Chapter 54, "Talking About Buying and Selling in Manhattan," concludes.
Not long after East finished lunch, carriages drove into the manor, carrying officials and merchants who had come to discuss business.
East walked into the council chamber first, his eyes revealing a good deal of weariness and boredom; sometimes he really wanted to quit.
The system didn't force him to do any tasks; he chose each step himself, so how did things turn out this way? Easter was completely baffled. In fact, he knew quite well that, ultimately, his identity meant he didn't have much room for choice.
East casually fiddled with the papers on the table, wondering what he had experienced in just a few days since arriving in Manhattan.
I talked to a mermaid about a collaboration; I encountered a "kidnapper" on my first shopping trip; I survived a near-death experience at sea on my second shopping trip and met a strange little madman; and then this morning I made a deal with someone and acted out a play.
Wow~ That's amazing! (Indifferent.jpg)
He has business to discuss with people soon, and with so many things piling up, isn't it only natural that he feels tired?
The chairs in the council chamber were gradually filled with people, and four little firemen followed them in: Roasted Sweet Potato, Pine Snow, Husky, and Painter. The four of them stood next to East.
East gathered his wandering thoughts and said, "The main reason I invited everyone here today is for the future construction and development of Manhattan Port. You can take a look at the plans first."
Easter handed the prepared plan to Little Fireman, who then distributed it to the people in the council chamber.
For a moment, the only sound in the council chamber was the rustling of papers. After reading it, everyone had different expressions, and they fell silent briefly in the face of the plan.
"What? Is there a problem?" Seeing the little fire people peeking around, Esther asked the various people with different expressions, and handed the plan he had on hand to Erha.
"I'm so sorry," Erha said, but he took the plan quickly.
"Can you even understand it before you accept the job?" the painter asked.
“There’s a translator,” Erha said.
Upon hearing Erha's words, the remaining three little fire creatures all leaned over to look at the contents of the plan.
Ist didn't care about the players' reactions; his gaze remained fixed on the crowd below.
“Your Majesty, it would be wonderful if things could develop as planned in the plan, but for us now, the most important thing is to recuperate and rebuild.”
“Your Majesty, I think Mr. Jerome is right. With our current manpower, resources and finances, it is simply impossible to carry out a major transformation of the city.”
“Mr. Jerome and Mr. Fred are quite right, Your Majesty. This plan is excellent, but we lack the foundation to make it a reality.” The man sitting to East’s left, with a long beard and dressed in a well-tailored suit, spoke slowly and deliberately. This was Peyton Sabines, one of the managers of Manhattan Harbor.
"Do you all think so?" East looked around at everyone below him.
Under East's gaze, those who had made the move lowered their heads, a gesture that revealed their attitude.
"Since you all unanimously deny this plan, should I praise your teamwork?" Easter asked with a smile.
"Tsk!" the husky grumbled. "They don't even think about how to turn the plan into reality; instead, they just deny it outright. What's the point of keeping them?"
A smile crept into Esther's eyes. "None of you are thinking about how to turn the plan into reality. Instead, you just deny it outright. You can't even come up with half a feasible plan. What am I keeping you around for?" His smile didn't fade. "Even my summoned creatures understand this, but you don't."
The husky tilted its head back high and said, "A bunch of idiots, they don't know as much as I do."
The remaining three little firemen looked away, unable to bear the sight. In the entire council hall, this husky was probably the least understanding of the situation.
Easter nodded with a smile, "You're right."
“Your Majesty, a summoned creature is ultimately just a summoned creature,” Peyton reminded him, seemingly in a friendly manner.
“I know,” East replied, “but they can get things done, and they can do it better than anyone else.”
“Your Majesty, it seems you intend to continue on your own terms.” Peyton’s intense gaze fell on East.
East accepted it calmly. "I don't mind being a tyrant. Perhaps you can guess how many summons I have now, even if they're not very powerful," East's smile widened, "but they won't die." It was a light, but threatening tone that anyone could hear.
“Your Majesty, since you have already made your decision, why summon us under the guise of negotiation?” Jerome asked, as one of the administrators of Manhattan Harbor.
