Chapter 991:


    In the heart of Shuangqing City, in the New World, a luxurious skyscraper had been erected.


    Funded with billions, the building had been owned by the citys wealthiest merchant, Marian Corton, hence it had been named Corton Tower.


    On the topmost floor, the entire floor had contained just one rooma vast, empty spacein the middle of which a gigantic desk had been ced. A World Map had been spread across the table. At that moment, Marian, dressed in a business suit, had been sitting in her office chair. Argemunication crystal ball on her desk had been disying her father, Desmond Corton, who had been talking with her.


    With an awkward expression, Desmond had said, My dear daughter, I need to construct a new railway here, but were short on iron ore. Can you figure out which kingdom can supply us some?


    Marian had smiled and responded, No problem, let me check. She had flipped through a pile of documents and then said, As it happens, theres a miningpany on the eastern coast of the New World that has arge amount of iron ore for sale. Ill purchase it all and have it shipped back to you on sea vessels.


    Desmond had been overjoyed. Thats wonderful! Ah, the resources in the Kingdom of Gran have been declining, and they cant keep up with our consumption. We have to rely on imports from abroad now. Due to my poor nning in international trade years ago, we are now entirely dependent on yourpany for imports.


    Years before, after the ck Dragon had been in and peace had returned to the world, Marian had wanted to expand her business to the Kingdom of Norma. However, Desmond had disagreed with international expansion. He had believed that as nobility in the Kingdom of Gran, domestic business was sufficient. Expanding abroad, without the protection of domestic noble status, would entail considerable risk. Therefore, he had rejected Marians proposal.


    Marian had had no choice but to seek assistance from Robb. Robb had lent her some money and, along with Shang Hui, had helped persuade Shisu and several Eastern sects to invest. Eventually, they hadunched an international tradingpany that specialized in cross-border trade.


    Marianspany had been the firstrge-scale entity dedicated solely to international trade. Unlike those sea merchants and businesses involved in minor trade along ancient routes like the Silk Road, herpany, under Robbs guidance, had aimed high and far. They had specialized in cross-border transport and internationalmerce, all on a grand scale.


    The growth rate of herpany had been exceedingly fast. Within a few years, it had expanded globally. Those individual sea merchants had eventually found themselves unable to resist merging with herpany, bing a part of her corporate empire. Even the traders on the Silk Road and the Tea-Horse Path had be departments within herpany.


    Her business had excelled even beyond what her father had managed in the Kingdom of Gran.


    To differentiate between her and her fathers achievements, people had taken to calling her fathers business Big Corton Company and Marians business Little Corton Company. Of course, everyone had been pragmatic. Whenever any kingdom,rge corporation, or even individual consumers had needed something or had wanted to buy rare items or foreign goods, their first thought had been Little Corton Company. Even Big Corton Company had often relied on Little Corton Company for its supply chain needs.


    Having ended the call with her father, Marian had stretched and looked at the world map on her desk. Red circles had been drawn all over it, each representing a branch of the Little Corton Company that had been established worldwide.


    She had been quite satisfied with her current achievements and couldnt resist making a video call to Robb.


    The call had connected quickly, and Robb had appeared in the crystal ball. The backdrop had been an airship flying high in the sky, and he had been leisurely lounging at the bow. Lillian and two maidsone blue and one redhad been serving him tea and water.


    An envious expression had crossed Marians face.


    Robb had chuckled, What? Envious of my rxed lifestyle? You could have this too, you know. Instead of visiting me every so often, why not just live on the airship?


    Marian had shaken her head with a smile, Although I envy your rxed and slow-paced life, its merely envy. If I really had to live that way, Id miss my busy life within two days. I enjoy the feeling of fulfilling myself through work.


    Robb hadughed, Alright, alright. I have to admire a strong woman like you.


    Marian had said, The reason I called is to confirm whether my current direction is correct, if there are any missteps, and what should I be cautious about?


    It had been well-known that Godfather possessed an extraordinary ability to foresee the future. He had been able to urately grasp the direction of future developments, and each idea hede up with had usually blossomed into something beautiful in the future.


    Marian had almost always consulted Robbs opinions as she conducted her business. Therefore, she would, from time to time, ask for Robbs guidance to ensure she hadnt gone astray.


    Hearing her inquiry, Robb had begun to seriously consider her question, The direction, eh?


    After several seconds of contemtion, he had smiled, Your current direction is absolutely correct. However, there is something worth noting for the future.


    Oh? Marian had quickly asked, eager to learn, What should I be cautious about?


    Robb had said, The business youre currently doing is purely transactional, essentially just a trade of goods. While things may be smooth now, youck core technological capabilities. In the future, when otherpanies like yours emerge, youll face fiercepetition.


    Marian had instantly understood, You mean anyone could replicate mypany?


    Robb hadughed, Exactly, apany without core technological strength can be easily copied. Im sure some nobles are already nning on setting up international tradingpanies simr to yours. After all, its not difficult. As long as you have money, ships, vehicles, and enough manpower, you could create apany just like yours at any time.


    Robb had continued, So you should start preparing for this now. Otherpanies arete to the game; catching up to you will take time. Use this period to explore advanced trade technologies and strategies. For instance, develop faster,rger ships. Consider adapting coal-burning steel warships for civilian use, creating steam-powered vessels. Or research airships like the one Im in, but call them airnes, to move goods through the air. Larger-capacity trains, bigger trucks, more advanced, automated docks, and so on. Oh, theres also something called logistics that you should look into. In the future, customers will order something from another continent from thefort of their home, and your logistics could deliver it to them in five days. Then, who couldpete with you?


    Marian had quickly realized, As long as mypany can transport goods faster and more efficiently than others, and they cant replicate my advanced transportation methods, I can beat any neers and secure mypanys standing.


    Exactly! Robb had said, grinning. Thats likely the direction you should be headed in. Once others catch up, youll research even newer methods.


    Marian hadughed, Thank you so much! I feel like Ive learned a lot.


    Marian had then chuckled just like Robb, Even though were not strangers, its important to maintain some level of decorum. Otherwise, youll say that women and small-minded people are hard to deal with; too close, they lose respect, too far, they resent.''


    Robb had responded, Thats because you were really disrespectfulst time. Who disappoints others like you did? You even took out a rope and said you wanted to tie me up and y.


    Marian had given him a side-eye, You were the one who tied me up first. I wanted to see what it felt like.


    There had been an awkward pause, and after a few seconds, both had simultaneously said, Lets be more normal the next time we meet.


    Having said that, both had burst into mischievousughter.


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