Chapter 247 — Gao Song's Daily Work
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 3
Gao Yang sat in the study of the lord's manor, reading the latest reports from the Kant and Leslie domains.
More than half of the reports concerned the establishment of trade routes. Padrick, whom he had valued so highly, had already proven his worth. Through the efforts of that "merchant scholar," the southern traders who had already done business with the Kant domain were being linked together one after another, and in the process Padrick had taken a great many itinerant merchants under his wing. He had spent little coin to do so; instead he paid in alchemical potions straight from stock, and within a short time a good number of merchants had willingly become distributors of "Cecil potions," carrying them off along the roads.
Because such merchants traveled constantly between domains, they dealt often with mercenaries and the like. Cheap low-grade mercenaries were glad to take work from itinerant traders, helping drive off bandits and wild beasts along the way, and in the course of this the cheap yet effective Cecil healing potions caught the eyes of these mercenaries whose purses were none too full.
No one begrudges a bottle when it comes to protecting his own life. A compound for curing sickness and infected wounds and a weak healing potion for staunching blood, together costing less than three silver coins—even the most down-and-out mercenary could afford that. So before those traders ever reached their destinations, the healing potions produced by the Cecil domain had already begun to circulate among the mercenaries throughout the southern frontier.
Mercenaries who ventured out often and were frequently wounded and in need of treatment would be the first and most steady source of customers for Cecil healing potions.===New book recommendation:===.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Leslie domain sent a new order for mining equipment, along with a letter expressing the hope that the Cecil domain would send over several more "magic-net technicians" to help them extend the magic net.
Gao Yang looked at that letter written in the hand of Viscount Andrew Leslie, and a smile slowly spread across his face.
The first batch of technicians sent to the Leslie domain had helped lay the basic magic net for the Tamsin mine, putting that great and tireless arcane engine to work hauling ore carts and crushing ore. Before that viscount had brought the production efficiency of those arcane machines fully into play, he had no real need to extend the magic net any further. Now that he wanted Gao Yang to send another batch of magic-net technicians, it meant the viscount had already tasted a great deal of sweetness from the magic net.
What would he do with it? Perhaps lay the magic net into his own castle, perhaps cover the entire mine, or more likely... he wanted to seize this chance to learn the technique of laying the magic net.
Whatever the case, it was all within Gao Song's expectations.
He summoned the technician in charge of laying the magic net—originally a rune craftsman from the royal capital, but now a "naturalized talent" dead set on staying in this domain—and instructed him to lead a team to Tamsin Town once more. After giving the orders, he added a reminder: "By my estimate, Viscount Leslie may try to buy you off this time, to make you tell him the key to laying the magic net..."
The technician's face went instantly grave. "I will never be swayed by money, my lord!"
"No, I want you to accept the bribe," Gao Yang said with a shake of his head, and the words gave the technician before him a start. "Of course, you must appear torn about it. Make it look difficult."
"My lord... what does that mean?"
"The magic net is a simple thing; sooner or later someone will learn it, so I don't mind letting the technique spread—but I do mean to collect some tuition," Gao Cen said as he finished writing his reply to Viscount Andrew. "Push the price of the bribe higher. Technique has value."