Chapter 1048: Chapter 657, Two Blueprints
With Fang Hao’s arrangement,
the trade caravans within the territory began to mobilize.
Throughout the major cities’ airspace, the traces of aerial ships could be seen, transporting goods between them.
This fostered an internal cycle, where local commercial specialties could be distributed to other races.
It improved the quality of life for the residents in various areas, while also increasing local revenue.
Whoosh!!
A massive aerial ship descended, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Fang Hao stepped back a few paces, fanning away the dirt that came his way.
After the aerial ship stabilized, a tall troll leaped down from it.
He landed with a thud and then knelt on one knee, “Lord.”
This person was the troll merchant ‘Neyum,’ specifically in charge of the troll caravans in the Bloody Mountain Range.
“Hmm, how’s the caravan doing? The results have been satisfactory?” Fang Hao inquired.
He was unclear about Neyum’s purpose for visiting.
“Yes, the goods we brought this time were all sold, bringing good income for us,” Neyum’s face showed an unmistakable joy.
Life hadn’t been going too well for the trolls after the great war.
Earning a living in this way was indeed a decent path for development.
“Good, that’s good. Do you have any business with me?” Fang Hao continued.
Neyum nodded and said, “Lord, the City Lord of Lyss City, Rebecca, has placed an order at the foot of the Bloody Mountain Range, planning to purchase Speckled Mushrooms and other crops in bulk. We’re arranging to plant them on a large scale.”
Speckled Mushrooms?
Fang Hao immediately understood Rebecca’s intent.
The trolls had no use for these types of fungal plants, but they were important alchemy materials for the humans’ Alchemy Association.
As long as they were transported to Lyss City, Rebecca could resell them to Silver Wing City.
Lucky her!
She gets all the cash.
“Yes, you can cooperate with them, and I will ensure Rebecca gives you a fair price,” Fang Hao said directly, aware of Neyum’s intentions.
“Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord.”
“Anything else?”
Neyum pondered for a moment, then continued, “Lord, I see the city is still under construction. Since we trolls are physically stronger, we’re wondering if we could help out and be of some use?”
Fang Hao was taken aback; this was a proposal to have the trolls move out of the Bloody Mountain Range.
…
On a ship drifting with the waves,
two opposing factions sat in the fairly spacious cabin.
The Human Federation and the Sea Tribe.
Representing the Human Federation was the Hall of Justice’s coastal commander ‘Brule’, a burly middle-aged man with a scar at the corner of his mouth.
He glared at the Sea Tribe representatives opposite him and said coldly, “Out with it, what does the Sea Tribe want to talk about?”
Leading the Sea Tribe was the naga, lord of Giant Claw Island – Hirosh.
After obtaining transmigrators like Shi He Ming, who were captured and jailed by the Federation without negotiations, he came personally.
“Where are my people? Release them first; otherwise, there’s nothing to discuss, and be prepared for the Sea Tribe’s army,” Hirosh said, his voice just as icy.
“Ha! You think just a word from you will have me release those transmigrators that plundered and killed Federation citizens?” Brule scoffed.
“If you say they killed, did they really kill? I could also say those citizens were fools who drowned themselves by jumping into the sea,” Hirosh retorted.
“The church has the capability to interrogate, and they have confessed. What’s left for you to argue about?”
“Who knows what tricks you’ve played? I haven’t even seen the prisoners, and now whatever the Federation says is just how it is?” Hirosh stood his ground.
He genuinely didn’t want to care about the other transmigrators.
Whether they lived or died didn’t matter to him.
But Shi He Ming possessed high-level forging skills, critical for the Sea Tribe’s weapon improvements.
Having him executed would be a loss to the Sea Tribe, so he had to be saved.
“You want to discuss this matter? Then we have nothing more to talk about,” Brule said sternly.
Hirosh sneered, “Release them, and the Federation provides fifty million in resources to the pirates, or don’t blame the Sea Tribe for being uncivil.”
“Uncivil? When has the Sea Tribe ever been civil, what’s the difference between you and wild beasts?”
“Brule, watch your tone, or don’t blame me for keeping you here,” Hirosh warned.
Brule laughed mockingly, “Hirosh, do you, a minor island lord, really dare provoke a war between us?”
“You think I don’t dare?”
“If you dare, do it now! Come on, if you don’t act, you’re a coward,” Brule challenged.
The two negotiation representatives both stood up from their seats and glared at each other, eyes ablaze with fury.
Their accompanying members also placed their hands on their sword hilts, ready to act at any moment.
After a tense standoff, Brule finally said coldly, “Those transmigrators will be executed for murder in the capital. If the Sea Tribe wants to wage war, just try us. The Federation isn’t scared.”
On the sea, humans had no way to deal with the Sea Tribe.
But defending the land, plus the Federation reinforcements arriving shortly, they weren’t afraid of the Sea Tribe.
He didn’t wait for the Sea Tribe’s response and turned, leading his men away.
Taken aback, Hirosh realized the Federation was surprisingly tough.
He immediately said, “Wait!”
Brule turned back, “What is it now?”
“I don’t care about the others, but there’s a transmigrator named ‘Shi He Ming;’ I’m willing to pay a ransom for him,” Hirosh said hastily.
