Vol 3 Chapter 85: Businessman and monk

For Matthews Thiego, a businessman from Balearic, what is free is not important, what matters is that he actually survived.
What made him even more incredible is that this miracle girl who seemed to him like an angel came to say that it was true. Those fierce sailors did not plunder anything on his ship, which made Matthews Thiego I don't think there will be such a good thing in dreaming.
Following the suggestion of the girl who claimed to be the Earl of Cosenza, Matthews decided to follow the ship to the next port. In fact, he did not dare to listen to this suggestion. After all, the mysterious girl could now save his life, saying Maybe he will be killed in the next minute.
Matthews dared to follow the huge Galen warship, and after another day of turbulence at the sea, Matthews Tiego accidentally discovered that they had reached the sea off the port of Taranto.
Taranto is a port with a long history, because it faces the peninsula across the Ionian Sea. It is not only one of the most important ports in the southern tip of Italy, but also guards the Ionian estuary and is Venice. Provide security barriers.
For the Venetians, they would rather lose a large number of warships in the naval battle than to see the port of Taranto falling into the hands of the enemy. After all, the warships can be lost and they can continue to be built, but once Taranto is lost, it means Not only will the entire Venetian fleet be blocked in the Ionian Sea, but the entire city will no longer face any intruders directly from the sea without any barriers.
So the Venetians were even willing to pay for the Taranto to build castles and a large number of coastal barriers.
It was a battleship in the Fleet of the Republic of Venice with Matthews Thiegeau ’s double sailboat, and to his surprise, this was the Venetian flagship.
"You mean, the old man is the commander of the Fleet of Venice, the famous Moo Olgagel?" Matthews asked the monk around him in amazement. In fact, like the sailors, he was very suspicious of this monk's line. Will the guy be a fake? After all, although the moral description of the clergy is indeed about to fall into the gutter, but this guy named Mahimo really does not look like it is wearing a monk robe. .
However, he was very grateful for the life-saving grace Matthews. Not only did he give the monk a few barrels of wine in private, he even took out a small bag of precious spices from the secret grid to express his gratitude .
In the view of Matthews, this monk named Mahimo was obviously a wonderful person. After getting the spices immediately and being careful, he revealed more news to him.
"Yes, this boat is the commander of the Venetian Fleet. We are going to follow them to Taranto. The Venetian has set up a supply station in Taranto, but this is certainly not enough for them. There are a large number of warships stationed or transferred in Talento. This is not a small number, so I am following the Countess to determine the relationship with the Venetian. "
"Oh, will there be a large number of warships?" Matthews Thiegault moved his heart on tiptoe to look at the busy sailors coming and going on the tall Galen ship, then bowed his head to drink the wine Mahimo asked in a low voice: "So esteemed monk, what does this have to do with this countess, I know Kosenza, and I have even had the pleasure of seeing its heir Baron Keizer, although I am not honored to He said something, but the adult he ... "
"Keizer," he heard the businessman mentioning Kezer's desire to establish a relationship, and the monk waved his hand in disdain. "That person is long past, now Coson Earl Chasa is Miss Russa Kosenza, remember that it is not Miss Count, but Earl Russa Kosenza, understand?
The businessman nodded stunnedly. Of course, he had heard the introduction of the Countess before, but he always thought she was the Countess's lady, but who knew she was actually the Count himself, so whether it was the Old Count or the one he just mentioned Kesel, the heir to Cosenza, apparently has already stepped aside. Although it is not clear what happened, Matthews immediately realized that something was awful. Before that, he only said a lot about the relationship.
"Dear monk master, you know, the countess saved my life. My respect for the countess is very deep. This is definitely not comparable to others," the merchant cleanly tried to save, and his Eyes are sweeping on the monk ’s face, trying to find something to catch from his expression. "I would like to ask what you need, although tell me, I know it ’s true for you to be a monk. It ’s too hard, so I ’m willing to make your life as comfortable as possible. You can think of this as a friend ’s sincere concern for you.

