"Sorry! I thought we were already good friends."

  The viscount immediately let go of Li You Ran's hand, took a step back, and had an incredulous expression on his face, as if he had seen some kind of monster.

  Li You Ran shrugged and took a sip of wine before saying: "Of course, we are very good friends, aren't we, just now?"

  "Shouldn't friends help each other?"

  "Of course, friends should help each other out, but first and foremost I'm a businessman. You know I'm not just an individual, there are tens of millions of people behind me who have to make a living off my decisions. So, I couldn't possibly help you for free - at the very least give me a reason that's passable."

  Li You Ran naturally said out her own reasons, making the viscount unable to refute. Indeed, she was a businesswoman and had subordinates; if she didn't pay attention to interests at all, perhaps this businesswoman would have gone bankrupt long ago.

  But Viscount was also worried about this, what to do! Heaven knows how big the appetite of this merchant mage is?

  "Alright! Alright! For the sake of our friendship, give me a lowest price and tell me how much you need!"

  The viscount secretly calculated his family's assets, thinking about how much he could buy. He wasn't without thoughts of demanding it forcefully, but the obvious display of the law enforcer's strength had already made him feel quite comfortable. Those few sculptures outside were still there! Even the suspended version. If Li You Ran were to make a move on him now, killing him would be as easy as turning his hand over.

  "Hmm! Of course it's the lowest price, fine flour, one gold coin per catty, see how much you need!"

  Li You Ran's lion-like open mouth shocked the viscount: "This is impossible! One gold coin! I'd rather die than have that much money, isn't there any other way?"

  "It's not that either, Viscount-sama can also exchange with something valuable! I'm a merchant, only looking at value and profit."

  Li You Ran is not unwilling to do business, he needs to maximize profits, of course, being ungenerous is also bad, and falling out with each other will not benefit anyone.

  "What do you want?" The viscount was on his guard, and it turned out that he had been waiting for him here all along.

  "It's not what I want! Viscount, it's you who needs grain, come to me to buy it. To put it bluntly, what valuable thing can you take out for trade?"

  The more anxious the viscount was, the less anxious Li You Ran became. Anyway, he didn't suffer any loss, just food, and he could buy as much as he wanted without worrying, but the viscount couldn't wait that long.

  Gritting his teeth, the viscount spoke out his bottom line: "Since that's how it is! I suppose you don't care about gold coins either! How about this, I'll give you a title instead?"

  Elington, who was sitting at the end of the table, was stunned. Is this what it means to have a title? Has it become that easy to obtain? I've risked my life and only managed to get a knight's title, has the value of titles depreciated now?

  "Really? Then what title are you planning to give me?" Li You Ran became interested.

  "If you provide me with enough grain, I can grant you a barony! This is already the greatest authority I have, and if it were any higher, I would have to give my title to you, and it could only be a lifetime peerage. I do not have the right to confer hereditary titles, that is the emperor's prerogative."

  This is already the most valuable gift that Viscount can give, you know that the title is not something that ordinary people can get, it has many privileges, including tax exemption and killing without breaking the law, etc. The most famous one is probably the **right of private jurisdiction** in their own fief! Absolutely one of the most heinous and inhumane privileges.

  "It sounds good! But only one title? If it's just an empty name, what effect can it have? I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the stubborn old folks at home."

  Li You Ran pretended to be very troubled, knocking on the table while glancing at the viscount's expression with the corner of his eye. Sure enough, the viscount initially had an angry look, but quickly suppressed it. This attack plan couldn't be delayed, and after next spring, there would be a big battle between the principalities. At that time, they would need to leave enough serfs at home to farm, and also send troops out. Who knows who would swallow up whose territory then?

  After thinking it through, the viscount felt that he had to agree to Li You Ran's conditions no matter what. Of course, he couldn't say so first and had to wait for Li You Ran to bring it up herself, otherwise he would be taken advantage of again.

  "Alright! So what are your requirements? Go ahead and state them, even if they're a bit excessive, we can negotiate. Speak up, it's okay."

  The viscount pretended to be generous, while Li You Ran bluntly said: "Since the viscount is so generous, I'll say it. I need a store of my own in town, and I need to be exempt from business tax. Also, the products in the territory must be purchased by me first. Of course, I will give you enough money, and I won't let you lose."

  "Damn it, you've got a big appetite! The procurement rights for the entire territory's products, aren't you afraid of bursting your stomach?" The viscount cursed in his heart, but on the surface, he had to smile and listen to Li You Ran's words.

