He didn't believe that Prince Colin misjudged the situation outside, after all, the flour in Withered Wood Port was being sold at a sky-high price of 6 silver coins per bag. How could he not know information even he himself was aware of?

Regardless of secular interests—this gentleman acted wholly out of noble honor and piety to Saint Xi for making such honest negotiations!

At a time when everyone was profiting from national crises, this venerable Prince did not take the opportunity to raise prices and extort them. Instead, he proactively proposed a relatively reasonable plan!

Compared to those Imperial merchants only concerned about war profits, this was truly admirable!

In his heart, General Hamoldon was moved and extremely grateful that he made the right choice from the start, not joining up with those merchant guilds that extended olive branches to him.

Saint Xi would never abandon His followers—

Indeed, after taking just two steps forward, he met someone who shared his ideals!

"It's truly admirable how Your Highness sees the big picture! I accept this plan... If you encounter any difficulties, please be sure to tell me!"

Just to make up for the losses in this business deal!

Looking at General Hamoldon with a serious expression, Luo Yan smiled faintly and humbly waved his hand, "The General praises me too much. As a citizen of the Empire, it's naturally my duty to ease the Empire's burdens. Besides, money doesn't hold much significance for me; obtaining the recognition of Saint Xi is my greatest honor."

At this point, Luo Yan suddenly paused and then shifted the topic.

"However, there is one thing I must tell the General. I'm afraid these grains cannot be immediately brought out. After all, the territory of the Gutaf Kingdom is vast, and coordinating logistics requires time. Their Queen promised me that she would gather the supplies as quickly as possible... but it will take at least two to three months."

Two to three months is a conservative estimate; in reality, it means three months.

Hamoldon was slightly surprised, his brows furrowed, but soon he relaxed.

Three months, then three months.

It takes a month and a half just to get from the Empire's mainland to Saint Yil Castle!

Compared to that, it only takes a week to get from Saint Yil Castle to here, and all the time and transport saved is clearly a gain!

The Quartermaster standing not far behind him raised an eyebrow.

Three months...

That's not a short time!

The fastest the Empire could reorganize the supply ships would be three months... If it also takes that long to get the grains from Withered Wood Port, why did they come here to build a port that has no direct benefit to Saint Yil Castle?

Of course, he had to admit that even though the General had taken a somewhat roundabout route to achieve his goals, the benefits were not nonexistent.

As Hamoldon calculated, they could save a lot of transport ships and time costs for the grain supplies.

According to rough estimates from the Logistics Department, this supply line from Saint Yil Castle to Withered Wood Port would only require 13 cargo ships of 3000 tons each.

If they were to purchase from the Empire's mainland, the number of sailboats needed would be more than double, and they would also need to consider the losses at sea. Moreover, by then, the grain prices might not be much cheaper than they are now.

Most importantly, if they could ensure that Withered Wood Port could move twenty thousand tons of corn into the port's warehouse in three months, they wouldn't have to immediately bow to the Empire's mainland merchant guilds and the nobles behind them for help.

The stored grain in Saint Yil Castle would be enough to support them until then.

Even if just barely.

With his fist unintentionally clenching on his knee, General Hamoldon made a decision after a fierce internal struggle.

His perception of this honor-valuing prince was positive, both in first impression and over the course of their interactions.

This gentleman always places the Empire's interests and his family's honor first.

And such a person is worth betting on!

Gazing into Colin's eyes, he said earnestly.

"I understand that such a large amount of supplies cannot be gathered in a day, three months is not an issue, but are you sure... at the latest, in three months, we will see twenty thousand tons of corn at Withered Wood Port? This is important for both the Empire and for me!"

Feeling the trust and sincerity in his gaze, Luo Yan also adopted a serious expression, nodded, and said.

"I can swear by my badge, and use the honor of the Colin Family as a guarantee."

"Three months is the final deadline; you will definitely see the grain you need at the port of Withered Wood Port..."

At this point, he deliberately paused and continued in a tone meant to ease the atmosphere.

"By the way, to prevent the corn from lying exposed on the open ground, I may have to trouble you to build a few warehouses at the port of Withered Wood Port... Although I'd like to handle this myself, as you can see, the labor force at Withered Wood Port is really stretched thin."

Hamoldon was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, but then began laughing uproariously after understanding Prince Colin's humor.

"That's easy! Leave it to me!"

Luo Yan smiled lightly, raised his glass slightly in a toast gesture.

"Then let us toast to our pleasant cooperation!"

"To a pleasant cooperation!"

Completely unaware that he was making a deal with a demon, Hamoldon downed his glass of white wine in one go, while Luo Yan opposite him took a small sip.

He didn't much care for the sour taste in the wine; the fine wine made from grapes in Thunder County, from the Land of Nightmare, suited his palate far better.

Unlike him, who only used wine as a tool, Qianqian truly had a research interest in wine.

After three rounds of drinks, the business discussion was concluded.

Those seated at the table began to focus on the sumptuous lunch.

After the main course was more than half consumed, the waiter, pushing a serving cart, returned to the table, serving everyone a platter of butter-fried seasonal vegetables and soft, fragrant butter mashed potatoes.

In Withered Wood Port, where a bag of flour sold for six silver coins, these gourmet dishes were enough to make the sailors who only had corn porridge with smoked fish salivate with longing.

Gazing at this table filled with dishes reminiscent of home, General Hamoldon, suddenly overcome with homesickness, remembered something, looked at Prince Colin, and spoke.

"By the way, Your Highness, there's one more thing..."

Luo Yan smiled slightly and replied in a gentle tone.

"What is it?"

Hamoldon chuckled and said.

"Out of routine, when I reported my work to the rear, I included your affairs as well... Out of admiration for your loyalty, I took the liberty to use my naval connections to investigate the Port Authority of the Holy City, and found that, indeed, a ship went missing on the route to Beitiao Ke Port 500 years ago."

There were many merchant ships that went missing five hundred years ago.

Unlike Ticky, who clings to the details, Luo Yan, having seen much of the world, paid it no mind, simply taking another sip of his white wine and asked with interest.

"Oh? What did you discover?"

A bit sheepishly, Hamoldon produced a wax-sealed letter from his pocket and gently laid it on the table before him.

And the next words nearly made Luo Yan spray out his wine—

"I found your distant relatives in the Holy City!"

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