OFFERS TO MAKE ONE SMILE
Pug faltered along the way through the shady forest in the early morning, his eyes heavy from lack of sleep. He exited the towering trees and the canopy, raising a thin green hand to block the dazzling sunlight. Pug paused at the edge of the large clearing, consisting of a small rocky hill birthed out from the earth, depositing boulders and debris around it.
One would have to trek for hours from the grasslands, before meeting this place. In this place devoid of trees and decorated with sparse clumps of grass, his destination lay halfway up the hill. Following a narrow track filled with loose rubble and stones, he stopped in front of the gaping cave whose darkness threatened to swallow him into oblivion.
Two goblins stood guard at the entrance chattering without a care, one sitting the other leaning against a rock. A pair of crude iron spears leaned against another rock, ownerless at the present time. Pug knew that besides these guards, up on the hilltop behind some of those large boulders, a couple more rested.
"Me go see Pocong."
Pug said as the goblins waved him on.
Stepping into the darkness, his race natural ability took over, as his eyes adjusted and activated his night vision. Goblin night vision turned the darkness before him, into dusk, not into daylight clarity like some of the other denizens of the forest. Walking along the natural cave tunnel, he entered into a large cavern. Here, torches hung along the walls as numerous goblins bustled in and out of other tunnels.
The lanky goblin passed among others of similar size and frame, some with long noses, some with short stubby ones. Goblins with rough button-filled skin, others with smooth clammy complexions. Even though they all looked like a strong wind could topple them over, their thin bodies contained explosive muscles and hard bones.
Pug doddered around the crowd, the stench of filth mixed with the harsh smell of iron from the forges below. He walked through another passageway entering into a small cavern. The chatter stopped as he walked up the chamber, shadows dancing on the walls from the flickering light.
"Pug sees vanguard Pocong."
The scout dropped to the damp floor, crawling towards a large chair on the far end, his forehead bumping on the rough surface during his crawling prostration. The ten or so goblins, dressed in leather hide armor, watched him snail across the middle until he reached the chair made of bones and iron. Pug kissed the bottom of the feet in respect before kneeling on the ground.
"Speak undeserving worm."
The owner of the voice sat on the throne, staring at the little goblin before him. Pug shuddered as he gazed with reverence at the vanguard.
Most goblins had features and general characteristics like Pug. They matured and reached the height and build of the average twelve-year-old child. The vanguard, however, had features like Clod. Tall in stature, he towered over the others with his four and a half feet. His bulky arms ticker than a goblin's thigh, his burly frame had a volume that needed three goblins to fill.
Goblins, as a rule, were opportunistic fighters. They attacked an opponent ferociously and with zeal, each of them seeking to deliver a blow with the intention to draw blood. They operated as mean, lean, sneaky machines, baiting and swarming an opponent so that one among them could deliver the killing strike.
The vanguard, however, held the pride of the Goblin race. He could fight one on one with a wildcat. In battle, he roamed around the battlefield, easily dispatching the foes held down by the goblin numbers. Just one of his heavy blows contained more power than four goblin raiders combined.
"Vanguard, scout on forest edge killed. Humans found us."
Pug reported. He led the scouting team that patrolled and investigated the edge of the forest and noted the human settlements nearby. In this very room, these leaders of the Goblin Raiders decided when and where to strike.
The large figure covered in leather and iron armor twisted on the throne before issuing a wet fart.
"Prepare a raiding party. We wipe them out tonight after the witching hour. Send message to Shaman Chief, the vanguard prepare to Raid!"
***
Chu brushed the hair from his eyes as he crawled out of bed. The fatigue of waking nearly the entire night, coupled with having to maintain his focus when conducting business, lingered in his bones. He did not have time to step a foot out the barn, as a chubby looking merchant sidled up to him.
"Young Artisan, the Heaven seem to shower you with a wonderful morning. Come, come, we have all been waiting to eat with you."
Merchant Windit laughed while rubbing his small, fat palms together.
Chu nodded, shuffling towards the workshop, as the man waddled beside him. On entering the building, he received cordial greetings from the others already seated. Chu returned the greetings and then sat down, taking note of his breakfast companions.
"I hope you all had a wonderful night rest, Maybe today will bring everyone some sort of luck."
Chu said, facing each of them as he spoke. Red swollen eyes, filled with black bags hanging under them, blinked back at him. After last night's meeting, these men, young and old did not sleep a wink. Having these men on the opposite side of the business table, reveal their intentions gave Chu a sense of accomplishment.
When you hold a business meeting or engage in any type of transaction, this is how you should always have the other party act. Always place them on the back foot even before you begin.
After a late breakfast, during which Chu engaged in idle chatter about the price of firewood in the Capital and the dangers of harvesting lumber in the forest, he decided these guys sweated enough, any more and they might strangle him. Merchant Windit and Grandmaster Yang nearly dragged him out, impatient to achieve their goals.
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They rode the modified wagon to an empty field. Even Fatty Tian who had close ties with the Emperor's family had to admit that all other carriages became trash before this uncovered wagon. Building and selling these wagons would certainly earn them a tidy sum.
Out in the field, Clod waited for them, a strange iron contraption harnessed to a horse.
"This is called a plough, and its function is simple. By cutting the labor cost, a farmer can now till his field, in preparation for planting. This invention will make digging using wooden hoes and forks; obsolete... Clod, if you may."
Chu allowed them to scrutinize the iron plough before having Clod conduct a demonstration. Soon rows of straight upturned soil stretched across the field as Clod walked beside the horse guiding it. Chu gave them time to process and investigate the equipment and for Master Roak to walk along the field once with Clod during the tilling.