"Speaking of life in the monastery," Mathimo's face appeared thinking, which seemed to Matthews to recall some of the original sufferings. In fact, Mahimo recalled what he heard from Alexander. How to survive those bitter days in the Abbey of San Seballon "In short, it is not a pleasant memory. When it comes to this, I think the taste of the bread and meat I eat is too light. I prefer the strong taste. Taste, do you have any ideas? "
The more obvious hint made the businessman feel relieved, and after another bag full of spices that was much larger than before was placed in front of the monk, Mahimo took a drink from the glass and shrank it in the cabin corner. , Wrapped up in a monk's robe, tightened his body and raised his face to the businessman's ears. "Speaking of Miss Count, I suggest not to underestimate her, and not to despise her as a young and beautiful woman fascinated by men. Forget about anything and forget it quickly, otherwise you will be unlucky when someone hears you, "the monk waved his hand to remind the businessman." The most important thing is that now the Countess actually has a little trouble, she Now she is working on her free trade zone, but neither the Venetians nor the Taranto are so willing to cooperate. The Countess has ran back and forth for this matter many times, although it has some effect, but obviously has not let her Satisfied, I think if anyone can help her solve this problem, it may be more effective than complimenting her appearance a hundred times, so my advice to you is that there is often only one opportunity, missed I missed. "
Matthews Thiegeau listened carefully. Although he also changed the cup with the monk, the savvy he had practiced all year round kept him awake, so although the monk seemed to give him a suggestion, but Matthews did not intend to seize the opportunity as the other side said, but first to find out what this so-called free trade area is.
"Unified tariffs? This is good, but it seems that there are not many places that are willing to respond. As you said, only Naples, Taranto, maybe a Genoa, maybe Venice, but these places are all big ports. , But you yourself said that it was a lot more difficult. "
"Integrated market import and export quotas, duty-free allocation of similar goods in the trade zone? This sounds like a very good idea, but it seems that the Hanseatic League in the north does the same, and that is the case, if this trade zone It ’s not big enough, and I do n’t see much benefit. "
"All commodities stored in a specific area of ​​the trade area are sold on the market at a fair price, and even the shipping tax is not collected, etc. What does this mean? Are the nobles at the ports stupid and willing to accept such terms Even if the nobles are willing, those guilds will not agree. "
"Otherwise, why do you think the young lady should come to Taranto by boat in such cold weather," Mahimo groaned. "In fact, the real trouble is not those nobles and guilds, there are many savvy people in the guilds. Do they know that this article seems to be unable to live with themselves, and may go out as soon as they come in. Other people ’s products can be sold in their own market, and their own can also be done by others. As for who makes money in the end, it depends on everyone ’s ability. , So this is not a problem. The real trouble is actually a single businessman. People are afraid that the whimsical idea of ​​the young lady will eventually be abolished, so although many businessmen are optimistic about this trading area, no one is willing to sign the first venture. The big businessmen of Taranto were very proud. It is said that they had begun to gamble when Miss admitted to failure, and then obediently returned to the castle in Cosenza to be her Countess. "
The monk's sarcasm made Matthews Thiego jump out of his heart. He couldn't help remembering that he had heard someone speak to the countess not so long ago, but where is that person now? It has already been swallowed into the belly of a big fish.
Go back and be her Countess? People who have this idea must have never seen her look at the shooting!
Matthews felt that his lips were a little dry. He unconsciously lifted the glass to take a sip and found that the glass was already dry. He reached for the wine bottle on the ground, but the mouth was covered by the monk's dirty hands.
The businessman raised his head and met the strange eyes of the monk who was staring at him. Matthews was startled. He remembered the rumor that the monks in the monastery were in pairs, which were invisible for many years. As a result of the woman, look at the hungry look of the monk in front of me now. Matthews chrysanthemum was tight, and he could not help reaching out behind him.
"I said, this is an opportunity for you."
As soon as the monk opened his mouth, he scared the businessman. I did n’t want this opportunity. I have a wife and two mistresses outside my house. I do n’t like this tone. Matthews moved his body backwards, thinking about if This guy came strong, did he rise up to resist, or just obediently poked up to accept the facts.
"Everything happens once."
