110: Chapter 110 Your War is Just My Business Competition

"Regional Commercial Development and Trade Security?"

Levi chewed over those words, a playful smile surfacing on his face.

This set of vocabulary sounded just like the high-sounding announcements monopoly enterprises in his past life would release after merging with a competitor.

The air in the study froze instantly.

"A Feast at Hongmen!" Graham's weather-beaten old face flushed red in an instant, his grizzled beard trembling with agitation.

With a *clang*, he drew his longsword halfway; the sound of metal friction was particularly piercing in the silence.

"This is a trap! Levi! That coward Valerius doesn't dare to declare war openly, so he wants to use these despicable noble tricks to lure you into his castle! Once you're inside, you'll be chopped into mincemeat by his hidden axemen! We absolutely cannot go!"

Levi didn't look at him, his gaze still fixed on the exquisite invitation, as if he were admiring a work of art.

The purple ribbon felt smooth to the touch, and the gilded parchment reflected a soft luster under the candlelight, emitting an expensive scent of spices.

The production cost of this thing was likely higher than a month's salary for an ordinary guard.

Would someone who paid such attention to detail and cost even for an invitation be a hot-headed brute?

"My Lord, Great-Uncle is right." A low voice sounded at the door.

Rayton had arrived upon hearing the news at some point. He wasn't as agitated as Graham, but his muscles were taut, like a leopard ready to pounce.

His gaze was as sharp as a blade, filled with vigilance and killing intent as it swept over the invitation.

"This is a classic stalling tactic. After our surprise attack, Valerius inevitably needs time to assemble his knight order and city guard. This banquet is meant to buy time while lulling us into a false sense of security. If you refuse, he can use it as an excuse to claim we are being insolent and provocative, thereby seizing the moral high ground to start a war. If you accept, you're walking straight into a trap."

Rayton's analysis was methodical and clear, perfectly in line with the logic of an excellent military commander.

He paused, his tone becoming even colder: "I suggest we immediately assemble all members of the Security Department and launch a night assault on Silvermoon City while his forces are still insufficient. Even if we can't take the city, we must cause enough damage outside the walls to let him understand we are not soft persimmons to be toyed with at will."

In the study, one advocated for holding the line and avoiding battle, while the other advocated for a proactive strike. Two completely different military strategies, yet both pointed to the same conclusion—this invitation was a prelude to war, a letter from a venomous snake.

Graham gave Rayton an approving look; this was the first time he felt the words of this 'traitor leader' were pleasant to the ear.

However, Levi gently shook his head.

He casually placed the invitation on the table with a soft *clack*.

"You are both wrong."

His voice was calm, yet it made Graham and Rayton freeze simultaneously.

"The point isn't whether this is a trap or not." Levi's finger tapped lightly on the invitation, making rhythmic *thump, thump* sounds as if he were beating a certain tempo.

"The point is, why did he choose to send an invitation instead of sending an army directly?"

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over his two most relied-upon military heads: "If he were a traditional noble like you, Great-Uncle, who values honor more than gold, what we'd be facing now would be his knight order with banners raised high. If he were a general like you, Director Rayton, who believes violence is the most direct means of solving problems, our scouts outside the city would have already discovered signs of enemy troop movements."

"But he didn't. He sent a beautifully crafted invitation using the language of business negotiations." The corners of Levi's mouth curled up slightly into a cold arc. "What does this tell us? It tells us that Valerius, the Lord of Silvermoon City, is essentially the same kind of person as us. He isn't a warrior, nor is he a politician; he is a businessman. A rational man accustomed to thinking with a calculator rather than a sword."

"What does a rational man value most?" Levi asked and answered himself, "Cost. The cost of war is too high—so high that he is unwilling to pay it. Therefore, he chose another method with a lower cost—negotiation."

Graham and Rayton looked at each other. They could understand every word Levi said, but combined, they formed a logic they had never heard of before.

In their worldview, when territory is encroached upon and honor is tarnished, striking back is only natural. What did that have to do with cost?

Levi didn't explain this business game theory that spanned eras and worlds to them any further.

He turned to Evelyn, who had been standing silently by his side, quietly recording everything.

"Evelyn, immediately stop gathering all intelligence regarding Silvermoon City's military deployments."

Evelyn looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in her emerald eyes, but she immediately replied, "Yes, My Lord."

"I need you to use all our intelligence channels, whether it's bribed merchants or informants planted in various carriage companies," Levi's speaking speed began to quicken, his thoughts crystal clear. "Investigate Silvermoon City's financial reports for the past three years with everything you've got. Every major source of tax revenue, their primary trade partners, the exact quantity of their grain reserves, and... how much their foreign trade, especially exports from the Ironwood Forest, depends on that trade route we just 'acquired.' I want it precise down to every single gold coin and every bag of grain."

