Hao Yun couldn't be bothered to deal with this kind of person.
“I say it’s Dragon City, so it is Dragon City. If you’re not satisfied, come on over. Anyway, your city will be renamed soon.”
The envoy's face flushed red instantly, and he was so angry that he couldn't even speak. He had never seen such an arrogant person before.
"Fine! Since you won't accept our offer, then I'll take my leave!"
Without a word, the envoy turned and left. In his eyes, it was better if Hao Yun refused, so that they could take a share of the spoils after conquering Astapo.
"If this kind of person comes again, just kick them out without notifying me."
Hao Yun yawned and turned to go back to the palace.
After the messenger left, the anxious and uneasy merchant hurriedly stepped forward.
"City Lord! Lord City Lord!"
Signaling the moonlight to stop, Hao Yun turned to look at the merchant.
"Is there anything else?"
"Sir, the grain and ore you asked us to purchase have already been delivered back. Do you think we need to continue purchasing them?"
Although the merchants were terrified when the envoy left, they valued the potential profits even more.
Hao Yun sent them out to buy grain, only explaining the types and prices of the grains; he didn't elaborate on anything more detailed.
This gave merchants room to maneuver, such as lowering grain prices and making a huge profit from the difference.
"You continue to collect grain at the same price as this time. Oh, and while you're at it, buy some blacksmiths. As for the money spent, I'll settle the bill when you get back."
The businessmen exchanged glances, their hearts burning with excitement; they all knew that a chance to make money had arrived.
"Yes, City Lord."
After receiving the order, the merchants quickly left, intending to find a place to discuss the distribution of profits.
Hao Yun didn't care about these people's ulterior motives. He had money anyway, and all he cared about was that they brought the goods back.
You can't expect a horse to run without feeding it.
War will break out soon. Dragon City is currently short of food and weapons, which merchants need to purchase.
Chapter 153 Businessman
The messenger from Meereen was already prepared to leave. Since Hao Yun had rejected Meereen's offer, war was imminent.
Fighting wars was not something a nobleman like him should do; what he needed to do was enjoy life.
The merchants in the city were arguing fiercely in a brothel at that moment.
"Why should you take 50% of the grain procurement? If that's the case, I want 30%!"
"You still want 30%! Can you even tow your wrecked ship back?"
The thirteen businessmen present almost came to blows in their struggle to get a larger share of the profits.
"Quiet down, everyone stop arguing!"
An elderly man of great prestige stood up and slammed his hand on the table several times.
The people present finally quieted down, but they were all glaring fiercely at the others, since the allocated amount was equivalent to money.
“If we keep arguing, we won’t reach a conclusion. If we waste the city lord’s time, none of us will be able to do this business in the future. You know, there are more than just a few merchants in the city than just us.”
The old man had a serious expression. When Hao Yun was selecting people, he only chose a group of the most reputable merchants from among many, which were the thirteen people present.
The room fell silent again, and everyone stopped arguing, waiting quietly for the old man to continue.
"The city lord has arranged for us to purchase food and weapons. Everyone here has their own area of expertise. In that case, why don't we separate the food and weapons and then distribute them?"
The remaining twelve merchants looked at each other, pondering whether it was feasible.
The most profitable items Hao Yun wanted to buy were definitely weapons and armor, as the profits from these items were extremely high. However, not everyone had access to the channels for purchasing weapons.
"I agree."
One of the merchants raised his hand. He knew very well that even if he were asked to buy weapons, he wouldn't be able to buy many. In that case, he might as well bring back more grain.
Of the remaining eleven people, eight raised their hands, while only three remained hesitant.
"Everyone here is a smart person. You can all guess what the city lord is planning to do with the grain and weapons he's buying. What do you think he'll buy next?"
"Warhorse!"
Instantly, someone exclaimed in surprise. This was a huge deal. He had made his fortune by selling horses and livestock, so he naturally knew the profits involved.
"It's good that everyone knows this is a long-term business. If it's less this time, there will be another time. I hope everyone will not hurt our relationship."
An elder mediated, and the people present finally calmly distributed the shares.
"I will not participate in this business deal."
The speaker was the same person who had exclaimed in surprise earlier. Everyone understood why he didn't participate in this deal: he wanted to make an even bigger profit.
Even if others knew, they could only be envious, since they didn't have the means to obtain warhorses.
"Kaz, you're about to strike it rich!"
"No, it's just that I can't get enough food and weapons."
