Chapter 14 Act IV - 3

He couldn't be a silent fool precisely because Holo's story still lingered in his mind. "If you don't act soon, the guys outside may have cash ready. They should have paved the way in advance, and they don't know where the cash will be transferred. Are you going to watch others get such a huge amount? profit? Hey, did you hear—" Lawrence interrupted Eb. "Aren't you afraid?" Abe's expression froze for a moment. "Me? Hmph, stop talking stupid things." She finished speaking in a spat-like tone, and twisted the corners of her mouth. "Of course I will be afraid."

Although the voice was not loud, it echoed clearly in the warehouse. "This is a big deal worth thousands of silver coins? How can you not be afraid. Faced with such a huge amount of money, even human life is insignificant. I am not brave enough to sit here like a mountain." "...And I might suddenly change my mind and attack you." "Haha, that's right, the reverse is also possible. No, it's because of thinking like this that we suspect each other... It's also possible. Anyway——" Abe took a deep breath, and added as if to calm his mind: "You still can't walk this dangerous single-plank bridge."

For this deal, Eb does have a sense of danger. No, it was precisely because she knew the danger that she would deceive Lawrence. She would rather go to this point to pursue profit, what is it for? "Hahaha, looking at your expression, it seems that you want to ask something boring. You must want to ask that, right? Why do I have to work so hard to make money?" Eb smiled dryly, then wiped the palm of his right hand on his waist. That movement is really very natural. "Sorry, I can't let you back out of the deal at this time." In her hand, she was holding a thick and slender single-edged chopper that could not be called a dagger.

"Originally, I didn't want to take out such a thing. But after all, such a large amount, if you withdraw, I will be very troubled. You also understand?" When holding a powerful weapon, people will unknowingly get excited.But Eb's voice remained calm. "If the transaction goes well, I will also guarantee your interests. So, you give that to me quickly." "In front of sixty gold coins, human life is indeed insignificant." "Ah, that's right...you don't want to experience that insignificant feeling, do you?" Lawrence showed a business smile, held the money bag that Holo gave him in his right hand, and handed it out.

"May God bless those who have both wisdom and courage." At the moment when Abe was pondering and was about to grab the money bag. "……Well!" "...!" Both exuded a wordless momentum and completed the action. Lawrence backed away, and Eb swung his right hand. Immediately afterwards, the purse containing the gold coins fell to the ground with a rustling sound. In this brief moment. Abe's eyes flickered like blue flames, and Lawrence looked back at her without any surprise. But after a few seconds, both of them realized their failure at the same time.

"You and I each made a mistake. Right?" If he hadn't pulled his arm back and stepped back, Abe's cleavage knife could have hit Lawrence. However, Eb is very cunning. The blade of the cleavage knife was turned backwards, and it was obvious that she hadn't intended to strike Lawrence with it. On the contrary, Lawrence did not put on a show, but seriously avoided the chopper.The reason why he wasn't surprised was also because he was convinced that Abu would definitely swing the cleaving knife at him. If he had trusted Abu, he would have thought that the machete would not be swung, so he stood still, and was taken aback after dodging.

He neither trusted the other party nor surprised, because he knew that Abu was hiding something. "My failure is because you smelled it. That's what you meant when you asked me 'Aren't you afraid'?" She didn't even glance at the gold coins that fell on the ground. This proves that she is used to this kind of fighting. If she was underestimated because she was a woman, she would probably be killed immediately. "The stone statue in Mr. Rigoro's house is at least one piece of evidence. Am I right?" Abu twisted the corner of his mouth, and turned the chopper he held in his backhand into his forehand.

"On the surface, you are using the import of stone statues as a cover, but you are actually carrying out salt smuggling activities on a large scale. By processing rock salt into stone statues." "This..." Abe lowered his waist as he spoke. If you want to escape at this time, it will be an uneconomical gamble. "After I got some information, I suspected that you might be engaged in salt smuggling activities, but I didn't expect that you were doing it by processing rock salt. After all, if you carry out large-scale smuggling activities by making rock salt into stone statues, the Church will It must be noticed."

