Badge in Azure

Saleen looked at the women on his left side in astonishment, they had actually said something like that. It was one thing to be enemies with the Holy See and another to be enemies with the Qin Empire.

In the room, most of the people originated from Qin and this relationship could not be simply severed.

Guya suddenly said, “My king, there is one thing which you have promised. I would like to ask, when will you fulfill it?”

Saleen was bewildered and said, “What is it?” He did not remember promising Guya anything.

Guya said with a cackle, “My king, you promised to let my sister lead an army.”

Saleen then recalled that he had promised to make Sharman a general. “Sharman doesn’t have a title, so she cannot participate in the meeting right now. In recent times, I have had to recuperate and I haven’t seen this child yet.”

“Sharman is still young, just get her to come over. I will arrange for some people to assist her in understanding the mechanics of leading an army to battle.” Saleen agreed decisively, “Sharman is the youngest genius I have ever come across.”

When the rest of the nobles heard Guya’s words, they came to their senses at the same time. Since they had followed Saleen, they should of course work for him smartly. These four youths could obtain Saleen’s trust and a duke title not only because Saleen was recruiting people, but because they were sufficiently ruthless and ferocious.

“Guya had brought whatever power and riches from her family and placed them in Metatrin City. She even allowed her sister to join Saleen’s army. We should emulate her!”

These nobles were not stupid. In hindsight, they realized that all twelve earls came from wealthy families and there was a number of youths following them.

“Handing my children to Saleen so that they can battle for him will be much better than keeping them by my side to expand my influence. Saleen needs support. The earlier I render this support, the more substantial the rewards will be. Look at that Aini, he even brought his parents along, he shares the most intimate relationship with Saleen.”

There were simply too many talents in Qin. Even though these nobles possessed genuine capabilities, they could hardly progress anymore. It was different if they followed Saleen. As long as they carved out a remarkable career, they could receive powerful titles and vast lands.

Guya’s words roused the other nobles. One by one, the nobles signaled their intention to allow their descendants to follow Saleen and establish a powerful army. Their children, be it the direct or indirect descendants, had received quality education. Many of them had led smaller armies in the past, so it would be easier to cultivate them.

The issue which Saleen had been vexing over was actually resolved with one sentence from Guya.

Saleen had kind of overdone the recruiting of nobles and giving them rewards because he wanted to enrich his influence swiftly. No matter how strong a mage was, they could not replace an army. Alchemy City would have dominated the world already otherwise. The offspring of these nobles had received superior education. Be it managing a city or leading troops, they could easily take on such roles.

That was the good thing about Qin nobles. They spared no effort towards the education of their descendants. Even a baron emphasized this aspect. From the perspective of the Qin people, only intelligent and courageous people would have the opportunity to obtain power and wealth. Lazy and fatuous people deserved to be trampled on.

“Ker… we better discuss the events that will happen in the next six months.” Saleen coughed, causing everyone else to shut their mouths. It was already June, due to the war the lands which needed to be sowed were still barren. The broken-edged barrier also needed to be built. The small towns which were destroyed had to be restored.

The meeting hall fell silent. The nobles waited for Saleen to delegate the tasks as these tasks came with benefits.

These people were in such a hurry to meet Saleen for this reason. The commercial routes which were destroyed by the Holy See needed to be rebuilt and the small towns which acted as resupply stations had to be restored. Even if they did not receive any money, they could obtain a few shops in these places. That would create a long-term revenue stream for them.

“Let’s talk about the problem of the shops east of the city. Everyone seated here has at least three shops. My point is, I will only keep three shops selling magic nuclei in the future. Eighty percent of the annual goods will be distributed to all of you.”

In that instant, Saleen’s words ruffled the nobles. The previous year, Saleen had controlled all the magic nuclei. Now that he said he was going to give away an eighty percent share, it meant that everyone would have pricing power.

What was Saleen paying? Saleen would receive quite a lot of profits, these nobles had to contribute some funds if they wanted to receive magic nuclei. This also meant that once Saleen’s magic nuclei were taken back, eighty percent of the money could be reclaimed.

What were the most valuable items in Metatrin? Magic nuclei and metals. These two items would allow everyone to make a fortune. The mines in Qin were controlled by the imperial family, while the sale of magic nuclei was mostly controlled by Alchemy City.

These nobles would not make a loss even if they were to invest huge sums of money to obtain magic nuclei. In turn, Saleen could receive more cash, he would not have to borrow money to ensure stable cashflow.

“On top of the iron mines, copper mines, silver mines, and gold mines. I will also be responsible for ore refining in the future, I will only set aside twenty percent for distribution. For the remaining portion, I still have to rely on you guys.”

Saleen’s promises had bound these nobles totally. Why? Because as long as Saleen did not collapse, their profits would be guaranteed.

