Dark King

Dudian smiled: “I would not dare to say so. Master Celsus didn’t check the research in-depth but took a look and evaluated in less than an hour. Being able to assess the work and giving such an evaluation is the thing that we should admire.”

Rosie looked at him: “Mr. Dean didn’t promise to sell the rights to me earlier which was a wise move. Right now we as Scott consortium have come to a decision to offer you price of top grade four-star item for military crossbow. What do you think?”

Dudian didn’t expect her to give the highest possible price: “But your consortium is going to suffer with this transaction.”

“We are not going to make a loss.” Rosie laughed: “We will just earn a bit less. Moreover we are showing our sincerity as the consortium. We have cooperated in the past so we are old acquaintances. A little more concessions would not hurt us.”

Rosie had natural abilities to make people quite easy and feel good just by talking. However Dudian still hadn’t forgotten about falsification of accounts and books by the Scott Consortium. So he wasn’t at ease: “I will think about the offer.”

Rosie was confused: “Are you satisfied by the offer?”

Dudian slightly shook his head: “I have to think with the old patriarch of the Ryan family. I was previously employed as a hunter by their family. Moreover they bailed me out from the prison. Although according to the terms of the hunter contract they don’t ask for the right of my research but I can’t forget the kindess they have shown towards me.”

Rosie had full information about Dudian’s background. She was well aware of the few years of the experience he had in the prison. After she heard his argument she knew that he had told the appropriate thing. For a moment she couldn’t find the right words to tell. After thinking for a bit she quickly said: “Mr Dean you should be aware of the financial situation of the Ryan family better than us. Even if you gifted the product to them, they don’t have the ability to produce the product in bulk. Ultimately they would be looking for business parterns for cooperation to manufacture the crossbow. I can promise you that if you sell us the right for sales and manufacturing of the crossbow then we can give a share to Ryan family from the future profits.”

Dudian didn’t think that this girl had so much rights in the consortium that she could promise such a big concession on the spot. He pretended to be pondering the issue and after a moment said: “I don’t want to be rude but I’ll talk this thing with Old Fulin and afterward decided about the issue.”

Rosie didn’t expect that Dudian would hesitate even after such a condition was given out. Her face slightly change: “That being the case if the old patriarch agrees to sale then Mr Dean please consider the Scott consortium as the first option. If you have any other needs then let me know. I can go back to the consortium and make sure that they are satisfied.”

“Thank you.” Dudian replied.

Rosie saw that there was no intention to agree on Dudian’s face. She knew about the matter which could affect their deal but she wasn’t able to do anything to change the predictament. However she wasn’t going to throw the towel just like that. Rosie continued: “Mr Dean please tell Old Fulin that if he agrees then our consortium is willing to make an alliance with New World consortium.”

Dudian’s eyelids twitched for a moment but his heartbeat quietened down as he thought through. Alliance wa certainly the most powerful form of cooperation that New World consortium needed. But in practice Scott consortium would not ally themselves with New World consortium on equal rights. If it was going to be a unequal treaty then the meaning of the ‘alliance’ would lose its purpose greatly.

“I’ll make sure that Old patriarch of the Ryan family is aware of Scott consortium’s intentions. ” Dudian answered.

Rosie sighed but she suddenly thought of something. She whispered: “By the way I would like to reveal some news to you that I got my hands on. The market in the Pine town is not founded by Mellon consortium but Burong family alone. It’s purpose wasn’t to pressure New World consortium but they are plotting against you. The market in the Pine town would suppress through economic means but they would find an insider who would get close to Ryan family. Afterwards their aim is to trap you and make sure that your reputation is damaged.”

“Reputation?” Dodian eyes light, looked at her.

“As Burong family would use economic means through the Pine town to pressure on Ryan family some other wealthy family will step up to help Ryan family. They will get to have close relationship with Ryan family and you. Afterwards they will design a series of traps for you to fall in. As far as I know you and Burong family’s young miss Jenny had a past. The purpose of the patriarch Rudolph’s move is not to frame and imprison you but to discredit. He wants his daughter to completely give up on you.”

Dudian silently looked at her: “Scott consortium is quite well-informed. The intelligence network is top notch!”

Rosie smiled: “We are enemies with the Mellon consortium so naturally check their every move. In the future regardless if you are willing to sell us the right for the crossbow I will pass you information if Burong family tries to frame you or Mellon consortium tries to suppress New World Consortium.”

Dudian looked at Rosie. She was sent to to the business in Scott consortium’s stead and she indeed had commendable ability. Although he took into account that Scott consortium had falsified books but her current behavior influenced him too. He was no longer a child. He knew that any goodwill shown to him had to be repaid with kindness. It was the rule of the jungle and the fittest survived in these conditions. But fittest doesn’t mean that the one who got most benefits on spot.

“Thank you!” Dudian once again thanked her.

Rosie was about to leave but she saw the black metal objects at the back of the room. She hesitated: “Mr Dean, are you creating a new item?”

Dudian saw that she had noticed the lightning rod. He replied: “Yes.”

Rosie surprised: “Those seem to be … metal bars. Are you not from the wood element faction? Is your new item will have metal elements used?”

Dudian smiled: “You will know when it is out.”

Rosie saw that Dudian wasn’t going to disclose the details: “Mr Dean can I book the rights to buy this new item at the price of a three-star item?” However there was regret in her heart as she uttered the offer. Although Dudian had produce a four star product but who knew what the new item was? Even the most famous masters would produce one star or two star items most of the time. Occasionally their research results would be assessed as three or four star items. As for the production of five-star item then it was a rare thing for a master to produce in a decade.

Dudian shook his head: “The price is too low. If you offer the price of a five-star item then I promise that Scott consortium will get the product.”

“Uh, oh…” Rosie almost choked. She smiled: “Mr dean, you are humorous.”

Dudian shrugged his shoulders.

Rosie bid farewell and left out helplessly.

Dudian closed the door and narrowed his eyes as he thought about the information that Rosie had provided. He didn’t expect the purpose of Pine town market was buried so deep. It was possible that it was made up by Rosie after all he couldn’t verify the validity of the information. But the plan seemed like the style of Burong family. From an objective point of view he could fully understand the way Rudolph acted. But from his own perspective he couldn’t tolerate such a move again.

“Mellon consortium, Burong family, Mel family.” Dudian gently rubbed his fingers as he thought about the issue.

That night

Dudian carriage went back to Ryan family.

Old Fulin asked: “You have refused Rosie. Did you tell her about our assumptions about false accounting of the revenue of new textile machine?

“No.” Dudian leaned against the chair and rubbed his temple. “There is no meaning to fiddle in the past.”

Old Fulin was relieved: “We have no evidence and its only guesses. Even if we voice out our suspicion we won’t get compensation. It is pointless.”

Dudian closed his eyes: “What about other consortia?”

“In the afternoon people sent by military, Green consortium and Huasheng consortium had come over to discuss the rights for your crossbow. The prices and conditions given by them were almost same as with Scott consortium. After the assessment was made they didn’t have chance but the increase the price of the offers. Moreover, I have inquired about the battle that is happening in the border. The barbars are very active and your crossbow will come handy in such a situation. Most probably your crossbow got top grade evaluation because it was produced at time when the war was getting more intensive.”