Brule looked at him, “I’ll pass the message to Silver Wing City, and await their decision on how to proceed.”
After saying this, he left.
The remaining Sea Tribe members were left somewhat baffled by the situation.
Wasn’t it said that humans lacked both financial and military strength? How could they be so bold?
Did it mean there had been no battle with the Undead?
Or could there be some mistake in the intelligence?
…
Trade Alliance, Residence No. 011.
Spring Auction.
Goblin ‘Kukettor’ was sitting in a private room on the second floor, his gaze fixed on the scene below, poised and ready to strike.
At that moment, the door opened, and another goblin came in.
In a low voice, he said, “Mr. Kukettor, I just inquired with the residence manager; among the items for sale, there are three orange pieces of equipment, twelve purple pieces, and various other gadgets and tools of different qualities.”
“There are also many transmigrators’ estates. I heard that transmigrators have been controlled, and as long as you win the bid, you can inherit these estates, which are also quite popular auction items.”
Kukettor furrowed his brows. “This Residence No. 011 is really quite aggressive, auctioning off transmigrators’ estates, isn’t this encouraging more people to fight for these lands?”
His follower replied, “As you know, Residence No. 011 is mainly orc territory; fighting has never ceased there, whether there are transmigrators or not.”
“Hmm, these matters are of no concern to us. Have you found out about the blueprint I need?”
“I have. It is also among the auction items.”
“Hmm, then let’s wait and see!”
…
“All right, the next item for auction is a blueprint for a dense wood processing factory, which mainly produces Ironized Wood materials.”
“The uses of Ironized Wood must be familiar to you all, not only as a material for numerous pieces of equipment but also as one of the main building materials required for a Level 15 city.”
“Whether used by oneself or for sale to others, it holds long-term value, and the blueprint is the first step in generating that value. The starting price is 570,000 Warfire Coins, and each bid must be at least 10,000 Warfire Coins higher.”
No sooner had the auctioneer finished speaking than the crowd below began to bid.
Blueprints at an auction are rare for sale.
Whenever one is available, it is usually a type that sells well.
And it was for this reason that ‘Kukettor’ had come: to purchase the Ironized Wood blueprint for Fang Hao.
After all, he had promised him.
Soon, the price had soared to 720,000.
The bidding paused briefly.
Kukettor then said out loud, “730,000.”
The goblin following him immediately flipped the bidding sign, displaying 730,000.
“800,000,” someone shouted from below.
“810,000,” Kukettor added another 10,000.
“900,000.”
“910,000!”
The guests below felt a surge of nameless anger and stood up to look toward the private booth on the second floor, shouting, “Damn it, are you actually rich or not, why always add just 10,000 at a time?”
The cursing, however, received no response.
After his outburst of anger, the guest realized that those in the upper floor booths held high status.
He had been too impulsive.
Seeing that there was no reply from the other party, he did not dare to bid any further.
After the auctioneer called out three times and still no one else bid, the gavel fell.
The processing factory blueprint was won by ‘Kukettor’.
Similarly, the next auction item was swiftly presented.
The auctioneer announced, “Coming up next is the blueprint for a Fine Stone Brick processing factory. The starting price is 750,000…”
Inside the private room.
Kukettor was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy.
Unexpectedly, the two blueprints that Fang Hao had asked him to buy were appearing one after another.
This would save him a great deal of trouble.
“Mr. Kukettor.”
Just as ‘Kukettor’ was feeling pleased, his attendant suddenly spoke up.
“What is it?” Kukettor asked.
“The money we’ve brought may not be enough to acquire these blueprints.”
“What? Hurry back and get it, go now, bring all the money I can move, hurry.”
Kukettor urged in haste.
The money for these two items would eventually be paid by Fang Hao.
He was merely fronting it, so there was nothing to fear.
“Oh, alright, sir,” the attendant immediately ran out to fetch the money.
…
After dinner.
Aromatic tea and pastries were served on the table.
Fang Hao looked across at ‘Kukettor’ patting his belly and said with a smile, “Have some tea, or you might feel uncomfortable later in the night.”
The timing was quite coincidental; Eira had just finished preparing dinner.
Kukettor had hurried over just in time.
Since he was here, he also stayed for dinner.
“It’s no trouble, I’ll be fine shortly,” Kukettor said, but he picked up the teacup and took a sip nonetheless.
He then exhaled comfortably.
After a brief exchange,
Fang Hao continued, “Mr. Kukettor, did you come here because you need something from me?”
Kukettor, with a sudden realization, bent over to pick up his small briefcase and pulled out two blueprints.
“Today, Residence No. 011 held a spring auction. I happened to pass by and managed to acquire these two blueprints for you.”
Fang Hao took them and, seeing the Ironized Wood and Fine Stone Brick processing factory blueprints,
still showed a look of surprise and delight.
This goblin really got things done; he had taken care of it swiftly.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Kukettor, this is exactly what I need,” Fang Hao immediately said.
“Ah, when a friend asks, of course, I must take it seriously. It’s nothing, really, just happened to pass by. Right, you’re covering the auction costs; I don’t have that much money,” he said, pulling out the Trade Alliance’s purchase receipt.
“Of course, I should be the one to pay.”
Source: Webn0vel.com, updated on Novg0.co