Magic Industrial Age

The oppressive atmosphere spread within the small captain's cabin, like the low pressure before a storm, making it difficult for everyone to breathe.

For a full five minutes, no one spoke. Sweat beaded on everyone, soaking their clothes.

Even the strongest among them, the large man wielding a bow, was affected, his hand trembling slightly from gripping the bow too tightly.

Finally, Locke smiled, a relaxed and satisfied smile.

"Very good, excellent. The fact that no one spoke proves that there isn't a complete idiot among you!"

"At least, no one is so foolish as to throw their life away for money!"

His words instantly eased the tension. Expressions relaxed, and several felt as if they were about to collapse.

They were steadied by those beside them.

Locke ignored their condition and continued, "Since none of you are fools, you must have some guesses.

For example, that the wreckage of the Bloody Mary was found by us, and that this group of pirates robbed Auckland City just a few days ago.

Therefore, those boxes and barrels I had you move should be full of wealth!"

"These things have probably been running through your minds for days. No one dared to say it, but you must have been thinking it."

"Today, I can tell you explicitly that you're right. It is indeed what the pirate crew left behind.

Although it hasn't been counted yet, it's definitely an unimaginable fortune."

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd could no longer suppress their inner turmoil. Soft murmurs grew louder and louder.

This time, Locke didn't stop them, allowing the commotion to spread.

However, there were a few calm individuals who looked at Locke with strange expressions.

Like the large man with the bow.

And Maruna Marques.

They really couldn't figure out what Locke was trying to do. If he didn't want to give away that 30% of the money, he shouldn't have said any of this!

Finally, as the commotion subsided, a cold smile appeared on Locke's face. "I can give you 30% of the money, but if you take it, your families will be ruined within a month!

Not just you, but your families will suffer all kinds of accidents, and everyone will die!"

A single sentence silenced the cabin. Locke continued, "So, what I said before is now void.

But, after going through so many days of life and death together, I will still give you the compensation you deserve."

Locke turned and pulled out a box. He opened the lid, revealing a dazzling array of gold and silver coins that caught everyone's eyes.

Locke then forcefully tipped the box over. With a clatter, gold and silver Thales scattered across the floor, rolling everywhere.

"This box of money is for you, for everyone, even the dead sailors, mercenaries, and detectives.

You must ensure that their share is delivered to their families."

"Maruna?"

"Here!"

Maruna responded almost instinctively. Everyone's eyes converged on him, making him unconsciously nervous.

"You will be responsible for counting and distributing this money, deciding how much each person gets. You can figure it out yourselves."

Locke then pointed to the large man with the bow and two of the most respected sailors. "You will help with the counting, distribution, and supervision!"

"As for the commission you deserve for this voyage, that's between you and Maruna. You can ask him for it."

As soon as he said this, the previous agitation, anger, and even resentment vanished.

Only the gold and silver on the ground caught their eyes, making them dizzy.

Of course, there were also people with bitter expressions. Maruna Marques looked worried.

This trip had practically bankrupted him.

Locke seemed to know what he was thinking and pulled out another box. "Maruna, don't look so gloomy. This is for you!"

Maruna was stunned. He found the box very familiar, and the next second, his lips were trembling.

"Really, really for me?"

Locke chuckled. "It was originally yours, so of course it's for you!"

It was the box Maruna had used to pay the ransom, containing one thousand gold Thales.

At that moment, Maruna perked up. He felt that Locke was truly righteous.

Just as he was getting excited, Maruna heard Locke speak again.

"There's one last thing. For a long time to come, you will encounter many people.

They may invite you to drink, give you silver Thales, or even beat you and threaten you…

They will use all sorts of means to inquire about the specific details of this ransom journey.

And what I hope is…"

Maruna interjected, "Mr. Locke, rest assured, we will definitely not say anything. We will absolutely keep our mouths shut!"

Locke glanced at Maruna, saw his determined expression, and then looked at the others, who were nodding their heads rapidly.

But Locke grinned. "No, what I mean is, if they give you money, you take it. If they invite you to drink, you not only drink but also take more.

As for the questions they ask?"

"Just be honest. What you saw, what you experienced, you can say everything without reservation, without any concealment!"

"What…"

This time, everyone present was dumbfounded. They looked at Locke again, and he was just smiling brightly!

…

A moment later,

Locke left the captain's cabin and led Olivia to the deck. He stood at the bow again, admiring the setting sun as the world gradually plunged into darkness.

Locke didn't turn around but could clearly feel Olivia's gaze, burning and eager, as if it had substance.

He shifted uncomfortably. Although he didn't turn around, his voice drifted over. "Teacher Olivia, I feel uncomfortable with you looking at me like that?"

Olivia blinked her light gray eyes and uttered three words sparingly: "Good tactics!"

"It's just coercion and enticement. It's nothing much!"

Locke said this, and he also thought so. Even now, although he was smiling, he didn't have much of a smug look.

Olivia said, "Many nobles can't even do this well."

After a pause, he asked, "But why do this?"

"This windfall is too large. Not to mention those sailors, even if we hold it, it's a hot potato.

So, we have to use some means!"

After a slight pause, Locke added, "The best way is naturally to make it widely known, so that everyone knows, so that some people can't easily attack us."

Olivia frowned slightly and then slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid it's not enough!"

"So, we not only have to be high-profile, but also learn to spend money, spend it lavishly, so that others can benefit with us!"

"Baron Marques, Lord Dorji, although I don't want to admit it, we still can't do anything to these two right now.

So, we still have to find a way to make them hesitate!"

"Just do as you see fit."

"Haha, teacher, just watch my operation."

Locke's loud laughter spread far away, and another voice, as faint as a mosquito's hum, fell into Olivia's ears.

"Tonight, I have to trouble the teacher to take a trip!"

"You speak, I'll do it!"

…

Although they had arrived at Fisherman's Port, the Persinas simply dropped anchor in place that night, with no intention of going ashore at all.

Because dividing the money was also a big project!

Since Locke said that everyone would get a share, then naturally everyone had to benefit.

So, they had to count the money in that box first to determine how much there was.

Maruna had experience in this. He found a lot of white paper, separated the gold, silver, and copper coins, and then bundled them in groups of ten to secure them.

This made it not only easy to count but also easy to distribute.

Secondly, they had to count how many people there were, living and dead, all had to be counted, everyone had to have a share.

Finally, the amount of money each person received had to be different.

For example, the Purple Rose Mercenary Group, they were the main combat force of this trip. They had fought hard all the way, fighting many battles, and their contributions were great.

Another example was the twin detectives. Although there were some conflicts at the beginning, they were the ones who destroyed the multi-barreled crossbow in the final battle, saving everyone.

If they were all given the same amount, they naturally wouldn't want to. Therefore, they had to be given more, and the sailors had to be given less. This also had to be negotiated to determine a set amount.

Maruna Marques originally thought this shouldn't be difficult, but in reality, from the moment Locke had the idea, they had to be busy all night.

The oil lamp in the captain's cabin was lit all night, and everyone came out until dawn the next day.

They were all somewhat tired, with bloodshot eyes, but the excitement was visible to the naked eye.

When they looked at Locke again, their eyes flashed with a look called 'awe,' truly both respect and awe!

However, what they didn't expect was that when they sailed the ship to the port, the scene that greeted them was far beyond their imagination!

People die for wealth, and birds die for food. Unless you are strong, more money is a disaster!

Therefore, I have to give the protagonist start-up funds, and I have to find a way to secure it!