For the past month, every morning, a small team would run laps around the estate. With a steady supply of meat and regular wages, Hanmo's squad gradually became more energized.
Each morning, under Mike Bai's guidance, they practiced formation changes and running with weight. In the afternoons, they trained with William in thrusting techniques and combat drills.
Standing in front of the warehouse, Mike Bai watched as Hanmo's team jogged past. A hint of nostalgia crossed his mind, reminding him of his college days in a previous life.
Sighing softly, Mike Bai followed De Moer into his wool warehouse.
Bundles of wool, sorted by color, filled the massive space. The mixed scents of various dyes hung in the air, evoking the rust-like scent of coins in Mike Bai's memory.
As he gazed at the warehouse, his lips curled into a smile.
"Sashan!"
A boyish figure walked in, responding in a cool, almost feminine voice, "At your command."
Mike Bai gave Sashan an exasperated look. "Can you stop changing your appearance all the time?"
"We must not reveal our true identities. It would compromise your safety."
"Fine, fine. As long as you respond when I call your name, that's enough," Mike Bai said, then his expression turned serious. "I have a task for you."
"Please, command me!" Sashan bowed respectfully. "Whether it's Saladin or Baldwin's life, we will do as you ask."
Mike Bai raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. "Please, no more killing. I just need you to deliver a letter to the city's textile merchants. Ask them to send representatives here in three days. I have business to discuss with them."
"Is that all?" Sashan seemed slightly disappointed.
"It's just the beginning. There's a lot more to come," Mike Bai encouraged.
"Oh, and how's the observation of Hanmo's men going?"
"Though they're low in quality as mercenaries, they are quite loyal as servants," Sashan replied calmly.
"That's all I need to know!" Mike Bai said with a satisfied nod. "As long as they do their part, I'll make sure to fulfill my promise."
"Now, let's conquer another battlefield," Mike Bai said confidently to Sashan, his eyes gleaming with a light that Sashan could not fully comprehend.
Three days later, representatives from over thirty textile workshops in the city gathered. While most were skeptical about the young, unknown nobleman and his supposed business, merchants who preferred cordial relations with nobles were rarely willing to risk offending one.
The merchants and their managers sat around a long table, whispering among themselves as they observed the empty hall.
"This is where the young noble lives? The hall is quite poor."
"Indeed, it's nothing compared to our own workshops."
"So, what do you think they want from us? Don't tell me..."
Before the merchant could finish his sentence, Hanmo entered through the grand doors, followed by Mike Bai and his entourage.
The merchants stood to greet him, and Mike Bai took his seat at the head of the table, flanked by three knights.
"Please, no formalities. Time is money, my friends!" Mike Bai said, diving straight into the matter. "Let's start by looking at the samples before you."
He clapped his hands, and quickly, the female workers brought forth bundles of colorful wool samples, placing them in front of each merchant.
After some initial murmurs of apology, the merchants picked up the wool, rubbing it, washing it, and inspecting it. They muttered among themselves, exchanging glances, and although their expressions remained neutral, Mike Bai could sense some unease behind their furrowed brows.
Finally, one merchant, elected by his peers, stood up and addressed Mike Bai.
"My lord, these wool fibers are bright in color, varied, and the texture is both soft and strong. They are certainly excellent quality."
"But, my lord, are you suggesting that you intend to enter the woolen textile trade?"
"Exactly. This is the business I wish to discuss," Mike Bai replied, standing up from his seat. Realizing it wasn't high enough, he simply jumped onto the table.
A shocked murmur spread through the room.
"Silence!" William stepped forward and commanded.
The noise subsided immediately, and after a long pause, the lead merchant awkwardly spoke.
"My lord, our guild has strict rules. Non-members cannot participate in business dealings with us."
"I understand, but please hear me out," Mike Bai continued.
"In your workshops, a skilled weaver takes around ten days to turn ten pounds of wool into eight pounds of yarn. That makes the average cost per pound about twenty copper pennies."
"And I..." Mike Bai raised his hand confidently. "I can provide you wool for just fifteen copper pennies per pound!"
The merchants exploded into an uproar. Mike Bai simply watched, amused, waiting for the noise to die down.
"My lord, your generosity is humbling, but the guild's regulations…"
"I have no intention of taking your business. I promise not to sell finished woolen cloth in the Holy City. I will only provide cheaper raw materials. How does that sound?"
