Chapter 205 Price War
Time slowly passed by.
When the fleet reached a narrow section of the western river bend, the previously calm water suddenly burst into a column of water.
Countless crystal-clear water droplets shattered and splashed.
With a clanging sound, thick, long iron chains were pulled up from the water, taut and straight, locking the river surface and blocking the way for the Iron Shield Merchant Guild's ships.
at the same time.
Silvermane and his men emerged from the reeds on both banks, their armored forehooves pounding heavily into the shallows. Their imposing, tall figures blocked out the sunlight, casting long, thin shadows on the river.
"Stop the boat! This section of the river is under the jurisdiction of the Ironforge Tribe!"
The burly, imposing centaur leader spoke in a deep voice, his powerful tone sweeping across the ship.
Clang clang clang!
Swords and weapons are drawn.
The Iron Shield Merchant Guild's guards drew their gleaming swords. Fully armed, they gripped their weapons tightly, on high alert. At the same time, the ship's deck cracked open, and two alchemical golems made of steel rose from it, standing like iron towers on the deck.
A team that dares to trade in places teeming with ferocious beasts and monsters.
They are either reckless gamblers or they have a certain amount of confidence.
However, the alchemical golem's engine did not start immediately.
The ship's captain, Hammer, wiped the water droplets from his face—whether from river water or sweat—and appeared on the deck. He first ordered the guards to lay down their weapons, then waved to the centaur leader, forcing a smile.
"Let's talk things over calmly; harmony brings wealth."
"We had a pleasant conversation before, why make a big fuss?"
The ship anchored and temporarily moored on the riverbank, and the merchant ship's captain, Hammer, sank his deerskin boots into the damp river sand.
He refused the escort and disembarked alone, walking up to the strong horse leader and offering him a bottle of fine southern wine.
They saw the burly man accept the fine wine.
The businessman's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and he asked in a low voice:
"Lord Zakri, why have you stopped us today?"
The Ironforge tribe has been entrenched in the southwest for over a decade and frequently trades with passing merchant ships. Among them, the most frequently seen is Silvermane Zakri.
As the head of a caravan that frequently travels to the southwest, this was not the first time Hammer had dealt with Silvermane.
He knew Silvermane Zakri's style of doing things very well.
This leader of the Ironforge tribe would never rashly intercept a merchant ship unless he had something urgent to attend to.
He vaguely guessed the reason, but pretended not to know.
A meaningful smile played on Silvermane's lips:
"Hamer, why ask a question you already know the answer to?"
The merchant's smile froze instantly, and he quickly waved his hand, saying, "What are you talking about? I really don't understand."
Upon hearing this, the centaur leader's smile vanished, and his usually kind expression turned cold and hard.
"The Ironforge Tribe allows merchant caravans to pass through the river bend under our jurisdiction. We regularly clear away river beasts here, protect the caravans, and provide you with convenience. Moreover, we do not charge tolls. Our only requirement is to conduct fair and reasonable transactions with the caravans."
He spoke frankly and in a businesslike tone: "However, recently several merchant groups have failed to stop when passing through the section of the river under the jurisdiction of the Iron Smelting Tribe."
"This includes your Iron Shield Merchant Guild."
He suddenly leaned down, his massive frame casting an oppressive shadow that engulfed the thin merchant: "It seems we've been too lenient, making you forget who you're dealing with."
The warriors behind them slammed their halberds together, the metallic clang startling a flock of water birds into flight.
On the hillside, dozens of longbows were already fully drawn, their gleaming arrows aimed directly at the merchant ship's guards.
Hammer broke out in a cold sweat and took out a handkerchief to wipe it away: "So that's what it was about. I didn't see any of your personnel when I passed by the last few times, and I was in a hurry, so I just passed by directly. Since we've met today, how about we trade at the old price?"
"Refined iron ore, seven hundred gold coins per ton."
Silvermane was straightforward.
"We are no longer accepting grey magnetite in the near future."
The businessman looked troubled.
Silvermane then mentioned several other ores, but Hammer kept making excuses and politely declined.
After a brief standoff, the centaur leader suddenly changed the subject: "What price did the Golden Tooth Tribe offer you?"
The merchant remained silent for a while, then realized that the Ironforge tribe could not be fooled this time, and stopped trying to deceive them.
He frankly stated, "For example, the price of refined iron ore in the Golden Tooth Tribe is only six hundred gold coins per ton, and the price of other ores per ton is also lower than yours."
As a long-standing tribe with a rich history, rooted in the border region for many years.
The Golden Tooth Tribe controls more resource points than the Iron Smelting Tribe, and having operated for a longer period, their processes are more refined, their alchemy industry is more advanced, and their production capacity surpasses that of the Iron Smelting Tribe.
Moreover...
The goblins don't mind earning less wealth in the short term. They engage in a price war with the Iron Tribe in a way that harms others without benefiting themselves. As long as they can monopolize the trade, the current losses are insignificant in the eyes of the goblins.
Silvermane frowned: "We can buy your spices at 120 percent of the market price."
Hammer shook his head with a wry smile: "The Golden Tooth Tribe will give 140%."
Silvermane remained silent, but did not allow them to pass.
The negotiations have reached a stalemate.
"Sir Zakri, how about we offer you a toll?"
Hammer's voice was very low, almost a whisper, but Silvermane remained silent, with only the clanging of the river wind through the chains answering.
At the same time, a deep voice resounded in Silvermane's mind:
“Tell him that the Ironforge tribe did not charge tolls before, and they will not charge tolls now or in the future.”
This is the whisper of Iron Dragon Sorog.
He used mind magic to establish a mental connection with Silvermane, taking the lead in the negotiations.
“Your Excellency Iron King, isn’t this a bit inappropriate? They’re more willing to trade with the Golden Tooth Tribe and collect tolls, so at least we can recoup some of our losses.”
Silvermane asked in his heart.
"Compared to these petty gains, reputation is more important; we must focus on the future."
After a brief pause, the order was given decisively: "Let them pass. Let them leave."
Silvermane said no more and relayed Iron Dragon's words to Hammer.
Upon hearing the words of the centaur leader, the merchant's pupils dilated slightly, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.
"Go, you can leave now."
As Silvermane waved his hand, the iron chains blocking the river slowly retracted, and the archers on the hillside lowered their bows.
"Your Excellency Zakri, your tolerance and magnanimity are unforgettable."
The businessman in charge smiled and bowed in greeting.
He immediately boarded the boat, set sail from the western river bend, and headed towards the eastern riverbank, which was mainly controlled by the Golden Tooth tribe.
After they left.
Tie Long emerged step by step from the dense forest on the south bank, coldly gazing in the direction the merchant ship had sailed away.
"Honorable Iron King, shall we swallow this insult?"
Silvermane bowed slightly to Iron Dragon, then asked in a low voice, somewhat unwilling.
"I overlooked one thing."
Tie Long slowly said, "The Golden Tooth Tribe has abundant funds. Engaging in a trade war and a price war with them is a short-sighted strategy that is not a wise move."
He admitted that the goblin's provocation had ignited his competitive spirit.
Faced with the Golden Tooth tribe's underhanded tactics, Iron Dragon wanted to retaliate in the same way, letting the goblins experience the wisdom of dragons.
but.
The facts are right in front of us.
The Golden Tooth Tribe has a deep foundation. Recklessly attacking the strong with the weak will only harm the interests of the Iron Smelting Tribe and will not truly damage the Golden Tooth Tribe.
After careful consideration, Tielong gradually suppressed its competitive spirit and did not rush into a price war, but instead decided to listen to Galos's advice first.
(End of this chapter)
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