But of course there is also the possibility of getting around this. Needless to say, that was naturally when the church also got involved in the smuggling activities. Also, the church in this town has a strong appetite for money. Since smuggling salt can make more money than buying and selling stone statues, of course they will not hesitate. Lawrence didn't immediately come to this conclusion because he had heard the information that Abu had brought the stone statue from the port town. Since it is shipped from the sea, no matter in terms of volume or weight, it is generally shipped after salt production.

It is not in line with the common sense of businessmen to deliberately transport rock salt from the sea, which increases the weight of the goods and takes time to make salt. Of course, Eb must have used this common sense when passing through the city gate. "At some point, you must have been intimate with the church. And I've heard that the church in this town spends money like crazy all day long, with no idea where their money comes from. Then, all of a sudden, you fall out Yes. The reason for the Great Northern Expedition, well, I think it should be right. The church has gradually begun to consolidate its power base, and the revelation of salt smuggling will definitely cause commotion, so they plan to quit. At that time, the issue of fur was put on the agenda. So cunning, you propose to the bishop—"

Abe lowered the blade of his cleaver. Lawrence also took half a step back. "Instead of having the town's furs bought by merchants from other places, it would be better for us to buy them all ourselves." Eb said that she got the conclusion of the fifty-member meeting from the helpers in the church. Even so, Abu's methods are really extraordinary. Rather than solving the problems that were thought of at the time one by one, it is more logical to say that a plan is made in advance and then used later. Moreover, furs in the city can only be purchased with cash. As long as you think about who is most beneficial, the answer will come out naturally. This conclusion is naturally most beneficial to churches that have donations, such huge cash that it is impossible to control the total amount. The larger the chamber of commerce, the huge transactions are generally carried out with the help of paper, and the amount of money in and out is recorded in the account book. It is very difficult to secretly bring out cash. Moreover, by conducting strict physical inspections at the gates of the city, and at the same time confirming the source of the cash when purchasing furs, most of the traitors have been blocked. Even so, Abe is confident about sourcing fur. Indeed, it would be a different matter if the foreign merchants really paved the way, but now that the fur-processing craftsmen and merchants have launched an uprising, no one should take such a big risk to hand over the cash to the foreign merchants. Obviously this is the case, but Ai Bu is so anxious. If you think about it this way, there is only one conclusion. Abe knew exactly where the cash was flowing to out-of-town merchants, and knew it couldn't be stopped. She was engaged in the business of smuggling salt together, and helped me to build a bridge to meet the fallen nobleman of the archbishop of the opposite country... The real intention of the church's decision to sever ties with her. Abe said that it was because the church felt that instead of dealing with individual merchants, it would be more convenient to find a chamber of commerce to join forces. There is nothing wrong with this sentence. If the church has teamed up with a chamber of commerce that is trying to buy the city's fur, it means they have strong supporters enough to kick Eb out of the way. While no one would have expected out-of-town merchants to come all the way here with loads of cash, what if the church was desperately trying to get the cash for donations out of town? The reason why the craftsmen and merchants launched an armed uprising must be because they knew that the foreign merchants held an unexpectedly large amount of cash, and thus realized that there were traitors in the city. There wasn't a single lie in what Abb said when he proposed the deal to Lawrence. While not lying, at the same time not mentioning any truth. "The stone statue placed in Ligeluo's house is indeed rock salt. It's not wrong for me to propose a fur purchase plan to that damn bishop. It's also true that he kicked me away and gained new supporters. Believe it or not, It's up to you." Abe chuckled and threw the cleaver to his feet. The meaning of this is to make Lawrence trust her. Lawrence did not think about the question of "whether it is necessary for her to lie now". Whether it's a lie or the truth, Lawrence will act on the premise of making his own judgment. That's all. "The reason for proposing the transaction to you... I think it should be as you expected." "Protect your own...shield." Eb shook his shoulders and said: "Because I know about the church's first-class scandal of salt smuggling. But when the church severed ties with me, they also promised to ensure my personal safety. Although it was only a verbal agreement, I don't know if