Pirate Kingship.

Chapter 321: People should have a bottom line (Happy New Year!)
Catherine's guess was absolutely correct.

What Edward was doing was actually Byron's idea from the beginning.

Whether it was the operating model of the undead camp, the future vision, the slogans in the camp, or the step-by-step feasibility planning, they were all completed by Edward under his "inadvertent hints."

After all, although all the Lancasters have turned into undead, in this magical world, who stipulates that they cannot create greater value for the company after their death?

If you watch such a huge amount of human resources being wasted, are you still a human being?
In other words, the resurrected corpses, stitched monsters, skeleton soldiers, ghosts, liches, and other forms of existence that do not need to eat, drink, defecate, or urinate are the real innate working holy bodies!

If it weren't for the more energy-efficient and convenient whale oil power available in the New World, Byron might have taken the initiative to click on the Undead Technology Tree.

The Great Tomb is a multi-story three-dimensional chemical factory, and the Frozen Throne is a large-scale ghost-fire engine. It will eventually set off an undead power revolution that will shake the world.

And you only need to use the lowest quality spices as "fodder" for those low-level undead donkeys and horses.

Just like the spices used to burn in lighthouses, they are tough and durable.

In Byron's imagination, except for his father who is the "Undead King" and his cousin who is the "Human Resources Manager", the other uncles and brothers all have their own uses.

Of course, only a few people can successfully embark on the path of a lich or other undead creatures.

Most people's main job is to continue serving on the Blue Dragon King as ship-bound spirits for the rest of their lives.

Edward's cross-border communication today was purely to show off to Byron his successfully established underworld business and to demonstrate the interim results.

What? I was used as a pawn by my cunning cousin again?
No, it doesn't exist at all. This is my own idea, but I got a little inspiration from him, just like the dozens of times before.

"correct!"

At this moment, the straightforward Edward seemed to suddenly remember something, and a bit of arrogance appeared on his face again:
"Do you know what the side effects were after I performed the first ritual of the Book of the Dead?

A sleepless person!
From then on, I couldn't sleep, and I no longer needed to sleep. As long as I could find a way to relieve the fatigue of my soul, I could completely replace sleep and stay awake for 24 hours.

From now on, I can stare at them without blinking for 24 hours a day, and no one can slack off. I am a ruthless supervision machine.

Appreciating other people’s work is my greatest pleasure as a lich, hahahahaha."

With a wave of his hand, the soul fire formed a blazing whip, which was constantly waved in the air, making a "crackling" sound.

[Soul Whip] This lich skill is a perfect match for Edward.

If this guy were really allowed to be in charge, he would probably support the restoration of slavery with all his heart.

Byron: “.”

The sleepless one?
My goodness, other undead also need to hibernate periodically. At most, they are just innate working holy bodies, but you are simply a mixed original working holy body.

I’m convinced. This time Byron is really convinced.

But what could he say?

I can only give a thumbs up and admire sincerely:
"excellent!"

Although Edward is too straightforward and naive, the countless troubles he has caused in the past have proved that his cousin's execution ability is absolutely outstanding!
Byron had already taught his "management method" of Palu.

"Result definition, one-to-one responsibility, process inspection, and immediate motivation" made Edward even more powerful and brought his talents to the fullest.

The undead under his command have all been blessed from now on.

In this warm atmosphere, Byron, as the spiritual mentor of Edward and the other dead souls, gave them his final speech:
“Good job everyone.

In the middle and end of the year, we at Pioneer Navigation will hold an event to select outstanding employees, and the winners can take photos with Manager Edward using the photo stone.

When you go home for the holidays, you can prove to your friends back home that your company and your manager value you very much.

Isn’t that great?

I just added one more sentence in my mind:
'Well, if our company really has such a thing as vacation.'

Soon, the undead returned to their jobs, and the passage to the edge of the world slowly closed.

Edward sent the first batch of specialties from the edge of the world over, and winked at his brother:

"Byron, with this business, our personal savings will surely grow.

