Reincarnated as incubus: I didn't mean to seduce you!

Not long after entering the Chamber of Commerce, he saw his son-in-law.

Speaking of his daughter, she was actually born when his relationship with his wife was still decent, at least carrying a bit of his own blood.

But now the son who remained by his side was of another’s lineage, and his daughter had married someone else and hardly ever returned home.

Thinking of this, his dissatisfaction grew even denser.

How could he have been so busy only to find that, in the end, there wasn’t a single person related to him by blood by his side?

He and the hastily arriving Sack entered a meeting room to discuss matters.

As he entered, he suddenly remembered that his son-in-law was now earning more and more and had begun to disregard his words.

Now having this fellow take over the blame for his son’s crimes at Earl Campbell’s place, wasn’t this in itself a form of revenge?

Thinking this, he felt slightly less troubled.

Earl Campbell was undoubtedly a careful and prudent noble.

When it came to his son born of a lover, he professed reluctance to speak further, yet his true intent was to avoid suspicion, but how to handle it still required the Baron to personally take action.

Such as finding someone to take the fall for his son, so he could absolve himself of some suspicion.

After all, as a grand noble, he had to appear pristine, able to withstand the scrutiny of the council, so how could he possibly have dealings with barbarians on the frontier?

The channels that his son-in-law had managed in the early stages, in fact, also used the pathways of Earl Campbell; now that he’d spoken, it would be difficult to refuse.

Thus, upon seeing Sack Florence the moment he arrived, he began to play the emotional card, saying,

"Sack, setting aside the fact that you’re my son-in-law, you should know how I’ve treated you."

The young Sack, somewhat puzzled, replied with a beaming smile, "Indeed."

"You are the head of the Chamber of Commerce, in possession of countless resources. I am a rising noble, merely relying on a stipend from the council. At least economically, between you and me, things have always been transparent."

"Of course, you are the most incorruptible rising noble I have ever seen," Sack complimented, his lips involuntarily revealing a faint sneer.

But he was a business prodigy who had taken control of a Chamber of Commerce at a young age and managed to keep his expression well in check.

Baron Bernard nodded in approval and said, "I’ve heard that there have been some financial exchanges between you and my son."

Sack responded, "These are just normal trade dealings between the chambers."

"But I suspect that ’normal trade’ might also involve some practices that don’t quite follow the rules!"

"That depends on who sets the standards of what doesn’t comply. At least in terms of the Ducal commercial clauses, our transactions have been clean," Sack smirked inwardly, cursing, "Old fox," suspecting that Bernard was trying to entrap him, perhaps because something had gone wrong with his own illegitimate issue and he wanted Sack to take the fall.

Ha, who do you think you are? I don’t know you!

Facing the Earl, Baron Bernard was trembling with fear, but in confronting his son-in-law, he came out swinging. Pretending not to notice Sack’s refusal, he continued,

"Wills is suffering in detention, while you enjoy praise from your peers in the Chamber of Commerce—in the eyes of outsiders (Earl Campbell), this creates a very different impression.

Some of the issues confessed by Wills will inevitably be linked to you; I’m sure there’s no mistake in saying this."

His son-in-law, who in earlier years often spent time with Wills and was considered of similar character, he knew all too well, was also partially responsible for the "fine goods" the privateers had been sending over these last few years. It wasn’t so easy to break free from that.

"As I’ve said, between ’your son’ and me, there’s been nothing but normal commercial dealings," Sack kept his face unchanged, emphasizing those three words slightly.

Resigned, he’d never skimped on giving up wealth to those two leeches, and now when it was time to take the blame, they thought of him first? Not a chance!

Baron Bernard sighed and said, "Do you remember, some days ago, how the price of meat had risen throughout the Royal Capital?" Your journey continues at NovelBin.Côm

"Of course, the Chamber of Commerce also suffered considerable loss."

"The Royal Capital’s meat supply primarily comes from the five surrounding territories that regularly transport large quantities of meat to ensure supply meets demand.

Recently, one of these territories experienced an outbreak of animal plague, and the entire territory had to bury a large number of the animals for consumption, leading to issues with meat production.

Consequently, the responsibility for the meat supply shifted to the other territories, which because of the excessive load, started importing a large number of young animals, inadvertently spreading the epidemic that was confined to one area to the other territories,

As a result, the epidemic spread through several territories, drastically reducing meat production, and a significant number of people in the Royal Capital and those territories... starved to death. Do you know how to handle such a situation?"

"I don’t."

"The simplest method is to shift some of the burdens to state-owned enterprises and large private firms with substantial stock, having them bear the additional costs after the sharp decline in meat production and accelerating the turnover rate of meat.

By sacrificing a small portion of the profits of some enterprises, we can achieve greater stability on a larger scale, thus any crisis in meat production can be suppressed swiftly, preventing further spread.

Looking at the long term, it won’t be an issue if there is a problem with one meat production pathway; the supply and demand of products will adjust over time and recover.

But if the entire meat production channel faces issues, then the time and money needed to recover will be significantly more.

This is what we nobles often say: it’s only by retaining the people and the land that we can ensure our families don’t fade into oblivion. Do you understand?"

"Let me think a bit more," Sack replied after a long silence, having listened to what he said, "After all, to make such a decision would require many arrangements."

Clearly, he understood the baron’s implication.

The matters involving the state-owned and large private enterprises had been dealt with by Earl Campbell.

If he disagreed with them, he was very likely to become the one to be abandoned.

Baron Bernard’s meaning was clear; either you take the responsibility yourself, or, after Earl Campbell is available to deal with it, you will be taken care of and then forced to take the responsibility.

Sack Florence’s company was itself founded on the current noble system, specializing in products such as legitimate trade of duchy resources, as well as import and export of merchandise that could be led by official endorsements.

Without Earl Campbell’s support, the Chamber of Commerce would quickly find itself in a position of powerlessness.

Competition among the Royal Capital’s enterprises was intense; for most firms without irreplaceable products, there were none that couldn’t be replaced.

And so, the next day.

When Baron Bernard met Sack again, the smile had vanished from Sack’s face, his eyes red with bloodshot veins.

After a moment of eye contact, Sack said coldly, "I agree in principle to this matter, but we must have an agreement between us; the issue with Viels might actually have something to do with me.

I wouldn’t like to see my friends imprisoned because of this matter. But even if I surrender myself, the normal operations of Florence Trading Company must be assured.

Otherwise, my dear Baron Bernard, as you are aware, we all hold something on each other, and no one is more innocent than the others."

Upon hearing Sack’s willingness to take some of the responsibility for Viels, Baron Bernard’s face revealed a satisfied smile as he patted his shoulder and said:

"Why didn’t you just say so earlier? Rest assured, we have oversight from everyone involved, and no one will infringe upon your rights.

The sanctity of private property is inviolable; it is a rule set by the federation, so you can rest easy. Even without you, we will still protect your company.

And when you come out from the inside, you will surely receive even more support."

Of course, whether Baron Bernard truly meant what he said was another matter entirely.

But Sack was aware he had no choice; a company that had grown with the aid of others’ power couldn’t withstand the onslaught of the storm when faced with one.