it is reliable, but they are probably planning. I think it must be true to draw me in when there is value to be used in the future. And I also got a profit from it, so naturally I don't intend to provoke disputes, and they should understand this very well." "However, you can't turn a blind eye to the deal you proposed." "No, although it will go against the will of the church, I can't let go of this good opportunity to make money." "So you feel that if one person can be easily broken, then two people together—" He would rather take his partner's woman as collateral than participate in this transaction that goes against the will of the church—what would the church think in the face of the existence of Lawrence? From the eyes of others, it should be the image of a helper who fully understands Abu's true face. Although it is easy to shut one person's mouth, it becomes quite difficult when it is two people.And it was even more so if it was an outsider who didn't know the details at all.After all, I don't know the background of the other party. If I act recklessly, some guild or chamber of commerce may suddenly break in. Lawrence assumed this role without knowing it. Moreover, he didn't know that he was given such a function, and his words and deeds were naturally aboveboard. In this way, the church may think that he is a guy who does not know how to live or die, otherwise he must be a person with background who thinks that "the church is nothing to be afraid of". If you don't know anything, this transaction will definitely go smoothly. "So, what are you going to do?" Eb asked. "that's it." After Lawrence finished speaking, he stretched out his hand to the cleavage knife and the money bag full of gold coins.Just at this very moment—— , "..." "..." The two looked at each other wordlessly. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The moment Lawrence reached out to the machete, Abe raised the dagger and wanted to chop it down from the top of his head. This time it was not attacking with a hilt. Although this action can be predicted, it is a gamble whether it can be prevented. "Is that all you want for money?" Not knowing if it was God's blessing or not, Lawrence held Abu's left wrist and continued to exert strength. Although Ebu is not a powerless person, he is a woman after all.The dagger fell to the ground. "You, don't you, don't you want..." "Of course I do. No—" Lawrence paused and continued: "It should be said that I once wanted it." "It's interesting—" Originally, the words "the joke" were followed, but Lawrence continued to twist her wrist more tightly, and Abe's body was pressed against the wooden boxes piled high.Moreover, Lawrence's other hand grabbed her chest, so he broke off in the middle of the sentence. "If you kill me and hide the body, you should not be discovered until the end of the transaction. The church will not guess that we will have internal strife. I really admire your mobility, or you Do you simply want to snatch these gold coins away?" Abe was forced to stand on tiptoes, his expression contorted in pain. The beads of sweat on her forehead confirmed that this was not her acting skills. "No, you probably wouldn't do that. When I came to the warehouse just now, the bag you stuffed in your arms in a hurry—you wanted to use that thing no matter what, so you planned to kill me." At this moment, Abu's face changed. In this situation where her neck was tightened and she was about to be killed at any time, her expression changed for the first time. Consider money more important than life. Lawrence couldn't help laughing. "Is it really the money you earned from smuggling salt? The amount you saved up little by little is probably equal to or even more than the amount I prepared, right? You plan to spend the entire amount on fur purchases, but I don't know period." Abe didn't answer. That pained look.Rather than feeling remorse for being exposed as a scam, it is more like fearing that the money hidden in his arms will be snatched away. "The reason why you didn't start the fur business on your own is precisely because the funds on hand are too large. If you do that kind of business by yourself, I'm afraid you will be easily wiped out by the church. So, you involved me. Even if It's easy to kill one person, but it's completely different if you kill two people. Moreover, you even plan to increase the bet to the point where the church will issue an obliteration order against us. Not to mention other people's lives, even your own life, just to Pursue pure profit." If it weren't for this, Lawrence might have remained silent all along. Maybe turn a blind eye to the salt smuggling and stand by and watch her deal. However, he couldn't just sit by and watch when he was aware of such dangerous behavior. No matter what kind of profit it is for, there is a limit to the danger that can be tolerated. Eb's approach is tantamount to suicide. Also, he was eager to ask Eb, who was so desperate for money.In any case, ask clearly. "you……" "...?" "You are willing to take such a big risk to make money, what is it for?" Even though Lawrence strangled his neck and even his face turned red and black, Eb still laughed. "After all, I am also