"Too expensive!" Karsipengpas shook his head repeatedly.

Temisplous didn't speak, staring at the almost empty jar of juice, lost in thought.

"Roxias, how is the matter I mentioned to you last time?" Karsipengpas quickly changed the subject, fearing that talking about honey would make his mouth water.

"Lord Pigeris has reported your request to Leader Maximus, who convened a meeting at the Political Affairs Hall specifically for this matter, but ultimately decided not to allow the Alde Tribe to exchange for paper currency for the time being, mainly because..."

Roxias said sternly, "The production of paper currency is time-consuming, and the current output is still insufficient. If the tribesmen of the Alde Tribe are also allowed to use paper currency, it will cause a sharp rise in prices in the market due to the severe lack of paper currency...

But you don't need to worry, the leader has already given orders to the Paper Making Workshop, instructing them to accelerate the production of paper currency. I believe that in a few years, you will be able to use paper currency."

What Roxias said was reasonable, and Karsipengpas immediately expressed his understanding.

However, he was actually unaware that the Nix Tribe's Paper Making Workshop had long been able to provide large quantities of special paper for making paper currency, and the Mint Workshop designated for producing paper currency had already mastered the use of woodblock printing technology. Through long-term exploration, they had also developed a suitable ink for printing paper currency, so mass production of paper currency was no problem at all.

The only issue was that Maximus did not intend to let the paper currency circulate outside at this stage, as he felt the time was not right yet.

Temisplous coughed a few times and said, "Last year, Great Chief Alistacas attended your festival. Upon returning, Leader Maximus presented him with a statue of the Danu Goddess. The other elders of the tribe later saw the statue and thought it was wonderful, and they all wanted to get one... ahem, so they could place it at home for worship. I mentioned this to you before. Has Leader Maximus agreed?"

"Elder Temisplous," Roxias said solemnly, "the leader greatly appreciates your reverence for the Danu Goddess. However, Danu is the primary deity of the Nix Tribe, and only the leader has the authority to carve the deity's statue! Only the leader, as the Divine Son, can carve the visage of the Danu Goddess! But carving the statue requires a tremendous amount of energy and time, and the leader has to deal with numerous tribal affairs daily, leaving no extra energy to carve for you—"

"We can pay! Using as much iron ore, linen, and timber as you need for an exchange," Temisplous said loudly.

"Silence! This is blasphemy! A desecration of our revered Danu Goddess!" Roxias turned pale and shouted sternly.

A dignified Aldean tribal elder facing the reproach of a small port official from the Nix Tribe, under his furious gaze, dared not meet his eyes. Temisplous, feeling guilty, muttered, "We meant no harm; we just think that the statue—"

"Material wealth cannot buy the protection of the Danu Goddess; only sincere faith will attract Her attention!" Roxias put away his anger and said with a solemn expression, "The leader has said that he cannot carve a statue for each of you, but if you truly wish to honor the Danu Goddess, he will help you build a temple in the Alde territory. Inside will be a statue of the Danu Goddess personally carved by him, allowing the Aldean tribesmen to also receive the Goddess's protection through worship!"

Temisplous was stunned at first, then stammered a response, "This... building a temple is a big matter and must be... decided by convening a tribal meeting for discussion."

Karsipengpas looked at his embarrassed and tense appearance and sneered inwardly.

He clearly understood why these elders from the southern tribes wanted the statue of the Danu Goddess. It was because, after Maximus gifted the statue to Alistacas, Alistacas cherished it immensely. Every tribal meeting, he would display it on the wooden table in front of him, as a boast. The statue was indeed carved very well, always attracting everyone's attention...

In essence, these guys were too greedy, preferring to exchange a statue for so much material wealth rather than use these resources for the benefit of their tribesmen.

However, since the Danu Temple near Snowdonia was built, more and more Aldean tribesmen seem to have been worshipping the Danu Goddess over the past two years. It is said that whenever many tribesmen come to Snowdonia, they first go to the temple to worship before heading to the market for trade...

While Karsipengpas was lost in thought, Roxias' subordinate entered: "Sir, the iron ore that was transported has been weighed, totaling twenty-one tons and seven hundred and fifty pounds."

"That's great, four hundred pounds more than last time." Roxias said, looking at the two Aldean elders.

And Karsipengpas and Temisplous looked at the two subordinates who followed them into the room. Seeing them nod solemnly, they responded, "We agree, it's twenty-one tons and seven hundred and fifty pounds!"

