Chapter 3: The Merchant's First Deal
Li Wei trudged along the dusty path, his mind racing. The quest to become a merchant seemed straightforward enough, but he had no idea where to begin. Agara, the world he found himself in, was unlike anything he had imagined. The air was thick with magic, strange creatures roamed the forests, and every village seemed to be under the grip of feudal lords. The idea of selling instant ramen or smartphones seemed absurd in a world where peasants worked the land and swordsmen were revered.
But Li Wei wasn't someone to back down easily, especially when a powerful tool like the Online Shopping System was at his disposal. He looked at the pack of instant ramen in his hands, feeling a strange sense of determination. There had to be a market for something this unique, right?
As he approached the outskirts of a small village, he could see the marketplace ahead, a collection of wooden stalls selling everything from fruits to handmade clothes. There were several townsfolk milling about, some haggling with the vendors, others simply browsing.
Li Wei stood there for a moment, watching the hustle and bustle of the market. It was a far cry from the online shopping experience he was used to. No scrolling through pages of products or reading reviews—just raw human interaction, driven by trade and barter. He realized that, as a modern man, he had a significant advantage. The concept of e-commerce, of streamlined transactions, could revolutionize this world.
He walked to the nearest stall, where an elderly woman was selling dried herbs and small trinkets.
"Excuse me, miss," Li Wei began, trying to sound confident, "Do you have any interest in modern goods? I'm looking to trade."
The woman squinted at him suspiciously, clearly wondering what kind of strange offer he might be making. "Modern goods? What do you mean, stranger?"
Li Wei took a deep breath and decided to go for it. He opened the pack of ramen and held it out. "This," he said, "is an instant meal from my world. It's quick to prepare and very filling. I'm willing to trade a pack for something of equal value."
The woman raised an eyebrow, clearly perplexed. "Ramen, you say? I've never heard of such a thing. What is it made of?"
"It's made of noodles and a flavoring powder," Li Wei explained. "You just add hot water, and it's ready to eat in minutes."
The woman stared at the packet with uncertainty. "It doesn't look like anything special. But, hmm… I suppose I could trade you a bag of dried herbs for it. They're good for medicinal purposes. I've been told they're valuable."
Li Wei raised an eyebrow. The herbs were certainly worth something, but they were not nearly as valuable as the ramen. Still, it was a start. He took a moment to evaluate the situation.
System Update: Trade Initiated
Item: Instant Ramen (Pack of 10)
Item for Trade: Dried Healing Herbs (Bag)
Confirm Trade? Yes/No
Li Wei nodded and clicked "Yes." The system confirmed the transaction with a satisfying chime. The dried herbs appeared in his hands, and the ramen vanished.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Li Wei said, smiling.
The woman gave him a dubious look but didn't argue. "You're an odd one, stranger, but I'll take your offer."
As Li Wei walked away from the stall, he felt a rush of excitement. His first trade! The herbs in his hands were not quite as valuable as the ramen in his world, but it was proof that the system worked. And in this medieval world, there had to be someone who would value modern goods.
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Author's Comment:
In this chapter, I wanted to show Li Wei's first attempt at trading in the world of Agara. The transaction with the elderly woman is small, but it represents a significant step in his journey. This is where the real fun begins—introducing modern goods into a medieval society, and watching how they are received. The concept of trade and the value placed on certain items will be a recurring theme throughout the story. It's always interesting to see how new technologies and ideas disrupt the status quo, and I'm excited to see where Li Wei's business ventures will lead him. In a world filled with magic and medieval customs, modern items like ramen may seem out of place, but they could be the key to transforming this realm.