Chapter 245: Sudden Intelligence

The second thing Luo Ning wanted was naturally related to the iron mine in Chishan Town.

But he also understood that relying on father-son ties to claim a share was impossible.

Moreover, Viggins held only a small portion of this mine—he had no authority to decide anything.

So Luo Ning never entertained such thoughts.

“I hope Father can help me negotiate with those in Chishan Town, so that the iron ore produced there can be sold to me at a discounted price.”

Last time, Rogner and the others had purchased fifty thousand jin of iron ore at eight copper coins per jin, costing four hundred gold coins altogether—not even counting transportation or subsequent smelting expenses.

“You want iron ore?”

Viggins caught his intent and was taken aback: “Do you plan to smelt iron yourself in the Ubei Domain?”

Luo Ning nodded. “Ubei has vast forests to serve as fuel—I can smelt iron myself. That way, I’ll save a great many gold coins.”

From iron ore to wrought iron, the price at least quintuples or sextuples.

Smelting it himself wouldn’t just save money—it would also allow him to produce precisely the molten iron he needed for casting.

“How much iron ore do you estimate your domain will need annually?” Viggins asked next.

“Last night, I made a rough calculation—the Ubei Domain likely requires about two hundred thousand jin of iron ore each year. But that’s only current demand. Once Ubei develops further, the need will grow even greater.”

Two hundred thousand jin of iron ore, at today’s smelting standards, might yield six to eight thousand jin of iron at best.

Such a quantity might even exceed Ubei’s current consumption.

But that didn’t matter. Ubei had no mines of its own; acquiring iron ore cheaply from outside was effectively stockpiling a strategic resource.

Beside him, Carbil regarded Luo Ning with new respect.

This young viscount had named that figure without hesitation—clear proof he understood his domain’s situation intimately.

He couldn’t help thinking: “Luo Ning has been lord for less than a year, yet he handles affairs like a seasoned noble. When did he change so drastically?”

Meanwhile, Viggins weighed the numbers in his mind, calculating potential profit.

After a long pause, he said: “I can offer you six copper coins per jin—a discount. But you must transport the ore yourself from Chishan Town to Ubei. I won’t handle logistics.”

On the open market, iron ore ranged from five to eight copper coins per jin—prices fluctuated with transportation costs and demand.

In wartime, as a strategic resource, its price would inevitably soar.

Though Viggins made Luo Ning bear the burden of transport, six copper coins per jin was still a concession.

“Agreed. But Father, don’t sell me substandard ore.”

Viggins chuckled. “Rest assured—the iron ore from Chishan Town isn’t the finest, but it’s certainly not poor quality.”

His mood lifted instantly.

He held a ten percent stake in the Chishan mine, entitled to roughly three hundred sixty thousand jin annually.

Yet he handled none of the mining, transport, or sales—he simply collected money from Koryn and Hahn each year.

Today’s agreement with Luo Ning meant he’d effectively sold a large portion himself—estimating a few hundred extra gold coins in profit.

“Luo Ning, if your Ubei Domain can absorb even more iron ore, I might offer further discounts. For instance, twenty thousand jin at six copper coins—then the next hundred thousand jin, I’ll give you five copper coins per jin.”

Luo Ning grinned. “With Father’s and Carbil’s help, Ubei’s population will grow. In two or three years, I’ll need far more iron ore.”

“Hah! Good!” Viggins laughed heartily. “Manage your domain well—I believe in you!”

Carbil chimed in: “With Luo Ning’s abilities, I’m certain Ubei will soon host a city as grand as Wushan City.”

The leisurely afternoon passed swiftly. As dusk fell, guests arriving for tonight’s banquet began streaming into Wushan Castle.

Beyond the nobility, Dianni had enlisted Holwart to hire Wushan City’s finest performers.

After all, a banquet of mere drinking and meat-eating would be dull—music, dance, ballroom waltzes—all must be arranged.

In both his past and present lives, Luo Ning had never celebrated a birthday so lavishly. All thanks to the privilege of nobility.

But more than that—thanks to his changed status and position today.

His former self, a lazy, uneducated wastrel, had merely gathered a few friends at Wushan Academy for a modest celebration.

At the banquet, Rulans appeared as well. He exchanged warm words with Luo Ning and greeted others present.

It was his first public appearance since the new year. The rumors that he, like Ason, was too ill to rise from bed would surely crumble tonight.

“Luo Ning, here’s a letter.”

Rulans pulled him aside and withdrew an envelope from his coat.

“Who wrote it?”

Luo Ning took it, surprised.

“Of course—Branka.”

Rulans chuckled. “It arrived this morning—just in time.”

Luo Ning stepped into a corner of the ballroom and unfolded it.

It was a birthday greeting. Branka’s handwriting was elegant; though her words held no overt declarations of love, longing shimmered between every line.

Luo Ning smiled wryly. He hadn’t realized his charm ran so deep—he’d left such a lasting impression on her heart.

“What are you smiling at, Luo Ning?”

McKinney approached. “Come, dance with me.”

Luo Ning sighed. “Come now, beautiful sister—has no one asked you to dance?”

McKinney laughed. “I’m no unmarried maiden. Who dares approach me so easily?”

It was true. Noblewomen had many considerations before accepting a dance invitation—status, the suitor’s identity, his motives.

“Very well.”

Luo Ning reluctantly tucked the letter away, rose, and took McKinney’s hand into the dance floor.

After several banquets, his dancing had improved remarkably.

Meanwhile, compared to the lively ballroom, Viggins’ courtyard was eerily quiet.

Once, he had been the brightest star at every dance. Now, he could no longer dance.

Once his meal was done, he slipped away quietly.

At moments like these, he cursed the cursed Skeleton Society.

Had that incident never occurred, how peacefully he’d be living now.

*Knock! Knock! Knock!*

A frantic pounding at the door darkened his mood further.

“Who is it?”

“Lord, it’s me—Carolina.” A pleasant female voice replied.

Viggins’ scowl softened. “Come in.”

Carolina entered. As Wushan Castle’s liaison officer, she was middle-aged but still strikingly beautiful—though she couldn’t rival Dianni, her charm was enduring.

“Why aren’t you enjoying the banquet? Why come to me?”

Carolina offered no further explanation, but thrust the letter forward, her voice urgent: “My Lord Count, this is a letter from Lord Koryn of Giantrock City—highest priority!”

“What?”

A cold jolt struck Viggins. He tore open the envelope with swift, impatient hands and seized the letter inside, scanning it rapidly.

As he read, his face flushed deeper, his breath growing ragged and shallow.

Carolina, who knew Viggins well, understood at once: the letter contained something that had ignited his fury.

From recent correspondence with Giantrock City, from Viggins’s own actions, and now from the letter’s urgency—she harbored a dread suspicion.

Had something gone wrong in Crimson Mountain Village?

And then, as he finished reading, Viggins erupted in a roar of rage: “Damn it! How could this happen!” (End of chapter)