Chapter 12: Second Episode: Chapter 3 (2/2)

The young prince was not stirred by Yael’s cautious respect. He preferred truth and honesty and actual plans. He despised small talks that had no value or meaning. Even before during his meetings with the big brothers in prison they always only discussed about solid schemes and no nonsense.

”My lords, I believe you all know how packed and occupied my daily schedule is. I will only stay here for an hour so let us get into the main point. I supposed we’re not here to try out your new weight loss set meals, are we?” Oscar intentionally sounded impatient and irritable.

The fat lords seemed a little surprised by the young prince’s reaction. They exchanged nervous glances with each others as they did not intend to dive straight into the main topic so soon. Although Oscar was unsure what was it that they were trying to ask him for a favour, but he figured that they were uncertain themselves and were still weighing the possible outcomes.

As expected, the one to break the silence was the modest and prudent Count Levis Sakya.

”Your Highness, you might not be able to understand the reason why we are treating this issue with such cautious and consideration. The things that we are going through might seem trivial and insignificant to you, but please have your trust on us, as this concerns the lives of many people.”

”Oh la! Count Sakya, it’s true that life is the most valuable and no one would take it lightly. But so is nourishment. Could we discuss about whatever matters you want to raise over a good meal? To be honest, I’m famished,” Oscar tried his best to take the lead of the conversation.

Just a few moments later, a feast was served. Exquisite huge plates covered with silvers filled up the arms of the poor waiters. Hiding underneath the silver cover was a suckling pig roasted to the perfect golden yellow. From his experience Oscar guessed that inside of the pig were stuffed with several ingredients. He doubted if this was one of the set meals as promoted in their infamous weight loss meal package.

The waiters placed an elegant handmade small table in front the lords. The suckling pig was thinly sliced and served on the plates of each lord’s alongside a generous amount of side dishes.

One of the waiters brought a beautiful wine bottle to the Imperial Highness Prince. That was the rule on the dining tables in Titan; the most distinguished person or guest have the honour to decide which wine to drink.

The young prince took a small sip and allowed it to linger in the back of his mouth and his throat as he enjoyed its aftertaste. It was the Rosette wine. It did not have too much alcoholic content, which meant that even though it was considerably a rare type of wine its taste was not the best or the most outstanding if compared to the others. However, Rosette wine could relieve fatigue and improves digestion. It was the best choice for the fat lords who consume greasy food on daily basis.

Count Levis Sakya was eating without really tasting the food. He was worried and he believed his friends were feeling the same. He had already received eye signals from his friends just now when he spoke to the young prince hastily. To be honest he was rather impetuous. Although he did not know the young prince O’Neil very well, but from all the information he heard from his friend from the Underworld, he reckoned this young man sitting in front of him was the only person who could save them from their troubles. Count Sakya was confident about his own judgement. Based on his observation of the young prince from the short conversation just now, he supposed the kid had already grasped the situation. It was always easier to have dealings with sharp and witty people.

Count Levis could not wait anymore. He had seen with his own eyes how powerful the people from the Underworld could be, he decided impulsively that he must take the risk no matter what.

He recklessly put down his cutleries and made a light cough and everyone turned to look at him. The waiters were sharp enough to get the hint and withdrew themselves from the room.

”Your Imperial Highness Prince, I was informed that you have with you a unique heraldry. One which has the coat of arms different from any known and famous sign. If you don’t mind me asking, is that true that you own such a special heraldry?”

Oscar was now skeptical about the lords’ motive. He imagined they must somehow associated themselves with the Underworld.

”That’s right, I do own such a special heraldry. However, I can’t present it to you due to some reasons. The only thing I can tell you is that most prominent sign on this coat of arms is a sign of balance.”

”Your Highness, I sincerely apologise for my presumptuous. It is undeniable that what you have achieved in your league is something extraordinary that we would never comprehend. Anyway, would you be interested in listening to this major economic development that myself and the other ministries are currently working on?”

”Please fill me in with the project. I reckon it must be something of utmost importance if it requires the participation of all you lords,” Oscar assumed this must be a truly profitable business for the fat lords.

”Your Imperial Highness might not believe this, but the financial situation of the empire has been completely different from that of two hundred years ago. In fact, the situation is constantly deteriorating. For instance, the current economical activities of the empire are generally rigid. The people of Titan have been living on a self-sufficient life; the aristocracy live off the income from their respective territories, and the leaders of the people were provided food and clothing by their masters. They simply do not lack anything,” Count Sakya replied.

Oscar knew little about the economic situation of the empire, but he did learned loads of uncommon knowledge by being part of the Underworld. ”I think Your Grace missed out an important detail, that is the shift of the economic centre, which happened after the closure of the main trading route in the East by the Persians. As a result, the treasures and goods being imported to Titan are gradually decreasing.”

