Looking at the trembling businessman's son who was kneeling in front of him, Hallett suddenly stood up and gracefully performed a standard aristocratic salute.
"Hello, Bernard. Although this is our first meeting, I have already heard of your name.
As the most valued son of the owner of the Roldan Chamber of Commerce, you have taken over part of the family business since you were sixteen.
By cooperating with the Trader Alliance, the trade volume on the trade route from Askatra to Baldur's Gate tripled in just one year, and profits tripled.
When you are twenty-five years old, you are already an experienced businessman in your own right, and have even established your business further north in Waterdeep City, Neverwinter City, and Luskan.
Since you pursue profit first, you never care whether the goods you buy or sell are legal or illegal, let alone who the transaction partner is.
It is this that makes you favored by your father.
This time, the reason why you personally took the risk is to escort a batch of valuable contraband to Calim Port in the south.
The main purpose is to reach a long-term supply agreement with the local thieves guild that controls smuggling channels, thereby ensuring the smooth flow of the most important and most profitable trade route for the entire Roldan Chamber of Commerce.
But what you never expected was that you would be betrayed and betrayed by your blood relatives."
"You...how do you know this?" Bernard's eyes widened in shock.
He couldn't believe that the other party knew him so well.
Especially those less legal businesses in the northern region are often very hidden and only known to a very small number of core members.
Hallet explained with a smile: "I have many friends who are good at asking for information. So when I took this business, I asked them to collect some information about you in advance. I have to say that as a businessman, you are successful and
Excellent. But as the heir to a chamber of commerce, you are still a little lacking."
"What do you mean?" Bernard frowned in confusion.
"It's easy!
First of all, you are not ruthless enough and did not immediately eliminate those brothers and sisters who may pose a threat to your status.
Secondly, you have completely failed to understand that for a chamber of commerce, it is not enough just to make a lot of money; it also needs the minimum protection by force.
But in order to pursue extreme profits, you did not hire adventurers and guards to protect yourself, and ignored the shortcomings in safety.
Being caught by me this time is the best proof."
At this moment, Hallett was like an old-timer who was good at teaching and pointed out the fatal mistake made by the other party.
Just like he said.
In Faerûn, where dragons, magic, monsters, bandits and all kinds of evil forces are everywhere, if a chamber of commerce wants to develop and grow, it is not enough to just make money.
Smart businessmen will cooperate with some powerful local organizations, such as the Mages Guild, the Thieves Guild, or the temple of a powerful god.
Cooperating with them can often deter those who hide in the dark and plot evil.
No matter how bad it is, you will still spend some money to hire adventurers and mercenaries to protect you.
But there was nothing on the captured merchant ship.
There is only a group of coolie sailors whose combat effectiveness is almost negligible.
After hearing these words, Bernard's face suddenly became very ugly, and he retorted loudly and emotionally: "What do you know! Do you think I don't want to? In order to make more profits, in order to win the approval of my father, in order to defeat
For those brothers and sisters, I can only minimize costs in this way."
Hallett sneered and shook his head: "Look, this is the most ridiculous and stupid place.
You work hard every year and hand over the money you earn at huge risks to the Chamber of Commerce.
Then your father will take a portion of the money and give it to your competing brothers and sisters, allowing them to find new business routes and open up new markets.
And what about them?
He always carefully hides the profits he makes, and then uses them to make allies, recruit and form forces that only obey his orders.
In the end, some of them are not even satisfied and want to kill you and replace you.
Remember, never give the right to decide your own destiny to anyone, even if that person is your biological father.
Remember the motto of the merchants of Ascatra?
A businessman with only wealth but no power is miserable, because he will become fat in everyone's eyes.
Such things as rights are never obtained through charity, but must be fought for with one's own hands."
It has to be said that "Bloody Hand" Hallet is a very smart and unique person. In just a few words, Bernard was rendered speechless. His whole figure seemed to have received a huge blow. He looked both
Frustrated and depressed.
Because the young businessman knew that the other party didn't say a word wrong.
After being silent for a long time, Bernard seemed to have accepted his fate. He raised his head and asked with a wry smile: "Can you tell me who the mole was who betrayed this route? What conditions did he or she offer you?"
"Sorry, can't.
I am a person who keeps my promises.
Since we promised to keep every partner confidential, we naturally cannot reveal any useful information.
But you are not without a chance.
If the client does not intend to fulfill his promise this time, then I will follow the usual practice and sign a new contract with you.
At that time, our relationship will change from enemies to allies, and you will also get a chance for revenge.
Okay, relax, I won’t kill you just yet, so there’s no need to be so desperate.
Come, eat something and drink some wine, I believe you must be hungry and thirsty already."
After saying that, "Bloody Hands" Hallet pushed forward the seafood soup, rusks and wine glass placed in front of him, and then made a gesture of invitation.
It can be seen that he is in a very happy mood at the moment, and even shows a certain temperament, demeanor and knowledge that only a nobleman can have.
After all, knowledge has always been a very expensive and luxurious thing in Faerûn.
Ordinary people cannot even guarantee their basic livelihood, and it is impossible for them to have the opportunity to receive education.
Only wealthy businessmen and aristocrats are qualified to hire tutors or study in expensive colleges in big cities.
Based on this alone, it can be judged that the possibility of this pirate leader being of noble origin is quite high.
Gudong!
Looking at the food and drinks in front of them, the four prisoners began to swallow their saliva in unison, and their stomachs began to growl.
They didn't eat anything for a whole day, and they didn't even drink a drop of water. They couldn't resist such temptation.
Just when Bernard carefully stretched out his hand to pick up the cold soup, he suddenly heard a voice coming from behind.
"Don't touch that bowl, and don't put the contents in your mouth, if you don't want to die."
Instantly!
Everyone present, including the pirates, turned their attention to the dark bushes where the sound came from.
In about ten seconds, a human warrior wearing a helmet and chainmail, holding a short sword in one hand and a shield in the other appeared within their sight.<
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"Who are you? What do you mean by what you just said? Did my missing crew members die in your hands?" Hallett narrowed his eyes and asked.
At the same time, his pirates also took up weapons and surrounded the stranger who suddenly appeared from both sides.