"This is what the Noble Chamber of Commerce does," Laken said indignantly, pointing at the goods on the shelves. "They control the small workshops in the lower city by monopolizing the market. The products made by those small workshops are of good quality, but the Chamber of Commerce buys them at a low price and then resells them to the residents at a high price. It's really abominable!"

Merlin turned around and asked, "So the residents have no other choice?"

Laken sighed and shook his head. "Basically, no. Although the small workshops have their own products, they are not able to compete with the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce's influence is spread throughout the entire Lower Town. If they want to survive, many people can only work in these small workshops and are exploited day after day. Their wages are meager and they can't buy enough food here."

Merlin could feel that Laken's heart was filled with anger and helplessness. Hidden in the lower levels of the Arcane City were the bitterness and despair of countless people. The workers in those small workshops may be struggling for survival every day, but the Chamber of Commerce is ruthlessly exploiting their blood and sweat.

Damn it, that damn Chamber of Commerce, they are just making money from him, this kind of exploitation should be allowed to happen... No, this kind of exploitation should be stopped.

Merlin has begun to treat the lower area as his own territory, just like those elves. Once he sets his eyes on them, they have to serve him obediently and let him exploit them!

"Is there anything we can do?" Scarlett seemed reluctant.

Laken shrugged, seeming powerless to change the status quo: "Here, individual power is insignificant. Only by uniting together can we fight against these powerful forces. But in the lower city, everyone is busy making a living, who has time to think about these things?"

Merlin took a deep breath and decided in his heart that he couldn't just remain indifferent. He wanted to change this oppressive place. Even if he couldn't change it, the one who would be exploited would be him, Merlin, and not those damn chambers of commerce.

Merlin knew he couldn't just be a bystander and had to act quickly.

After leaving the shop and walking down the busy street, Merlin suddenly stopped and turned to Laken, a determined gleam in his eyes. "Laken, I want to talk to you," he whispered.

Laken was slightly startled, then showed a curious expression, "Master, what do you want to talk to me about?"

"I hope you can work for me for a long time." Merlin took out a bag of gold coins from his arms and handed it to Laken. "This is the salary I offer you. You can refuse, but I believe you won't."

Laken's eyes lit up instantly, and the luster of the gold coins made his heart beat. He nodded, a smile on his face "Of course, I do! But what do you need me to do?"

"I hope you can help me collect all the information about the downtown area." Merlin said seriously, "Pay attention to the needs of the residents and understand their living conditions, especially which commodities are in the greatest demand and which services are most lacking."

Laken listened carefully. "I see. I can help you collect this information. But you have to give me some time. After all, things in the lower city are complicated, and many people are reluctant to reveal their needs easily."

"No problem, I'll give you some time." Merlin smiled slightly. Developing the gold mine in the lower city was not something that could be accomplished in the short term.

"I will start as soon as possible," Laken said. "I will visit various small workshops to understand their production situation and find out about the difficulties the residents are facing in their lives. I will try my best to let everyone let down their guard and tell me what they really need."

"Very good." Merlin nodded with satisfaction. "We need to build an information network. Only in this way can we firmly control this place in our own hands."

As the two men came to an agreement, a new motivation ignited in Merlin's heart. He knew that he was not just an outsider, but was going to be a changer in this place. Laken's help will be an important step towards his goal. Although the road ahead is difficult, he is ready to face the challenge.

In the Arcane Academy, Scarlett fell directly from the back of a griffin. She was no longer able to hold on, so she staggered to the wing of a griffin that was resting in a grass nest and fell asleep.

Merlin ignored Scarlett and went to the Steam and Stars Alchemy Workshop. He planned to set up an alchemy team of his own to specialize in the research and development of... "voluntary small commodities".

He had already decided to cover the entire lower city with cheap, large-volume, and high-quality goods, and the best place to develop such small commodities was the Steam and Stars of the Arcane Academy.

There are too many alchemists here who have nothing to do and pursue their dreams but have achieved nothing. As for the dreamland designed by these alchemists themselves? What does it have to do with him? He has no interest in what these alchemists are going to develop. An alchemist who can produce alchemical products that can earn gold coins is a good alchemist.

As for Dreamland? Oh! How much is a dream worth? One hundred gold coins? Three hundred gold coins? One thousand gold coins? Three thousand gold coins?

Merlin planned to use money to confuse these arrogant alchemists. He walked into the alchemy workshop. The moment he appeared, Alison instantly noticed her idol. When she put on her makeup and prepared to meet Merlin, Merlin had been surrounded by a large group of alchemists.

"Merlin-kun, look at my work!"

"Merlin-kun, take a look at my project plan. I think this alchemical equipment of mine is very promising!"

"Look at me, Merlin-kun. You will definitely not lose out if you invest in my alchemical works!"

"This is a modified version of the teacher's model, so it has a higher chance of success!"

"Do you think the design of the super-powered magic cannon is great? Merlin, with just two million gold coins, we might be able to develop it!"

Senior Kim Henry pushed away the alchemist who was blocking Merlin, and told all the "useless" alchemists surrounding Merlin to get out with a tone of disdain and instruction.

As a genius alchemist of steam and stars, he already has an impressive status, and many people still listen to him.

Alison took this opportunity to rush over, grabbed Merlin and headed for the VIP room. "Merlin, ignore these guys. Their design ideas are bullshit. They are castles in the air and simply impossible. Come on, I've asked someone to make hot tea and prepare some fruit. Let's go to the VIP room to talk."

Alison turned to her senior, Kim Henry, and said, "Serve Junior Merlin well. I'm going to touch up my makeup!"

Kim Henry looked speechlessly at Alison who hurried to the lounge to touch up her makeup. He greeted Merlin with a smile. Merlin was the God of Wealth of Steam and Stars, so naturally he had to receive him with the highest standard of treatment.