Chapter 123: There will always be someone who can't help but want to make money

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, it didn't take long for the representative of the Silver Stream Small Merchant Association to sneak out from the corner, seeing someone standing at the door, hesitating for a moment, looking at Xilan who was guarding the door, Xilan made a gesture inviting him inside with an expressionless face.

  The representative of the Silver Stream Chamber of Commerce looked around, saw that there was no one else around, and then flashed into the government office with a swiftness not inferior to that of a thief. Xilang didn't exchange pleasantries with him either, but silently led him to the inner room where Victor's team discussed matters.

  Victor saw the representative of the business association arrive, stood up enthusiastically and cautiously, with a sincere smile on his face, greeted him, and pretended: "Hello, welcome! I don't know what brings you here this time? You know our auction for this week has already ended, and next week's auction hasn't started yet."

  This representative is very ordinary, the clothes on his body are also very ordinary, and he looks no different from an ordinary horse driver. Bronze-colored skin, a robust figure, two eyes with a lot of luster, but also occasionally revealing a cunning gaze that doesn't quite match his temperament.

  The representative of the Silver Creek Chamber of Commerce said with an unchanged expression: "Hehe, we didn't get a share of this week's medicinal supplies, and we feel sorry about it. But as the saying goes, 'harmony brings wealth', you know that for small businesses like ours, it's best to avoid trouble whenever possible. We don't want to stir up more trouble than necessary. If we're not careful, our business might not be ruined by business itself, but by things outside of business."

  This time I came, it is to see Captain Victor has such ambition and grand blueprint, feel very inspired, our Chamber of Commerce is very willing to work with you, to create more profitable business.

  However, our Haimen town is in a state of disrepair, with many facilities damaged or abandoned. I think Mr. Victor must also be in need of external supplies, so I came here to wait for your needs at any time."

  Victor suddenly realized and let out an "oh" sound, realizing that he wasn't there to buy medicine, but rather to peddle his own goods. Victor suppressed the urge to scold him, his face instantly turning cold, and asked dryly: "Do you know, we also start from scratch with everything, so we don't have much capital, what do you think this price should be?"

  The representative of the Silver Stream Chamber of Commerce said, "Heh heh, that's because we're transporting goods to Haimun Town under the blockade of the Black Sail Chamber of Commerce, which is affiliated with the Temple of Benn. So, the prices of ordinary items will be the same as market price, no markup at all. However, the prices of special items will be slightly higher, about 10% more."

  Victor thought for a moment, furrowed his brow, seemingly somewhat displeased. Before he had spoken, the mage Ivan beside him whispered a few words in his ear. Victor nodded and thought again before saying: "Alright, no problem. Also, sometimes we might not have enough gold coins, so I hope we can get credit. What do you think?"

  The representative of the Silver Stream Chamber of Commerce smiled, seemingly having expected this request all along. He replied readily: "Of course you can have credit, but the amount of credit for each transaction cannot exceed one-third of the total transaction amount, and it must be settled before the next transaction."

  Victor nodded and said: "So we have a deal. Now let's make a list of what we need, just wait for a moment."

  He seemed to recall something and said: "My name is Victor, Victor von Neumann."

  The merchant representative also replied: "I am the boss of Silver Stream, Fox Hamid."

  Victor said in surprise: "You're the boss?"

  Fox nodded quietly and said, "Not bad, I'm the boss. Such a good opportunity, I think every boss who wants to develop won't give up, right?" As he spoke, he also gave a knowing glance.

  Victor burst out laughing, laughing very happily. As long as there are businessmen willing to cooperate with them, the result will be completely different. The auction situation this week will definitely improve a lot.

  Soon, Master Ivan had drawn up a bill of lading that clearly listed a cargo worth 108 gold coins and handed it over to Fox.

  Fox took a look at the purchase list and exclaimed in surprise, "Wow! It seems you're quite familiar with the market! It looks like you've already prepared 72 gold coins!"

  The mage Ivan smiled with satisfaction, poured out a table of gold coins from his own leather bag, and indeed, adding the funds for the first week's medicine auction earlier, it was indeed seventy-two gold coins.

  Fox looked at the pile of gold coins on the table, pondered for a moment, and then burst out laughing, saying: "Good, good! I like business partners who can calculate carefully! This way, I don't have to worry that you'll die too quickly and my investment will go down the drain! Haha!"

  "After saying that, Fox continued: 'Alright! Half a year later, your debt ratio can be reduced by half. If you haven't gone bankrupt in three years, I'd like to invest in your town and become your exclusive merchant guild. What do you think?'"

  Lawyer Ivan sneered and said: "Invest in our town? Alright, then we'll calculate it carefully later. How much money you invested three years later to occupy the shares!"

  Fox said nonchalantly, "So what? Now that we've cast our lot, are you saying it's more cost-effective than investing in a surefire business three years from now? Alright, I'll have everything on this list ready for you in three days. At that time, I'll also send someone to set up an inn here, and the taxes will be a small matter."

  Victor nodded and said: "Alright, deliver the goods three days later. These 72 gold coins are yours, and we will return the remaining money to you next week."

  After a few people talked things over, they signed a series of simple agreements and sent Fox away. The figure that looked like an ordinary coachman slipped away again in the dusk of the setting sun.

  After a day's work was done, everyone gathered in an open space outside the government office and had a small bonfire party together.

  All the dried meat brought on the road to supplement food was taken out, and even the wine that had not been moved for a long time was poured into everyone's bowls without leaving a single drop.

  "My dear friends! A new journey has begun! The ancestors of the great nobles of the future are now sitting in front of a bonfire, penniless and broke! There are only a few copper coins left in their pockets, hahaha!" Victor laughed happily. This opening wasn't the best, but it was still pretty smooth.

  At this time, the monk Ivan sitting on one side said coldly: "As for those who are seated here, it's hard to say how many can live until three years later... so let's not mention anything about future nobility for now."

  Victor, with a displeased wave of his hand, spewed out wine-scented words: "What bad luck! We'll all live to see three years from now, thirty years from now, three hundred years from now! We'll all become eternal and invincible strongmen, hahahahaha!!!" After finishing speaking, he burst into loud laughter, then wrapped one arm around Irene and the other around Martak, starting to sing a discordant ditty.

  "Distant hero"

  What makes your blood so boiling?

  What else is supporting your footsteps?

  Always so determined

  It is a distant and resplendent dream

  It's family in hometown who is looking forward to your safe return

  Still by the small woods

  That girl who silently prays for you...

  The low and mournful song floated slowly through the desolate and foul-smelling small town, as if it also brought a thread of human warmth to this place.

  It just seems so.