Three Philosophical Questions for Travelers

Sariwa went to do it immediately, and he brought a dozen people that afternoon.There are strong sailors with dark skin, old captains with gray beards, and old draftsmen with glasses and scrolls in their hands.

Dreyer received them in the Rotten Flesh Beach Council Hall. The group of people were not afraid to see him. The sailors all shrank behind the captain. The captain's face was stiff and expressionless, and the cartographer hid in the corner. shivering.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, please sit down." Dreyer asked someone to move chairs for them, and got a square table in the middle.However, this group of people looked at me and I looked at you, but no one dared to sit down.Dreyer stared and said loudly, "Please sit down!"

The skinny draftsman yelled in horror: "Yes! Big Boss!" and sat down on the chair.Dreyer smiled kindly at the others and said, "Please sit down, this time we are talking about business."

Hearing this, the people sat down tremblingly, and then Dreyer asked someone to spread a map on the table, and said: "Everyone, you all often hang out at the pier, I want to ask you, how do you go to sea from us?" How many days will it take? What month does it usually go to sea? When will the merchant ship enter the port? When will the fishing boat be loaded?"

The old captain looked at him and said, "Boss, let me answer you one by one."

"Okay, are you literate?"

"Literacy."

Dreyer nodded and said, "Then I'll write down all these questions, you guys discuss them, and then give me answers one by one."

"it is good."

So Dreyer wrote down all the things he wanted to ask. In addition to the previous questions, he also included: What are the common goods?What are the sizes and drafts of the three merchant ships?Usually that month to ship?How long are you going to the north?How long have you been going south?

He wrote down all the problems he could think of, and after he wanted to clarify these things, he made a port plan.He's good at making tables, crunching numbers, and writing plans, because that's what he used to do, after all.

He finished this matter in one afternoon, and in the evening he invited these people to drink at the White Wolf Tavern.Three of them left a deep impression on him. The first one was the old captain De Kun, a man of few words. His skin was blown into a bronze color by the sea breeze, and his face was as firm as a rock.This person has rich experience, although he speaks few words, every word hits the nail on the head.

The second person is the cartographer "Old Man Scroll", also known as "Old Scroll Mayne", or "Old Manne".This old man is timid and honest, as if anyone can order him around.However, it is not easy for a person to live a lifetime in Rotten Flesh Beach. He is knowledgeable and knows all kinds of water routes, and he is also a very low-key person, as if he is a compass who can't talk. He only does things and doesn't talk.

The last man was the sailor "Black Shark".There were three scars on this man's face, which looked very fierce.People say that he is very good at water, and he is bold and ruthless.Delair needs a thug like this to do things for him now, so he keeps him.

He was very satisfied with today's harvest, and he invited everyone to drink and eat at the White Wolf Tavern that night.De Laier is good at establishing relationships with people, and he spends a lot of money, and he quickly became one with the sailors.In the next few days, he continued to entertain other captains and some dignitaries, which was regarded as giving everyone face.

Of course Dreyer's face is not given to you for nothing - I have given you face, so do you have to give me face in the future?This is for future business.It is necessary to open up contacts.

A few days later, Sariva found him and said, "Brother Delaire, the list captured by the Necromancer Association is ready, can you take a look?"

"it is good!"

The Necromancer Association was completely wiped out by Fasnat and Netway, and the remaining things were naturally cheaper for Dreyer.Among them, countless gold coins were seized, as well as various precious metals, gemstones, and rare treasures such as silk and coral.If all these things are sold for money, it is estimated that there will be tens of thousands of gold coins.

Besides that, there are many slaves.

Most of the slaves here are living dead, and there are hundreds of people in the living dead warehouse.In addition, there are twenty pale beauties, and two surviving necromancers.The necromancer surrendered, swearing allegiance to Dreyer.Dreyer needs necromancers to help him run the previous business of the Necromancer Association, such as the potion business, training slaves, training the living dead, etc... Of course Dreyer dare not directly use these people, he must first test Click on them.

It's best to be able to learn their skills secretly, and then use your own people, so you can rest assured.

The next morning, Sariwa suggested to him: "These pale beauties can be sold for a lot of money. Let's sell them in the spring. It's best not to delay, maybe they will die someday."

