Black Sail
Chapter 270: CCLXX. Loyalty and Righteousness

Chapter 270: CCLXX. Loyalty and Righteousness

Without a merciless heart and ruthless hand, how can one be worthy of a picturesque empire?

Capital harvesting leeks, murder and arson are not allowed.

Like a sudden spring breeze, I punish outlaws beyond the law.

This is no ordinary train robber anymore; it needs a heavy hit!

Fisher had made an intelligence error, originally thinking the people he had brought along could easily handle a Pirate Gang, just like dealing with a petty thief. Unexpectedly, these people got in touch with Laos, became big brothers of the Triad Gang, and seemed to have aggressively recruited and bought horses with stolen money.

In the exquisitely decorated, dimly lit executive lounge,

Qi Li’s eyes were half-closed, the visitor had ill-intent, thinking of something with a snarling smile.

The reason Fisher brought these people was just a precaution; a few Heroic Levels ate meat, and the leftovers were for soup, with, of course, those who smelled the scent.

If by the end of February I had not returned to Aran, naturally those who smelled the scent would take action locally.

The news was blocked from the outside, but so many lords on the train could hardly swallow their anger, especially when a prominent noble had legitimately died. The family with red hair, said to be missing, were in reality gone for good. Apart from money, others lost their reputations. The pride of old Aran nobles demands an explanation, let alone the family of the deceased.

Otherwise, the "Lord’s Bill" would be a joke. Domestic anti-imperialists would grow bolder, finding a great excuse to enable nobles to amass troops.

Surely there is a specialized pursuit team working on this, but Fisher planned to act as a voluntary officer first, to be the urgent vanguard for free, and still later ask Liszt for money. If he doesn’t give it, the guide party will do something harsh and, by the way, publicize your deeds.

Those nobles might still be like headless flies, kept in the dark by the Royal Court. While publicity would increase your notoriety in the underworld, it also means someone regards you as a thorn in their side.

"Even when I was inland, I’ve heard of Doringger’s name as thunderous. Liszt, although notorious, is also a thug unknown to the masses. What capability does he have that even Doringger fears him?"

Fisher is a man of vision; without brains, he wouldn’t have mixed up to be a Heroic Level adventurer. Liszt’s fame, after all, is only of recent years, whilst his dark murders and fires in the Western Continent have been long-standing.

I have played this game for a few more years and have heard of you, Liszt. But young man, don’t be too hot-tempered.

Qi Li also pondered this issue, where he got so much money. Thinking back to the conversation outside the castle and how Liszt went to sea alone, he had some clues but dared not conclude entirely.

This century’s sensational heist was probably Liszt’s doing.

But naturally, Qi Li wouldn’t tell an outsider all of this.

"I am now a shareholder of the Black Sail Trading Company. What do you say? If you want to go to the New Continent, I can let you pass, but any gains must go through me. It’s not that I want to rob you; I will offer you a satisfying price, saving you the hassle later."

Regarding the Black Sail Trading Company.

Qi Li had invested eight hundred Golden Dragons. A woman named Mo Yutong explained his profit calculation and his power within the company.

The gist was about A and B shares.

The company’s stocks are divided into high and low voting rights. High-voting shares have N votes (up to ten votes) per 100 shares (100 Golden Dragons), known as Class A shares primarily held by board members (Black Sail core). Regular shareholders held low-voting shares, with 100 shares (100 Golden Dragons) only having 1 vote or even none, known as Class B shares.

Qi Li still received standard dividends sharing equally with Black Sail’s core members but practically had no power in decision-making, merely waiting for money distribution.

Regarding the investment, Qi Li was initially hesitant, planning to wait as the conflict hadn’t erupted, and there was still room with Doringger. But Wen Kui had been tricked by Liszt, saying he had already invested, and Wen Kui also put a thousand in.

Qi Li had no choice but to follow the investment.

Wen Kui’s thinking was simple: Liszt was already paying him two hundred Golden Dragons a month, which could be recouped in five months. Following you promises a great future.

From then on, other than the one over the three strong, Heaven Port’s periphery had become solidified. Moreover, Liszt had two other big ally lords. Without ascending to glory, he was already the overlord of the East Sea, just short of drawing his sword and explaining benefits and harms with Doringger.

Fisher was utterly shocked. Could it be that he was right under Liszt’s watchful eye? That was fucking terrifying.

"It doesn’t seem very reliable, I’ve bothered you too much. I need Heaven Port’s approval, so that means I can consult Brother Dao too, right?"

Fisher decided to test the waters and step on a potential landmine. Doringger, known as Brother Dao in the martial world, had to be addressed as Lord Dor in his presence.

Doringger once had ghostwriters pen novels to glorify pirates, which turned out to be shoddy work and ended up beautifying his own image too. By leveraging this, it was claimed he was the messenger of the Storm and Wave Holy Spirit, come to stabilize the chaotic situation in the East Sea. The result was a disastrous backlash.

How could Doringger’s propaganda tactics ever compete with the proper state machinery? His were condemned as seductive heresies, creating the narrative of an Abyss Devil instead, which only contributed to his notoriety.

Despite his efforts to appear harmless to the public, often slipping under the radar, he still seemed like the ruler of the East Sea.

"You have no idea of the dangers of Heaven Port. Sometimes, if your mind wanders and you say the wrong thing, you might literally lose your head."

The First Officer of the Undying, who used to be the Capital Army Trainer, said this.

"A guest is still a guest, don’t speak of such things. We have some business conflicts with Doringger. You’ve come from afar, also seeking fortune, and indeed, many things are difficult to discuss."

Qi Li threatened with a gentle demeanor.

"I see, I understand. Thank you for the hospitality. I’d better go talk directly to Liszt. After all, I have a brother who knows someone there. It wouldn’t be right not to visit."

After Fisher said this, Qi Li, of course, couldn’t forcibly keep them there.

"Really..."

Qi Li was somewhat displeased, but then he thought, if Liszt gives him upwards of two hundred a month, even if Fisher goes to work for him, Qi Li could make some money too.

If Fisher’s group could bring in a profit of six hundred Golden Dragons, Qi Li could do nothing and still earn ten. Quite interesting. They were still in the Angel round, before the registered capital was put to use – the earlier the investment, the greater the returns.

Should he continue to raise his stake? Or even call on his shipmates to go all in?

Liszt...

He truly knew how to control people’s hearts. Qi Li didn’t have that kind of magic power. Unknowingly, he had been completely led around by Liszt, and Qi Li referred to Liszt’s techniques as magic power.

After making arrangements to see off the guests,

Qi Li stared at the backs of the departing group. That man was too cunning. If anyone else could live in the castle constructed by the old Emperor in the East Sea besides Liszt, he couldn’t think of anyone.

As the Capital Army Trainer and the First Officer had never seen Qi Li in such a despondent state, after he chased everyone out of the administrative lounge.

"Are you off your game because of Doringger?"

The Capital Army Trainer couldn’t help but ask.

But Qi Li replied with some thought-provoking words.

"If you’re in this line of work, you shouldn’t fear death. If, let’s just say, Liszt asked you to kill someone, would you do it? I’m just speaking hypothetically."

Qi Li pinched the bridge of his nose.

The Trainer understood Qi Li’s implication all too well.

"We banded together to clear our big brother’s name and to help the King eliminate the treacherous courtiers, all for loyalty and righteousness. Let’s not speak of this again."

"Is that so... Relying only on loyalty and righteousness, I’m not sure if it’s of any use anymore."

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