Luxury Goods

Happy New Year to everyone~~ o(∩_∩)o... Haha, wishing everyone a joyful New Year!
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Zhan Xiaobai, Sword Overlord, and the others quickly finalized the arrangements with the Tycoon regarding building a house in Xiaobai Village. The Tycoon paid 1,200 copper coins for a permanent plot of land, about two mu in size, near the administrative courtyard, where he would construct a unique all-wood villa. Xiaobai Village provided only the land, while the Tycoon was responsible for all other materials and construction costs.

1,200 copper coins—neither a small nor a large sum—was actually slightly more than the combined start-up funds for two new villages. From that perspective, it was a considerable amount. Yet, it was just enough to purchase 240 units of +5 health potions produced locally in Xiaobai Village, enough for ten players to level up over a week or so; from this angle, it didn’t seem so much. Whether it was worth it or not, only the three parties involved knew best.

In the early stages of Xiaobai Village’s development, funds were in dire shortage. This substantial injection of cash greatly eased the village’s financial strain, increasing the total copper coin circulation in its trade circle (including the finances of Xiaobai Village, Wutong Village, the players, and NPC villagers) to over 4,000–5,000 copper coins. The village’s economic influence was steadily expanding to neighboring villages.

After signing the system’s trading agreement, Zhan Xiaobai warmly offered to show the Tycoon around the village, hoping to find an opportunity to sell him some of the village’s local products, such as health potions.

Zhan Xiaobai said, “It’s rare for you to visit our Xiaobai Village, Elder. You must stay for a few days. How about I take you around the village’s surroundings to enjoy the rustic scenery? We could even go hunting—what do you think?” Hunting was dangerous, making it the perfect occasion to pitch life-saving health potions at a high price.

The Tycoon chuckled, “Oh, hunting? That does sound interesting, but after today’s long journey, I dare not venture outside again. Let’s just stroll around the village today. By the way, Village Chief, when I arrived, I noticed your market was quite lively. Why not take me there for a look?”

“Of course.”

Since the Tycoon himself suggested touring the market, Zhan Xiaobai was happy to oblige, leading him to the trade market area east of the village. The stretch of road from the eastern gate to the administrative courtyard was lined on both sides with stalls. On the watchtower by the east gate, a fierce villager militia armed with a wooden shield stood guard.

The eastern market now hosted several hundred people, both players and NPC villagers.

The village lacked enough manpower to manage the market’s order, so administration was laissez-faire—everyone could set up their stalls along the road wherever they pleased. Early arrivals claimed the better spots, while latecomers had to settle for less. The only rule: no fighting or stealing. Offenders would be expelled.

The Tycoon, quite interested, wandered through the market, examining the array of items on display at the players’ stalls. There was a bewildering variety: health potions, incomplete medicinal herbs, snake gallbladders, wolf pelts, sheepskins, dog pelts, rabbit pelts, iron ore, wild peaches, and more—most of it sold for pitifully low prices, with a handful of copper coins buying a pile.

Now and then, they saw NPC farmers selecting a few items from the stalls—sheepskins, meat, fruit—paying players one or two copper coins.

Zhan Xiaobai nodded in satisfaction. He paid the farmers wages for their work, the farmers spent their money buying from the players, and the players, in turn, bought his potions to level up. In this way, the village’s funds could circulate effectively. If the farmers simply hoarded their money, village development would stall; once money left circulation, no amount would suffice.

As the two of them walked, they came to a player’s stall specializing in high-end goods—none of the usual junk, only prime items.

The Tycoon suddenly stopped in front of this player’s stall, picking up a beast’s fang. “Oh? What’s this?” He was secretly delighted—this was an exceptionally rare and high-quality Wolf King Fang. In Wuwei, a fang of this quality would fetch at least four or five hundred copper coins, and even then, there weren’t many this fine.

Wolf King Fang: Dropped by level 20 Wolf King. Can be used for decoration, accessories, or crafting special weapons. Superior quality, extremely sharp.

Zhan Xiaobai was looking over the player’s wares too. Hearing the Tycoon’s question, he glanced at the item in his hand—a thick, long beast’s fang, curved like a crescent scimitar, a bit longer than a palm.