Dreyer thought of Camelia before, and felt that buying and selling girls like this was not done by a gentleman.And how much money can these inferior pale beauties make?He despised it.

"I don't want to sell them, let's keep them for ourselves," he told Sariva.

When Sariwa heard this, he smiled lewdly, "Brother, there are twenty!" He raised two fingers, his eyebrows beaming, "Can we bear it?"

Dreyer laughed angrily at this guy, and said, "What are you thinking? Still... can we bear it?"

Upon hearing this, Sariva quickly changed his words: "Oh, no, can you bear it yourself? Twenty!"

"No!" Dreyer waved his hand, "Who the hell said that I want to use it myself? I want to keep these girls to make money for us! Sell it, it's a one-time fast money, and the earning is small; Stay and work, earn slow money, earn more!"

Sariwa said quickly: "Oh, brother! Don't do it, these girls are all rotten, and half of them will die within a year of receiving customers! It's better to sell them!"

"Who said I'm going to let them pick up the guests?" said Dreyer.

Sariwa blinked and asked, "How do you want to make money, bro?"

Dreyer said: "This is not something that can be explained clearly in a few words. In this way, you will go to see the venue with me in the afternoon."

"What venue are you looking at?"

"Ten miles east of Rotten Meat Beach, Hesse Castle Manor." Dreyer said, "I want to buy this place!"

"Why buy that broken castle? We have money, so we can't spend it like this!"

Delaire shook his head and said, "You don't understand, let's talk about this after watching the venue."

The next day they came to Hessen Castle - also known as Black Rat City.Legend has it that a certain duke's castle used to be here a long time ago.At the foot of the castle was once a bustling city called Moon City.It is said that humans, vampires and elves lived and multiplied there.

But then a plague destroyed the old Hessen castle. It is said that it was a terrible plague. Dead people were everywhere in the city. The stench wafted for ten miles. In the end both the castle and the city were destroyed, leaving only a pile of ruins.Later, it was called Black Rat City and became a taboo place.

Later, the wine city was built and prospered, and people forgot about the city.Forgot his face, forgot the tall castle and sacred temple, forgot the pool, fountain, square and garden; forgot the prosperity of the market and shops, forgot the singing of the elves and the dancing girl under the moon... the tomb of the ancestors was also submerged in in the dust.

Now it has become a rat city, a dead city, and a ghost town. The marquis of the wine city has been drunk and dreamed of death under the rule of the northerners, and has long since lost the mind to rebuild his home.This generation of wine city nobles are lazy people who are greedy for pleasure. They live comfortably in wine city, and no one wants to work hard to rebuild the old castle.They tried to auction off the place, but there were no bids at all.So the Black Rat City poked there like a barren stone mountain, becoming a relic that no one cares about.

But Delair had his eye on the place.

First of all the location of this place is great.It's not far from King's Road, Rotten Meat Beach, and Wolf City Sand Road.It was originally a bustling area on a transportation hub, if the wine city hadn't sucked its blood, it would have been able to reshape its brilliance long ago.

And behind the Black Rat City is a large wild grape grove, which is an excellent place for wine making.The Necromancer once said to him: "Survivor! If I have money, I must buy the Black Rat City. I want to build a temple there and turn the forest behind into a sea of ​​wine!"

But the necromancer has no money. Even if the necromancer has money, he must first use it to deal with the people of the Langshi clan. .Therefore, no one has been able to take over Black Rat City in Rotten Meat Beach.

But it's different now, Dreyer has the ability to take over the castle!

Dreyer doesn't have the energy to run a city now, he just wants to buy the castle and the surrounding wasteland, and then build a winery.Then it was renamed "Hanslock Castle".

This castle has three major purposes, first, as a winery.There is plenty of space and the right environment here.He wants to move the winery here and make a lot of wine.It is not far from the rotten meat beach, and the goods are shipped out by water.

Second, he wants to build a luxurious winery here.Here will provide a meeting place for nobles, parties, vacations, you can come here.There are antique castles, pleasant vineyards, first-hand manor red wine, and pale beauties.It couldn't be more appropriate to provide this place for people to hold banquets.

If he wants to earn money, he earns the nobleman's money-how much oil and water are there on the poor?

Thirdly, he wants to build arenas, racetracks, theatres, brothels and temples here - just the manor is not enough, he wants these adults to enjoy and spend money in all directions!If conditions permit, he will often hold "Wine Festival" and "Beast Fighting Festival" here in the future, or invite the best troupe to perform, so as to attract people around him!