  "Of course no problem, friend! Tax-free, priority! No problem, all the convenience is yours! When can I get the grain I need?"

  "In three days, it can be gathered, of course, you have to give me an exact number first, no matter how much, three days will do."

  Li You Ran answered without hesitation, his purpose had almost been achieved, the territory's products were rich enough to find some things he was interested in.

  "Okay! Where do I pick up the goods after three days?"

  "It's within the territory of the Ellington Knights! I'm currently stationed there."

  "It's settled then! Cheers to a pleasant cooperation!" The viscount raised his glass in a gesture towards Li You Ran, who responded with a slight nod before downing the drink in one gulp.

  The viscount felt that he had accomplished something big, and his mood was not bad. He clapped his hands to summon a few dancing girls to liven up the atmosphere, then said to Li You Ran: "Today is very exciting! Why don't you just stay here? The women inside, pick whichever one you like! Haha."

  "Your Excellency is being polite, but I actually have some other business, I don't know if Your Excellency is interested?" Li You Ran once again piqued the viscount's interest.

  "Oh! Baron Youyuan, your business must be the best. Tell me! I'm very interested, no one has a feud with money, right?"

  It seems that food is indeed his heart disease. Now with Li You Ran's support, he is naturally drinking and talking freely, and his words are also much more heroic.

  "If you're interested, Viscount, then take a look at this." As he spoke, Li You Ran waved his hand as if tearing through space, and a military greatcoat appeared in his hand.

  The viscount, who had not been paying much attention, took one look and couldn't take his eyes off the clothes again. The green fabric was obviously thicker and better quality than what he was wearing, to say nothing of the fact that he was wearing leather armor.

  "What is this?"

  "Viscount, this is the main event of today. You want to go to war, but unfortunately it's in winter. I don't think you can win with just enough food for your soldiers after crossing a river. Of course, I'm not doubting your bravery, but how much strength will your soldiers have under the freezing cold? The cold winter has sucked away their energy. Even if the enemy is also like this and can be defeated, it would still be a miserable victory. Think about the grand battle of the duchy after spring arrives. Do you want to tell the duke that all your soldiers died in the winter? That would be terrible."

  Can't help but say that Li You Ran is really glib at this time, the viscount's heart moved, what Li You Ran said makes sense! If his own soldiers die too much, will he lead the serfs to fight in the spring war? Then can they still farm and collect taxes?

  "Let me see, is this a garment? Unbelievable, such technology actually exists! Good heavens, I can't even feel the chill of the outside wind! Guards! Open the large gate, I want to test the function of these clothes."

  The viscount hastily put on his coat, and after fastening the buttons, the guards opened the gate as instructed. The cold wind blew in, causing the flames in several braziers to flicker, and everyone shivered, clutching their collars tightly, fearing the cold air would seep in, but it was of no use.

  The entire hall was cold, except for two people. One was Viscount wearing a coat, and the other was naturally Li You Ran wearing another coat. Not only did he wear a coat, but Li You Ran also wore a hat and gloves in a showy manner, just short of putting on high boots.

  The viscount saw Li You Ran's outfit and thought of the function of these clothes! It was really too big, thinking that in the cold wind, his soldiers wore such clothes and those who only wore a hemp cloth to fight against the broken households, if they couldn't win then they should go die.

  "My friend! Baron Tequila! You are truly my savior! You are absolutely more lovely than Ryujin, tell me! What do I need to pay? I won't expect you to give it to me for free! You're a businessman, I remember that."

  "Alright, buddy, I won't make it hard for you. You see, I've built a castle on the other side of Phantom Forest, which isn't exactly legitimate, so I need a reasonable and lawful explanation that can't be used against me."

  The viscount understood that this was just a way for Li You Ran to get land. A law-abiding person, building a castle, who dares to go and make noise? Of course, it's not legal, but apart from the nobility, who dares to reason with a law-abiding person? Even if it were a nobleman, there wouldn't be anyone stupid enough to do that. Now that Li You Ran has a baron title, he can indeed get a piece of land.

  Since Li You Ran wants it, the viscount will not refuse, it's just the territory of Huan Ye Forest! Apart from the elves and the occasional appearance of beastmen, no one else would care about that territory. Of course, they also can't let Li You Ran see how easy it is, otherwise there will definitely be more trouble.

  PS: Looking for Sanjiang tickets!!!!!