"Alright, we'll follow the old rules. Elder Karsipengpas will receive..." Roxias took the account sheet handed over by his subordinate and read, "receive fifteen tons and two hundred and twenty-five pounds of iron ore proceeds, while Elder Temisplous will receive six tons and five hundred and twenty-five pounds. Do you have any objections?"

Karsipengpas quickly calculated in his mind and then responded, "No objections."

"Neither do I."

Roxias asked again, "Elder Karsipengpas, are you still planning, as before, to use all your iron ore proceeds to purchase wheat?"

"Eighty percent to purchase wheat, twenty percent to purchase linen." Karsipengpas had already considered this before setting out. The mountainous area had barren land and insufficient food, and using iron ore to exchange for food was a consistent practice. Simultaneously, the harsh environment in the mountains led to significant wear on clothing. In the past, most tribesmen in the mountains had no choice but to simply cover key parts with animal hides. Now that the Nix Tribe could supply large quantities of cheap fabrics, they were also willing to improve their living conditions.

Roxias glanced at the subordinate who was diligently calculating at the desk and said earnestly, "It's almost harvest time, and many tribesmen's stored grain is almost exhausted, so the price of wheat in the market is higher than before. However, we have an agreement to always trade at a rate of one pound of wheat for fifteen pounds of ore.

And since Elder Karsipengpas is using eighty percent of the ore to exchange for wheat this time, the wheat you will receive is—"

"Eight hundred and twelve pounds." The subordinate promptly responded.

Karsipengpas counted on his fingers, carefully calculated, and then nodded, "Yes, it's eight hundred and twelve pounds."

"Because you arrived early, we haven't started buying grain yet, and recently, there aren't many tribesmen selling grain in the market. We need to purchase wheat from Westeni and Todleduo to gather enough quantity, so you will need to wait here for a day or two. I hope you can understand," Roxias said apologetically.

Karsipengpas frowned, because having the fleet wait an extra day or two meant that the crew could only stay in Snowdonia's inns. Although, as loyal customers, they received significant discounts on food and lodging, it still cost money. This expense would be deducted from the next ore transaction.

Despite feeling a bit of pain, Karsipengpas could only nod helplessly.

In reality, Snowdonia had dedicated granaries storing large quantities of wheat, all of which were lands tax contributions from tribesmen every year, managed by the Finance Department.

The ore trading at the port, on the other hand, was under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department. Each year, the tribe allocated a special budget, and if it involved calling upon the granaries' wheat, the procedures between the two departments were rather cumbersome, making it more convenient to purchase grain directly from the market.

Most of the residents in Slodia and Westeni had plenty of land and wealth, preferring to bring extra grain to this port to sell to Roxias rather than going to the exchange, as they could get more paper money to buy what they wanted.

However, the Commerce Department headed by Roxias was not at a disadvantage. Although the price of wheat purchased was higher at this moment, after the autumn harvest, wheat prices plummeted, and with Roxias' shrewd mind, mineral trades never exceeded budget and even made a small profit over the year.

Moreover, citing collecting wheat as a reason to keep the Aldean fleet's personnel here for an extra day or two, the expenses on inns, markets, and consumer spending fell within the Commerce Department's oversight, achieving two aims with one act.

"The remaining..." Roxias glanced at the data calculated by his subordinate, then said to Karsipengpas, "three thousand and forty-five pounds of iron ore. You want to use it to exchange for linen. Which type of linen do you want? The market currently has four different priced fabrics—"

"The cheapest kind." Karsipengpas responded without hesitation.

"Do you want it one meter wide or two meters wide?"

"One meter wide."

"As for the linen, we previously agreed on a price of forty pounds of iron ore for a bolt of cloth one meter long and one meter wide. Therefore, three thousand and forty-five pounds of ore can be exchanged for... seventy-six meters of cloth one meter wide."

Karsipengpas calculated carefully again and nodded in agreement.

Having settled matters with Karsipengpas, Roxias looked at the other person: "Elder Temisplous, you have six thousand five hundred and twenty-five pounds of iron ore in proceeds. What do you want to exchange for?"

"Five large ceramic jars with exquisite paintings, three lounge chairs, four woolen woven rugs, two meters wide and twenty meters long fine cloth embroidered with patterns... oh, and a pound of honey." Temisplous listed high-end products sold in the market.

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