Reborn: Imperial Officer Promotion Guide

"Hello! My name is Lamewan." The gentleman middle-aged man bowed his head deeply.

"Hello, let's skip the polite words. We are going to attend a social party for the nobility tonight. I hope you can choose some decent evening dresses for these two ladies." Hull pointed to Ling and Xino behind him.

"Hahaha, I see. May I ask, what is your budget?"

"To be honest, I don't know much about aristocratic socializing. I'll set the budget at around three silver deer. It'll be fine as long as it's not too shabby."

This budget is actually not enough.

Ramewan smiled and nodded: "Since you are a distinguished guest introduced by Nandar, I must treat you well and give you a small discount, just as making friends. Don't worry, I will make a good choice for the two ladies and make sure that other nobles will not say anything!"

As he said that, he took Ling and Xino to the back of the store to choose evening gowns.

To put it bluntly, Ling and Xino are both smart country girls. They have never seen so many luxurious dresses.

Everyone loves beauty, but before, it was because her wallet and status did not allow it. But now that Heer was paying the bill, Ling was not polite at all. When she saw a piece of clothing she liked, she immediately asked Lamewan to take it down for her to try on.

Xino seemed to be at a loss. Before yesterday, she was just a little country girl who couldn't even get enough to eat. Now in just one day, she had to change into aristocratic dress to attend the party.

Xino pinched her face in a trance. At Ling's urging, she came to her senses and hurriedly began to choose an evening dress.

Naturally they couldn't participate in the ladies' dressing up.

Hull began to observe the wide variety of goods on the shelves in the hall.

In addition to aristocratic dresses, there are also many accessories such as rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

The price generally starts from ten silver deer.

He didn't need to change into any aristocratic dress, and he had no interest in these decorations.

A military uniform with the epaulettes of the captain's rank on his shoulders is decent enough.

He was just browsing around the store to check out the luxury goods market.

Such stores are extremely profitable, and similar stores will need to be built in the Kraken area in the future, so it can be considered as advance preparation.

"Luxury goods are a good way to make money... Nandar, what do you think?"

"This kind of luxury store doesn't really match the shabby castle over in the Kraken region."

"The castle will be rebuilt in a month."

"One month? Hull, do you have enough people and construction materials now?"

"Don't worry about the personnel. At most, we can just hire people from neighboring areas. As for the building materials, Nandar, can you help with the procurement?"

"...Hahahaha, Hull, don't just fleece the sheep. I have to build a branch of the Chamber of Commerce and a brewery. The people and materials cost golden dragons. The money you paid in advance is not enough to renovate the castle."

"We are business partners, you have to let me take advantage of you. By the way, where are the magic beads I ordered?" Hull asked with a smile.

"I've already asked someone to move it to the castle for you this afternoon. The quantity this time is larger, but the quality is a bit uneven."

"It's okay. I will make the high-quality orbs into wands so that you can sell them to the queen and her family. You can keep my share of the money and use it to buy some building materials for renovating the castle. I will keep the poor quality part for myself."

Hale has set up a wand-making workshop in the castle's basement.

Although the castle is dilapidated, it is large enough. The workshop set up by Hull can accommodate more than a dozen craftsmen to make wands together.

Of course, he was the only wandmaker now.

"…It is a serious crime to privately forge a wand in the Empire. Even though it is your castle, you should be careful not to be discovered by others."

The casting of magic wands is strictly controlled by the Empire, and only those who belong to the Wand Craftsmen's Guild are qualified to make magic wands.

Moreover, the wand will not be circulated on the market at all.

Almost all magic wands are monopolized by the nobles, and there are very few of them even on the black market, so they are extremely popular.

For ordinary people, the magic wand represents absolute force, but it is also an unattainable flower on the mountain top.

Hull openly set up a wand workshop in his own castle and privately made wands to sell to aliens. This was already a serious crime among serious crimes.

"Don't worry, I am very careful in this regard. Now there is a lot of work to be done and I am very short of money. I am considering whether to establish a black market for magic wands in the Kraken area."

