NovelEnglishBusiness Talks
Chloe’s father, Marco Forkroad, started his business from scratch and made it grew up into a big company in his lifetime. He is a merchant with deep insight and calm judgement, as such, he is highly regarded by those of same profession.
He enrolled his daughter at St. Noel’s Academy purely for her future. He wanted for her the best education in the best environment in the continent. Also knowing that his daughter is shy, he wishes for her to make friends over there. It was an academy for nobles, so it would be great if she can make connections there as well. Well, he is a merchant at heart after all.
He had a discerning eye for money. Always in the lookout for opportunity. His motto is to take advantage of any opportunity and make everything into an opportunity.
But even he never thought that his daughter would be friends with the princess of the Great Empire.
Even though he had such thoughts, he decided to visit the Tearmoon capital. It would be wrong for him not to take advantage of such luck before him, and he also wanted to say hello to his daughter’s first friend. It just so happened that he also had a business deal nearby, so it was the perfect time to visit Her Highness. Thinking that the rumored Wisdom of the Empire would be busy, he looked for place to stay until he gets a response for his audience request.
As Marco was welcomed into the audience chamber, he at once saw a girl with a cheerful smile – the Princess Mia Luna Tearmoon. She was exactly as Chole had told him. A girl with a spark of intelligence in her eyes.
“I am honored to be granted an audience with you, Your Highness. My name is Marco Forkroad, Chloe’s father. I am the head of the company, but I have the noble title of a knight.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“I welcome you, Lord Forkroad. How is Chloe doing?”
“She is very well, Your Highness…”
After continuing to chat for a while, Mia shuts up for a moment. Then she starts talking again…
“By the way, Lord Forkroad, I wonder if I might ask you. Is it possible for you to have things carried from the other side of the sea?”
Mia said in a serious quiet tone.
“Huh? Yes, it is possible. We have a large number of merchant ships, so if you order anything, we’d be more than happy to assist you.”
Sensing that this is a business opportunity, Marco put on his best merchant smile.
“So, what kind of goods would you require, Your Highness? Or is it carpets? The items over there are of good quality and are quite popular with the imperial nobility…”
“It’s wheat.”
“Wheat?”
Marco’s eyes become round circles of unbelief and surprise upon hearing Mia’s request.
Bringing wheat from the other side of the sea … it doesn’t make any sense business wise. No… not just business wise… but it does not make sense at all! This is because wheat doesn’t have to be brought from across the sea. Wheat can be obtained both in the empire and in neighboring countries. There is no reason to spend time and resources to bring it from a far distant place, especially on boats.
Buy it where it “is” and sell it high where it is “not.” That is the basis of business. If food runs out during a famine, then he might make a profit. But during normal times, there was no way he can recover even just the cost of shipping and transportation.
After all, people would just go to their local store to buy what wheat is in there. Who wants to pay extra for an imported wheat when it tastes the same from local wheat?
Marco instinctively turned his eyes when Mia added a condition.
“There is an additional condition. The price must be set in advance and a guarantee that it will not be changed under whatever circumstances.
“That is …?”
“Even if there is a famine, I won’t allow you to raise the price.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Now …”
It was a crazy request. If Forkroad Company accepts this, then they are really out of their minds. Of course, for the Tearmoon Empire, it makes perfect sense to secure food suppliers just in case something happens… but for the Forkroad Company…
Marco was discouraged. But then he paused. As far as he has heard from Chloe, Princess Mia is not the kind who uses power to force other to her will. And if so, there must be a meaning behind her words…
Marco felt a slight coldness on his spine. It was too subtle that he did not realize what he was dragged into. He realized that he was actually dragged into a business negotiation without him noticing. And now that he is aware of it, business negotiations mean that this is where he can use words as weapons to close a deal.
Marco had to think deeply about it. What exactly is in this deal that will make Marco want to sign a contract? What does he get out of this? Will this lead to something?
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot to mention…”
Mia adds it in a suspicious tone as if she deliberately chose not to mention it until this moment.
“I will always purchase at least a minimum amount agreed beforehand.”
Some of the conditions that Mia said come together like puzzle pieces in Marco’s mind and he was able to finally draw a conclusion.
Immediately considering its merits and demerits, Marco was terrified.
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