Early the next morning, when Stewart woke up from his dream and came to the observation deck on the second floor, he happened to see Ma Wei standing among a group of nobles, talking and laughing.
Mavey seemed to have told a joke, which made the people around him laugh. After stopping and watching for a while, Stewart stepped forward and said with a smile: "Mr. Nicholas, good morning."
"Oh, good morning, Stuart, how did you sleep last night?"
Mavie, who was holding a cup of coffee in his hand, turned around and looked at Stewart with a smile.
"Not bad." Stewart, with two dark circles under his eyes, replied.
In fact, he couldn't sleep all night last night. He was so lost in the lake that he couldn't sleep. He was thinking about Ma Wei in his head. Such a huge opportunity was an excellent opportunity for him to prove himself to his father!
If there is no outstanding contribution or other reasons, the second son has no chance to inherit the family, and Stewart is no exception. His brother is too outstanding, has a smart mind, and extraordinary business talent. He has managed the family business in an orderly manner and has already entered the society as a civilian representative. to the House of Commons....
Stewart did not want to compete with his brother for the position of head of the family. The Kingdom of Windsor implemented the primogeniture system. As the second son, he did not have the right to inherit aristocratic titles or real estate. He just wanted to prove his ability to his father. If he could develop on this basis, Make your own way, that's even better.
"Mr. Nicholas, what we discussed last night..."
"Have you had breakfast?" Mavey suddenly interrupted Stewart's voice and looked down at his pocket watch: "Breakfast time is still an hour away. If you don't eat something, you will be hungry in the morning."
"...."
Looking at Mavey's sincere eyes, Stewart took a deep breath and said, "I'm not hungry, Mr. Nicholas, I want to talk to you about something serious."
"Do you want to talk here?" Ma Wei looked around at the crowded second-floor observation deck: "I want to go to the restaurant and have some bread."
"No problem, I happen to be hungry, let's go there together."
On the way to the restaurant, Stuart asked casually: "Where are your brothers? Why didn't you see them? And Emma?"
"Oh, they get up late. You know, I am the eldest son and the eldest brother, so naturally I have to work harder."
"I think it's Mr. Felix and the others who are too unprogressive. The second son should also contribute to the family..." Stewart blurted out. After finishing speaking, he realized that he had made a mistake and quickly changed the topic: "Mr. Nicholas Do you love your wife very much?"
"oh...."
Ma Wei raised his head half-way, as if he was remembering his non-existent 'wife': "Of course I love her very much. I think I will never forget her in my life. I can always hear her voice in the dead of night. ....”
As he spoke, Ma Wei wiped his eyes twice.
Stewart nodded and thought for a while before saying: "With all due respect, Nicholas will be busy when the airship arrives in London. I'm afraid you won't have much time to discipline Emma. Emma is very sensitive at her age and should be given more time." Only the love and care of relatives is the right thing..."
"Are you suggesting I find a mother for her?"
"For the sake of the family, for the business, and for Emma, you should do this." Stewart said firmly: "London is a big city, the political and commercial center of the Kingdom of Windsor, and there are many outstanding women there, whom I know. The youngest daughter of a noble family is only 18 years old this year. She is studying at Oxford University and her family is prominent..."
As he spoke, Stewart paid attention to Mavey's facial expression. When he found out that Mavey had no reaction to the 18-year-old noble daughter, he quickly changed: "In addition to her, I also know a duchess whose husband died this year. She is less than 30 years old, has no children, is very beautiful, has good skills, and is very popular in the upper class. If Nicholas is interested in her, I am willing to introduce her to you."
"Thank you so much." Ma Wei smiled. He was not interested in the widow, but in the duchess. The title of duke is already the highest level among the nobles, and those who inherit the title of duke are A woman means that the duke family has been passed down for at least two generations.
The Kingdom of Windsor implements the eldest son inheritance system. When the head of the family dies, the eldest son can inherit his father's noble title and all property.
If the eldest son also dies, then the first heir to the title and property is the eldest son's eldest son or daughter. If the eldest son has no heirs, then the inheritance rights will turn to the second son.
