The Human Emperor (200-400)

C287: The Masked Man Outside Duke of Liu's Residence

"Impossible!" Arloja and Ablonodan exclaimed at the same time. Perhaps they thought that their reactions were too excessive, so Arloja quickly explained. "Gongzi, it's not that we aren't willing to sell it to you, but we wouldn't be able to mine so much Hyderabad ore even over the course of an entire year!"

Hyderabad ore was exceptionally tough, and it was also located in treacherous terrain, thus making mining operations extremely difficult. Not to mention, the Hyderabad ore was only found in a specific location as well.

Even if they were to gather all of the Hyderabad ores they mined in a single year together, it wouldn't add up to 5000 jun.

"What is the current production limit of the Hyderabad ores then?" Wang Chong asked with a smile as he placed his hands behind his back. Naturally, he also knew that it was impossible for so much Hyderabad ore to be produced within a year.

He was only making use of this to uncover the true production capacity of the Hyderabad ore so that he could gauge the proportion he had to take down.

"3000 jun! This is the current highest projected estimation of our annual production. If we want to produce 5000 jun every year, we would have to expand our manpower and expand our scale of production." Arloja replied earnestly.

"Then why don't you expand the scale of production? Given how lucrative the Hyderabad ores are, surely your High Priest would have thought of expanding the mining operations?" Wang Chong asked.

"We do have such plans, but the results will only surface next year. We won't be able to supply you so much this year," Arloja replied seriously.

A thousand gold taels for one jun was truly an enticing deal. Without a doubt, it would be highly beneficial to Sindhu if they could take this deal. However, the problem lay in Wang Chong's excessively high demand. Sindhu couldn't possibly take out 5000 jun currently.

"Then a thousand jun should be fine, right?" Wang Chong asked with a smile. This was his true goal.

If Wang Chong was just negotiating with these two monks, there would be no need for him to go through such a huge number just to conclude at this.

However, these two monks were currently serving as the High Priest's eyes and ears—in truth, Wang Chong was indirectly negotiating with the Sindhi High Priest. Since that was the case, he would have to resort to some trickery.

"This... it'll be difficult, but it should be possible." Arloja fell silent for a long moment before eventually nodding in agreement.

"However, it'll take at least two months for the deal to be completed. That should be sufficient time for you to gather sufficient money to purchase 1000 jun."

Having just came from Sindhi, the two of them were extremely familiar with the situation regarding the Wootz steel. In truth, the 1000 jun that Wang Chong demanded was the limit as to what Sindhu could provide this year. After selling this sum, they wouldn't have any inventory left, and this was including the production from the few remaining months of the year.

"... But I'll still have to emphasize that I don't have the right to make the decision for this matter. It has to be approved by our High Priest himself," Arloja repeated himself.

"Of course! Masters, please tell your High Priest that as long as Sindhu agrees to my terms, I can pay the one million gold taels immediately!" Wang Chong threw out his last bomb.

Under a great reward surely stands a brave soul!

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A while later, Arloja and Ablonodan walked out of the gates of the Wang Clan with slightly dazed expressions. Seeing the lingering astonishment on their faces, Wang Chong smiled in contentment.