Black Sail
Chapter 227: CCXXVII. Three-Party Meeting

Chapter 227: CCXXVII. Three-Party Meeting

"You know that almost all the administrative fees on the island are collected by Qi Li and me, and we split it evenly, like this... bro."

Liszt pondered for a moment. If he gave the other half directly to Wen Kui, Qi Li might be somewhat displeased, as he had also helped him maintain order to earn that half.

"When the time comes, you help me out, and I’ll give you my half too."

Liszt didn’t care about this income because it was hard to say whether things would be stable going forward. Just tossing it out as bait would do. Giving it directly to the Golden Dragon wouldn’t work, but giving out power would.

Qi Li was startled, pausing to think. He had originally called Wen Kui over because he felt that their two families couldn’t hold out and needed to find another ally to discuss this with Liszt and get into the partnership.

He had envisioned the distribution as himself and Wen Kui each getting thirty percent, and Liszt forty percent, which was already ideal.

But he hadn’t expected Liszt to be so generous, not wanting his half at all—so generous it seemed a bit too much.

Since that anti-smuggling campaign began, he hadn’t seen Liszt as a common fish in the pond; this man was too cunning.

Wen Kui was fueled with excitement, unlike the composed Qi Li, beaming with joy, but his frightening face bore a ferocious grin.

"Are you saying we’re kidding?"

Wen Kui stood up, he was fierce, but not a fool. Was there really such a good deal?

Liszt felt embarrassed, "You’re already a captain, why act like some street thug?"

"In my position, of course, I have to uphold integrity, but I only know you’re my friend if you help me out."

"What help, you tell me."

Wen Kui, being quite traditional, used a lighter to ignite his pipe, puffing away smoke. He could help, but only within his abilities.

"We’re all straightforward people. Our group collects so much money, other pirates aren’t happy, and the higher-ups, how could they stay silent? It’s all because I’m on top, with the connections."

Liszt took a cigar from Qi Li, cut it with a cigar cutter, and also prepped a drink.

Wen Kui found it all rather baffling.

"You both know, Taylor’s fleet is managed by his adopted son, but an adopted son, after all, is acknowledged, not born from him, who it goes to next, is hard to say."

Liszt tactically leaned back, whether right or wrong, just to throw it out there for now.

Fen frowned in thought, people shameless are invincible in this world, and those without a care are absolutely dominant.

"This help, not too big nor too small, the first half of the New Year, well not exactly half a month but the first seven days, there definitely will be banquets everywhere, just accompany me to show face, of course, there might be bloody incidents, as the old saying goes, ’Auspicious blood predicts a prosperous year.’"

Liszt looked somewhat menacing, first to see who would obey, those who didn’t, were simply being disrespectful.

The higher his reputation grew, it meant not only more people obeying him but also more being discontent with him.

Groups like the Twin Group and Skull Club, along with some old strong groups, many dislike him too, need to give them a knock.

These bastards on the island, killing them comes without any sense of guilt, truly exhilarating.

Qi Li felt that Liszt had grand plans. Wen Kui talking about attacking Doringger might have been out of anger. Liszt making such a big move wasn’t all about the protection fees.

"Here I was thinking it was something big, a trivial matter, hijacking ships, robbing other pirates, it’s all just robbery, I’ll go. But let me be clear upfront, I’m not your subordinate, just on this protection fee matter, don’t boss me around."

Wen Kui was very pleased, business over main business, his thinking was simple, skills exchange for money, that’s the way of the world, without skills, better off dead.

Yet, Qi Li’s mood was somewhat fluctuating.

"Too sincere, brother! I fucking admire you!"

Liszt was shocked. No wonder the man was a captain. This looked tougher, but his straightforward and pragmatic talk was honest, who else guesses riddles, business comparison is damn good.

When Liszt handled matters, he focused on being generous and just. You don’t intimidate others, first look at their capabilities, empty promises won’t get sincere efforts.

It’s like Mr. Mai going to prostitutes, pay upfront, otherwise the sensitive nerves of the women fearing to be taken advantage of without compensation, the service won’t be good.

