If someone uses similar methods to deal with Amn one day, then the latter's collapse and self-destruction will not be much slower than Baldur's Gate.

Zuo Si's meaningful answer: "Ensuring the smooth operation of a country and political power is nothing more than meeting two basic prerequisites.

That is, people’s needs for safety and basic material needs for life and survival.

To put it simply, it is to maintain a good public security environment and at the same time allow as many people as possible to have a job that can support themselves.

If you are not satisfied, then find ways to transfer the crisis externally.

You should have considered this a long time ago, right?

For example, the law of development and the law of the sea."

"Oh? What do you think of these two codes?"

The old man suddenly became interested, with a deep light shining in his eyes.

"By encouraging exploration and the development of overseas colonies, and sending farmers who have lost their land and citizens who cannot find jobs to other places, this is one of the ways Amn is using to pass on its own crisis at this stage. In addition to this,

There is another financial method."

Having said this, Zuo Si took out a "Dante" gold coin from his pocket and placed it gently on the table.

"I have done tests and found that the precious metal content of such a gold coin cast by Amn is only about 40%, and the rest is lead, tin, iron and other cheap metals.

This is true not only for gold coins, but also for other silver coins, silver gold coins and platinum coins.

And it explains why Amn has always been only keen on controlling trade routes instead of occupying more land.

Because actually occupying a piece of land means assuming the responsibility of protecting the residents on this land.

But you don’t want to take on this responsibility and the cost of fulfilling this obligation.

Quite the opposite!

You have adopted a smarter and more cunning way of colonization, which is economic colonization.

By occupying trade routes and monopolizing commerce in a region, local residents gradually accept and recognize the value of Amn currency.

As a result, the region will need a lot of currency to support its daily transactions and various economic activities.

Both businessmen and civilians will try their best to hoard.

And this kind of hoarding is equivalent to indirectly increasing the credit and demand for currency, and bringing unimaginable wealth to the coiners.

I call this way of obtaining wealth through coinage [seigniorage]."

The words have not yet been spoken!

Everyone present stood up and applauded.

The leader of the old man even exclaimed loudly: "What an incredible wisdom and insight! I didn't expect that you even noticed this. I originally thought that this secret could be hidden for a long time."

But Zuo Si smiled and shook his head: "No, you are wrong. I believe that many people in Faerûn have noticed the proportion of precious metal content in Amn gold coins.

It’s just that the value of currency does not actually depend on itself, but on two other things, called credit and anchors.

The latter determines what the currency can buy.

The former determines how many people are willing to use it.

The two are complementary to each other.

At present, Amn's merchants are located in every corner of Faerûn, and provide almost all types of goods.

Therefore, the currency minted by Amn will naturally be accepted by almost everyone.

But if one day Amn's finances and trade have problems and it is unable to provide so many goods, then these currencies will naturally and inevitably depreciate.

If you want to avoid a similar crisis, the only way is to maintain and expand your advantages in trade."

"Yes! This is exactly the policy Amn has been pursuing. It seems that you have a unique and profound understanding of politics, diplomacy, economics and trade. I would like to ask, are you interested in accepting a special adviser to the six-person council?

Your title?" The old man narrowed his eyes and probed cautiously.

"What are the benefits?" Zuo Si asked calmly.

"The advantage is that from the moment you accept this title, you will be the top ruler of this country just like us. You can enjoy all kinds of unknown hidden privileges, even if there is a vacancy in the six-person council.

Participate in the election under the circumstances.” The old man smiled and showed his trump card.

Zuo Si touched his chin and thought for a moment, and finally nodded slightly: "Okay, I accept it. But there is an additional condition."

"Oh? What are the additional conditions?" A curious expression appeared on the old man's face.

"Bernard and I are planning to fund an expedition recently. If nothing else happens, they should discover a strange continent on the other side of the Traceless Sea. I hope that when this news comes back, everyone here can guarantee that we

The benefits you deserve will not be lost."

Zuo Si made the request straightforwardly.

Because he knew that it was impossible to hide such heavy news, so he simply took advantage of today's opportunity to show off with the other party.

"What? A continent! Opposite the Traceless Sea?"

"Really?"

"Bless the goddess of wealth! How much trade and wealth can a completely unfamiliar continent bring?"

"Oh my God! Doesn't that mean..."

All of a sudden, the dignitaries who were originally very calm all showed reactions of shock, greed, or excitement.

You must know that Snowfall Port in the Shadowmoon Islands and Nanzalu Port in the Chult Jungle in the south have brought unimaginable profits to Amn.

It even directly allowed two families that were originally unknown to take off, and gradually entered the ranks of top famous families.

"Quiet! Mind your manners!"

Seeing that the scene was a bit chaotic, the old man at the head finally couldn't help but slap the table hard.

Under his strong pressure, order was quickly restored in the study.

But this order is only superficial.

Secretly, everyone began to make their own little plans.

After all, the interests of a continent are so great that no one will back down easily.

The old man obviously felt this. He frowned and asked in an uncertain tone: "How do you know there is a continent across the Traceless Sea? Where did this news come from?"

Zuo Si shrugged his shoulders and responded: "Sorry, I have no comment on this point.

However, by October or November next year at the latest, this expedition team should return with news and new routes.

By then, you will naturally be able to distinguish the true from the false.

And what I want is not too much, I just guarantee a 50% share.

As for the other parts, it is up to you to discuss how to distribute them.

Of course, in exchange for the personnel, materials and funds needed to develop the New World, the Amn government must provide maximum support."

The old man thought for a long time, discussed quietly with others around him for a while, and finally nodded.

"No problem! On behalf of everyone here, I agree in principle with the conditions you proposed. However, the specific details will have to be discussed after the news comes back. Finally, you are welcome to join and become one of us."

"Thank you. I am also honored to join the big family of Amn."

After saying this, Zuo Si raised his wine glass to signal to everyone present, and then made a fake drinking gesture.

Others also raised their glasses in response, raised their heads and drank it all in one gulp.

At this point, the core part of today’s banquet has been completed.

The host of the banquet, Sir Crispian, stood at the door and watched the whole process, not even qualified to say a word.

Because of the families behind the twenty-some people in the study, if you pick anyone at random, you can easily pin him to the ground and rub him repeatedly.

However, compared to those guys outside who spent money to buy tickets but are not even qualified to attend, Sir Crispian is actually quite lucky.

At least he knows many secrets that only the top brass know.

For example, how to use economic, diplomatic and public opinion methods to bring down a city-state or even a country;

Another example is Amn's minted currency, which contains only 40% of the precious metals. The six-person council will use these currencies to make money crazily and openly;

Finally, there is news from another continent to the west beyond Wuhen.

After the "big shots" in the study left in batches and returned to the living room on the first floor to attend the banquet, the ambitious nobleman finally came to his senses and said in a very complicated and envious tone: "Congratulations,

Lord Soth. You are already one of the masters of this country."

"I'm just a consultant, no big deal. And I don't have much time to waste on all kinds of endless trivial matters. My true identity is a spell caster, not a politician or family leader."<

/p>

Zuo Siman carelessly threw the glass of wine in his hand into the corner.

Ever since he saw the brewing process of Faerûn at Daggerford, he made up his mind that he would never touch any alcoholic beverages.

"That's why I feel even more jealous. After all, you have casually reached a height that others may not be able to reach after a lifetime of hard work. You must know that from the establishment of Amn to the present, the families and individuals who have been admitted into the true ruling inner circle,

The total number does not exceed forty."
To be continued...