The list of engagement parties gave Otto a headache.
Although he was raised as an heir since childhood, Otto didn't actually have much exposure to the intricate interpersonal relationships of the nobility.
Perhaps Count Argau thought the time had not come yet, or perhaps Otto himself was not interested. In short, Otto browsed through his memory and found that there were not many nobles whose names he could remember in his mind.
At this time, I have to thank Mrs. Kelly and Butler Simon for their assistance.
As the saying goes, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure.
Although Mrs. Kelin is not old, as a countess, she has always been dealing with noble ladies, so she naturally understands the interpersonal relationships of nobles very well.
Otto was thankful that he was kinder to Mrs. Karin for the sake of his brother El, otherwise it would be embarrassing if he didn't even know who to invite to the engagement ceremony.
Oh, if he kills Mrs. Kelly, he won't have this worry. After all, no one will arrange a marriage for him.
After repeated deliberations between the three of them, the guest list decided to be invited to the engagement ceremony was finally determined.
Among them, the number of nobles in Switzerland is less than one-third, while the nobles in Swabia and North Germany account for the majority.
It seems that Alaholf has a deep foundation in Swabia.
Among them, the most important guests are undoubtedly the Duke of Swabia and the Duke of Bavaria.
Otto didn't know how the Alaholf family, a small family from Swabia, could be related to Bavaria. After Mrs. Kelin and Butler Simon explained the twists and turns of the relationship, Otto
Still don't understand.
However, Otto did not delve into it. This is considered normal in Europe. The number of nobles is much less, not much. If they insist on establishing a relationship, maybe the Alaholf family and the Carolingians
Everyone in the family can relate.
After confirming the list of guests to be invited, Otto also entered a short period of busyness.
First of all, in order to show sincerity, each guest needed Otto to write a letter in person. Faced with the long guest list, Otto almost broke his hand in writing.
Secondly, it is to prepare for the banquet.
After all, it is an engagement banquet plus a housewarming banquet, which also represents the face of the Alahorv family. The quality of the banquet must be improved no matter what. Many things need to be prepared in advance and purchased from passing merchants.
Due to the turmoil caused by the serious illness of King Lothair II of Lotharingia, merchants have increased the prices of goods, which made Otto, who was purchasing supplies, quite distressed.
Although the price increase may not seem large, if you buy more, the additional expenses will become larger.
Especially when Otto heard that the price of iron pots, an important strategic material, had tripled, he couldn't sit still for a moment.
"Ibarra, my friend, this is not the first time we have cooperated. It is not appropriate to suddenly increase the price so much this time."
Otto looked at the Arab profiteer with a white cloth on his head and a big beard in front of him, and couldn't help but ask softly.
"Oh, my dear Baron Otto, I know that the cooperation between us has always been pleasant, and I don't want to increase the price.
But dear Baron, the East is not at peace either, and the purchase price of strategic materials like this has also increased significantly.
Your Excellency, Baron, do you know how difficult it is to transport these things to today's Allgäu? Those damn Roman officials are not easy to deal with.
Your Excellency, Baron, if you think the price is too high, it's okay. I believe that under the current situation, there will be no shortage of buyers for my goods.
I think the Duke of the Netherlands, whom I have never met, will definitely give a more reasonable price."
With a smile on his face, Ibarra told Otto the reason for the price increase.
The rise in commodity prices is due to nothing more than increased demand and rising costs. Now that both are satisfied, it is reasonable for others to increase prices, but it has tripled. Even Otto, who is not short of money these days, can't stand it.
After Otto silently calculated in his mind for a while, he named a price. This price was more than twice the previous price.
After hearing Otto's quotation, Ibarra shook his head like a rattle.
"Oh, by the gods, my dear Baron, this price is really too low. The price I gave you is already the lowest price.
Your Excellency, I cannot agree to this price."
"Really?" Otto smiled, as if he was talking to himself. "There is going to be a war recently, and all the nobles are full of thirst for iron. However, the situation is now in chaos, and the nobles have no time to attack.
The bandits appeared again one after another.
Since we can't reach a deal, I wish Mr. Ibarra can successfully find a buyer, and may the gods protect you from encountering those vicious bandits."
"Little bandits are nothing to be afraid of. The guards of my caravan are all well-trained..." Ibarra replied subconsciously. Then, he thought of some rumors and saw Otto staring at him. In an instant,
He shivered and his face turned pale.
"Dear Baron, you... you can't do this!" Ibarra panicked instantly and began to beg for mercy. "I... aren't we friends?"
"I don't understand what you are talking about at all."
Otto began to pretend to be confused.
"Friend? I regard you as a friend, and I kindly remind you to pay attention to your safety, but you seem to be asking me for your safety, and you don't seem to regard me as a friend."
At this time, Ibarra had already cordially greeted Otto's eighteen generations of ancestors in his heart, but he did not dare to say a single harsh word on his face. He knew very well that nowadays, let alone making money, his life was in Otto's hands.
.
Is life more important than money? Ibarra thinks life is more important.
These damn Western barbarians each say that they are nobles. There is no trace of aristocratic demeanor in their behavior.
"No, no, no, I think the Baron has some misunderstandings. I am willing to sell all the goods to the Baron at the previous price. I also ask the Baron to send troops to protect my safety."
"What are you talking about?" Otto frowned displeased. "When you say this, it's as if I'm threatening you and robbing you. If word gets out, who will come to Aargauland to do business with me, Otto?"
ah.
This batch of goods is priced at the price I mentioned before. We are friends. Since Mr. Ibarra is so sincere, our Alaholf family will never treat our friends badly.
Well, do you want to buy some Lafite wine to take back this time? I will ask someone to sell the Lafite wine to you at a low price.
In view of the rampant bandits now, I will personally give you ten crossbows to protect your caravan. Rest assured, after you see the power of crossbows, you will definitely fall in love with this weapon.
Now that we have reached a satisfactory cooperation, my friend, can you tell me the current situation of the Roman Empire?"