madnovel Chapter 204 This thing is quite expensive
Chapter 204 This thing is quite expensive
The reason for the loss was due to storage and transportation issues.
Leafy vegetables like spinach, given the road conditions these days, will be turned into spinach juice in no time if you don't spend a lot of money to store them carefully.
In some places, it's not easy to get fresh vegetables; the more densely populated the area, the harder it is to find them.
Even with a logistics system as advanced as Earth's, it takes enormous human and material resources to ensure the supply of fresh vegetables.
A city with a population of tens of millions needs a continuous supply from many surrounding small towns to sustain its consumption.
Being able to grow grain on a large scale is only the first challenge; selling it and getting it onto dinner tables is another challenge.
This is why early human civilizations domesticated and cultivated staple foods such as wheat and rice. Any grain can be labeled as easy to store, which is an advantage that vegetables and fruits cannot match.
Northern trading firms like Ferret Trading Company have always been reluctant to deal in the grain business. Small sales volumes are unprofitable, while large sales volumes lack a stable supply and require building large granaries to prevent mold, rodents, and insects—it's incredibly troublesome.
Now, Richard has used the life-saving food as a stepping stone, along with pickled products and dried beans, to perfectly solve the problems of long-distance transportation and easy spoilage, clearing the way for the Ferret Trading Company.
This also allowed Chiffon to start earning its first pot of gold from the food business.
Crops are top-tier treasures, and the finest packaging will be used during transportation. Knights will even be dispatched to help with the transport. Even fruits and leafy vegetables will not be subject to spoilage.
Besides the Ferret Merchant Guild, more than a dozen Snow Deer Knights have also arrived today and are currently resting in guest rooms outside the camp.
...
Oscar strode over to Richard, took the transaction list from him, and carefully checked the prices:
Each bottle of pickled goods costs seven copper coins, two kilograms of broad beans and sesame seeds cost one copper coin, and three kilograms of wheat cost one copper coin, totaling five hundred and seventy gold coins.
He mentally calculated several times to make sure it was correct, and then immediately took out the bronze seal of the Ferret Merchant Guild and stamped it on both lists.
He handed one of the accounts back to Richard with both hands, his tone full of solemnity: "My lord, the accounts are clear, and it has been a pleasure doing business with you."
Richard casually set the glass aside, raised it, and smiled, saying, "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. After putting down the empty glass, he let out a silent sigh of relief.
A total of 780 gold coins, although this amount is still a drop in the bucket for chiffon cakes that cost thousands of dollars at a time.
But the significance is quite different; chiffon cakes have finally started to generate legitimate, sustainable income from their own production.
Prior to this, the territory's funds relied entirely on selling agricultural techniques and exchanging for raw gold ore, but this approach of simply living off existing resources was not a sustainable solution.
Moreover, the current prices are being driven down by shipping costs. Once Chiffon Trading Company is officially established and has its own caravans and transportation system, it will be able to deliver goods directly to major city-states in the North, allowing grains and preserved products to fetch truly high prices.
Especially the pickled products, priced at seven copper coins a bottle, mainly reflect the value of the glass jar. If sold directly, they could fetch ten copper coins a bottle.
Moreover, while others have to go to great lengths to raise packhorses for transportation, Qifeng's [livestock shed] can breed and raise a cow in just a few days, resulting in extremely low transportation costs.
Richard gave Charles the cattle and the grain he had sent last time, and that's where his confidence came from.
If he weren't worried about it being too shocking, he would even have wanted the Qifeng caravan to sell the cattle locally after delivering goods, which would not only generate extra income but also be incredibly convenient.
As for the fact that the grains produced by chiffon cakes are more delicious after being enhanced by the system, it doesn't really matter to free people who just want to fill their stomachs.
If he dares to sell even one more copper coin, he might not be able to sell a single grain of grain. If he wants to pursue the path of high-quality grain, he can only wait until his reputation is established.
...
After the deal was finalized, a relaxed atmosphere returned, and the lord and the merchant continued to toast each other.
Suddenly, Oscar's gaze fell back on the soft halo of light on the ceiling.
"My lord, it's been almost two hours since I came in, and this magic lamp still doesn't need any magical materials added. It's truly incredible!"
Richard chuckled.
"This thing isn't cheap to make, but for the sake of our friendship, I can give one to each of Lord Paul and Baron Melanie, so they can admire my Chiffon's magical creation."
Oscar's eyes lit up!
"Sir, you are so generous!" He was so moved that he almost stood up to bow.
Richard waved his hand.
"Don't thank me yet. If they like it and want to buy in bulk, I can give them a friendly price of one gold coin."
Oscar's joy vanished instantly, replaced by a look of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret). This thing was good, but the price was too high. Lord Paul would probably have to think it over.
Richard raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of self-assurance:
"Don't think it's expensive. Take a look at what kind of stuff the Star Mage Tower sells. Their lamps need a constant supply of magic crystal powder, which is a bottomless pit in the long run. And when they're lit, they flicker like will-o'-the-wisps."
As he spoke, he pointed to the top of his head.
"My light panel will keep burning as long as it's not violently broken. It can easily last for decades. Don't you think it's worth the price?"
The cost of the light panel and the wooden lamp post is very low. The main material is the battery pack, which can be produced infinitely, and the auxiliary material is refined quartz.
Refined quartz is similar to those crystal mines; it's the most basic magical ore in the mines, almost never used in the game, yet its production is extremely large.
We've already reached several hundred tons, and the [Skull Cave] can still produce a lot more. To make a [Light Panel], you only need a small piece the size of your palm. Selling it for one gold coin makes it a profitable business no matter how you look at it.
Although there is a significant shortage of streetlights in the inner city and large-scale sales are not yet possible, securing orders in advance is still a good thing.
Oscar tugged at his goat horn-like mustache, tilted his head back and carefully examined the ceiling. If no more magical materials were needed later, then that gold coin would not only be inexpensive, but also very cheap!
Unfortunately, such high-end magical items were not something he, as a mere manager of a trading company, could decide to purchase on his own; he had to consult the head of the family.
Thinking of this, he quickly bowed and thanked them, saying gratefully, "On behalf of Lord Paul, I thank the Lord for the gift. I'm sure Baron Melanie will like it very much."
...
Richard was delighted to have secured another tentative order, and he drank several more glasses of wine than usual, quickly finishing off the Silver Star wine Oscar had brought. Still savoring the moment, he exclaimed loudly:
"Xueyue, bring two more bottles of Silver Star blueberry wine for my friend to try."
Xueyue, who was waiting outside the restaurant, walked to the door, bowed, and prepared to turn and leave.
Upon seeing Xueyue again, Oscar's gaze was somewhat unfocused, his eyes filled with complex emotions. After hesitating for a few moments, he finally spoke:
"My lord, please forgive my bluntness, but I suggest you sell the Snow Rabbit tribe in your territory as soon as possible, or drive them away quickly."
Xueyue, who was about to leave, was instantly frozen in place by these words. She turned to look at Oscar with an incredulous expression!
Richard's smile faded slightly, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he gave Xueyue a reassuring look.
"It's alright, go get the wine first."
Xueyue bit her lower lip, gave Richard a deep look, and then retreated with slightly heavy steps.