“My Lord, Lord Moxinke!” a voice shouted.
Moxinke turned around and saw two men running upward with him. One was Justin, the middle-aged man from Morgan Commercial Corp. He was still ordinarily dressed, while his companion was dressed much more extravagantly. It was already spring, but he still wore a cloak made of holy sparrow feathers. Though it did not fit the season, it was eye-catching owing to the glistening and colorful light of the cloak, and brought the man a noble temperament.
“My Lord, we haven’t seen each other for half a month. You look to be even more imposing,” Justin said, still with his flattering smile.
“Do I? I haven’t noticed this. But I did gain a greater capacity for liquor.” Moxinke grinned. “When did you come back?”
“I have just returned, My Lord. May I introduce you to my young master Berger, the master of Morgan Commercial Corp?” This said, Justin turned his head and continued, “Young Master, this is Lord Moxinke, the great man I mentioned to you.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Moxinke greeted the gorgeously dressed man warmly.
“The pleasure is mine,” Berger greeted back. “This is not the right place for talking, Lord Moxinke. I know a very quiet hotel. Why not have a seat there?”
“A hotel is quite boring,” Moxinke said. “I am going to a bar. Let’s have a drink there. It is more interesting. There are even shows going on.”
“But a bar is too noisy, Lord Moxinke.” Berger smiled. “I have something important to discuss with you. We’d better find someplace quiet.”
“I see…” Moxinke hesitated. “Then I will follow your need.”
Moxinke might look stupid, but if someone really did try to fool him, they usually ended up being the one getting played. Moxinke had made the concession because he had realized that the man must have a very powerful background. He didn’t make this judgement from his appearance, but from his attitude – his insistence!
Only those who had, and were qualified, to have a good opinion of himself would insist on his own suggestion. It made no difference as for the place. But the man still insisted on following his own decision, regardless of the fact that he was the one asking for help. This was enough to prove that Berger must hold a very powerful position.
A moment later, the three had entered a hotel. It was not large, but clean. No guests could be seen, and even the owner was absent. Apparently Berger had prepared this in advance.
“What do you want to talk about?” Moxinke casually sat down and asked. “Do you want me to escort your trade caravan again? Please forgive me for my loose tongue;we are friends, so I have to remind you this: you can always purchase food and clothing, but how much can you earn from such things? Why don’t you trade something else?”
“We wish, My Lord, but…” Berger cracked a bitter smile. “There are hundreds of thousands of refugees in West City without food or clothing. Lord Winston is so worried that he can’t even sleep at night. As a businessman, I also feel distressed to see so many people suffering.”
“So this time, it’s still food and clothing?”
“Yes.” Berger nodded.
“And still to Merlin New Village?”
“Yes.”
“That’s no big deal then; the same as last time,” Moxinke lazily said. Suddenly, he pounded the table and jumped to his feet. “Don’t tell me that you want to cut down the price?!”
He shouted with his eyes wide open as if he were staring at some deadly enemy. Berger was startled but soon laughed. “You misunderstand me, My Lord. This time, we have one hundred more carriages. How could we possibly cut down the price? Two hundred gold coins. We will do business like we did the last time: half for down payment, and the remaining when we arrive at Merlin New Village.”
“You startled me. You really should have told me this earlier,” Moxinke grumbled.
Berger nearly choked. “I startled you?” he thought to himself. Personally, he had meant to have a good conversation with Moxinke, but had lost all interest in him after seeing that the man appeared to be a boorish and greedy fellow.
“My Lord, this time the goods are in a great number. If the soldiers check each of our wagons… we may be unable to get out of town till noon. It would be a lot of valuable time wasted. Could you please talk to the soldiers and be kind enough to make an exception for us?” Justin added.
“This is what you wanted to discuss with me? It’s a piece of cake. Who would dare check my trade caravan?!” Moxinke said impatiently. “Is there anything else? If not, I am going to go have a drink.”
“Haha… Of course, no one would dare make trouble for you, My Lord.” Justin laughed and took out a money bag. He counted one hundred gold coins and put them on the table. “This is the down payment, My Lord.”
Moxinke’s eyes lit up. He reached out his hands and put the gold coins together. “Your bag. How should I carry all this without a bag?”
“Sorry about my negligence, My Lord.” This said, Justin took out an empty bag and immediately passed it to Moxinke.
