Chapter 173

A week after the wedding, Sevigny unexpectedly appeared in front of Xu Yi and Steele.

"I'm really sorry." Sevigny said apologetically to the two of them: "I originally planned to come to your wedding and send my blessings to you face to face, but I was delayed by some unexpected things. I'm really sorry. "

Xu Yi took a serious look at Sevigny, and found that her expression was full of exhaustion. She couldn't help frowning and waved her hand: "This is not a big deal. Her Royal Highness is busy with business, and it is normal to be delayed. But Her Royal Highness, I heard... your situation doesn't seem to be very good lately..."

Sevigny showed a hint of surprise, looked at Xu Yi, and asked, "Why do you ask that?"

"It's something I've deduced from some things, and some other people have revealed some information to me..."

"Do these people include the Earl of Summer?" Sevigny asked again.

"Count Summer didn't say it explicitly, but he told me that his successor was a member of the Stark family. I think... this must not be what Her Royal Highness wanted to see." Xu Yi paused and said again: " In addition, Viscount Leslie's reply to me also revealed some truths to me, Her Royal Highness, didn't those guys in the noble senate always support you before? Why do you suddenly turn to support Her Royal Highness Prince Eric?"

Sevigny glanced at Steele.

Xu Yi immediately said, "Steel is my wife, I don't need to hide anything from her."

"I'm envious and happy for the close relationship between you and Steele." Sevigny smiled and shook his head: "It's a pity, I can't find anyone who can confess everything in front of him. , so...there are some things that I am not convenient to reveal to you."

Xu Yi shrugged, smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "I thought I was your staunch ally, Her Royal Highness."

Hearing that Xu Yi's address to himself became an honorific again, how could Sevigny not know that Xu Yi was indirectly expressing his dissatisfaction. However, she could only smile bitterly: "Xu Yi, it's not that I don't want to reveal it to you, it's that I can't. There are many things, if you know. I want to use the character I understand. I'm afraid you must Will choose to get involved. But for now, I don't want you to do that. The new pilot will develop very well. I have always regarded it as a hope for our kingdom of Lampari to become stronger, and I don't hope that it has not really It's completely destroyed before it grows. You know what I mean?"

Hearing the sincerity in Sevigny's tone, Steele reached out his hand. He squeezed Xu Yi's hand tightly and shook his head lightly at him.

Xu Yi sighed deeply, looked at Sevigny for a while, and said seriously: "Your Highness, I understand your thoughts, but I also hope you can understand mine. In my opinion, you are the most suitable for the entire kingdom. Heir. Because you really want the Kingdom of Lampari to be strong, not just for the crown like some people do. So no matter what, I will fully support you."

Although many people have automatically attributed Xu Yi and the Xinfei Chamber of Commerce as supporters of Her Royal Highness Princess Sevigny, this is the first time Xu Yi has stated his attitude so bluntly.

Sevigny heard the solemnity in Xu Yi's words. My heart moved slightly, but after hesitating for a while, he slowly shook his head and said, "I'm very happy to have your approval and support, but please believe me, it's really not suitable for you to know some things now. Wait until the right time. , I'll tell you."

Seeing that Sevigny was so determined, Xu Yi knew that it would be meaningless to continue, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I hope this day will come soon."

Sevigny smiled slightly, took a breath, and wiped away the expressions on her face that were not supposed to be on her face.

"Let's talk about business. Since you already know that Earl Stark is the one who succeeded Earl Summer, you should already know how this matter will affect you and the new pilot."

Xu Yi nodded slowly: "Yes. But I only know that it will definitely bring bad effects, but I don't know how bad it will be."

"I can only say... it will even be worse than you think." Sevigny said sternly.

"Really?" Xu Yi and Steele frowned together. "So, has your relationship with His Royal Highness reached such a naked level?"

"You can say that." Sevigny's tone was a little helpless. "Although this is not what I want to see, it is the truth. And on this matter, I have no strength to oppose it, so I can only remind you to be more careful and try not to make excuses for Brother Wang. You understand my Do you mean?"

Xu Yi's brows furrowed deeper, and he said with a wry smile, "Does this make me a shrunken turtle?"

"My father once told me a sentence. If you want to achieve great things, you must first learn to be patient when necessary. I now pass this sentence on to you." Sevigny said earnestly.

Xu Yi glanced at Sevigny, shook his head and said, "Your Highness, this sentence applies to me, but I am afraid it does not apply to you. If you do not make up your mind, I am afraid that many people who support you will be disappointed. Do you really think that His Royal Highness Prince Eric is more suitable for the throne than you?"

"I don't want to discuss this." Sevigny shook his head and cut off the topic. "President Xu, this time I came out to send my blessings to you and Steele face to face. There are also a few important things to discuss with you. The first thing is about the magic trebuchet."

"Is there any problem with the magic trebuchet?" Xu Yi asked. "Viscount Leslie's reply said that the magic catapult showed a very powerful force in the battle on the northern border, defeating the soldiers of the Kingdom of Sark, and even unable to hold a position."

