Chapter 268
Fan Xiaoxiao actually knew that he probably hadn't expected it to be so expensive.
However, the first business deal with the core nobles of the Northern Barbarian King's Office could not be too reckless.
Lowering the price is impossible.
This will make things difficult to handle later.
However, if you embarrass someone, you will not only fail to gain any benefits, but you may also cause conflicts, and you may not be able to do business with them in the future.
"The most important thing is, with so much salt in our hands, when will we ever finish it?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Fan Xiaoxiao chuckled and said, "My lord, you've misunderstood. I do have an opinion, but I don't know if I should say it."
The attendant forced a smile and raised his hand: "General, you may tell me about it?"
"Gold and silver are scarce on the grasslands, and people make a living by herding livestock. It's just right, I don't really need so much silver."
"You can also exchange it for something else."
"And two hundred and eighty pounds, which is neither too much nor too little."
"Who can say that you can only eat it yourself?"
The attendant pondered for a moment and suddenly had a flash of insight: "The leftovers can be traded to other tribes."
"Such good stuff can not only make better beef and mutton, but it is also a symbol of status and wealth."
"Think about it, of the three tribes, only you have such good seasonings, while the people of the other two tribes are still eating coarse salt that is not presentable."
The attendants' eyes lit up.
Seizing the opportunity, Fan Xiaoxiao added another provocative remark: "Of course, if you can't buy all this refined salt, I can naturally sell it to other tribes..."
After she said that, the attendant immediately became anxious.
He gritted his teeth and immediately declared, "I want them all!"
"I just don't know what Tianshan Village needs in exchange?"
"Ahem..." That's what he said, but he still brought some gold and silver with him.
For the sake of saving face.
He still offered a solution.
"Eighty catties, settled in silver. As for the rest, General, we can discuss it."
"Alright! You're a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush." Fan Xiaoxiao laughed heartily.
He decisively ordered someone to go back and notify the others to transport the refined salt.
The people here right now are no ordinary people.
Several of them, with gleaming eyes, were likely "warriors" from the northern barbarians of the Tianshan Mountains.
But Boss Gu's people are all carefully selected; he can tell whether someone is good or not just by looking at them.
The people sent by the queen did not dare to act rashly.
In addition, because Fan Xiaoxiao has no martial arts skills, she is very careful and cautious when dealing with these thugs.
So, there were actually two skilled archers lying in ambush on the high ground not far behind.
These are their trump cards that allowed them to leave smoothly.
Having made everything clear, Fan Xiaoxiao smiled calmly: "In that case, I need a horse."
They always decide to confront the imperial court head-on.
On the battlefield, horses are extremely important.
Moreover, this way, her future horseshoes, stirrups, and saddles will be of great use.
"this--"
The attendant, who had just been all smiles, now looked shocked and embarrassed.
For grassland tribes
Horses are also an important strategic resource.
"What does Tianshan Village need horses for?" He didn't refuse directly, but asked inquiringly.
Unexpectedly, Fan Xiaoxiao did not avoid the question, but frankly admitted: "It's for the war."
"How about it?"
“We, Tianshan Village, are not greedy. This is our first time doing business, and we won’t make things too difficult for you.”
"Two hundred catties of refined salt are a gift for you. As for the horses... how many would be appropriate as a return gift?"
Upon hearing this, the attendant's face lit up with joy.
If they ask for an exorbitant amount, he naturally has no say in the matter.
Moreover, even if he was favored by the queen and had the protection of the tribal khan, he couldn't have more money.
He thought for a moment, then held up two fingers: "Two bolts."
Fan Xiaoxiao was very dissatisfied. This person was really stingy. He had just been boasting about the prestige of their tribe.
Xiao Hei and the others who came with him all showed disdainful expressions.
The attendant also noticed the awkward situation and felt a little uncomfortable.
He quickly added, "They're absolutely healthy, and they're a male and a female, plus a groom to look after them!"
Xiao Hei and the others looked at Fan Xiaoxiao.
She sensed the look in everyone's eyes that wanted her to refuse, but she smiled confidently and said, "Okay, it's a deal."
The attendant was overjoyed that Fan Xiaoxiao agreed so readily.
Not only did he make his skilled subordinates back a few steps, but he also personally tasted the goods from Tianshan Village that Fan Xiaoxiao had given him.
Once everything was settled, the man happily loaded up eighty catties of refined salt, paid, and left.
The remaining two hundred catties were agreed to be brought over another day along with the stable boy and the horse.
On the way back to the camp, Xiao Hei stepped forward and muttered to Fan Xiaoxiao with some frustration, "Xiao Niangzi, why did we give it to them so easily?"
Fan Xiaoxiao said with a smile, "We only need to provide labor and firewood, and everything else is free."
"Three taels of silver is already a lot."
She only counted 280 jin of salt. If she brought over all the salt from the salt lake, it would probably scare that person half to death.
“That’s true…” Xiao Hei sighed, “Two hundred catties, that’s no small amount. Even if we sell it cheaply, it’s still better than those two horses, right?”
"How could that be?" Fan Xiaoxiao said with a smile, "Let them get some benefits first."
"Then test their bottom line. Do you think those northern barbarians from the Tianshan Mountains are easy to deal with?"
Fair trade only works when forces are roughly equal in strength.
Fan Xiaoxiao glanced in the direction of the distant camp: "Only by figuring things out can we have a lasting deal."
"Moreover, we also need time to develop."
"It doesn't mean developing trade, but rather building a relatively safe environment."
The current local government offices are not yet fully established.
The emperor, eyeing her covetously, would certainly not let her go.
So while Tianshan Village can't stay there forever, its construction, reinforcement, and concealment should not be underestimated.
That way, if something happens outside in the future, we can always back down.
The saying "a cunning rabbit has three burrows" illustrates this point.
"I understand." Xiao Hei suddenly understood after hearing this. He smiled and scratched his head: "Anyway, Xiao Niangzi knows more about these things than I do."
...
...
The other party was genuinely afraid that Fan Xiaoxiao and her group would change their minds.
Two days later, they brought the stable boy and the horse over.
The two horses were exceptionally fine, a truly conscientious delivery.
Even the stable boy was handsome.
Upon meeting, she bowed obediently to Fan Xiaoxiao, saying, "Greetings to the General."
The Northern Barbarians are cunning, so Fan Xiaoxiao naturally wouldn't easily trust him.
But she's neither an expert in these matters, nor is it her responsibility to handle them.
They were then handed over to several men in black from the Gu Yue Sect to deal with.
Fan Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief after receiving news that the horse slave had not yet discovered any problems.
(End of this chapter)
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