"I won't ask for much for this invention, I will hand over the design drawing and manufacturing steps for everything I show you today. If I am satisfied with the highest offer that is..."
"I can give you ten percent of our profits from making this thing."
Fatty Tian said. One must know how important this meant to the food supply of the Empire.
"Twenty percent of the profits on selling the plough. My Clan is also willing to pay ten percent each year on the profits we will make when renting out this plough to farmers."
Master Roak suggested. He seemed to have thought long and hard last night, on seeing the design. Now that he had a first-hand view and witnessed how it worked in the field, he had to win this invention. He glanced at the others as they seem to hesitate on thinking about this invention.
"Twenty-five percent of the profits adding ten percent from rentals. I am willing to pay out ten thousand gold for ownership of the design."
Master Roak grimaced, feeling that he had to throw out this better offer. If he lost this opportunity even when the boy had secretly helped him, he would turn into a laughing-stock. What he did not know, was that those frowning faces looking as if to bid were thinking about their own circumstances. Something suitable for Clan Bridgeroak, might not gain as many profits for others.
"Very well, I will take this offer from Clan Bridgeroak, when we return my sister will draft the contract."
They rode the carriage, to the well near the windmill, with Master Roak in a jolly mood. Ten thousand gold might cut into his Clan's wealth, but when he considering the implications of the invention sweeping across the Empire, that amount of gold could be regained within a year.
"This invention is called the Archimedes Screw. When attached to a large wheel, humans can step onto it, driving the wheel and thus the screw. It is ideal for pumping out water from deep mines that tend to become water-logged."
"One thousand gold coins for the plans, I ask the other Houses to have pity on my circumstances."
Young Master Wu said.
"Fifteen percent on selling the product, and five thousand deposit for the design drawings."
Fatty Tian shouted.
"Twenty percent when we build and sell, Master Tian please give our house some face."
Young Master Wu gently said.
"I should also mention, this invention can be used to irrigate fields and bring water to places near rivers and ponds."
Chu remarked.
"Twenty-five percent on each product sold and run by our Clan."
Master Roak shouted. If he got his hands on both this and the plough, his Clan would be able to double their farming lands and capacity. Young Master Wu frowned but quickly maintained his calm face.
"Ten thousand deposit and twenty-five percent on profits made yearly."
Young Master Wu gritted his teeth and said. He had hoped to save some money but understood that each one of these inventions would create life-changing reforms in the Empire. Bleeding his house to secure one of these designs would not be considered shameful. If the Patriarchs and Leaders had been present, they would have scrambled for it themselves.
"Good, good, Young Master Wu will not regret this deal. Since we are here at the well, I can show the next product."
Chu said and indicated for Stavia, who waited nearby to come forward. She gave him an ordinary cloak and stepped to the side.
"Have someone wear this. This invention is different from the rest. What we will have is a partnership with the successful bidder. Any cloaks, shawls or capes delivered to us will return to the partner as waterproof. I always believe seeing is believing."
Chu continued as he held a small wooden bucket. Smiling at the unfortunate guard, he doused him with water. When the man removed the cloak, he appeared dry without a drop of water. Chu spread the cloak like a tent roof before repeating the process. All the water ran out from the top, leaving the place underneath it dry.
"How much will you give, I believe you all understand the implications of this invention."
"Twenty thousand deposit, thirty percent on the profits sold."
Merchant Windit wasted no time in shouting out his bid. Not caring for his identity, he blurted out a staggering amount, while casting a pitiful look towards the others.
"Young Tian, I know of the use this will have on the Military. But I am the bulk supplier of clothes and accessories to the Military, I will cut a deal with you regarding selling it at a low price to officers."
Merchant Windit begged, offering concessions right then and there.
"Fine, but we will iron out our deal together when you sign your contract."
Fatty Tian grumbled.
Chu led them inside the workshop.
"This design drawing is called an ice house. What it does is keep cold storage, preserving meats and creating cold drinks during hot summers. This design will be sold to the highest bidder."
"Ten thousand gold, and twenty percent on selling and rental cost."
Grandmaster Yang said. This design would allow his house to branch out into another work, not wholly dependent on the salt trade. Like the others before him, he wasted no time in striking a high bid to avoid competitors. Chu smiled as he secretly gave him the thumbs up.
These merchants quickly learned the value of profit-sharing. They knew by now, the boy wanted a slice of the profits. Whether he learned about it from his ugly sister or not, they all saw the sparkle and greed in this little miser's eyes.
"The last invention on display can be considered a gift from Heaven. Since time immemorial the Church and the Tower have interlocked and help defend us from the demons in the north. This invention will change time as we know it. No matter where the Church it hangs on display, or the name in front of the Church, it shall be known as a Clock."
Chu said.
He unveiled the large clock, made with the gears and oversized spring. The device still had some kinks to sort out, but he knew the Church and the Tower would soon rectify it themselves.
"Thirty thousand in gold and the favors of the Tower and Church included."
Master Disparte said. Priest Lowe nodded beside him in approval. Both of them had spent the night grasping the effect this would have on the civilized world as they knew it. Controlling time to a certain degree affected folks from the farmer tilling the fields to the alchemist brewing his potions.
The others shuddered on the statement because as of now, this boy just became protected by the two largest organizations in the human continent.
"Sold. Please join me for lunch while my big sis will take care of the contracts. During lunch, I will answer any questions on your purchase."
Chu beamed to his new business partners. Not counting the income from future sales, he had secured enough money to join the ranks of a small noble. Most importantly he had found a reliable backer wherever he decided to travel in the Empire. These men did not deal in the pittances of copper coins.
They dealt in gold...
Today really made one smile.