If there is no second son but a daughter, the daughter can temporarily inherit the title and property, but she only has the right to use the property. Once she gets married, the title and property will be transferred to her husband.
This method of inheritance is quite familiar to Ma Wei. It is mainly to ensure the unity of title and property and to make the nobles "noble" forever. It is a means used by the ruling class to protect themselves.
There are two types of nobles in the Kingdom of Windsor. One is hereditary nobles, whose titles can be inherited, and the other is life-long nobles, whose titles cannot be inherited. Life-long nobles are usually rewards given by the king to meritorious deeds, and will be withdrawn after death.
A duchess who is a hereditary noble... This is a 'sweet potato'. Whoever marries her will become the new duke. The temptation can be imagined.
but....
Ma Wei's ambition is not just to be a duke.
In the restaurant, Stewart ordered a cup of espresso and a croissant. While adding sugar to the coffee, he looked at Mavey who was sitting next to him: "Mr. Nicholas, do you have the relevant documents for running a potion business?"
Finally got down to business...
Ma Wei sipped his coffee and admitted frankly: "No, where does the business license for the potion business come from? This is a new industry!"
"Yeah, a whole new industry."
Hearing that Ma Wei did not have the relevant license, Stewart smiled: "I think the church and the kingdom will soon make detailed plans for the potion business. By then, shops without a license may not be able to continue operating."
After taking a sip of coffee, Stewart added: "If Mr. Nicholas is troubled by the issue of business license, then I think the Frederick family should be able to help."
"How can you help me?" Ma Wei asked knowingly.
"In addition to the ordinary business license, the Kingdom of Windsor also has a special document called a royal license. As long as Nicholas holds the royal license, no matter what you do, no officials will interfere... Frederick The family has a good relationship with Prince Shukri, and behind Prince Shukri...there is help from the church."
Stewart put down the coffee cup with a smile and asked: "Mr. Nicholas, do you think the Frederick family has the ability to help you now?"
Ma Wei narrowed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers on the table, and remained silent for a few seconds: "There is no such thing as a pie in the sky. You help me get a royal license. What do I need to pay?"
"I don't care about the specific request. After I get to London, I will take you, Mr. Nicholas, to see my father. We will discuss it in detail then, okay?"
Stewart is not stupid. On the contrary, he is very smart. He did not negotiate terms with Mavey immediately, but left the problem to his father. If the business cooperation is negotiated and Mavie is indeed capable of managing potions, then he must be the first to do so. , if the business fails to be negotiated and Baron Frederick discovers that Mavey is a liar who steals his reputation, Stewart will not take the blame. He just introduced Mavey and did not pay the price.
But....
Stewart's shrewdness played right into Mavey's hands.
From the beginning, his goal was not to run a potion business, but to use the potion business to penetrate into the kingdom and the church, gain the trust of the princes and the church, and occupy a position.
Managing potions is just a process, secretly helping the fourth prince Arthur is the purpose.
As long as the potion merchant can lead to Baron Frederick, Mavey will be confident to lead out the second prince Shukri behind Baron Frederick, and then the archbishop behind the second prince Shukri...
Ma Wei came with real materials. With the endorsement of the Romanov Kingdom, he could really manage potions and meet the requirements of Baron Frederick. Not only was he not a liar, he was also truly scary!
No matter how powerful a grocer is, he only has the support of a few nobles, and behind Ma Wei...
It's a whole kingdom!
As the Pope, he can do so many things, and his starting point is much higher than other grocers, just like an adult bullying a child...
Gaining the trust of the Frederick family is only the first step. You must first establish a foothold in London before you can implement the next plan.
"I will consider your proposal carefully, Stuart."
After drinking the cup of coffee, Ma Wei smiled and said: "I also hope that everyone can reach an agreement, but the specific situation must wait until we arrive in London, right?"
"Of course, Mr. Nicholas." Stewart nodded heavily: "I think you will be satisfied with the strength of our family, for sure!"
