I Sell Bottled Water for Gold in Another World!

"Otherwise why else would I come to your house? Lead the way to the banquet. It is about time for it," Alex said with a smile as he glanced at the sky.

On the way to the McCoy residence, Nathan told Alex about the recent developments of the syndicate.

"Our gang has absorbed many smaller gangs in Ironhold within a week that you have been gone Brother Alex. But the Wild Wolf Gang at the south gate is a tough nut to crack for us right now," Nathan sighed heavily. "The leader of the Wild Wolf Gang, his name is Viktor by the way he used to be a martial arts instructor once. And he is incredibly skilled in it.

Our brothers have tried to take over the black market there many times, but we just get beaten back every single time."

"Brute force is useful, but more often you need to use your brain," Alex said calmly. "An acquisition does not have to be hostile always. A merger can work just as well. No one will turn their back on money.

Offer Viktor a small share of the profits. If he is not a fool, he will naturally join the gang."

"Boss, you mean we should give Viktor and his men a cut of our profits from the goods?" Nathan's eyes brightened with understanding. "That way, we can open up the market in the south district and get Viktor to join us. Killing two birds with one stone?"

Alex nodded approvingly.

Nathan is indeed sharp. He understands with just a little hint.

"But Boss what if he does not accept the offer."

"Than we will do as once Britishers do, Divide and conquer."

"Divide and Conquer?"

"That is just in case, first give them the choice if even then they did not yield I have a plan."

"Sure, Brother Alex."

-------

"Boss, we are here." At that moment, Nathan pointed to a large mansion not far away.

The McCoy family truly lived up to its name as one of Ironhold's three great families.

The mansion was built in a grand and impressive style, covering a vast area with intricate carvings, painted decorations, and a thick and sturdy crimson-lacquered main gate. Hanging high above the entrance was a gilded plaque inscribed with the words "McCoy Manor."

"Who are you?" As they approached the entrance, two gatekeeper servants stepped forward and asked warily.

Nathan said proudly, "This is Young Master Alex, here to attend your McCoy Manor's celebration banquet."

"So it is Young Master Alex! My apologies! This way, please!"

Upon hearing the name, the two servants became very respectful clearly they have been already informed and led Alex and the others inside.

While escorting him they had only this thought in their minds.

This Young Master Alex is a distinguished guest of the McCoy family. As mere servants, we cannot afford to offend him!

------

Alex followed the two servants through the main gate.

Inside was a spacious courtyard paved with smooth and fine bluestone. In the center of the courtyard stood an ornate fountain and several vigorous old trees, giving the whole place a tranquil and elegant atmosphere.

Passing through the courtyard, they arrived at the main hall. It was bustling with activity, with more than a dozen large mahogany tables set up where many guests were drinking tea and chatting. At the very front was an even larger round mahogany table.

Many people were seated at this oversized table. These were the powerful and influential figures of Ironhold.

Miss Evelyn from the McCoy Family was also among them. When she saw Alex a smile could not help but appear on her face, she immediately rose to greet him.

"Young Master Alex you are just on time, everyone has arrived. We were just waiting for you earlier," Miss Evelyn from the McCoy Family said with a warm smile as she invited Alex to take his seat.

The other guests in the main hall could not help but murmur amongst themselves upon seeing this display of respect.

"Is that the Young Master Alex who helped the authorities find the mountain bandits' hideout? He is so handsome!"

"So young! I thought this person of extraordinary abilities would be much older. From the looks of him, he cannot be more than in his early twenties!"

"Haha, so handsome. My own daughter is blushing just looking at him."

"Father, stop talking!"

All the daughters and ladies of Nobels are smitten by his handsomeness.

But Alex ignored their chatter and followed Miss Evelyn to sit beside her.

As for Nathan and Jacob, they were seated at a lower table, in ancient times they have a clear mindset that only nobels could sit together and the subordinates could only sit below.

While Alex did not like the way the Nathan and Jacob have to sit below on the lower tables, but still out of the respect of the Culture still accepted it.

"Haha, just as my daughter said. Young Master Alex has sharp brows and bright eyes, a distinguished forehead, and a tall and handsome physique. A man of distinguished appearance indeed."

At the head of the main table, a kind-faced old man smiled at Alex with his eyes filled with admiration.

Then he instructed a maid to serve the food. "Since the guest of honor has arrived, let us begin serving the dishes."

This old man was Patriarch McCoy.

As the patriarch of one of Ironhold's three great families, he held a noble and transcendent status. He was able to sit at the same table as the County Magistrate himself.

"This is my father, Patriarch McCoy. He was the one who arranged this celebration banquet," Miss Evelyn from the McCoy Family introduced from the side.

"You are too kind. For Patriarch McCoy to host a banquet especially for me, I, Alex, am truly grateful," Alex said to Patriarch McCoy with a smile and a respectful bow.

In ancient times, hosting a banquet for someone was a sign of great respect. Patriarch McCoy's willingness to host this for him was quite frankly a show of how highly he regarded him.

"You are most welcome," Patriarch McCoy said with a smile.

After a few moments of idle chat, the servants began to bring out the dishes. There were many courses, all fragrant and delicious looking.

To be able to prepare a feast of over a dozen tables during a year of famine showed just how much importance Patriarch McCoy placed on Alex.

Just then, Miss Evelyn introduced someone else beside her. "The man across from you is a very important official. He is the Vice-Magistrate. Apart from the County Magistrate himself, he holds the most power in Ironhold."

Having traveled to Ironhold so many times, Alex had some understanding of the governmental system here.

The system was primarily a centralized one. The County Magistrate was appointed directly by the central government which in turn is managed by a King.

In any given region, the County Magistrate was the highest authority. Under him were various positions such as the Chief Administrator who managed civil affairs, the County Sheriff who managed security, and the Warden who managed the prison. Among them, the second-in-command was the Vice-Magistrate who had the authority to oversee almost everything.

"Haha, I never expected our Ironhold to have such a person of extraordinary abilities like Young Master Alex who helped us capture the bandits that stole Ironhold's relief grain. Having you here is truly a great fortune for our city." Sheriff Bowen raised his cup to toast Alex.

"Sheriff, you flatter me. If you had not dispatched your troops so quickly and prevented the bandits from escaping, it would have been useless even if I had provided their location," Alex replied as he also rose to return the toast politely.

It was at this very moment that a dissonant voice rang out.

"I am just curious, Young Master Alex, how did you learn of the bandits' hiding place? Our city of Ironhold expended so much manpower and resources without finding a single clue, yet you managed to find it so easily?"

"There is something suspicious about this matter!"

"Could it be that Young Master Alex is in league with the bandits?"

At the main table, a man with a disagreeable face questioned in a strange and accusatory tone.

As soon as these words were spoken, the expression of everyone present changed dramatically!

That is right.

To find the bandits' hideout, the County Magistrate had sent out over a hundred scouts, yet none had succeeded.

And yet this Young Master Alex who had suddenly appeared in Ironhold found it?

The matter is far too coincidental!

Patriarch McCoy frowned deeply but said nothing. It was not his place to speak up for Alex now. He could only wait for Alex's explanation.

"That ugly looking man is Henrik, the eldest son of the Henrik family which is one of the three great families. He is not a good person. Young Master Alex, you should be wary of him," Miss Evelyn said as her fine eyebrows knitted together with concern.