Chapter 014: An Invitation

Du Fan sneered and said, “What if I insist on taking action? Are you, Lord Oscar, ready to stop me? Or are you planning to go and inform someone so that Baron Gabriel can flee faster?”
Oscar smiled bitterly and replied, “Young Master Du Fan, you’re joking. I’m just an ordinary bard. How could I possibly stop you? And how would I dare to go and inform anyone? If it were any other time, Young Master Du Fan, even if you wanted Gabriel’s life or wanted to massacre the city, I wouldn’t stop you. But at this moment, this city lord of Gabriel must not die under any circumstances.”
Du Fan said calmly, “If you, Lord Oscar, can come up with a reason, maybe I’ll consider sparing his life.”
Oscar replied, “Young Master Du Fan, you’re joking. How could I possibly have the ability to say such things? I merely want to remind you of a few things.”
“What things?”
“Young Master Du Fan,” Oscar smiled faintly and stared at him, “have you ever noticed that everything in this city lord’s mansion doesn’t quite fit the status and identity of a city lord?”
“Oh?”
Oscar sighed slightly, looked up at the bright moon above, and said in a low voice, “This city lord’s mansion… it can no longer be called a mansion at all. It’s actually a… den of debauchery… But isn’t it strange to have such a place in a desolate place like the Northlands?”
Du Fan nodded and asked, “So what?”
Oscar paused for a moment before saying, “With your great intelligence, Young Master Du Fan, you must have already noticed these inconsistencies. But I’m afraid you definitely can’t guess why such a place exists here.”
“Actually, it’s quite simple to explain,” Oscar said softly. “Because the Northlands is in chaos, that’s why… such a place is needed to bring order… Do you understand what I mean, Young Master Du Fan?”
Du Fan shook his head.

Oscar gave a bitter smile, seemingly pondering how to explain it: “This northern land makes up half of our Gavin Empire’s territory. But due to the cold and constant warfare, it has never been able to develop. Yet, this land is crucial to the empire—after all, the barbarians in the north are enemies we cannot afford to underestimate, and this land is the only front line against them. If we were to lose it, the barbarians could cross here and march deep into the empire’s heartland… Who could then resist them?”
“So, the empire’s policy over the years has been to do everything possible to establish people in this northern land… Because if only the army is there, it’s impossible to hold onto this land. Only with a large population moving there, people living in the north and building cities, can we truly claim to have secured it. That way, even if the barbarians invade in force, we have cities as defensive lines to stop their advance.”
“But what’s most needed to build a city? Population… Only with a large population can the economy develop, and only then can the north truly progress. However, increasing the population solely through efforts from the capital isn’t enough. At such times, large merchant groups need to take root here, so that the economy of the north can develop, and only then will people voluntarily move there.”
“But what do merchants care most about? Profit. No one will do anything without profit. At first, the empire offered various benefits to attract those merchant groups. Even the luxury resorts in the city lords’ residences were created to provide enjoyment for the merchants. Of course,” Oscar added with a bitter smile, “the empire will never admit these things. It was all a long time ago, and now those resorts have largely lost their connection to the empire, becoming sources of income for merchant groups and local forces in the north.”
Du Fan said calmly, “I know most of what you’ve said. After all, this north can be considered the domain of the Northern Legion. But what does this have to do with me killing Gabriel?”

Oscar sighed, “The merchants and nobles in the North have long formed a united interest group. For various reasons, they stick together and are exclusionary. Anyone who threatens their interests will not end up well. Young Master Du Fan, don’t underestimate Baron Gabriel just because his title is low; his status within that large group in the North is by no means insignificant. You can tell this from the fact that he even dares to defy the Northern Legion.”

“And then…” Oscar sneered. “Young Master Du Fan, do you really think your encounter with those reckless guys at the city gate today was a coincidence? Those soldiers usually target merchants and nobles who refuse to join the North’s interest group—how could they attack you for no reason? Even if you keep a low profile, by the time you appear in the North, you’ve likely already been thoroughly investigated. If I’m guessing correctly, those soldiers attacking you were probably ordered by Gabriel. Besides testing you, Young Master Du Fan, did he not also intend to show the Northern Legion who’s in charge?”

Du Fan thought for a moment. Sparked by Oscar’s words, many things he had been puzzled about suddenly became clear. He sneered inwardly: So you’re Gabriel, thinking I’m just dough at your disposal?

He looked into Oscar’s eyes and asked seriously, “Since they know I’m from the Green family… why does Gabriel still dare to attack me?”

Oscar snorted and said, “These people from the north, due to various reasons, have long been left uncontrolled by the empire. If it weren’t for the Northern Legions constantly guarding the north, this group might have already caused some upheaval and established a new empire. Tell me, what would they do to the Northern Legions in such a situation? Right now, your Green family is already seen as a thorn in their side. Although you, Young Master Du Fan, have a high status, how high can it really be? They currently lack an excuse; if they had one, they would have eliminated you right away to vent their anger. And even if they killed you… I doubt the empire would dare to take action, and even your father, Duke Green, would have to swallow this humiliation. So, Young Master Du Fan, think carefully—what consequences would arise if you rashly killed Gabriel? This northern interest group has intricate connections with various families in the capital… Killing one person might even lead to the downfall of your Green family… By then… the north would probably no longer be part of the empire.”

“So, Young Master Du Fan, I advise you,” Oscar said with a wry smile, “since Gabriel has already shown you respect, it’s best to act as if this never happened. Besides, from what Gabriel seemed to imply tonight, there’s a hint of goodwill toward you. I think he might even offer you some benefits at that small banquet later. So, just let it go. As for this man… you really can’t kill him.”

Du Fan gave Oscar a deep look. Although he seemed to be earnestly advising him, he inadvertently suggested that the ambush he suffered was orchestrated by Gabriel. Though it seemed like an accidental remark, it was hard to tell whether it was truly accidental or not.

Du Fan couldn’t decide for a moment. Then, he smiled faintly and said, “I see. You’ve really gone to the trouble, Lord Oscar… But I still have a small doubt I’d like to ask you, if it’s alright.”

Oscar nodded. “Go ahead.”

Du Fan smiled slightly and said, “If I’m not mistaken, this is the first time we’ve met, right, Lord Oscar?”

Oscar replied, “Yes.”

“Well, Lord Oscar,” Du Fan said coldly, “there is neither friendship nor any deal between us, yet you’ve told me so much… If what you say is true, then this must be a secret of the Gavin Empire. Such things are never revealed to others without reason, especially since this is the first time we’ve met. But Lord Oscar, do you really think I, Du Fan, would believe everything you say word for word?”
“Du Fan,” Oscar replied, meeting his gaze firmly, “I have no need to lie to you.”
Du Fan sneered and said, “Indeed… You don’t need to lie to me, but you also don’t need to forge a friendship with me. Please don’t tell me that you’re telling me this out of gratitude because I gave you those twins.”
Oscar smiled bitterly and said, “Well… It’s only natural that Young Master Du Fan wouldn’t trust me. But there are some things I simply can’t reveal. Still, I hope Young Master Du Fan will believe me. If I wanted to frame you, I wouldn’t do anything at all—just watching would suffice. Why go through such trouble?”