Chapter 5: The First Big Sale
Li Wei's steps grew more confident as he approached the village square the next morning. The fresh morning air was filled with the sounds of vendors setting up their stalls, calling out their wares, and negotiating prices. It was the perfect setting for the next stage of his journey: expanding his business.
After his conversation with the bartender the night before, Li Wei had a feeling that things were starting to move in his favor. The bartender was an influential figure in the local area, and if he could get him to trust his goods, others would surely follow. But for that to happen, Li Wei needed to deliver.
He quickly accessed the system, scanning the available products to see what would make an impression. His gold balance was still low, but the herbs he had traded the previous day had given him a small amount to work with.
System Update: Available Items
1. Basic Healing Potion (500 Gold Coins)
2. Modern Tools Set (5,000 Gold Coins)
3. Pocket Watch (1,000 Gold Coins)
4. Flashlight (Battery Powered, 300 Gold Coins)
5. Instant Coffee (Pack of 10) – 100 Gold Coins
6. Bread Maker (Electric, 1,500 Gold Coins)
The Instant Coffee caught his attention. While it was a simple product, it was something he could easily market to the villagers. In a medieval society where the only drinks available were water, ale, and mead, coffee would be a luxury many would be curious about. Li Wei quickly purchased several packs of Instant Coffee, and his gold balance was now nearly empty.
System Update: Transaction Complete.
Item: Instant Coffee (Pack of 10)
After placing the coffee packs into his bag, Li Wei walked into the heart of the marketplace. His mind raced with excitement. This could be his big break—a product so unique that it would set him apart from other merchants.
He stopped at a stall selling simple breads and pastries, where an older man was arranging fresh loaves on a wooden counter. The man looked up as Li Wei approached, his eyes narrowing in curiosity.
"Good morning, sir. I've heard about you. You're the one with strange items, yes?" the baker asked gruffly.
Li Wei smiled. "I am. I've come to offer something you might find interesting." He reached into his bag and pulled out a packet of Instant Coffee. "This, sir, is something called coffee. It's a drink from my homeland, and it's unlike anything you've ever had."
The baker eyed the packet with suspicion but leaned closer, sniffing the air around it. "What's this nonsense? Coffee, you say? How do I know it'll be any good?"
Li Wei opened the packet and poured a small amount into a cup. "All you need is hot water, and it will brew right here," he explained. He then poured some hot water from a nearby pot, and the coffee began to bubble and steam in the cup. The aroma that filled the air was rich and inviting.
The baker hesitated, then took a cautious sip. His eyes widened in surprise as the rich taste of the coffee hit him. It was bitter, but invigorating—a sharp contrast to the simple, sweet bread he sold.
"What is this?" the baker asked, now completely intrigued. "It's like nothing I've tasted before. How much do you want for it?"
Li Wei smiled. "I have more, and I can bring you more whenever you want. If you'd like, we can work out a trade. Maybe some fresh bread in exchange for a few packs of coffee?"
The baker's eyes flickered with interest. "Fresh bread, you say? And you'll deliver more of this drink regularly?" He looked around the market, where several other vendors were beginning to eye the transaction. "Alright, let's make a deal. I'll give you a few loaves for two packs of this coffee. Let's see how it goes."
Li Wei nodded eagerly, sealing the deal. System Update: Transaction Complete.
Items for Trade: Instant Coffee (2 Packs)
Items Received: Fresh Bread (4 Loaves)
With the exchange complete, Li Wei had just secured his first significant sale. As he left the bakery, he could already feel the momentum building. The bread would be easy to trade, and the coffee—well, it had proven its worth.
Before he could leave the marketplace, word spread like wildfire. Other merchants and villagers, curious about the strange drink that had captured the baker's attention, approached him with questions. They wanted to try the coffee, to see if it lived up to the hype. Some offered to trade for it; others simply wanted to know if they could buy it from him on a regular basis.
Li Wei had done it. He had introduced something new to this medieval world, and it was already starting to gain traction. It wasn't the revolution he'd dreamed of just yet, but it was a start. And it felt good to know that he had something that others wanted—something that could change the way people lived.
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Author's Comment:
This chapter marks a pivotal moment in Li Wei's journey. His first big sale—coffee—shows how something as simple as a modern drink can create a significant shift in a medieval world. While some might think that the introduction of modern items would be disruptive in a negative way, this chapter shows that there's always an opportunity to find a niche market. The success of the coffee trade is a small but important step in building Li Wei's reputation. He's beginning to understand the rhythm of the world he now inhabits, and more importantly, he's starting to see how he can use his knowledge of modern goods to carve out a space for himself. The story is beginning to gather momentum, and with each chapter, the possibilities are endless.