Of course, this is a later story. Now he has to put up the "Hanslock Castle" or "Hanslock Manor" sign.

As long as he can invite a few prominent characters, the name of this manor will be recognized by people.With a famous brand, his wine will be sold better and more customers will come in the future.

This place will be Dreyer's castle in the future, and he will be the king of Black Rat City-Hansrock Castle!

The plan was too huge, and he didn't want to tell his subordinates for a moment.He has to complete the short-term goal first, which is to rectify the rotten meat beach.In the future, Rotten Flesh will be his rear area and his steady stream of cash cows. He must first have the support of Rotten Flesh before he can operate Hansrock City.

Delaire had drawn up paperwork to form four administrations at the Rotten Flesh.The four departments are the Ministry of Harbor Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Police.

In order to manage these things, he needs more loyal and reliable people-this is the most difficult thing for him.Rotten Flesh Beach has everything, except for "loyalty and reliability".

There is only one Sariva under him who can be trusted, but Sariwa has no skills to help him manage the wine making business.He has been doing the rest of the work himself.

Loyalty, loyalty...Dreyer is good at dancing and scheming, but he does not have the heart and courage of Haven. He dare not trust others, and others dare not trust him—even the only subordinate, Sariva , Dreyer will send someone to keep an eye on his wife and children.What else could he do if he hired someone else?

How did my master do it back then?He suddenly thought, Haven Ambleside, how did that single-minded guy win people's hearts?

Why are there so many people willing to serve him?And that includes myself.

Oh, that's really weird.

Rich one side De Laere, two

Rich one side De Laere, two

So Dreyer began to think about this problem.

How can I win over people's hearts?

give money?I can not let it go.

Charisma?I don't!

promise?Sign a contract?Will they believe me?

It can't go on like this.His business empire would not be able to function without addressing such issues.

First is money.

Dreyer has seen nobles use money to win hearts and minds.

Aristocrats are very generous, because nobles are not businessmen, they don't need to save capital to do business.The nobles spend every copper coin they have, and ask the poor to collect it if they don't have enough money.

If I could spend like a nobleman, the loyalty of these people would be stronger, he thought.

Dreyer used to say "get rich together," but it turned out to be a lie—who the hell got rich with you?It is enough for me to make a fortune by myself!

But now he began to think about the possibility of this matter.

I need the support of these people, otherwise I would not be able to run my project.This is the same as the title of the king. The king gave the lords land and let them make a fortune with him, so that the lord will be loyal to him.Without these lords, the king would not be able to manage such a large territory by himself, so enfeoffment is a must.

Dreyer was thinking about this matter. In the past, he was very stingy and would not give any benefits to others.But now his concept has changed. He regards the division of interests as an "investment" - blacksmiths sell swords, and they need money to buy iron; butchers sell meat, and they need money to raise pigs; I need people Come to run my business for me, then I will naturally give these people money.no problem.

Second, charisma?

Do I have charisma?Dreyer thought to himself, it can be said that it can be said that it can also be said that it can not be said.I can't lead the knights, but my methods are vicious enough and my mind is insidious enough to convince the bad guys of me.

Finally, commitment?contract?Do these things really make sense?If someone really wanted to stab me in the back, what contract would he care about?

ridiculous!

It was late at this moment, and Dreyer was alone in the bedroom, leaning against the window and looking into the distance.The moonlight is cold, the north wind is cold, the wild dogs in the distance are barking, and the black pine forest is shaking in the wind.His window was facing north, which brought his memory back to Mustang and Bear Mountain.

Smiley Cat, Witch, and Fasnet, why are these people willing to follow Haven?honor?justice?I don't think it's that simple.

Why do villains like Big Charles come after him?Why did the farmers and slaves in Wild Horse Town spontaneously fight for him?

He recalled the bald judge to whom he had served allegiance, and thought about the answer to this question.He opened a bottle of red wine, which was cold and no one warmed it for him.

Dreyer thought for a long time, drank one glass after another of the cold wine, and didn't stop until his stomach felt unwell.He faintly thought of the girl who warmed his bed with wine.

This girl must be loyal to me, I can feel it—then why should she be loyal to me?Just because I don't hit her?

