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Arnold, directly stared at by Colin, suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

“Didn’t you all complain before that the tax concession policy I reached with the Troll Empire was not extended to the whole North Territory?”

Faced with Colin’s question, all the merchants immediately shook their heads like drums, one after another stating that they had definitely not complained.

Colin smiled faintly, not intending to pursue the matter further and continued:

“Therefore, I plan to establish a foreign trade company that will be solely responsible for the foreign trade of the North Territory. From now on, besides this company, no individual or business association from the North Territory will be allowed to engage in foreign trade!”

Colin’s statement was like stirring up a hornet’s nest, and the entire venue erupted with commotion.

“Count, are you joking?”

“Count, you can’t do this!”

“Count, this will ruin the business sector in the North Territory!”

At this point, the merchants, disregarding the disparity of their statuses, uniformly expressed their opposition to this proposal.

How could they give up the hefty profits from foreign trade? They would be willing to go to the scaffold for these benefits, let alone oppose Colin.

Colin, without a hint of panic, stretched out his hands to calm down the bustling merchants.

When everyone temporarily calmed down, Colin continued, “Don’t get excited, I am not trying to break your means of earning. Instead, I want to consolidate everyone’s power so that the foreign trade in the North Territory can develop better.

This trade company is not monopolized by me. Everyone can invest in it, and at the end of each year, the company will distribute the profits based on your investment ratio.”

This is essentially a joint-stock company, a new entity in this world.

Hearing that they could at least share the profits from foreign trade, the merchants no longer resisted and began to ask Colin for some details.

Colin patiently responded to their queries.

“Count, who will control this company?”

“Of course, the company belongs to the St. Hilde Family, a management team appointed by the Duke, will manage this company on his behalf.

Furthermore, every investor will become a director of the company, and the directors will collectively form the board of directors.

You can think of this board of directors as a senate-like institution. Based on their investment ratio, each director will have a different say.

The board cannot interfere in the company’s day-to-day operations, but some major decisions, such as changes in core management, execution of major trades, audit of accounts, etc. all need to be approved by the board…”

Colin plans to firmly grasp the company’s control over personnel and operations while other powers like supervision and advisory could be apportioned to the contributing merchants.

This is necessary. Otherwise, no merchant would be willing to hand over their wealth to an organization they can’t control. This “otherworldly East India Company,” wherein Colin placed high hopes, would not stretch and grow.

Exactly, the North Territory Foreign Trade Company that Colin was establishing was modelled after the East India Company on Earth.

The utility of this company would gradually manifest in the future.

From now on, you all should sell your goods to the North Territory Foreign Trade Company, which will then sell them abroad. If you want to buy foreign goods, you can place orders with the company, and the company will make a unified purchase abroad.

In this way, the North Territory’s business sector will operate as a whole in foreign trade. We’ll advance and retreat together, and have greater bargaining power in foreign trade. Isn’t that right?”

Upon hearing this, all the merchants revealed longing expressions. They began to realize that this novel company had the potential to be a giant in the North Territory’s business sector. Every merchant, protected under the wings of this giant, would venture out and conquer much more effectively than operating alone.

As Colin saw the changes in the merchants’ expressions, he felt smug.

In fact, his main intention of establishing this company was to consolidate and control the business sector of the North Territory through the company’s control.

Sadly, to Arnold – who aspired to establish the North Territory Merchant Association, this was a masterstroke that pulled the rug from under his feet.

Arnold seemed to understand this point too, and his face turned exceedingly pale.

He knew that there was no need to establish the North Territory Merchant Association that he had been planning for a long time.

Even if it was established, it would just be an empty shell. In the foreseeable future, the entity that would truly control the business sector in the North Territory would certainly be the North Territory Foreign Trade Company.

Arnold suddenly felt disheartened. He couldn’t understand how a noble as young as Colin could have such broad foresight and tact.

In front of him, Arnold seemed like a foolish, aimlessly flailing clown.

“Mr. Arnold.” Colin suddenly called out Arnold’s name.

“Yes, Count!” Arnold shuddered and stood up immediately.

“What do you make of this Foreign Trade Company?”

What could he make of it?

Could he say no?

Arnold roared inside, but on the surface, with facial expressions befitting heavenly astonishment, he exaggerated his praises:

“Count, I think this is a genius initiative! If you don’t object, our North Wind Business Association is willing to invest 1.8 million gold coins to join the North Territory Foreign Trade Company!”

Colin’s eyebrows raised in surprise and admiration at Arnold’s decisiveness.

He was a wise man who knew how to adapt to circumstances. He decided to join in when he knew he couldn’t resist, and made a bold move once he made up his mind.

The merchants present were stunned by Arnold’s generosity. Those who were doubtful before immediately expressed their willingness to invest and join. As if they feared they would miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they hurriedly pledged.

Actually, thinking about it, this new company is about to monopolize all foreign trade in the North Territory. If any merchant does not join in, in the future, they will inevitably be marginalized in the North Territory business sector.

“Great! The enthusiasm you all have shown is astonishing. I am sure this soon-to-be-established North Territory Foreign Trade Company will surely be hugely successful!” Colin clapped his hands and smiled at Arnold. “That is all I wanted to say. I apologize for interrupting your gathering, I will take my leave. You all may carry on.”

Upon finishing, Colin walked out without any hesitation, giving a suggestive look at the Oliver brothers along the way.

Understanding the hint immediately, the Oliver brothers also rose to their feet and bade farewell to the crowd before running after Colin, leaving the tavern.

Only envious merchants were left behind. They knew that the Oliver brothers would hold significant positions in the North Territory Foreign Trade Company.

Many of them started to plan on building a good relationship with the Oliver brothers. They hoped that they might secure some positions in the company in the future.

Arnold watched as the distracted merchants left the stadium helplessly.

He stood in front of the stage, but no one paid attention to him. Moreover, no one asked about the establishment of the North Territory Merchant Association that was planned previously.

Arnold drained the red wine from his cup in one gulp, he sighed deeply, hung his head, lost in thought.