Realm of Power

The Imperial Navy's fleet stopped in front of the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce fleet. An Imperial Dragon-class battleship came out of the fleet. A middle-aged man wearing a silver admiral uniform of the Imperial Navy boarded the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce and looked at the sun. More than two hundred transport ships came out of the Chamber of Commerce, and the sails were overwhelming like a forest. There was also a look of curiosity and shock in their eyes.

Since the Empire defeated the Strand Sea Kingdom and truly became the overlord of the inland sea area, large fleets with more than 200 ships have been assembled rarely. The average Imperial Navy squadron has less than 30 warships. Even if After dragging out the equipped transport fleet, that is, seventy or eighty ships, the middle-aged admiral was even more shocked by the fact that the fleet in front of him was just a chamber of commerce fleet.

"I am Commander of the Third Squadron of the Imperial Navy, Commander Si Effinger."

The middle-aged admiral stood up straight and saluted Sokutus Stellan with a solemn expression. As an imperial navy squadron admiral saluting a businessman, there was nothing unnatural on Sieffinger's face. Because the woman in front of me is none other than Sokutus Stellan, who is known as the Queen of Business and is also the head of the Imperial Bank.

The Imperial Bank's oppressive power is not obvious to the north of the Inland Sea, because everything to the north is within the empire. It may give people the impression that it is a commercial organization, but in southern Europe, what the Imperial Bank represents is completely different and boundless. Wealth is an interest group that binds more than a dozen royal families together, and it is a powerful bank banner team with tens of thousands of troops. However, because it is not an official status of the empire, it has no scruples in doing things, because it offends the Imperial Bank, or offend There are many local forces and dark forces that suffered a devastating blow due to the failure of the Imperial Bank. The name Sokutus Stellan, the head of the Imperial Business Alliance, is more popular than some kings of the kingdom in many fields, let alone , this woman controls 40% of the Chamber of Commerce industry in the coastal area of ​​South Europe's Barro. Seventy percent of the South Europe's Barro Chamber of Commerce has a background from the Imperial Bank, and many coastal ports are classified entirely. in this woman's name

Even when the Imperial Navy has disputes in some complicated areas in South Europe, as long as this woman comes forward, the attitude of the other party will immediately change.

It is precisely because we are well aware of the power of the Imperial Bank in the south that we understand more clearly that although this woman does not have the name of a queen, she definitely has the status of a queen. Even many southern European Barrow royal families are too proud to take a breath in front of this woman. , ever since the empire relied on the victory of the North-South War to continuously penetrate its power southward, The royal families in the Barrow coastal areas of Central Europe fell one after another. In order to obtain loans from the Imperial Bank, they had already mortgaged their domestic minerals, land, and even export taxes to the Imperial Bank. This woman was a little unhappy and did not dare to say that she would overthrow the royal rule. , but to collapse the domestic economy, it is only a matter of stretching out one's hand.

"Commander Sieffinger is so polite. It should be said that it is our honor to be able to ask for your help!" Sokutus Stellan returned a salute to Sieffenger, and then put the crimson man next to him. Rui introduced him to Sieffinger. After learning that the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce came to Anthea to collect debts, Sieffinger couldn't bear it. She changed her mind, hesitated and said, "Anthea has been very hostile to the empire since the New Year's Eve. I'm afraid that this time the debt will be in vain!!" "Commander Sieffinger, I don't know what you think about Anxi." What do you think of the pirates who have been causing trouble in Yahai area in recent months?" Sokutus Stellan said with a nonchalant smile.

"Wherever there are any pirates, it's Queen Anthea pretending to be herself. In fact, we launched a cleanup last month and sank two of the opponent's pirate ships, and captured more than a dozen of the opponent's people. The remaining one was directly We ran into Anthea Port. I believe Miss Dailan also knows that Anthea has been very dissatisfied with the empire since she took it back to the port. The other party directly refused our entry." Sieffenger looked unhappy. He said, "It is also annoying to say that the other party actually threatened to immediately burn down all the facilities in Anthea Port if the Imperial Navy entered the Anthea Port, and asked our Imperial Navy to bear all responsibility for this. Finally, in view of the possibility of causing the Barrow War in Central Europe, Due to the hostility of the country, I could only lead the squadron to leave and report the situation to the Navy Department. However, until now, the Navy Department has not given a specific reply."

