Unknown Intrusion

Chapter 105 Union Rules

"buzz"

When guests arrived, Su Er remained expressionless.

Because the familiar white light appeared before my eyes again, and there were figures in the white light, and all sorts of sounds came to my ears.

"Backlash"

The Song family and his own family had significant conflicts of interest. Su Er knew that life on Myron Island was not yet extinguished, and that once it was developed, it could bring great profits.

If you mess this up, the family will definitely punish you.

The real mess was [death]. The family said they could control it, but a major blunder occurred, and that was no longer their problem.

If we could completely capture Myron Island, that would be ideal.

If not, the Song family has already informed the council, and even if they participate in the development, they will only be barons.

It's a pity I lost this opportunity, but more importantly, it's a matter of bloodline.

The illness is getting worse.

Survival is the most important thing for me.

"No, the most important thing now is to make sure that no one notices anything amiss when we receive guests," Su Er pinched her brow.

Those who were invited in took their seats according to the distinction between host and guest.

"Mr. Su Er, I hope my visit has not disturbed you?" the middle-aged man asked.

Su Er felt a chill run down her spine. Although her name wasn't a top secret, she tried her best to avoid letting outsiders know it, since what she did couldn't be brought to light.

Now that this person has revealed the truth, it seems the Song family has done their investigation and wields considerable influence.

Su Er laughed and said, "How could that be?"

"I'm overjoyed that you could come."

"Tea, please."

The maid pushed the food cart over silently, placed the pastries on the shelf, held the teapot in her right hand, and slowly poured black tea into the cup from the side until it was two-thirds full, then added milk, bowed and handed it over, and then quietly withdrew.

The middle-aged man gently stirred the milk tea in his bone china cup with a teaspoon, but did not drink it immediately.

The clinking sound of silverware against the cup became jarring; whether to fight or make peace was uncertain, but no one would actually drink it.

This is etiquette.

"Xenia" is a very important custom, in which the host provides shelter and hospitality to the guest, and the guest must respect the host and not be hostile.

Even today, this custom persists in considerable numbers among the nobility.

"It seems that they have indeed been punished," Su Er said, finally focusing her attention.

The middle-aged man had a round face and was somewhat short and stout, but he had a certain air of refinement. His small eyes gleamed with a sharp light, and it was clear at a glance that he was someone who usually held power.
Indeed, Su Er knew a little about this gentleman who had suddenly arrived.

Ivy, a board member of the Sailing Club in this county.

He had dealt with Ivy twice. Ivy was a country gentleman, and his ancestors had always been associated with the sailing guild. In Ivy's father's generation, he had even served as the vice president of the county's sailing guild.

Ivy's generation also inherited his father's business, whether in terms of the estate or his position within the sailing guild. While they may not have surpassed their father, they did not decline.

Thanks to generations of inheritance, Ivy has a considerable network of connections within the sailing club.

Su Er dared to target the Su family father and son when they were still insignificant, so when dealing with the Song family, he had to prepare a "scapegoat" in advance. He also had to be on his guard when dealing with the representatives of the sailing union.

It's not that I'm afraid of this gentleman in front of me; if I really wanted to kill a gentleman like him, it wouldn't be difficult.

However, the Sailing Guild encompasses maritime affairs within the kingdom, and its power is no less than that of the Earl's family.

Su Er took off his glasses, carefully wiped the lenses, and didn't speak immediately. "It's said that twelve boxes of your father's cigar collection were seized by customs this month." Ivy put down his teacup, unbuttoned two buttons on his tuxedo, revealing a brass steering wheel badge on his waistcoat: "I also heard that you're planning to convert a timber warehouse on the east bank of Blackshire into a machinery dock?"

The brass steering wheel badge, the symbol of a mid-level cadre, made Su Er's gaze turn slightly cold.

"I know nothing about the cigars."

"However, the pier did do this, but there was no other purpose than to widen the berth by two feet so that cargo ships could avoid the reefs that might be there at low tide."

Ivy nodded, seemingly giving an irrelevant answer: "During the hurricane season of 1837, the Earl of Turmoil's six spice-carrying sailing ships ran aground in the harbor."

He continued to gently stir the milk tea in the bone china cup with a teaspoon: "At the time, a customs official insisted on collecting taxes on water-damaged goods."

"Because that's the rule!"

“Rules cannot be changed easily, Earl Temore, therefore the taxes were paid.”

Ivy spoke calmly, while Su Er stared at the man.

"I understand what you mean."

“My family always uses skilled workers.” After a long pause, Su Er placed the teaspoon on the saucer. “The new dock's foundation stakes will never cross the tide line, so please rest assured!”

"Not only my family, but I myself have always disliked making enemies. As a person, one must follow the rules, don't you agree?"

Hearing him say that, whether he meant it sincerely or not, the atmosphere immediately lightened.

Ivy, sitting opposite, nodded emphatically: "Yes, we are all people of status, and we all make a living by following the rules."

"If the rules are broken and even important union members cannot be protected, then the union will not be able to continue operating!"

Ivy smiled and took a sip of her milk tea, then took out a box: "These cigar boxes are only available in the guild these days. This is a small personal gift from me!"

He focused on the word "individual".

The cigar box smelled of tar, which seemed to have been deliberately applied. The lid had a gold-stamped anchor chain pattern. The box was actually half open, and there were indeed cigars inside, but there was also a document.

Su Er picked up the document. The document was very simple; it was just a list of compensations. Just by looking at it, one could tell that it was indeed for "individuals." The retaliation from the Song family and the union was not that simple.

"The Song family lost 41 sailors on this voyage. According to the compensation from the union and the Song family, each person will receive 100 gold sea dragons, and the family will have to compensate for the whole loss."

Su Er watched, her facial muscles twitching, but she still agreed to the sailing club's request.

"The cigar is good, I accept it."

"Very well, please convey the guild's blessings to His Excellency the Earl."

Having achieved his goal, the gentleman did not linger any longer and bid farewell to Su Er.

After leaving the mansion and getting into the carriage, Ivy glanced back at the mansion through the carriage window and smiled.

Su Er is the son of the Earl of Carlton, so I can't refuse to give him face. Besides, I'm only doing my job for the union and don't intend to make an enemy of myself.

However, he represented the Sailing Guild, whose power was so great that ordinary nobles could not shake it.

Su Er was under pressure and was definitely unhappy, but what did it matter?
If it were the Earl of Carlton himself, perhaps the union would consider it, but how could a mere third son dare to openly confront the Sailing Guild?
Do they really think the tens of thousands of sailors in the sailing union are vegetarians?

Besides, it's just a small request, only that the conflict not go out in the open and that no one lays a hand on the captain. Su Er wouldn't go crazy over such a small request, would he?

If things really go mad, the union will naturally have a response, after all, this is only a very small part of the compensation, the bulk of it is yet to come.

Su Er stood in front of the French windows, watching the guild carriage disappear at the end of the cobblestone road, her face darkening.

"Okay, very good!"

"But do you really think that just because you've colluded with the sailing guild, I'll let you off the hook?"

(End of this chapter)