"Stay honest! You worthless fools!"
Next to the stables at the Lord's Mansion, the attendants hired by the merchant caravan were whipping some scantily clad slaves.
The slaves bound hand and foot by iron chains curled up numbly on the ground, most of them shivering in the chilly autumn breeze.
The leader of the White Sail Caravan, Charles, was sitting by the fireplace in the hallway at this moment, warming himself.
He was elegantly dressed, tall, with neatly trimmed beard and hair, looking about thirty years old.
The faint flames could not dispel the cold of the hall, Charles tightened his dark wool coat, habitually surveying the room's furnishings.
After a moment, he shook his head slightly.
Judging from the unknown paintings, cheap carpets, and the attire of the servants, the lord of this town clearly was a pauper.
Charles's mood became increasingly irritable.
As a merchant with a private fleet, his original plan was to carry goods through the Fog Strait directly to the bustling Lion Heart Royal City to make a big deal with the local royalty.
But now, he was stuck in this remote barren place wasting time.
That damned celestial calamity at sea!
Charles cursed inwardly, perhaps due to the special nature of his cargo, his fleet encountered the terrifying celestial calamity known as 'Reality Collapse' in the maritime route.
During the disaster, most of his goods and crew were swept into the extra-dimensional void caused by the collapse, leaving only two ships, with losses being extremely severe.
Though Charles narrowly survived under the guards' protection, the pilot ship he was aboard suffered severe damage in the accident, becoming a sieve.
After exhausting several slaves using barrels to bail out water, he moored the fleet at the shabby port of Seagull Town.
Visiting the local minor lord was also an act of desperation.
Charles did not think this pauper could buy anything, only hoping to barter to persuade the other party to help repair his fleet and provide some necessary supplies for the journey.
As long as he could successfully reach Lion Heart Royal City, he could still make a handsome profit with the remaining goods!
As a successful businessman, Charles was not depressed by the fleet's misfortune.
Soon, he heard footsteps from deep down the corridor.
Charles's spirit lifted; he stood up, wearing an appropriate and confident smile on his face.
Bartering naturally has its techniques, and he excelled at dealing with these small-minded lesser nobility.
Of course, he would not disclose his plight to the other party, as doing so would not earn sympathy but instead provoke disdain and greed.
Only by presenting his importance, accompanied by appropriate flattery and praise, could he manipulate them into willingly digging into their pockets.
In the next moment, Charles saw clearly the appearance of the Lord.
Gray hair and eyes, handsome features, unexpectedly young…
"Oh~ Honorable Lord~"
Charles adopted the common aristocratic tone: "It is my great honor to meet you~"
Lin Lan nodded slightly and proactively sat opposite Charles.
"Welcome to my domain, Mr. Charles."
He said somewhat absent-mindedly: "What do you plan to sell?"
"Rare art collectibles and high-grade slaves from the Northern Empire."
Charles beamed: "Lord, in my view, only these precious items are worthy of your noble status."
The merchant snapped his fingers, and the attendants brought in the prepared goods, placing them before the two.
Lin Lan glanced over them briefly; they were all art collectibles.
There were intricately patterned gemstone brooches, brightly colored paintings, and ornate sculptures. When they were displayed in the hall, it seemed as though the entire mansion's level was elevated.
Besides the collectibles, the attendants also pulled in several wheeled movable cages.
Inside the cages were several scantily clad women.
They were slender, with delicate and charming features, but their gazes were empty and lifeless, curled up like dolls in the wooden cages.
"Lord, these are indeed genuine good items!"
Charles observed the Lord's expression attentively, smiling as he introduced: "Each precious item can perfectly demonstrate your status, elevating you further on the ladder of art."
"Especially these playthings from the Northern Empire."
He stepped forward and patted the bars of the cages: "Keeping them by your side is a prestigious affair for the Southern Nobility!"
Under the slaves' fearful gazes, Charles winked at Lin Lan: "Hehehe, as long as you give the order, they can do anything for you."
But Lin Lan's expression remained unchanged.
He quietly scrutinized the goods and slaves before him, seemingly lost in thought.
Charles was somewhat surprised.
He realized that even facing these rare treasures, there was not a trace of youthful impulsiveness or desire in the Lord's gray eyes.
Could it be that he looked down on these goods? How was that possible?
To a small noble residing in a borderland, these goods were already rare treasures!
