Chapter Twelve: Strict Discipline

  "Good heavens, Harlot, you made it sound so serious. We thought something would happen this time. Looks like nothing's going to happen again." A robber said disappointedly to Harlot.

  "But..." Before he could finish, Haruhi shook her head: "It's definitely not going to be that easy this time."

  "How did you know?"

  "It's because I have a talent for surviving in any situation that tells me this." Harlot said with a straight face.

  "Boss, this talent is not worth boasting about..."

  "Mr. Raymond, are you going to just pay up like last time and think that's the end of it?" Charlotte asked indignantly.

  Raymond turned around and said in surprise: "Oh, you misunderstood. I just wanted to ask him if there was anything else he wished for."

  "What?" Charlotte and the bandit exclaimed in unison.

  "If anyone dares to make trouble again next time, I will not be lenient. That's what I said last time, right?" Raymond turned back.

  "Regarding..."

  "So don't think for a moment that I'm joking." Raymond said with a faint smile at the stunned robber.

  Suddenly, Harriet seemed to understand something and shouted desperately: "Raymond, please spare his life..."

  Before his words had fallen, a "ting" sound was heard. Raymond drew his sword out of its scabbard and with a movement as swift as lightning, he made a stroke at the throat of that bandit.

  The bandit's eyes widened, he clutched at his neck, and a dull gurgling sound came from his throat as fresh blood spilled out of his mouth. It seemed that even now, he still didn't understand how he had ended up being stabbed by a sword.

  Raymond suddenly killed someone on the street, without any warning. The bystanders were all stunned at first, and then reacted, and a burst of screams erupted, causing chaos on the scene.

  "Charlotte was also stunned: "You... why did you do this?""

  "Aren't you people wanting me to give you an explanation? I'm giving it to you now." Raymond nonchalantly flicked the blood off his sword, as if he had just done something utterly insignificant.

  "You...you didn't have to kill him either." Charlotte still couldn't believe it.

  Raymond said, "I killed him not because he hurt someone, but because he ignored what I said last time. My subordinates are all unruly and need to be taught a lesson. If I don't deal with them severely, no one will listen in the future."

  "You don't want something like Haidington to happen every day from now on, do you?"

  "Why didn't you discipline them last time?" Charlotte couldn't help but say.

  Raymond shrugged: "I've said it before, these guys followed me across the ocean to this strange continent, they have the right to indulge **once**."

  "But I also said that there can't be a second time, what I say I will do."

  At this point, Raymond deliberately or unintentionally glanced at the three Lamberts, who immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Because they both remembered that sentence of Raymond's "no next time" during the negotiations at City Hall.

  At this time, Raymond loudly told the surrounding residents: "I guarantee to everyone here that I will drive away the bandits outside the town and restore the prosperity of Haidington. This is also a must-do."

  The murmurs around him died down, and all the residents, with various expressions on their faces, savored Raymond's words just now. But whether it was disdain, approval, or opposition, no one would think he was joking.

  Because the still warm corpse on the ground proved Raymond's words were weighty.

  "I gave you all a chance last time, but unfortunately it seems no one took me seriously." Raymond turned to the other stunned bandits and said, "Now?"

  Those few people didn't say anything, they just nodded desperately.

  "Alright." Raymond smiled slightly and turned around to leave.

  "Rudz, gather everyone, now these guys are handed over to you for disposal."

  Obviously, Raymond's killing of the chicken to scare the monkey had a very good effect. When all the robbers were gathered in front of him, not one dared to breathe loudly.

  Of course, this is also due to the profound impression left by Raymond and Rudolph's strength in the hearts of the gangsters when they were in Cavie. In the past, the gangsters were not afraid because they thought that although Raymond could do it, he would not do it, but now they know that Raymond can not only say it, but also do it, who dares to play with their lives?

  Otherwise, Raymond wouldn't have had the strength, and these good brave fighters would have rebelled long ago.

  At this time, Freddy was speaking on behalf of Raymond: "...In short, from now on everyone must follow the rules we have set, and those who violate them will be severely punished."

  Taking advantage of the opportunity to kill and intimidate, Raymond gathered the gangsters and announced the military discipline that Rudes had long drafted, formally starting the militarization management of these robbers.

