Triumphant Return

In the last month of summer, Griz and Kim returned together.

To the farmers and patrols on the road, this huge convoy had to be lost. All those loaded wagons traveled in the direction of the forest, rather than towards the city. The rumors had not even begun in the village when Master John squashed it.

"A Merchant family has bought the land to open a small blacksmith to train their apprentices."

He said.

The explanation quelled most people's minds because some hunters had reported of seeing a huge tower-like structure in the distance to the south. This fitting in with the story from the Master, since the guards placed there to monitor the activity had to have a secure place. Trappers venturing to the south soon reported large wolves roaming the forest, a tall structure would hence provide adequate safety...

Chu would never waste any given opportunity. On learning of the two merchants return from the captured thieves, he had John send an urgent message. Loads of iron ore and raw materials thus filled the wagons. Anything not easily gathered from the forest, and found in the city, had since been bought.

Currently, the three shareholders stood talking together.

"What in the Nord Pass is that thing?"

"That can't be a tower? What's with that huge flag like thing?"

Griz and Kim wasted no time in inquiring about the nearby structure. They stood in a small stone-paved, open courtyard with a well in the middle. On one side lay this towering structure, while on the opposite, workers unloaded the iron ore near a huge smithy. Between these two giants, nestled the frame of two long structures.

"Come, come, let me show you what progress looks like. This is called a windmill, and with it, our company will become the seventh largest force in the Capital."

Chu said.

On entering the door, Chu called Toll over to give them a demonstration.

Ever since the test run, Toll and two boys conducted checks did minor repairs and ensured everything ran smoothly. Under the astonished gaze of the two merchants, Toll demonstrated the workings of the mill, while giving a brief summary of its operation, output capacity and efficiency. Moving like a processing plant tour guide, he sold his script.

Griz sifted the finely ground flour between his hands. Amazing, it felt smoother than the best quality flour sold in the city. He dusted his hands, watching it as it puffed away in the wind. Most flour underwent processing using the age-old, mortar and pestle method. This coarse flour sold cheaply in the market.

Milled flour, used slaves and animals to move a huge grind wheel. The miller collected it off the ground, sifted it to remove the larger stones and debris before selling it. This colored flour had a high demand coupled with a high price from high society. This pure white powder, collected of a polished wooden stand, made that one look like...

"Master Chu, from day one, I always believed in you. That's why both of us hold a third share in this venture, while Griz and John share the other."

Merchant Kim slithered to the side and began fawning over Chu.

"Damn you Kim, you know three of us have equal shares, except for the kid. However, when he hears about our deal, then he is going... wait, brat how did you know the Capital has six major powers?"

In the barn, Griz and Kim sat on the long table. Together with them, Chu called Mr Thomas, Amanda, and Sakura.

"I see, so that's why our return trip proceeded so smoothly. I had leaked that we did not carry the plans of our inventions. Because of that, we never found ourselves in danger, however, who knew that others had greater designs on us."

Griz said.

Merchant Kim had done his part, promoting the invention and piquing interest. When Griz arrived, he nearly did not need the letter provided from the Tower Mage of Limerock. His meeting lasted one day and composed of not only the Merchant Guild heads, but also the Grand Vizier, and the head of the Military.

After the demonstration of two inventions that could aid in both society and the military, Griz then laid out his plans. It did not take long for him to hammer out a deal with the parties involved. Unfortunately, others seemed to figure out that the group still had much to offer. All they had to do, was squeeze this small merchant company.

Griz threw the small branding iron, etched with a stamp onto the table.

"Any product that has a gear, will have this brand. If anyone finds an invention without this brand, both the Merchant Guild and the Empire, will investigate and lay punishment. The Tower Mage has also decreed that any invention consisting of our gear, pass through them. They will act as intermediates until we accept it."

Griz said. The Merchant Guild would see to the distribution of the brands. The contract included the right for Griz to also break it, if he found or determined any signs of stealing.

Chu fondled the stamp, marked with the Chinese letter 'Bai'. In this age, he could find numerous loopholes and ways for the Merchant Guild to rob him. It did not matter too much, however, because he had other bigger plans. Once he broke away and became a true free company, no one would be able to touch him.

"What's the cost of sharing this with the Empire?"

He said softly.

"We get ten percent. For anything sold with a gear, we get ten percent. If we agree to new inventions, build with a gear, we get ten percent. If we sell through our company, we make one hundred percent. There is no overhead cost, no having to repair anything. Once someone else decides to build our product we get ten percent."

Griz beamed. After learning about this percentage calculation, it thrilled him to the bone. He even had to spend an entire extra day with both the heads of the Merchant Guild and the Grand Vizier himself, simply to explain this new form of calculation.

For a lowly merchant on the economic ladder to be questioned in earnest by such great figures, nearly made him swoon in exultation. Within his breast pocket, lay the token of the Grand Vizier--with it, even the Governor of a city had to give him face.

