CHAPTER 241: CHAPTER 237 BUSINESS COMES KNOCKING (TWO IN ONE)_2

The ring was set with a semi-translucent, milky-white gemstone. With a faint CLICK, a small spatial window opened before Karol.

From Yan Xing’s perspective, what appeared before Karol was a layer of irregular spatial distortion. He immediately had Chui Chui access the camera installed behind Karol, viewing this private space from behind her in his own mental space.

This was Yan Xing’s first time witnessing Spatial Magic and his first encounter with a Spatial Magic tool. By this time, Yan Xing had read all of Count Theodore’s magic tomes and possessed a profound understanding of Magic. All Spatial Magic was considered extremely advanced; only those with a high level of specialization in a particular branch of Magic were qualified to delve into such Spells. Naturally, spatial tools were also extremely sophisticated alchemical products. It was safe to say that every spatial tool was worth a fortune.

By casting Spatial Magic and opening the spatial ring in front of her, Karol was clearly demonstrating her power, both personal and that of her duchy.

Through the other viewpoint, Yan Xing could see a Spatial Magic gateway open before Karol. Inside the gateway were nine compartments, each containing different items. Some held jewels, others potions; some were packed with emergency food, and others with documents...

Karol retrieved a few sheets of paper covered in writing from the document compartment and then closed her private space.

"This war has inflicted tremendous damage upon the territories controlled by the Wildwind Highlands Duchy, consuming an excessive amount of resources," Karol stated. "Come winter, there will undoubtedly be a shortage of provisions."

She handed a document to Yan Xing.

Yan Xing wiped his hands and accepted the document. As Yan Xing examined it, Karol briefly explained its contents.

The duchy had already begun preparations to regain control of the Wildwind Highlands. After the war, to appease the Wildwind Highlands Legion, the duchy planned to invest a hefty sum in compensation for fallen soldiers and the recuperation of the wounded and retired. Officers and soldiers of all ranks would require rewards. Additionally, cities destroyed in the conflict would need reconstruction. Simultaneously, more people needed to be relocated to the Wildwind Highlands to enhance the logistical self-sufficiency of the Wildwind Highlands Legion. Due to the limited transport capacity on the roads from the duchy proper to the Wildwind Highlands, many goods would be procured locally in the Highlands if available. The Duchy was certainly far wealthier than Count Theodore.

"Recently, I’ve been investigating Nuta City’s reserves and the production of various supplies," Karol added. "It’s proving difficult to procure everything we need locally. Especially cotton clothing and bedding. These are essential for winter, and Nuta City can barely ensure its own supply, let alone spare any for the reorganized Wildwind Highlands Legion. I believe your Eternal Commerce Guild should be able to handle a portion of it."

Karol hadn’t abandoned her plan to win over Yan Xing simply because he refused to forsake Count Theodore. The closer she could get to Yan Xing, she reasoned, the more distant his relationship with Count Theodore would become. Suspicion would arise insidiously, and by the time it was noticed, it would be too late. Therefore, Karol had prepared a large order for Yan Xing, thinking, He wants to make money, doesn’t he? Well, I’ll let him.

The document in Yan Xing’s hands detailed a procurement plan from the Wildwind Highlands Legion for cotton clothing and quilts—a total of two hundred thousand sets!

"So many?" Yan Xing exclaimed, looking at the procurement plan. "Does the Wildwind Highlands Legion even have that many soldiers? Or are they planning to issue two sets per person? But surely, two quilts per person aren’t necessary?"

Having frequently visited the Lord’s Mansion, Yan Xing knew that the total strength of the Wildwind Highlands Legion was less than one hundred thousand.

Karol explained, "The Wildwind Highlands Legion plans to expand. Even if not all are used, they can be kept as reserves. After all, the Grand Duke signed off on this procurement amount, and I am merely following orders. How much can the Eternal Commerce Guild provide? I can prioritize a portion of the procurement quota for you."

A portion? Just two hundred thousand sets? Who is she looking down on? Yan Xing thought. He quickly made his calculations. There are still two months until winter. Based on the production capacity of the garment industry in my Greater China region, manufacturing two hundred thousand sets would just be a matter of a few extra days of overtime, right? The Duchy’s purchase price for a full set of cotton clothing and a quilt is one Gold per set. Two hundred thousand sets mean two hundred thousand Gold. My cost for one set is just over a hundred yuan—that’s nearly a 9,000% profit margin! This deal is definitely worth it.

