Hillston Borough.
Hastur had deliberately spent two full days here to inspect the projects and companies he had taken an interest in, mainly to see what kind of people were in charge of them.
If the person in charge wasn't competent, then no matter how good the project was, success would be difficult. And if he ran into those with insatiable greed, they'd dare embezzle as much as he invested.
Hastur had always been zero-tolerance toward such corrupt individuals.
So, in the end, out of the six projects and eight companies he examined, only two projects and two companies remained, both mostly focused on industrial research.
To ensure he would be on solid legal ground in the future, Hastur also asked his law firm to send a sharp and capable lawyer to handle a series of investment agreements.
He himself took the opportunity to indulge in playing lawyer for a moment.
After finishing all this and finally having time, Hastur accepted Greg's invitation.
These past two days, while Hastur was busy in Hillston Borough, Greg had been wanting to invite him for a meal. Only now did Hastur have the time.
In a private room of a restaurant serving Feynapotter cuisine, Hastur and Greg tasted the dishes while chatting about business.
Greg was intentionally trying to pass on some business experience to him, sharing many commercial cases and secrets, and even telling him some unspoken rules of the business world.
Hastur listened quietly. He truly wasn't skilled in this area, and Greg's presence helped him make up for this shortcoming.
"Greg, I'm more optimistic about the grain industry in the future. What do you think?"
Having received such goodwill from Greg, Hastur intentionally began steering the conversation toward issues related to grain.
Greg frowned slightly. "Right now is a period of reform. Noble land isn't worth much. With the repeal of the Corn Laws, grain prices are universally weak and sluggish. They're unlikely to recover in the short term. It's not a good direction for investment."
"Precisely because noble land is cheap right now, isn't this a great opportunity for us to acquire land? And if a large-scale war breaks out in the future, won't grain prices rise accordingly?"
Greg was pleased that Hastur had his own ideas, but he still rejected his judgment.
"Back when the Corn Laws had not yet been repealed, our Negan family already sold off a good portion of our land. My father and uncle would never agree to returning to that old path. Industry and banking are the core of our future plans."
"There is one point you're right about, this is indeed the best phase to buy land. But there's something you haven't considered: a large amount of land means you must hire a large number of farmers to manage it."
"Right now, factory wages are generally two to three times those of farmhands. Any farmer capable of physical labour will try their best to work in a factory. To keep them, you'll have to pay more."
"True, war may break out in the future, and grain prices will inevitably rise. But the future is too far and too unpredictable. The money you'd waste during that period might exceed whatever profits you might gain later."
Greg paused, then smiled. "And even if grain prices soar in the future, our profits from industry and banking will still far exceed agriculture."
"So from any perspective, buying land to grow grain is not the best choice for the Negan family."
Hastur listened silently. He had to admit that Greg's words made sense, the income from industry and banking far surpassed agriculture.
It was the inevitable trend of the times.
But there was one thing Greg didn't know.
The great war among nations was not far off. In chaotic times, finance was like duckweed without roots, far less reliable than a sack of white grain.
Only a little more than ten years remained before the apocalypse. No matter how much industry developed now, progress would still be limited.
And most importantly, the Negan family indeed didn't need much grain, but he did.
There was a saying: Build high walls, stockpile grain, and only then slowly call yourself king.
With the coming wars among nations and the involvement of various outer gods and ancient powers, the future world would undoubtedly be one of great turmoil.
For Hastur, possessing enough grain was the true foundation for surviving in such an age.
When war brought famine, a single mouthful of food could make someone willing to die for you.
Hastur nodded slightly and stopped trying to persuade Greg. Instead, he said, "Greg, you're right. But I still need to purchase a large amount of land, preferably land in Southwell County."
Greg thought for a moment, then smiled. "If I remember correctly, your Campbell family's territory is in Southwell County, right?"
"Yes. If possible, I'd like to redeem the land that originally belonged to the Campbell family, and ideally acquire the surrounding nobles' land as well." Hastur did not hide it.
"Mm, now truly is a good time. And you do indeed need a large territory. I can lend you a hand."
