novelraw Chapter 154: A Trade Route
Chapter 154: A Trade Route
Good heavens!
This was the first time seeing such a severe warning.
But Li Wei was also clear that the matter was inherently this serious.
The family Camp originally only needed to face the attacks of the Snow Mountain Witches; now he feared even Kakh City's legions would march over.
However, was this avoidable?
Impossible, it would happen sooner or later.
After the Level 1 Temple was built, a Priest had to be invited to preside over it. This Priest might be selected from among the refugees, but perhaps this young Priest before his eyes could be invited!
Having a Priest was equivalent to being incorporated into the system. Then the City Lord of Kakh City, George's uncle, would instantly know. Not coming to launch a punitive expedition would be the true strangeness.
Furthermore, high-level players like Hathaway and Ron wouldn't be well-behaved either.
Rather than being passive, it was better to be proactive; perhaps he could fish for some benefits.However, Li Wei was not busy agreeing to it. Instead, he said to that old Priest, "Priest Lord, my family and I are forced to wander the wilderness. I came this time to purchase materials such as Table Salt and grain, so could you give me some time to resolve this?"
"This naturally is no problem. In reality, the convocation of merchant caravans and Mercenaries also requires time. Sir George, you and your Squires can temporarily remain in Victor Town. But in at most five days, you will need to make a decision."
After saying this, this old Priest led the young Priest and left. Almost at the same time, more detailed task information also surfaced.
[Optional Neutral Faction Task]
[Join a merchant caravan in five days. In the name of a Mercenary, ensure that the merchant caravan can smoothly break through the Witches' blockade, arrive at Kakh City, and meet with Priest Joseph.]
[Task Difficulty: Three-Star]
[Task Rewards: Unknown]
[Task Requirements: After you join the team, you can leave the team at any time, but you will never be able to obtain the trust of the Neutral Faction again. Alternatively, you can also choose to give up at this time; the gods will still forgive your rashness and abruptness.]
——
This was still a task that once joined couldn't be easily exited. But it didn't matter. Anyway, he planned to undergo Task Settlement in two months. These matters could be left for the subsequent Head of Household—for example, Hathaway—to have a headache over.
Li Wei thought gleefully in his heart, but on second thought, he really didn't need to be so childish. This task was definitely very difficult, but as long as it was operated well, it wasn't without benefits. To speak the truth, did he not want to become the Rookie King?
Of course he did; he just knew that this goal was simply too difficult.
"Let's just try my best to do it. If it truly doesn't work out, I still have a Settlement Card; I'll just forcefully settle."
As the thought flashed by, Li Wei walked toward that Sir Tuck who had been standing very far away. This guy's equipment was truly eye-catching.
"Tuck, I also didn't expect to meet you here!"
"Haha! George, after you left, Teacher Ron even asked about you. He said we were fellow townsmen and I should understand a bit more. But actually, fellow townsmen my ass! We are separated by two hundred li! Come, my friend, tonight I will entertain you well!"
Of course Li Wei wouldn't refuse. He was still very happy to enjoy the banquet of a country noble. Moreover, the other party was the landlord; if he didn't build a good relationship with him, how could he conduct purchasing?
Perhaps this older brother could sell him a horse-drawn carriage?
Tuck was truly very enthusiastic and also very talkative. He took Li Wei and explained the local conditions and customs of Victor Town to him. Mm, the focal points were the female waitresses in the Tavern, the indispensable landlady, and Victor Town's specialty pine-nut wine.
From his mouth, Li Wei learned that Tuck was the eldest son in his family, and Victor Town was the family territory. Last year his old man died suddenly; Tuck returned from Weir City to inherit the territory. Everything was considered rather smooth; it was just that life was somewhat monotonous, and a bit poor.
Yes, this was something Li Wei had not expected. A small town with a population of nearly six hundred, with thousands of mu of farmland alone, a town with fertile land, convenient irrigation, and abundant products—Tuck would actually cry poor.
"George, you don't know. Every year, a quarter of the income must be handed over to the Temple, and another quarter of the income must routinely be handed over to the Duke of Weir. This year, the Duke of Weir is deploying troops against the Barbarians and is provisionally collecting taxes; my small town bears the brunt."
"In the past, when Kakh City was still normal, the family's merchant caravan could pass through Kakh City all the way to Juniper Province. Down to one trip, we could somehow earn one hundred Gold Coins. But unluckily, four months ago, I hollowed out the family's savings, even borrowing my wife's dowry, and with great difficulty scraped together a merchant caravan, hoping to make a small profit. As a result, since this caravan set out, there has been no news whatsoever."
"Under normal circumstances, they should have returned last month. I've been deeply worried about this, so anxious that my hair and beard are falling out by the handful. It's too wonderful now. George, you are simply my savior. On your trip to Kakh City, could you help me inquire about the whereabouts of that merchant caravan of mine? I'm very worried they were caught by the Witches."
Holy shit?
So that merchant caravan was organized by you! No wonder they could have a franchise right in Kakh City.
"My friend, I think you don't need to worry about anything. I have seen that merchant caravan of yours. A few months ago, they had already left Kakh City and were preparing to head to Juniper Province. Even if they haven't returned now, they should be trapped in Kakh City again. As long as the Witches are resolved, everything can return to normal."
"However, speaking of which, I am in urgent need of some materials over on my end, and also have some materials urgently needing to be sold. If you are willing to help, I am willing to take out thirty percent of the profits to give to you, my friend."
