"Besides, those merchants are notoriously greedy and cunning. If you hire them to purchase goods on your behalf, they will find countless ways to inflate their expenses and reduce your profits. If they take your money and disappear, you may never be able to recover it. I've also heard that a major rebellion has recently broken out in the East, disrupting several trade routes. Under these circumstances, I would not advise Your Majesty to take such a risk. You could lose a fortune before seeing a single shipment arrive."
"Who said we must travel to the East?"
Lina finally looked up and pointed to the map spread across the table.