“You know what? There’s something I’ve always been puzzled about,” East said, seemingly out of the blue, “Manhattan Port should be the most loyal to all the kings, so why did you only come when I summoned you? Don’t tell me you didn’t know I was coming, after all, I didn’t come here in disguise.”
"Pfft~" The husky couldn't help but laugh out loud, "That's hilarious."
"Can't you be quiet for a moment?" the painter said. "People are having a good meeting, and you've ruined the serious atmosphere."
"Is this atmosphere serious?" the husky asked, puzzled. "I just find it funny."
The only sound in the entire conference room was the conversation between the two little fire figures.
“This is not impossible,” said Ru Bu Kao Di Gua. “The plan is very clear: a major transformation, labor-based development, and proximity to the port, making it an economically developed area. Compared to other regions within the Kingdom of Felix, this is the easiest place to develop. Even the problem of the port being impassable has been solved by the King. What reason do they have to refuse such readily available benefits?”
East glanced at the roasted sweet potato and then turned to the others present. "That's right, what are your reasons for refusing? The benefits are readily available, the advantages are right before your eyes. Is it that you don't want the Kingdom of Felix to develop?"
At first, East was not sure, but now that things have developed, there is at least an 80% chance that his guess is true.
Ister sighed inwardly. Couldn't he really give him a loyal human subordinate besides the players? There are gains and losses, it's not that simple.
“Alright,” East said coldly, “the development of Port Manhattan will proceed according to the plan. You don’t have to put in too much effort, but you’d better not cause trouble. If I catch you, I don’t care what kind of achievements and glory your ancestors had. Anyway, I’m all alone now and have nothing to worry about.”
“As you say, Your Majesty.” Peyton led the way, with the others only a beat behind.
East raised his hand. "That's settled then. Remember to cooperate and don't try anything funny."
The players opened the meeting room door, and the council members left in an orderly fashion.
East rubbed his forehead, his complexion not very good. A sense of unease lingered in his heart today, making him restless.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?" Matsukami Yuki asked with concern. "Should we have someone come and take a look?"
East waved his hand, "No need, it's still early, I have some things to take care of."
The expressions on the four little firemen's faces were quite interesting. This king went out twice and ran into trouble both times. The odds... can you say he's worthy of being their king? They're so skeptical of bad luck.
"Your Majesty, we want to go with you," said Roasted Sweet Potato.
"Mmm." The other three little firemen nodded silently.
Easter's eyes crinkled into a smile. "Then thank you very much."
"By the way, Your Majesty, what are you going to do?" the husky asked. "Looking at the sky, it looks like it could rain at any moment."
"I want to finish this as soon as possible and then return to the capital." Ister pulled his hooded cloak tighter around himself, wrapping himself up even more tightly; this chilly wind was no joke.
“Okay.” Matsushita Yuki didn’t finish her sentence. She felt that Manhattan Port was a bit of a jinx to this little king, so it was better to leave sooner rather than later.
"King, you haven't told us yet what we're going to do?" The husky stared at Ister with its beady eyes.
*Splat!*
"This is what happens when you don't watch where you're going." The painter stood next to the husky who had slipped and fallen to the ground.
Easter reached out and pulled the person up, "Are you alright?"
The husky had a urge to log off, but if it logged off now, wouldn't it look like it was running away in panic?
The husky bravely stayed behind, saying "It's okay," almost as if it were about to cry.
Easter suppressed a laugh and said, "Go find someone to discuss a business deal," thus changing the subject.
"What business do you need the King to do in person?" Erha quickly accepted East's offer.
“You’ll see when we get there,” East said mysteriously. “It’ll be quick, not far.”
East was right. The place they were going to was the first shop on the street they had visited that day. From the outside, it was a simple two-story building. Above the door, the word "Campbell" was engraved in white gold on the black stone. In the lower right corner, there was a unique pattern, which was the emblem symbolizing "Campbell".
Easter led the four little firemen inside, and the wind chimes tinkled softly.
The shop is illuminated by magic lamps, with a counter facing the entrance and two or three sets of tables and chairs arranged around it, creating a very simple atmosphere.
A well-to-do man lay on a recliner, startled awake by the sound of wind chimes. He squinted, fumbled for his glasses, put them on, and stood up with a forced smile. "I'm so sorry for not greeting you sooner. What would you like to see, sir? The most honest Campbell businessman, Chapman, is at your service."
