81: Merchant of Amn

After Randall and the Anm Trade Company guards worked together to right the two overturned carriages, the trade company's steward, dressed in a deep purple velvet coat, walked over.

He took off his mud-splattered hat and bowed deeply to Randall.

"I am Jasper Wane from the Anm Halid Chamber of Commerce," his voice trembled with the relief of surviving a disaster. "Thank you and your trade company for your assistance. If not for you, we would have probably..."

Randall waved his hand, his greatshield and heavy sword already strapped to his back: "It was nothing. On this road, it's only right for trade companies to look out for each other."

Thus, our small trade company joined forces with the large Anm Trade Company.

Their twenty-odd heavy carriages led the way, with our three carriages following behind, continuing east along Wan'an Highway.

As the sun set, I rode on horseback and saw something unusual in the distance.

Damaged carriages lay overturned by the roadside, their shafts broken, and goods scattered everywhere.

Several bodies lay haphazardly in pools of blood, the blood staining the accumulated snow, appearing particularly stark under the setting sun.

"Alert!" Randall raised his hand, signaling the team to stop.

He dismounted, his greatshield already in his hand.

We cautiously approached the scene.

Suddenly, a faint groan was heard.

Following the sound, an old man covered in blood was curled up behind an overturned carriage.

"He's still alive!" I shouted.

Randall quickly stepped forward, kneeling to examine the old man's injuries. "Multiple stab wounds, excessive blood loss," he said, frowning, "but he can still be saved."

At this moment, Jasper, the steward of the Anm Trade Company, also rushed over. After seeing the old man's face clearly, he exclaimed, "Old Hather? Is that you?"

The old man struggled to open his eyes, a glimmer of light flashing in his cloudy gaze: "Ja... Jasper?"

"It's me," Jasper squatted down, but his tone suddenly turned cold, "I heard a long time ago that your trade company went bankrupt. This is your last bit of goods, and I didn't expect to meet you here."

Randall had already begun casting a healing spell, and a holy light enveloped the old man's wounds. Jasper, however, said from the side, "Holy Knight, why waste divine power? Old Hather has nothing left; even if he's saved, he can't afford the treatment."

I couldn't help but interject, "Just because someone went bankrupt, does that mean they're not worth saving?"

Jasper shrugged, "That's just how reality is. However," he turned to Old Hather, who was gradually regaining consciousness, "if you're willing to join my trade company, I can give you a job. How about 50 gold coins a month? I can advance your treatment costs and deduct them from your salary later..."

Anger flared in Old Hather's eyes: "Jasper, we've known each other for thirty years! You just wanted to leave me here to die!" He struggled to sit up, "I'd rather work for these kind people who saved my life than accept your charity!"

Randall supported the old man and turned to look at me: "What do you think?"

I pondered for a moment: "We do need someone familiar with the market. Old Hather, if you're willing, you can join us. The salary..."

"You can pay whatever you think is fair," Old Hather interrupted me, "as long as it's not from that ungrateful fellow, any amount is fine."

Jasper snorted coldly, then turned and left: "Suit yourself. By Waukeen, every life has its price, and you'd do the same if you were me. But I warn you, without my funding, it will be very difficult for you to return to Amn..."

"Mr. Jasper," Randall suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an undeniable authority, "if you say one more insulting word about my companion..."

Jasper's face changed, and he walked away sullenly.

Old Hather looked at his retreating back, a flicker of sadness in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination: "Thank you. I swear by Waukeen that I will use my experience and connections to help your trade company go further on this road."

...

As night fell, the three trade companies set up camp in an open area beside Wan'an Highway.

The bonfire's light danced in the darkness, casting long shadows.

Jasper's shrewd eyes glinted in the firelight as he stared at the noticeable crack on Randall's chainmail shoulder, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Respected Holy Knight," Jasper rubbed his hands, his tone carrying the unique warmth of a merchant, "I noticed that your chainmail seems to be a bit damaged. Coincidentally, among our goods, we happen to have a full set of plate armor from Calimshan. As a thank you for the rescue earlier today, I can offer you a half-price discount. Of course, I also ask for your continued care on the road ahead."

Randall was about to refuse when I quickly stepped forward: "Let us see the goods first."

Jasper's eyes immediately lit up, and he motioned for his subordinates to bring over an exquisite oak chest. The moment the chest opened, the surrounding firelight seemed to be drawn to the armor.

The heavy steel armor gleamed with a cold light under the fire, each plate meticulously forged to a perfect curve, capable of deflecting enemy attacks at the most ingenious angles.

"This full set of plate armor comes from a renowned artisan," Jasper proudly introduced, "not only is its defense astonishing, but it has also been magically enhanced to provide unparalleled protection. Look at these exquisite carvings," he pointed to the intricate patterns on the breastplate, "each line contains protective magic. The original price was 12,000 gold coins, now it's only 6,000..."

"Hmph," Old Hather suddenly snorted, interrupting Jasper, "If it were me, I would give this armor directly to my savior. Half price? Jasper, you're still so stingy."

Jasper's face instantly turned ugly, and he was about to retort when I interjected at the opportune moment: "I don't have that many gold coins," I said, taking out a small pinch of Dragon King's sun-dried sea salt from my system space and gently holding it in my palm, "However, I have some special goods that you might be interested in."

Under the moonlight, the salt crystals were translucent, sparkling like tiny diamonds.

Jasper and Old Hather simultaneously widened their eyes, as if they had seen some incredible treasure.

Old Hather trembled as he reached out a finger, carefully dipping a bit and putting it into his mouth.

His eyes instantly welled up: "Gods above!" His voice trembled with excitement, "I've lived this long and have never tasted such pure salt! Not a single impurity, not a hint of bitterness, this is truly top-grade salt!"

Jasper also eagerly tasted a bit, his expression changing from surprise to ecstasy: "This... this is simply the finest salt!" He eagerly turned to me, "How much do you have? I'm willing to buy large quantities at 5 gold coins per pound!"

Old Hather pulled me aside and whispered, "Ryan, let me handle the price. For salt of this quality, 5 gold coins is an insult. What's the output like? What are the storage conditions?"

I told him I had nearly 2 tons in stock, stored in special sealed containers, and that over 500 pounds of it was refined fine salt.

"If production expands this year," I added, "a tenfold increase in output wouldn't be a problem." Saying this, I took out another small pinch of fine salt for him to taste.

Old Hather carefully tasted a bit, tears welling up in his eyes from excitement: "This must be a divine guidance! To let me meet you in despair." He turned to Jasper and began a fierce negotiation.

"Coarse salt at least 20 gold coins per pound," Old Hather said decisively, "fine salt 200 gold coins. As for the exclusive agency rights..."

Jasper's face changed repeatedly; he understood the importance of this business, but his merchant's instinct made him want to drive down the price.

After a fierce bargaining session, a preliminary agreement was reached: coarse salt at 10 gold coins per pound, fine salt at 200 gold coins per pound.

Jasper also wanted exclusive agency rights for all of Amn, proposing an annual agency fee of 500,000 gold coins and a 30% commission on sales.

"30% is too high," Old Hather shook his head, "I can't make that decision. But I can rush back to Amn overnight and report to the Chamber of Commerce's high-level executives. I'll bring a formal contract to discuss with you in Gorebest."

Although Jasper was unwilling, he also understood the importance of this business.

Old Hather tightly grasped my hand: "Ryan, believe me, this will be a business that changes the entire salt industry landscape of Ferun. They will agree!" His eyes shone with an unprecedented light, as if he had rediscovered the meaning of life.