The ring was set with a semi-translucent, milky-white gemstone. With a faint CLICK, a small spatial window opened before Karol.
From Yan Xing’s perspective, what appeared before Karol was a layer of irregular spatial distortion. He imdiately had Chui Chui access the cara installed behind Karol, viewing this private space from behind her in his own ntal space.
This was Yan Xing’s first ti witnessing Spatial Magic and his first encounter with a Spatial Magic tool. By this ti, Yan Xing had read all of Count Theodore’s magic tos and possessed a profound understanding of Magic. All Spatial Magic was considered extrely advanced; only those with a high level of specialization in a particular branch of Magic were qualified to delve into such Spells. Naturally, spatial tools were also extrely sophisticated alchemical products. It was safe to say that every spatial tool was worth a fortune.
By casting Spatial Magic and opening the spatial ring in front of her, Karol was clearly demonstrating her power, both personal and that of her duchy.
Through the other viewpoint, Yan Xing could see a Spatial Magic gateway open before Karol. Inside the gateway were nine compartnts, each containing different items. So held jewels, others potions; so were packed with ergency food, and others with docunts...
Karol retrieved a few sheets of paper covered in writing from the docunt compartnt and then closed her private space.
"This war has inflicted trendous damage upon the territories controlled by the Wildwind Highlands Duchy, consuming an excessive amount of resources," Karol stated. "Co winter, there will undoubtedly be a shortage of provisions."
She handed a docunt to Yan Xing.
Yan Xing wiped his hands and accepted the docunt. As Yan Xing examined it, Karol briefly explained its contents.
The duchy had already begun preparations to regain control of the Wildwind Highlands. After the war, to appease the Wildwind Highlands Legion, the duchy planned to invest a hefty sum in compensation for fallen soldiers and the recuperation of the wounded and retired. Officers and soldiers of all ranks would require rewards. Additionally, cities destroyed in the conflict would need reconstruction. Simultaneously, more people needed to be relocated to the Wildwind Highlands to enhance the logistical self-sufficiency of the Wildwind Highlands Legion. Due to the limited transport capacity on the roads from the duchy proper to the Wildwind Highlands, many goods would be procured locally in the Highlands if available. The Duchy was certainly far wealthier than Count Theodore.
"Recently, I’ve been investigating Nuta City’s reserves and the production of various supplies," Karol added. "It’s proving difficult to procure everything we need locally. Especially cotton clothing and bedding. These are essential for winter, and Nuta City can barely ensure its own supply, let alone spare any for the reorganized Wildwind Highlands Legion. I believe your Eternal Comrce Guild should be able to handle a portion of it."
Karol hadn’t abandoned her plan to win over Yan Xing simply because he refused to forsake Count Theodore. The closer she could get to Yan Xing, she reasoned, the more distant his relationship with Count Theodore would beco. Suspicion would arise insidiously, and by the ti it was noticed, it would be too late. Therefore, Karol had prepared a large order for Yan Xing, thinking, He wants to make money, doesn’t he? Well, I’ll let him.
The docunt in Yan Xing’s hands detailed a procurent plan from the Wildwind Highlands Legion for cotton clothing and quilts—a total of two hundred thousand sets!
"So many?" Yan Xing exclaid, looking at the procurent plan. "Does the Wildwind Highlands Legion even have that many soldiers? Or are they planning to issue two sets per person? But surely, two quilts per person aren’t necessary?"
Having frequently visited the Lord’s Mansion, Yan Xing knew that the total strength of the Wildwind Highlands Legion was less than one hundred thousand.
Karol explained, "The Wildwind Highlands Legion plans to expand. Even if not all are used, they can be kept as reserves. After all, the Grand Duke signed off on this procurent amount, and I am rely following orders. How much can the Eternal Comrce Guild provide? I can prioritize a portion of the procurent quota for you."
A portion? Just two hundred thousand sets? Who is she looking down on? Yan Xing thought. He quickly made his calculations. There are still two months until winter. Based on the production capacity of the garnt industry in my Greater China region, manufacturing two hundred thousand sets would just be a matter of a few extra days of overti, right? The Duchy’s purchase price for a full set of cotton clothing and a quilt is one Gold per set. Two hundred thousand sets an two hundred thousand Gold. My cost for one set is just over a hundred yuan—that’s nearly a 9,000% profit margin! This deal is definitely worth it.
