Chapter 289: Bargaining

The Chishan Iron Mine is not a large-scale iron mine; previously, the total amount of iron ore mined each year was approximately 3.6 million jin.

At first glance, this number seems very large, but if you convert the units, it is only 1,800 tons.

According to the highest yield ratio, this much iron ore can only produce 720 tons of wrought iron.

Luoning feels that such an output is too little even for his own use, so naturally, he will not easily share it with others.

Taking a step back, this is not because he has any issues with Weijinsi.

If the other party had truly helped in the matter of obtaining Chishan Town, he would have been willing to concede some profit.

But in reality, just as Luoning said, Weijinsi did not provide any help in this matter.

Under these circumstances, for Luoning to concede another thirty percent and provide the other party with six thousand gold coins for free every year is an impossible thing.

Weijinsi could not help but question: "You say I didn't provide any help, but you seem to have forgotten that the logistics for the Wubei Territory Knight Squad were provided by me."

"I certainly remember that matter, and I also remember that you promised me that as long as I was willing to take your place on the front lines of Chishan Town, you would also provide twenty thousand people to the Wubei Territory for free."

Weijinsi seemed to be amused by anger: "You won't give me a share of the Chishan Town iron mine, yet you still want to ask me for people? Luoning, do you think I am easy to talk to? Or do you think I am a fool?"

Seeing that the two seemed to be about to argue again, Daianni seemed to have something to say.

However, after her gaze shifted between the two, she swallowed her words back into her mouth.

Forget it; in any case, the two probably wouldn't listen to what she said, so it was better not to interrupt.

If the relationship between this father and son truly became too strained, the Marquis would still be there to smooth things over.

"Father, you are joking; I have never had such thoughts."

Luoning's tone softened: "Although I said I would not give you a share, I did not say I would not give you gold coins."

In previous collaborations between Weijinsi and Keruien and others, he held a ten percent share, which amounted to about two thousand gold coins annually after conversion.

But if Weijinsi has his own channels for selling, he can sell the 360,000 jin of iron ore involved in his ten percent share himself; this is his right and freedom.

Previously, when Luoning was preparing to purchase iron ore from the other party, that was how the other party handled it.

Now that the Chishan Iron Mine belongs to Luoning, if things were to continue as before and Weijinsi could sell that portion privately, it would cause trouble.

Just imagine, what if Luoning were in urgent need of iron ore, and Weijinsi suddenly said he had closed a deal and urgently needed to take out 100,000 jin of iron ore—what should Luoning do at that time?

Therefore, it is better to settle the matter with money from start to finish.

As for why Luoning is willing to give money, it is naturally because he does not want to sour his relationship with Weijinsi.

No matter how unfavored the other party is, he is still the future heir to the position of Marquis, and he can currently inquire about the various affairs of the Wushan Territory; Luoning will likely be unable to avoid him in many matters he needs to handle in the future.

Moreover, if it were rumored that Luoning and Weijinsi had a bad relationship, that would not be a good thing for the Wushan Family either.

"Oh? You are willing to give money?"

Weijinsi was stunned for a moment; he had thought that Luoning had no intention of giving in at all on this matter, and he did not expect a sudden turning point.

The gloom on his face seemed to dissipate a little.

"How much? Six thousand? Five thousand?"

Luoning shook his head: "You know that I don't have much money in my pocket, and the Wubei Territory is currently in a time of needing money; it is impossible for me to take out five thousand gold coins every year at this time."

He paused for a moment, as if he had decided on a number: "With my greatest ability, I am afraid I can only give you one thousand five hundred gold coins per year."

The dark clouds on Weijinsi's face dissipated a little more, but he still did not give in with his words.

"No, no, no, Luoning, one thousand five hundred gold coins is too little. Although the development of the Wubei Territory needs gold coins, the profits from the Chishan Iron Mine are huge; it is completely no problem for you to give me four thousand gold coins every year!"

"Father, the Bolante Bandit Group abused and killed many people during the time they occupied Chishan Town. Now the population of Chishan Town is withered, and I am having a hard time even gathering the number of miners I had before; production cannot be restored in the short term."

Luoning looked distressed: "Moreover, I still have to rebuild sales channels and recruit various talents later, which requires spending a large amount of gold coins! If you still disregard my difficulties, then I can add at most three hundred more, for a total of one thousand eight hundred per year!"

Weijinsi was stunned for a moment; it seemed there really was this problem.

"How about this, I will solve the problem of people for you. On the basis of the twenty thousand I promised you before, I will add another five thousand. As for the gold coins, I see that you are not having an easy time either, so you only need to give me three thousand."

The atmosphere of the discussion changed from the previous tension to the current bargaining.

Daianni felt a sense of relief in her heart; it was good that they didn't continue to make things awkward.

After dozens of rounds of friendly consultation, the two finally reached a consensus—Luoning would give Weijinsi 2,050 gold coins every year.

This price is a little more than before for Weijinsi, and it is also acceptable for Luoning.

"Hahaha, well done, Luoning!"

Weijinsi smiled and gave a thumbs up; he is just a guy whose emotions are easily written on his face.

"In these two days, nobles from all over will gather here; get some good rest and prepare to welcome the upcoming victory banquet!"

"Then Father, the twenty-five thousand people you promised me..."

Weijinsi waved his hand: "You can rest assured when I do things; seven or eight thousand have already been gathered before, and once the news reaches the various manors and cities below, such a large number will be gathered very soon!"

This meeting, which began unpleasantly, finally ended in a pleasant atmosphere.

Watching Luoning's departing back, Weijinsi could not help but complain: "This guy, since he already intended to give money, why didn't he just say so? He caused me to break this good chair!"

The reason Luoning rejected the other party's expectations right from the start was merely to lower the other party's expectations to the greatest extent.

"Also, he actually used Battle Qi against me just now; he doesn't take me, this father, seriously at all!"

He glanced at the piece of wood deeply embedded in the lawn by his feet, still feeling somewhat displeased in his heart.

But saying is saying, and scolding is scolding; in the end, being able to get such a price still made him feel quite pleased.

"Weijinsi, you should change your temper."

Daianni advised with worry: "Luoning is no longer the person he used to be. Now he is not only your son but also the Viscount of the Wubei Territory, and he is even a Silver Knight capable of dealing a fatal blow to a Meteor Knight. You should face your own state and the gap in strength between you and him squarely."

"I know!"

Weijinsi had to admit that even if he gets angry in the future, he can only use his mouth; as for taking action, he had better forget it.

He also understands the importance of Luoning's appearance to the family.

"Daianni, go and help me urge the managers of Wushan City and the various manors, and tell them all to speed up their progress in gathering those twenty-five thousand people for me."

Weijinsi said: "If there are really no people, then count all those criminals locked in the prisons. If they have the ability to commit crimes, they have the ability to mine; drag them all out and send them to the mines to work!"

Daianni frowned: "The criminals don't seem very easy to manage, do they?"

"Don't you worry about that; those criminals are basically all ordinary people. With Luoning's strength, are you afraid he can't manage them?"

Weijinsi did not care about this at all: "What's more, he still has a Knight Squad under his command!" (End of chapter)