Yan Xing said, "Leave the entire order to me. I guarantee quality and quantity, and I will deliver on time."

Karol was greatly surprised to hear Yan Xing declare he would take the entire order. "Am I hearing things correctly? This is an order for two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts, and they must be delivered within two months."

Yan Xing stated bluntly, "You heard correctly. If things go smoothly, I can have all the cotton clothing and quilts you need ready in one month."

"You’re not deceiving me? Can you really deliver that quickly?"

"As long as your payment is prompt, my goods will be too." Yan Xing, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of money, cheerfully served Karol more food. The customer is king, he thought. And money is the emperor!

Hearing Yan Xing’s guarantee, Karol could no longer remain composed. She had never imagined it possible to fulfill the entire order for two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts within the Wildwind Highlands. Her plan had been to procure as much as possible locally, with the duchy itself finding a solution for the remainder from the homeland. This procurement request was quite sudden, and Yan Xing definitely didn’t have ready-made, duchy-standard military garments on hand. Two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts, presumably all to be handmade, completed in two months! Or even one month!

What made him so confident? Karol wondered.

"Are you truly not deceiving me?" Karol remained skeptical.

Yan Xing placed another chicken leg on Karol’s plate and said with a smile, "The war won’t be over within a month. If I can’t produce enough goods by then, you’ll still have time to make other arrangements. What benefit would I gain from deceiving you? On the contrary, I’m the one who should be concerned. What if I have the goods ready, but you fail to regain control of the Wildwind Highlands? How would the payment be handled then?"

"We will definitely regain control of Storm City," Karol proclaimed confidently.

Yan Xing said, "That’s your business. Since we both acknowledge the risks involved, I have a suggestion. First, provide me with the designs for the cotton clothing and quilts. In one week, I’ll present one hundred sample sets. If you’re satisfied with the samples, pay me twenty thousand Gold as a deposit. Within one month from then, I’ll show you the full two hundred thousand sets of cotton clothing and quilts, ready in my warehouse. At that point, you pay the remaining balance, and you can take the garments away anytime."

This way, Yan Xing calculated, even if Karol defaults and doesn’t take the merchandise, I’ll still have made twenty thousand Gold. A 900% profit. Less than the full deal, but still a profit. Besides, it’s not like all those cotton clothes and quilts would just be stuck with me. I can use some in my own territory and sell some in Nuta City. The Wildwind Highlands Legion will definitely need to buy some for winter. Worst-case scenario, I’ll slash the price drastically—say, 20% off—and sell them to the Legion. Yan Xing’s mental abacus clacked away, his calculations clear.

Karol also found Yan Xing’s proposal agreeable. Indeed, winter was still two months away. Yan Xing had promised delivery in one month. If the garments didn’t materialize, the duchy would still have time to make emergency arrangements. If he could deliver on time, it would solve a major problem for the duchy. As for whether the duchy could regain control of the Wildwind Highlands and make the payment on time... Had Yan Xing been unable to produce the goods, Karol might have remained uncertain. But if this batch of cotton clothing and quilts arrived on time, then this land was destined to return to the duchy’s control.

"Alright, we’ll proceed as you’ve suggested. In one week, I want to see one hundred sample sets. Once I’ve paid the deposit, within one month, I expect to see all two hundred thousand sets of military-standard garments in the Eternal Commerce Guild’s warehouse."

Seeing Karol’s still distrustful expression, Yan Xing laughed. "It’s just a two-hundred-thousand-Gold deal. Is there really a need to be so worried? We’ll sign a procurement agreement. Lord Yan Xing always keeps his word. Once my name is on it, I’m even less likely to deceive you."

Yan Xing had Chui Chui draft a procurement agreement, printed it in his office, and then had a maid bring it to the dining room. Two copies were made. After Yan Xing signed his name, he handed the agreement to Karol. After reading the agreement and finding no issues, Karol also signed her name.

Still looking astonished, she couldn’t help but ask, "How can you possibly produce two hundred thousand sets of garments in just one month? I’m afraid that much time wouldn’t even be enough to prepare the raw materials, would it?"