Moxinke put all the gold coins inside, complacently waved it, and stood up as if to leave. But his movements gradually slowed down as if he had remembered something. He frowned. “No…”
Berger’s heart beat, but his face was still wearing a smile. “No?”
“How many carriages do you want me to escort this time?”
“About one hundred and eighty.”
“How dare you try to fool me!” Moxinke threw the money bag on the table so heavily that the table started shaking. “How many carriages did I escort last time? You paid me one hundred gold coins last time. How much are you paying me now? Under the same distance, you should pay me three hundred gold coins! Do you think I am an idiot?!”
Hearing this, Berger didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. He felt relieved, and his suspensions and doubts also disappeared. He had no interest in bargaining with Moxinke any more and simply gave Justin a look, who immediately counted out another fifty gold coins and respectfully put them on the table. “Please forgive me for my negligence, My Lord!”
“I tell you, Justin. It’s not right for you do things like this! You are cheating your friend!!” Moxinke rebuked with his index finger pointing at Justin’s nose. “Damn! It’s true that business men are all cunning. If I was a simple idiot like someone else, I would have been fooled?!”
“It’s all my fault. Please don’t be angry with me, My Lord,” Justin kept apologizing. “This money is our compensation for you. Please forgive. We did think too carelessly, and I sincerely apologize to you. We don’t want to lose a friend like you!” This said, Justin passed the money bag together with all the coins inside to Moxinke.
Moxinke took the money bag, weighed it in his palm, and calmed down. “Are you still leaving tomorrow morning from the south gate?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“I will wait for you there, the same place as last time.” Moxinke put away the two money bags and swaggered out of the hotel.
Berger looked at Moxinke’s back and personally thought it was a total waste of time to meet such a rude man.
“An idiot…” he said in a low voice when the figure disappeared.
* * *
“Two idiots!” Moxinke said with a proud expression. “Let me tell you. This time, they sent a powerful man to talk to me!” It seemed he still hadn’t gotten over his friend’s mocking from last time.
“Berger?” Han Jin’s eyes shifted to Keeley. “Have you ever heard of this person?”
“No. Never!” Keeley answered resentfully. “I would give him a slap to the face if he were here! How dare he claim to be the master of Morgan Commercial Corp!”
“Rest assured, you will have that chance.” Han Jin smiled.
“I investigated a little. Last time, there truly was someone purchasing a large amount of food and clothing. But this time, nothing strange has happened in the market. They must be transporting something else.” Ronning slowly said. “But one hundred and eighty carriages… that’s simply too many, even if Ninth Town is a large town. Even more strange is the fact that such a large purchase has seemingly caused no fluctuation in the market – not for food and clothing, nor any other items. How is that possible?”
“What they want to transport must be something that was already stored or hidden in the town,” Han Jin said lightly. “I think we can take action this time. What’s your opinion?”
“I agree,” Ronning said. His attitude toward Han Jin had gone through a great change since he had heard about his story. Ronning respected Reg, because Reg was both his friend and superior. He respected Sunier, because he appreciated her friendship. Now he respected Han Jin, because he thought Han Jin was extremely far-sighted, and an excellent strategist, which deeply impressed him.
“Do you think…” Han Jin hesitated. “It has something to do with Rudolph?”
“What do you want to say?”
“When Rudolph was alive, nothing like this happened. Now that he is dead, those men suddenly want to transport the goods out,” Han Jin said. “Maybe we should have arrested Rudolph instead of killing him so hastily.”
“He was the commander of the cavalry. It was risky to keep him alive.” Sunier shook her head. “What you said… may only be a coincidence.”
“I don’t think it’s just coincidence.” Han Jin said this, but he was not sure himself; it was only his deduction. Of course, there were other deductions, but this was the most likely one in his opinion. He didn’t continue with this. “Let’s divide into two groups tomorrow. Moxinke, Ronning, and I will be responsible for detaining their carriages. The others will be responsible for finding out where the goods are from.”
“They must need many men to carry these goods, and a vast space for the nearly two hundred carriages. We can investigate it now. Reg can easily find out where they are.” Sunier said to Han Jin, “Let me go with you.”
“No need. Can’t a group of knights deal with them?” Han Jin laughed.
“Do not fight with me this time!” Moxinke shouted with his teeth gnashing. “Leave those two guys to me! Especially the one called Justin!”
“Best not to harm them first. We need to get information from them,” Han Jin said in a low voice.