"I just brought a reply from the Admiralty Department this time!" Sokutus Stellan raised her hand to the maid behind her, and the maid took out documents one by one and handed them to the confused Sieffenger. "Reply from the Admiralty Department Why is the document in Miss Dailan's hands?" Sieffinger glanced at the seal of the Navy on the cover of the document, and his face couldn't help but sink slightly. No matter how powerful Sokutus Dailan was, it was impossible to get the empire. Admiralty documents

"Don't get me wrong, this response from the Navy is only in my hands temporarily for some special reasons, and I also brought another document. I hope the commander will make a better judgment after reading it." Sokutusdai Lan took out another document from his pocket and handed it to Sieffinger along with the document from the Imperial Navy.

Sieffinger took a deep breath, took the document, glanced over it, and was stunned for a moment. There was no reply in the Admiralty report. Sieffenger couldn't help but immediately opened the second document, and there was a line of blood. The red text came into Sieffenger's eyes like a sharp blade.

Battle name "Destroy the Witch"

Sieffinger's hand holding the document couldn't help but tremble. The sea area of ​​Anthea was rough, and the waves were constantly surging, rolling up half-meter-high waves, which glowed colorfully under the sunlight. Because of the angle refraction of the May sun, it looks like a ribbon from a distance. For inexperienced sailors, this often creates an illusion and stares at these beautiful rays for a long time, but in fact, these rays are It is poisonous. Staring at it for a long time will cause irreversible damage to the eyes. This is somewhat similar to snow blindness caused in the snow. Therefore, the word Anthea means Sea of ​​Witches in Barrow, Central Europe.

Sokutus Stellan said word by word with a cold face, "Last month, Anthea's strong refusal of the imperial navy to enter the port caused an uproar in the entire empire's inland sea area, and had a great impact on the empire's prestige. Your Majesty There was nothing signed on the report submitted by the Admiralty, and it was delayed until this departure before it was handed over to me together with the order and report. I believe Si Aifen Commander Ge should be able to understand His Majesty's intentions. His Majesty asked me to bring this report to the Commander in the hope that the Commander can give a reply to the report himself. Although the facilities at Anthea Port are very important, compared to the Empire What a shame! The Central European Barrow was shot down by the Empire with a sword. Take back what you threw away! ""I understand!"

Sieffinger closed the document in front of him with excitement and asked cautiously. The signature on the document and the seal of the spread-winged falcon made Sieffinger's face turn red with excitement, and his face flashed. After a moment of determination, he took the report back into his arms, Siefinger returned to his naval flagship. The sea was rare and cloudless, with a clear sky. The inland sea was the territory of the empire. The imperial navy did not need anyone's permission to enter any inland sea port. Naturally, those who blocked the imperial navy from entering, They are the enemies of the empire! Even Anthea Port, the former naval port of the Third Squadron!

"Turn the fleet, Anthea!"

As an island kingdom, the terrain of Anthea is actually a volcanic island. Fire smoke is still rising on the island, there are dense forests on the ground, and there are quite a few underground caves. You can imagine the people of Anthea in such a harsh environment. , if the empire had not opened up the inland sea and developed the Golden Triangle of Anthea, the Anthea region would have always been ranked at the bottom among the Barrow countries in Central Europe. Even the Hungarian Rebellion did not spread here, because even No Hungarians want to come here

When the empire leased Anthea Port, the rent was 500,000 imperial gold a year, and it promised to give 10% of the tax revenue to the Anthea royal family. For the Anthea people who were in ruins at that time, they were simply overjoyed. That was it. For a small fishing village, the Empire actually paid such a high rental fee. No wonder people say that the Empire is a barbarian with stupid people and a lot of money. He looks stupid from top to bottom.

However, with the rise of inland sea trade, the status of Anthea Golden Port was established, the huge profits brought by the merchant ships, and the empire's large capital injection into Anthea Port, Anthea Port has truly transformed from a small fishing village into A large seaport and shipyards were built one after another. The port expanded outward more than ten times, and its scale has ranked among the top five in the inland sea area.

The originally barren desert island suddenly became bustling with people, sails were like clouds, and merchant ships came and went. However, these had little to do with the Anthea royal family. Although the 10% tax was considerable, it cost every year. After only one settlement, seeing that most of the rich oil and water that should have been put into their own pockets was taken away by the empire, Anthea's royal family's eyes were as red as rabbits, and their dissatisfaction with the empire became more and more like a volcano on the island.

