Farming in a Parallel World and Becoming a God
Chapter 716 - 507: Hobgoblin Giant_1

Chapter 716: Chapter 507: Hobgoblin Giant_1

"Moreover, you have already calculated that if we undertake it ourselves, just the paving costs for the road to Darama alone would amount to five million, let alone extending to Efanso. Without ten million, it cannot be done. Compared to a trade route that could generate wealth, what’s this slight potential loss in commercial tax?"

"I understand the reasoning," Finance Minister Carden couldn’t help but sigh, "but watching money that should have been in our own pockets divert to others always feels painful. I’ve thought of a way to recoup some of the losses..."

"Is it by organizing manpower and resources within the city’s merchant team, carrying a portion of goods and following them north?" Raymond asked in return.

"So the City Lord had also thought of it—exactly. By doing this, we can not only make a profit, but more importantly, seize the market and trade opportunities. This is a newly opened trade route; in the early stages there is a large shortage of goods, if we grasp it well, we can make a killing."

Carden became the Finance Minister of Ruitawen City, not solely because of his extraordinary relationship with Raymond but also due to his exceptional talent in commerce.

Half of Ruitawen City’s wealth came from commercial tax, while the other half came from the city-managed merchant teams he operated, buying low and selling high, and transporting goods as needed—their most commonly used tactics.

"You’re the expert in this matter. As long as there’s profit to be made, go ahead boldly. What do you need me for?" Raymond could manage Ruitawen so prosperously because he naturally possessed the virtue of knowing how to utilize people’s strengths.

"One thousand light cavalrymen; I need a thousand light cavalry to escort us. Even if their expedition fails, we can ensure the safety of our merchant team’s withdrawal," Carden was enterprising yet not without caution.

"Good," Raymond agreed, nodding readily.

"City Lord, there’s a large number of citizens in the city planning to take their families to join the migrants outside the city. The General sent me to ask whether we should stop them," a City Defense Army soldier rushed in to report.

"About how many people?" Raymond’s expression slightly darkened.

Financial loss is temporary; in no time, it will return in hundreds and thousands of folds.

The loss of population, however, cannot be reversed within a short period.

It also implies that there are flaws in our governance if people cannot survive here and thus choose to leave their homeland.

"More than a hundred have gathered at the city gate, and the number is still rising."

After a brief consideration, Raymond said, "Find out the reasons for their departure, register them, and then let them leave the city."

"Understood."

Once the City Defense Army soldier left, Raymond couldn’t help but sigh, "Old partner, it seems our way of governance can’t bring wealth to everyone."

Carden, however, took it for granted, "We manage a city, a territory; all our policies can only serve the majority, not everyone.

People are ranked differently, as are horses in their categories.

The same policy could enable some to profit, while others lose everything.

In such cases, should you blame the policy, or the individual?

If they leave, it shows they can’t adapt to life here.

There are always people moving, usually on their own or with merchant teams—just not so noticeably scattered.

"They can take at most a thousand people from Ruitawen. If it’s more than that, consider it my loss."

"It’s just my perfectionist nature acting up," Raymond said with a smile, "Go on with your work; if all goes as expected, they should resume their journey the day after tomorrow, and you probably have a load of preparations to make."

"No rush, with our light cavalry as guards, there’s no need to follow their main force. They will be building roads as they advance, certainly slower than us who are solely focused on traveling, especially across the Giant Plains which are purely Monster Tribe territory. Even if they’ve previously sent a Hobgoblin Army in, it’s unlikely they’ve completely cleared them out; on the contrary, it might provoke resentment, uniting those monsters that never interacted before."

Many principles of the marketplace also apply on the battlefield; though Carden is a novice in warfare, he’s an expert in commerce.

"It’s not just possible, it has already happened. The Trolls in the Troll Mountains are not ordinary Trolls but are highly intelligent. They’ve taken the opportunity to rally the retreating monsters of the Giant Plains and form an army.

With so many people and materials passing through, they will become the best targets for plundering, and they will surely launch a relentless attack.

If successful, they might take advantage of the momentum, break out of the Troll Mountains, establish their Monster Kingdom on the Giant Plains, and harass the surroundings."

Considering that Monster Tribes attacked from the Giant Plains yearly, Raymond naturally paid close attention to the area.

Especially the unusual movements of the Blood Claw Legion, which could be linked with the migration plans of Darama when known.

Carden, just about to leave, involuntarily stopped in his tracks, "In that case, isn’t this journey fraught with risk? Should we warn them?"

"No need for warnings, they are well aware of the risks. Just look at what they’re focusing their purchases on, many of which are materials known to counter Trolls," Raymond said with a cold laugh, "You’ve heard of Monster Tribes causing havoc in mountain ranges, but have you ever heard of them establishing empires on the plains?"