Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 638 - 373: Calvin Commerce Association

Chapter 638: Chapter 373: Calvin Commerce Association

The morning light in the Northern Territory still arrives late. Snow accumulates silently outside the window, and the light filters through heavy curtains, giving off a faint whiteness.

Louis Calvin was already awake.

He turned to look. On his left, Emily was curled up in the bedding, her blue hair scattered on the pillow, her lips bearing a faint smile.

On his right, Sif was asleep holding his arm, her silver-white hair having been cut short again, spread across her neck, her eyebrows lightly furrowed, seemingly dreaming.

Louis looked at them, his expression unconsciously softening.

In the room, only the sound of their breathing and the gentle crackling of the fireplace could be heard, warm enough to make one reluctant to disturb.

Louis gently got up, donned his robe, avoiding waking them.

Candle flames burned beside the fireplace, the air filled with a faint scent of pine resin.

He raised his hand to summon that familiar blue light, its faint energy wave spreading in the air.

[Daily Intelligence System Update Completed]

[1: Fourth Prince Rhine bribed Inspector Mei Si, who agreed to propose the restoration of the Electoral Prince system at next year’s Dragon Throne meeting]

[2: Duke Calvin decided to separate Louis from the Calvin Commerce Association, framing it as a partnership, and to draft a new contract.]

[3: Sif is pregnant, and in ten months will give birth to a daughter for Louis Calvin.]

Louis stared at the first item, his eyebrows slightly raised.

The Electoral Prince system originated from the founding Emperor’s period.

At that time, the Eight Great Clans were known as Electoral Princes, the earliest vassals to follow the founding Emperor, and they were granted the sacred power to elect the Emperor at the founding of the Empire.

Each family had vast territories, independent legions, and seats in the council, pillars of imperial politics.

Whenever the throne was vacant, they would elect a new king at the Dragon Throne meeting based on the royal family’s bloodline through voting or alliances.

That meeting often lasted several days or even weeks, filled with deals, marriages, and oaths.

The original royal power was not granted by God, but established by these eight families together.

For this reason, the Electoral Prince system was once regarded as the highest symbol of noble order.

Later generations of Emperors successively dismantled territories, abolished princes, and rebuilt direct legions, uprooting the Electoral Prince system, leaving only the name of the Eight Great Clans but no longer allowing them to touch the throne’s succession.

Today, the eight families are already broken and uneven, some bloodlines dwindled, some power declined, some listed among them but not as prosperous as the new nobles.

Proposing the restoration of the Electoral Prince system in such times may sound like restoring dignity to the old nobility, but everyone knows it’s irretrievable.

The Royal Family will not recognize it, nor will the equally powerful new nobles.

Even the few remaining families may not truly have the courage to sit at the same table and split the world again.

So this is more like a deliberately raised banner.

Stalling time, stirring ambitions, disrupting situations, causing suspicion between the Military Affairs Department and old nobility, also delaying the resolution of the true succession struggle.

Louis quickly grasped the essence, murmuring softly, “Rhine… it seems you’re really anxious.”

To him, such infighting in the Imperial Capital is far from the Northern Territory.

As long as the situation continues to be muddled, the Northern Territory instead has more time to firmly root its foundation, which is a good thing for him.

“You all continue the chaos, I’ll continue building the Empire as a Count.”

Then Louis’ gaze fell on the second item.

[2: Duke Calvin decided to separate Louis from the Calvin Commerce Association, framing it as a partnership, and to draft a new contract.]

“Partnership?” He lightly smiled, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.

He had long anticipated this moment.

The Duke’s trust had never truly existed, and the so-called separation was merely a belated ritual.

The consequences of this approach are almost predestined; the Calvin Clan will view the Red Tide as an independent economic entity outside the clan, and the clan’s commercial network will be forced to contract.

In the short term, the Red Tide’s trade channels may be constrained, but Louis is not anxious.

He is well-prepared; the independent trade system in the Northern Territory, the financial system controlled by the Red Tide’s boardroom, and most of the Calvin Commerce Association in the Northern Territory still rely on the Red Tide, enabling him to continue operating even without the Calvin Commerce Association’s support.

Louis knows this is just a test by the clan: to see if he will return to the clan’s system or become completely independent.

For him, the choices are already clear.

The Red Tide must become more independent, completely removing the Calvin Clan’s control.

As for completely integrating into the Calvin Clan, since coming to the Northern Territory, it has never even been an option for him.

He slightly raised his hand, bringing up the financial chart of the Red Tide, watching a series of steadily growing figures, his lips slowly curving upward.

However, he also understands that this freedom gained from separating from the clan is not without cost.

The Red Tide is still reliant on some channels of the Calvin Commerce Association in the Imperial Capital, especially for food and luxury goods imports in the South.

“Seems, still too dependent on them.”

He began listing in his mind.

Rather than passively waiting for the clan to pull the strings, it’s better to take the opportunity to completely decouple.

But he also knows, at least in the coming year, the Red Tide will continue to rely on some channels of the Calvin Commerce Association.

Imperial currency circulation, port goods transshipment, Southeast Territory luxury goods imports.

These are still controlled by the clan, and if relations sour now, the Red Tide will fall into both financial and circulation dilemmas.

“Can’t tear things apart just yet.” He pondered, his fingertips tapping the table.

“Stabilize for a year, expand the shipment line from Dawn Port, find a few more outlets.”

Several names flashed through his mind, Federation Commerce Association, North Sea Freeport, even the Church Court’s smuggling lines.

“Later, let’s convene a meeting.” He murmured.