Everyone nodded at the young prince’s comment. Indeed, Dulin, as the capital of Titan Empire, has long ceased to be the main trading centre point of Westland. The lords were aware of this, but they were surprised that even the kid was well-informed about this too.

”You are certainly right,” Count Sakya said emotionally. ”The heart of the economy has shifted to the nations situated along the sea. Empires such as Italia, Faran, as well as the lone Engels that was located at the west side of the sea have been profiting well from all the maritime trades. Well, unfortunately for us, there is a huge kingdom sandwiched between Titan and the sea. Hence, to encourage the economical state of our empire Titan, we also invested in an offshore trade line not long ago.”

Oscar smiled half-heartedly. Trade route investment for the benefit of the empire? Total bullshit. They probably set up the route to facilitate their personal trading businesses with the outside world.

Although the young man silently ridiculed the hypocrisy of the fat lords, he had to admire the courage and boldness of these men. Sea ports were nonexistent in the Titan Empire, so for them to construct a maritime business in a landlocked country they must have had spent loads of time and effort in gathering manpower, material and financial resources.

Levis could hear the hint of mockery in the young man’s chuckle. He reminded himself again to be careful with what he says as this young man was a sharp and smart one.

”So far we managed to find reliable agents in Italia and Faran empires. Their harbours, customs, and deliveries of goods inland are tested to be absolutely safe and efficient. But even so we still faced some difficulties which we have not yet found a solution.”

Oscar already knew what kind of obstacles the lords encountered. Obviously, in order to be partnered with these powerful lords, their ”reliable agents” from Italia and Faran must be some kind of high-ranked officials in their countries too. Technically, with their expanded network and connections there should not be any problems as long as the traded goods are successfully brought to the ports. Hence, the obstacles must be something on the sea, a place where no authority could have control over.

”My guess is that you encountered the pirates?”

The fat lords were again taken aback by the little fatty’s brightness. It encouraged the lords to try harder with the young prince. If he knew about the existence of pirates, the lords supposed that the young prince would have some connections to them in the Underworld.

”You are right again, my prince. Our merchant ships were confronted by the pirates. That encounter made us suffer a catastrophic loss.” Count Levis Sakya said in devastation.

”Oh la! Tell me more, Your Grace. You all deal with millions of Tis on a daily basis, I am extremely curious how awful was the catastrophic loss!” Oscar was certain that the goods they delivered were problematic.

Levis felt his face burning with embarrassment. ”Uh…Your Imperial Highness Prince, as you have known we are here to ask you for a favour. Regarding the goods, they are not something that were allowed in the legal codes of Titan empire. Please forgive me for that is all I can say. As I mentioned before, this situation involves the lives of many people, to be more specific, it affects the lives of my allies.”

Oscar enjoyed being challenged. He tried his best to put together pieces of what the lord had said and those informations that he was keeping from him.

”Ha ha Your Grace, I think there are some flaws in your words earlier. The codes of Titan could not affect anything that happens on the far side of the sea. Be truthful my lord, was it some illegal smuggling business that you all were conducting in the name of expanding the empire’s maritime trade?”

Count Levis Sakya could not look the young prince in the eyes anymore. Eventually, he nodded awkwardly as a reply to the question. It was not easy for a noble gentlemen to admit to his wrongdoing, especially when it was something illegal.

”Alright, now that you have admit to operating an illegal smuggling business, it makes it easier for me to think this through. Hmm let me guess… things like tea leaves, silk, and porcelain are nothing for you lords. Besides, trading of these merchandises is still legal under the codes of our empire. What would be appealing and profiting enough for you honourable lords to risk your own lives…” Oscar paused for more dramatic effect and looked into Levis’s dazzling eyes. ”Count Levis Sakya, if I remember correctly, the finance minister vaguely mentioned that your family is in control of several gold mines.”

”Ye…yes,” his voice was trembling with fear.

”Oh la! I got it! I remember both Faran Empire and West Percy Kingdom are not blessed with gold mines, hence gold can be sold at an outrageously expensive price. Is it gold that you lords were trying to smuggle to these countries?”

This time even Count Sakya did not have the courage to answer the young prince’s question. For the past centuries outflow of golds from Titan had been strictly prohibited, anyone who was found exporting gold would have their whole clan exterminated as a punishment.

”Oh la! Since no one has spoken I would take it as you all agreed tacitly. Relax! Don’t get all tensed up, I will not inform the authorities. Ha ha, let me guess once more. The route is just newly opened, so I bet you all have already profited the sweetness of the smuggling business. Every trader on the sea has been robbed by pirates before, and you lords are definitely not innocent enough to not have any preparation for that beforehand. It is not a wise choice to invest all your fortune at once, which means that you all would have controlled the amount of smuggled gold within the possible loss. Since you mentioned that the losses were catastrophic enough to put your allies’ lives in danger, it must have been a grave mistake made in the most important part of the plan? Right? Marquis Barbara Thea?”

