Chapter 004: Sorrow of Separation

“Young master, the Duke is waiting for you in the study.”
Old Mark’s voice came from outside the door.
“Mother, I’m going now. Please remember what I said.” Reluctantly, Du Fan stepped out of the room.
Back in the study, Duke Green was carefully studying a parchment map at his desk, so absorbed that he didn’t even notice Du Fan approaching. Du Fan didn’t disturb him but stood quietly aside, adhering to the etiquette expected of a noble—something he had always done in Duke Green’s presence.
“Oh, Du Fan, you’re here. Come and take a look!” As if sensing Du Fan’s presence, Duke Green raised his head, glanced at him, then continued studying the map.
“Father, this seems to be a map of the Lani Empire. What’s the use of it?” Du Fan asked in confusion. Duke Green led the northern army and was responsible for defending the north; he had no knowledge of the south, let alone the Lani Empire further south.
“Look here, here, and here,” Duke Green pointed to several locations and provinces. “If there’s danger in your province, or if the Lani Empire and the Gavin Empire start fighting again, take valuable items and hide in these places. Remember, prioritize your safety. My northern army will arrive in just half a month.”
At that moment, Du Fan almost cried. He realized now that Duke Green had studied the map for his sake and even found places where he could take shelter temporarily. Seeing Duke Green’s somewhat grayed temples, Du Fan felt for the first time that before him was a father—a frail old man—not the formidable Duke Green, second only to the military leader of the Gavin Empire.
Noticing that Du Fan wasn’t looking at the map but was staring at him with tears in his eyes, Duke Green lost his usual sternness. With a sigh, he said, “Sigh! You’re still so careless. Once you have your own territory, you’ll have to rely on yourself for everything. Our family’s hope of establishing a solid foundation in both the north and the south now rests on you. But be careful—just because you’re far from the capital doesn’t mean you’re completely safe. After all, the situation across the continent changes rapidly.”

Du Fan originally wanted to tell Duke Old Green that Prince Fisher was ready to attack him, but seeing Duke Old Green in such a state, he swallowed back all the words he had intended to say. He didn’t want Duke Old Green to worry about him any further.
“Two thousand guards have been prepared for you, ready to set out at any moment. But for now, they can only protect you secretly; they can’t show themselves until you reach your province,” Duke Old Green continued, still worried.
This time, Du Fan was going to take over his territory as a duke. But unlike Duke Old Green, who was a powerful noble and could return to the capital freely, nobles with fiefs were not allowed to return to the capital on their own—otherwise, it would be considered rebellion. This meant that unless something very important happened in the capital, it would be difficult for Du Fan to return again. Although Duke Old Green was strict sometimes, he still loved his son.
“Father, don’t work yourself too hard. Take some rest. You know how capable I am. There are very few who can hurt me now. I’ll be fine,” Du Fan said before turning and leaving the study. He didn’t like this kind of situation; he was afraid he might cry like a child.
“Young master, that Evan is here again,” Old Mark, who had been waiting outside, came up to him as soon as he left the study.
“Send him to my room,” Du Fan said, truly annoyed. He was about to face a province and needed to form his own private army, so weapons were essential. Moreover, he still didn’t know Evan’s true intentions. To uncover them, he had to make Evan reveal himself.
“Duke Du Fan, it seems you did as I advised. You are truly wise,” Evan said with a fake smile as soon as he entered the room, addressing Du Fan respectfully.
“I followed your advice. Are you praising me or yourself?” Du Fan didn’t give Evan a kind look.
Evan smiled awkwardly, but as businessmen, they were usually very thick-skinned. Despite Du Fan’s words, he didn’t even blush. After a brief pause, he continued, “Duke Du Fan, you really know how to joke. Of course, it’s you who are wise. How could a mere merchant like me compare to a hero of the capital?”
“A merchant? You, a weapons merchant, probably have no business dealings with me. There’s no need to flatter me like this.”

“Has Duke Du Fan forgotten the intention I mentioned before? Rest assured, my promise will still be fulfilled. I’ve already packed my equipment and am waiting for your private army to be established before sending it over. I’ll also provide an annual share of iron ore profits in advance to help you develop your territory better.” In one breath, Evan reiterated his terms, but this time he seemed somewhat anxious, promising some conditions without Du Fan even asking.