Liszt immediately had Fen withdraw a month’s share, one hundred and eighty Golden Dragons.

Fen was meticulous in his duty, every thousand Golden Dragons were in a chest in the cellar, every hundred Golden Dragons in a money bag outside.

But taking money out of the money bag meant something else.

"Here are two hundred Golden Dragons, just as the captain said, one month’s share, about the extra twenty, considered as..."

"Fen was about to make a decision for Liszt, but after catching Liszt’s nod, he added, ’a rather disrespectful New Year’s gift.’"

"Wen Kui was really straightforward. He opened the money bag, counted quickly, and thought to himself, ’Damn, still stealing a chicken-feather ship. This means later Liszt will dictate every move I make.’ Although that’s what he thought, he knew he couldn’t say it out loud."

"Fuck, brother, you’re really straightforward. I won’t help you kill a hundred or eighty people, it won’t be fair. Let’s settle it this way. I’ll send a woman over to stay at your place. She knows where I am. When the time comes, let her find me. It might be a good distraction."

Wen Kui was unapologetic, tied up the money bag, and put it away.

"I really don’t want a woman."

Liszt declined straight away, waiting for Dreya’s New Year’s gift, no wife could be more dear than her.

But some of Fen’s previous actions had given Liszt a taste of his intentions. Subconsciously, Fen considered himself a partner, almost making decisions for him.

Although Liszt would have made the same choice himself, General Fen had always diligently maintained his position precisely because he saw himself as the best partner.

Because he knew he was a smart man and would take his own advice.

Now that the operations were not particularly large, it didn’t matter. But if it really grew and he became the Boss, certain tendencies were hard to speak of without ruining the camaraderie.

"Awesome."

Morison was somewhat dumbfounded by the straightforward way Wen Kui spoke; probably only someone with Wen Kui’s capabilities could fit such a character, anyone else would have probably died hundreds of times over."

Wen Kui then pointed to an object on the table, a strangely shaped brass statue of some bizarre creature. It was inappropriate to call it a creature, as it had vine-like tentacles on its back but a mouth full of sharp teeth. He had never seen such a Magic Beast.

"This was brought back by a friend from the New Continent, let’s see how much it’s worth."

Wen Kui was uncertain.

Fen, hearing this, became interested and started fiddling with it in his hands.

"It’s quite old, that continent had civilization or at least had it once. I recall similar items unearthed on a floating island near the Southern Continent..."

Fen carefully examined its age.

Liszt thought to himself that this was not good. On closer inspection, the New Continent might be a treasure, and if they couldn’t set up a cooperative platform, they would have to initiate the backup plan and wreak havoc.

"I don’t understand those details, just tell me how much money."

Wen Kui was really straightforward.

How could Fen respond? Market value and academic value were two different things

"Speaking of which, I know a nouveau riche who deals in art. I think this piece, if sold in Duguli with a story, could fetch thirty Golden Dragons."

Liszt still had the contact for that godly wealthy guy in Duguli.

"Thirty Golden Dragons? For this piece of junk? It’s just a piece of broken brass."

Wen Kui waved his hand.

"You’re mistaken. In the big city, Duguli, what matters is the art. What is this? An ancient artifact. It’s aesthetically pleasing and holds cultural and historical value. A fine piece from the New Continent, worth more than thirty."

Liszt was blowing it up but also spotted a business opportunity. Such things only profit when you’re the first to jump on board.

Wen Kui might not understand, but he was impressed.

"I think it’s promising."

Qi Li agreed.

Rein, being a gambling addict, saw people from the Undying playing cards, betting small, with the stakes at five copper coins. Losing like that was nothing; he started playing no-peek.

Talks of their plans progressed significantly.

Still, they had to have New Year’s drinks. The three clinked glasses together.

Qi Li asked someone to prepare the dinner. Today was the 28th; they could still celebrate the holiday with others outside.

By the 30th everyone would be on their own.

But for pirates, it didn’t matter, wasn’t every day filled with heavy drinking and feasting?

Qi Li also had his thoughts.

But as for the current situation, Qi Li could feel that three months ago he was pushed prematurely into action, and a storm of bloodshed was coming.