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墨書 Inktalez
The New Home Chamber of Commerce has truly reached a critical point. After bringing the captured guards into their Merchant Guild, they immediately provided some of the more seriously injured individuals with money as relocation assistance. As a result, over a hundred of those redeemed have already been dismissed.
In other cities, many guards have also been let go as Guo Leigang seeks to cut costs.
This action by the New Home Chamber of Commerce has drawn protests from many guards, but there is little that can be done. Recently, their family’s ore ships have frequently been robbed, and business at the weapon shop has been very poor. Under the strong pressure from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, their revenue has dropped to about three layers of what it usually is.
Even the normal operation of the Merchant Guild has become somewhat difficult. Therefore, Guo Leigang not only implemented a layoff strategy but also had to reduce the quantity of ore purchases, which similarly offended large ore buyers.
Several ore merchants, upon seeing the situation at the New Home Chamber of Commerce, gathered together and ultimately applied pressure on them. They raised the prices of ore even further.
Guo Leigang protested against them, but it had no effect.
Upon receiving this news, Liu Guanfeng immediately sent Huang Tie to persuade these large ore merchants. In the end, they managed to obtain a large number of ore invoices at the original prices set by the New Home Chamber of Commerce.
After receiving orders from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, several ore merchants felt even more confident in dealing with the New Home Chamber of Commerce. They firmly held their prices and refused to budge. Ultimately, the New Home Chamber of Commerce had no choice but to seek other ore buyers. However, there were already very few left willing to cooperate with them in the Merchant Guild, and even those that were required cash payment upfront.
Frustrated, Guo Leigang could only pace back and forth in his office, having already thrown several desks into the furnace in despair.
Moreover, during this period, Guo Leigang's temper has been increasingly volatile. Every time he went out for business discussions—whether selling weapons or purchasing ore—he would return to his office in a rage.
At this moment, Guo Yunhua could only stand at her father's door, waiting for him to summon her at any time.
After the sounds of furniture and vases settling down ceased, Guo Leigang's voice came from within the room: "You all come in here."
Hearing the command, Guo Yunhua and several other managers from different cities entered Guo Leigang's office. The office was in disarray, with broken porcelain shards and wood splinters scattered everywhere.
Seeing the state of the room, Guo Hai immediately called for servants to clean up all the broken items. He then had a new set of tables and chairs brought in for Guo Leigang.
Guo Leigang angrily sat down in his chair, while Guo Yunhua personally served him a cup of tea.
After taking a sip of tea and glancing at his son, Guo Leigang's anger gradually subsided. After calming down, he addressed the four branch managers in front of him: "Why don't you all discuss the recent situation with the Merchant Guild?"
Aside from Guo Hai, the other three presidents provided their introductions, which were largely similar: weapons and equipment were not selling, and ores were not being received.
Guo Leigang sat in his chair and asked Guo Hai, "Guo Hai, how much longer can we sustain our ore supply?"
"In response to the President, the combined ore in our four branch warehouses is enough for another six months."
"Six months... six months..." Guo Leigang pondered this timeframe, wondering if there would be any turnaround for his Merchant Guild.
Meanwhile, Liu Guanfeng was also pleased that the New Home Chamber of Commerce was not being pressured too hard; such an approach would benefit neither side.
Thus, actions against the New Home Chamber of Commerce by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce gradually ceased, giving Guo Leigang a chance to breathe.
On another front, the Gates of Hell had opened on time, and both sides had already engaged in several skirmishes. Among these confrontations, one squad stood out remarkably. In the course of these battles, this squad had eliminated six thousand enemies, all during chaotic clashes. This squad consisted of only two thousand members, and despite enduring several grueling fights, every member was injured but none were severely wounded or killed. Such a squad quickly caught the attention of the general.
When the leading general found this squad, he was surprised to see that they were just an ordinary unit. They had received their equipment in order like other soldiers. The general took away the weapons and gear from five soldiers among them and discovered the characters "Chinese" inscribed on their weapons and armor.
Who exactly bought the equipment marked with "Chinese"? Aren't the soldiers' supplies all purchased from the New Home Chamber of Commerce? How could there still be "Chinese" markings? Could this "Chinese" refer to the newly emerged Chinese Chamber of Commerce on Luo Heng Island?
After receiving this news, the general immediately reported it to the highest Grand Marshal of the Battle. This Grand Marshal is also the right-hand man of Severe Winter, named Zhu Xiao. Although he is only a low-level Advanced Knight, he possesses unique strategies for overall combat.
It was precisely this strategy that caught Severe Winter's attention, making him his right-hand man. Moreover, Zhu Xiao had previously captured an edge fortress on Said Island twice, both times being repelled only because the soldiers and supplies behind the Gates of Hell could not keep up.
Currently, Zhu Xiao is the only Grand Marshal on Luo Heng Island, so whenever the Gates of Hell open, he is always stationed at the nearest fortress.
Zhu Xiao continuously examined the armor and Steel Blade in his hands. After several battles, every weapon and piece of armor should have various scratches or dull edges; however, the armor and Steel Blade in front of him looked brand new.
There were no signs of wear at all. Zhu Xiao carefully inspected them for a long time but found nothing unusual.