Nandar rubbed his cheeks and fell into deep thought: "The Kraken region is close to the imperial capital, and the competition in the black market is very fierce. If we really establish a black market for magic wands, it will probably attract the attention of other forces."

The underground world of the imperial capital is the largest black market in the empire. As long as you spend money, you can find almost all the contraband in the world, including magic wands.

Hull thought that if he established a black market for magic wands, he would not lose even if he had to compete with the black market in the imperial capital in a price war.

But due to its size, it is very likely to be swallowed up by the black market forces in the imperial capital.

By then, other senior nobles will inevitably intervene as the umbrella for the black market. After all, Hull's main job is still an imperial general. If that happens, he will most likely be in an unfavorable position.

"How about turning the whole town into a black market?"

In response to Heer's fantasy, Nandar suggested in a joking tone.

"That's a good idea. Even if we develop business, we can hide it and don't need to pay taxes to the nobles."

"Huh? No, I was kidding, you're not serious?!"

Judging from Heer's expression, he was definitely not joking. Nandar already had sweat on his forehead.

"No, this is a proposal that is very consistent with the current situation in the Kraken region and is indeed feasible."

Hull held his chin and began to think seriously.

Nandar waved his hand to attract Hull's attention. "If the entire Kraken area is turned into a black market, then criminals and kidnappers will be able to run rampant. You know? As a lord, you actually said that you want to set up a black market in your own territory. It's really too much!"

"If there are criminals and those who make money illegally, I will personally arrest them one by one. Then force them to become slaves... Hmm...? That's interesting. Building a slave ranch... might be a good idea..."

!! ?

"Hey, hey, hey, stop kidding, I'm getting goosebumps!"

Nandar sighed but Heer continued thinking without caring.

"No, I have been thinking about what kind of territory I want to build the Kraken region into. The land in the Kraken region is too barren. Even if a large amount of manpower, material resources and financial resources are invested, it is still very difficult to revitalize the entire region in a short period of time."

"But if we can establish a huge black market underground in the Kraken area and capture criminals as slaves, the labor problem can be solved."

Nandar broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this, especially when Heer was still touching the noble's dress and looking like he was selecting goods.

"To be honest, as a serious businessman, I really don't like slaves."

"Really? I think that if we turn all the criminals sentenced to death and scum into slaves, the demand for innocent girls and children in the slave market will be reduced, which can also contribute to the development of the empire in disguise."

"Ah... Heer... Who are you and what have you been through in the past?! This thought is really terrifying."

Nandar couldn't help but take a few steps back.

If all the scum were captured as slaves, we would only need to ensure their minimum food and drink, and no wages would be required, and the Kraken region would then have free labor.

Whether they are taken to farm or used in castle renovation projects, slaves are truly a godsend for the Kraken region, which is currently short of labor.

"Well, in this way, the operation of the territory will surely go smoothly! Thank you, Nandar. It's thanks to you that I can come up with such a good idea!"

"I don't know if it's my illusion, but I feel like everything is my fault. I really shouldn't have said so much..."

Nandar held onto the wall beside him, feeling like crying but unable to do so.

At this time, the two ladies had already changed into new clothes.

"How about it? This dress fits you well, right?" Ling walked into the hall and appeared.

Nandar looked at Ling, who was wearing a black dress, and couldn't help but applaud.

It is true that clothes make the man. Ling has always been very sweet-looking, and now in an evening gown, she does have the demeanor of a lord's daughter.

No one could have imagined that she was a little girl in an orphanage in the North.

Next, Xino walked into the hall with the help of the store owner Lamewan.

"How...how is it? I hope it won't embarrass you, sir?" Xino blushed and looked at Heer timidly.

She was wearing a white evening dress, her glasses were taken off, and her hair was tied up to reveal her snow-white skin.

She also wore a pearl necklace around her neck, which made her look very elegant.

If you don’t know, you might think she is a noble lady from some family.

