Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 177

Gooljin questions sternly, “Look, if we make the business much bigger than it is now, selling to neighboring towns won’t be enough. We’ll have to sell much farther away. Do you understand that? The transportation costs will increase, prices will drop, and profits will decrease. Do you get that?”

I nod without looking away from Gooljin. “I understand. Even so, just as the church will sell development shoes throughout the country, our company will sell protective shoes nationwide. Even if the prices drop, we’ll sell in larger quantities. Gooljin, are you prepared to go that far?”

Gooljin snorts in dissatisfaction. “What if I don’t? Am I out of a job?”

I shake my head. “That won’t happen. I’ll just approach other traders. I mean no harm to you. I just need more transport capacity from the caravan.”

Gooljin glares intensely. “What if I told you to cut back on protective shoe production? Lower prices mean reduced profits. No one benefits from that, right?”

So it comes to this. I signal to Swiberry with a subtle gesture behind my back. Then, I answer with conviction. “We won’t reduce production of protective shoes. I’m convinced it benefits all adventurers. Gooljin, you were an adventurer too, weren’t you? And so were your subordinates. How much would those protective shoes have helped you during your adventurer days?”

Yet, Gooljin remains silent. He is likely paralyzed by a mix of profit concerns, emotions, and pride. Therefore, I decide to make one more proposal to tip the balance in my favor.

“But, when it comes to selecting other caravan merchants, it would help if you could choose which merchants are appropriate,” I suggest.

Gooljin opens his heavy mouth. “Are you saying I get to choose who transports it and at what price?”

“Yes. As long as the shipment amount and delivery are guaranteed, I would like you to use your discretion during that time,” I explain.

This is my proposal to Gooljin. While it means taking away the exclusive transport rights, I leave him with influence. The idea is to create a reputation among the caravan merchants that Gooljin is not excluded but trusted and expected to manage more broadly.

I hope this will preserve Gooljin’s profits and pride.

After a tense silence lasting several seconds, Gooljin speaks. “It seems I’ll have to go along with this.”

“I’d be grateful if you would,” I say, relieved.

Gooljin gives a wry smile and extends his right hand. “Well, I don’t want to make enemies of you and Jilboa, who are a bit crazy. I need to keep making money, after all.”

“We’ve got three years. Just introduce me to some caravans little by little. I’m counting on you.” And with that, I extend my right hand and shake hands with Gooljin.

“The deal is done.”

Gooljin then grips my hand with surprising strength, so I smile and grip back just as firmly.

Damn. That hurts.