“My Lord, Lord Moxinke!” a voice shouted.
Moxinke turned around and saw two men running upward with him. One was Justin, the middle-aged man from Morgan Commercial Corp. He was still ordinarily dressed, while his companion was dressed much more extravagantly. It was already spring, but he still wore a cloak made of holy sparrow feathers. Though it did not fit the season, it was eye-catching owing to the glistening and colorful light of the cloak, and brought the man a noble temperament.
“My Lord, we haven’t seen each other for half a month. You look to be even more imposing,” Justin said, still with his flattering smile.
“Do I? I haven’t noticed this. But I did gain a greater capacity for liquor.” Moxinke grinned. “When did you come back?”
“I have just returned, My Lord. May I introduce you to my young master Berger, the master of Morgan Commercial Corp?” This said, Justin turned his head and continued, “Young Master, this is Lord Moxinke, the great man I mentioned to you.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Moxinke greeted the gorgeously dressed man warmly.
“The pleasure is mine,” Berger greeted back. “This is not the right place for talking, Lord Moxinke. I know a very quiet hotel. Why not have a seat there?”
“A hotel is quite boring,” Moxinke said. “I am going to a bar. Let’s have a drink there. It is more interesting. There are even shows going on.”
“But a bar is too noisy, Lord Moxinke.” Berger smiled. “I have something important to discuss with you. We’d better find someplace quiet.”
“I see…” Moxinke hesitated. “Then I will follow your need.”
Moxinke might look stupid, but if someone really did try to fool him, they usually ended up being the one getting played. Moxinke had made the concession because he had realized that the man must have a very powerful background. He didn’t make this judgement from his appearance, but from his attitude – his insistence!
Only those who had, and were qualified, to have a good opinion of himself would insist on his own suggestion. It made no difference as for the place. But the man still insisted on following his own decision, regardless of the fact that he was the one asking for help. This was enough to prove that Berger must hold a very powerful position.
A moment later, the three had entered a hotel. It was not large, but clean. No guests could be seen, and even the owner was absent. Apparently Berger had prepared this in advance.
“What do you want to talk about?” Moxinke casually sat down and asked. “Do you want me to escort your trade caravan again? Please forgive me for my loose tongue;we are friends, so I have to remind you this: you can always purchase food and clothing, but how much can you earn from such things? Why don’t you trade something else?”
“We wish, My Lord, but…” Berger cracked a bitter smile. “There are hundreds of thousands of refugees in West City without food or clothing. Lord Winston is so worried that he can’t even sleep at night. As a businessman, I also feel distressed to see so many people suffering.”
“So this time, it’s still food and clothing?”
“Yes.” Berger nodded.
“And still to Merlin New Village?”
“Yes.”
“That’s no big deal then; the same as last time,” Moxinke lazily said. Suddenly, he pounded the table and jumped to his feet. “Don’t tell me that you want to cut down the price?!”
He shouted with his eyes wide open as if he were staring at some deadly enemy. Berger was startled but soon laughed. “You misunderstand me, My Lord. This time, we have one hundred more carriages. How could we possibly cut down the price? Two hundred gold coins. We will do business like we did the last time: half for down payment, and the remaining when we arrive at Merlin New Village.”
“You startled me. You really should have told me this earlier,” Moxinke grumbled.
Berger nearly choked. “I startled you?” he thought to himself. Personally, he had meant to have a good conversation with Moxinke, but had lost all interest in him after seeing that the man appeared to be a boorish and greedy fellow.
“My Lord, this time the goods are in a great number. If the soldiers check each of our wagons… we may be unable to get out of town till noon. It would be a lot of valuable time wasted. Could you please talk to the soldiers and be kind enough to make an exception for us?” Justin added.
“This is what you wanted to discuss with me? It’s a piece of cake. Who would dare check my trade caravan?!” Moxinke said impatiently. “Is there anything else? If not, I am going to go have a drink.”
“Haha… Of course, no one would dare make trouble for you, My Lord.” Justin laughed and took out a money bag. He counted one hundred gold coins and put them on the table. “This is the down payment, My Lord.”
Moxinke’s eyes lit up. He reached out his hands and put the gold coins together. “Your bag. How should I carry all this without a bag?”
“Sorry about my negligence, My Lord.” This said, Justin took out an empty bag and immediately passed it to Moxinke.