Zhu Xiao looked up at General Stone in front of him and asked, "General Stone, are you saying that there are two thousand soldiers in your army wearing equipment marked with 'Chinese'?"
"Yes, Grand Marshal. These soldiers have only sustained minor injuries in these recent battles; not a single one has been seriously wounded."
"I understand this matter. Go back and have those two thousand soldiers remove this set of armor and weapons and replace them with those purchased from the New Home Chamber of Commerce. Distribute these two thousand sets of weapons and armor to your most elite two thousand men. I want these two thousand to charge at the forefront in the next battle; I want to see just how good this armor and weaponry really are."
"Understood." General Stone replied and then turned to leave.
Two days later, as if by convention, another battle was about to begin. Leading the forefront on Luo Heng Island was a group of soldiers clad in armor that looked brand new, numbering exactly two thousand.
At the front of this group was General Stone, who was currently wielding a Greatsword while riding a Unicorn Sea Lion.
In front of them stood a group of neatly dressed soldiers, among whom a general held a heavy iron staff. Beneath him was a four-legged Walrus. The general pointed his iron staff at General Stone and said:
"General Stone, in our last battle, neither of us emerged victorious. Are you willing to fight me again?"
"General Liao Shunyu, we have been battling for over ten years, and we have never truly determined a winner. Although your skills have improved significantly this year, I have not been idle either. Since we did not settle our last encounter, let us continue to fight."
Both men raised their weapons simultaneously, and the soldiers on both sides tightened their grips on their weapons as well. The two generals pointed their weapons at each other while their mounts strained to charge forward, with the soldiers following closely behind.
Soon, the two forces clashed together. General Stone's Greatsword whirled through the air with great force, while the opponent's iron staff struck fiercely. The two generals were indeed matched opponents.
The soldiers on both sides instinctively maneuvered around their generals and engaged in battle from the flanks. On the walls of Luo Heng Island, Zhu Xiao watched the duel between the two generals while also observing the soldiers equipped with Chinese Chamber of Commerce weaponry.
After about ten minutes of fighting, chaos erupted within the opposing camp as a squad clad in shining armor charged directly into their territory, quickly disrupting their formation and causing soldiers to fall one after another around them.
Noticing that his side was retreating under pressure during his fight with General Stone, Liao Shunyu realized the gravity of the situation. He quickly turned his Walrus back toward his camp and saw a group of soldiers in shiny armor relentlessly claiming the lives of his men. Without hesitation, Liao Shunyu charged in, striking two soldiers with his staff and sending them flying. He then shouted for his troops to retreat. All soldiers fell back like a receding tide.
When the soldiers from Luo Heng Island reached the foot of the city wall, they were suppressed by crossbow fire from the enemy and had no choice but to return to their camp.
As soon as they returned to camp, Shi Hai received orders from Zhu Yuan Shuai to call two thousand soldiers clad in Chinese Chamber of Commerce armor to the Training Ground.
Following Grand Marshal's instructions, these two thousand soldiers were assembled in the center of the Training Ground. Zhu Xiaoyuan Marshal arrived at the Training Ground accompanied by several generals and commanders.
Zhu Xiao stood before the two thousand soldiers and said: "I witnessed your performance just now. What I want to tell you is that you all did exceptionally well. You are truly the finest warriors on Luo Heng Island. But do you know why you were able to walk away alive from that battle?"
"Understood." The thunderous voices of two thousand soldiers echoed throughout the fortress.
"Then tell me, what is the reason that allows you to stand here and speak with me now?"
"Armor." The soldiers' voices sounded as if they had rehearsed in unison.
Zhu Yuan Shuai nodded in satisfaction and turned to his subordinate generals, saying, "The reason I have gathered you here today is to have you take a look at the armor and weapons of these two thousand soldiers."
After giving his orders, a group of generals eagerly approached the two thousand soldiers, examining them thoroughly for some time, with gasps of astonishment heard intermittently.
When all the officials returned to stand behind Zhu Yuan Shuai, they were still quietly discussing among themselves. At this moment, Zhu Yuan Shuai addressed the two thousand soldiers in front of him, saying, "Bring those two soldiers who were struck by Liao Shunyu to me. Let's head back. Remember to provide these two thousand soldiers with extra rations."
Zhu Yuan Shuai led a group of officials and the two soldiers into the main tent. Each official took their position while the two soldiers stood in the center.
Zhu Yuan Shuai pointed at the two soldiers and said, "Colleagues, these two individuals standing before us are the warriors who charged at the front and were struck by Liao Shunyu just now. As you all know, Liao Shunyu is also an Advanced Knight. The fact that these two soldiers can still stand before me after taking a full blow from an Advanced Knight speaks volumes."
At this moment, the two soldiers stood straight in the center; both of their Heart Shields were dented, but they knew they were not injured. Had they been wearing ordinary armor, Liao Shunyu's strike would have easily taken their lives.
Zhu Yuan Shuai addressed the surrounding officers: "If next year all our soldiers can possess such sets of armor and weapons, I believe capturing Said Island will no longer be a dream."
"Grand Marshal is wise." All the officers expressed their agreement, as they had witnessed the differences in these soldiers' armor during the recent battle. Some generals even wished to take these soldiers' armor for themselves because many of their own armors could not match the defensive capabilities of these soldiers'.
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