The Director of the Financial Secretary of the State Council totally changed his perception on the young man. He now completely believed all those rumours he heard about Oscar. The young prince had in fact earned the Imperial Highness title and his status in the Underworld by his own capability.

”Why would you think I was the cause to the problem?” The Marquis finally spoken after keeping quiet the whole time.

”Why not? You have kept silent and stayed in the corner of the room with a cynical expression the whole time. I have all the reasons in the world to believe you’re the unlucky one who brought this disaster upon your friends and allies,” Oscar ridiculed the Marquis without any trace of politeness.

”Ha ha ha! I would like to apologise for my rudeness. Honestly, I am truly sorry. And yes, I am the unlucky one. I had made sure this batch of gold would never appear on the official record book of the finance minister, but only God knows how it turned up in my Financial Secretary record at last. I can not complain about my subordinate’s sense of responsibility, but I also know that I have brought upon myself and my friends a calamity.”

Oscar finally understood the whole incident in detail now. The Sakya Family did not have the audacity to privately mine the goldfields whereas the Finance Minister and the Director of the Financial Secretary of the State Council had the ability to make a huge amount of Golden Tis vanish from the official records without leaving any trace. However, both the ministers handling the affairs could not see eye to eye with each other on certain matters. Inevitably, disputes would definitely occur whenever both the organisations attempted to keep their original working methods. One of the main purpose the late Titan Emperor had established the Financial Secretary of the State Council was to control and regulate the operations of the Ministry of Finance.

His late Majesty Emperor’s strategy proved to be effective in instances like this. The large sum of Golden Tis that had been cleared off the finance minister’s office book had reappeared in the official record of Financial Secretary. This allowed His Majesty the Emperor the advantage of supervising both ministries at the same time. The amount of gold in the national treasury will be reported to the emperor at the end of every month, and Marquis Barbara Thea did not have the power to modify the official record book of the empire treasury. And now, they had really lost the Golden Tis to the pirates. If the missing gap could not be filled in as soon as possible, the young prince believed this would be the end of the Fat Lords Club.

Oscar came up with the countermeasure for this tough situation almost immediately. Practically all the pirates of the coast of Italia and Faran were under the protection of the Sirsi Mafia, which meant that the leader of the gang Lord Emmanuelle Beart could easily demand the pirates to return around seventy percent of the stolen golds. Of course, as a return for his favour ten percent of the returned gold would have to be spared by the Lord Bears himself. In other words, the fat lords could only possibly recover sixty percent of their gold. Oscar thought this idea was entirely in line with the rules of how things work. He did not even considered claiming a portion of the gold for himself as remuneration.

The fat lords agreed to the little fatty’s suggestion unanimously. They had doubts with the young prince’s idea initially but Oscar made an oath and assured them that they would reclaim their stolen gold in just a month’s time. Oscar had thoroughly weighed this through.

Seeing it was already mid of April at the moment, it would already be the beginning of May by the time His Majesty the Emperor perform his monthly check to the national treasury. Oscar proposed another brilliant idea. The governor-general of the East Border of Empire Duke Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel could use his title as the marshal to officially and legally request an emergency support of military fees from His Majesty the Emperor and the military headquarters. Even though he had not yet thought of what excuse to use for that request, he believed that the Emperor would not reject the demand of the Duke. If he could successfully obtain the gold using this strategy and use it to fill in the missing gap of the national treasury, the problem would then be solved entirely.

All the fat lords and the little fatty were overjoyed at the idea. The former were elated because they found a solution to save their own lives, and the latter was excited because he could retrieve pennies from the heaven, literally. Even though the Golden Tis would be used to replace the position of the stolen gold in the national treasury, the fat lords vowed that they would return the batch of gold to Family Andrew as soon as they could. Oscar was not a total gentlemen, after all. He would not give out free advice and receive nothing in return.

The fat lords did not mind to spare thirty percent of the benefits to the little fatty and that Lord Beard if they could save them out of their arduous position, what they valued more was the stability of incoming fortune in the future. Sometimes at the sea, getting the protection of the pirates was much better than having the support of a fleet. The pirates did not belong to any nations, but they had influence all over the wide stretch of the sea.

In the midst of their heated discussion, a poorly-behaved servant burst into the room out of the blue. He rushed towards the finance minister and whispered something inaudible to Oscar. Although the young prince could not hear what was the exchange he felt both of them throwing a suspicious glance towards his way.

”Okay gentlemen! It seemed like we could end our meeting and call it a day. I hope that everyone is satisfied with the outcome of our discussion today. Your Imperial A distinguished guest is out there waiting for you. Trust me Your Highness, you would not be disappointed, this lady is the most attractive lady in the whole Dulin.”