CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 205: WHAT’S WRONG WITH BRINGING CANNONS ON A BUSINESS TRIP? (PART 2)

The Sassanid merchants were stunned. They never dreamed that the Governor would personally come out to greet them.

The bearded leader of the merchants was so excited that he didn’t know where to place his hands. Fortunately, Roland was indeed a gracious host, naturally patting him on the shoulder and walking alongside him.

The lips of the Sassanid merchant leader quivered with excitement, and he walked with an involuntary limp.

In recent years, the fortunes of the Sassanid Kingdom had been declining, with domestic officials and nobility becoming corrupt, and regional separatist forces dominating, causing the national power to fall far short of its past glory.

The Sussex Empire, Jin Yuan Republic, and other countries were competing to incorporate the Sassanid Kingdom into their overseas colonial systems.

Anyone with insight could see that the Sassanid Kingdom was nearing its end.

Smart people don’t stay on sinking ships, and merchants who can make money in international trade are indeed smart.

Led by Bair, the Sassanid merchants traveled across oceans to the core of the Rodinia Continent to seek opportunities.

Among major powers like Sussex, Jin Yuan, and Vladimir, they first ruled out the Vladimir Empire, which seemed to ask, "What is a business environment?"

Their first stop was the Jin Yuan Republic.

In their view, regardless of appearances, the progressive Jin Yuan Republic was better than a monarchy.

However, what they saw in the Jin Yuan Kingdom was only factional struggles and endless killings.

The Sassanid merchants shrank back.

They only wanted to seek wealth, not death.

When they came to the Hansa Province with trepidation, they witnessed Roland’s thunderous actions against the Samaritan merchants.

They breathed a sigh of relief, feeling they had finally come to the right place.

Merchants who traded based on their abilities most hated those who resorted to underhanded tactics.

The Samaritan merchants were the epitome of those who resorted to unscrupulous means.

They had only one doubt: Was Governor Roland targeting the wealth of the Samaritan merchants or their bottomless greed?

After months of observation, they were almost certain it was the latter.

They also tried giving "gifts" to officials in Hansa Province to open business channels, but they were sternly rejected.

The rejection did not dishearten them; instead, it strengthened their resolve to remain in Hansa.

However, the good situation did not last long; as soon as they settled in Hansa, enemies came knocking at their door.

The Sassanid merchants had heard something of the Oden Kingdom’s way of doing things, knowing their commercial policies were very harsh. Making money wasn’t hard, but keeping their property was very difficult.

Merchants who engaged in commercial activities during this era were capable individuals. As long as there was a relatively lenient business environment, they could always make money.

But what to do after making money? How to preserve the hard-earned wealth?

They could only gamble.

This country needed to be a strong nation and sufficiently enlightened.

After surveying several targets, the Sassanid merchants had no choice but to bet on Roland and the Empress behind him.

Help in times of adversity had arrived!

In the reception room, after taking their seats, the leading Sassanid merchant introduced himself.

The Business Association was established yesterday to unite the Sassanid merchants, facilitate mutual exchanges, and protect their interests.

Bair carefully crafted his words, fearing to anger Roland.

For merchants to establish an organization to "protect their interests" was a sensitive matter in this era.

The thick-bearded Bair kept his head down, not daring to meet Roland’s eyes, but he used his peripheral vision to gauge Roland’s reaction.

If Roland verbally approved but internally opposed, his eyes would certainly betray him.

However, he saw not a hint of displeasure in Roland’s eyes.

"Good,"

Roland said with a smile: "There is strength in unity. The establishment of the Business Association is a good thing. You can form a convoy fleet to protect your interests, and the Imperial Army will also provide you convenience. However, for now, only the Governor’s territory can protect you."

Bair stared blankly at Roland, murmuring softly, "Does the Lord Governor really support us?"

"Why wouldn’t I support you? Overseas trade is full of dangers, and the Imperial Navy cannot provide escort protection for you long-term. Forming private armed forces is inevitable. As long as you register according to the regulations and accept management, that’s all."