"My, both ladies are extremely beautiful. It would be an honor for me to wear these dresses."

Lamewan's words were not all compliments. Due to consuming too much nutrition and sugar, many wealthy ladies and daughters from aristocratic families became obese and had dull skin.

Evening dresses that are too beautiful and restrictive will only expose their shortcomings.

On the contrary, Ling and Xino have healthy bodies, good foundations, are young, and have outstanding looks.

Normally they just don’t have the financial resources to dress up, but now their natural charm is revealed.

Hull nodded: "It is indeed more presentable than before."

Heer walked up and handed three silver deer to Ramewan.

"Okay, let's go then."

Heer walked out of the store with the two girls, while Nandar stayed to chat with Ramewan alone.

Almost an hour later, a grand noble social party was held in Beowulf's Wolf Castle.

Nobles from all regions of West Territory gathered together.

The host of this aristocratic social evening was Ranejo Pollina, who was also a lower-level noble.

Luxurious food was served on the table on silver platters, and the venue was beautifully illuminated by gorgeous chandeliers.

As the host, Kent Polina walked gracefully around the venue and greeted the guests one by one.

Especially when facing the main guest of this event, the senior noble William Hector.

This senior noble is the lord of the entire West Territory. In name, he can directly govern all the lower nobles in the territory.

It belongs to Hull and Kent Pollina's immediate superior.

William Hector's title was [Ryuki], the lowest among the twenty ranks of the upper nobility.

Even the last-ranked upper noble had a vastly different status from Hull, who was at the bottom of the lower nobles.

They can be said to be two different creatures.

Heer, Ling and Xino walked into the venue led by the reception staff, and everyone's attention was immediately focused on them.

This type of aristocratic social evening is a regular event in Westland and even other territories of the empire.

It is usually held in different regions within the territory in rotation.

Everyone gathered together to eat and drink and build relationships. In addition to making it easier for the superior nobles to confirm the territories of their subordinate nobles and strengthen control, it was also a way for the superior nobles to weaken the financial power of the lower nobles.

Hosting such a party is very expensive. It not only requires pomp and circumstance, but also tests the host's coordination and etiquette.

If the host or the participants show any impoliteness, they will be charged with lack of etiquette.

Causing displeasure among the higher nobles and incurring the dissatisfaction of other nobles is a small matter. The terrible thing is to be accused of dereliction of duty and become a target of annexation.

Of course, if one behaves appropriately and gains favor from the higher-ranking nobles, it can also enhance the family's prestige in the surrounding areas.

Since it was their first time attending a social party in West Territory, as a noble force making their debut, unfamiliar faces like Hull and his group were very eye-catching.

Hull had also commanded thousands of soldiers in the North, and when he fought against Reinhardt, he did so in front of tens of thousands of people. Such occasions did not scare him at all.

On the contrary, Ling and Xino had little experience, and under the gaze of the nobles, their movements were a little stiff.

Ignoring the aristocratic etiquette they had memorized before, they hid behind Hull like two frightened little white rabbits.

"Um...why is everyone looking at us?" Ling whispered behind Hull.

"Weren't you quite conceited before? Why are you so cowardly now?"

Hull walked to the dining table and took a glass of clear drink. After smelling it and confirming that it was fruit wine, he frowned and just continued to hold it in his hand without drinking it.

"Okay, Ling and Xino, don't embarrass me, come out quickly, don't scare yourself, only 72 out of 49 nobles are looking at us, be generous, this is a battlefield for the nobles!"

Hull smiled politely and looked around the venue.

"What? Aren't social occasions like this just for people to eat and talk about random things? Why are you talking about a battlefield?"

"For the nobles, any formal social occasion is a battlefield. Cheer up! Now is not the time to be awkward!"

Just then, the host Kent came up with a smile.

After seeing Hull's officer uniform and the captain's epaulettes on his shoulders, he was slightly stunned, immediately put down the wine in his hand, and saluted Hull solemnly.

This was beyond Hull's expectations.