Chapter 215 - 204: Price War
Time slowly passed by.
As the fleet sailed towards the Western River Bay, a relatively narrow area, the originally calm surface of the water suddenly erupted into columns.
Countless crystal-clear water droplets shattered and scattered.
With the sound of clanging collisions, thick, long iron chains rose from the water, pulled tight, locking the river surface and barring the path of several of Iron Shield Merchant Group’s ships.
At the same time.
The centaurs led by Silver Mane emerged from the reed beds on both banks, their armored front hooves stomping heavily into the shallows. Their strong and tall figures blocked the sunlight, casting elongated shadows over the river.
"Halt the ships! This area is under the jurisdiction of the Molten Iron Tribe!"
The stout and burly centaur leader said in a deep voice, his rich voice sweeping across the ship’s hull.
Clang clang clang!
Blades were unsheathed.
The guards of the Iron Shield Merchant Group drew their gleaming blades, fully equipped, gripping their weapons tightly, on high alert. At the same time, the ship’s deck split open, and two steel-built Alchemy Golems rose, standing like iron towers on the deck.
Those daring to do business in a land infested with beasts and monsters.
Are either reckless gamblers or possess some confidence.
However, the engines of the Alchemy Golems did not immediately start.
Hammer, the ship’s steward, wiped away water droplets from his face, uncertain if it was river water or sweat, appeared on the deck. He first had the guards drop their weapons, then waved his hand to the centaur leader, forcing a smile on his face:
"Let’s discuss matters properly; harmony generates wealth."
"We enjoyed our previous conversations, so why resort to force?"
The ship anchored, temporarily mooring at the riverbank, as Hammer’s deerskin boots sank into the damp river sand.
He declined the guards’ accompaniment, disembarked alone, walked up to the strong centaur leader, and handed over a bottle of southern wine.
Seeing the centaur strongman accept the wine.
The merchant’s tense shoulders slightly relaxed as he quietly asked:
"Lord Zakli, why did you stop us today?"
The Molten Iron Tribe has occupied the southwest for over a decade, often engaging in trade with passing merchant ships, and the most frequent face seen was Silver-maned Zakli.
As the steward of a caravan frequently visiting the southwest, Hammer was not new to dealing with Silver Mane.
He understood Silver-maned Zakli’s style well.
This centaur leader of the Molten Iron Tribe wouldn’t arbitrarily intercept merchant ships without serious matters.
He vaguely guessed the reason but pretended not to know.
Silver Mane’s mouth curled with a meaningful smile:
"Hammer, why ask when you already know?"
The merchant’s smile instantly froze, quickly waving his hands: "Why do you say so? I really don’t understand."
Upon hearing this, the centaur leader’s smile faded, and his usual friendly expression turned stern.
"The Molten Iron Tribe allows merchant groups to pass through our controlled river bay. We regularly clear river beasts here, escorting merchant groups safely, giving you convenience, and haven’t charged toll fees. Our only requirement is to engage in fair and reasonable trade."
He spoke bluntly in an official tone: "However, recently, several merchant groups did not anchor while passing through the Molten Iron Tribe’s jurisdiction."
"That includes your Iron Shield Merchant Group."
He suddenly leaned forward, his burly body casting an oppressive shadow, engulfing the slender merchant: "It seems we’ve been too lenient, making you forget whom you’re facing."
Behind him, the centaur warriors simultaneously struck their spears, the metal clash startling the water birds into flight.
On the hillside, dozens of longbows were drawn, their gleaming arrowheads aimed directly at the merchant ship’s guards.
Hammer’s forehead seeped with cold sweat as he took out a handkerchief to wipe: "So it’s about this matter. Last time we passed by, I didn’t notice your tribe’s people, and we were in a hurry, hence passed directly. Now that we’ve met today, how about we trade at the old price?"
"Refined Iron Ore, seven hundred gold coins per ton."
