At Vermilion palace, Izark had summoned his most trusted aides to the grand assembly hall of the Gremory estate. The hall, with its high vaulted ceilings and walls adorned with tapestries depicting the illustrious history of the Gremory lineage, provided an imposing backdrop for the gathering. Nearly three hundred of his most loyal warriors and clerks filled the space, their anticipation palpable. Zain had servants circulate among them, serving cups of wine to ease any tensions before he began explaining the basic plan and assigning tasks.

  "Our first target is the people." Zain began, his voice echoing slightly in the vast chamber. "When the new law is announced, I want you all to ensure that everyone understands its advantages."

  He described the benefits for the people, weaving a narrative that painted a picture of a more prosperous and equitable future. They would set up large warehouses throughout the dukedom, strategically located so that farmers wouldn't have to travel far to sell their goods. The Gremory family would buy items at a uniform price across the region, eliminating the losses farmers faced when selling to unscrupulous merchants. Although the prices might be slightly lower than what some merchants offered, the crucial advantage was that farmers wouldn't have to pay any sales tax, making it a far better deal overall.

  Zain continued, his words flowing with a persuasive rhythm. The Gremory family would then sell rations and grains to the residents at the same price they paid farmers, meaning no profit for the family initially. This arrangement would make the Gremory family the preferred seller over merchants who charged higher prices due to their profit margins.

  "This arrangement is ideal for the people." Zain emphasized, his eyes scanning the faces of those present. "Farmers won't have to pay taxes or travel long distances to find buyers, and common people will get goods at cheaper rates."

  As he spoke, the image of bustling markets filled the minds of his audience, markets where goods were affordable and abundant. The hum of approval that spread through the room was almost tangible.

  "Until now, the Gremory family wouldn't make any profit or suffer any loss." Zain continued, drawing their attention back. "Now, let's talk about the benefits for the Gremory household."

  The Gremory dukedom, renowned for its fertile lands that stretched as far as the eye could see, produced seventy percent of the food and grains in the northeastern Zinovia empire. Only twenty percent of this bountiful production was needed to feed the residents of the dukedom; the rest was traded to other nobles and territories.

  Previously, small guilds and independent traders handled the food trade. But with the new law, the entire supply chain would fall into the Gremory family's hands, making them the leading sellers of grains and rations. A slight increase in prices would result in massive profits, amounting to millions of gold coins.

  The room buzzed with renewed excitement as Zain elaborated on the potential profits. The expressions of the gathered aides shifted from curiosity to eager anticipation. Even a small share of the profit, they realized, would be equivalent to five years of their salary, motivating them to ensure the plan's success.

  "Oh yes, just to remind you, based on my calculations, the profit will be near twenty million gold coins." Zain announced with a confident smile.

  A dead silence followed his words. Everyone was stunned by the staggering amount, but this only strengthened their determination. Every single one of them, except Izark, Morris, and his knights, dropped to their knees in a show of absolute fealty.

  "We swear a bloodline oath to serve the Gremory household till our last breath." they vowed in unison, their voices resonating with solemnity and resolve.

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  The bloodline oath was a powerful pledge with severe consequences for the oath-breaker and their descendants. It meant that from now on, they were bound to the Gremory household.

  Zain looked at Izark, signaling him to take action. Izark understood and stepped forward, his imposing figure commanding attention.

  "As a reward for swearing this oath, I will give you all a ten percent share of the profit. It will be divided based on your ranks and accomplishments. From now on, you all are members of the Gremory household. Any disgrace against you is a disgrace against the Gremory household."

  The Duke's words brought unending joy to his followers. Their faces lit up with gratitude and admiration, their eyes shining with renewed loyalty. Zain gave a discreet thumbs-up to Izark, knowing these were the best words he could have said to cement their allegiance.

  "Okay, now don't get carried away. There's a second part to this plan." Zain continued, his tone turning serious. All attention returned to him as he explained the difficult part involving the merchants who would undoubtedly be displeased with the new law. They had to ensure these merchants couldn't revolt against it.

  "First, we need to cut off their support. By that, I mean the merchant guilds supported by small noble families or other influential backers. Make their support vanish by any means necessary—pay them, scare them, anything. There are not more than ten of these key guilds."

  "For the rest, buy them out and hire them for our new guild and the upkeep of the warehouses we'll be setting up. Be meticulous when hiring; many small guilds are operated by outside forces. Double-check their backgrounds."

  "And yes, hire based on talent and loyalty, nothing else. Morris and Raina will be in charge of this. I recommend you start with the plans before announcing the law. It will be more effective that way. I've explained everything. Now, it's time for you to do the detailed planning. I need some rest. Raina will update me. Goodbye!"

  Zain bowed and was about to leave but stopped, as if struck by a sudden thought. "Oh, I forgot. The name of the new guild will be the Royal Stag Guild. It will have five guild masters. Decisions will be taken by majority vote. Raina has one seat and will represent me. The remaining four seats are up to the Duke."

  After saying that, he left. The room was silent for a few seconds before erupting in animated discussion. The aides began fervently planning ideas to ensure the mission's success, driven by the tantalizing prospect of the gold coins they could earn.

  When the temptation is this huge, anyone would do anything in their power to get it. Even Izark was surprised to see his followers coming up with one good plan after another. Without any quarrel, they divided tasks and ensured no problems were overlooked before leaving the room with huge enthusiasm.

  In the end, only Izark, Morris, Raina, and a few close aides remained. They knew the plan was ambitious but had the potential to transform the Gremory household’s future.

  As the assembly hall emptied, Izark watched his followers depart with a sense of pride and optimism. The long shadows cast by the flickering torches seemed to whisper of the changes to come. The room, now quieter, held the echoes of their fervent discussions, a testament to the monumental decisions made within its walls.

  Izark turned to his son, Morris, and Raina, his closest confidants. "We have a lot of work ahead of us." he said, his voice steady but tinged with excitement. "Let's make sure we don't waste any time."

  Morris nodded, his sharp eyes reflecting his determination. "We should start by identifying those key guilds and figuring out the best approach to neutralize their influence."

  Raina, ever the strategist, added, "I'll begin drafting a list of potential recruits for our guild. We need the best minds and the most loyal hearts."

  Izark placed a hand on each of their shoulders, a rare gesture of affection. "We are on the brink of something great. Let's ensure that every step we take is in the right direction."

  Inside the estate, Zain retired to his quarters, his mind buzzing with the day's events. He sat by the window, looking out at the snow-covered landscape, and let his thoughts drift. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere of introspection.

  He thought about the farmers who would benefit from the new laws, the clerks and warriors who had pledged their loyalty, and the vast network of trade they were about to control. His heart swelled with a mixture of pride and responsibility. This was not just about wealth; it was about creating a legacy, a future where the Gremory name would be synonymous with prosperity and innovation.

  As he drifted into sleep, Zain dreamed of bustling markets, fields of golden grain, and the satisfied smiles of his people. The path was clear, and the future was bright. With determination and unity, they would turn these dreams into reality, forging a new chapter in the history of the Gremory family.