"Hahaha! George, you are truly my most beloved friend. There is naturally absolutely no problem with these things. But if you could immediately lend me fifty Gold Coins to solve my burning urgency, then I would absolutely be very, very grateful to you."
What?
Borrow fifty Gold!
Your granddad! Didn't we agree to be good friends?
Li Wei cursed loudly in his heart, but his face smiled cheerfully. Then, without a second word, he directly took out fifty Standard Gold Coins and offered them. He fundamentally didn't need to cover up anything because no one was supervising, and no one would report him for bribery.
Here, things could be this simple.
Tuck accepted it very readily; he didn't even write an IOU.
"My friend, at this moment, you have truly obtained my friendship. Go on; my Guard Captain Judd can help you resolve all your difficult problems."
After saying this, this Sir Tuck mounted his horse with the help of a few foot attendants and left dashingly.
At the same time, a line of information surfaced.
[Your Reputation in Victor Town has reached 500 points; it is currently at 'Intimate'.]
Good heavens!
"Sir George, may I ask if there is anything I can help you with? But please note, in five days, I will follow the merchant caravan to Kakh City. Therefore, in reality, you have less than five days, supposing you wish to join."
Mm, this was quite good; no need to sprout nonsense.
"I want to purchase at least one hundred kilograms of Table Salt, as well as one thousand kilograms of wheat. Additionally, I need at least twenty laborers to help repair the road. Finally, I hope your esteemed party can help with transportation."
Li Wei stated the things he needed in a single breath, not worried about not having Gold Coins for the purchase. There were many materials in the Warehouse in the family Camp. Doing business in a business-like manner through fair trade; what difficulty was there in that?
The key point was establishing a trade route with Victor Town. This was also the unfinished absolute undertaking that the previous generation's Penny had set her heart on achieving.
Hearing these words from Li Wei, that Captain Judd shook his head instead.
"Sir George, we can give you at most fifty kilograms of Table Salt. Weir City is watching very closely. As for the price, naturally it's the lowest discounted price: six Silver Coins per kilogram. This is beyond doubt; you would get this price if you went to Weir City too."
"Besides this, you must additionally purchase at least three thousand kilograms of wheat. This year is a year of bumper harvest; the wheat produced by Victor Town must be sold off. This price can be discounted somewhat: five Copper Coins per kilogram. In view of this being our first trade, we can deliver the goods to your door for free, and help you repair the road along the way. But this does not imply that you don't need to pay anything. My side will mobilize fifty farmers. You need to provide protection for them and provide the food supply for the round trip."
"Furthermore, from today forward, all materials produced on your end and prepared for external sale must also be purchased exclusively by my Victor Town's merchant caravans. This trade agreement will last for up to three years. After three years, if you can become the City Lord of Kakh City, then naturally another price can be negotiated. I hope you can understand."
"Finally, these six horse-drawn carriages must return to Victor Town in four days. When the time comes, the merchant caravan heading to Kakh City will need these carriages. However, you can order those farmers around well. Drive them back by the end of the month so as not to delay the wheat harvest, and it will be fine."
"Alright!"
Li Wei agreed without even thinking. It was truly smooth! Aside from bribing Tuck with those fifty Gold Coins, the remaining material purchases were simply turning a huge profit.
Previously in Kakh City, one kilogram of Table Salt cost two Gold Coins. But in Victor Town two hundred li away, it actually only required six Silver Coins. Although this was definitely an internal channel price.
Li Wei's identity as the heir to the Kakh Family, his potential to be the future City Lord of Kakh City, plus the bribe of fifty Gold Coins, and factors like Victor Town's trade route being severed—adding all these together was what yielded this effect.
Fifteen kilograms was used to submit the task. The excess could be submitted extra; every additional kilogram meant 10 points of Contribution, and it would compensate for the price difference by one Gold Coin. Fantastically wonderful!
The ensuing transactions were simply as fast as wind and lightning.
That Guard Captain Judd directly brought Li Wei's group to Victor Town's Lord's Warehouse. Paying with one hand and delivering goods with the other.
Fifty kilograms of Table Salt required thirty Gold Coins.
Three thousand kilograms of wheat required 150 Gold Coins.
Li Wei originally had 204 Gold Coins, but at this time it was unexpectedly a bit insufficient. Having no choice, he had to take out those three One-Star Quality deerskins to settle the bill.
However, when taking out the deerskins, that Captain Judd's gaze was undoubtedly a bit unfriendly. But upon looking up and seeing the Noble Crest on Li Wei's chest, he immediately swallowed the words in his mouth and put on a smile again.
A noble hunting elk; there was absolutely nothing wrong with the entire process. Who dared to object?
And the tanner who was found praised these three deerskins incessantly. Are you joking? Would the handiwork of a Three-Star Hunter have a vain reputation?
In the end, after a round of appraisal, the first two already-tanned One-Star deerskins were settled at the unit price of fifteen Gold Coins.
That untanned One-Star deerskin was settled according to the price of 10 Gold Coins.
This definitely still incurred a loss; could One-Star Quality be the same as ordinary quality?
Could an ordinary deer hunter shoot a feathered arrow into the eye without damaging the hide and hair?
Could an ordinary butcher accomplish such a perfect skinning and butchering?
But Li Wei still accepted it. These were all minor details. He was not a merchant. Even at this moment, completing the trade task was secondary; the focal point was opening up this trade route.
This was already a matter that could be elevated to a political height.
By now, after Li Wei paid all the payments for goods, he still had 14 Gold Coins remaining in his hands.
(End of this chapter)