The construction of the greenhouse did not trouble the Lord of the North; her loyal old steward took over the subsequent oversight and management duties.

Meanwhile, the Lord herself needed to meet with representatives from the merchant group and factory owner group to discuss the matter of allowing them to form their own association or group.

This matter falls within the scope of her plans for Perfikot, but she couldn't allow them to obtain approval too easily.

After all, these two groups, unlike workers and engineers, belong to the social class that controls the means of production. Their purpose for establishing their group is to acquire social status and power corresponding to their wealth, rather than merely conveying their voices and opinions to her as their Lord.

In fact, this is also what the emerging bourgeoisie of the Empire is currently doing; they are seeking social status and power equivalent to their wealth in various occasions. The elected parliament in Langton is precisely a reflection of the Empire's upper echelons and old nobility conceding power to them.

Moreover, not just in Langton, the rapid development of the emerging bourgeoisie in other colonies of the Empire has indeed made them pivotal figures locally.

Those capitalists who dared to jump in front of Perfikot were not actually foolish beyond redemption.

If they were truly foolish, they wouldn't have been able to accumulate such a vast fortune.

They were just accustomed to their high status locally and the courtesy shown by the colonial Governor to them, naturally believing that Perfikot, the Lord of the North, was no different from a colonial Governor, and would likewise nod and bow, treating them with courtesy.

For a colonial Governor, this certainly posed no problem, as their roots were in the Empire's homeland, and coming to the colony was just to complete their term and leave, making governance about accumulating their own political capital.

Therefore, correspondingly, they needed local dignitaries to support them, naturally needing to win over this batch of emerging bourgeoisie who controlled a large amount of social resources locally.

But the Northern Territory is different from the Empire's homeland and different from all colonies.

The Northern Territory is Perfikot's fiefdom, it's her foundational place; she must personally grasp the discourse in the Northern Territory, rather than let a bunch of lampposts control her territory.

Thus, with this emerging bourgeoisie, Perfikot would win them over and give them certain social status and power, but would never let them grow unchecked, expand recklessly, or even attempt to overshadow her.

It's important to know that besides being Perfikot's territory, the Northern Territory is also the Empire's last refuge against the apocalyptic cold; neither Perfikot nor the Empire itself can afford to lose control here.

It is precisely for this reason that Perfikot finds it hard to show a pleasant demeanor towards this emerging bourgeoisie, which is understandable.

However, even so, Perfikot understands that the rise of the emerging bourgeoisie is an unstoppable trend, and what she can do is limit them from growing wildly, to prevent nurturing an uncontrollable monster.

As for completely thwarting the rise of the emerging bourgeoisie, this is unrealistic.

After all, if viewed from the angle of liberating productive forces, the bourgeoisie indeed is more capable of unleashing productive forces compared to the landlord class.

This is also why Perfikot agreed to accept the audience from the merchant and factory owner representatives; she still needs these people to produce various needed supplies for her.

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In the reception room of the Lord's mansion, Perfikot sampled the black tea brewed by Beifa as she looked at the somewhat reserved two representatives before her, taking the initiative to ask, "You wish to establish your own association, this I can understand.

But associations differ from one another; the resources and influence you command are vastly different from workers and engineers, so give me a reason to agree to the establishment of your association. Otherwise, you may as well go back."

Even though she didn't intend to really trouble them, Perfikot did not plan to show them much favor.

Yet these two representatives were well-prepared; they quickly pulled out a list and placed it before Perfikot.

"A small gift, not meant to be a show of respect," one of them holding his hat, smiled obsequiously.

Perfikot merely glanced at it, then estimated the value of the listed items, and couldn't help but sneer, "Ten thousand gold pounds, you do know how to part with money! But I'm not short of money."

This response did not exceed the expectations of the two representatives; after all, the notion of the Lord of the North lacking money was laughable. The entire Northern Territory belonged to Perfikot, and casually writing an appointment letter for a Pioneer Knight was worth at least tens of thousands of gold pounds. Although ten thousand gold pounds is quite a sum, it wasn't anything that needed her attention.

Yet one of the representatives maintained his ingratiating smile as he said, "Count, of course, you are not short of money. But money is the kind of thing where the more, the better, isn't it? Moreover, this is merely a gift and not the reason we intend to persuade you."

Upon hearing this, Perfikot slightly nodded; admittedly, this representative indeed knew how to speak, though ingratiating, he didn't come off as unpleasant.

"Then tell me, what reason do you plan to use to persuade me?" Perfikot looked at the representatives, finally showing an interested expression.

Seeing Perfikot's expression finally relax, the representative hurriedly said, "Count, we wish to form an alliance not out of ambition nor to become something like an elected parliament. What we hope for is merely to safeguard our own interests.

Previously, in our group, there were indeed some black sheep who left a very bad impression on you, which is our fault, and we ask for your forgiveness.

We are willing to guarantee that after the formation of the alliance, we assure you there will be no similar occurrences, and your will shall be thoroughly implemented within the alliance, and the alliance will strive its utmost to fulfill your requirements.

We just request you give us a chance to serve you."

After speaking, the representative looked at Perfikot expectantly, awaiting her answer.

Faced with the earnest expectations of the two representatives before her, Perfikot merely asked them, "How do you plan to ensure my will is implemented within the alliance? Mere words hold no meaning."

"Indeed, we have also thought about this issue. Therefore, we intend to respectively nominate Mr. Oliver and Mr. Andrew as representatives of the alliance, and are willing to accept your dispatch of representatives into the alliance, to ensure your will can be thoroughly implemented within the alliance," the representative presented their final bargaining chips.

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