Chapter 86: Chapter 82: The Stranger Raven
Luo De mentioned that his price is indeed the minimum retail price he can accept, and with such profits, he can easily recoup all his traveling expenses and escort fees for this trip, with some surplus.
The profit from selling salt will be the pure profit for Man Xiu.
The key is that this journey is short, and there’s no need to venture deep into the Northern Wasteland.
What a great profit!
Of course, this is just an optimistic prediction.
If luck is bad, the new paper may not be accepted by the nobility, not a single sheet sold, and can only be kept for the guild’s own use.
This is the risk that merchants must bear, the cost behind wealth.
Man Xiu understands this well, but he is still willing to try.
Only by taking risks can one possibly gain substantial rewards.
"Lord Baron, what goods would you like me to bring next time, I will do my best to serve you!"
Man Xiu’s voice was filled with unmistakable enthusiasm,
No amount of risk affects his gratitude toward Luo De.
This Baron has indeed been very good to him as a merchant, be it from friendship or interest, he needs to put more thought into repaying.
"Stone masons, blacksmiths, and more slaves, preferably male slaves, the more the better, unlimited."
Frost Leaf Town’s expansion has progressed quickly due to the significant increase in manpower, and it’s nearing completion.
It’s worth mentioning that some young women among the Wildmen have become strong and energetic under the nutritionally sufficient and balanced meals at Frost Leaf Town, working as well as the male slaves.
Although perhaps slightly lacking in strength, they still work efficiently and swiftly.
Their nimble skills even surpassing in some delicate tasks.
This has made many male slaves particularly fond.
After all, in this era, the criteria for lower-class people choosing a partner are health, ability to work, and ability to bear offspring, beauty is secondary.
And the spiked fence in Frost Leaf Town is only temporary; in the future, Luo De still plans to build solid walls, even a castle.
So, slaves who are craftsmen—no matter if it’s ten more—he would not mind.
"Lord Baron, forgive me for being presumptuous, you truly are unlike any noble I’ve interacted with."
Man Xiu couldn’t help but sigh in admiration, his gaze filled with confusion and respect.
"Oh?"
Luo De didn’t get angry at these words, a teasing smile played at the corners of his mouth,
"Is it because I dress too shabbily?"
Luo De glanced down at his attire, clean and tidy, but indeed quite simple compared to other nobility.
"No, no, no, clothing is a poor determinant of identity, after all, many merchants dress more like nobility than nobles themselves, but can never shake off being seen as lower class."
Man Xiu hurriedly waved his hand, explaining, "Other nobles always start off very polite when first acquainting themselves.
But after getting to know them better, one finds that they constantly look down on us, feeling merchants are the lowest, undeserving of trust."
Man Xiu’s smile carried bitterness, his eyes showed helplessness.
"But with you... it feels quite the opposite, you may sometimes be stern, but I have not felt discrimination."
"Other nobles love indulgence, no matter how diligent the lord, he will inevitably request me to bring goods for delight and pretty female slaves."
"Only you ask only for slaves and ironware, focused solely on developing your territory, with no desire for enjoyment."
Man Xiu’s words were filled with respect.
"Ah? Really?"
Luo De rubbed his chin, recalling for a moment, "I have also asked for honey and spices."
"Honey and spices at most are scarce goods, not indulgences..."
Man Xiu gave an awkward look to Luo De, "Silver tableware, silver candlesticks, beautifully embroidered curtains and sheets..."
Who has money to waste on such junk?
Luo De thought to himself but merely chuckled twice without saying more.
Actually, I too wish to enjoy, want fifty beautiful female slaves to serve me in turn.
But without a stable and powerful territory, Luo De always felt uneasy.
A lord without strength is easily prey for others.
Perhaps prioritizing farming and development is ingrained in someone like me.
In past life games those habits of constant upgrade and expansion have become instinct.
"Just wait, Man Xiu, once my castle rises from the ground, I will desire the same as other nobles."
Luo De said with a smile, "But now, you still need to bring more slaves for me, the more the better."
"Of course, as you wish."
Man Xiu respectfully bowed, his movements smooth, with genuine respect.
"My Lord, there are some matters that require reporting to you."
Just as Luo De and Man Xiu were about to discuss the details of goods, Durant hurried over.
Man Xiu, very tactfully, did not wait for anyone to speak, he proactively said, "You attend to your matters first, Lord Baron, I will discuss some ideas about wine with Lawrence."
Luo De nodded, and Man Xiu bowed before leaving.
"What happened?"
Luo De turned to Durant, his voice calm and deep, his gaze sharp.
"Sean’s pigeon coop just had a raven suddenly fly in, it brought a message."
Durant presented the letter with both hands to Luo De.
Luo De took the letter and opened it, the message inside was very brief,
"Simon has been executed, Hawk war losses are trivial but guard well. Use more of the new paper."
After reading, Luo De’s gaze grew profound, handing the letter back to Durant.
"It’s about Simon, the same matter we discussed yesterday."
Durant glanced at the letter, somewhat surprised,
"Where did this information come from? Who would leak this to us?"
"Where is that raven?" Luo De asked.
"It opened the cage itself, stole and ate two of Sean’s jerky sticks, then flew away."
Durant felt a bit helpless.
Luo De nod gently, thought for a moment, suddenly smiled,
"A raven so aware of paths and crafty, knowing about Simon and our matters, and mentioning the new paper, can almost certainly be Lusen."
Given that Lusen might be leading a merchant team, Luo De felt it could possibly be persons from the Dawn Society.
Seems like they haven’t squandered his kindness.
"You’re right, it must be them."
Durant felt relieved, thought momentarily, then suggested, "We can recruit more reservist militia, teaching them the simplest fighting techniques.
This won’t interfere with their work and will prepare us against the Falcon Lord."
"Among the Wildmen, there are quite a few good candidates."
Durant couldn’t help but mention the Wildmen again, "And now they hold you in great res... reverence."
The final word was notably changed by Durant, but he wasn’t exaggerating.
He heard the Bai Shuang Barbarians personally, before meals, bow their heads, close their eyes, muttering as if in prayer.
——Thanking the Saint Master for his gifts.
They use the common language, this being the first sentence of common language they learned.
"How are they doing in learning the common tongue?" Luo De inquired.
"Just some simple vocabulary."
Durant reported, "This isn’t the fault of Prophet Bai Shuang and Lawrence, Wildmen with linguistic talent are rare."
"Hmm, I understand."
Luo De did not reproach.
People can’t be all-rounders; a robust physique is usually paired with a less agile mind.
"Execute as you suggested; currently we aren’t lacking weapons."
The goods Man Xiu brought include twenty Longswords, thirty Round Shields, and ten Longbows, now all belonging to Luo De.
Luo De instructed, "Let Prophet Bai Shuang follow, observe their fighting methods, adjust training tactics accordingly, I recall their spear-throwing is very precise."
"Understood, Lord Baron."
Durant responded, bowed, and withdrew to make arrangements.