Dreyer held the cold wine glass, and all kinds of memories were intertwined.

He thought of the excited faces after the emancipation of the serfs, and the joy on the faces of the poor after the wicked were brought to justice; he also thought of the people around him... After these people were loyal to Haven Ambleside, their lives changed. up.

Haven? Ambleside, how did he buy people's hearts?He never used money to buy people's hearts, what did he use?

What was the purpose of my allegiance to him?

Oh, I admire his courage and loyalty, and think he can do great things, so I followed him.When he develops, he will never forget me.

By the way, because I have a hope.

He gave everyone a hope.The slave longed for liberty, the poor longed for riches; the ranger, the nun, and the witch longed for peace and prosperity, and me and great Charles longed for prosperity.

That's right, that's right!Camelia is loyal to me because she is looking forward to not being beaten and to have enough food; Sariva is loyal to me not because I monitor his wife and children, but because he hopes to become a regal.

So I have to give Rotten Flesh and the gang a hope, so that they can be loyal to me!Those who are looking for money, I will use money to seduce them, and those who are looking for power, I will use power to seduce him!

After figuring this out, Dreyer can sleep peacefully.

The next morning he cleaned himself up.He put on a suit with a bow tie, polished his cane, and put on a straight hat.When he was ready he called two attendants—Sariva and a new pale beauty.

The girl's name is Water Lily, she is 16 years old, she is healthy, well-educated, well behaved, even a virgin, no man has touched her.

Dreyer asked Sariwa before: "Why are there such prostitutes? They live like a young lady."

Sariwa told him: "This girl is not a prostitute, she is a sacrifice to the God of the Night. This year, it was supposed to be used for bloodletting on the altar. Of course the sacrifice to the God must be clean, right?"

That's exactly the case, but the Necromancer Association has fallen, and this sacrifice is naturally cheaper for Dreyer.

Then he went to the port, to find Captain Durkun.In the twelfth lunar month of winter, the docks were covered with ice, and the sailors and captains had nothing to do, so they rested in taverns and hotels.All day is drinking, playing cards and prostitutes.Dreyer was not in a hurry to talk to them, and when he arrived at the tavern, he called everyone to play cards together.Water Lily acted as the croupier to deal cards to them, and Sariwa was in charge of booing and applauding behind.

He deliberately lost some money to make these people happy.They played like this for a whole morning, everyone played cards and drank alcohol at the same time, and in the end they all called brothers.Captain De Kun won the most money, and he invited everyone to dinner at noon.

Dreyer stayed to eat together.The pier tavern is not a luxurious place, it is just for sailors to entertain, so they can't cook any delicious food.The back kitchen cut some ham and bacon, soaked some pickles and served it with broken bread, and then cooked some soup with seven or eight kinds of miscellaneous ingredients and beef offal.

But such a meal is already a rare delicacy for the poor.Dreyer has eaten the banquet of the nobles and the dry food of the poor, and he will not refuse anyone.They ate around a greasy table, eating meat with knives and fingers.After eating and drinking, everyone sang together.The sailors sang very rough, just howling dryly, and in order to get along with everyone, Dreyer sang along with the ghost.The whole tavern is full of cheerful atmosphere.

When everyone was having fun, the captain suddenly said to Dreyer: "My lord, what's the matter with you today? Otherwise, why would you come here to drink with us? Ha, ha ha..." There was some uneasiness in his laughter.

Dreyer nodded and said, "Captain De Kun, how old are you this year?"

When the captain raised his head, wrinkles protruded like waves, "I'm 48 years old." He said.

For all he said, the weather-beaten captain looked, in Dreyer's eyes, well over sixty years old.

Dreyer asked, "Do you have any wife and children?"

The captain shook his head silently.

"Want to have it?"

The captain stared at him and asked, "My lord, what do you want to ask?"

Delaire waved his hand and said with a smile: "Even if we chat, brother, you are not too young, but you are still alone. I feel sorry for you. You said that you have been busy all your life by running a boat to make money. In his later years, he didn’t even have a home—a man can have no money, but you can’t have a son!” He bit down on the word “son” emphatically, and when he said these two words, the captain’s face was pained tense.

The captain was silent for a long time, and said: "I am the man on the ship, and the home of the men on the ship is the sea. My ship is my coffin."