East pulled down his hood. "I've come to discuss a business deal."
Upon seeing East's face clearly, Chapman's smile visibly froze. "Your Majesty King Felix, it was my poor hospitality. Please come upstairs."
A boy of about fourteen or fifteen years old ran in through the back door. "Uncle Chapman?" he called out, sounding puzzled.
“Chase, you stay here and mind the shop. My guests and I are going upstairs,” Chapman instructed.
“Okay,” the boy named Chase replied, his curious gaze sweeping over East and the little fireman following beside East.
East nodded slightly, and the four little firemen followed Chapman up to the second floor. There were four rooms on the second floor. Chapman opened the first room, which was fully furnished with tables and chairs and decorations, and was a room for entertaining guests.
"I wonder what kind of business His Majesty King Felix wishes to discuss with Campbell?" Chapman poured wine for each of the four little firemen.
Easter handed over a piece of paper. "Everything I need is written on this."
Chapman took the paper with both hands and examined it carefully. His brows furrowed for a moment. He put the paper down, pushed up his glasses, and said, "Your Majesty King Felix, this shouldn't be discussed with me. You should contact Campbell's big merchant directly."
A look of helplessness crossed East's face. "I'm afraid the big merchants won't want to do my business."
“Oh?” Chapman asked with a smile. “Then, Your Majesty King Felix, why do you think I can accept this?”
“I wasn’t 100% sure, I was just asking out of wishful thinking, but it seems I’ll probably get the result I want,” Easter said.
“Haha, as a businessman in Campbell’s business, I never miss a deal, especially one as big as this.” Chapman picked up his glass of red wine.
East also picked up his glass, clinked it with Chapman's, and the two drank their drinks.
“Your Majesty, you should know that Campbell merchants will not provide material support to any country where a war is taking place,” Chapman said meaningfully.
“I know that, of course,” Easter said. “I just don’t know when the goods I need will arrive.”
“We have to wait for the rain to stop,” Chapman poured drinks for the two of them. “It’s not a good time to sail during the rainy season.”
“Please hurry,” East said. “I know the Campbell merchants will not be deterred by any difficulties on the road.”
“Your Majesty, you are putting me in a difficult position,” Chapman said, slowly sipping his wine.
“This is not a one-off deal. Once construction begins, the materials needed will be inexhaustible, and Mr. Chapman should understand that,” East said.
“I need to sign a contract first, and make sure everything is clearly written down before I can do this deal,” Chapman said.
East nodded. "Of course."
Chapman took out a brand new parchment and began writing on it with a quill pen. The quill pen seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of ink, and it filled the entire parchment without running out.
“Your Majesty, please take a look.” Chapman handed over a parchment scroll filled with writing.
Easter looked at it carefully. "No problem. I trust Campbell's reputation as a businessman."
“Whatever you doubt, you need not doubt the reputation of Campbell’s businessmen,” Chapman said.
The trip went more smoothly than Easton had expected; perhaps the bad luck from the previous two days had been worn off.
“Your Majesty, please keep the contract safe. It is the proof of each delivery,” Chapman reminded him.
“Yes,” Easter put away the contract and took out a brocade box that could hold things. “This is a deposit. After each delivery, once the goods are confirmed to be correct, the remaining balance will be paid.”
Chapman lifted the lid of the brocade box and examined each of the magic crystals inside. "No problem," he said, closing the lid and putting away the magic crystals with a bright smile. "If His Majesty needs anything else, please feel free to add more."
Easter raised his glass to Chapman and said, "It's been a pleasure working with you."
Chapman smiled and replied, "It's a pleasure working with you."
...
Ister shivered as the cold wind blew in from outside the shop. "Let's go back. We can go back to the capital tomorrow."
“Your Majesty, if you alone contribute money and effort, I fear it won’t be sustainable in the long run,” said Matsushita Yuki.
“I know,” Ister pulled up his hood. “Don’t worry, they’ll pay up one day.”
Matsugami Yuki and Nobuo Roasted Sweet Potato exchanged a glance; it seemed something was about to happen.
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