( Cervantez's POV )
The day that the guild hit it's first recruitment goal of amassing 10,000 members, Cervantez handed over the Guild's operations in StrongHaven to Lysa, who was going to stay back in StrongHaven City for the time being alongside her mage recruits, while he prepared to transport the rest of his guild members out of the city to the Silver Pine Barony.
Lysa stayed back in the capital while the rest of the guild moved to Silver Pine because training and raising mages required significant resources that were only readily available in big cities.
Without a proper mana concentration room and other necessary infrastructure for their training, relocating the mages to Silver Pine would prove to be pointless, and since the Guilds Training facility in Silver Pine was not yet ready, Cervantez decided that it was best for Lysa and her mage unit to stay back.
'Although we are moving to SilverPine Village, I don't have the money to cover all the guild projects that I'm going to start.
Although I've projected an image of prosperity, the Guild's finances are in a very critical position where I cannot even pay next month's salaries,'Cervantez thought, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.
Sitting in his office in the capital, he reviewed the plans for establishing the guild's new headquarters, training grounds, and mana rooms in Silver Pine Barony. The vision he had was grand, but the reality was stark.
To turn his vision into reality he needed to raise funds quickly because he had already contacted the NPC construction crews that would create the buildings he needed and had paid the base fees needed to start the project, however, he still needed to pay monthly installments to keep the project construction on track.
If everything worked out well, the Training grounds would be constructed within 14 days, the Guild Headquarters by 45 days and the mana concentration rooms, library etc in under 90 days.
To raise this money, Cervantez knew that expanding Silver Pine's mining operations was the most viable solution.
The Barony's rich silver mines held the key to the Guild's financial stability and by increasing the output and efficiency of the mines, they could generate significant revenue.
However, increasing the mine's production capacity required manpower and management, something that the newly recruited guild members could provide if they performed as Cervantez expected them to.
'We need to mobilize our new recruits effectively,' Cervantez mused.
He knew that by issuing guild quests that paid one handsomely in gold, he could gather the manpower required to supervise the mine's expansion and sale, however, to immediately put untrained individuals into the role of supervisor was a slight risk.
Although supervising a mine was no rocket science, it did require responsible people taking up the job and could not be entrusted to people who would take the role lightly.
'I need to single out the more responsible members in the guild that can take up roles of leadership and accept the burden of production pressures, as if we miss the production goal by even a day, we might not be able to make the construction payment in full' Cervantez mused as he felt both burdened and excited about the guilds future at the same time.
He had already booked a large number of tents and security mercenaries for the guild's mass movement from StrongHaven to SilverPine and was expecting to start the journey in two hours time, with the estimated arrival to SilverPine being in two days time.
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( Meanwhile, An Executive From The White Tiger Group )
A hooded man nervously ran towards the Green Jade Merchant Group Headquarters in StrongHaven City, with beads of sweat rolling down his face.
If Leo saw this man running, he would have recognised him immediately as one of the White Tiger Group Executives that was present in the meeting room with Shane while Leo gave his presentation.
He was one of the two individuals that had fainted when Leo was giving his presentation and his real identity was a business spy that worked for the Green Jade Merchant Group, which was the main rival to the White Tiger Group.
"What happened Caleb? What was so urgent that you came running from the White Tiger Office to here? You know we cannot compromise your identity right? You coming here is a big risk-" The Green Jade Group leader, Mr.Wade said as he did not appreciate Caleb taking such a big risk when the Green Jade Group had gone to great lengths to install him as a spy.
"I'm not foolish, even if my identity is compromised, today's meeting is a must because The White Tiger Group has gotten their hands on something big!
3 new revolutionary products whose competence has been tested and 12 other products that are unheard of.
They are about to take the industry by storm and the seller is going to meet them tomorrow to finalize the deal.
For now it seems like Shane is going to push for a monopoly on the products and if he succeeds, you can say goodbye to the Green Jade Group!" Caleb said, as it was Wade's turn to shut-up now as he had never seen Caleb so serious.
"Industry changing products? Are you sure?" Wade asked as Caleb quickly listed the use and price of the products that Leo was selling as upon hearing the products descriptions, it was Wade who felt his legs turn weak as he sat back down on his chair.
"And the authenticity of all these products has been verified?" Wade asked, his hands trembling as he realized how it would be game over for his merchant group should this sellers deal with the White Tiger Group go through.
"Yes…. It's all true, the products are 100% effective. That's why I'm here–" Caleb said as Wade broke out in cold sweat.
"Where is the seller right now? We must close the deal before he can meet Shane. Locate him anyhow!!!" Wade said, speaking with a sense of urgency as Caleb handed him and address.
"BlueStar Motel…." Wade read the piece of paper and immediately sprung into action.
"Gather the top executives… prepare the best gifts. We must woo this seller before Shane can.
This opportunity must be grasped by the Green Jade Group! It cannot be grasped by anyone else or we will be finished!" Wade said, as he felt like an opportunity of a lifetime was up for grabs.
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/// A/N - Bonus chapter for hitting the GT Target, good job everyone! ///