“My king!” Renee suddenly said, “For the distribution of these items, what ratio will you use to ensure coordination between all of us?”

The moment she asked this question, everyone perked their ears to listen to Saleen’s reply. Even though Saleen had freed up a huge portion of the profits, there was still competition between the nobles.

“Let’s talk about the magic nuclei first. For transactions involving magic nuclei, the price has always been controlled by Alchemy City. Every year, Alchemy City facilitates transactions involving around one-million magic nuclei, but they are confined within the city. Only about two-hundred-thousand magic nuclei are sold outside. A large portion of that one-million magic nuclei is made up of low level magic nuclei. I don’t want Metatrin City to affect the market in Alchemy City, you guys cannot make the profit margin too thin.”

The nobles did not understand what Saleen meant, but Saleen said, “Sooner or later, Alchemy City will begin eyeing us, that’s why all of you should engage in small deals with Alchemy City. Make Alchemy City think that they can control our market, it will be much simpler that way. I will use a flat rate method. Every one-hundred magic nuclei will make up one share and I will distribute fifty percent of the magic nuclei to everybody. For the remaining thirty percent, you guys will have to compete for it.”

“Alchemy City will eye this thirty percent of shares, so they will offer a higher price than everyone else. My twenty percent share will be distributed to you guys according to your titles. Once Alchemy City stabilizes the price, my twenty percent shares will be circulated at half their price. That way, even if Alchemy City can dominate the thirty percent, you guys will get the other seventy percent, your prices will surely be lower than them.”

The moment Saleen said that, the nobles felt more assured already. Saleen had kept that twenty percent so that he could adjust the prices. The nobles definitely could not vie with Alchemy City, but Saleen’s twenty percent of the shares could help make up for their losses. If Alchemy City wanted to control the market, they would have to pay an astronomical price.

Taking the thirty percent, it would be impossible for Alchemy City to buy high and sell low.

“As for the four types of mines, I will distribute them to the four dukes. Then, according to your titles, you have to distribute eighty percent to the lower ranks.”

The nobles glanced at one another, Saleen was trying to distribute these things equally.

“Don’t think that your profits will be little, keeping that twenty percent will ensure ample cashflow. The sale of raw materials doesn’t bring much profit. I will distribute it to you guys so that you can control the source. The real profit stems from finished equipment. How much can twenty kilograms of steel fetch? How much can a puppet chariot used for farming fetch? How much can crafted armor fetch?”

The nobles were speechless, they did not have so many mages with them.

“I will build a large number of alchemy laboratories south of the city. In at most two years, Metatrin City will have thousands of mages and tens of thousands of magic disciples. If you want to refine materials you only need to spend half the amount compared to the outside world.”

Saleen placated everyone’s emotions once again. By controlling the material sources and using half the market price to process materials, their profits would thus be protected.

Saleen smirked secretly, “When the mages from Sregl Island arrive and they want to continue practicing, they will have to emulate Lex’s mages. Where will the materials come from? These nobles will provide them for free and they still have to pay. Lex must have her own methods for being able to groom so many mages. I won’t be able to satisfy all the mages if I depend on myself to earn money. In the outside world, mages will charge high fees for processing materials because the quantity to be processed is too small. Their training will be hindered. If the quantity is good, mages can use the materials to learn and practice systematically, their study of magic will not be affected at all. Bitter Water Prefecture has alchemy factories, whereby large numbers of disciples are inside crafting armor and weapons. That is the place where Lex makes money. In actual fact, Lex is grooming those mages, who do not carry out such work, in vain.”

When Nicholas heard Saleen allocating the profits to these nobles, he grew to admire Saleen. Saleen was not greedy, everyone could make a profit, so all of them would cooperate with one another. The one who made the most money was still Saleen. Nicholas never expected Saleen to possess so many resources, he still asked Saleen how much money he had. Now, it seemed that Saleen’s wealth could enable him to develop swiftly.

Saleen’s strategy was not shrewd, but as long as he was not greedy, he would be able to cage the nobles who had defected to him. He was giving them tangible benefits and he was the only one who could provide these benefits. That was already enough.

If the nobles serving him could prosper, Saleen would also gain more power to launch campaigns overseas.

What about the nobles’ loyalty? Unless Saleen had let them down, those nobles who betrayed him would find it hard to command respect in the future.

Saleen had recruited people from Loulan and Phoenix. He would not be betraying Qin because Qin had invaded Phoenix and failed to protect Loulan. Guya was originally a baron. Since a title could hardly be passed down, she was not considered to have betrayed Qin.

Aini and the rest had detached from their families. Since they were not the heirs, Holy Rock City could not say anything. In the fourth dynasty it was not rare to see people striking out on their own.