But the young Lord before him remained silent, and the atmosphere in the hall inexplicably stiffened.
Charles's thoughts raced.
Actually, he was well aware that compared to his truly important goods, these collectibles in front of him were just second-rate items he brought to make do with...
Could it be that this young lord saw through something?
"Esteemed Lord, it seems these goods are not enough to move your noble heart."
The merchant tested the waters with a smile, "I must say, your demeanor truly makes me feel a deep admiration..."
"Spare me the boring compliments, Mr. Charles."
Lin Lan shook his head, looking directly into the other's eyes, his tone as calm as ever, "To be honest, I have absolutely no interest in these artworks and slaves."
The merchant in front of him was no different from the salesmen he had encountered in his previous life.
Lin Lan did not need any displays that showcased status, nor would he carelessly spend on buying those pitiable slaves.
There's nothing much to say about artworks, only a fool would buy them.
As for slaves... Lin Lan knew he currently lacked the ability and qualification to treat slaves well.
As a transmigrator, this world was still too unfamiliar to him, and in an unclear environment, he couldn't stupidly buy slaves only to feel self-moved by his own actions.
After all, every expense from the Lord's Mansion for treating slaves well would eventually fall on the common people.
Lin Lan had always been clear that he was merely playing the role of a Lion Heart noble, and this title of 'Honor' held no significance for him.
What he truly intended to do was, under the watchful eyes of the Lionheart Royal Family, find a way to use his golden finger to cultivate at least a self-preserving strength.
Therefore, every penny in the territory needed to be spent wisely.
Lin Lan didn't want to find himself one day on display in a cage for others to gawk at.
At this moment, he didn't hide his look of disappointment, it was evident that the merchant was concealing something, but Lin Lan didn't plan to bicker with him anymore.
He waved his hand and said, "Please leave, I plan to rest now."
Upon hearing this, Charles stood frozen on the spot.
He hadn't expected the other party to refuse him so directly and cleanly, this dialogue hadn't even reached the bargaining stage of 'bartering goods'!
Those precious art collections, those exotic beauties, were nothing more than roadside pebbles in the eyes of this lord.
It wasn't that the other party couldn't afford the price, but that he had no intention of naming one.
Then what about my fleet?
"Lord, please grant me another chance!"
At this moment, Charles finally put away his composed demeanor, sat up straight, and corrected his attitude.
It was clear that this great merchant was somewhat anxious.
Without the permission and assistance of the local lord, repairing the fleet would take more time.
Being within the Lion Heart Kingdom's border, if he wanted to do business here, he had to abide by the rules set by the local nobility.
On the other hand, his ship carried priceless treasures invested for the Second Princess, that cargo was too important, so important that Charles dared not waste any time.
"Actually... those few imperial slaves were intended to be a gift to you!"
Charles's smile became noticeably more honest.
He straightforwardly revealed his initial purpose, "Honestly, my fleet encountered a slight problem, so I'm hoping you would extend a helping hand..."
Upon hearing this, Lin Lan scrutinized the merchant again and suddenly chuckled.
"Mr. Charles, Seagull Town is just a remote and impoverished place."
He leaned back lazily in his chair, speaking unhurriedly, "In my memory, no maritime merchant fleet has ever stopped here."
Charles's heart gave a jolt.
The deep eyes of the person in front seemed to see right through him.
Lin Lan had no intention of beating around the bush and straightforwardly said, "Your fleet actually encountered quite a big problem and had no choice but to dock here, right?"
Charles withdrew the smile from his face, remaining silent.
"Mr. Charles, only sincerity can break the deadlock here."
Lin Lan said blandly, "If you wish to gain my assistance, you'll have to show some genuine sincerity."
Charles hesitated for a moment, cautiously asking, "What exactly do you want?"
"Relax, it's just a promise."
Lin Lan smiled, "I hope that in the future, your fleet will stop at the port of Seagull Town for some time whenever you set sail."
Charles's expression became increasingly peculiar.
"What benefit does that bring to you?"
After a moment, he hesitated and inquired, "As far as I know, the prosperity of the port would only benefit those unrelated common folk..."
"How could it be unrelated?"
Lin Lan chuckled, "This is my territory after all."
Hearing this, Charles lowered his head and pondered seriously for a long time.
Although he still couldn't quite grasp the other's intentions, it was clear that this posed no harm to himself.
Ultimately, he nodded, "I promise you, Lord Roland."