Black Sail
Chapter 206: CCVI. Homecoming

Chapter 206: CCVI. Homecoming

In the Admiral’s office.

As soon as Liszt appeared, the Admiral put on Sima’s face, clearly intending to leech off him for a lifetime.

"The entire crew of Black Sail wishes Admiral a Happy New Year!"

Liszt made a congratulatory gesture that was completely foreign to the Admiral.

"This is ten Gold Dragons, take it and head back to Pirate Nest, have a good new year, and wash your hands clean as soon as possible."

Some rumors had reached the Admiral that next year, the Beima Duchy would make major moves. After years of draining its resources, the entire country had turned into a haven for robbers, but taxes kept soaring, and the military vigour surged. The Beima Duchy was almost at the limit of its military expansion, and now, like a mad dog, it was uncertain who it would snap at next year.

The pirates who actively disrupted trade on the East Shore might not have good days ahead.

But it also wasn’t out of the question that Beima would bite at Aran, re-establish a National Bank, reclaim currency issuance rights, change from a Duchy to a Kingdom, and follow Lostra in adopting a credit currency system, directly betraying their allegiances.

Heaven Port might also get conscripted. Those three bosses, along with the fleet of the ruler of Heaven Port, weren’t easily pushed around; they represented a force worth courting.

Liszt looked at the ten Gold Dragons the Admiral pushed across the table and could not help but laugh. Was this little money meant to shoo away a beggar?

"Admiral, you’re really not doing so hot right now, are you embarrassed to hand over such a small sum? Bro, I’m not here for the money; I’m here to talk business."

Liszt wasn’t tempted by money anymore, he had plenty. The issue was how to spend it to maximize the improvement of his influence.

The Admiral almost had a heart attack. Liszt, the caveman, not wanting money, must be after something even more terrifying. Just as the Admiral was ready to call the Firearms Team to drive him away,

"Early next year, either February or March, I’ll move my goods. By then, about one-third of the contraband in Heaven Port might pass through my hands. Are you interested? Find some gloves to receive the goods; let’s keep our relationship. I’ll sell to you cheap, you can flip it wherever you want, or distribute some wealth to the kinfolk, live the high life, even fund some ... private armed forces. You’re too poor, dishing out only ten Gold Dragons for red packets, you need to step up, brother will give you a lift."

Liszt lit a cigarette and started to smoke.

Black Sail Trading Company.

Soon to be established.

But there would be no need to pay taxes to anyone, nor to register in any country. Taylor’s channels could, of course, be used, but he also needed to keep a backup.

He wouldn’t be played by that Lao Deng, sooner or later he would drain his Gold Coins dry; his fleet, his daughter, they would all end up on his ship.

Because he plays the East Coast.

The Admiral tactically leaned back, showing respect. That was an act of pomp; where had he pulled such a bold move, bragging to the skies?

The Admiral pondered the hidden meaning in Liszt’s words, also took out a cigar from the drawer, lit it, and began to smoke.

What he meant was this.

Liszt was going to betray them; after the New Year, he was planning to steal the bosses’ business, build his own platform. He wasn’t planning to clean his act but to continue on a reckless path?

True bravery.

The Admiral feared exactly this about Liszt; daring to double-cross, to have the guts for self-sabotage. Knowing that every time he came to extort, it was just a little pain, almost like charity.

Now the world was truly turning upside down.

Puffing on his cigar, he rolled it around in his mouth and exhaled a large cloud.

Liszt’s eyes narrowed, putting on an act for him. On his return, it was necessary to seriously straighten things out, to foster some corporate culture. His crew of pirates couldn’t always dress in rags; they needed to look sharper.

The underlings of Boss of Heaven Port were all about appearances, each one dressed to the nines, slick-haired and powdered-faced. Those in the know understood they were in the dirty business, while those unaware might mistake them for Wall Street elites.