a businessman, and I also feel that making money is a kind of happiness. However, I don't know what will happen at the end. After earning one silver coin, the next time will be two, and after two, there will be three. Constantly satisfying this Endless thirst, what will you get in the end? Have you ever thought about it?" Even Lawrence hadn't thought about such a thing. He didn't have the energy to think about it at all. Ever since meeting Holo, the lonely journey has suddenly become moist.The tense attachment to making money also slowed down a little. The communication with Holo just got in through that gap. Holo chose "since you can't get what you want, don't force it". Abe, on the other hand, stands on the exact opposite stance. She thinks making money is even more important than life. Therefore, Lawrence wanted to ask her clearly. "you ask me……" Her hoarse voice doesn't seem to be born with her. Lawrence relaxed slightly, and Abe took a breath as if panting, coughed a few times, and said with a smile: "You ask me...what will I get...in the end?" Eb stared at Lawrence with blue pupils, and said mockingly: "Are you a teenager, expecting something in the end?" Lawrence didn't continue to hold Ebu's chest tightly because she was right. "I... see the nouveau riche who bought me back, and I often think so. Those guys make so much money, what are they planning to do? There is obviously no end. No matter how much money you make today, if you don't make any money tomorrow, He's fidgety. So I thought, rich people are really unfortunate creatures." Eb coughed and continued after taking a deep breath: "From your point of view, I'm probably such an unfortunate creature. Because I chose the same path as that guy." At this moment, Lawrence felt Abu's hand move suddenly. Then at that moment, he had no idea what happened, and by the time he realized that he had been punched, the situation had completely reversed. "I saw the stupidity of that guy and I saw how he ended up, but I chose this path anyway. Do you know why?" It wasn't a dagger that was on Lawrence's neck. Probably because he had been eyeing him and waiting for an opportunity to counterattack, Abu was holding a chopper in his hand. "that is because--" At the same time that Ebu finished speaking, his face was immediately hit hard by the handle of the cleavage knife.A red light flashed across the field of vision, and a scorching shock came from half of his face. Although I felt my body became lighter, I couldn't stand up no matter what. He couldn't even close his mouth.Rather than saying it was pain, it might be better to say it was some kind of unbearable pain swirling around, and he couldn't even make a sound.even so.He still barely supported his body on his elbows, lying on the ground with all fours.But he couldn't move anymore, he could only watch the blood dripping on the floor with his tear-filled eyes. However, he still calmly listened to the sounds around him, and realized that Abu had left the warehouse. The gold coins must have been electrified by her. This fact, like a bucket of cold water poured over his confused head, gave him a refreshing feeling. I don't know how long this situation lasted. An unrelated guest came to the warehouse and hurried over to help him up. It was a fat man with fur hems all over the clothes. This might be the northern furrier that Arold was talking about. "You, are you okay?" Hearing this classic line, Lawrence couldn't help laughing, then said "sorry" to him, and nodded. "Have you met any thieves?" It's only natural to think so when you see someone collapsed in a warehouse. However, seeing Lawrence shaking his head in denial, the other party then raised the question "Oh, so the deal broke down?" The calamities which may befall a merchant are almost too few to be enumerated. "Oh, the thing over here is..." Seeing the thing the man picked up, Lawrence laughed out loud as if he had forgotten the pain. "what happened to you?" The fat man may not be able to read, but he was still baffled when he saw the piece of paper.As soon as Lawrence reached out his hand, he handed over the paper with a puzzled face. Lawrence browsed again. Sure enough, I guessed right. No matter what, Abe was unwilling to reverse the deal with Lawrence. "Is it obsession?" Lawrence swallowed the blood back and muttered to himself. However, it seems that this is not the case. The moment before Abu hit her with the handle of the knife, Luo Lunjin vaguely saw her expression. That's not attachment, it's not desire. "You, are you okay?" Seeing Lawrence standing up, the man hastily reached out to help him, but Lawrence nodded and declined his kindness. What Eb left behind was Arold's handwritten note about transferring the hotel to Lawrence. Since this kind of thing was left behind, as a businessman, Lawrence had to understand Abu's intentions. As if he had sprained his foot, Lawrence walked slowly with wobbly steps. He walked out of the warehouse with vain steps and came to the stable. "She said... because she had expectations?" All the money on him was swept away. There was only one place Lawrence was going. "Because I have expectations." Lawrence smiled again, spitting bloody spit.