Good brother, be loyal. When I crawl out of this old god's belly, I will find a way to bring you a big-breasted vampire banshee for your enjoyment."

Bang!
Byron slammed the communication shut.

"You're getting more and more ridiculous. I don't understand anything you're saying.

As a brother, you should behave like a brother. What if you lead me astray?"

When he turned around, he saw Catherine staring at him with a half-smile.

"Oh, private money? Big-breasted vampire?

I heard that the Corpse Queen at the Edge of the World is pretty good too, would you like to try it together?"

Byron's forehead was covered with sweat, and he immediately realized that something was wrong.

At this time, there were only two of them in the bedroom. The girl naturally took off her mithril armor and showed off her good figure unscrupulously.

The white silk robe on her body was a little disheveled, and her brilliant golden hair was scattered on her smooth shoulders, revealing her fair skin and askew clothes.

Under the moonlight, she is gorgeous and charming, breathtakingly beautiful.

On a summer night, I feel tipsy, with a light sweat on my body, and the faint body fragrance mixed with the aroma of rose dew is intoxicating.

She moved her body slightly and sat down on the bed again, with her arms folded across her chest, making her already explosive figure look even more "rich and generous".

The slender right leg with golden ratio is lifted on the left leg, and the jade color between the high slits is more charming than the finest jewelry.

Her crystal toes, painted ruby ​​red, were swinging back and forth on the golden teak slippers.

Byron had no appreciation for it. His heart was also rising and falling, his face was bitter, and his heart was filled with grief and indignation:
"Edward is such a stupid teammate. Why did he send the message at this time, instead of earlier or later?
I've only heard that there seems to be a clustering effect between certain extraordinary things. Could it be that Catherine's and my money also have a clustering effect?
Also, Edward, this guy had to be so attentive by giving me a birdie skirt for no reason. Does it make you look proactive?

What if I don’t give her something more expensive and make Catherine sad?
Besides, I have no interest in vampires or corpse princesses.

It's all Edward's fault!"

The two birdie skirts that Catherine just received are priceless.

Without using any supernatural powers, it can achieve magical effects like strange objects.

Each skirt requires feathers from at least a hundred kinds of colorful birds to be woven.

The color of the skirt is so bright that it is difficult to tell its true color.

Because it is one color when viewed from the front and another when viewed from the side, one color in the sun and another in the shadow.

The skirt also sparkles with carefully embroidered bird patterns.

Especially if you dance at a party, the interweaving of light and shadow will make you feel like hundreds of birds are flying around, which is very beautiful.

It is said that every time one is made, it has the potential to cause an ecological disaster, and there are only a few left in the world.

Only the Kingdom of Castile has the manpower and financial resources to produce such top-notch luxury goods that please the upper class.

A long while passed before Catherine's dragon soul erupted and her eyes turned into dangerous dragon pupils shining with golden light.

Byron finally accepted his fate, rushed forward and hugged her pair of crystal clear legs, raised his head and tried to force out a somewhat ugly smile:

"Sister, please listen to my explanation.

In fact, the shares of the World Edge branch were originally intended for you as a gift to me.

Just like the bird skirt, it is also a birthday gift for you.

I wanted to give you a surprise on your birthday."

Catherine then gradually retracted her dragon pupils, smiled at Byron, and reached out to pull him up:

"Is that so?"

Byron nodded vigorously like a chicken pecking at rice:
"Absolutely true!"

Secretly, I tried to raise my head to prevent the tears from flowing down from the corners of my eyes, and lamented for my own private money:
“Another of my little treasury is gone.

This is exploitation! This is squeezing! Ugh."

What does it mean that there is always someone stronger than you, and every evildoer will be punished by another evildoer?
Byron always managed to drag his cousin Edward into trouble and make him the scapegoat by being full of evil intentions, but he was easily controlled by his sister Catherine in turn.

Of course, as long as he was willing to throw away his moral integrity, throw himself on Catherine's bed and roll around on the spot, saying: "I want it, I want it, and I won't get up if you don't give it to me."

