Vol 2 Chapter 5 (2/2)

The important thing for them was to never allow a shop that will immediately go bankrupt in the Oasis district.

Instead of just becoming a status symbol because my shop appeared on the Oasis district once.

My shop will reap profits from my long time knowledge, that will become its brand.

It’s only human nature to think that travelers and foreign merchant groups visiting here through the trade routes will use shops that had status. All the more if it was a n.o.ble.

That was why the system makes the shop in the Oasis district very profitable.

“… It will depend on the negotiation.”

“If you can’t arrange it, make it a tax exemption certificate for at least a year.”

Tax exemption certificate, It’s simply a certificate to be exempted from tax from the feudal lord.

Presently the tax rate of the feudal lord was at 20%, that tax is too high for this place, that’s why I want to reduce it by all means.

“… If it’s tax exemption certificate, it will be possible.”

Howard was careful with his words.

I see, it seems that Howard had done this kind of negotiations for several times now. There may not be enough monetary rewards for forming a subjugation party from the feudal lord, therefore they gather manpower by giving different rewards such as tax exemption certificates. He’d gotten used to smoothly deal with these things that he was keeping an eye out for it.

Indeed, he seems to be more grateful I’m willing to accept tax exemption certificate.

There was definitely a reaction seeing that much from his mental chart.

Should I try to negotiate more?

“Let’s agree with the tax exemption certificate, but there is a condition.”

“Condition?”

Howard’s body stiffened for a while.

“First, our slaves are merchandise. If you damage or let them die, it will be your responsibility to buy them.”

“… That is.”

“This is my main rule. Since they are slaves, you may not care about them, that’s what I think if we don’t discuss about it.”

Howard’s speech faltered.

Perhaps he thought that I may possibly just accept the losses if it was just a few slaves.

I pressured him more.

“Next, you will be responsible for the necessary expenses for the meals, equipment, and such for the slaves. We will only prepare the manpower.”

“That would be troublesome.”

“It is not our problem.”

Meals and equipment, these must be covered by the other party.

Concerning such expenses, if I don’t confirm it beforehand, I will be in trouble. I have bitterly experienced giving in to the things as they are like these small details.

I am a weak person towards merchants that have position in society. Therefore when I make a contract, I can protect myself by clearly stipulating it, up to the minute details. I must protect myself.

“Honestly, we are not troubled if people stops coming to the Oasis district because Giant Desert Isopods appeared on the trade route. Rather people becoming slaves will increase because poor people will increase, and that is a business opportunity for us.”

“…”

“Because we are going out of our way to cooperate with you, it’s presumptuous of you to demand that we shoulder the cost of the equipment, please bear that in mind.”

I said so towards Howard.

Watching how he would react, Howard immediately looked at me directly.

“Besides, there are other minute details, please sign the contract that I will draw up if you agree to the conditions.”

“… Don’t be absurd.”

“But I’m not being unreasonable. Tax exemption certificate is rather cheap, and it’s only natural for me to ask you not to request anything unreasonable from my slaves…… If you think I’m being unreasonable, then you can decide that you won’t use us.”

To be frank, I thought that it was okay if I drop the negotiations.

But demanding the ridiculous will just needlessly worsen his impression to me.

It was just a cla.s.s of common sense.

However, while looking at the trend of his mental chart.

“… I will consult with the Finance Secretary.”

As a result, Howard mentioned that I should look forward to it.

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