The payment for Casals' goods was completed seven days after the face-to-face meeting, at which point, Li Lin had just exhausted his lips and tongue explaining basic arithmetic to the elves.
The big-bearded old fox acted without any delay, and his speed was anything but slow. In a backward environment where there was no internet, telephone, telegraph, or even a nationally established postal system, he managed to contact livestock dealers, agricultural tool dealers, seed merchants, and coach dealers, and have all the goods on the list ready and delivered. He achieved this magnificent feat in just seven days.
Seeing how hardworking the old fox was, Li Lin gave up his plan to seriously discuss with him why the price of livestock had recently gone up so sharply. When the old fox taxed him 10 Florentinus, he repeatedly mentioned this "objective factor", and Li Lin did not expose his half-truths on the spot.
It was not surprising that the prices of seeds, farming tools, and livestock had risen during the spring ploughing season. Recently, because Charlemagne wanted to transport supplies to Lapland, he had to requisition horses and carriers from the people, further pushing up prices. But it was worth studying whether it was the middlemen or some other link that caused the increase to be so high.
For the time-being, Li Lin could only let the old fox take advantage, as he did not have the strength to turn the tables. He could only temporarily cede some benefits to ensure that the cooperation wouldn't fall apart. Once he had accumulated enough capital, he would never allow this to happen again.
After completing the inventory check and delivery, Casals left Li Lin's tent and carriage with four large boxes of exquisite porcelain and a satisfied grin. When those carriages completely disappeared from view, the elves of Niflheim could no longer suppress their excitement and dashed towards the long-awaited supplies. Their trembling hands carefully stroked the farming tools, livestock, and seeds, and some even let out soft gasps.
"A simple mindset that is faithful to emotions".
As an observer of the plain boys and girls' actions and the orchestrator of the deal, Li Lin's mind was not on the transaction that had already ended. Folding his arms and tapping out a silent rhythm, he spat out his indifference and started a new round of evaluation and adjustment.
Deprived of goods and foreign interactions for a long time, Elf society was a clan-based rural society stuck in extreme poverty. To them, land and crops were the best things. Their economic model was also a small, self-sufficient cyclical structure. Buying farming essentials for them was undoubtedly a winning move. The short journey outside the valley to purchase goods expanded the younger generation of elves' perspectives and knowledge, injecting a fresh breath of air into their closed society and laying the necessary foundation for future change.
However, changing entrenched backward notions in a closed society was never an easy task, even if they had already experienced some stimulation. Making the idea of change take root in the hearts of the elves was still a hard slog. Looking at their elated faces, we could somewhat calculate the magnitude of this ideological work.
Countrywomen, springwater, a bit of farmland-the ideal rural life. Elves who were living in extreme poverty longed even more for a peaceful idyllic life. They were easily satisfied with a slightly improved life. But "satisfaction" - this emotion which could easily develop into laziness - greatly conflicted with Li Lin's covert but inherently aggressive plan. One look at the dangerous case where the Dragon Clan had a very low interest in procreation shows that "oomplacency" didn't fit in with the current execution of the plan and had to be corrected no matter what.
A few contingency plans were already in motion, and feasibility studies had begun. Some of the more radical plans might cause damage and casualties to the Elf village, but the judgement of the plans would continue.
The smooth execution of the plan was the first priority. Sooner or later, there would be sacrifices made that were within a tolerable range. Moreover, these sacrifices were both necessary and reasonable. Coming up with, approving, and then implementing a plan for necessary sacrifices at some future point was inevitable.
"Thank you."
A soft voice like a warm spring breeze brushed past the eardrum. The still-worn gentle mask was immediately activated, and a mild smile responded to the girl who came to thank him.
"You're still so polite. What I did was just a trivial matter."
"Excessive modesty is hypocrisy. You said that to me once, didn't you?"
A provocative counterattack, even using Li Lin's own argument. A slight sense of satisfaction spread across Brynhild's face, like a successful prankster.
"A gentleman has an obligation to maintain humility, even if it is hypocritical, in front of a lady. A pretty miss should undoubtedly enjoy such treatment."
After self-mocking remarks, he bowed humbly. His movements were smooth and standard, like a graceful and courteous noble gentleman in a fairy tale, not a crafty boy who fooled girls with tricks.