[Mithril Dragon] No matter how greedy the dragon soul in Catherine's body is, it will be severely suppressed by the forcibly awakened maternal instinct.

Then he activated his brother-supporting demon form and delivered a powerful attack to his own small treasury.

Can't stop it, can't stop it at all.

The next day.

The news that the Governor of Port Royal, [Sea Hunter] Byron Tudor, was rewarded by the Kingdom and knighted, spread like a gust of wind throughout the Hastings Colony. The front page headline of the extra edition of the Lighthouse Weekly was the news of Byron's promotion to the knighthood.

There was even a rumor that spread wildly throughout the Bantaan Islands: "There was actually a three-way battle between the fourth-level masters, but in the end, only Byron himself survived."

On the sea where "the last one standing is the king", such an achievement added several legendary points to his title of [Sea Hunter].

The next node at 25 points is not too far away.

Thanks to Byron's high reputation and legend among the colonies, all the major colonial towns decorated their houses with lights and colors to celebrate him.

Prominent figures came to congratulate him one after another.

The highlight is undoubtedly the traditional program of the colonies and the mainland - taking the opportunity to make money.

Not only was Byron conferred the title of baron, but the word "acting" was also removed from his title, and he truly secured the throne of colonial governor.

Two happy events combined into one, the double joy naturally deserves double the gifts.

However, as a loyal minister of York who could say such honest words as "If loyalty is not absolute, it is absolutely disloyal", how could Mr. Sea Hunter accept money at will?

Officials, lords, shareholders of pioneering companies, shipowners, and privateering captains of all sizes in the colony all declined their gifts of gold and silver.

After much difficulty, I learned from an insider that the Governor is usually diligent in government affairs and has no special hobbies.

I just love the hawksbill turtle handicrafts which are a specialty of the Great Taiman Island.

And I don’t like anything else except the fine products made by “unknown master craftsmen” sold in the “March Old Shop” opposite the Earl’s Palace in the International Harbor.

Although the craftsman was not famous, the giant tortoises in the Taiman Islands were bigger than carriages, and the raw hawksbill turtles were not very valuable.

But each piece of handicraft is worth a lot of money.

It is enough to make those who give gifts to please the recipient feel a pang of pain, but they really have to buy it.

Governor Byron might not remember those who gave gifts, but those who did not give gifts would most likely be recorded in his little notebook.

The governor who holds the military and political power, as well as the powerful local baron, no one dares to be negligent in such matters.

Moreover, if those who collected gold and silver were greedy colonial bureaucrats, then those who only collected works of art were collectors with elegant tastes!

Even the kingdom's high-ranking officials who heard about Byron's hobbies through informants could not help but exclaim: How honest and elegant.

As for the gossip that "the tortoise shell shop seems to be the Countess's business".

Nonsense, all nonsense.

But no one knew, in fact even Byron himself was not sure whether he really accepted the gift money.

After all, if you say she collected it, I didn't see a single gold coin; if you say she didn't collect it, my sister was in a really good mood these two days, and the small treasury had obviously become fatter.

I can only say that it has been collected, but not completely collected.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency!

This is my first visit to you. I heard that you like tortoise shell products, so I bought one from the International Port. I hope you like it. "

Byron pretended to be overjoyed and took the tortoise shell spice box handed to him by the black-robed nun with both hands.

“Thank you, Mother Teresa.

I'm sorry to have cost you money again."

The last wave of visitors were in the reception room.

Mother Teresa, who has become the Archbishop of Jamestown Church, and the [Doppler Heavy Swordsman] Quasi-Sword Saint Hermann serve as her guards.

By convention, the archbishop was already a prominent figure in the colonial city, second only to the governor.

After Byron obtained "immunity" that day, Theresa returned to Port Royal with him.

[Armed Priest] Brandon, as her deputy, went to the Iris Kingdom, which also obtained "immunity", to serve.

After the octopus battleship was killed, the coral diseases did not disappear on their own.

According to the established plan, the Iris Kingdom took over the task from the Cardinal.

Vaccines were used to clean up a large area of ​​coral disease remnants throughout the Bantaan Islands, and "immunity" was naturally obtained.

