bookbashuk Chapter 88 The Plans Against the Nilfgaardian Merchant Guild
Chapter 88 The Plans Against the Nilfgaardian Merchant Guild
Chapter 88 The Plans Against the Nilfgaardian Merchant Guild
"Also, the first batch of Northern Gazettes should be published in the next few days. I still need to discuss the content with Mr. Luwen. How about using Dandelion and Priscilla's poetry in the first issue's supplement, along with promotion from the Kingfisher Tavern?"
"We need a big story to grab attention, and luckily I have a lead on this," Ron said, turning to Dudu. "Dudu, how's the Hawthorne II's business going?"
Dudu took out a document from his bag. "Sir, as per your request, the underground casinos, the narcotics business, and brothels have been dealt with. The prices offered by Machete and Beggar King were quite good. Clifford bought the three casinos in the north of the city, and Mr. Belan took over the underground fighting arena in the dock area."
Regarding the real estate, Mr. Lu Wen has already transferred ownership to Carradine Wines through his efforts. Additionally, the warehouse in Bosodi that you mentioned was also transferred to Mr. Lu Wen at the same time. His connections at the city hall were a great help. The warehouse is now registered under a newly registered trading company and, on the surface, has no direct connection with Carradine Wines. Mr. Lu Wen is very experienced in this type of operation.
"Yes, I will thank him in person about this. So far, the cooperation between the two parties has been very pleasant. In the future, when I am not in Novigrad, you will be responsible for maintaining these relationships."
"No problem, leave it to me." Dudu put away the documents. "Hawthorne has three main properties in Novigrad. The one near Mr. Luwen's bathhouse will serve as the office of the Northern Gazette as you requested. Another one will serve as the reception and office location for Calard Winery."
How do you plan to use the last one located in the dock area? That one is the largest, originally Hawthorne's stronghold, where his henchmen were stationed. Upstairs is his private residence, and downstairs is a large hall that can accommodate dozens of people, along with a spacious courtyard and walls.”
Ron clasped his hands together. "Erwin, the Calard Mercenary Group needs a proper base in Novigrad. Let's do it here. The standard equipment of the standing army is too conspicuous in the city and will easily attract unnecessary attention."
The mercenary group recruited a new batch of people, numbering around fifty to one hundred. This group did not follow the standards of the regular army, whose training was mainly for large-scale combat on the battlefield.
Novigrad is recruiting experienced individuals with specialized skills, primarily for intelligence gathering, infiltration, assassination, and protection. We need a suitable person to take charge of this area.
"How about Hans?" Erwin suggested. "Not Hans from Raven's Nest, but Hans from Hidalis. He was originally a mercenary captain, quite capable, and has plenty of experience dealing with mercenaries."
"Hans? When did he arrive?"
"When I returned to the manor last time, he had already been there for several days and was training with the standing army. Karl had a good opinion of his mercenaries. As long as they adapted to the discipline and formations of the standing army, they could become capable officers and backbone personnel. Their experience could be of great help to the soldiers of the standing army."
"Alright, Hans it is. The mercenary group's salary will be at the highest market standard. We will only recruit the truly best. We also need people with expertise in naval warfare, especially the mercenaries from Skellige. They will be very useful later."
"Understood, I will immediately arrange for someone to notify Hans to come to Novigrad," Erwin wrote on the notepad.
Ron turned to Dudu. "Dudu, how's the screening of the people Hawthorne left behind going?"
"I transferred all the new recruits and those who still had some principles regarding civilians to Calard Manor to receive basic training from the regular army. There were about forty of them, most of whom joined Hawthorne's forces out of desperation and did not commit many evil deeds themselves."
Dudu's face showed a complex expression. "What's left now are Hawthorne's core members, all vicious and habitual criminals. They use loan sharks and narcotics as bait to lure ordinary people with no background into incurring huge debts. In the end, their wives and daughters are sent to brothels to pay off the debts, or they are sold directly to the mines. These people all have blood on their hands."
"That's fine," Ron's voice turned cold. "The things we need next are people like this. Even scum and trash can make the most of their remaining value."
Ron leaned back in his chair. "According to Luwen's intelligence, the location of the Nilfgaardian Merchant Guild has been confirmed. Their regular meeting is the day after tomorrow. Dudu, you arrange for Hawthorne's men to raid the guild hall, leaving no member alive. Afterwards, destroy all the documents with kerosene before evacuating."
"Immediately after this operation, you will relinquish your identity as Hawthorne II and henceforth be permanently in charge of Calard Winery under the name Dandy. In case of any military issues, directly utilize the mercenary group's manpower. If that's insufficient, contact me or Erwin through the Kingfisher, and I will dispatch standing troops for you."
"Understood," Dudu's expression turned serious. "However... sir, why should we attack the Merchants' Guild? They are backed by the Nilfgaardian military. If anything goes wrong, your situation in Velen will be very passive."
"Erwin, you explain this to us. Dudu is one of our own; he should know these things."
Erwin organized his thoughts. "First of all, we already have a conflict of interest with the Merchants' Guild. We cut off their slave trade route in Velen, and they already know about it. However, since Velen is currently under Nilfgaard's control, they cannot mobilize the military to eliminate us."
Erwin drew a line on the table. "But then another person came into play, Radovid V, who had evidence of our actions against the Nilfgaardian squad and threatened to hand it over to the Merchant Guild as leverage to force us to submit."
Giving this evidence directly to the Nilfgaardian military would be useless; the army wouldn't take direct action against Velen's leaders for this. Doing so would only give Redania an opportunity. However, it would be different if the guilds pushed for it, as their influence on the army is profound.
As far as I know, there is a military figure among the Novigrad merchant guild members—Morvan Furris, commander and highest-ranking officer of the Alba Division, a pure-blooded Nilfgaardian nobleman. Of course, he is not on our target list; he would disdain attending such a low-level meeting.
Dudu suddenly realized, "So we used Hawthorne II's power to take action against the Chamber of Commerce. Hawthorne II is a man of Radovid, and this matter cannot be kept from Nilfgaardian spies. Even if they find out, the person behind it is the king of an enemy country, and they have no way to retaliate. After all, the two sides are at war, and eliminating the other side's power is just a normal thing to do."
"On the same night the attack occurs, Hawthorne II himself will disappear. At the very least, the clues found by the Nilfgaardian Merchant Guild will point in that direction. From then on, Hawthorne II will completely vanish from the underground map of Novigrad. Radovid will become the mastermind behind this event, the Merchant Guild's influence in Novigrad will be eliminated, and we... we will lose nothing."
"Hmm, that's exactly what I mean."
Geralt shook his head. "Ron, Ron, are all politicians corrupt, or is it just you?"
"Have I heard something incredible? Aren't you afraid we'll leak it?"
"Who leaked the information? Triss, the witch hunter being hunted by Radovid and about to burn her at the stake? Or my dear friend Geralt of Rivia?"
Geralt shrugged helplessly. "Fine, fine, I knew I couldn't argue with you."
"Let's go, now that we've finished talking, let's go downstairs and see how the preparations for Master Dan's opening ceremony are going," Ron gestured for everyone to stand up.
>
Breath of the Wind w