Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 159: Zhao Hai's Contemplation
Zhao Hai listened quietly to Laura's words. He had not anticipated that this matter would lead to such consequences. He was well aware that if the Versailles Family fell into internal strife at this moment, the entire Versailles Principality would face dire repercussions.
Zhao Hai hated the Versailles Family, but that did not equate to hating all the people of the Versailles Principality. If he truly hated the entire principality, he wouldn't have provided food to assist the Versailles Family in their time of need.
However, if the Versailles Family experienced internal turmoil now, all their previous efforts would be in vain. Most importantly, this situation would surely impact Laura.
Zhao Hai could not afford to let anything happen to Laura. She was currently his only channel for selling spatial crops. If something were to happen to her, he would have no trustworthy person to handle the shipments, which would be a significant blow to Zhao Hai, especially since development in the Black Earth Wilderness required funds.
Zhao Hai looked up at Laura and asked, "What about Buffy?"
Laura replied, "Buffy the Saint of Wind is said to be going to the Corpse Swamp this time. However, I think he is in great danger; the Corpse Swamp is not a place one should venture into lightly."
Zhao Hai paused for a moment and then couldn't help but chuckle. He hadn't expected Buffy to go to the Corpse Swamp. Fortunately, he had not yet let those slaves out from the space; otherwise, when Buffy arrived at the Corpse Swamp, he might have discovered them.
Zhao Hai raised his head and asked Laura, "So, what do you mean, Miss Laura?"
Laura looked at Zhao Hai and said, "The main reason I came out this time was to inform you about this matter, so you can be prepared. Also, you must be cautious; those big merchants may act in desperation against you. This time we plan to cooperate with Duke Ivan to help him seize power. Among the entire Versailles Family, only Duke Ivan is capable of cooperating with us, and only he has a conscience to care about the lives of the common people in the Versailles Principality."
Zhao Hai nodded and said, "That's fine. Rest assured, if you need any help, don't hesitate to come to me. By the way, I currently have over a million catties of bamboo rice. If you need it, feel free to take it anytime."
Laura was taken aback. She hadn't expected Zhao Hai to have so much bamboo rice on hand, which truly surprised her.
Of course, Zhao Hai couldn't possibly have no stock. Before Laura and the others began hoarding food, he had already started preparing. He had stored this bamboo rice for emergencies. To be precise, it wasn't just over a million catties; there were actually around three hundred million catties. However, Zhao Hai wouldn't take it all out at once; he only needed to provide enough for their use.
Laura exclaimed with delight, "Then let me thank you here, Mr. Zhao. If we lose this time, it means those big merchants have won. They might then release grain, and you won't need to prepare so much food."
Zhao Hai was momentarily stunned, but then he understood the implications. If the big merchants really helped the second elder or the third elder seize power, they would lower the grain prices and release grain, stabilizing the market in the Versailles Principality in a short time, which would help solidify their supported figure's position. Although this would incur some losses, as long as their supported figure's position was secured, they could monopolize the market in the entire Versailles Principality, making it easy for them to earn money afterward.
Zhao Hai nodded and said, "Alright, Miss Laura. I’ll reiterate: if you find yourself in any trouble, you can come to Rubble Mountain to find me. Even if it's a ninth-level expert, I can ensure safety."
If Laura had any doubts about ancient magic tools before, she didn't any longer. Although she hadn’t used those magical tools herself, she mustn't forget that Galen had. Even though she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, it was a fact that Galen had escaped from a ninth-level expert, which solidified her belief in their effectiveness.