CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 314 SELLING A CAR_1

However, most of the vehicles Yan Xing displayed did not actually exist.

With steam combustion engine technology maturing, manufacturing these vehicles was just a matter of buying existing ones and replacing their engines.

Now, Yan Xing was short of money to buy cars and to expand the production of steam combustion engines.

Therefore, this investment event was actually a pre-order event.

First, he would collect the money for research and development and car modification, then deliver the vehicles later.

After customers placed an order, they had to pay a deposit of ten percent of the total vehicle price. The earlier the deposit was paid, the sooner the delivery; the later the payment, the more it would be delayed.

Then, Yan Xing announced that those who bought cars would receive various small gifts, instantly igniting the guests’ enthusiasm to purchase vehicles.

Although only the rickshaws were actual products here while the others were models, everyone had seen the trucks operated by the Eternal Commerce Guild.

In terms of speed and cargo capacity, they were simply incomparable to horse-drawn carriages.

Now, because Marquis Anderson had seized the trucks of the Eternal Commerce Guild, other merchants who ran trade routes through the Silvermane Principality could barely survive. But once the blockade was lifted, who could compete with the Eternal Commerce Guild without owning several trucks?

As for the conflict between Marquis Anderson and Lord Yan Xing... If they really fought and Marquis Anderson won, one would only lose ten percent of the deposit. If one could be compensated with the properties of the Eternal Commerce Guild in Nuta City, the loss wouldn’t be much. However, if Lord Yan Xing won and one hadn’t bought any vehicles, missing out on the business opportunity would mean losing competitiveness. Therefore... One must buy. Buy many trucks, and also a couple of other vehicles for transportation. This was the future fashion of Nuta City. They believed that soon, not driving an automobile produced by the Eternal Domain would be embarrassing for the nobles.

The guests’ enthusiasm for purchasing automobiles surged.

Yan Xing, moved to tears, offered another benefit.

"All friends who order automobiles today will receive a lottery ticket for each car purchased.

We will have the draw after twelve o’clock tonight.

At that time, we will draw five lucky tickets, each representing an order for a Beak Eagle passenger airplane.

The selling price is the same as the purchase price the Silvermane Principality paid us!

150,000 Gold per airplane, 150,000 Gold per airplane! This is the cost price I offered to my most beloved sister Karol, only available this one time.

After today, if it’s less than 220,000 Gold, I simply won’t discuss it."

Yan Xing, by offering five Beak Eagle passenger airplanes for the lottery, instantly pushed the atmosphere of the entire venue to a new climax.

At this moment, the guests completely let go of their noble restraint, surging toward the agreement signing area like bargain-hunting ladies at a supermarket sale.

They instructed their attendants to rush home and bring the money for the deposit.

Some even asked Yan Xing if they could use real estate as collateral.

Yan Xing immediately had the Eternal Grain Bank set up a collateral loan office on-site.

He demanded special consideration for unique cases to ensure that everyone wishing to buy a vehicle could secure the purchase funds.

One by one, the purchase contracts were signed.

Boxes of Gold Coins, Grain Tickets, and mortgage contracts were sealed and carried away.

This was destined to be a crazy night.

The wealth of the entire city was converging on the embassy.

「At this time, Yan Xing was leisurely drinking tea with Lady Karol in the tearoom.」

Lady Karol scooped a small spoonful of sugar from the sugar bowl and evenly sprinkled it into her teacup, then stirred it slowly.

Her grace was impeccable.

"In this way, you have tied almost all the wealth of the nobles in Nuta City to yourself. If they still want to receive the automobiles that the Eternal Domain promised to sell them, whether they like it or not, they will have to support you in the future.

But if I were Anderson... he would privately promise these people that by capturing the Eternal Domain and the Thunderous Swamp, they would gain even more.

Therefore, I still advise you not to have too high expectations of these people.

I understand them better than you do," she said.

Yan Xing lifted his teacup, took a sip, and replied, "I didn’t expect these people to be of much help to me anyway. Having your assistance, Lady Karol, is sufficient for me.

Now that I have money, please prepare those alchemical materials I requested as soon as possible.

I cannot afford to lose to Marquis Anderson in the arms race this winter."

Lady Karol said, "Tomorrow I’ll return to the capital to meet the Silver Mane Duke, and there will be no delays with the items you need.

After I leave, Li Jiya will be in charge of the Rose Court.

If you have any matters that need to be handled by the Rose Court or the Assassin’s Guild, just let Li Jiya take care of it."

Li Jiya, standing to one side, bowed to Lady Karol and said with some trepidation, "My Lady, I am but a newcomer. I fear I may disappoint you by managing the Rose Court."

Lady Karol said to Li Jiya, "No, you are Miss Li Jiya, granddaughter of Arch-Scholar Eldofin. You are qualified to manage the Rose Court, and you are capable.

Besides... Lord Yan Xing will teach you what to do.

Just listen to Lord Yan Xing, and you will be fine."

Li Jiya looked at Yan Xing and had no choice but to accept the appointment.

"Yes, My Lady."

Lady Karol said to Yan Xing, "This time when I return, I will arrange for Li Jiya to officially become a member of the Eldofin Family.

Although I originally placed her by your side to gather intelligence about you,

this time... I wholeheartedly bless you both."

Yan Xing replied with a smile, "Karol, our current relationship is built on mutual interests. It’s better to keep those interests pure.

I also appreciate Li Jiya, so let her continue to stay by my side as an assistant..."

Yan Xing knew he could take Li Jiya into his household if he wished. But Li Jiya was different from Tong Yitong. Tong Yitong had no such complex interests and relationships, and Yan Xing was willing to engage in a sort of domineering CEO-style romance with her, even considering a more long-term development. A place where he could lay down all his worries and find respite. In the Magic World, Yan Xing could mentally disdain all opponents, yet every step he took was like treading on thin ice. Li Jiya was a beautiful woman any man would desire, but she was not in control of her own fate. Even if given a noble status, the hierarchy of this world was deeply ingrained in her very being. Unless he took her to the real world and completely severed her ties with this one, there would always be someone who would use her against him.

Lady Karol smiled. "Now I’m even more convinced of your ability to defeat Marquis Anderson and all those who stand against you.

You will become a great figure.

I am very glad I did not become your enemy."

Yan Xing lifted his teacup to toast Lady Karol. "I believe you too will certainly realize your dreams and become a woman the whole world watches.

Let’s toast with tea in lieu of wine. Cheers!"

Lady Karol lifted her teacup and clinked it with Yan Xing’s.

All was understood without words.

The embassy was brightly lit and as lively as a marketplace, while the Lord’s Mansion was extremely quiet.

「In a secluded room, Count Theodore and Marquis Anderson sat opposite each other by the fireplace.」

Neither of them spoke. Both quietly watched the flames in the hearth.