor might be an imperial soldier, Anthea's pretty face showed a hint of astonishment. Since the last financial turmoil in Lisbon and the imperial army entered Lisbon, the Imperial Military Affairs Ministry has become more strict about the military entering Lisbon. Even Anthea As Miss Berlant Bonnie's escort captain, Ya needs to conceal her true identity when going to Lisbon. She can only go as the daughter of the head of the Imperial Bank branch.

At least Anthea knew that just half a month ago, during the Empire's annual meeting, a captain of the Imperial Flag Regiment who had returned from the Barro War Zone in southern Europe relied on his military exploits to ignore the orders of the Ministry of Military Affairs and went to Lisbon to visit an old friend. As a result, he was cheated The patrol team of the Spento Government Office caught him and beat him half to death. He was also sent directly to the Imperial Supervision Department. Later, the Imperial Flag Regiment Commander was beaten to the end by the Military Affairs Department and stripped of his military position. He is still in Lisbon. I'm squatting in the dark cell where I was entrusted.

It is said that without the emperor's personal order, I am afraid it will never be released in my lifetime!

And I also heard that since the assassination of Lisbon's political affairs officer, the person who is now in charge of Lisbon's political affairs is a woman named Tiernuris. Because of her ruthless methods, she has repeatedly suppressed Lisbon's wealthy businessmen from making trouble, otherwise it would not cause trouble in Lisbon. The big backlash of the toll merchants led to the terrible turmoil like last time, but this woman in Lisbon During the great financial turbulence of Torino, more than ten culprits were punished with thunderous means. More than 300 Lisbon Torto businessmen were imprisoned. For a time, the prisons under the Lisbon Torre Government Office were overcrowded and everyone was in danger. She is feared by Lisbon people and is called the "Red Witch". "Shall we go say hello?" Anthea said to Katrina next to her.

"No need, they seem to be Imperial soldiers, they look so fierce! It is said that their hands were washed with human blood!" Katrina showed a hint of undisguised timidity on her pretty face. Imperial soldiers are more like ordinary people. His eyes are synonymous with killing,

"It's just a rumor. Do you believe this kind of thing?" Anthea smiled and walked straight over.

She came to one of the black-haired young men, stretched out her hand and said, "Hello, my name is Anthea. I am also going to Lisbon. I still have four or five days on the ship. Please take care of me." This thin man looks very alert at first glance. He went to Lisbon with his military escort. If he doesn't really have someone to rely on, he is too courageous to know whether to live or die! On the contrary, this guy looks stupid. If he is caught by the Red Witch, will he cry in fear?

"Oh hello, my name is Dustin Falcon"

The black-haired young man said with a smile. The woman in front of him was pretty, with long brown hair tied into a ponytail. She was wearing a black close-fitting hunting suit, an expensive knight's sword hanging on her waist, and a pair of round and straight legs. Wearing brown boots, giving people the first At first glance, it feels like seeing a cheetah, full of explosive power. Its outline is as clear as a knife, giving people a sense of perseverance and determination. The particularly slender neck shows an indescribable grace, which makes people guess. Her birth and bloodline must be extraordinary;

"Your name is very special. It seems to be similar to..." Anthea blinked and hesitated. In fact, she wanted to say that the name was similar to the emperor's name, but she thought it was too ridiculous. She was on a ship. What does it mean to tell a man you meet by chance on a ship that he has the same name as the emperor?

"You mean it's very similar to the emperor's name. Many people have already said that. No matter how they didn't say it, I have no regrets if I can give His Majesty a similar pronunciation!"

At first glance, the black-haired young man seemed to be a very cheerful person. He laughed and pointed at the gray-haired middle-aged man next to him, "His name is Tirnarant. These guards are all his. Speaking of him, But what about a political officer of the empire, or it won’t take long for you to hear his name, it’s hard to say, he also went to Lisbon to ask for help.”

Oh, Your Majesty the Imperial Administrative Officer, what an honor it is to meet an Administrative Officer here! Upon hearing that the middle-aged man in front of her was an imperial administrative officer, Anthea bowed slightly seriously.