These words scared the businessman again, did he think more than once?
"Now the Countess is in need of someone to help her, do you think she will make you lose?"
what?
Suddenly thinking Matthews suddenly, he looked at the monk froze, and after a while began to lick his dry lips and asked uncertainly: "You mean if I am willing to be the first, Miss Countess Wo n’t you let me lose money? "
"You are such a fool, I wonder if you have done a big business as you like," Mahimo pouted. "Now the Countess hopes that all the businessmen in this trade area will see and follow her. The benefits of being able to make big money, how could it fail you, let ’s be clear, even if you are stupid like a donkey, she will find a way to make you rich. Only then will those businessmen be willing to invest, understand Well, according to an adult, this tells you to lose money and let the guests know our good reputation. "
"Oh, that's really what happened," Matthews nodded involuntarily. He couldn't help but admit that this statement impressed him instantly, but the next question made him feel strange. "But those local businessmen can't see this clearly. Well, they should be very clear that no matter who it is, this first business will not lose money. "
"Of course, they are not stupid, but because they are local merchants, this method will not work," Mahimo shook his head, and the monk's unreasonable face rarely showed a trace of dignity. "I don't know. It ’s true and false, but it should n’t just be talked about casually. After all, it ’s been transmitted before.

"What news?" Matthews asked carefully, although the prospect the monk described to him was very attractive, but as a savvy businessman, he would never take out a child before he had understood the details of the matter. .
Before opening, Mahimo glanced at the narrow and sloping hatch of the ship, and then moved forward together. This tense behavior made Matthews unable to care for his precious chrysanthemum with his hands. Move your body forward.
After getting very close, the monk lowered his voice and said, "It is said that the Countess's uncle, Count Modillo of Naples, intends to marry the Countess to the Count of Horan, Taranto. Those local businessmen worry that if this marriage succeed By now, Earl Hawson had the right to repeal the order of the Cosenza territory. At least he might be able to repeal various regulations related to Taranto. By then, those local merchants who participated in the business in the trading zone may have It ’s bad luck, and foreign businessmen do n’t have this scrutiny. You can only change places at most. For example, if you invest in Taranto, you can enjoy the privileges in the entire trading area, and then you can completely move your business to Naples. , Rome, those places in Genoa. "
"But if even the decree issued by the Countess will be abolished, will the entire trading zone still exist?" Matthews said worriedly. "After all, this lady is a key figure in the trading zone."
"Oh, this," the monk scratched his head. "I forgot to tell you that it was not the Countess who decided to establish this trade zone, but another adult. The Countess did it according to his intentions. It ’s my master, the half-brother of the Countess, and the respectful Lord Agrigor, Alexander Juliant Gumbre, "the monk stood proudly and stood at his feet with an imaginary character Bend over to salute, then sit down next to the businessman without forgetting a sip of alcohol and continue to remind him "that is, the man I just warned you not to let him know what you think about the lady."
After that, the monk fell asleep on the ground.
Matthew Thiegold was in a messy mind at this time. He did not know whether the news he had just heard was true or false. But as a self-confident businessman, he was keenly aware that some of them made him perturbed. Things, maybe this so-called free trade zone sounds rough, or indeed it is no different from the Hanseatic League, but he can find something in this seemingly simple frame that makes people feel throbbing. Among them ~ EbookFREE.me ~ Is this an opportunity that God gave me, or is it a trap set by the devil?
Matthews couldn't help thinking, and when he was indecisive, a burst of cheers came from the hatch of the ship.
Matthews immediately got out of the cabin, and when he saw a faint light on the distant sea, he waved his arm with excitement.
It was a lighthouse on a high reef at sea. In such a foggy winter day, the sailing ships rely on the light on the lighthouse to guide the course, and seeing the lighthouse means that they have approached the land.
"Taranto ~"
The lookout sailor on the mast habitually pulled out loudly and announced loudly, and only then did Matthews find the side of the Gallen ship not far from the front, a striking figure always stood there looking at the motionless front .
"Taranto ..." Zuosha whispered to herself, "My brother, I will let you know that your sister is not a prop that can only be used for marriage."