  These military regulations stipulated a series of rules and taboos, one of which was that they absolutely could not mention what happened in Moji.

  As soon as Freddy finished speaking, the gang of thieves below let out a chorus of lamentation. For those who were used to being free and unruly, it was more painful than death to suddenly have to follow so many rules.

  At this time, Freddy said: "These rules are not to torment you, but to make you understand that it is no longer the time of the bandits. Since you have chosen to follow Lord Raymond, then you must abide by the rules here."

  "Cut it out. What's the big idea? We didn't sell it to him anyway." Just then, one of the robbers plucked up his courage and said: "What's the worst that could happen if I quit?"

  "Alright alright, we'll just leave then." Others followed suit and jeered.

  "Want to leave? Fine." Freddy's gloomy smile: "Then return the money first."

  "What money? What are you talking about?" The robbers looked at each other in confusion.

  At this time, Ricket walked up and flipped through an account book with a expressionless face: "The fact that Lord Raymond has saved you several times will not be mentioned for now. Let's just calculate the economic accounts."

  "From the moment you left Plaza, all the way to Veronia Port, all your food and lodging expenses were paid by Lord Raymond; then renting the Azure Cloud to come to the Veronica Continent, all your food and lodging expenses, as well as the ship's fare, were also fully paid by Lord Raymond; after arriving in Haidington, your food and lodging expenses here are still paid by Lord Raymond; and there were two incidents where Lord Raymond compensated for the losses..."

  "Wait, we didn't participate in the disturbance." a bandit hastily said.

  Ricket nodded: "I know, I'll count it separately on those guys' heads."

  The several robbers who had participated in the disturbance immediately looked disheartened.

  "In short, after all the expenses are split up, each of you owes Lord Ramon a total of 1,485 Veronian gold coins, with some owing more. Anyone who wants to leave can do so as soon as they pay this amount."

  All the thieves were shocked, each of them was a poor devil, and they followed Raymond to escape at first. Let alone over 1000 gold coins, even if it's just 10, who can afford to pay? Along the way, food and lodging were all paid by Raymond, who would have thought of this problem?

  At this time, Ligit took it out and said, everyone was stunned.

  "How can you calculate so precisely? This...this is too shameless!" a bandit said discontentedly.

  Freddie sneered coldly, "When we were fleeing for our lives, each of you followed Lord Raymond without mentioning a word about money. It seemed like it was taken for granted that everything would be used as needed. Now that we're in a safe place, no one acknowledges any debts and just wants to leave with a clean slate. Who's the shameless one here?"

  As soon as these words came out, the thieves immediately lost their voices.

  "Then, for those who still want to leave, they can use Lord Raimon's monthly salary to pay off the debt gradually. Of course, we will calculate interest." Rickert rustled through his account book: "And for those willing to join under Lord Raimon's command, this debt can be written off in one stroke."

  "Besides, if you plan to pay with your salary, the time isn't long either, just 10 years will do. And don't blame me for not reminding you, once you take Mr. Raymond's money, you must obey our discipline, don't think about being hypocritical."

  Ricket and Freddy, although they didn't get along with each other, were now singing in harmony, just like a pair of gangsters collecting protection money, and unexpectedly stunned the real hooligans below.

  In fact, what Raymond did seems despicable and petty, but it must be known that from the beginning, when he brought a group of thieves to the Veronica continent, he had already intended to recruit them as his subordinates, rather than having a change of heart later on.

  Besides, these guys are all rascals, and it's useless to talk about morality with them. Some extreme measures must be taken to make them obey, just like now.

  "Alright, who else wants to leave?" Freddy asked, his eyes scanning the group of thieves with a gloomy gaze.

  No one dared to meet his gaze.

  "Right! Let's not forget that we owe it to Lord Ramon that we're safe here. We can't be too ungrateful!" Harlot shouted first.

  "Boss, don't worry, all the brothers will follow you, no complaints."

  He smiled and rubbed his hands together, saying: "So, about that money I owe you..."

  "I'll put your account on the first bill, and once there's a problem, I'll take you down." Raymond said calmly.

  "Ah!?" Slap on the horse's leg, Harlot immediately lost his breath.