After a brief discussion, the merchant representative, now visibly relieved, said, "We thank you for your generosity, my lord. But we're curious, what is your workshop's production capacity?"
"I can produce four hundred pounds of wool yarn every day. And if you introduce me to wool suppliers, I can increase that even more," Mike Bai replied.
"But," he added with a seemingly innocent smile, "I prefer to work with those who seize opportunities. First come, first served."
The merchants were immediately in an uproar, eager to flatter Mike Bai, each trying to secure a larger share of the supply.
Mike Bai kept his pleasant smile, but his eyes swept across the room, landing on a familiar face. He waved over a nearby maid and whispered instructions to her before returning to the business discussion.
After signing more than twenty contracts, Mike Bai regretfully informed the remaining merchants that his supply was limited, and they would have to come back another time.
Once the merchants had left, the once-bustling hall grew silent again, with only Mike Bai and his knights remaining.
"Tonight's banquet—everyone's invited," Mike Bai declared, finally letting go of his formal demeanor and beaming widely. The others joined him in celebrating.
That evening, the grand hall, which had been large enough to accommodate over a hundred people, felt a little cramped as guests filled the space. At the outermost perimeter were the female workers, and in the inner circle, Hanmo's mercenaries sat, while Mike Bai took the main seat, flanked by his closest knights and Anna. A maid stood behind him, waiting attentively.
Four golden roasted sheep turned on the spit in the kitchen, sizzling as the delicious fat dripped onto the fire, sending up smoky wisps of fragrance. The children stared at the roasting meat, their mouths watering.
Mike Bai clinked his silver cup, silencing the conversations around him. All eyes turned toward him.
Standing on his chair, he raised his cup in a toast.
"No matter who you are, I, Mike Bai Adler, wish to thank all of you for your efforts in making our wool workshop a success."
"I won't waste time on speeches. I announce that every month, the top performer from each workshop will be freed from servitude and become my employee, earning five silver dinars each month."
The female workers erupted in cheers, only to quickly quiet themselves in embarrassment.
"Additionally, to reward Hanmo and his fine men, the winning team at the month's end will receive half a month's wages as a bonus."
Hanmo, sitting at the back of the room, quickly stood and bowed deeply to Mike Bai.
"And for my dear uncles, I thank you for coming with me to the Holy Land. I've decided to give you each a supplement of five gold Nomis to improve your living conditions."
The three knights were elated at this unexpected reward, quickly standing to bow in gratitude.
In that moment, Mike Bai couldn't help but feel like a company boss from his past life, handing out year-end bonuses.
"Let's eat!" Mike Bai shouted, and amidst cheers, the feast began. The kitchen quickly served up the tenderest lamb legs, and everyone eagerly dug in with the specially crafted knives and forks Mike Bai had made for the occasion.
"Here, I saved you some, Sashan," Mike Bai said, cutting a piece of lamb and handing it to the maid.
"Thank you for your kindness," Sashan's cold tone finally softened slightly.
As the feast continued, Anna, curious, asked, "Mike Bai, why not simply weave the wool into cloth and sell it? Wouldn't that make more money?"
The others, including Sashan, turned their attention to him, intrigued by her question.
Mike Bai chuckled lightly. "There are many reasons."
"First, our foundation is still shaky. There's no need to directly clash with the local textile guilds. Even if we have the advantage in technology, it would be difficult to establish a sales network in the short term."
"Second, while I could set up a weaving machine, finding skilled workers capable of making intricate patterns is another challenge. That means the high-end market will always be controlled by those guilds. It's better for us to let the textile merchants work for us."
"Third, we can further monopolize the supply of raw materials to the guilds, gradually taking control of the wool market. This will allow us to drive down wool purchase prices and make even more money."
"And what if the guilds unite and refuse to buy your wool yarn?" Anna asked, her eyes narrowing.
Mike Bai laughed softly, shaking his head. "They won't. The guilds are made up of many members, and no one will pass up an easy profit."
He raised his cup of milk and drank it down in one gulp. "Merchants, as long as the profits are right, will even sell the rope they'll use to hang themselves."
The words left everyone confused, but Anna's eyes sparkled with understanding.
After a hearty meal, a tipsy William jumped onto the table, singing and dancing in high spirits. The others joined in the revelry.
Mike Bai looked around at the joyous crowd and, for the first time, felt that this era wasn't so bad after all.
"Oh, and Sashan," he waved her over, "tonight, you're coming to my room."