Being thoroughly humiliated, Monet would not let it go easily, but the pig didn't yet have a way or the ability to physically eliminate the young man who had humiliated him. However, as Monet controlled the market transactions and had considerable influence over the merchants, it was not difficult for him to issue an order prohibiting the merchants from trading with the newcomer and have it basically executed. Those with social survival experience knew how to choose. In less than a minute, everyone had marked Li Lin's approachable face as a "dangerous individual" in their minds.
Without a doubt, the young man's actions – teaching Monet a lesson in the market, getting rid of the abhorrent lecherous thug – should've earned him respect and adoration. But this didn't matter, as long as it didn't affect everyone's livelihood. A moment of righteous bravery couldn't change much. On the contrary, the cost of being close to him would have to be paid after he left, which might include one's own life or even the lives of their entire family... The merchants couldn't bear it, nor were they willing to face it. Abandoning their hero who had once saved them was an inevitable situation for those wanting to survive, and for the morally shallow businessmen, it was not a betrayal. They would not take the risk of getting involved with someone unrelated and an unknown small gain. After all, they hadn't asked for the young man's help, so it had nothing to do with them.
"A bunch of blind fools."
With Casals' biting commentary showing no respect for cowards, he cared little for the pathetic self-esteem of mediocre people, having neither interest nor spare time for it. After evaluating the porcelain samples provided by Li Lin, the biting comments turned into a malicious snort. He began to look forward to seeing the faces of those short-sighted people as they regretted their actions, enjoying a certain pleasure watching them wallow in self-pity and resentment with utterly trivial thoughts and emotions.
Undoubtedly, the look of regret, making one gnash their teeth, was the expression most suited to "failures," "fools," and "nobodies." Appreciating their ugliness was the privilege and reward of far-sighted and successful people like him.
While the gap may still exist, Casals was extremely confident in joining the ranks of the "successful." At the same time, he also believed that the hog that now dominated the market would sooner or later fall from its throne and go back to rolling in the mud and wailing. He would certainly get to see such a delightful scene, not anywhere else, but in a place where he could look down with contempt from the throne once defiled by the swine while laughing heartily and uncontrollably.
That's why Casals would trade with Li Lin, who was now unpopular in the market. Any opportunity that could speed up the realization of his wish would not be missed by a shrewd businessman, and the products offered by the other party also satisfied him. Everything seemed perfect, but Casals didn't want the young man's career to develop too smoothly, lest he grow strong enough to threaten him one day.
Tripping others up - an ignoble but effective method that could also maintain cooperation without falling out as long as the intensity was controlled. Without any hesitation, the middle-aged businessman prepared to do just that. He was waiting for the clueless youth in front of him to acknowledge reality and accept his "kindness" along the path he had set.
Li Lin laughed.
Showing an ill-timed smile to the middle-aged man who might become an important client, the shallow smile was no different from the gentle impression he usually gave; however, Casals, who was face-to-face with it, felt it was no different from ridicule.
More specifically, it was the cold laugh after thoroughly observing a person from the inside out with sharp, blade-like eyes, discovering everything. Casals, who was uncomfortable and uneasy about the seemingly bloody curve, failed to notice that his smile was becoming stiff and unnatural.
"Mr. Casals," said Li Lin, his tone still carrying a sense of ease and politeness, with an added hint of pressure. The old fox's meaningless schemes were subtly mocked and shattered.
A strong sense of unease-this emotion simply should not have appeared on Casals-proceeded to approach his heart, squeezing the lump of beating flesh.
"Your price is indeed tempting, and the terms are also very favorable," Li Lin's speech slowed down from before, sounding calm but accompanied by a condescending tone that made Casals' lump in his chest spasm violently.
"However, I still insist on my opinion. What we need to establish is not a one-off short-term business but a long-term cooperative relationship that benefits both of us. The profit that the porcelain we produce can bring you will far exceed the negligible profit margin of the luxury goods currently on the market. Besides you, no one will be able to sell such top-quality artwork, and a very promising market will open up to you. An outstanding senior in business like you should be able to understand the importance of establishing such a cooperative relationship."
After the implied warning within his defiant statement, Li Lin kept silent, maintaining that sunny expression while waiting for the outcome.
It didn't take much time for Casals to digest the information hidden within. After quickly dispelling his displeasure, his face filled with a renewed smile as he extended his right hand to the business partner who was much younger than him.
"As you said, the terms you proposed are the most suitable for both our interests, my friend, my partner."
"It's a pleasure to work with you, Mr. Casals."
The two hands clasped tightly again, and the foxes showed satisfied smiles in unison.
%%%%%%%%%%%
Time for a little explanation theater:
Nidhogg: So, Li Lin, what's the deal with the Florentinus that Casals used? Isn't Charlemagne's gold coin the Daai Residence?
Li Lin: The Florentinus is a gold coin from Castile. Its prototype is the florin, which was minted in Florence since 1252 and weighed around 3.5 grams of pure gold. The Florentinus coin entered Western and Northern Europe through the increasingly important trade routes of Southern Europe and later became the prototype for most European gold coins. The Daai Residence also evolved from the Florentinus, and since they were minted with value-preserving gold, gold coins from different countries were basically interchangeable. Comparatively, silver and copper coins with lower values were more prone to fluctuations and thus seldom used in major transactions.
Nidhogg: So, what's the concept of 100 Florentinus?
Li Lin: Hehe... In 15th-century Florence, 100 Florentinus was the annual salary of a junior bank manager, earned by working to the point of overexertion and risking death.
Nidhogg: Oh! Long live gold coins!