Yan Xing said, "Leave the entire order to . I guarantee quality and quantity, and I will deliver on ti."
Karol was greatly surprised to hear Yan Xing declare he would take the entire order. "Am I hearing things correctly? This is an order for two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts, and they must be delivered within two months."
Yan Xing stated bluntly, "You heard correctly. If things go smoothly, I can have all the cotton clothing and quilts you need ready in one month."
"You’re not deceiving ? Can you really deliver that quickly?"
"As long as your paynt is prompt, my goods will be too." Yan Xing, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of money, cheerfully served Karol more food. The custor is king, he thought. And money is the emperor!
Hearing Yan Xing’s guarantee, Karol could no longer remain composed. She had never imagined it possible to fulfill the entire order for two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts within the Wildwind Highlands. Her plan had been to procure as much as possible locally, with the duchy itself finding a solution for the remainder from the holand. This procurent request was quite sudden, and Yan Xing definitely didn’t have ready-made, duchy-standard military garnts on hand. Two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts, presumably all to be handmade, completed in two months! Or even one month!
What made him so confident? Karol wondered.
"Are you truly not deceiving ?" Karol remained skeptical.
Yan Xing placed another chicken leg on Karol’s plate and said with a smile, "The war won’t be over within a month. If I can’t produce enough goods by then, you’ll still have ti to make other arrangents. What benefit would I gain from deceiving you? On the contrary, I’m the one who should be concerned. What if I have the goods ready, but you fail to regain control of the Wildwind Highlands? How would the paynt be handled then?"
"We will definitely regain control of Storm City," Karol proclaid confidently.
Yan Xing said, "That’s your business. Since we both acknowledge the risks involved, I have a suggestion. First, provide with the designs for the cotton clothing and quilts. In one week, I’ll present one hundred sample sets. If you’re satisfied with the samples, pay twenty thousand Gold as a deposit. Within one month from then, I’ll show you the full two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts, ready in my warehouse. At that point, you pay the remaining balance, and you can take the garnts away anyti."
This way, Yan Xing calculated, even if Karol defaults and doesn’t take the rchandise, I’ll still have made twenty thousand Gold. A 900% profit. Less than the full deal, but still a profit. Besides, it’s not like all those cotton clothes and quilts would just be stuck with . I can use so in my own territory and sell so in Nuta City. The Wildwind Highlands Legion will definitely need to buy so for winter. Worst-case scenario, I’ll slash the price drastically—say, 20% off—and sell them to the Legion. Yan Xing’s ntal abacus clacked away, his calculations clear.
Karol also found Yan Xing’s proposal agreeable. Indeed, winter was still two months away. Yan Xing had promised delivery in one month. If the garnts didn’t materialize, the duchy would still have ti to make ergency arrangents. If he could deliver on ti, it would solve a major problem for the duchy. As for whether the duchy could regain control of the Wildwind Highlands and make the paynt on ti... Had Yan Xing been unable to produce the goods, Karol might have remained uncertain. But if this batch of cotton clothing and quilts arrived on ti, then this land was destined to return to the duchy’s control.
"Alright, we’ll proceed as you’ve suggested. In one week, I want to see one hundred sample sets. Once I’ve paid the deposit, within one month, I expect to see all two hundred thousand sets of military-standard garnts in the Eternal Comrce Guild’s warehouse."
Seeing Karol’s still distrustful expression, Yan Xing laughed. "It’s just a two-hundred-thousand-Gold deal. Is there really a need to be so worried? We’ll sign a procurent agreent. Lord Yan Xing always keeps his word. Once my na is on it, I’m even less likely to deceive you."
Yan Xing had Chui Chui draft a procurent agreent, printed it in his office, and then had a maid bring it to the dining room. Two copies were made. After Yan Xing signed his na, he handed the agreent to Karol. After reading the agreent and finding no issues, Karol also signed her na.
Still looking astonished, she couldn’t help but ask, "How can you possibly produce two hundred thousand sets of garnts in just one month? I’m afraid that much ti wouldn’t even be enough to prepare the raw materials, would it?"
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