Almost everyone present had an opinion, and even the few housekeepers who were present on behalf of the employer were eager to stand up and say a few words, after all, the contents of the official documents read by the Privy Counsellor were too tempting. In the past, overt raids at sea were not only abhorrent, but anyone who caught a pirate could send them to the gallows.

Today, however, His Majesty is openly supporting the raids at sea. While pirates have a legal identity, they can also enjoy prisoner of war treatment if they are captured by other countries. It's such a wonderful thing, why not do it.

Unfortunately, the retainers present were very unfamiliar with seafaring affairs, and did not know how to sail ships or how to plunder on the seas. However, Beard Jr., the eldest son of gentleman Beard Smith, had spent some time in the South and had heard stories about people who had made a career out of maritime exploration.

While the others were still pondering how to make their comments, little Beard stood up. He walked up to the Duke of Richmond and bowed, and said with a smile on his face and in an elegant voice: "Your Highness, His Majesty's decision is very correct, and it is true that some French ships can be destroyed by plundering at sea. However, this is the north. I think that the northerners still lack a certain understanding of maritime affairs. ”

"There are port towns in the north, but not as much as in the south. Moreover, the main trade in the north was the woolen industry. The Duke of Richmond glanced at him nonchalantly, then at Isabel Walton, "Counsellor, tell them what you think, and ask them if they want a large amount of money." ”

"Yes, Your Highness." Isabel turned gracefully and nodded, turning to the retainers in the hall again, "Gentlemen and jomans, Spanish and Portuguese navigators have brought back shiploads of gold and silver treasures from America. Won't these fleets full of treasures tempt you? Will you watch the Spaniards and Portuguese plunder all the world's treasures? ”

Old Beard stood up and bowed to the Duke of Richmond and looked at Isabel with questioning eyes, "Your Excellency, you are quite right. However, from some of the facts I know, the kingdom began to search for the New World as early as the last century, but again and again it returned empty-handed, losing all its capital. ”

"This old guy still can't get into the habit of going against me." Isabel smiled and scolded in her heart, but calmly faced the other party's puzzled gaze, "Gentleman, that was the last century. Now, we can legally take away the gold and silver treasures that did not belong to the Spaniards and the Portuguese. You know, our ancestors, the Vikings, have been good at raiding since the beginning, haven't they? ”

"Hahaha...... Your Excellency, Beard's ancestors were Anglos who had been serfs for Vikings. One of the gentlemen present made a joke.

Jokes and the history of Vikings in Ancient England lightened up the atmosphere, and some of the people present began to whisper about piracy. Old Beard looked down in thought, still a little worried, "Your Excellency, the Spaniards are now our allies. If we had plundered their ships at sea, Charles V of Spain would not have let us go easily. ”

In order to reassure the northern gentlemen and Yoman, and to borrow a considerable sum of money from them, Isabel did not intend to name the real object of the plunder, which was the Spanish and Dutch ships.

After thinking for a moment, he glanced at the old gentleman, who was steady and a little timid, and nodded, "Of course, under the protection of this official document issued by His Majesty the King, we will only attack and plunder the ships of France. ”

"Your Excellency, just now you said that Your Highness wants us to get some benefits, can you elaborate?" At this time, Yoman, who had asked Isabel before the meeting, said what he wanted to say at the right time.

"Well, Yoman, as long as you and others are willing to support me, I can make you receive a 10 or 20 times return on your investment in a year." At present, Isabel does not dare to guarantee that she can rob piles of gold and silver treasures every time she goes to sea. So, for now, she can only estimate a more conservative number.

"Funding you? Also receive 10x or 20x returns?? Old Beard, who had not spoken again, was astonished at her words, and most of the others looked at her with a look of great surprise.

The Duke of Richmond, who had been sitting quietly on the throne, coughed lightly, slowly stood up and walked to Isabel's side, and glanced at his retainers with a proud eye, "Gentlemen, shocked, aren't you?" Actually, I was shocked when the advisor told me what she thought. ”

Then the Duke of Richmond walked down the stairs, and Isabel walked down the stairs one step behind him. The duke glanced at the official document in the advisor's hand with a relaxed expression, and Isabel hurriedly handed it to him. The duke turned to face his retainers and raised the official document in his hand.

"Gentlemen, Your Majesty has handed me some of the official documents with the intention of bringing the private shipowners of the port towns of the five northern counties into this war against France."

"My advisors were educated in navigation and ships. It's just that she didn't have a boat to use to fight in the war against France. Now, the advisor is only going to raise the principal from me and you to buy the ship. Of course, she'll pay me and you a lot in return. The Duke of Richmond explained it clearly, and the retainers looked at Isabel with a strange look

The Yoman just now couldn't help but nod his head, becoming curious again, and staring at Isabel with his eyes firmly on him, "Your Excellency, can it really be that the sea raid can receive such a high reward?" 10x or 20x? ”

With her hands on her hips, Isabel nodded gracefully, smiled and said, "Yes, Yoman, I guarantee that what I say is true with the honor of the Walton family. ”

The gentlemen and joman present were almost all northern merchants who had been engaged in commercial trade all their lives, and they had never heard of such a thing as a return of 10 or 20 times on a single investment. Of course, everyone still believes in the aristocratic honor of Isabel and the Walton family. At least, they had never seen a nobleman or his family members trample on their honors at will.

Little Beard trusted Isabel very much, and glanced sideways at Yoman and the others, who were still hesitant. Coming to Isabel from her father's side, she smiled kindly and then said aloud: "Your Excellency, you are the eldest daughter of Lord Walton and a noble woman who can be trusted. Therefore, I am willing to fund you! ”