Munitions Empire

Dinner time arrived quickly, and since Tang Mo had promised to treat his guests, he wouldn't stint. After all, he had just extorted a huge sum from the Elf Race; it would not be in character for him not to share some of the spoils.

He wasn't a stingy man—rather, to some degree, he was used to being generous with his spending—it was just that his new enterprise had just started, so it wasn't all that apparent yet.

Therefore, he sent word to Auntie Cui Xi to prepare a good dinner. He also ordered some beef and pork to be purchased, intending to give all his employees a solid meal.

When Cui Xi sent word that dinner was ready, Tang Mo led the two groups of guests towards the staff canteen, which wasn't luxurious at all.

As they walked, Wes asked Tang Mo, who was leading the way, "Boss, do you really think these nobles will return the Gold Coins they owe you on time?"

He saw Alice and Tagg trailing behind, seemingly discussing something. They deliberately stayed at the end of the group and showed no inclination to catch up.

John and his captain also kept a distance, appearing more interested in the over fifty trainee Soldiers on the roadside.

Tang Mo looked back at the two groups and knowing they couldn't hear his conversation, smiled at Wes and said, "I must say, sometimes a noble's reputation is quite valuable. Isn't that right?"

"Forgive my frankness, boss, but most nobles' reputations aren't worth 80,000 Gold Coins!" Wes kindly reminded Tang Mo.

"You're right," Tang Mo said seriously, nodding in agreement with Wes. Indeed, 80,000 Gold Coins were not a trivial amount, and it wouldn't be surprising for someone to do anything for that sum.

"So how do you know Mr. John, whom you are meeting for the first time, will definitely return the 80,000 Gold Coins to you?" Wes, immediately growing anxious after hearing Tang Mo's response, pressed on.

As his recognized master, Wes really didn't want to see Tang Mo naively tricked out of 80,000 Gold Coins.

Tang Mo looked at Wes with amusement and counter-asked, "When did I say he would definitely return the money?"

"Then..." Wes was taken aback, his eyes widening as he looked at Tang Mo.

Tang Mo didn't stop walking and asked softly, "Have you ever considered... that I might have purposely given him those machines?"

"..." Wes halted in his tracks, nearly tripping over himself. Watching Tang Mo walk into the distance, he felt he didn't understand Tang Mo's intentions at all.

When he caught up again, Tang Mo continued, "In fact, in a short amount of time, we've obtained over 28,000 Gold Coins, bought 10 large ships with an additional 52,000 Gold Coins, gained over 200 willing Sailors, and a bunch of junk... and all we've spent were three sets of blueprints and two steam engines... isn't that still profitable?"

"But..." Wes still didn't understand Tang Mo's reasoning.

"But what?" Tang Mo asked, not in a hurry, just inquisitive.

"But originally, those items were valued at 160,000 Gold Coins." Wes felt his math desperately needed improvement.

Tang Mo nodded, not denying the fact: "That's right, they did sell for 160,000 Gold Coins."

"But we might not recover 80,000 Gold Coins... You didn't really need to be so hasty in selling everything to John," Wes was even more confused.

"You still don't understand, Wes," Tang Mo's smile deepened.

As he spoke, he absentmindedly reached into his pocket for cigarettes and a lighter, only to find they weren't there.

So he could only awkwardly withdraw his hand: "Nobody can owe me money and just walk away... nobody... If he pays on time, I gain a friend and an extra 80,000 Gold Coins. If he doesn't, that's when things get interesting."

"Int, interesting?" Wes felt he was struggling to follow Tang Mo's train of thought.

Tang Mo continued nodding, his expression serious, "Yes, interesting."

Soon, a shabby shack appeared before everyone. The shack looked pitiful, with worn-out seats and benches, while some looked fairly new.

There was no choice—Tang Mo didn't have the energy or surplus money to create a proper staff canteen. Thus, this might be the most shabby place in the entire Great Tang Group.

There was no proper lighting, and even the forks prepared for guests were hastily assembled.

The dinner was far from lavish, with just simple vegetables and some pork cut into cubes. Tang Mo, John, and Alice had an additional piece of steak, cut into easy-to-eat pieces and served by Auntie Cui Xi for convenience.

Unfortunately, the only available dinner knife was Tang Mo's own—even Roger didn't have his own knife, let alone one to offer the guests.

"I should probably have someone prepare some dinnerware," Tang Mo said as he pierced a piece of beef with his fork and stuffed it into his mouth, speaking to Roger by his side.