The girl who was teased by Li Lin blushed a little with a mix of delight and embarrassment. After taking several deep breaths, the warrior girl put on a serious face and asked:
"Why didn't we accept gold coins as payment but let that man buy our goods for us? Well... even though I don't know much about doing business, it's not a happy thing to suspect others without reason. But I think if we bought these things ourselves, it might be a bit troublesome, but we wouldn't have someone taking a cut, right?"
"Yes, that big-bearded man doesn't look trustworthy at all!"
Freya hugged her sister from behind, mischief gleaming in her eyes but no complain in her tone. She laughed and said.
"That guy kept ogling at my chest lasciviously, he definitely wanted to molest me! So annoying!"
"That wouldn't happen, would it?"
Li Lin's admission, though seemingly reluctant, won the unanimous agreement of all the elves except Freya. No one believed that the concept of integrity could exist in the mind of a big-bearded Castilian man, who didn't look too reliable from his appearance. Equally, no one believed that anyone would be attracted to Freya, whose… undeveloped body could only be described as a washboard, and her constant display of fierce audacity. Apart from Li Lin, there remained only three types of men who would pursue Freya.
The pedophile, the reckless madman, the fanatic of flat chests— all were far from the norm of "normal men". The only "normal" one always maintained a safe distance from her..."
"I think he's just after the box you're sitting on, and the jars inside it... Ow!!!!!"
Thor's words were the truth and contained no words to offend Freya. Nevertheless, he still received a kick for his brutally honest testimony — that their porcelain was more attractive than the young girl.
"Why are you willing to let such an unreliable person do the shopping? I really want to know."
Retracting the demonic claw that was tormenting Thor's toes, the little wildcat stuck out her tongue and asked.
"There is no better choice than Casals."
The air of indifference brought a somber tone to their discussion, leaving the Elves puzzled by the sudden change in aura. Only Tyr and Brynhild seemed to be lost in thought.
"If we were to make the purchase ourselves as outsiders unfamiliar with the market, we would be taken advantage of, and all we would end up with would be useless junk. We would have to invest a lot of time in researching market prices, merchant reliability, product quality, and negotiating prices. Having someone familiar with the market to do the buying can save us from these troubles."
"But wouldn't he make a profit out of it? Are you okay with that?"
Raising a finger, with the same mocking expression as during his negotiations with Casals, Li Lin sarcastically questioned the waiting Elves:
"Freya, apart from us, who could sell him porcelain?"
"Of course, only you... damn."
The clever little wildcat finally realized, and the other elves' thoughts finally caught up.
Monopoly — signifies unlimited profits, and the utmost priority and initiative in business transactions.
Li Lin was the only one in all of Welt to master the art of porcelain making. There were some key details that even those who had watched the whole process couldn't comprehend.
With his unique skill, Li Lin had managed to take control of this aspect. If Casals couldn't find another source of porcelain, his role could be replaced by others. Once the vultures caught wind of the profits, they would flock to Li Lin's side. By that time, whether or not Casals would be able to take in the entire porcelain batch would be in jeopardy.
He couldn't risk such a big gamble and the astute black market merchant quickly realized the key. Despite the pain of large expenditures and the lack of roadblocks for Li Lin's growth, securing exclusivity as the only porcelain dealer was more crucial.
"That's why he won't give you fake gold coins or tamper with the goods he delivers to us."
Tyr laughed, throwing up a thumb towards Li Lin as praise.
"He only dares not to deliver inferior goods. To keep that guy's greedy hands off our money is still out of reach for now. We are still too weak. But I will make that fox remember someday that in front of me, don't mess around with those inferior tricks. The only way out for him is to do business decently."
Li Lin let out a mischievous smile as he winked in a teasing manner, causing all the elves to laugh out loud.
Most of what Li Lin has promised so far has come true. The elves believe it's only a matter of time before everything else he promised happens.
"This is so boring, everything falls within your calculations, wondering who else could even compete with you."
Freya's praise sounded more like a sigh of disappointment. A highly intelligent boy, a being who seemed to have the world at his fingertips, a flawless prodigy — nothing could be more frustrating to an elf girl who prided herself on her wit and saw such a Lin as her destined husband.
"You shouldn't define so hastily, Freya; the world is a broad concept. To elevate me to the top of a world that holds innumerable possibilities, isn't that a bit presumptuous?"