With a cold smile, Du Fan said, “I still have some gold coins, enough for the development of my territory. As for a private army, I haven’t thought about it yet.”

Evan was stunned. He hadn’t expected Du Fan to be exactly the same as before. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say next. But after all, he was a merchant—especially someone like Evan—who had plenty of tactics at his disposal. After a brief silence, Evan immediately flashed his characteristic merchant’s smile, took out several diamond cards from his pocket, and placed them gently on the table. “Duke Du Fan must not have been to the Siluo Province before. Although it’s a southern province, it has suffered from wars for years. You don’t have many subjects left, and with the farmland abandoned, the gold coins you have are far from enough to develop the entire province. Even with the income from iron ore, it won’t be sufficient. If you agree to let me mine those iron ore deposits, I’ll establish a series of weapons and equipment production workshops in Siluo Province, which will greatly boost the province’s economy and help you develop faster. Here are ten diamond cards as an upfront cost for mining the iron ore. I’ll send you the profits regularly thereafter.”

Du Fan had indeed never thought of what Evan mentioned, but it was an undeniable fact that he lacked gold coins at the moment. He didn’t just need to develop one territory—he needed to develop two. Only when both provinces developed evenly could he build his own power.

After some deliberation, Du Fan still wasn’t ready to agree. He always aimed to maximize his profits.

Taking out another ten diamond cards, Evan continued with a sad expression, “Duke Du Fan, I’ve already made the biggest concessions. At worst, I’ll give up 50% of the iron ore profits. If you still can’t agree, there’s nothing I can do. After all, I’m a merchant, and I won’t engage in losses.”

The more Evan made concessions, the more Du Fan doubted his intentions. Yet, since Evan had been able to do business on the continent for so many years, he must have his own principles—principles that couldn’t be easily broken. Du Fan was well aware of this. He deliberately thought for a moment, then first put away the diamond card on the table before saying, “I can grant you the rights to mine iron ore, but I must send people to oversee your equipment and workshop. Otherwise, there’s no deal.”

Evan hesitated. After all, this was the foundation of his income. But when he thought of that terrifying man, he agreed without hesitation.

Why was he so eager for iron ore mining rights? Why was a merchant not interested in making gold coins but instead obsessed with mining?

Watching Evan’s face turn gray with disappointment, Du Fan fell into deep thought again. One unsolved mystery after another lingered in his mind, impossible to resolve.

…

Early the next morning, as soon as Du Fan got up, Old Mark came in and said, “Young master, the Imperial City Guard is waiting outside. Moreover, Marquis Christopher has already gone with gold coins to verify things with the people of the Lanny Empire. He asked me to tell you to hurry there as soon as possible.”

Du Fan quickly washed up, got into his carriage, and headed toward the city gates.

“Duke Du Fan, we’ve finished counting. You’re a bit late this time!” Christopher joked as he went up to greet Du Fan, who stepped out of the carriage quickly.

“I was too tired yesterday,” Du Fan replied, excusing himself promptly.

“Duke Du Fan, shall we set off now?” Prince Quested asked politely, with a calm tone.

Du Fan wasn’t used to Prince Quested’s courtesy. He was momentarily stunned before saying, “Oh! Let’s go now!”

“Everyone, wait a moment.” Just as everyone turned to leave, four Templar knights dressed in holy armor arrived at top speed on their horses.

They approached Du Fan and Christopher and said respectfully, “We are ordered by Bishop Anthony to protect Duke Du Fan and escort him back after Prince Fischer completes his mission.”

“That seems inappropriate!” Christopher asked doubtfully. “Our empire doesn’t allow nobles with fiefs to return to the capital on their own. The Church should be aware of this. Did you hear wrong?”

“That’s impossible. We act under the orders of the Archbishop. As for matters within your empire, we have no right to interfere.” One of the Temple Knights standing in front was extremely arrogant, not even bothering to look at Marquis Christopher while speaking.
“This…” Marquis Christopher was in a difficult situation. He was about to return to the palace to seek advice from Prince Fischer when he saw a guard from the imperial palace riding fast in the distance. “Lord Marquis Christopher, Lord Duke Duvan, Prince Fischer orders that after Lord Duke Duvan escorts the envoys of the Laney Empire and takes over his own territory, he may return to the imperial capital with the Temple Knights.”