John, sitting opposite, noticed Tang Mo's modest means in this regard but didn't care. What he truly cared about were those machines and weapons; whether Tang Mo was truly poor or pretending, he had no interest in finding out.

Nevertheless, he decided to demonstrate the generosity of the Poplar Kingdom in front of another buyer, Alice. He speared some veggies with his fork, gave it a shake, and addressed Tang Mo, "You should indeed prepare some food, and silver candlesticks, order yourself some nice clothes... Nobles should look the part."

"What nobles?" Alice put down her fork and wiped her lips with a handkerchief, asking with curiosity.

She had come from the factory without saying a word to Tang Mo. The two were not acquainted, and while Alice kept to herself deliberately, Tang Mo naturally didn't seek the discomfort of a conversation.

It was John who spoke first, and due to her curiosity, Alice finally asked him a question.

John immediately responded with a smile, "I have promised to help Mr. Tang Mo secure a baronetcy in the Poplar Kingdom... So, when I return with Gold Coins four months from now, he will be a Baron of the Poplar Kingdom."

"Oh." Without offering congratulations, Alice went back to looking at the beef on her plate. Although she cared about the possibility of Tang Mo siding with the Poplar Kingdom, Tang Mo's recent impoliteness had embarrassed her, so she suppressed her concern and maintained her silence.

"In fact, Mr. Tang Mo will soon join the ranks of the most favored and wealthiest nobility in the Poplar Kingdom with his new ventures. If he's willing to come with me to the Poplar Kingdom, even Your Majesty the King might personally bestow upon him a higher title," John added, seeing that Alice remained silent.

Upon hearing this news, Alice's heart felt as if it were about to leap out of her throat. She really hadn't thought it through—what she and her father's Northern Ridge would face alone if Tang Mo really accepted John's offer.

"So, has he agreed?" Alice forced a faint smile, maintaining the basic etiquette of nobility.

"I have not considered developing in the Poplar Kingdom, Miss Alice," Tang Mo didn't wait for John to continue and smiled as he gave his answer, "As I see it, my ventures in Brunas have just begun, so I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon."

Being at someone's mercy was not a comfortable position, and Tang Mo knew this all too well. Forget the worth of his pure friendship with John—perhaps not even valued at twenty Gold Coins; even if they were sworn brothers, Tang Mo would not consider abandoning his achievements in Brunas to follow John to the Poplar Kingdom at such a time.

Of course, if his industries here were completely destroyed, he certainly wouldn't mind trying his luck in the Poplar Kingdom, seeking a chance for a comeback.

"This meal is truly unforgettable," John realized by now, finally understanding why Tang Mo was so eager to sell him many important assets.

Because Tang Mo was out of money, in the rough stages of capital accumulation. What Tang Mo needed now was time, not cherishing the valuable technology he possessed.

If Tang Mo's technology were swallowed whole by Shireck or simply obliterated, then no matter how valuable it was, it would become worthless.

That's why Tang Mo was so eager to liquidate, so eager to sell the technology he held to the Elves.

In fact, John had guessed only half right, because the technology Tang Mo was offering was so advanced partly for the reason he imagined—indeed, Tang Mo hoped to buy himself time. On the other hand, it was also because Tang Mo had even more advanced technology on hand.

Right at that moment, hidden beneath Tang Mo's somewhat odd suit, was an even more sophisticated Left-Wheel Handgun, another ace up his sleeve for daring to negotiate with John and Alice.

"Yes, the bandit problem in the Vicious Forest has been reduced by more than half recently, and trade routes between Brunas and Northern Ridge are flourishing... It would indeed be a pity to leave at this time," Alice said, not looking at Tang Mo, as if talking to herself.

Tang Mo didn't understand how he had offended the young beauty before him. Wasn't it just a little joke about the timing of the negotiation? Surely the reaction shouldn't be this intense?

He knew Alice had guessed that the Great Tang Group's private army was clearing out the Vicious Forest, training troops while securing their trade routes.

Though she too found the thieves holed up in the mountains an eyesore, her attempts to send troops for eradication hadn't been very effective.

This time it was Tang Mo's turn to send troops, and no one knew how many soldiers he deployed, but he truly made a surprisingly effective strike.

Therefore, by making such a statement, Alice was reminding Tang Mo that she knew he was training troops and stirring things up in the Vicious Forest.

Tang Mo, of course, also picked up on Alice's insinuation and laughed it off, feigning indifference, and began to chat with John about the customs of Suthers.

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The Dragon Spirit book goes on sale next month. Dragon Spirit mentioned two things:

1. There will be a burst of activity, so everyone can read more.

2. The updates will return to the regular twice-daily schedule.

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