Despite saying that, Katz couldn't hide his joy; his eyes were practically glowing.
After a brief discussion, the thirteen merchants dispersed.
The other merchants in the city were extremely envious of these thirteen people, but they couldn't replace them, since Hao Yun was not someone easy to talk to.
The number of slave owners who were killed a few days ago was at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, not to mention those who died in the war.
As time passed, ship after ship of grain was transported back to Dragon City, and large quantities of weapons and armor were also equipped on the army.
Just as Hao Yun was considering where to get warhorses, a Pure One came to report that a merchant had come to see him.
"Let him in."
Hao Yun was quite lenient with these businessmen. Although they were a bit greedy, they were easy to use. As long as the money was right, they could get whatever they wanted.
The person who came to see him was Kaz. He had been traveling to buy warhorses, and as soon as he got them, he rushed back, afraid that the business would be taken away.
"Lord City Lord."
Kaz knelt on one knee and bowed his head in greeting. Hao Yun waved his hand, indicating that he could stand up.
"Speak, what brings you here?"
"My lord, I heard that you are forming a new army and are short of warhorses. I have just acquired a batch of top-quality warhorses from the grassland tribes, so I have come to present them to you."
Hao Yun laughed when he heard this. This guy is interesting; he actually knows how to read my mind.
"Okay, then I'll accept it."
Kaz glanced at Hao Yun and panicked when he saw that Hao Yun hadn't mentioned the price for a while. He had staked his entire fortune on acquiring these warhorses.
If he didn't receive the money, he would go bankrupt. Thinking of this, Kaz was so anxious that sweat poured down his forehead.
"Haha, go back and settle the bill. Send me the bill. If there are no problems, we'll settle the bill once the warhorse arrives."
Kaz looked at Hao Yun's smiling face and realized that the city lord had just been teasing him.
With a flushed face, Kaz bowed and left the palace. He was too ashamed to stay there, as the city lord had completely seen through his little scheme.
That afternoon, the warhorse and the financial list were delivered to Hao Yun.
One warhorse for ten golden dragons—the price is fair, so you could say Hao Yun made a profit.
The warhorses that Kaz sent over were all top-quality horses, tall, strong, and capable of carrying heavy loads, with great explosive power. They could be used by both light and heavy cavalry.
"Good horse! You've put your heart into this."
Hao Yun had someone deliver the money to Kaz's residence. He looked at him with a smile. This time, Kaz brought back only twelve thousand warhorses, which was still a bit short of what Hao Yun needed.
"Thank you for your praise, Lord City Lord."
Kaz smiled, after all, he had the money and his gamble had paid off.
Normally, these warhorses could be sold for twenty gold dragons each, but at that price, there are very few people who can afford them.
Most lords, even when buying warhorses, would only purchase a hundred or two at most. Big clients like Hao Yun are rare, and they might not see one for several years.
"You did a good job this time, but there are still too few warhorses. Try to get another 20,000 horses, and keep the price the same. How about that?"
Each member of Hao Yun's heavy cavalry unit needs two warhorses, so the warhorses that Kaz sent this time can only be equipped to the light cavalry for them to use first.
"No problem, thank you for your appreciation, Lord City Lord."
Katz's old face was beaming like a chrysanthemum. He had just sold Hao Yun's warhorse and made half the money. You can imagine how happy he was.
However, only Kaz could acquire so many warhorses at once, because only he had good relations with the nomadic tribes of the grasslands and could trade horses with them.
After a brief conversation, Kaz left the palace. He was going to the grasslands immediately. Next month was the nomadic people's festival, and he would be able to buy warhorses and sell a batch of goods on his trip.
Chapter 154 Allied Forces Attack
A month has passed since Hao Yun captured Longcheng.
In the past month, Longcheng has undergone tremendous changes, with a quarter of the city being demolished and rebuilt.
The roads were planned in a grid pattern, and the houses on both sides of the roads were all two-story buildings with white walls.
This was not Hao Yun's request, but rather the decision made by the slaves who built the house.
People who had been relocated due to demolition have now returned and are spending money to buy new houses.
Hao Yun got all the money he had spent back, and even made a small profit.
This group of slaves also received houses, but they were all rented; to buy them, they would have to pay money.
They could repay part of this money each month, and the implementation of this policy made the slaves extremely grateful.
Hao Yun was quite helpless about this, as he not only made money but also gained the respect and gratitude of the slaves.