At the Imperial Capital Annual Meeting, Representative Anthea was the most noisy among the Central European Barrow Port countries.

In the end, no one expected that the empire would use the opportunity of returning the port to blackmail the port country. After the annual meeting, the Central European Barrow port country discovered that it had been cheated and almost fainted in the toilet. The empire vigorously developed The Feishan Coast was engaged in gambling and tourism, and immediately snatched away the original gold center of maritime trade. The Central European Barrow port countries thought they could reap profits, but who knew they could only watch? The port that had been recovered at a huge cost gradually withered away. Anthea was already in poverty. After a few years of good life, she was suddenly thrown back into a circle and was saddled with huge debts. You can imagine her hatred for the empire. You know, pretending to be pirates to rob merchant ships and prevent the Imperial Navy from entering the port is partly to bring shame on the Empire. On the other hand, it is also to demonstrate to the Empire and force the Empire to invest in Anthea Port again.

After all, where is the location of the golden port of Anthea Port, and where is the empire's huge early investment. The Anthea royal family does not believe that the empire will turn a blind eye to Anthea Port, and last month threatened to burn down the port facilities. It actually made the powerful Imperial Navy have no choice but to leave in despair, which made the people of Anthea even more certain.

The empire will definitely come back. If you want to get Anthea Port back, you must spend enough money! This time it’s not just 500,000 empire gold that wants to send us away!

"Su Luo, come with me for a walk. Be careful and pay more attention to the coast." A bald Anthea pirate pulled a companion up, while several other Anthea pirates lazily watched on the beach. Looking at the surrounding sea from time to time, these Anthea pirates are actually sailors from the Kingdom of Anthea. When Anthea Port was the most prosperous in the past, they worked for the merchant ships coming and going. As there were fewer and fewer merchant ships in the port, and The Anthea royal family pushed behind the scenes, and the sailors of these merchant ships became pirates. There were more than 300 people gathered at the beginning, but they were attacked by the Imperial Navy once, and the remaining ones were only about 40." So What are you so nervous about? So what if those cowards from the Imperial Navy come? I don’t believe they dare to enter the port. They won’t just run away in despair.” A pirate laughed with disdain, “What is that?” A pirate stood up suddenly and looked at the sea in the distance. On the far horizon, where the water and the sky met, a clear black line appeared. They looked very eye-catching under the clear sky. The black line is getting closer and closer, getting bigger and bigger. Slowly, slowly, the pirates can see clearly. It is a huge fleet lined up in a line. There are so many that it is impossible to tell how many ships there are.

"Send a signal to deny the Imperial Navy entry into the harbor!"

In the port of Anthea, a middle-aged nobleman from Anthea looked arrogantly with his hands behind his back. He looked at the huge fleet emerging in the distance and sneered indifferently. The empire could not help but come, but what could it do? ? Even a barbaric empire would not be able to attack a subordinate and vassal country without permission, so if you want to get back Anthea Port, you don't have to worry about five million empire gold! This time Anthea will not be fooled again!

"Commander, the other side refuses our fleet to enter the port!" came the voice from the mast of the flagship.

"If you refuse, you are the enemy. Order the fleet to prepare for battle!" Sieffinger raised the telescope in his hand with a stern expression. In the mirror, he could see a flagman standing on the high platform of the port, waving the flag towards the fleet in the distance. , when the Third Squadron of the Imperial Navy docked here, it trained a lot of flag bearers, but I didn’t expect that the flag bearers they trained would actually issue flags and refuse the Imperial Navy’s entry into the port. Sieffinger’s face became colder and colder, and each ship slowly turning on the sea On the side, the baffle on the other side of the ship opened like fish scales. The gunners in the bombardment compartment pushed out the Thor on the other side in an orderly manner. "Rumble," the earth shook, the sea boiled, and the Empire's Third Fleet roared. Volleys of artillery fire were like Sweeping away like thunder, the entire Anthea Port instantly turned into a ball of fire. The dense explosions were like exploding beans. Pieces of facilities were hit and shattered. Even Anthea's middle-aged man The nobles were also turned into ashes in the fierce fire.