Seeing the faint glow in Hastur's eyes, Greg smiled and explained.
Many nobles were on the brink of bankruptcy and had long wanted to sell their land, but few nobles were willing to buy at this time, unless the price was extremely low.
The Negan family, as one of the top great noble houses, held plenty of information on other nobles, including those in Southwell County.
Helping Hastur find sellers and press down prices wasn't difficult for him.
Hastur sighed. "Greg, meeting you is truly my good fortune."
"Ah, what a pity, Hastur. Why are you a boy?" Greg sighed theatrically.
"It really is a pity. Why aren't you a girl, Greg?"
Hastur tossed the topic back and lifted a forkful of fragrant meat cubes.
"Hastur, you really refuse to suffer even the slightest loss."
"Greg, I've always thought you were more generous than me, so I'll trouble you a little more."
"…" Greg shook his head with a laugh and began enjoying the food.
After dinner, when business was done, Greg asked curiously, "I heard from Hibbert that Earl Hall asked Audrey to invite you over as a guest?"
"Mm, tomorrow evening."
"Hastur, do you think this will be the beginning of your good fortune, or the start of your misfortune?"
"I don't think Earl Hall would make things difficult for a junior like me. He has always been a nobleman with proper manners."
Greg chuckled. "You never know. Besides being a well-mannered noble, he is also a very doting father."
"Greg… are you misunderstanding something?"
"Hastur, do you really think there is a misunderstanding here?"
"…" Hastur couldn't answer for a moment. His brows furrowed, then slowly relaxed.
Perhaps Earl Hall misunderstood. He and Audrey were simply normal friends.
Or maybe Greg misunderstood, the invitation might simply be a normal family dinner. Parents naturally want to see what kind of friends their daughter has been spending time with.
…
Sunday evening, six o'clock.
Under Butler Neil's eager expectations, Hastur boarded the carriage to Earl Hall's residence.
Inside the carriage, he recalled the encouraging look in the butler's eyes, that proud expression, as if Neil was proud their family's pig was finally going to go root around someone else's cabbage.
The déjà vu was far too strong.
Hastur tried to explain that nothing was going on between him and Audrey, but Neil only smiled, treating his explanation as shy embarrassment.
"All of them… why do their minds all jump straight to romance? Can't people be a little more straightforward? Can't Audrey and I just be normal friends?"
Hastur sighed and stopped thinking about these bothersome matters.
Better to think about how to bribe Earl Hall later, no, "bribe" wasn't the right word, "please" him.
Hastur closed his eyes slightly, recalling the information Greg had given him about Earl Hall.
What the count liked, what topics he excelled at, what qualities he valued in the younger generation, and what conversational landmines to avoid.
The more he thought about it, the more awkward he felt.
Why did this feel so much like a son-in-law visiting his prospective father-in-law?
Hastur's mood grew increasingly complicated.
The carriage rolled to a stop outside Earl Hall's villa.
Hastur stepped down, greeted by the count's eldest son, Hibbert.
After a warm greeting, Hibbert whispered, "Father's not in a great mood tonight. Be careful."
"…It can't be that bad, right?"
"This is your first time visiting our home. Shouldn't you leave a good impression on the elders?"
Hastur instantly understood, Hibbert had misunderstood as well.
"I'll do my best. I believe Earl Hall is a gentleman."
Hibbert patted his shoulder. "If you feel overwhelmed, you can ask Countess Hall for help."
"…" Hastur opened his mouth, wanting to explain.
He was just here as an ordinary guest! Why were they all letting their imaginations run wild?
But he didn't explain in the end. Even if he tried, Hibbert would only take it as him being shy.
Hastur remained silent, following Hibbert along the winding path past the fountains until they reached the grand mansion with its doors already open.
"No need to be so tense. Relax a little. Our Earl Hall doesn't like overly stiff young men."
Facing Hibbert's thoughtful reminder, Hastur could only respond with a polite yet helplessly embarrassed smile.
He couldn't exactly say that the reason he had been silent all the way was simply because he didn't want to talk to him.