"Military affairs are the continuation of politics, and politics, in the final analysis, is an economic game." Levi muttered to himself; this was a famous quote from a mentor in his past life, and it couldn't be more appropriate here.

"I want to see Silvermoon City's Balance Sheet before the banquet begins."

"Understood." Without the slightest hesitation, Evelyn turned and walked away quickly.

The sound of her high-heeled leather boots tapping on the stone floor was crisp and efficient, like the operation of a precision instrument.

Watching Evelyn's departing back, Graham opened his mouth but ultimately swallowed his bellyful of questions.

He had already decided to give up on trying to understand his nephew; it was too mentally exhausting.

The following evening, the afterglow of the setting sun painted Blackstone Castle with a layer of warm gold.

Levi did not wear any armor.

That suit of fine steel armor, crafted by a dwarven master and capable of withstanding Battle Qi slashes, hung quietly in the corner of the room, cold and silent.

He changed into a custom-made black silk formal suit. The fabric shimmered with a low-key yet luxurious luster under the candlelight, perfectly outlining his tall and upright figure.

The silver cufflinks were engraved with the thorn pattern of the Byron Family, and a snow-white silk pocket square was tucked into his breast pocket.

He faced the mirror, carefully adjusting his collar. The young man in the mirror had a gentle face and calm eyes, looking less like a border lord who had just planned an armed invasion and more like an elegant scholar about to attend a high-society ball in the Royal Capital.

Graham stood at the door, looking at Levi in this outfit, the worry on his face almost condensing into substance. "Levi, are you really going like this? No escort, not even wearing personal armor? This is too dangerous!"

"Great-Uncle, this is a business negotiation, not a battlefield duel." Levi turned around and said with a smile, "Going to talk business in armor will only make the other party think you're lacking confidence, and it's very unprofessional."

He picked up a pair of white gloves from the table. While unhurriedly putting them on, he instructed Rayton to the side, "I'm only taking Evelyn with me. She's more useful than a hundred knights."

Rayton nodded. He had stopped trying to fathom the Lord's thoughts with military logic.

He only needed to execute orders.

"However," Levi finished putting on his gloves and took out a secret order sealed with wax from his breast, handing it to Rayton, "if it reaches midnight and I haven't sent anyone back with news, remember: do not attack Silvermoon City."

Rayton took the secret order,

Levi's gaze became deep and cold, and he calmly stated Plan B: "You must immediately lead the main force of the Security Department to bypass Silvermoon City and strike directly at their economic lifeline—the Ironwood Forest in the east. In the name of an 'indefinite security exercise,' completely blockade all transportation routes leading to the plantation. Remember, it's a blockade, not an occupation. All we need to do is ensure that every log and every cart of charcoal cannot be transported out of that forest."

Rayton gripped the heavy secret order, understanding instantly.

Attacking a city was war; it meant death, bloodshed, and would provoke the shared hatred of the entire Northern nobility.

But blockading a trade route was merely a 'commercial dispute.'

The former was a sword piercing the enemy's heart; the latter was a pair of iron pincers choking the enemy's throat.

"I understand, My Lord," Rayton said, bowing his head deeply, his voice carrying a hint of irrepressible excitement.

Levi nodded in satisfaction, said no more, and turned to walk out of the room.

Evelyn was already waiting outside. Today, she had traded her action-ready tight leather armor for an elegant deep blue gown. Holding a thick stack of parchment documents, she looked like a capable secretary.

The two of them, one following the other, boarded a plain carriage devoid of any family crest. In the twilight, they drove silently toward the brightly lit Silvermoon City.

The City Lord's manor in Silvermoon City was a hundred times more luxurious than the weathered old castle in Blackstone Territory.

There were marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and giant oil paintings on the walls depicting the glorious deeds of past City Lords.

The air was filled with a mixture of incense, fine wine, and food, while the melodious sound of a harp echoed through the banquet hall.

The City Lord, Valerius, was a slightly portly middle-aged man wearing a purple velvet coat with gold trim, his fingers adorned with several large gemstone rings.

He wore a noble, warm yet hypocritical smile, but when he saw Levi in formal wear even more exquisite than his own, and the cold, stunningly beautiful female companion behind him, his smile visibly stiffened for a moment.

The crude, savage upstart from the backwaters he had expected did not appear.

In his place was a truly elegant noble whose poise even surpassed his own.

"Welcome, young Lord Byron," Valerius said, taking the initiative to extend his hand. He held himself with high posture, like a magnanimous elder welcoming a junior who had made a mistake. "Your courage truly surprises even an old man like me."

After simple pleasantries, the two were led to sit at a long table.

Sumptuous dishes were served like a flowing stream: glistening roasted Dragon Beef, Elven Mushrooms drizzled with a secret sauce, and fine wine as clear as liquid gold served in crystal glasses.

