Chapter 509 Banquet for nobles (9)
Chapter 509 Banquet for nobles (9)
I knew that if I left the situation as it was, it would be hard for me to achieve my goal of uniting the nobles in the surrounding area.
So I had to do something to turn the tide of the situation.
As for what I would do, it was something that I had already prepared.
Viscount Henry was still beside me and he would be the one that would turn the tides.
"Everyone, I would like to apologize for that mess. It seems that some people just can't be trusted."
Everyone couldn't help trembling when they heard this.
Even an idiot would be able to hear that this was a warning for them.
But then I changed my tone and said, "But let's move on to some more positive news."
I turned to Viscount Henry and said, "Earlier, I announced that I had signed a contract with Viscount Teomold to trade the ores that came from the Dwarven Kingdom. However, you all saw how that turned out already."
Everyone gave a slow nod when they heard this.
I didn't mind this as I continued, "From the beginning, that deal was doomed to fail, so I had already prepared a back up plan. I have already signed another contract to trade ores with Viscount Henry here and will be looking for other partners to trade with in the future."
Viscount Henry wasn't surprised, but his followers were surprised to hear this along with the rest of the nobles in this room.
I was honestly a bit surprised to see that Viscount Henry's followers were surprised.
I had told him not to tell them, but I didn't actually expect him to follow this. After all, things that were good should be shared with one's people and this was definitely something that was good not just for him, but also his followers.
But I wasn't disappointed with the fact that Viscount Henry didn't tell his followers.
It just meant that he was every bit the person that I thought he was and that he would be someone good to work with in the future.
After saying this, I waited for the reactions of these nobles.
After all, it would depend on them to see what would happen next.
There was a long silence that hung in the air until one of the nobles suddenly took a chance by asking, "Are there any conditions that we need to fulfill to trade with you?"
As soon as he asked this, everyone immediately turned to look at me with serious looks as if they were waiting for my answer.
I shook my head and said, "As long as you're willing to trade and don't have any ill intentions, I welcome your business."
All of the nobles immediately perked up when they heard this, but I quickly added something.
"But if you do things that are harmful to our kingdom, then I have no choice but to take action. I hope that you will all understand that." My voice turned cold when I said this.
All of the nobles felt a chill run down their spine when they heard this, but they remembered what had happened with Viscount Teomold and immediately revealed honest looks.
They recognized that this Count Zwein was a dangerous person to offend, but he was also someone that brought them great benefits as long as they stayed on his good side.
So they would do all that they could to remain on his good side.
Seeing all of them reveal honest looks, I said with a smile, "If there's anyone that is willing to trade with us, feel free to talk to the one that I've placed in charge of this matter, my third wife Haley."
All of them looked at her with focused gazes as soon as they heard this.
Of course, not a single one of them dared to look at her with any other kind of gaze after what I had said.
Haley revealed a wide smile when she saw this.
It was as if she could already smell the money that was about to come in.
Since I had deflected all the attention onto Haley, there was no need for me to do anything else.
There was still one more thing that I wanted to take care of before ending all of this.
So I said, "I hope that everyone will enjoy the rest of this banquet and make the most of the opportunities that you have been given."
Everyone had sparkling eyes when they heard this.
With that, I let everyone get back to it.
I went over to Rose and together, the two of us went to a separate room that had been prepared.
We sat down and just waited without saying anything.
Rose prepared a few things, but other than that, we just silently waited for our guests.
A few minutes later, there was a couple that suddenly opened the door and came in.
It was Viscount Henry and his wife.
Since this was a banquet, naturally Viscount Henry had also brought his wife and daughter with him.
They had surprised looks when they came in, but they quickly sat down in front of us and waited to see what we would have to say.
I looked at Rose and she said, "We have a proposal for you two."
The two of them looked at each other with surprised and confused looks before turning back. Viscount Henry spoke for the two of them as he said, "Uh, what kind of proposal do you have? If it's that kind of proposal, we are flattered, but…we don't do that kind of stuff."
I couldn't help revealing a bitter smile when I heard this, but I wasn't surprised that he would say this.
After all, it really did seem like we might be asking them that.
However, I just explained by calmly saying, "I want you to work for me."