"You don’t understand my situation here. Kersuna Island, is a fine place. The largest port for Far East trade, the East Coast of Beima Duchy is undoubtedly number one, but I can rank up there too. I’m surrounded by danger. I had to fight tooth and nail to get here, and the consequences are well imaginable. Countless have tried to pressure me; without ships, without people, my firepower doesn’t match the rabble of Heaven Port. Everyone’s waiting for me to step down. I must resort to dirty tricks to keep my position stable. Now that I am the Admiral here, in charge of such a big throughput, I could scoop a fair share, now I’m to be a middleman, dealing in both directions, everyone’s envious, plotting against me."

The Admiral, very unusually, rambled on, driven by some actual interest. Goods cheaper than wholesale market prices, whether food, cloth, various specialty crafts, or even minerals, were vastly profitable in large quantities.

"Damn, are you really that down and out? You must have some friends. Give them a share, I can guarantee a large amount."

Liszt knew he had a forty percent chance.

"You’re in the dark, I’m in the light. After all, I am the Admiral. If your supplies suddenly run out, and I end up drawing unwanted attention without getting any mutton, it would be very difficult for me."

Smoking his cigar, the Admiral remained noncommittal.

Liszt naturally understood the meaning behind those words, that they were afraid he didn’t have the resources. It wouldn’t take long after setting up the stage before someone would tear it down.

He had to play the game and test the waters first, intimidating the mixed-breeds on the island to secure his footing before they would negotiate with him.

It was never going to be a business deal that could be closed in one go.

But it was somewhat evenly matched now.

However, he also had to show the Admiral what he was currently capable of, intimidate him with a display of power, and let him see his strength.

"The rule in Heaven Port is that for every nine put out, thirteen must be returned, but I’m not fond of nitpicking over every little detail. Last time I borrowed seventy from you, I’ll repay you two hundred Golden Dragons, consider it a red envelope for the brotherhood we’ve shared over the years."

Liszt raised his hand.

Fen untied the heavy money bag brimming with Golden Dragons, no fewer than six hundred inside.

The Admiral was stunned.

Liszt didn’t bother to count precisely, he roughly sorted out two hundred coins, no more, no less.

Fen glanced at the ship model on the sideboard.

"By the way, this golden nanmu wood is a counterfeit imitation. The grain on the real deal is a bit lighter, the color slightly more subdued, and the fragrance of the wood is added later, mixed with chemicals, it doesn’t have the right scent."

Fen left his sharp critique and walked out of the Admiral Mansion with Liszt.

Leaving the Admiral disheveled in the wind.

Two months apart, and they’ve become this arrogant, spilling their dominance all over.

Since they weren’t short of money now, they would directly purchase materials at high prices instead of waiting for shipments from towns, and the SS Fuma Keqing Revenge only stayed in port for one night, setting sail first thing the next day.

The next morning.

With the anchor raised and the sails set, they headed straight for Heaven Port in the glow of the dawn.

Liszt calculated the time, just right to return to port a few days before the year’s end, with plenty of time to spare.

He noticed something odd.

Morison was actually reading a book about arcane meditation.

"Hmm?"

Liszt was profoundly shocked.

It seemed like equipment that had exploded off Joshua, that thing called Maple Forest, which required a special energy to operate, so Brother Sha had started learning Magic Techniques.

"A true master always maintains the heart of an apprentice. Look at someone else, still drinking here?"

Liszt snatched the bottle from Archer and flung it into the sea.

Morison looked at the book in his hands.

He couldn’t understand it at all.

Might as well put a couple of Demon Crystals in this Arm Armor, the Red Crystal stolen from Sefer could come in handy. Once back in Heaven Port, he’d have to find someone to strip them, to test the weapons.

For some reason.

Meredith looked worried, seemingly preoccupied with some concern.

Liszt didn’t pay it any mind.

He no longer had any worries, nor any pursuers.

The tough job was now completely finished.

Next up was...

The blood battle with the Triad Gang.

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