Edge of the Apocalypse
Chapter 950: North-South Commercial Road (2)

There are many restrictions on water routes. Apart from seasonal reasons, we also need to look at the goods. Waterway goods are damp, so some goods such as tea are not good for transportation by water. Therefore, if there was a fast trade route between the north and south, it would undoubtedly be a great blessing for the business groups of the two places. However, what Edward wanted was for the officials of the empire to not only eat but also do things. Naturally, they also wanted it.

Therefore, the empire opened up national roads to speed up traffic within its borders.

Edward seemed to have guessed what Allen wanted to say and nodded, "That's right, the empire has national roads." But take a look, these national highways have been in use for a long time, how the road conditions are now unknown. One could tell that it took them too long to travel between the north and south. After all, for the sake of safety, the national highway had completely bypassed the fierce and evil valleys within the borders. More importantly, I am certain that every section of the national highway is now under control. After a national road, taxes may be heavier than those paid by water. And how much of these tariffs end up in the treasury is intriguing. "

"The route I drew was the shortest. As long as the roads were clear, they could reach the northern capital in 30 days, and they could pass through many important trading cities along the way. For merchants, one more day of goods on the road is less than a penny. This north-south trade route saved a third of the time compared to the waterway. Just this alone was enough to drive merchants crazy. However, there are both benefits and risks. Not only do we need to open up many fierce places along the way, we also need to have enough strength to maintain a smooth business path. However, none of this is the most difficult. The most difficult thing is that we will affect the interests of many people. Even if this trade route is taken down, it will be very difficult for us to maintain it. "Edward raised his head and asked," Then let's first see what kind of person the nobles that Rhine can take care of are. "

"Oh," Ellen pointed at Edward and smiled. "You're sure that it was a prince who pulled the strings for Ryan? Otherwise, why would he draw such a trade route and plan to work with the royal family to share the profits?"

Edward shrugged, "I'm not a god. How do I know who Rhine will introduce to you? If it's just a duke, then this path will only be built after you become the Grand Duke of the empire. Now, it's just pushing the time forward. Prince … So, the emperor is going to set up a reserve?"

Alan narrowed his eyes and said, "Can you be stupid and make me look smarter? At least you wait for me to finish and now it looks like I don't need to say anything."

Nelly couldn't help but chuckle.

Edward did not mean to say, "This is just a simple deduction. If the Emperor did not want to establish a reserve, a Heavenly Ornament from the Northern Capital would need to be befriended by a viscount from the Southern Region?"

"That's because I killed an outsider in Mountain City."

"Oh, the empire's spies are everywhere. That's good. You've finally entered the eyes of the upper echelons of the empire. Tell me, which prince is it?"

Ellen chuckled and said, "Guess what?"

"Forget it, I don't want to hurt you again."

"Bastard." Alan scolded and told Rhine everything he had said.

Edward listened quietly and waited for Alan to finish before exhaling, "I see. I roughly know." The Eldest Prince has the support of the army. The Fourth Prince has a Sword Lord's uncle. Heh, he is also one of our potential opponents. Ma Sen, as expected, if you want to enter the imperial capital, you still can't go around this big tree of the country. "As for our second prince, if Ryan hadn't hidden something from us, then our Highness Julian wouldn't be in a good position."

"Why?"

"Guess." Evidently, Edward was retaliating against what Alan had done just now.

Alan said without changing his expression, "Since you're here, it doesn't matter if I'm stupid. Tell me."

"It's very simple. Ryan said that he has countless people under him, but he still has to lure people to you, a Southern Knight. One could imagine that there were people under him, but they were just mediocre talents. Ryan also said that he was interested in your combat strength. In terms of combat strength, at least, Julian was unable to contend against the other princes. Therefore, in his eyes, you, who killed an outsider expert with a single saber, became a hot person. The prince's struggle for power was not only about financial power, but also about combat power. At the very least, you must have an expert guard to prevent assassination, right? "

"It can be imagined that the north side, can be recruited experts to the first prince and the fourth prince roughly divided up. If the Second Prince wants to break the situation, he has to ask outside. In the Southern Region, the one who has the most fame is none other than you. Also, you are only a viscount, and you are from the border area. You have nothing to do with the royal family. Moreover, perhaps our Prince Julian thinks that a count is enough to fill your appetite. "

Alan laughed dryly and shook his head, but he did not say anything.

Nelly, who was standing beside him, could not hide her astonishment when she saw this. Both Edward's tone and Allen's expression showed that the young knight was not a mere count.

"That's good too." Edward suddenly said, "The eldest prince is too powerful, and the fourth prince is simply not someone we can rely on because of Mason." As for the other princes, they are worse off than Julian, so the Second Prince is a good stepping stone for you. And if Julian is weak and you help him win the crown prince, it will be much easier for him to control the new emperor than the other princes. "

Ellen rolled his eyes at him. "You're not afraid that there's also an imperial spy here. You can say such disobedient words. If Julian listens, he won't have to wait for me to arrive at the imperial capital. I'm afraid he'll be able to see the imperial army as soon as I leave Ark Harbor."

"Think about it with your head also know that is impossible, the empire in the territory of the spies, the attention is naturally big. If Mountain City hadn't been stationed because of the outsiders, do you think the empire's gaze would have fallen on you? In the end, you borrowed Shadow Duchy's convenience to enter the eyes of the upper echelons of the empire. "As for now, even if I scold the emperor, that emperor can't hear a single word."

Alan pulled Nelly and said, "Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go."

Edward smiled.

The next day, at the end of winter, it actually snowed.

It was snowing heavily.

In less than half a day's time, the entire city had already turned into a vast expanse of snow. In the snow-covered backyard of the City Lord's Mansion, Alan stood in the snow with Red King in his hand. He held Red King with his hands, his eyes closed, and his breathing became incomparably long. It was as if his entire body had merged into this world, forming an inseparable whole with the snowy sky.