“Once the hotels are open for business, you will see a steady income. The students who will arrive are like golden geese. They will be from noble families. That is why I am sparing no expense on the expensive suites of the hotels. They will be expensive, but the students will be willing to pay. There is no other town in the surroundings after all. I don’t why anyone else did not capitalize on this? Inform me when you have heard from the merchants. It is crucial for my plan.”
“Yes your Highness. Of course. It will be done. I shall take my leave for now.”
Nicholas retreated, leaving Liu Feng alone. He called on Lucas to come out. He asked him, “What do you think of making a mage tower in this place? Not now of course, but later, after this place has developed a bit? You can be the mysterious master, and I will get a working army of mages that you can train.”
“You are ambitious, boy. Wait for a while, I will see the place in a month, and then decide if it can stand here.”
The next few days were hectic. Liu Feng put the guards on high alert because he expected quite a few people to enter the town. He wanted to make sure that no fights occurred. It seemed that word spread far and wide that the Baron had gifted houses to the residents there. The streets on the right side were now crowded, and many people were casing the town, seeing if they wanted to stay and settle down here. That is why Liu Feng asked for extra apartments to be put up for a month. Many people were not ready for a big commitment of buying a house, but people were okay with risking a copper or two for a month. Liu Feng also continued with the recruitment with huge benefits. He wanted to continue the construction with full swing.
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He put up papers for jobs the previous week, so that the people would notice them. The workforce increased from fifty people to almost a hundred. The merchants also started visiting the town. Some of the bigger merchants formed a group and requested a meeting with Sir Nicholas.
Sir Nicholas and Liu Feng sat down with the merchants.
“Good morning My lord. Might I assume that this is the little lord.” a merchant bowed.
“Yes you are right. I assume you are here to negotiate the price for the permissions?”
“Yes My Lord. I do not understand why we must pay a tax, and then another import tax for all the products. And then a permission slip is required to sell, and this is far too expensive. I hope the lord understands how important we are to the survival of a town?”
Nicholas’ face darkened. He had attendants give them papers and asked them to read them,
“These are the non-negotiable terms that Dilheim will agree on. You must understand that we are the only town in the vicinity of a golden goose, and if you want to cash it, you must agree to our terms. Keep in mind that our guards patrol the vicinity often, and raid any suspicious merchants who are selling without a permit. So please, go ahead and do not sell anything in Dilheim. But keep in mind that there are many merchants who will agree to our terms quite willingly.”
The merchants looked at each other and gritted their teeth. They signed the papers and shook hands with Nicholas. They left after paying for the permit, a hefty fee of fifty silvers. They grumbled about it, but they paid for it nonetheless. Sir Nicholas practically knelt at Liu Feng right now. He was shocked, “Your Highness, forgive me for doubting you. Our coffers are filled. We now have three hundred silvers.”