The Thousand Year Dynasty
23.5. Antology Story: Bar Talk
"North Wind trade groups are getting very tight in securing their members lately. I became a quail myself" said Dirk one afternoon at the bar which was only two days old.
The bar was run by Pietro. But it seems Luna has reserved a place as one of her guards. Besides because it was a job he often did first. Also according to him, the bar is the most important place in the movement of information.
In addition to Luna, Seigfried also seems to work as a waitress at the bar. Even though he had to do it.
"When this continues we will not get traders to build networks" complained Dirk again while vertical alcoholic drinks in his glass.
"Southern party?" Madro who was sitting next to Dirk, asked calmly.
"Just the same. The trade group of Xin city in the south, also began to monitor our movements more earnestly" Dirk replied lethargically. While Luna refills Dirk's empty glass.
"In fact how do they know our plan? Am I too conspicuous to do it? Am I an easy person to read?" Sounds Dirk looks frustrated to find his inability.
"Most likely because of the leaking of information, Mr. Dirk. There are people who sell your information to other trade groups" said Luna who appeared to be cleaning a shelf in a cabinet behind her.
"Is it really like that? Then how do I know who leaked that information? Come to think of it, they all had an equal chance and an equally great motive to do so" Dirk seemed to be getting dizzy thinking about it.
"Replace the way you convey information, gradually. So, over time you will definitely find who sells your information" replied Luna later.
"But, once the person is caught, we can't do anything about the other trade groups anymore"
"Serba was wrong indeed" said Madron later. It looks like Madron is drunk. He looked like he was half sleepy staring at the glass before him.
Dirk was also drunk. Only, the type of drunkenness is the one that speaks for itself is unclear.
And in the midst of an unclear conversation between Dirk and Luna who were talking about Dirk's cousin who was unwilling to help him, suddenly the bar door was pushed by someone from outside.
"Well, this bar is open, huh?" The sound of Aksa's voice came as a surprise to everyone in the room.
"Mr Aksa?" Dirk was a little surprised to see Aksa. "You were on the east coast yesterday?" Follow it with questions.
"Yes, Mr. Dirk. Uh, stink of dragons! What is it that makes you both drunk in the middle of a day like this?" Aksa asked after seeing that there was still Madron sitting quietly at the long table of the bartender.
"It seems like someone leaked all the secrets about his trading strategy to another trading group" Luna replied representing Dirk.
"really. Then how am I supposed to get their merchants to run to us? Just house it we'll create a trade group if no one wants to join"
"Oh, did it turn out?" Aksa said casually as he headed to the bartender's desk. Sit in front of Luna. "Bartender, warm milk one" he later told Luna.
"You know what, this is a bar? There's no milk here. There was only alcohol" Luna replied later.
"And I was just about to give you a solution to Mr. Dirk's problem. And maybe, it could be a valuable information" said Aksa who again stood up from his chair. "I think I'll just go to the restaurant. Looks like somebody's selling warm milk over there"
"Don't. Do not go first Mr. Aksa" prevent Dirk who seems to have begun to realize again. Although still staggering when walking.
"Ck, I'll repay you. Remember that" said Luna looked at Aksa with a slightly stifled face. "Seigs. Go to a restaurant and buy a jar of milk. Don't be long" said Luna later.
Luna also did not want Aksa to leave, because she was also curious about what solution Aksa would provide for Dirk.
Seigfried swore an oath without a sound, while walking out of the bar.
"Miss Luna, give me two slices of lemon" Dirk said later. And then Luna went to the inner room.
Soon Luna came out carrying a small glass containing herbal tea with a piercing aroma, the color was blackish brown. Next to the glass is a small plate containing two slices of lemon with an attractive yellow color.
Dirk bit the lemon slices, then sipped the water quickly. The sour taste that comes suddenly on the tongue gives great stimulation to the entire body.
Dirk's face looked like he was enduring the pain. Aksa who just look can already feel goosebumps up to nape.
Indeed, it was a way for people in the northern mainland to eliminate drunkenness that level is light.
"Now I am ready to listen to him, Mr. Aksa" Dirk said later.
"Wait for my warm milk to come first" Aksa responded.
"alright. I'll wait" Dirk replied with patience. Unlike the Luna who began to put a face upset against Aksa's behavior.
"Waiting, I want to ask. Where have you been these three days?" Ask Dirk then to fill the time.
And then Aksa scolded about her adventure during her three-day vacation.
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And after Seigfried came with a jar of milk, which was then served to Aksa, they began their conversation.
"So what are you really worried about Mr Dirk?"
"We need small traders to start networking. Because we started from scratch, so I used the power and information from the network of trade groups that I followed, to invite these small traders to join us" Dirk explained at length.
"But, it seems that someone leaked my strategy to the trading group where the trader is" he added.
"Oh, I get it. So to make it easier and faster, you sabotage other group traders to join. But there are people who divulge your strategy, causing all negotiations with small traders to fail all?" Aksa repeated what he got.
"Right, like that" Dirk replied quickly.
"Did you not use the name of Lucia's daughter as a guarantor, to attract those merchants?"
"Daughter lord Lucia's name doesn't give any guarantees now. Since he took the throne"
"Hm, so it seems. Image Lucia is not yet formed indeed" Aksa seemed to be weighing something. "But, you're really sneaky, Mr. Dirk. I like that. Because traders do have to think practically and flexibly in making decisions" Aksa told Dirk. "But you still haven't thought about 'find it easy', Mr. Dirk"
"You mean?"
"Yes. In terms of trading, the easiest to attack a trade group or market is; by damaging prices" Aksa explains. "And of course by destroying the balance between goods and their needs. Like mass production and so on" he continued.
"Cruciating prices? What do you mean we have to sell things very cheaply? We ourselves will be in trouble, when we no longer have the money to produce goods"
"Not Mr. Dirk. When we lower the price of goods, we take the opponent market. But we're not seizing the market, are we?"
Suddenly Dirk was just getting inspired. "Oh, I get it. What we need to lower is the fees charged to traders in exchange for securing the line and smooth trading?"
"That's right, Mr. Dirk. And you know what we're having to do with them?"
Dirk seemed to think. "We're a new group and they're an old group?" He heard her guessing doubtfully.
"That's obvious. The difference is, they have nobility as the formers or guarantors of trade groups, while we do not. That means, basically we do not need additional taxes for nobles who are usually charged on the small merchant"
"Oh, that's right. Why don't I think about that. By cutting that part, we can give traders a smaller price"
"And also, consider having more than one leader or guarantor of the trade group"
"You mean? Wouldn't the existence of two leaderships cause chaos in the group?"
"Yes, in my word, his name is Shareholder. I'd like to explain but it'll be hard for you to accept. I'll just write it like a guidebook. After that try asking Nata further. Because he's smarter at explaining things like that"
"Why doesn't anyone say you understand trading?"
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