In the empire, to become a rogue trader, you must first obtain a trading license issued by the empire's high-level officials. In the long history of the empire, licenses were roughly divided into four types.
The first and earliest trading license was issued by the Emperor himself to reward those dynasties and families who sincerely submitted or assisted during the Terra Unification War and the Great Crusade. This license lasted as long as the Empire existed. It is valid forever and is also called the Imperial License.
The second, during the Great Crusade, the Primarch was also granted the power to issue publisher's licenses, which were also permanently valid, although such licenses were mainly applicable in the expedition and conquest area of their issuer (that is, if you The permission was signed by Dorn, and if you go to Boss Pi's territory to do business, you may be confiscated by Tieyong's city management). After the Horus Heresy, the permissions issued by the only remaining original bodies became more effective, such as Ji Liman and Dorn's permission, the validity of these two certificates is second only to the license issued by the Emperor himself, also known as the Primarch License. (Of course only those who are loyal will do, but those who are not loyal will do the same)
The third type is that after the Beast War, as the original body gradually fell, the High Lords Council also gained the power to issue certificates. In the past, it was issued by the original body. The Lords Council seconded the proposal to enhance the effectiveness and began to classify certificates. Permanently valid certificates are in principle used to reward people who have made great contributions to the empire, but in many cases, high lords and their core power groups will use this permission as a special reward to bribe those who are young and powerful enough to threaten them. The status of a person is equivalent to saying that if you don't fight with me for power, I will promise you eternal wealth. This is also called a lord's license.
The fourth type began to appear at the end of the 40th millennium. In order to cope with the increasing number of wars and expand income, the High Lords Council began to issue a certificate that was only valid for one generation or a limited number of generations. At the same time, the scope of activities was only allowed within a certain period. A general trading license in the sector. This type of license is basically clearly priced, and sometimes the right is even granted to the district governor. However, this license has almost no privileges and authority and only exists as a business certificate. (Classic British financial solution)
After a long time, the original Emperor's license is now extremely holy, because every such license has a drop of the Emperor's own blood, and most of them are properly kept in the stasis field, and it has The authority of the family allows the family with this kind of license to almost ignore the intervention of most imperial institutions, because the license is personally granted by the emperor, and no one has the power to deprive it now, even if the head of the family who holds the license commits a crime, The perpetrators can only be arrested and executed, but the family must continue and fulfill its sacred contract with the Emperor. (empire****)
However, after ten thousand years, there are only a handful of ancient merchant families that still exist, and the empire will not be overly troubled by this.
At the same time, these ancient rogue trader families not only have special political status, they can also purchase decommissioned ships from the Imperial Navy by relying on the ancient treaties in the Imperial Office License, or even order new ships directly from the Forge World to expand their original trade fleets. , those with some money can buy second-hand Moon-class cruisers, and those with strong financial resources can directly buy the Rong Merchant cruiser specially used by Rogue Traders. This type of ship is based on the modular design of the Moon-class cruiser to improve the self-sustainability and firepower of a single ship. Later, the bulky torpedo launchers and adamantine rams were generally replaced with additional macrocannons and lances.
As far as Soshiyan knows, the Huo Yinland family has at least 16 such merchant cruisers, as well as 3 "retired" battleships, as well as a large number of small ships and armed transport ships. Its fleet strength is one of the best in the entire Maelstrom area. Stronger than the Imperial Navy.
And these are still the paper strengths of the Huo Yinland family. After ten thousand years, no one knows how many hidden ships and strengths this family that has occupied the main trade routes of the Maelstrom and made a lot of money has. However, last time Badab During the war, the Huo Yinland family did not openly intervene, but only provided transportation assistance to the loyal side. Huron did not seem to cause any trouble for them, which shows that even he has some concerns about this ancient family.
Various thoughts flashed through Soshiyang's mind rapidly. Now that he was going to launch troops against the Maelstrom, whether it was logistics or combat, the support of this ancient merchant family was indispensable.
So he turned around and picked up a goblet from the silver plate held by the waiter on the side.
"Mr. Ernst Marley Hoyinland, the cause of the Maelstrom's rebellion cannot be separated from the support of Hongshang. The Hoyinland family's ten thousand years of loyalty to the emperor is an example for everyone."
With the support of a descendant, Old Marley tried to move forward, and then bowed slightly.
"The Huo Yinland family... are the eternal loyal servants of the emperor. We will fully support the expeditionary force and eliminate heretics."
His voice was very old, but it was not impersonal, but rather clear. Soshyan nodded with a smile, and then raised his glass.
"Let us drink together for the health of old Ernst."
Soshiyang was able to give Huo Yinlande family enough face. Old Ma Lei coughed twice and said:
"How dare you, old man... how dare you accept such a great gift!"
"Your services to the Empire are worthy of this cup."
After that, Soshyan put the finished wine glass on the plate and came to the last person.
The Clemont family, the second largest Rogue Trader family in the Maelstrom area after the Huoyinland family, also holds an imperial license, but its strength is not as strong as that of the Huoyinland family. The main force of the fleet is 13 merchant cruisers and 1 A decommissioned battleship. However, the family fully supported the empire in the last Badab War, and also sent a fleet to participate in the battle against the Hurons. Afterwards, they were retaliated by the red pirates many times, and even one of their battleships was robbed. , so that the power has declined greatly. It could basically compete with the Huo Yinlande family, but now it is completely at a disadvantage.
Moreover, according to intelligence, the Clemont family experienced a serious civil strife a few years ago. A quarter of the captains in the family left the Huoyinland family, and the territory and trading station were reduced by nearly half. Even the head of the family was only 10 years old. A little boy named Yul Clement.
Therefore, the person who is really in charge of the family is the eldest daughter of the previous head of the family, Sillu Clement. Dressed in an ice-blue dress, she was holding her brother's hand. When she saw Soshiyang, she slightly bent her knees, twisted her skirt and lowered her head. After performing aristocratic etiquette, her younger brother was shocked by the huge space warrior. His face turned pale and he subconsciously took two steps back, causing a burst of slight laughter from around him.
Sillu Clement was helpless when she saw her brother like this. Just as he pulled him over, Soshyan suddenly left the Terminator's guard, walked less than two meters away from the boy, and then bent down with his hands behind his back. , said with a smile:
"Hello, little Mr. Yul Clement."
