"Mr. Leibart, congratulations! This batch of automobiles will at least bring you a profit of five million Gold Coins, won't it?" A customs officer from the Great Tang Empire handed the report to Leibart, who was standing at the warehouse door, filled with envy in his tone.
Leibart is now an Elf merchant with a title in the Great Tang Empire, although his rank is much lower than before. Therefore, he prefers to be addressed as Mr. Leibart rather than Sir Leibart. He smiled, looking at the hundreds of neatly arranged automobiles in front of him, filled with happiness and pride. He had been a successful businessman in the Poplar Empire, but since the arrival of the Great Tang Empire, his career had clearly reached new heights.
"Not at all, I'm just a small merchant." Leibart replied humbly, but there was a hint of pride in his eyes. He knew the actual value of this batch of automobiles far exceeded five million Gold Coins, even surpassing ten million.
These automobiles, while just ordinary civilian cars in the Great Tang Empire, are rare commodities in the Elf Region. They are affordable and of high quality, and will soon sell out. Leibart saw this business opportunity, selling these cars at relatively low prices to the Elf Region, making massive profits.
"You're too modest, Mr. Leibart. Your business is really large!" The customs officer said with a smile, "You must prepare for the one million Gold Coins in tariffs."
Leibart signed the paperwork cheerfully and handed the report back to the customs officer: "I can afford this small amount."
He said with a smile. Although the one million Gold Coins in tariffs made him feel a bit pained, it was nothing compared to the massive profits he was about to make.
His most successful investment in life was probably sending his son, John, to the Great Tang Group those years ago. Now, his once unambitious son has become a high-ranking official in the Great Tang Empire, naturally providing many conveniences for him as a father.
If his son wasn't named John, these cars wouldn't have made it to the Western Continent so easily, nor could he have easily secured the agency for People's Automobile Sales... In short, he was very proud of his decision back then.
This world is a massive market, bustling with all sorts of transactions. Some buy and sell People's Automobiles at low and high prices, while others engage in large-scale trades like airplanes... This is how the world operates.
The Duke of Egret's airline invested heavily, purchasing 150 advanced jetliners in one go. These steel giants will soar over the skies of the Eastern Continent, injecting new vitality into the Great Tang Empire's aviation industry on the Eastern Continent. This transaction is significant, substantial in amount, and formidable in influence, even for the financially robust Great Tang Empire.
As such, the Duke of Egret had to personally attend the airline's ribbon-cutting ceremony held on the Eastern Continent. This was significant for him—not just as business success, but also because it was his first time stepping on his homeland since leaving the Eastern Continent.
He chose Hotwind Port as the landing point. Compared to Eternal Winter Port, Hotwind Port's climate is more pleasant, with warm sea breezes refreshing the mind. Although Hotwind Port's modernization is not yet complete, and its facilities are somewhat cluttered, the comfortable climate makes up for these shortcomings.
The reason Leibart's cars didn't land at Hotwind Port was due to the port's capacity being saturated, unable to accommodate such a large volume of goods. Therefore, Leibart had to select another port, even if the route was longer, he had no choice.
"I hope you can speed up the progress!" Just upon disembarking, the Duke of Egret said to his entourage who came to greet him in the VIP passage, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "You know that His Majesty might hold a coronation ceremony next month, which I absolutely cannot miss. Nothing is more important than this!"
He set a three-day deadline for his subordinates, after which he would return on his private cruise ship.
Indeed, a cruise ship, not a yacht. As one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, the Duke of Egret's vision far exceeds that of ordinary people. Those small yachts with a few hundred tons of displacement don't appeal to him at all. His private cruise ship, with over 4000 tons of displacement, boasts exceptionally luxurious interiors, a veritable palace on the sea.
After all, when His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang Empire sets sail, he does so on an Aircraft Carrier or the Marshal Bernard Naval Command Ship, such colossal vessels. Compared to them, the Duke of Egret's private cruise ship is not overly pretentious. Therefore, he spares no expense to make his cruise ship the most luxurious palace at sea.
"Your Grace the Duke, we understand your time is very precious, everything here is ready, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony can be held tomorrow." The company general manager said with a flattering smile, making a respectful "please" gesture, meticulously following behind the Duke of Egret.
Facing the world football godfather, the famous owner of the Egret team, who once swept away His Majesty's royal team with a score of 4:0, how could he not be respectful and reverent? Mere audacity is enough to earn admiration.
"Very well!" The Duke of Egret nodded and said no more to the other party.
Brunas Port's wharf was equally chaotic, with mountains of goods and noisy crowds, the air filled with the salty sea and a faint fishy smell.
Amid the clamor, a man calmly descended from the gangway. Dressed in a simple black trench coat, tall and upright, he gave off a sense of steadiness and restraint. He raised his wrist to glance at his watch, seemingly confirming the time. His deep gaze swept over the dock, as though he could see through everything.
For the vast, heavily populated Great Tang Empire, he might be a mere drop in the ocean, inconspicuous. However, for certain individuals on the Eastern Continent, his arrival was akin to the calm before a storm, indicating an ominous sign.
On the dock, several men in black uniforms were already waiting. Seeing him descend the gangway, they immediately approached, standing respectfully and saluting. This tall man was the crucial individual they were to receive: Lord Bartender. He had always been called bartender, appearing to be merely a bartender at the Silver Fox Tavern.
He nodded slightly in acknowledgment of their salute, then moved to the center of the group, casually handing his suitcase to one of them.
"You've worked hard." His tone was calm yet carried an undeniable authority: "Since I've arrived, it means the work has begun."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his tone becoming more serious: "His Majesty does not permit any presence of Black Crow or similar substances. Any unauthorized manufacturing, selling, or use of such substances is illegal."
This substance had always been strictly regulated on the Western Continent, yet it was rampant on the Eastern Continent. Sofia had intentions to push it, leaving a mess of Black Crow abuse. This time, the bartender was assigned here to thoroughly address the Black Crow issue.
"Understood." The group responded in unison, filled with awe in their tone.
"Very good." The bartender nodded in satisfaction.
The group swiftly and orderly helped the bartender open the car door, their actions were clean, precise, and well-trained.
The bartender bent down to sit inside the car, and the black sedan started slowly, heading toward the urban area. The rest of the men returned to the vehicles on either side, and these government-plated cars left the dock silently like black phantoms.
Those who used Black Crow, those who turned a blind eye to its sale, and those who profited from it had no idea that their good days were over.