Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 337: Battle Fortress
Zhao Hai knew that the stir was a test of him, but he didn’t mind. He indeed went to Tianshui City to do business, and there was nothing to hide about it. He smiled and said, "Just as you said, sir, I am indeed going there to do business. However, it will be my first time visiting, so I just want to take a look."
Feng Boqi smiled and said, "Tianshui City is indeed quite nice. I wonder what kind of business you plan to do there?"
Zhao Hai smiled slightly and replied, "I have some business on the prairie and do not wish to conduct it in the Versailles Principality, so I want to check out Tianshui City. I heard that there are boats from Tianshui City to the prairie."
Upon hearing Zhao Hai's words, Feng Boqi had no doubts at all. Many people from the Roson Empire did business on the Orc Prairie, which was nothing unusual. Moreover, trading with the magical beasts was permitted from the Roson Empire, and the taxes were not particularly high, unlike the Aksu Empire, where one had to resort to smuggling and deal with numerous complications. Therefore, when you calculated it, doing business from the Roson Empire to the Orc Prairie was less expensive than from the Aksu Empire.
This was due to the geographical relationship. The Roson Empire was separated from the Orc Prairie by the Aksu Empire. If the orcs were to invade south, the first target would be the Aksu Empire. For the Roson Empire, there was no great pain felt; thus, they naturally wouldn’t restrict trade with the orc territory. On the other hand, the Aksu Empire needed to control things tightly because a mishap in business could turn into a situation of aiding the enemy.
Hence, every year many merchants from the Aksu Empire fled to the Roson Empire and then entered the Orc Prairie. Most of these merchants ended up settling down in the Roson Empire and became citizens of the Roson Empire.
However, Feng Boqi was very interested in the business Zhao Hai mentioned. He looked at Zhao Hai and said, "You have business on the prairie? So, you’re quite familiar with those orcs? I wonder, is it good to do business on the prairie?"
Zhao Hai smiled and replied, "It’s very profitable; the business on the prairie is quite good. The orcs are in need of food and supplies; they lack everything. As long as you bring something to the prairie, you can trade it for cattle and sheep. However, the cattle and sheep from the prairie usually get sick when brought back to the continent, which makes them hard to raise. Therefore, those cattle and sheep are usually slaughtered immediately upon arrival. The wool products from the prairie are also very good and quite scarce on the continent."
Feng Boqi's eyes lit up as he looked at Zhao Hai, "So, there are no risks in doing business on the prairie?"
Zhao Hai laughed and said, "Of course, there are risks, and they are quite significant. Those orcs can turn into bandits at any time, but they usually just steal food and do not kill. Generally speaking, most orcs are still willing to do business with us, but it’s not as profitable as people say."
Feng Boqi nodded. He believed Zhao Hai's words. Although trading with orcs was indeed very profitable, the risks were not small. He had seen many merchants who had dealings with orcs not ending well.
Zhao Hai then asked Feng Boqi about some matters regarding the Roson Empire, and Feng Boqi was open with him, sharing detailed information about the Roson Empire. However, most of what Feng Boqi said had already been mentioned by Xu Wanying, so for Zhao Hai, there wasn’t much new information. The two chatted casually as they continued on their way, and everything proceeded peacefully.
Before long, their speed slowed down. Feng Boqi smiled and said to Zhao Hai, "We must be nearing the Battle Fortress; everyone is lining up to enter the city. I won't keep you any longer. There are taxes to pay and registrations to complete upon entering the city, so you should arrange accordingly."
Zhao Hai stood up, smiled slightly at Feng Boqi, and said, "Then I shall take my leave. If you have time to visit Tianshui City in the future, please be sure to look for me. However, I may have to stop by Karsen City first."