At today's luncheon, the Earl of Lancashire prepared two fresh meat dishes for Isabel Walton, who had come from afar. Isabel knew very well what the other party meant, and the gift they had given her had been accepted, and she had also attended the grand luncheon held for her. Now, in addition to expressing her gratitude to the Earl and Lady of Lancashire, she will do her best to make them wealthy or enjoy greater prestige and status among the northern aristocracy.

The luncheon lasted until just after 2 p.m., and Jacob Wycliffe, the county earl, accompanied Isabel on a leisurely walk around the castle's squares. With her left hand propped up on the hilt of her sword, Isabel said lightly as she admired the lush trees that surrounded the castle on three sides, "Your Excellency, if you are new to nautical affairs, consider transporting sugar, spices, jewelry, or other goods that you and your wife are dear to you by land. ”

The Earl of Lancashire, dressed in Tudor-style earl-level attire, also walked slowly beside her with his left hand on the hilt of his sword, and glanced at her with interest, "Madam, you have always lived in the north, how did you learn about the seafaring affairs that the southerners are good at?" I probably know a bit about nautical matters, and sailing the seas in a boat is not as easy as riding a horse. ”

Faced with such a problem, Isabel can already be completely calm. Strolling unhurriedly, he replied to the other party with a calm face, "Your Excellency, do you remember the war in Europe that began last summer? ”

The Earl of Lancashire gave her a quizzful look and nodded, "Well, yes. The king went with the Spaniards to attack the French, which was the king's own business. So, it should be handled by the king himself. ”

"Your Excellency, do you know that His Majesty the King issued some privateering permits before preparing to attack France?"

"Oh, privateer permits...? This is... Edict, or what? ”

"Your Excellency, this is an official letter in which His Majesty the King grants certain powers to civilian vessels during war to attack, capture and plunder enemy ships." Isabel smiled and added, "In French, it can be interpreted as: 'Order to recover maritime losses from the enemy'." ”

The Earl of Lancashire looked at her thoughtfully and smiled lightly, "Madame, this royal decree of the King... Did he come up with it himself? ”

Isabel pondered and shook her head, "Your Highness told me that in 1295 there was a letter in the kingdom concerning the issuance of permits for the arrest of enemy ships and warrants for retaliatory arrests. Nearly 50 years later, King Edward III issued his first privateering license. Therefore, the licenses issued last year are customary to be queried. ”

It may be that the Earl of Lancashire did not know much about the war of raiding at sea, so he did not show much interest in Isabel's words, but only asked the other party again, "Madame, then you know how to sail a ship?" ”

"No, Your Excellency. All I have to do is give the license to the southern maritime trading families, and their patriarch will be completely loyal to the orders of His Majesty and His Highness. And as a representative of His Highness, I can naturally drive them to engage in maritime trade. ”

———————————

When the Earl of Lancashire invited Isabel into the parlour, he finally brought the conversation of the two to the rare goods that interested him and his wife. Jacob asked the servant to bring Isabel a glass of wine, and smiled kindly, "Madame, I know from what we just said that there is another way of maritime trade. However, I just love the rare goods that come from overseas territories. ”

Isabel put down her glass, got up and went to the earl, and said, "Your Excellency, if you want to trade at sea, you must have your own harbor, armed merchant ships, helmsmen, sailors and captains with many years of seafaring experience. ”

When the Earl of Lancashire, the port of arms, the merchant ships, the helmsman, and so on poured into the ears of the Earl of Lancashire, he felt that it was a complicated affair that he had never encountered before. He tried to speak, but he didn't know where to start, and looked at Isabel with a blank face, and finally just said, "Madame, if I'm going to do what you say... Matters such as ports, merchant ships, or helmsmen, etc., do they cost a lot of money? ”

Suddenly, Isabel regretted all the way she had gone to the Earl's castle in Lancashire and talked a lot of nonsense. Raising his head to look at the county earl sitting opposite, he smiled faintly, "Your Excellency, I just want to say that the rare goods you buy in the north will cost you more money. ”

Seeing that the other party still did not say anything, Isabel was ready to return to her father's territory immediately. The attitude was still very gentle, and the tone was still very calm, "Your Excellency, I will return the gifts you and your wife have given me as soon as I return to Kircrington. For today's talks, I will follow the custom of 'under the roses'. ”

Isabel nodded to the Earl of the County and turned towards the door of the parlor. As he walked to the gate, he suddenly heard the county earl's words from behind him, "Wait, ma'am, I... Not a county lord who is not generous and not magnanimous. ”

"Your Excellency, I know that you are not, you are a noble nobleman. It's just that you've never been familiar with what I'm talking about nautical matters. In the empty living room, Isabel's voice sounded clear.

"I think, I'm afraid so. Of course, I will take your advice very seriously. ”

The other party's attitude has changed, and Isabel thinks that she can only tell the other party a compromise. Slowly returning to the Earl of Lancashire with his hands behind his back, he said calmly, "Your Excellency, my opinion is that you can purchase an armed merchant ship with other nobles, knights, gentlemen, or yoman in the county. After getting the benefits that are due, it is time to consider other nautical matters. ”

The county earl, who had been supporting his chin with the back of his hand and thinking about it, slowly lowered his arm after a few blinks, leaned forward to pay attention to the other party, "Madam, your opinion is very good. However, I still need to get other people's opinions. ”

"Of course. You may also tell you, Your Excellency, that this is how I raised £3,200 in cash last year. With this money, an old merchant ship was purchased, which made it possible to bring back a large number of rare goods from overseas. ”

The Earl of Lancashire, who had been affected by the gloomy mood, now had a sunny smile, "Madam, if you are willing to stay a few more days, I will immediately gather the nobles, knights, and gentlemen of the county to discuss this matter." ”