"Yes, the magic catapult is indeed powerful. But the better it performs, the less the military wants to leave the technology of making this thing in the hands of others. After the military research and decision, I hope that the new flying chamber of commerce will be able to make magic power. The technology of the trebuchet was handed over to the military, and relevant technical personnel were dispatched to assist the military arsenal to master all the technologies for the production of the magic trebuchet." Sevigny said.

"Your Highness, is that what you mean?" Xu Yi asked seriously.

Sevigny blinked and replied, "This is what the military means."

Xu Yi immediately understood: "Then can I refuse?"

"Terror can't."

Hearing this answer, Xu Yi couldn't help but let out a sneer: "Then can I ask. Will the military give me any compensation?"

Sevigny was silent for a while, before slowly replying: "This is a joint decision of the top military officials and the Kingdom Council. In the future, any technology related to military equipment in the Kingdom cannot be in private hands."

"That is to say. No compensation?" Xu Yi asked.

Sevigny shook his head slowly.

"Very good." Xu Yi sneered again. "To put it bluntly, it is asking me to hand it over for free. It seems that the people in the military are not so thick-skinned. I know that I am embarrassed to make this request in front of me, but I actually pushed you, Her Royal Highness, as a shield. Good. This is I can choose to hand over the technology for free. After all, I am an ordinary businessman and cannot compete with the military. But Her Royal Highness, please tell the military and the Kingdom Council for me. Let them think about the serious consequences of doing so. "

Sevigny showed a bitter smile and sighed: "Xu Yi, I hope you don't lose confidence in the kingdom because of this matter. Father, he still attaches great importance to you and the Xinfei Chamber of Commerce."

"If it's so important, then don't." Xu Yi snorted coldly, and then gave Sevigny a meaningful look. "As for losing confidence...I only have confidence in you, Her Royal Highness, I just hope you don't let me lose confidence."

Sevigny was silent, and the room fell silent for a while.

Feel the awkward atmosphere in the room. Steele smiled reluctantly and said to Sevigny: "Your Highness, this is the first thing, so what about the second thing?"

Sevigny took a breath. After regaining his calm, he smiled slightly and replied to Steele: "The second thing is good news. The father has decided to link the three cities of Bonta City, Karma City, and Saltan City together and officially list the three cities. It is the special economic zone of the Kingdom of Lampari. In this special economic zone, all business activities in the three cities will enjoy the benefits and conveniences of the kingdom’s policies.”

"This is good news, but the timing of this decision is too coincidental, right?" Xu Yi's tone implied disdain. "It was announced just when Earl Summer was about to be transferred and Earl Stark was about to take over. Her Royal Highness, are you sure this is not paving the way and creating momentum for Earl Stark?"

"No matter what you think, this is a good thing for Bonta City after all, isn't it?" Sevigny said. "After being listed as a special economic zone, all chambers of commerce in Bangta City will enjoy the special treatment of the kingdom's policies. For example, when the goods of the Chamber of Commerce in Bangta City pass through the kingdom in the future, the tax paid in each place will be a fixed amount. The number is not affected by the tax standards created by each locality. I think you should know how much benefit it will bring to the Chamber of Commerce in Bangta City.”

"Well, this is indeed a good thing." Xu Yi nodded.

Because there is no unified taxation standard in the Lampari Kingdom, different places are basically set by the city lords themselves.

For example, the city of Bonta has a standard of 34% for business tax, while the standard of Karma is 37%, and the standard of Saltan is 38%.

The tax standard of Bangta City is the lowest because Earl Summer has always supported commercial development. After the New Flying Chamber of Commerce has driven the development of Bangta City, it has further lowered this standard, in order to promote the commercial development of Bangta City.

The 34% standard is the lowest in the entire Lampari kingdom.

However, other cities in the Kingdom of Lampari tend to have much higher standards than these three cities, and some of them even exceed an astonishing 50%!

In Xu Yi's view, this is clearly the standard for mental retardation.

Business in the Lampari Kingdom was not developed in the first place. In this case, instead of reducing taxes to promote business development, the tax standard was set so high that it would be hell if business could develop.

In the past, when the goods of the major chambers of commerce in Bangta City were shipped to various places, they had to pay according to the local tax standards. Therefore, if you choose to ship the goods to other places for sale, and then count the freight, it is actually far worse than in Bangta City. It is more profitable to sell with several surrounding cities, so many business associations in Bangta City are only willing to sell goods locally in Bangta City, and have little interest in developing foreign markets.

Now His Majesty the King has set this place as a special economic zone and implemented a unified tax standard, which can indeed effectively promote the development of the Chamber of Commerce in Bangta City.

But Xu Yi was not very happy.

First, this standard is the first time in the Kingdom of Lampari that the unified taxation standard of the kingdom has been implemented. Xu also doubts whether this regulation can really be implemented.

Second, it would be nice to make this a special economic zone, but it is Earl Stark who is about to take over Earl Satsuma as the city lord.

Even aside from the Stark family's attitude towards the New Flying Chamber of Commerce, will this Earl of Stark have enough vision and courage like Earl of Summer?