Volume 2 Chapter 186 Which identity would you choose?
Count Stagg and Count Sean were around the same age, they were both over fifty years old this year, but Count Sean seemed much more vigorous. Count Stagg was only a few years older, but his appearance was much older and his face was much more strict.
After getting out of the carriage, other than revealing a friendly smile when looking at Count Sean, when he met the others, he had a strict look that wasnât easily moved at all.
Moreover, when his expression was different when it came to facing nobles or merchants.
His face still had the same strict appearance, but when he was facing nobles, his expression could be considered normal.
But when he was facing the merchants, although it wasnât clear with his strict appearance, it was very easy to perceive the disdain that it carried.
The only exception was when he met Xu Yi.
When Count Sean led him to Xu Yi, Count Staggâs serious expression became a bit relaxed and his expression became a bit strange.
After looking at Xu Yi for a bit, Count Stagg suddenly shook his head and gave a soft snort, âIt was hard enough for his majesty to give you a noble title, but you continue lowering your status to be a merchant. It really is a waste of his majestyâs recognition of you and losing face for us nobles!â
The surrounding business circle representatives have ugly looks on their faces.
Although their position as merchants in the Lampuri Kingdom was below that of nobles and couldnât even compare to the farmers, even if the nobles felt disdain towards the merchants, there was no noble that would put it so straightforward in front of the merchants
The merchants had very low positions, but successful merchants had large amounts of money.
Money was always easy to use, whether it was earth or the Sines Continent. As long as one had enough money, even if the merchants didnât have a high status, they lived better than most peasants and even nobles whose households were in bad conditions.
Moreover, it wasnât easy for large nobles to engage in business with their status, so they mostly used representatives to do business or directly cooperated with merchants.
In the end, one couldnât feed themselves with their position no matter how high it was.
If they wanted to live a high scale life of luxury, if they didnât depend on business to make money, normal nobles werenât that much better than peasants.
So there had always been a strange relationship between nobles and merchants in the Lampuri Kingdom.
The nobles looked down on merchants, but they wanted to live the same luxurious lives as them.
The merchants envied the noblesâ positions, but they actually looked down on those nobles who felt superior and didnât actually know what the real situation was.
Both sides had what the other side needed, so cooperation was the best choice for both sides.
In the end, the nobles and merchants had close knit business deals, while looking down on each other.
This relationship seemed messed up and even twisted, but this was the real situation in the Lampuri Kingdom and most of the other kingdoms on the Sines Continent.
Take the large merchants of the Lampuri Kingdom.
First, not mentioning the Falcao Chamber of Commerce that was clearly set up by the large noble family of the Jole Family, even the Armani Chamber of Commerce, the Amrit Chamber of Commerce, and the Sarank Chamber of Commerce that didnât seem related to any nobles actually had nobles behind them to some extent.
The chairman of these companies frequently came in contact with nobles, but this was the first time that a noble had been so straightforward with his disdain towards merchants.
If it was a small noble, for veteran merchants like chairman Rank, chairman Cruise, and chairman Vincent, they wouldnât care at all and could even reprimand that noble without any courtesy.
But the one who said this was a Lord Count and it was a Lord Count that came from the Stagg Family, one that would take over as Banta Cityâs City Lord.
No matter how dissatisfied they were, they could only lower their heads. They didnât dare look at Count Sean and they didnât dare reveal a single bit of their true feelings.
Only Xu Yi slightly raised his lead and looked at Count Stagg before saying with a faint smile, âLord Count Stagg, I donât feel that being a merchant is lowering my status and it isnât losing face for nobles. To me, this noble status was just one that his majesty granted me and the status that I really care about is my status as a merchant.â
Count Sean raised a brow, âWhat? You want to wallow in degeneracy?â
Xu Yiâs face sunk slightly before he said with a serious look, âLord Count, I donât understand what you mean. If youâre saying that me being willing to be a merchant is wallowing in degeneracy, I donât agree with this view.â
The surrounding people were surprised.
No one thought that Xu Yi would actually contradict Count Stagg in front of all these people.
Count Stagg came to Banta City today to take over the City Lordâs position. According to customs, he would definitely do some things to establish his authority.
Everyone knew that at this time, it was better to be as honest as possible in front of Count Stagg and not face the muzzle of his gun, otherwise the consequences would be dire.
So even if they were dissatisfied with Count Staggâs words that had no traces of courtesy, the business circle representatives here didnât dare say a thing.
