The First Vampire

Under the brilliant moonlight, Colin left the Butter Tavern and returned to Lion Roar Castle.

With Oliver and his brother following him closely behind, they entered the study room within the castle.

The three of them settled into their seats, the maid quietly served them beverages and desserts, then discreetly left the room.

Colin took a sip of his coffee, then smiled at the slightly apprehensive pair, “You know why I’ve called upon you, don’t you?”

Oliver promptly straightened up, suppressing his excitement, and nodded, “Yes, Lord Count, I have a vague idea.”

Colin looked into Oliver’s eyes, speaking solemnly, “Initially, I had planned to forcibly place you as the chairman of the North Territory Merchant Union, but I came up with a better plan later. Hence, I’ll leave the Union to Arnold to play with.”

“As for you, once the North Territory Overseas Trade Company is officially established, the Duke will appoint you as the general manager, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company.”

Though he had speculated this before, having Colin confirm it personally left Oliver so electrified that he could barely contain his excitement. He quickly thumped his chest, vowing to Colin:

“I appreciate your trust, Lord Count! I will manage this company diligently on behalf of you and the St. Hilde Family!”

Colin nodded with satisfaction and continued, “I have already discussed with Count Uman, the Tulip Chamber of Commerce will be completely integrated into the new company. All assets of the Chamber will be converted into company shares, allowing you to take a seat on the board.”

“Yes,” Oliver agreed, nodding. He certainly had no objections to such planning.

Although he was the president of the Tulip Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber was actually an asset of the Uman Clan, Oliver was simply a figurehead manager who was pushed to the front line.

The Tulip Chamber of Commerce was about to become a part of history, but the North Territory Overseas Trade Company, representing a dazzling future, was waiting for him, giving Oliver no cause for complaint.

“Lord Count, I have a question, and I don’t know if it’s appropriate to ask,” After the initial excitement subsided, Oliver cautiously said.

Colin, sensing Oliver’s doubts, asked: “Are you worried about the board?”

“Yes,” Oliver admitted, nodding unreservedly, “Lord, Arnold is wealthy and has a high reputation in the North Territory. If he attracts a large number of merchants to invest in our new company, will he be able to control the board?”

Colin glanced at Oliver and asked doubtfully, “If Arnold can woo other merchants, can’t you do the same?

Don’t tell me that your prestige is less than Arnold’s. With my support, your influence in the business community of the North Territory will not be lower than Arnold.

Moreover, you have the power to recommend members of the new company’s management team. If you utilize this well, you can certainly attract a great number of North Territory merchants.

If even then Arnold controls the board, then you deserve to be hindered by him in the future!”

After hearing this, Oliver promptly reassured: “Please rest assured, Lord Count! I will definitely make good use of the quota of the new company’s management team and attract a group of influential North Territory merchants. The board will never fall into Arnold’s hands!”

Colin’s face relaxed slightly, encouraging him, “Go ahead fearlessly and don’t disappoint me.”

In fact, even if the capital Oliver amassed was less than Arnold’s, Colin could still cover for him.

The St. Hilde Family, the Angler Family, the Schultz Family, and the Half-Elf royal family, the Miller family, could all provide financial support to Colin when necessary.

Additionally, Colin still had two war reparations at hand, one from the Troll Empire, and the other from the Menam Family. This amounted to a huge sum exceeding ten million gold coins, no trade union could withdraw such a vast amount of circulating funds.

Right now, this North Territory Overseas Trade Company was just a fledgling; although many far-sighted merchants could see its potential, their confidence was nowhere near as solid as Colin’s.

Therefore, the investments made by these merchants will certainly not be generous. Colin had enough confidence to control the board.

By controlling the staffing rights of the company’s management team and holding the board, the North Territory Overseas Trade Company had no way to escape the palm of Colin’s hand.

Using this as a grip, Colin could integrate and control the North Territory’s business community, even using it as a unique weapon for external expansion.

Without a doubt, Colin was prepared to teach the people of this world a lesson, informing them that war was not only about military aggression, economic invasion was also a measure.

It was even more difficult to detect, but its destructiveness was no less than a military invasion.

After instructing Oliver, Colin turned his head to look at Orma, who was sitting quietly on the side.

Upon meeting Colin’s gaze, Orma immediately plastered a fawning smile onto his face.

Regarding this older brother of Oliver’s, Colin also had plans for him, and said with a smile, “Mr. Orma, I plan to establish a charity foundation. Would you be willing to help me manage it?”

