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Chapter 606: Let's All Get Rich Together

Night had fallen.

Demuville felt lucky to be assigned the "procurement" task, meaning he could rest in the town's small church that night.

The "Leisure," having unloaded its cargo, couldn't return empty.

It would return laden with wool, timber, leather, and even tea purchased from Norfolk. Most of these goods would be unloaded in Calais, France, while some would head directly for the Port of Le Havre.

However, the Puls Gang required them to declare their goods and pay taxes as per regulations on the French side. While this severely squeezed profit margins on the return journey, each smuggling vessel had a Puls Gang "liaison" watching, ensuring captains wouldn't stray.

These British-sourced raw materials, purchased locally, were still cheaper than the official prices offered to France. Thus, the profits were just about acceptable to the captains. After all, the outbound trip to Britain had already filled their coffers.

Demuville, who had been moving dried oak planks for half the night, yawned widely and was about to take a nap. Another shipment might arrive after dawn, so he needed to conserve his energy. The pay for this job was high, but it was certainly exhausting.

The church's priest thoughtfully provided blankets for the sailors.

As a devout Catholic, Demuville looked at the kindly smiling Protestant priest before him, hesitated for several seconds, and finally accepted the blanket—it was simply too cold sleeping on the church floor.

Jacques Barrouin, the Puls Gang's steward here, woke everyone up, then went to a second-story window to look outside.

Demuville found a gun thrust into his hand by an unknown person. He cautiously peered out the window, spotting five or six horses galloping toward the church in the morning sun, clearly not for a delivery.

Madeno also came upstairs to the second floor, asking nervously, "Mr. Barrouin, could it be the British anti-smuggling squad?"

"Not yet," Barrouin replied, frowning and shaking his head.

The Special Trade Association had informants near the Norfolk anti-smuggling squad and police, who would immediately report any unusual activity. There had been no slip-ups in the past few months.

A priest greeted them at the door, spoke with the newcomers for a while, then returned to the second floor and told Barrouin, "It's neither the anti-smuggling squad nor the police."

The latter breathed a sigh of relief. "Then who are they?"

"Well... you'd best ask them yourself."

Barrouin tucked his pistol into his waistband and approached the church entrance with a puzzled expression. He heard the well-groomed middle-aged man opposite him say, "Are you in charge here?"

"I am in charge here. And you are?"

The middle-aged man smiled, indicating, "I understand this church conducts some... special business."

Barrouin immediately moved his hand behind his back, asking warily, "So, what do you want?"

The middle-aged man made a calming gesture with both hands. "Relax, friend. My employer believes your current business methods are a bit... ah, inefficient.

"If possible, he's interested in 'acting as agent' for the goods you transport to Norfolk, and selling them in a more efficient manner."

Barrouin was momentarily stunned.

"How did you find this place? And who is your employer?"

"With so many high-quality, inexpensive goods appearing on the market, anyone with a keen eye can trace their origins. Believe me, we can help you plug this loophole."

The middle-aged man glanced around and continued, "As for my employer, you've certainly heard of him. Lord George Hoon."

...

Paris.

In the Minister of Trade's office at Versailles, Bailly perused the documents submitted by the Special Trade Association, a smile he couldn't hide gracing his face.

"Lord George Hoon." He handed a report to Major Gallard, head of the Intelligence Bureau's Trade Investigation Office, who sat opposite him. "An old Norfolk family, well-connected with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, the mayor, tax officials, and several council members. He has promised to sell our goods through official channels via the local Chamber of Commerce, doubling sales in a short period. He can also offer protection from the police.

"However, he demands a twenty percent cut of the profits and the right to set prices for the goods in Norfolk."

The latter glanced at the report in his hand, then at the thick stack of documents on Bailly's desk, his expression filled with emotion.

The Intelligence Bureau had previously judged that finding "partners" in Britain and its colonies would be the biggest challenge. They had planned to allocate half of the Trade Investigation Office's manpower and 300,000 Francs in funds for this.

To their surprise, they hadn't had to exert any effort; numerous British powers had proactively approached them seeking cooperation. And their asking prices were considerably lower than initially estimated.

"I'm starting to like these British gentlemen," Bailly said, handing over another report. "This is Mr. David Havers from Hampshire. Coincidentally, his uncle is the deputy commander of the southern coast anti-smuggling squad. However, his appetite is rather large; he wants control of the market from Plymouth to Portsmouth...

"Ah-ha, you'll never guess this one! Baron Henry Graves also hopes to cooperate with us."

"Baron Graves? You mean, the Assistant to the Governor of British Newfoundland?!"

"Precisely," Bailly beamed. "He even offered to dispatch ships to pick up cargo on a small island in the Atlantic, then return to Canada flying the British flag."

In this era, Canada was still merely a geographical concept, with the few British colonists concentrated in a small area around the Great Lakes. Thus, the name Newfoundland was often used to refer to all British colonies in North America, highlighting the significant influence of the Governor of Newfoundland.

"Could this be a British trap?" Major Gallard asked cautiously.

"I believe it's unlikely," Bailly said, pointing to a few lines on the report. "Over sixty percent of our first shipment to Canada was purchased by him personally. That amounted to a full 350,000 Francs worth of wine and textiles."

"I will send people there to verify again..."

In just the past month, the Special Trade Association had "gained" seven significant partners in Britain and its colonies, establishing comprehensive transportation and sales channels with their assistance.

There were even partners like the Assistant to the Governor of Newfoundland, who brought their own ships as an investment.

As for Portugal's Brazilian colony, the Creoles there were already constantly agitating for independence and demanding free trade rights. Consequently, when the affordable and useful French goods arrived, they were immediately met with an enthusiastic welcome.

José Xavier, the leader of the Brazilian independence movement, personally sent people to establish contact with the smuggling fleet, assisting with sales and even ordering a batch of military supplies, including tents and medicine.

On the Indian Peninsula, France's old ally, Mysore, served as a "distributor." Once smuggled goods reached the peninsula, the extensive border between Mysore and the various local states became impossible to control.