Valerius was in no hurry to get to the point. He arrogantly introduced the origin of every dish to Levi, flaunting the wealth and taste of Silvermoon City. In his words, he constantly framed Levi as a barbarian who had never seen the world and had broken the rules of the elegant game among nobles.

Levi maintained a smile throughout, listening quietly and occasionally offering a brief agreement.

He sliced the Dragon Beef on his plate with elegant movements, as if he were truly enjoying the dinner.

After three rounds of drinks, Valerius finally set down his glass, wiped his greasy mouth with a napkin, and put on what he considered his most magnanimous expression.

"Levi, I must admit, you are indeed a young man with drive. However, young people are often impulsive and act without considering the consequences." He leaned forward slightly, adopting a negotiating stance. "Your people robbed my toll station and beat my guards; this is already a serious violation of the Noble Code. However, for your father's sake, I can let bygones be bygones."

He held up one fat finger: "The conditions are simple. First, immediately return everything you took, including the goods and coins. Second, compensate me five thousand gold coins for my guards' pensions and my mental distress. Do these two things, and we can still be good neighbors."

Having finished, he leaned back smugly, picked up his glass, and prepared to enjoy the humiliation and anger that was about to appear on Levi's face.

However, Levi's expression did not change at all.

He merely wiped his mouth gently with a napkin, then smiled and signaled to Evelyn behind him.

Evelyn understood, stepped forward with steady strides, and gently placed a thick document from her arms onto the center of the long table, pushing it toward Valerius.

"Lord City Lord, before we discuss compensation, perhaps you would be interested in seeing this report first," Levi's voice was gentle and calm.

Valerius frowned and picked up the document in confusion.

On the cover, a title was written in clear Common Tongue: 'Analysis and Evaluation of Silvermoon City's Financial Health and Core Trade Risks.'

He flipped to the first page, and his pupils suddenly constricted.

There were no hollow accusations, nor any words regarding military matters.

Instead, there were strings of cold, precise numbers, accurate down to the single digits.

"Your city's total tax revenue last year was 32,700 gold coins, of which commercial tax accounted for as much as seventy percent. And of all commercial taxes, the revenue from the Ironwood Forest related industries was 11,000 gold coins, accounting for one-third of the total tax revenue." Levi's voice wasn't loud, but it hit Valerius's heart like a heavy hammer.

Valerius's breathing began to quicken as he rapidly flipped through the pages.

"To build that Gryphon Route to the Royal Capital, you borrowed 50,000 gold coins from the Ironblood Brotherhood at an annual interest rate of twelve percent. The monthly principal and interest payment is as high as 600 gold coins. This debt relies almost entirely on the cash flow from the Ironwood trade to be sustained."

"What's more interesting," Levi picked up his glass, gently swirling the golden liquid inside, "is that Silvermoon City's food self-sufficiency rate is less than forty percent. Every year, you need to import at least 20,000 tons of grain from the southern grain-producing regions. And the payment for this is also provided by the income from the Ironwood trade."

Valerius's face had turned from red to white, and fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

These figures were all the most core secrets of his City Lord's Mansion!

How did the other party know?

And with such precision!

For the first time, he felt that the city walls and guards he took pride in were transparent before this young man.

Levi ignored the change in his expression and continued to state facts in a flat tone: "Me occupying your trade route is, to you, a conflict of face, a war that can be resolved with gold coins. What you lose is a channel for gray income, but your foundation remains. You will be angry, but you won't die."

He set down his glass and leaned forward, over the sumptuous dishes, lowering his voice until only the two of them could hear.

Candlelight flickered in the depths of his eyes, reflecting a bottomless chill.

"But if I cut off your timber trade, making it impossible for you to repay the Ironblood Brotherhood on time every month, leaving your guards without pay for three consecutive months, and leaving the grain in your warehouses sufficient to feed the city's residents for only half a month... Lord City Lord, to you, that would be bankruptcy."

"Bankruptcy means your guards will mutiny, the starving subjects will riot, and the predatory Ironblood Brotherhood will be more than happy to take over an insolvent city."

Valerius's body trembled violently, and the glass in his hand fell to the ground with a 'clatter,' shattering into pieces.

He looked at the smiling young man before him and felt that he was not facing an impulsive noble, but a devil from the abyss holding an account book.

Levi leaned back in his chair again, the smile on his face returning to its gentle and elegant state.

He picked up a pure white silk square and wiped his hands unhurriedly, as if nothing had just happened.

"So, Lord City Lord," his voice returned to a normal volume, echoing clearly in the empty banquet hall, "we won't talk about compensation today. Let's talk about whether you are willing to cede a portion of the shares in the Ironwood trade to purchase the 'Shipping Security Assurance Services' provided by our Blackstone Territory."