Orma had originally thought he could ride on his brother’s coattails, and get a top management role in the North Territory Foreign Trade Company or something similar. But he didn’t expect that Colin would have another arrangement for him.

But, he was clueless about what a charity foundation was.

Even though he did not understand, Orma would definitely not refuse Colin’s request. He promptly asserted loudly, “Of course! Lord Count, I am at your service for any request you may have!”

Colin nodded with satisfaction. His gaze became deep, as if thinking about something:

“Good. This charity foundation is not an organization intended to be profitable, but its importance is no less than the Northern Territory’s foreign trade company.”

Orma perked up immediately and asked, “Sir, what does this charity foundation mainly do?”

“In the past two years, there have been frequent wars in the North Territory, creating a large number of people who need help, such as farmers who have lost their fields, disabled veterans, unattended elderly people, homeless children, etc., these people cannot solely rely on the help from the Glorious Church.

This is why I want to establish this charity foundation, specifically to help these distressed commoners.”

“Sir, your kindness is even more dazzling than the sun!” Orma praised loudly, then cautiously asked, “However, how should we solve the source of the charity foundation’s funds?”

“The foundation accepts donations from anyone, from nobles, merchants, and even prosperous farmers. Everyone can contribute, but donations alone are not enough, the foundation needs to issue a set of welfare lottery tickets!”

“Welfare lottery tickets?” Orma repeated this fresh term, waiting for Colin’s explanation.

“Yes.” Colin picked up a piece of paper from the desk, handed it to Orma and explained, “This is a sample of a welfare lottery ticket, made of special paper, that can’t be counterfeited. It has a set of numbers written on it and sells for ten copper coins…”

Colin roughly explained the method of issuing the lottery tickets, and the two brothers, who had been in the business world for many years, immediately realized the business opportunity within.

Orma’s eyes shone as he praised, “Count! This is a genius idea! I’m sure the welfare lottery will become popular in the North Territory and raise a lot of money for the charity foundation!”

Colin gave a soft smile, accepting Orma’s flattery.

However, the real deep intention behind his preparations for the charity foundation, he believed, the two brothers in front of him probably wouldn’t understand.’

His move was actually targeting the Glorious Church.

Why does the Church have such a large appeal among the people?

The quota for being baptized as a knight is too precious to have anything to do with commoners.

The promise of entering heaven after death is too vague and intangible.

As for the protection of divine beings…there hasn’t been a divine sign in this world for thousands of years.

The reason the Glorious Church can have such a huge influence among the people, besides providing them with a spiritual support, is largely because of charity.

The Church collects “tithe tax”, and apart from maintaining the normal operation of its organization, the majority of the tax is used to relief the lower class commoners.

For commoners, these are tangible benefits and one of the most important reasons for them to believe in the Lord of Glory.

In Colin’s view, this is actually a welfare system. However, the fact that the Church is in control of this welfare system explains why the lords struggle to compete with the Church for prestige among the people.

And to support this welfare system, a large amount of money is certainly needed.

Given the current situation in the North Territory, if taxes were to suddenly increase, it would definitely stir up public resentment. Obviously, Colin would not be unwise to do so.

That’s why he thought of using the lottery to raise money.

Of course, the lottery is also a kind of tax – a tax on intelligence.

By establishing the charity foundation this time, Colin plans to start from the Church’s base, capturing the support of the lower classes.

If the Royal Family aims to curtail the power of the Church, and Agani and Mr. Ji plan to fight from the “Deity is Dead” angle, working from top to bottom to dissolve the church’s source of faith, then Colin is preparing to start from charitable relief and gradually erode the foundation of the Church.

Actually Colin himself has no ill feelings towards the existence of the Church. He acknowledges the protection of the Lord of Glory for mankind, and feels that people do need a spiritual support. However, he cannot bear the clergy exploiting the name of the Lord of Glory for personal gain, and he will not tolerate the Pope targeting Vera.

Since it’s inevitable to confront the Church at some point, Colin might as well prepare early.

Moreover, setting up a welfare system that he could control was also part of Colin’s centralization plan.

Yes, centralization.

In Colin’s view, the current fiefdom system practiced in the Glorious Empire involves a lot of inefficiency and risk of internal friction, and a centralized system is more convenient for governance.

Of course, to really establish a centralized governance system, there’re many things needed, but Colin is just laying some foundation now.

Colin certainly wasn’t going to divulge these things to two merchants, and even Vera wouldn’t likely know about Colin’s audacious ideas.

“Alright, you go prepare now, let me know if you need anything.”

“Yes, Count!”

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