His mood soon soured.

"Only ten percent? Let me guess, the Merchant Guild scammed ten percent also, using the excuse of finding and enforcing the invention. The Empire grabbed a five percent since they only had to deal with any cases brought forward. That leaves the merchant companies who will earn seventy-five percent, am I right?"

Chu sneered.

"That's right, not doing anything and earning that much already? Isn't that enough?"

"Those old coots really know how to step over an inexperienced block of wood. If you had pressed the Guild, saying that anyone interested in the invention had to pass through you, and further, that you would handle all interested parties, then another five percent would have been yours. They would also be fawning over you, since you would maintain full control."

Chu replied. He looked at his accountants, only turning back to Griz when they nodded in understanding. Griz turned beet red, not because of being lambasted, but because he missed this opportunity.

"What's done is done. I expected this much anyway, so you came through for us perfectly."

Chu added. Dwelling on that fact would have merchants like Griz and Kim crying to sleep every night, thinking about those lost coins.

"Then what's our plan now. Will we have to keep sharing our inventions?"

Merchant Kim asked.

"No, this time, we will grab a greater percentage. We will reel these sharks in and slaughter them for maximum profits. This person will brief us all on the ones who we will have to contend with."

Chu said.

He moved to the side, as Jill walked to the front.

"Presently my companions have left with the plans of..."

Chu rocked slowly on the swing while holding the sleeping baby in his arms. Yin and Griz sat on the nearby table, munching on some sweet cakes.

"Brat, you do know that if you fail, we will open the gates of hell on us."

Griz sounded.

Simon had gone off chatting with Thomas, while Merchant Kim had wasted no time in gathering a cargo for his return trip.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it. Your major role now is to collaborate with the Thief's Guild, that your inventor is located here. Leave the rest to me."

Chu said.

He frowned as Dyna and her six returning lackeys noisily passed by, chatting animatedly. He covered the ears of the child.

"Jill will remain here, hidden to share any needed information. Whatever I share, would be things that have to be mass-produced. Only then can money flow into our coffers. Remember, as soon as you receive that first payment from the Merchant Guild, to move. I need a place large enough in the Capital to cover four households, plus our business."

Chu said.

"Leave it to me. Merchant Kim has agreed to do the same. Both of us will now operate solely under the company name, passing on our positions to trustworthy kin. John will remain at the Trading Post until you no longer need him. I will leave us an exit route in Limerock, since I will have a servant hold the small mansion given to us by the Tower Mage."

Griz replied firmly.

After encountering this experience, he since understood this brat's appetite spanned the entire Empire. If he implemented that windmill idea alone, the company would enter the Capital by storm. Everything now depended on how the boy would deal with the incoming opposition.

This group, represented the epitome of the ruling class, under the Emperor alone. One misstep and they would topple from this little slice of heaven into the bowels of hell.

"Don't worry. Remember, I am leaving my family in your hands. No way would I ever seek to abandon or cut ties with you. Besides, I have always loved bartering with you."

Chu grinned.

"Stupid brat, don't forget, I own the lands around here. And what kind of name is this Bai Corporation anyway? And what the heck is a shark?"

Griz grumbled as he stomped off.

Chu smiled, risking his life to enter the big leagues would have gotten him burned on earth. Here on this world, his knowledge though limited, gave him a cutting edge. He waved Jill over as she passed by.

He had planned to simply look the part of a boy who stumbled into this invention, but chatting with Bob and the others opened up a whole new world of understanding. Truly, when one lives in the mountains, they can never appreciate the beauty of the sea.

"Jill, tell me more about the churches and this Heaven's Gift..."

After the meeting, Jill ran off to the conference room under the dormitory. The classes had moved back to the workshop building, leaving this place as the hub of invention. She did not pry into the main room that Finn worked, but knocked the door of another smaller one. She entered only when she heard the reply.

Bob and the others had left the farm, making their way to Karst with the much-anticipated stolen information. After the rendezvous with their respective employers, they would then head off into the Capital. Chu gave them a document to deliver to the Master, which, if he agreed, the benefits would be enormous.

Tull would deliver her share of information to her employer, stating she succumbed to injury while collecting the payment.

In the room, Sherry and some other women bustled about, while cutting and sewing. This laughing and light atmosphere had attracted Jill from the start. These women had lived a life similar to the slum dwellers of the city, yet every one of them now had an education that surpassed most refined ladies from those noble houses.

In this little farm, orphan girls and women lived equally to the men.

"Hey Jill, what are you standing there for. If I have to do this, then so have you. Start stripping."

Shine laughed, grabbing Jill by the hand and pulling her in...

Elsewhere, some people were not too happy about this spurt of progress. Doug and the others stood helplessly outside their shack, after Bella relayed some information.

"So where the heck are we supposed to sleep?"