Moxinke put all the gold coins inside, complacently waved it, and stood up as if to leave. But his movements gradually slowed down as if he had remembered something. He frowned. “No…”
Berger’s heart beat, but his face was still wearing a smile. “No?”
“How many carriages do you want me to escort this time?”
“About one hundred and eighty.”
“How dare you try to fool me!” Moxinke threw the money bag on the table so heavily that the table started shaking. “How many carriages did I escort last time? You paid me one hundred gold coins last time. How much are you paying me now? Under the same distance, you should pay me three hundred gold coins! Do you think I am an idiot?!”
Hearing this, Berger didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. He felt relieved, and his suspensions and doubts also disappeared. He had no interest in bargaining with Moxinke any more and simply gave Justin a look, who immediately counted out another fifty gold coins and respectfully put them on the table. “Please forgive me for my negligence, My Lord!”
“I tell you, Justin. It’s not right for you do things like this! You are cheating your friend!!” Moxinke rebuked with his index finger pointing at Justin’s nose. “Damn! It’s true that business men are all cunning. If I was a simple idiot like someone else, I would have been fooled?!”
“It’s all my fault. Please don’t be angry with me, My Lord,” Justin kept apologizing. “This money is our compensation for you. Please forgive. We did think too carelessly, and I sincerely apologize to you. We don’t want to lose a friend like you!” This said, Justin passed the money bag together with all the coins inside to Moxinke.
Moxinke took the money bag, weighed it in his palm, and calmed down. “Are you still leaving tomorrow morning from the south gate?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“I will wait for you there, the same place as last time.” Moxinke put away the two money bags and swaggered out of the hotel.
Berger looked at Moxinke’s back and personally thought it was a total waste of time to meet such a rude man.
“An idiot…” he said in a low voice when the figure disappeared.
* * *
“Two idiots!” Moxinke said with a proud expression. “Let me tell you. This time, they sent a powerful man to talk to me!” It seemed he still hadn’t gotten over his friend’s mocking from last time.
“Berger?” Han Jin’s eyes shifted to Keeley. “Have you ever heard of this person?”
“No. Never!” Keeley answered resentfully. “I would give him a slap to the face if he were here! How dare he claim to be the master of Morgan Commercial Corp!”
“Rest assured, you will have that chance.” Han Jin smiled.
“I investigated a little. Last time, there truly was someone purchasing a large amount of food and clothing. But this time, nothing strange has happened in the market. They must be transporting something else.” Ronning slowly said. “But one hundred and eighty carriages… that’s simply too many, even if Ninth Town is a large town. Even more strange is the fact that such a large purchase has seemingly caused no fluctuation in the market – not for food and clothing, nor any other items. How is that possible?”
“What they want to transport must be something that was already stored or hidden in the town,” Han Jin said lightly. “I think we can take action this time. What’s your opinion?”
“I agree,” Ronning said. His attitude toward Han Jin had gone through a great change since he had heard about his story. Ronning respected Reg, because Reg was both his friend and superior. He respected Sunier, because he appreciated her friendship. Now he respected Han Jin, because he thought Han Jin was extremely far-sighted, and an excellent strategist, which deeply impressed him.
“Do you think…” Han Jin hesitated. “It has something to do with Rudolph?”
“What do you want to say?”
“When Rudolph was alive, nothing like this happened. Now that he is dead, those men suddenly want to transport the goods out,” Han Jin said. “Maybe we should have arrested Rudolph instead of killing him so hastily.”
“He was the commander of the cavalry. It was risky to keep him alive.” Sunier shook her head. “What you said… may only be a coincidence.”
“I don’t think it’s just coincidence.” Han Jin said this, but he was not sure himself; it was only his deduction. Of course, there were other deductions, but this was the most likely one in his opinion. He didn’t continue with this. “Let’s divide into two groups tomorrow. Moxinke, Ronning, and I will be responsible for detaining their carriages. The others will be responsible for finding out where the goods are from.”
“They must need many men to carry these goods, and a vast space for the nearly two hundred carriages. We can investigate it now. Reg can easily find out where they are.” Sunier said to Han Jin, “Let me go with you.”
“No need. Can’t a group of knights deal with them?” Han Jin laughed.
“Do not fight with me this time!” Moxinke shouted with his teeth gnashing. “Leave those two guys to me! Especially the one called Justin!”
“Best not to harm them first. We need to get information from them,” Han Jin said in a low voice.
