Chapter 387: Dear Nephew
Only Zepher and Emperor Alaric remained in the room.
A scar ran across Zepher’s face from left to right. Most people would be shocked by such a mark.
But Alaric didn’t show any disgust. Instead, his eyes softened when looking at the scar.
Years ago on the battlefield, Zepher had taken a knife wound meant for Alaric; that was why he trusted him so deeply.
"But Your Majesty, if the Second Prince is truly behind this, it will be a serious problem for you," Zepher said suddenly.
Alaric nodded slightly. Zepher had hit the key point: even if it was the Second Prince, what could be done? At best, the matter would be smoothed over like before.
For many years, Alaric had handled disputes between princes this way; after all, they were his own flesh and blood.
"This matter has no final conclusion yet. You should continue investigating." Alaric said calmly. Zepher bowed and left the imperial study.
Sighing, Alaric shook his head and murmured. "Daniel, don’t push me to act."
Leaving the castle, Simon went straight to Prince Augustus’s residence.
As expected, Prince Augustus agreed to Simon’s conditions without hesitation.
The only price was that Simon keep the truth of the Preston battle secret and provide fifty cannons.
Compared to the trade agreement and the fifty cannons, this was nothing to Simon.
His contract with Prince Augustus had another part, about mining rights.
Prince Augustus’s territory stretched all the way to areas rich in coal.
The agreement gave Simon mining rights for twelve coal mines, famous quality open-pit mines in later history.
Near Brambleford, there was coal, but the mines were deep and poor quality. Mining them would waste too much manpower and resources.
That was why Simon had long been eyeing Prince Augustus’s lands.
The Preston battle gave him the opportunity. Otherwise, Prince Augustus’s temperament would have made dealing with him difficult.
Now things were different.
Prince Augustus not only needed help in war, but after seeing the power of cannons and firearms, he was fascinated. To get those weapons, Prince Augustus was willing to sell even his pants, let alone some worthless coal mines.
Coal was not very valuable now, since the Eldorian Empire didn’t use much.
For Prince Augustus, it was better to trade coal for something useful.
"Dear nephew, I sign this agreement. From now on, you can take whatever you want from my land." Prince Augustus laughed heartily.
To Prince Augustus, Simon was a fool, but he was a useful fool.
Simon had accepted hundreds of thousands of refugees from his land, solving famine problems. He had also traded coal for cannons.
Prince Augustus didn’t care about free trade of goods. Merchants were lowly in his eyes, and this treatment was just like adding another royal merchant guild.
"Uncle, your frankness moves me deeply. No more words, consider this a gift." Simon said, placing a box on the table.
Inside was a short-barreled firearm, a short musket.
"Dear nephew, this is a firearm? It looks different." Prince Augustus said.
He had seen flintlock muskets before but didn’t know the details. He knew muskets were long, but this one was very short.
"Uncle, do you think I’d give you something ordinary? Those are for common soldiers. This firearm symbolizes power and status." Simon said.
Prince Augustus grinned, scratching his head, and gave a thumbs-up. "You really treat me well."
While talking, Prince Augustus played with the firearm.
Simon explained how to use it. Having helped fire the first shot, Prince Augustus grew even fonder of firearms.
After confirming the details of the agreement, Simon returned to his mansion.
With Prince Augustus taken care of, Simon thought about who to approach next.
Just then, Prince Gerad came again, agreeing to the agreement, but only if firearms were supplied.
Simon naturally agreed. Since no one knew how to properly use firearms, in their hands, they were no more than sticks for fire.
Besides, Prince Vael was already secretly arming with firearms. Arming Prince Gerad could keep the southern lords in check.
"Dear nephew, to make the agreement more specific, why not write this firearm supply into the contract?" Prince Gerad said, still uneasy about the firearms, and after much hesitation, asked to make it a clause.
"If that’s your wish, Uncle, I’ll add it." Simon smiled slyly like a fox.
Once the agreement took effect, he controlled trade;a few firearms were nothing.
After redrafting, Simon and Prince Gerad officially signed. The trade agreement was basically finalized.
Afterwards, Prince Gerad said. "Dear nephew, besides firearms, I heard you also have hot air balloons. When can Your Uncle have a look?"
"No need to wait. After tomorrow’s court session, you can see them." Simon said with a smile.
The next day, Simon attended the morning court with officials.
As agreed, Emperor Alaric granted him the title of Third Rank Prince, and ordered that the Brambleford Chamber of Commerce enjoy royal merchant privileges.
Because of Simon’s great merits, the court was surprisingly quiet; no minister opposed the Emperor’s decision.
But thinking carefully, Simon knew the ministers were secretly pleased; they believed the Emperor had purposely suppressed Simon by granting only royal merchant status. They didn’t realize this was a prior agreement between Simon and the Emperor.
"Prince Simon, I heard you used two powerful weapons in the Preston battle. Can you show us?"
After announcing the reward, Emperor Alaric smiled brightly. This was what he was most looking forward to.
"Of course. The items are just outside the castle. Please allow them in."
"Approved." Said Alaric.
Carl immediately shouted. "Bring Prince Simon’s goods into the castle!"
Voices echoed all the way to the castle gate.
Outside, Liam’s carriage announced their arrival: "Enter the castle."
Jayden and Martin nodded and followed the young eunuch into the castle.
Meanwhile, Alaric and the ministers waited in the square before the Imperial Hall.
"Start, Liam," Simon said.
Liam nodded and immediately took the firearms from the box. Jayden and Martin began preparing the hot air balloons.