849 Raising the Price (2/2)
The slave trader's entire fat body was shaking in anger.
”Good, very good!” Heathfrey cursed and continued bidding. ”Eleven thousand gold coins!”
”Twelve thousand!” Fang Yuan followed up directly.
Formosa and the other initial bidders now realized in surprise that there were still people truly interested in this fragment. Their expressions were complex at the thought.
…
”Fifteen thousand gold coins!” Heathfrey uttered a number in a rage, staring at Fang Yuan with bloodshot eyes.
”Since you're looking at me so sincerely, well…” Fang Yuan spread his arms and shrugged, sitting back into his chair. ”I'll let you have it then! Come, cheers for the generous slave trader, Heathfrey!”
Pirates were all people who liked chaos, and many of them started whistling in a funny manner.
In their minds, the Arcane Trickster had a grudge against Heathfrey and had played verbal tricks on this slave trader.
Forcing him to purchase this seemingly worthless treasure map fragment at a higher price was indeed a splendid scene to behold.
”Good, very good!”
If the slave trader had been looking at Fang Yuan with bloodshot eyes earlier, then his eyes were like knives now, as if he wanted to cut Fang Yuan's flesh directly by staring at him.
”Cough cough…” The emcee tried to make peace in a hurry. ”Everybody… Next up is the routine program of our auction house—the slave auction. The first set is plantation slaves, one hundred slaves per group. Each of them is good at planting crops, and they're all docile and won't resist. They're definitely the top choice for plantation owners. There are ten groups in total, and they'll be auctioned separately. The base price is one thousand gold coins!”
Slave trading was strictly forbidden in Ettoman, where people considered themselves to be civilized.
More than a decade ago, the king had signed the law to absolve all the local slaves and grant freedom to them.
Of course, the workers being exploited in the factories might get worse treatment than slaves in plantations, but that did not matter too much.
However, although Ettoman banned the use of slaves in its territories, there was always a strong demand for slaves in tropical plantations and the factories of foreign countries.
Blackbeard took up the largest market share in this aspect and was the infamous leader among slave traders
In his territories, slaves could be sold openly.
For example, the slaves were all docile and specialized in some skills, and the prices were favorable as well. The ship owners soon bought them up.
After the slave batches were sold out, it was time to auction the high-level slaves. Helga was among them, and of course, there were a few extremely beautiful women slaves as well.
”This high-level slave, Helga, has mastered voyage skills and is an excellent voyager. The starting price is one thousand gold coins!”
The emcee waved his hand, signaling two strong men to bring a slave onto the stage.
Fang Yuan fixed his eyes on him. Helga was less than thirty years old. He had wheat-colored skin and a sturdy chest. Together with his small mustache, pronounced facial features, and cynical smile, he indeed had some charm.
”Helga!” Wilson shouted loudly at the side, as though he would dash onto the exhibition stage at the next moment.
”Damn it! Butcher!”
Fang Yuan covered his face and made a gesture.
Wilson felt as if a dark shadow as heavy as a mountain fell upon him, making him unable to move.
”Eleven hundred!”
…
The bidding continued. Within a short time, the price had reached fifteen hundred gold coins.
”I bid… three thousand gold coins!” Fang Yuan suddenly said, doubling the price and looking at Heathfrey provocatively.
The slave trader breathed heavily and was prepared to raise the price again, but he suddenly thought of what happened previously.
After all, this slave was only a friend of the third officer, not a friend of the captain himself. Helga might not be very important to him, or else he would have ransomed the slave earlier.
What if this was a trap again?
Why would he raise the price and buy his own slave? Just to let the auction house earn the commission twice?
He hesitated immediately.
And to the other ship owners, three thousand gold coins far exceeded the real value of this slave, so they would not bid a higher price. Moreover, everyone thought that it was Fang Yuan's trap, and they did not want to fall into it foolishly.
After the gavel hit and the auctioneer announced the outcome, Wilson looked at Fang Yuan in deep gratitude.
”Boss, many thanks!”
”You're welcome…”
Fang Yuan waved his hand and stared at the auction stage. The auction of slaves had reached the final climax, and the lot he had entrusted them with was on the stage as well.
”Next is the climax of our slave auction this time. This is a noble's daughter, Miss Elizabeth from Ettoman!” the emcee shouted at the top of his voice.