19 - Chapter 17

Sa Bina left Lin Ye and Lin Song to discuss the offer in private. She hoped they would take her up on her offer. She had a good feeling about them. However, she had a lot more to get done. While a blacksmith would be able to create a majority of her requirements, it was the easy part of her list.

She still needed an artificer and alchemist for the more important and sensitive parts of her project. A winemaker, and potentially a good dairy would help round out her team. Lou Sie was busy going through the details of the business owners to create a shortlist of businesses that Sa Bina could buy. While she had given the blacksmiths the option of maintaining part ownership, she didn’t intend to do the same with any of the other businesses she solicited. She just wanted to buy them outright and put all the people on a payroll.

The only reason she was looking for established businesses in the first place was to identify competent crafts people. The best crafts people, in her experience, tended to be very good at what they did, but horrendous at the commercial side of the business. They also tended to be more outspoken if they were stopped from their creative pursuits. That was why Sa Bina felt this forum was a good place to identify the sort of people she wanted to bring on board. Eventually she would need to increase her workforce to include a wider array of specialists, but she needed to fulfil her requirements to make the kind of splash that could give her an edge in both soft power and hard currency. She was well aware that she had been spending her limited resources with wild abandon.

That reminded her, she really needed to get her scribes and accountants trained up to modern standards. She needed the processes in place to ensure that the people she was bringing on board could not take advantage of her kindness. Industrial espionage and industrial fraud were a well understood phenomena. Hopefully some of the legal idiosyncrasies of her particular situation would offer her a measure of protection, but she wouldn’t put all her eggs in one basket.

As she pondered her situation and her mental list of things she needed to achieve, Lou Sie came back with another prospect. Sa Bina entered another empty office to keep the conversion private.

“This is He Mai, my lady.” said Lou Sie. “She runs a small distillery and shop.” He Mai bowed and greeted Sa Bina but waited for her to speak.

“Greetings He Mai, I am Sa Bina.” said Sa Bina. “ I am a representative of the kingdom of The Rising Dao. I am looking to acquire several businesses as part of our move to this city and this kingdom. Would you be open to discussion on the matter?”

“You want to buy my business my lady?” asked a confused He Mai. “My business is very small, and we are barely making ends meet. I am not sure that it would be worth your time to purchase.”

“I think you have misunderstood my intention He Mai,” replied Sa Bina. “I want to take over your business because I want you. We have some family recipes for different types of alcoholic drinks. We feel that, once introduced, the nobility would love what we have to offer. The problem is that it’s too far for us to import, and we can't give the recipes outside the family. We are looking for someone who already has the ability to brew alcohol, to then get them to create our special beverages.”

“My lady, I am not sure I would be suitable,” replied He Mai, “I am new to the trade and not that good at it yet. It’s why I am struggling.”

“I am sure we can get you trained up to an acceptable level,” said Sa Bina. “I need loyal people who are willing to learn and experiment. If I get someone to set in their ways, they will be harder to mold into what we need. I have also heard good things about you. I am willing to make the offer if you are interested.”

“What are you offering my lady?” asked He Mai.

“Do you own your distillery and shop?” asked Sa Bina.

“Yes, my lady, though there are some loans outstanding.” replied He Mai.

“We will buy the locations from you at market price.” replied Sa Bina. “Apart from that you will move to the estate, and start on a salary of 25 Gold per week. We can review that once we actually start to produce our recipes.”

“That’s a generous offer my lady, but I am also responsible for my extended family.” replied He Mai.

“We can look at including them, what are their vocations? Also why are you responsible for them?” asked Sa Bina. It was relatively unusual for women to be responsible for the extended household.

“My husband's family have been Glassmiths for generations.” replied He Mai. “My brother apprenticed with them after my parents passed away in a monster attack. Unfortunately, my husband was involved in an altercation with his guild over the forced quotas. I am afraid they have blacklisted the whole family, so they have no way to earn a living.”

“Well,” replied Sa Bina. “The changes announced today mean that he will be able to belong to the new guild and work if he so chooses. However, since having a good glassmith is of interest to me, I am prepared to offer the same deal to any members of your family who can work. Also any dependents can move to the estate with you.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“I had not realised that the guilds would also look at businesses that had been blacklisted.” mused He Mai. “Though I think it would be better to take your generous offer my lady. The glass business is mostly for other businesses and I think they will struggle to get customers even if they can get back to business.”

“Are they here today?” asked Sa Bina.

“Yes my lady.” replied He Mai.