  "From today on, you will thoroughly abandon all your past. Now you will form the 'Guard Squad' of our merchant group and conduct activities under this name from now on."

  "Rudolph will be your captain and Harriet is vice-captain."

  Anyway, it's come to this point, so what's the use of a guard or whatever, thus the thieves all remained silent, taking it as tacit consent.

  Knowing that these guys still can't get over it, Raymond didn't mind. He continued: "So, if no one has any objections, from tomorrow on, everyone will have to undergo training under Rudz."

  "Alright, everyone can leave now."

  As he spoke, Raymond stood up and was about to leave. After a few steps, he suddenly turned his head: "I'll ask you one last question, who still really wants to go back to being a bandit? Every day, exposed to the wind and rain, worried and fearful, with the possibility of not seeing the sun tomorrow. Is this the life you yearn for?"

  Indeed, after these days of stable and comfortable life, who would really be stupid enough to go back to being a bandit? Thus, upon hearing Raymond's words, the thieves all fell silent.

  "Alright." Raymond nodded in satisfaction: "So here I make a promise to all of you, three years later, whoever follows me will never regret today's decision."

  "I say what I mean and I do what I say."

  In the following days, the resigned robbers began to accept Rudes' strict training. From their camp, all sorts of miserable cries could be heard at any time, even in the middle of the night, which stirred up a new rumor in Haydinton...

  After several more days, the Chaoyun, carrying all of Haidington's hopes, finally returned on schedule.

  This transaction went very smoothly, Reed fulfilled his promise and bought all the goods transported, and provided a batch of medicines, spices and raw materials that Haiding urgently needed.

  As the SS Cyane docked at the wharf, and crate after crate of goods was unloaded from her holds, almost all the residents who had rushed to the scene let out cheers. For a long-declining Haidinton, they really needed this tonic.

  At the same time, another person arrived with Cang Yun.

  "This is Mr. Reed's representative, Mr. Javier."

  In the reception room of Hadinton City Hall, Dreya introduced herself to everyone.

  This is a man in his 50s, with an ordinary appearance and slightly chubby. His face always wears a smiling expression, looking quite honest, but his small eyes are shining brightly, with the cleverness and cunning common to businessmen.

  When Dreia approached Reed with Haiding's proposal for trade relations, Reed did not respond immediately but instead sent this person.

  "Charlotte and others immediately stood up in a flurry: 'Mr. Javier, I represent Haidington, and extend our warmest welcome to your arrival.'"

  Compared with the suspicion and doubt when I first met Raymond and others, this treatment is really a world of difference.

  But this is hardly surprising, given Reed's standing among the merchants; he believes his representative would be received with even greater fanfare in any city, not to mention Haidnton, which has been waiting for Reed like a long drought awaiting rain.

  In comparison, Raymond and his group, who were mysterious and didn't look like merchants at all, lacked appeal.

  "After receiving your letter, Mr. Reed has been deeply sympathetic to your unfortunate situation. Unfortunately, due to some unavoidable reasons, he cannot personally offer assistance, please forgive him." Javier said sincerely.

  "It's nothing, it's nothing, Lord Reid is able to send you here, we are already very grateful." Morini hurriedly said.

  At this time, Javier turned to Raymond and smiled: "Hehe, Mr. Raymond, nice to meet you. Lord Reed has mentioned you many times, and I finally get to see you this time."

  Not to mention whether Liddell really has the time to hang Raymond, who he has only met once, on his mouth, Javier's attitude is worthy of praise, fully showing the old and cunning businessman's eight-sided cleverness.

  Raymond's performance was naturally not as exaggerated as Charlotte's, he smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, I also want to thank him for introducing me to Haidington, otherwise we would still be drifting around now."

  Javier burst out laughing: "You're really too modest, Lord Reid has great expectations of you."

  "Does he expect me to stir up trouble for him on this side?" Raymond couldn't help but think to himself, but considering his own motives weren't entirely pure either, he didn't have much room to complain.

  Javier said to Charlotte: "I don't know if you two are getting along well?"

  As soon as these words came out, Charlotte's side couldn't help but show some embarrassment, because they almost simultaneously thought of the things that had happened during this short period of time.

  It doesn't seem pleasant from any aspect...