Silver Mane was straightforward.
"This... we’re not buying Gray Magnetic Iron Ore recently."
The merchant showed a hesitant expression.
Silver Mane mentioned several other ores, but Hammer kept pushing back, politely declining.
After a moment of stalemate, the centaur commander suddenly shifted the topic: "What price did the Golden Tooth Tribe offer you?"
The merchant remained silent for a while, realizing the Molten Iron Tribe could no longer be fooled, then stopped procrastinating.
He honestly said: "For example, Refined Iron Ore, the Golden Tooth Tribe only charges six hundred gold coins per ton, and the price for other ores is also lower than yours."
As a well-established, deeply rooted old tribe at the border.
The Golden Tooth Tribe has more resource points under its jurisdiction than the Molten Iron Tribe, and they have operated for a long time, with more streamlined processes and advanced alchemy industries, surpassing the Molten Iron Tribe in production capacity.
Furthermore.
The goblins don’t mind earning less wealth in the short term, engaging in price wars with the Molten Iron Tribe. As long as they can monopolize trade, the current losses are insignificant in their eyes.
Silver Mane frowned slightly: "We can offer one hundred and twenty percent of the market price for your spices."
Hammer shook his head with a bitter smile: "The Golden Tooth Tribe offers one hundred and forty percent..."
Silver Mane fell silent, but did not give way.
The negotiation reached an impasse.
"Lord Zakli, can we pay you a toll fee, instead?"
Hammer’s voice was very low, almost a whisper, but Silver Mane still remained silent, only the river breeze echoed against the iron chain.
At the same time, a deep voice resonated in Silver Mane’s mind:
"Tell him the Molten Iron Tribe never charged toll fees, won’t charge them now, and won’t charge them in the future."
This was Iron Dragon Solrog’s mind whisper.
He used Mind Magic to establish a mental link with Silver Mane, leading this negotiation.
"Honorable King of Iron, isn’t this a bit inappropriate? They now prefer trading with the Golden Tooth Tribe, charging a toll fee, we could at least recoup some losses."
Silver Mane questioned in his mind.
"Compared to such petty gains, reputation is more important. We must focus on the future."
After a brief pause, the order was firm and decisive: "Let them pass, let them leave."
Silver Mane spoke no more, repeating Iron Dragon’s words to Hammer.
Upon hearing the centaur leader’s words, the merchant steward’s pupils slightly dilated, a hint of surprise flashed across.
"Go on, you may leave."
With Silver Mane’s wave, the chains blocking the river slowly retracted, and the archers on the hill lowered their bowstrings.
"Lord Zakli, your generosity and open-mindedness are unforgettable to me."
The merchant steward’s face broke into a smile as he bowed in respect.
Soon, he boarded the ship, setting sail away from the Western River Bay towards the eastern riverbank mainly controlled by the Golden Tooth Tribe.
After they departed.
Iron Dragon walked out step by step from the dense forest on the southern shore, coldly watching the departing direction of the merchant ship.
"Honorable King of Iron, shall we swallow this insult?"
Silver Mane slightly bowed, saluting Iron Dragon, then unwillingly asked in a low voice.
"I overlooked something."
Iron Dragon slowly said: "The Golden Tooth Tribe has ample funds, engaging in trade war, price war with them is using a short to strike a long, not a wise move."
He admitted, that the goblins’ provocation had once ignited his competitiveness.
Facing the Golden Tooth Tribe’s little tricks, Iron Dragon wanted to counterstrike in the same way, to show the goblins the wisdom of the Dragon Race.
However.
The current facts are laid bare.
The Golden Tooth Tribe’s deep foundation, reckless use of weak to strike strong, would only harm the interests of the Molten Iron Tribe and could not truly hurt the Golden Tooth Tribe.
After deep consideration, Iron Dragon gradually suppressed his competitive urge, not rashly engaging in price wars, preparing to first hear Galos’ advice.