Now that Xu Yi was directly opposing his words, it was simply turning the muzzle onto himself.
Chairman Cruiseâs heart skipped a beat. He couldnât help looking at Xu Yi, wanting to signal to him to withdraw his words with his eyes, but he found Count Staggâs ice cold eyes looking over him. He quickly lowered his head and didnât dare breathe too loudly.
When he lowered his head, he realized something.
The meaning of Count Staggâs ice cold gaze was that he specially came here to provoke Xu Yi.
When he thought of the attitude the Stagg Family had towards Xu Yi and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, chairman Cruiseâs heart turned cold.
Xu Yi might be in trouble this timeâŠâŠ
As expected, after Count Sean was silent for a bit, like he was surprised that Xu Yi dared to contradict him, he asked in a deep voice, âWhat? Why donât you agree? Did I say something wrong?â
Chairman Cruise couldnât help looking at Xu Yi again, praying with all his heart that Xu Yi could admit his mistake. It was easier to talk once he avoided this problem.
As long as he passed today, even if Count Stagg wanted to cause trouble for Xu Yi, he had time to deal with it.
However, chairman Cruiseâs prayers were all disappointed.
With his understanding of Xu Yiâs character, he knew that this person either didnât express his opinion or if he did, he definitely wouldnât change it easily.
If it was described in a good light, it was considered tenacious and in a bad light, it was considered stubborn.
As expected, once he heard Count Staggâs question, Xu Yi said with a nod, âYes, Lord Count, I think that there is a problem with your views. According to the laws of the kingdom, nobles do enjoy more benefits than normal people and merchants, so their positions are higher. But I have always believed that for a person, no matter what status they have, they will have corresponding duties when enjoying rights. Since nobles enjoy more benefits, they must also fulfill more duties. Otherwise, what difference is there between them and bugs?â
âAh!â
As soon as Xu Yiâs voice fell, there were cold gasps from around them.
Everyone looked at Xu Yi in shock, simply not daring to believe the words that came from his mouth.
Perhaps he wasnât wrong, these were his real views.
But he actually dare to say them in front of a Lord Count and he had said them after Count Stagg had expressed his views, this was simply planning on going against the Lord Count!
Wasnât this seeking death?
Count Stagg slightly narrowed his eyes and they betrayed a trace of surprise. He clearly didnât think that Xu Yi would not only not take back his words, he would make them even more intense.
âChairman Xu, are you saying that we nobles are bugs? Donât forget, you are also a noble!â Count Stagg said in a cold voice.
Seeing the surrounding Banta City nobles expressed looks of doubt and shock, Xu Yi revealed a faint smile as he shook his head and said, âNo, this isnât my meaning. I just wanted to say that whether it is a noble, a merchant, or a peasant, no matter who they are, if they canât fulfill their duties and responsibilities, they are a bug. Lord Count, do you think that Iâm right?â
Count Stagg really wanted to say that Xu Yi was talking nonsense, but he found that he couldnât refute the righteousness in Xu Yiâs words. He could only give a reluctant nod as he said, âThese words are indeed correct, but chairman Xu, your words didnât have this meaning earlier, right? Youâre saying that the nobles have more benefits, so they should have more duties. This is accusing most nobles that they arenât fulfilling those duties, right?â
Xu Yi in a thoughtful voice, âLord Count, I think that youâve misunderstood me. I only want to say that nobels need to put in more effort to maintain their high positions. If youâre not willing to put in the effort to enjoy more benefits and a higher position, this doesnât sound reasonable, donât you think?â
Count Sean said with a strong snort, âWhat isnât reasonable? If one cannot have a higher position and enjoy more benefits, is there a need for nobles? For example, chairman Xu, if his majesty were to take away your noble position, would you be willing?â
Xu Yi revealed a faint smile, âHis majesty is wise, how could he take away my noble status without any reason?â
âJust the fact that youâre both a noble and a merchant, that is enough to take away your noble status.â Count Stagg said with a cold snort, âChairman Xu, let me make it clear to you. The Royal Parliament is currently considering your dual status and once the Royal Parliament considers you holding both positions unacceptable, you will be forced to pick one. When that time comes, do you still want to remain as a noble?â
Everyone was stunned again.
No one had thought that the Royal Parliament was conducting special considerations towards a small baron like Xu Yi.
And Count Staggâs question was very correct. When the time comes, what will be Xu Yiâs decision?
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