Chapter 753: Chapter 456: The Wind Rises
"Please have a seat, Mr. Marvin," Atbolde said with a smile, gesturing in his study.
In a gray robe, Marvin gave an awkward smile, somewhat reservedly removed his hood, and sat across from Atbolde.
"Good evening, Mr. Atbolde," Marvin greeted after sitting down. His posture, however, did not seem as uneasy as it appeared when he entered.
"Good evening, may I ask what brings you here at this hour?" inquired Atbolde.
Marvin glanced at Atbolde, adjusted his sitting position, and replied, "It’s like this, there were some parts of the discussion today that I didn’t quite understand, so I have come to inquire further."
"I see," Atbolde expressed understanding, his expression unchanged as he continued, "Which part did you not understand?"
"...It’s about the guided sale prices for the regions, and there are some things I’m not quite clear on..." Marvin explained.
"What is it that you’re unclear about?"
"It’s... um, the exact figures of the guided sale prices, and whether they are still open for negotiation," Marvin said offhandedly.
"The guided prices of the Tilaimei Plain are based on a comprehensive consideration of the different situations in each region and each merchant guild, which is quite reasonable. So, in principle, they are generally not subject to change."
"Of course, we also take into account that special circumstances might arise, so the specific figures of the guided sale prices can still be negotiated. The process, however, is quite complicated. First, you need to present us with specific reasons, such as excessively high transportation costs and the like, and then, after our investigation and determination, we can formally discuss any changes."
Atbolde answered seriously and then asked, "Is there anything else you wish to understand, Mr. Marvin?"
"Not for now..." Marvin picked up the red tea from the table, sipped it gently, and raised his head to take another discreet look at Atbolde, finally showing a hint of impatience as he spoke:
"If the Sandy Chamber of Commerce is willing to accept the guided sale prices of the Tilaimei Plain, how much of a share could specifically be allocated to us?"
"The Sandy Chamber of Commerce is willing to accept the guided prices of the Tilaimei Plain?" A smile appeared on Atbolde’s face.
"I’m just asking for now," Marvin quickly added.
"Oh, no worries, feel free to inquire anytime," Atbolde said with a smile. "If the Sandy Chamber of Commerce is willing to accept Tilaimei’s guided sale prices, being the first merchant guild to do so, Tilaimei does have corresponding discounts."
"What are the specifics of these discounts...?" Marvin asked hesitantly.
"No rush," Atbolde stood up and said to Marvin, "Please, come with me. Let’s go to the reception room and talk in detail."
Marvin’s gaze flickered, but eventually, he stood up with a smile.
The Sandy Chamber of Commerce was not a very large organization, primarily operating in the southeast part of the Kingdom of Neustadt and in several neighboring kingdoms to the southeast.
The terrain there was mostly mountainous and hilly, making transportation quite inconvenient.
The neighboring kingdoms were all dependencies of the Wizard Kingdom of Neustadt, rich in magic power, but with not much land suitable for farming, they mostly relied on importing food.
However, precisely because of this, these kingdoms generally had the habit of storing grain, and their food reserves were more abundant compared to other regions. Although grain prices had risen recently due to war, compared to the exaggerated increases in other areas, they were relatively stable.
So for the Sandy Chamber of Commerce, buying grain at nearly a hundred copper per sack, though indeed more profitable than accepting Tilaimei Plain’s guided prices, wasn’t actually that big of a difference.
Securing the grain and ensuring a stable future supply, that was what was really important for the Sandy Chamber of Commerce.
After all, they were not without competitors.
...
Half an hour later.
Marvin, hood up, subtly left Roon Palace with a concealed, joyful smile.
At the same time, Atbolde arrived outside another reception room within the palace and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Atbolde pushed open the door and looked at the figure in a gray robe inside, smiling as he said, "Apologies, Mr. Jefferson, I was delayed by some matters."
"No worries, Mr. Atbolde," Jefferson stood up and replied with a smile.
He was a representative of the Heul Chamber of Commerce, having waited for about half an hour for Atbolde.
"Do you have business with me now?" Atbolde inquired.
"Without concealment, my visit tonight is on behalf of the Heul Chamber of Commerce to discuss the matter of grain trade with you once more..."
"I see," Atbolde nodded in realization, and sat down across from Jefferson, "What specifically would you like to talk about?"
"It’s like this..." Jefferson continued with a smile.
Atbolde listened attentively, nodding gently from time to time.
With only a week left before Tilaimei Plain’s spring harvest, the representatives of the merchant guilds were becoming gradually restless.
Marvin and Jefferson that night were just the beginning.
In the following days, Atbolde successively welcomed several new representatives from different guilds.
However, aside from the first night with Marvin and Jefferson, the later representatives did not receive more discounts, and they regretfully learned this fact.
Of course, they also learned that some guilds had approached Atbolde even before they did!
Atbolde strictly kept the specifics of those guilds confidential.