The player was startled to see a wealthy-looking NPC suddenly appear at his stall—wasn’t this the NPC who had arrived not long ago by carriage? He’s come to shop at the market?

The player quickly said, “Ah, that’s the fang of a wolf, very sharp. If you have a bonecraft artisan, it’s said you can turn it into a powerful Wolf Fang Dagger—at least +4 or +5 attack,” though he himself seemed a bit dubious about that claim. Laughing, he added, “Haha, even if you can’t, it makes a great decoration. Just look at its crescent shape, so striking and elegant!”

The Tycoon nodded, then shook his head. “Barely, the color is lacking—a true Wolf King Fang this is not. What’s your price?”

The player was just about to answer, “Ten—”

Standing behind the Tycoon, Zhan Xiaobai quickly signaled the player to hike the price and winked vigorously.

The player paused, catching on instantly. So the boss wants him to fleece this NPC? No need to be polite, then! He changed his tune, “Forty—”

Still, Zhan Xiaobai was shaking his head. The player, emboldened, shut his eyes and called out a shocking price that stunned everyone nearby.

“Four hundred copper coins!”

It was the Tycoon’s exact price point. The Tycoon leapt up, exclaiming, “How can you ask so much? Far too expensive—I can’t afford that! Not buying, not buying! That’s daylight robbery!” Yet, even as he protested, he clung tightly to the fang, showing no intention of letting go.

Zhan Xiaobai saw this and smiled, persuading, “He’s just asking a high price to start, Elder. Why not make a real offer? Four hundred is steep… In my view, three hundred eighty copper coins is about right. What do you say, my friend?”

The player was shocked. “Three hundred eighty? Seriously, Boss Xiaobai? You’re knocking off twenty coins all at once!” He feigned great pain, “Alright, for Boss Xiaobai’s sake, I’ll take the hit. Since the Elder likes this fang, I, ‘Coins Across the World,’ will grit my teeth and cut twenty coins off.”

The Tycoon still shook his head, complaining about the price, though he looked much more agreeable now. “No, no, two hundred eighty. Will you sell? If not, I’ll just put it down and leave!”

The player ‘Coins Across the World’ was secretly delighted. Wow, is there really such a gullible NPC willing to pay so much? He quickly replied, “That’s too low, much too low! A top-tier Wolf King Fang like this can’t go so cheap. Three hundred seventy, not a copper less! Any less and I’ll throw myself in the river…”

“You’re bleeding me dry—two hundred ninety, not a coin more. I…”

…

After much haggling, the two finally settled on three hundred ten copper coins—a staggering sum. The onlookers all breathed a collective sigh of relief; the intensity of their bargaining was more exhausting than a marathon.

Beaming, the Tycoon wrapped the Wolf King Fang in a fine silk cloth and tucked it into his chest. What a haul! His youngest son had been clamoring for a wolf fang lately, and now he’d found a top-quality one in this small village market. That boy would be thrilled.

A few steps away, Zhan Xiaobai gave the player a thumbs-up, quietly praising, “Nicely done—you really know how to seize the moment. You’ve got the makings of a true merchant!”

‘Coins Across the World’ grinned, “Thanks to your guidance, Boss Xiaobai, or I’d never have snagged such a fat sheep! Selling a fang for over three hundred copper coins—it’s more than I ever dreamed. I’ll treat you to a feast at the tavern soon to show my gratitude, how about it?”

“No need, you’ve already rewarded me more than enough. We’ll chat another time.”

Zhan Xiaobai laughed and followed after the Tycoon.

‘Coins Across the World’ was momentarily stunned. Instinctively, he checked the copper coins in his pouch, sensing something was amiss. He quickly reviewed his system transaction data and was startled to see a message:

“Notice: Xiaobai Village has officially launched a luxury goods transaction surtax, 30%–60%. The first batch of luxury items includes: Wolf King Fang, taxed at 35%, …”

The timestamp was from ten minutes earlier, right when he and the Tycoon were locked in their fierce haggling.

‘Coins Across the World’ didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Compared to Boss Xiaobai, he was but a novice in the art of commerce.

Still, even after the 35% tax, his remaining profit far exceeded his previous total earnings. Satisfied, ‘Coins Across the World’ smiled contentedly.