[1-200] THE LORD'S EMPIRE

Chapter 60 - Ancient Equipment

Translator: Mr Voltaire
Editor: Modlawls123

Zhao Fu decided to name the restaurant Westfall Restaurant because the sun was setting in the west when he had bought the place, and the sunset glow was especially beautiful as night was falling.

As for the equipment shop, Zhao Fu decided to call it Ancient Equipment Store because the equipment they were selling was fairly old.

After taking care of matters there, before he had even formally opened the store, many people had come to buy equipment. Following this, he took 100 gold coins to a large building.

The building was the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Zhao Fu took off his cloak and put on a big smile as he handed a few silver coins to the guards. Adding on Zhao Fu’s status as a Third-Ranked Baron, the guards quickly reported to the Minister, and soon, Zhao Fu was invited in.

After arriving at the guest hall, Zhao Fu saw a white and chubby middle-aged man sitting on a chair. Zhao Fu walked up and slightly bowed, saying, “I greet lord Minister of Internal Affairs.”

Even though Zhao Fu was a Third-Ranked Baron, which could make ordinary residents respect him, to the Minister of Internal Affairs, who wielded a lot of power, he was nothing.

Seeing this, a trace of a smile appeared on the Minister’s chubby face as he motioned with his hand and said, “Sir, please sit. What matters would you like to discuss with this official?”

Zhao Fu sat down on the chair beside him and lightly smiled before saying, “This lowly one has opened two shops in Holy Light City. I’ve long since heard of Minister’s illustrious name, so I came to pay my respects.”

Following this, Zhao Fu took out a small sack containing 100 gold coins and presented it to the Minister, saying, “This is merely a small token of my admiration; I hope your lordship will accept it.”

The Minister saw golden glimmers through the neck of the sack, and when he received it and felt it, he knew that it most likely contained around 100 gold coins. His smile instantly became sincere and warm, saying, “Sir can come and visit me whenever sir wants, and I will always welcome sir here. In the future, there’s no need to bring any gifts.”

As he spoke, the Minister stuffed the sack of gold coins into his own pocket with great deftness.

Of course, Zhao Fu would not believe his courteous words. He had already gathered information about this Minister; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to meet him. Seeing that the Minister had accepted his money, he quickly replied, “Yes, yes, this lowly one understands. My little shops will have to rely on your lordship’s care in the future.”

The Minister smiled and nodded as he replied, “But of course. That’s right, does sir know you can hire 10 soldiers?”

Zhao Fu understood that the Minister was going to provide him with some benefits now, so he pretended to look confused and shook his head.

Seeing this, the Minister said, “Recently, some scoundrels have been making trouble, and Holy Light City has been in a bit of chaos. How about I send 20 soldiers to serve as guards for sir?”

Zhao Fu was delighted. He knew that hiring a Stage 1 soldier for a month cost at least 10 gold coins. Hiring 10 Stage 1 soldiers would have cost him 100 gold coins per month, and now, the Minister had gifted him 20 Stage 1 soldiers to serve as guards. This already completely eclipsed the 100 gold coins that he had given to the Minister.

However, this also meant that he might have to send gifts to the Minister now and then. Zhao Fu had no other choice though – if one wanted to do well, one had to get along with officials or even become friends with them.