Chapter 181 - 141: One Million Jin of Barley (5K)_3

"What I mean is, do you... don’t you think we’re being too simplistic?"

"Haven’t you ever considered that maybe it’s for other reasons that Boer won’t let us see this Lord?"

Hearing this.

The group of merchants instantly calmed down, showing a contemplative expression on their faces.

"I really can’t think of any other reason. After all, Boer was the one who asked us to buy the barley, and I’ve known him for so many years!"

"Koni, explain in detail?"

Koni nodded, "Do you think there’s a possibility... Boer is secretly manipulating prices?"

"I mean, he’s selling the barley to this Lord at above market price, then using the Lord’s price manipulation as an excuse to reduce our profits?"

"After all, none of us have seen this Lord, everything Boer says is self-justified!"

Voices of disbelief rang out.

"No way?"

"Yeah, Boer isn’t like that!"

"But... I think Koni makes sense... Who wouldn’t want to earn a little extra money?"

Upon hearing this, several merchants nodded in agreement.

Koni didn’t say anything further, instead, he listened silently to their conversation.

"If what Koni says is true, even if it’s one penny more per pound, how much could Boer earn from all this barley?"

"Over a million pounds for sure! That’s too much!"

"At least several dozen Gold Pounds!"

The atmosphere beside the campfire suddenly changed.

The previous chill and solitude turned into envy and jealousy.

"No, once Boer comes out, I must ask him!"

"Yes! We must ask! We all earn our hard-earned money; we can’t just let it be deceived by profiteers!"

"Wait for Boer to come out!

"..."

Buzz!

While the merchants’ words were boiling, the heavy iron gate slowly opened.

Illuminated by the torchlight, wagons streamed out from within the city walls.

"Perfect timing, let’s go ask together!"

"Let’s go!"

"..."

As Boer rode out on his horse, he saw the bodies converging toward him.

A smile appeared on his face, and he was about to announce a surprise to them.

But Boer noticed that these people looked hostile, their expressions unfriendly!

Boer didn’t dismount, but instead, he scanned the crowd from atop his horse.

"Everyone, what is this supposed to mean?"

A young merchant stared wide-eyed, glared at Boer, and questioned, "What do we mean? Boer, we want to ask you what do you mean!"

Another merchant chimed in, "Why won’t you let us enter the territory? Even if not all of us, four or five together can at least see how the transactions are conducted."

"Mr. Boer, we just want to know the details of the transaction. As long as you explain clearly, that’s good enough."

"Yes, yes, if you don’t explain, I won’t sell the barley anymore!"

"If you don’t sell, then I won’t sell either."

"Neither will I!"

"..."

Listening to these comments, Boer’s eyebrows instantly furrowed.

He scanned the crowd again and said in a deep voice, "Silence!"

Boer’s voice wasn’t loud, but it echoed in everyone’s ears beneath the horse.

As Boer’s Guard Captain, Ryan’s right hand brushed against the scimitar’s hilt.

Facing this tense situation, he was ready for combat.

Not just Ryan, the guards behind him were also prepared.

All it would take is Boer’s command.

Seeing the merchants quiet down, Boer then asked, "Can anyone step forward and explain what happened among you while I was inside trading?"

Upon hearing Boer’s somewhat unfriendly words, their faces showed no fear or trepidation.

Boer, like them, was merely a local ordinary merchant.

He’d just somehow gotten lucky somewhere, exchanged for a carriage, and acquired guards.

What’s there to fear?

A young merchant stepped forward, looked directly into Boer’s eyes, and said, "Boer, you don’t need to worry about what happened with us, that’s not your business."

"You just need to tell us honestly at what price you sold the barley we painstakingly bought to this Lord?"

Spoken with arrogance, impertinent to the extreme.

Boer chose to ignore it, "No one can answer me?"

Seeing himself ignored, the young merchant’s face turned awkward, he shouted, "Boer, I’m talking to you, are you pretending not to hear? Are you deaf?"

Only then did Boer slightly lower his head, looking down at the young merchant, "Who are you?"

The young merchant’s face changed drastically, fists clenching tightly, "You!"

Just as he stepped toward Boer, a guard beside Boer nudged the horse forward.

The group of merchants behind felt the atmosphere becoming tense, becoming nervous.

Another merchant quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

"Mr. Boer, you misunderstood, we’re just curious."

"Someone said you wouldn’t let us meet this Lord because..."

Boer’s brow raised, asking, "Because of what?"

The merchant responded, "Because of secret price manipulation!"

Upon hearing this, Boer instantly understood.

It’s all about money!

Taking a deep breath, Boer continued asking, "Who said that?"

Within the crowd, Koni’s eyelids twitched, he quickly spoke up, "Boer, everyone means no harm, we’re friends after all. Just tell us at what price you sold the barley to this Lord, and that’s it."

"As long as there’s no price manipulation, we’ll continue to transport the barley back, it’s getting late after all!"

Boer turned his gaze to the elderly speaker.

"Old Koni, so you’re the one stirring things up here!"

The surrounding merchants said nothing, apparently agreeing with Boer’s words.

Koni’s face changed, he explained, "Boer, you’ve really misunderstood us, we’re just..."

Boer glanced at Koni, then turned his gaze away, directly interrupting Koni’s words.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you believe I’ve secretly manipulated prices and no longer wish to sell the barley, please stand to my left."

Dozens of merchants made no moves, their eyes filled with doubt as they looked around.

After half a minute, no one moved.

Koni stepped forward two steps, his words full of regret as he said, "Boer, my home in Sim Town is really far, perhaps I cannot continue to sell the barley."