Just as Arthur was in doubt, pondering how to salvage his misquoted price, a hoarse voice sounded from his side. Barna, the treasurer, who had been silently standing by like a backdrop, cleared his throat. A humble yet cunning smile hung on his face:
"Lord Roderick, you are truly a straightforward man."
"Our Lord's offer just now was merely to test your sincerity."
Roderick was stunned.
Barna continued unhurriedly, "These five hundred gold dragons are not the selling price of this Clear-Sight Mirror, but rather represent your commitment to cooperating with us."
"What our Lord truly means is..."
"You must first pay five hundred gold dragons before we can cooperate."
Barna paused, every word striking Roderick's heart, and slowly spoke:
"We, will split the profits seven to three."
"Our territory provides the technology and the goods."
"You are responsible for sales in King's Landing, and throughout the Seven Kingdoms, to all nobles, maesters, and septons who need it. All profits, we split seven-three."
"You should understand the value of this item. Even a seven-three split is an unearned windfall for you. My Lord is only troubled by the lack of channels to reach high-ranking officials and nobles, and is not limited to dealing only with you."
"As for those five hundred gold dragons," Barna pointed to Roderick's caravan, "consider it your first cooperation fee for joining this business."
Roderick was stunned by this sudden reversal, his mind racing. Five hundred gold dragons each, he was truly foolish. How could the item in his hand only be worth five hundred gold dragons each? However, a seven-three split meant he would have to give up most of his gold mountain.
But... this meant he possessed the first batch of goods in the world!
He knew better than anyone what kind of madness this item would cause once it appeared on the market.
The appearance of imitations was only a matter of time, but before that, even a short period of exclusive sales rights, a few months or even weeks, would create an astronomical amount of wealth!
Even selling ten of them would earn him a lifetime! No! Ten lifetimes' worth of money!
Furthermore, if he could cooperate deeply with a partner who could continuously produce such magical artifacts, it would be much wiser than a one-off deal!
After a brief shock, an even more fervent light erupted in Roderick's eyes than before.
"Deal!" Roderick practically roared.
Roderick clutched the spectacles tightly in his hand, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world: "No problem!
I don't have many gold dragons on hand! This entire merchant caravan! All the goods originally bound for the North! Grain! Spices! Ironware! Cloth! All of it stays! As a cooperation fee!"
"I will return to King's Landing immediately! I'll go gather the best crystals for you right now! I need a batch of these Clear-Sight Mirrors! The more, the better! We'll stockpile them and then release them to the market all at once! Lord Arthur! This will allow you and me to become the wealthiest people in the Seven Kingdoms before those damned imitations appear!"
Arthur also knew that such artifacts could quickly be imitated by great houses organizing maesters and artisans. It might take a few weeks, or a few months, but during that time, he could monopolize the market and earn a substantial amount of startup capital for the future, which was enough.
After Roderick finished speaking, he didn't even have time to perform a formal farewell ceremony before he, along with his equally stunned subordinates, hurriedly left without looking back.
"Your Grace! Your subordinate is still here!" Arthur called out to Roderick's retreating back, looking at the young merchant representative who was unconscious and spitting blood.
As Roderick passed by the attendant whose tongue had been cut out, he didn't even glance at him, rushing away without turning his head. Hearing Arthur's shout: "A merchant who has lost his tongue! What value does he still have!"
How could a useless piece of trash compare to a mountain of gold that was about to be acquired?
Arthur finally put away his gentle smile as he looked at Lucien and the soldiers behind him.
Lucien understood and looked at the soldiers: "Throw this man into the abyss."
The soldiers bowed and accepted the order.
Arthur's gaze finally fell upon the mountain of goods, which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and now inexplicably belonged to him. He then turned to look at Qiba Nana beside him and Lucien, who was busy transporting goods with the soldiers.
This is what it feels like to have talent, it's truly wonderful.
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