Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 636 - 372: Three Letters

Chapter 636: Chapter 372: Three Letters

The night fog drifts up from the sea onto the high tower, with the slightly salty moisture condensing into fine droplets in the crevices of the windows.

The air in the study is slightly cool, the candlelight flickers, shadows continuously deforming on the walls.

Duke Calvin sits behind his desk, which is spread with secret letters from the Imperial Capital and various places in the Southeast Province.

He opens them one by one, replies one by one; this is how the Southeast Province operates.

The next one is a letter from Verro Port, he opens the wax seal and the ink on the letter is still not entirely dry.

“Nine warships of the Dawn Fleet have successfully arrived at Verro Port, carrying goods including Qi Vein Stones, Burnt Ember Iron, and Demon Marrow Ore, totaling half the annual income of a province…”

Duke Calvin’s gaze halts here.

Ships symbolize the power of circulation, while nine main battleships signify the opening of an independent trade route.

“Nine ships…” Duke Calvin repeats softly, “In just a few years, even the Permafrost of the Barbarian Race can have a port constructed.”

He knows that Louis has been constructing ports in the Northern Territory, with the family sponsoring craftsmen to assist with the construction.

But he didn’t expect Louis to have created such a large-scale operation, and obviously there’s an intention to hide his own strength.

Duke Calvin leans back in his chair, his gaze sweeping past the sea fog outside the window.

He then takes out a map of the Northern Territory from the drawer, on which Crimson Tide, Mai Lang, and Dawn Port are marked — marks he drew personally.

Although none of the spies he placed managed to infiltrate the higher-ups of Crimson Tide, there are some officials from the lower levels, so some basic situation of Crimson Tide is known.

Centered around Crimson Tide, Louis’ influence has indeed expanded rapidly in recent years, even worthy of being called the true new generation Northern King.

In Duke Calvin’s mind flashes the intelligence from the past few months.

Prince Astha died on the frost plains, the banner of the Frost Dragon Territory exchanged for the Crimson Tide’s banner, he even suspects that all of this is controlled by Louis behind the scenes.

The reason is that after this, the Red Tide Knights took over the Northern Territory defense line, and no nobility dares to oppose Louis anymore, the chaos in the Northern Territory is completely suppressed.

“If asked who can profit from this event…” his fingertip taps lightly on the paper, “Who else could it be but him?”

Duke Calvin retrieves old files from four years ago, an authorization letter sent to the Northern Territory, written on it:

Louis Calvin, led forty knights to the Northern Territory, allocated 800 gold coins, and dispensed two carts of grain.

The Duke looks at that line of words, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, a smile devoid of warmth.

“I was indeed generous back then.” He whispers, the candlelight reflecting wearied shadows on his face.

“The Northern Territory now belongs to Calvin, it’s a good thing. It’s just that it doesn’t obey me.”

He looks at the family pedigree on the wall, his finger pauses between the names of Gaius and Louis.

One disappeared with the Emperor in the Imperial Capital, the other established a kingdom in the Northern Territory.

“Ironic.” Duke Calvin’s sigh echoes in the room, “Since he has escaped control, a new way of cooperation must be found.”

He stands and walks to the cabinet, taking out a few account books of financial exchanges.

On the surface, the trade between Crimson Tide and Calvin Commerce Association is prosperous, but in fact, the balance is skewed.

Crimson Tide almost no longer needs the family’s port operations, yet the family’s fleet relies on Crimson Tide’s cargo sources for maintenance.

He attempted time and again to regain control of Louis, intervening in Northern Territory affairs, but each time was softly rejected, politely yet firmly.

He sent finance officials to the Northern Territory Calvin Commerce Association to audit, but was replied with “Crimson Tide accounts are only open to the Lord of the North himself.”

He tried to restrict shipments under the guise of following family commerce allocation, but they changed to an independent shipping line…

After several times, he finally understood Louis is not betraying, but wanting independence, breaking free from the Calvin family’s control.

Compared to the Calvin family, he aligns more closely with the Edmund family.

Duke Calvin closes the account books, his tone somber: “This time I want him to make the choice himself.

Either rejoin the family system, accepting Calvin’s dispatch, or be completely excluded.

Cannot let him freely mobilize commercial taxes anymore, otherwise, he will step by step break free from control.”

Duke Calvin picks up the pen to write down the directive: revise the trade terms of Crimson Tide, using a partnership framework, not included in family direct management.

He lays down the pen, leans back in the chair, and his gaze falls on the Imperial map on the wall.

Regent King is gravely ill, the factions in the court are restless.

The Finance Hall has already split into two factions, military orders are changed thrice a day, even the border garrison tests the authenticity of orders.

The Second Prince controls the Military Department, eager to establish alliances between nobility and legions.

The Fourth Prince secretly communicates with the Cabinet Office attempting to consolidate power within the cabinet.

And the prince favored by the Church Court is quietly laying pieces in the eastern territory.

The whole Empire seems to be pulled simultaneously by several dark cords, cracks may tear open at any time.

The Southeast Province still counts as stable, yet also begins to be drawn into the struggle.

Port nobility guard against each other, gold prices and grain prices are chaotic.

Calvin family’s merchant ships are taxed outside, audited inside, even the family’s Knight Order has to be drawn to support the Imperial Capital.

The Duke looks at the map, his fingertip lightly tapping on the Imperial Capital’s mark.

“How many days can the Regent King hold on?” he muttered, “When he falls, I fear the Empire’s sky might collapse.”

He knows the order on which the Calvin family relies precariously.

If the Second Prince succeeds, military power will swallow commercial power, if the Fourth Prince gains power, the Cabinet Office will level the nobility…

Whichever way it goes, the Calvin family will be cornered.

“The Empire’s sky is collapsing.” Duke Calvin murmurs, “And Calvin must find ground to stand on before the rubble falls.”