Byron had to pay a large additional sum of money for treatment.

After the greetings, Theresa hesitated for a moment before getting to the point:

"Mr. Governor, the last time you told me about the tithe tax in Financial Street, isn't this share ratio a little inappropriate?"

Hearing this, Byron's face also straightened.

Speaking of tithes, now, with the exception of Hattings and Irises, the colonies of other countries have welcomed the arrival of secular clergy from the Kingdom of Castile.

It is not just the strictest traditionalist doctrines that are beginning to be fully implemented in these countries.

The intensity of tax collection on tithes was also unprecedentedly high, even greater than that on issues of faith.

It would be more accurate to say that these guys trained by the Kingdom of Castile are well-trained tax collectors rather than missionaries.

The church stipulates that every year believers must pay one-tenth of what grows on the ground, fruits on trees, and cattle, sheep, and other livestock to the local church.

It is mainly used to support clergy engaged in religious activities and charitable activities.

There has never been any transparency in the accounts.

No one except the church’s top leaders knows how much of the money is used for charity and how much is used for support.

Originally, tithe was not a compulsory collection in the colonies, but was based on the principles of faith and voluntariness.

In some denominations, believers are even encouraged to donate more than 10% of their income or property to support the church's work and other charitable activities.

In the past, the main factor that constrained whether the tithe was paid was belief, and they would collect as much as possible.

Some people don't pay a penny, while others donate all their property and beg for a living with their family.

But it's different now.

Those Castilian secular priests have begun to measure land, count cattle and sheep, and examine account books in various countries. The colonists in various countries are suffering.

In contrast, Hastings' flexibility is much greater.

When the Financial Street stock market opened last time, Byron had already talked to Theresa, who logged in every day, and gave her two days to think about it.

Seeing that she was still hesitating, he spread his hands and said it directly:
“It stands to reason that the tithe should indeed be paid.

But the church and the merciful Creator could not bear to see their lambs and the shepherds who watch over them starve, right?
I think it is perfectly reasonable to split the bill 6:2:1:1 between the Church, Your Majesty, me, and you.

As long as the two of us reach an agreement, it will be easy to prepare a set of yin and yang accounts.

We have the most professional accounting team, which can absolutely guarantee that everything will be seamless and will not cause you any trouble. "

He stood up, poured a cup of black tea and handed it to the nun, and said patiently:
“I think people should have a bottom line, and we can’t give up money just for dignity and belief.

Miss Theresa, isn't that right?

With this money in hand, do you still have to worry about not being able to make a comeback? Not being able to buy off your confidants?

I can also share with you my stock trading experience. Who knows, maybe I can pay back the money I owe to Pioneer Navigation someday.”

Seeing that she was still struggling with the inner struggle, the devil and angel above her head, representing desire and faith, were fighting each other until they were bleeding, and then he threw a trump card.

“It’s better than investing with public funds.”

Theresa nodded decisively:
"I couldn't agree more with you."

Byron smiled easily and clinked his teacup with hers.

"Pleasant to work with."

Edward IV also believed that having faithful monks and loyal subjects to check and balance each other would be much better than sending his own greedy supervisors.

He had no idea that he was giving away huge profits to a stock fanatic who was obsessed with the stock market and the number one enemy of the York family.

How could they not seize the opportunity to take a big bite?
As for surprise tax audits that happen on a whim?
There is something to be said about the flare explosion case.

Soon, Byron sent away Theresa, who was ready to continue to try her hand in the stock market after reaching an agreement, and Hermann, who remained silent throughout the whole process.

Looking at the colony under the night sky, he nodded with satisfaction:

“It took about ten days to sort out the harvest and get the territory back on track.

Now is the time to go to the Bloodthirsty Cult to see the true face of [Mother of Creation·Lilith], and by the way, use the title and the fourth-level transmutation blood to complete my [Ritual·Blood Feast Holy Grail].

Being a human being has to have a bottom line, then I will not be a human being anymore."

(End of this chapter)