Bair let out a long breath.

After arriving in Hansa, Roland had immediately sent someone to explain the laws to them, including the establishment and management regulations for private armed forces.

As long as national interests are not harmed, it is possible to form private armed forces within reasonable limits, but they cannot be equipped with prohibited weapons or construct a First Class Battleship like the Monarch.

The simple summary was that protective private armed forces could be formed, but they must not harm Roland’s interests.

"For help in forming private armed forces, directly contact me or Governor Ados. Within the rules, everything is free."

"Within the rules, everything is free?" Bair murmured to himself, savoring the implications of these words.

Seeing Roland lift his teacup without drinking, Bair knew Roland was busy and quickly stood up, expressing his position to Roland with a solemn demeanor.

"Lord Governor, the Sassan Business Association has decided to set its headquarters in your territory. Please support us. We actually have a private armed force of over ten thousand people. If you need, we can join the fight!"

Roland smiled and nodded, calmly saying: "Mr. Bair, I am honored by your confidence in me. However, there’s no need to dispatch troops. I am capable of defending territorial security and protecting everyone’s interests."

Bair was awed by Roland’s confidence, not daring to say more, only assuring once more that there would be no conflict with Roland’s interests.

He also offered financial support, which Roland tactfully declined again.

Feeling slightly troubled, he cautiously said: "Lord Governor, I have a batch of light field cannons from the Said Khanate that can be transported by mules or even donkeys, if you..."

"Wonderful!"

Roland slammed the table, making the teacup jump.

"Mr. Bair, you’ve come just in time. I’ll take all of this stock, and we will trade at market price, so you won’t be disadvantaged."

Bair wanted to say more but was halted by Roland’s raised hand.

"Mr. Bair, you are my friend. I never shortchange friends. Even if not friends, I wouldn’t extort normal business partners."

Seeing the sincerity in Roland’s clear eyes, Bair trembled all over with excitement.

This time, they had really come to the right place! Initially worried about secretly carrying hundreds of illegal light cannons, not knowing how to handle this risk, it had finally been resolved.

These light field cannons were easy to move and simple to use, with no drawbacks other than being slightly less powerful.

However, Roland was currently short of field artillery.

The large-caliber cannons manufactured in Hansa City were too bulky, only suitable for siege and annihilation battles.

To fight in the field, field cannons were necessary.

Unfortunately, all the cannons in Hansa City were 12-pound heavy cannons, extremely difficult to move, and couldn’t reach the frontline for decisive battles.

Bair was providing 6-pound and 4-pound cannons that weighed between 280-400 kilograms, which could be moved by mules or sturdy donkeys, or even pushed by infantrymen.

Despite not being powerful, they would be enough against infantry.

Invited to inspect the warehouse with over a hundred small cannons, Roland was very pleased.

He did not ask why the Sassanid merchants were carrying so many cannons during their travels.

In these war-torn times, how could one do business without cannons when facing pirates?

After arranging the handover of the cannons, Roland quickly headed to the operations command room.

He had to share the good news with Christine immediately.

Bursting into the operations command room, he saw Christine and Sif playing a game.

Judging by Sif’s sweating brow, there was no question who had the advantage.

Seeing Roland approach, Sif caught a lifeline and promptly halted the game, smiling as she asked:

"You seem in good spirits. What’s the good news?"

Christine also turned her gaze over.

Being forced to change the battle plan had left her agitated, and being unable to annihilate the enemy had fueled her frustration.

She was indeed eager to hear good news.

"Christine, the reason you had to abandon the annihilation plan was that the artillery couldn’t arrive at the battleground during the decisive battle, right?"

"Yes, our cannons are too cumbersome."

"What if there were over a hundred 6-pound and 4-pound light field cannons that can be hauled by mules?"

A flicker of murderous intent crossed Christine’s eyes, "Then they are doomed."