“Why don’t you go and get them.” replied Sa Bina. “You can use this room to discuss the offer with them, and then let me know what you all decide. It would also give me a chance to meet them. Oh you should be aware, to take on the deal you will all need to join the army as auxiliaries and then transfer to my kingdom.”

Sa Bina and Lou Sie left He Mai to speak to her family and went back to the office with the blacksmiths.

“So Lin Ye, Lin Song,” asked Sa Bina. “Have you made a decision on whether you are interested in accepting my offer?”

“We have discussed it my lady.” replied Lin Ye. “I would prefer to remain independent if possible. We are happy to take on your commissions.”

“No Lin Ye,” replied Sa Bina. “For certain core businesses, we need to have ownership over the businesses. This is non-negotiable.”

As Sa Bina replied, she noticed Lin Song glaring at Lin Ye. “I am happy to accept just Lin Song. I don’t need both of you if you aren't happy with the arrangement.”

“I am happy to come and work for you my lady.” replied Lin Song.

“Excellent, speak to Lou Sie to finalise the transfer paperwork.” replied Sa Bina. “Are you sure you won't change your mind Lin Ye?”

“Let me speak to him again, my lady,” replied Lin Song.

Sa Bina left them to it and went back to the office she had left He Mai in. As she entered she noticed that there were two other men with He Mai. They seemed to have finished their discussion.

“So He Mai, have you come to a decision?” asked Sa Bina.

“We would all like to join you, my lady.” replied a smiling He Mai. “This is He Sen, my husband and Be Ji, my brother.”

“Would we be able to bring my elderly parents, my lady?” asked He Sen.

“Of course, if they are still able to work, then they can also earn.” replied Sa Bina, “If not, then they can stay with you. Speak to Lou Sie to finalise all the paperwork for the transfer.”

With that Adya left it to Lou Sie and went back to the main event. For her this was a good start. She would cover smithing, wine making and glass works. Still, she wanted to cover the other sections of her requirements.

She ran into the minister in the main auditorium. “What do you think of how things are progressing minister?” asked Sa Bina.

“They seem to be progressing well.” replied Hang Fo. “We seem to be getting a good cross section of businesses across all sectors. They will help us get on our feet faster. Still we have to wait and see what the response will be from the other guilds, and more importantly the nobles.”

“Oh, I expect them to be very unhappy about the sudden change,” replied Sa Bina. “Though I do think they will try using political machinations and intimidation before they resort to violence.”

“You really expect they will become violent?” asked the minister.

“They have had their way for far too long, with no one to curb their excesses.” replied Sa Bina. “They will view this change as a direct insult and as a challenge to their authority. Of course they will descend into violence.” What she left unsaid was that the more arrogant amongst them will not think through the implications of an attack on a foreign nation. It will certainly make starting school an interesting experience.

As they were speaking Lou Sie had finished with the preliminary paperwork, and returned to find Sa Bina. She had found a dairy farmer that was interested in Sa Bina’s offer.

Su Niu was a dairy farmer and had a modest herd and farm not far from the city walls. He had been having problems even since his brother had died in a monster attack. He was not earning enough to hire help, and without help he was unable to grow the herd or his business. He was stuck.

Sa Bina explained that not only was she looking to buy, but to grow the business. At first he was hesitant, his family had owned the land for several generations, and he was uncomfortable with the idea of selling out. Finally the idea of actually growing something, even though he would only be working there appealed to him. Sa Bina made the deal with him to make his family hereditary dairy farmers on that land, and only if his family choose not to continue, would anyone else be able to take over. Under those conditions he agreed to the sale. Thankfully there was plenty of land available near the farm to expand on to.

Sa Bina asked Lou Sie to make a note to ensure they purchased any surrounding land to give them enough space to expand into the future. Sa Bina was making good progress, she decided to check back with the blacksmiths.

“Lin Song, how progress your efforts to convert your grandfather to our cause?” asked Sa Bina cheerily. The quick progress of the day had buoyed her mood.

“I have been convinced to join you, my lady,” responded a grumpy Lin Ye.

“If you are not happy, Lin Ye,” said Sa Bina. “There is no need to force yourself. We are only looking for business people that are happy to accept the opportunity we are offering.”

“It’s not that, my lady.” replied Lin Ye. “I have spent my entire life working for myself, it is a strange thought to become an employee.”

“Then don’t think of it like that.” replied Sa Bina. “You will still have the control you have now. I will be an investor. As an investor I will make suggestions and offer commissions. You can refuse either. If you don't want to be part of the changes I intend to bring, then you don't have to be. Just don’t complain if you get left behind.”