Master Lu was very polite, even a little afraid of Liu Laoqi, and quickly came over and told him about the material of the wood.

What's this worth?

Liu Laoqi's words made Master Lu feel very frustrated. The shopkeeper knew nothing and relied entirely on the master who sat in the shop. And these big officials and shops were all strange. He had been ripped off and signed a ten-year contract. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad!

"If this were in the capital, it would be sold by weight, and no matter what price you paid for it... you wouldn't lose money."

"Oh, Master Lu, I really owe you a lot this time. You know I'm just a rough guy, and I'll need your help a lot in the future. I hope you'll continue to support me."

Master Lu repeatedly said, "You flatter me!", but in his heart he was already thinking, "What else do you need to know? Even His Highness Prince Heng knows you. Why are you here thousands of miles away instead of having a baby at home?"

After seeing Master Lu off, Liu Laoqi took three iron pots, gestured with his fingers, and gave them to the few locals who had brought the wood.

Several locals touched the iron pot in their hands, but their eyes were fixed on the pot of fragrant meat soup, hesitating whether to exchange it.

Liu Laoqi immediately understood—they were a bunch of gluttons! He poured them half a pot of meat soup, causing the orcs to grin from ear to ear.

Many of the onlookers finally believed that the news brought back by their tribesmen was true: they could exchange seemingly worthless items for cloth, food, and even ironware.

A burly native squeezed in front of Liu Laoqi, pulled out a leather bundle from his person, and handed it to him. Liu Laoqi glanced at the composed native, paid him no mind, and casually opened the bundle.

"Hiss!" A bright red gemstone, as big as a quail egg, appeared before Liu Laoqi's eyes.

Liu Laoqi still didn't know the value of the goods in his hands, but he held them tightly and wouldn't let go. He looked up and asked the country bumpkin, "What do you want to exchange?"

Unfortunately, the native couldn't understand. After a stalemate, the native finally pointed to a large axe hanging inside the house.

"Oh! You want that axe?" Old Liu asked menacingly, staring intently at the burly man.

The burly man sensed the hostility emanating from Liu Laoqi. The two were of the same kind, and although he couldn't understand Liu Laoqi's words, he could feel his murderous intent.

The burly man smiled and gestured a few times as if chopping down a tree, which calmed Liu Laoqi's murderous intent, and a smile finally appeared on his face.

"Give him a stone, an axe, and a whetstone."