A sneeze destroys a magical civilization

In the early morning, when the first ray of sunshine rose from the sea level, Calimport finally bid farewell to the crisis-ridden night and ushered in the noisy and lively day.

The slaves who had been waiting on the dock for a long time were being whipped by the overseer and began to work on moving goods.

As a large city with a permanent population of more than 200,000, it receives countless ships from all over the continent of Faerûn every day.

They will bring special products from thousands of kilometers away, hoping to sell them at a good price in this most prosperous port in the southwest sea.

When you return, fill it with local distinctive spices, scimitars, chain armor, books, pearls, silks and secondary magic items, etc., and bring them back home to earn huge profits.

Of course, in addition to ordinary cargo, some ships also bring large quantities of living things.

For example, various exotic animals and slaves of different races.

As one of the few countries that still practices slavery, the strong demand for slaves from Calishite nobles and wealthy merchants is enough to make adventurers, mercenaries, unscrupulous merchants, and gang members in areas where slavery is prohibited take risks.

After all, catching slaves is a costless business.

All they have to do is to get people on the ship through deception, abduction, kidnapping, etc., and then transport them to a place in Calim Port that is responsible for training slaves, tame them for a period of time, and then send them to the market to sell them at a high price.

Calishite nobles and wealthy merchants even regard the number of slaves they own as a symbol of strength and status.

A slave owner who owned large tracts of farmland and estates outside the city near the Carlin River might have included as many as thousands of slaves of various races.

In addition, a large number of slave warriors are also needed in the arena to perform cruel gladiatorial performances.

It can be said that slaves have become an indispensable and important part of this country.

Without slaves, Calimshan's production and economic activities would stagnate or even collapse completely in a very short period of time.

Whether it is agriculture or a large number of handicraft workshops, they will not be able to function properly due to the lack of sufficient labor.

At this moment, Zuo Si, who had just gotten up from the bed, was sitting in the hotel room, looking at the purchase intention list sent by the businessman Bernard himself, and asked in a very puzzled tone: "Why are there slaves?

And there are as many as 150 people?

If I remember correctly, Tethyr and Amn in the north seem to have banned slavery. "

Bernard was obviously prepared for this, and explained without thinking: "According to calculations, our cargo will require at least 500 to 700 camels to barely cross the desert.

If you add in the food and water you need to carry, the team will become extremely large.

And with so many camels and goods, the cost would be too high if all local people were hired.

Far less cost-effective than buying slaves directly.

The most important thing is that we have no way to tell whether there are any spies among the bandits among the local people hired.

After all, the Kalin Desert is not a safe place, and countless caravans die at the hands of bandits every year.

In contrast, slaves who had no chance to contact the outside world were safer.

Of course, some civilians with special skills will also be hired, but the number must be controlled.

As for the laws prohibiting slavery in Tethyr and Amn, there is no need to pay too much attention to them.

The first is the Kingdom of Tethyr, which is currently in a state of division and turmoil.

The nobles are desperately trying to defeat their opponents, expand their territory, or even seize the crown from the royal family that has lost its prestige.

They didn't care if there were slaves in the caravan.

Several noble lords close to Calishite were even secretly selling civilians captured and plundered from hostile noble territories to slave traders.

Although Amn ostensibly prohibits the slave trade, there are actually countless nobles and wealthy merchants secretly engaged in buying and selling slaves.

As long as you are careful not to be discovered by nosy adventurers and paladins, it is generally not a big problem.

Besides, I have no intention of bringing these slaves into Askatra.

When they arrive at the last transit city of Cremour, they will be given the status of free citizens, and then arranged to go to manors in the countryside to cultivate fields, raise and take care of livestock.

Anyway, the Chamber of Commerce has a large area of ​​land and fixed industries that need healthy labor force. "

It must be said that this man who looks to be just over thirty years old is definitely a genius in the business field.

Not only does he have a good understanding of the specialties of each region and the price fluctuations of various commodities, he is also able to minimize his operating costs.

Even in terms of hiring manpower and transportation, we have to find ways to make a little difference.

Take a look at the plan below this purchase intention list!

Every capitalist on earth has to call him an expert when he sees it.

Just starting from Calim Port and heading north, there are more than three types of transportation that need to be replaced along the way.

The first one used was the camel.

After crossing the desert and reaching Manon, all camels are immediately sold to local caravans who want to go south.

Since these caravans also need to cross the Kalin Desert, they often give a very high price.

At least one third to half higher than the price in Calimport, which is rich in camels.

The goods following the team will be loaded onto carriages, which will be pulled by Tethyr's specialty heavy packhorses across the Wildas Forest and two transverse mountains filled with monsters and beasts.

Waiting to arrive at Cremul, a city in Amn.

All slaves and pack horses will be sold at high prices, and then transferred to river transport ships to reach Ascatla, known as the "Gold Coin Capital".

Almost every time he changed transportation, Bernard made a profit from it.

Not only that!

Along the way, he also listed in great detail what goods were sold and purchased in different towns.

Each trade takes into account the possible price fluctuations caused by large sales and purchases.

Even from a modern perspective, Zuo Si could not fault anything and could only nod his head approvingly: "Not bad! It seems that you have considered all the details. I have no reason to object. I will just follow the rules formulated." Let’s make a plan.”

"Thank you very much for your trust. Please rest assured that I promise with my credibility as a businessman that this trip will definitely make a huge profit." Bernard promised, patting his chest.

"Of course! I have never doubted this. After I get the ransom from Hallett in a few days, I will hand over the money to you for operation."

Zuo Si also gave the businessman in front of him a reassurance.

He understood that Bernard was actually quite insecure now.

After all, the little sister I originally trusted and loved suddenly turned into a ruthless conspirator overnight, and even wanted to join forces with outsiders to kill all the brothers and sisters in one go.

This nightmare-like situation makes people feel numb just thinking about it.

In addition, there are many thieves guilds in Calim Port. Who knows if the girl named Isadora will arrange any backup plan after learning about the failure of Captain "Blood Hand".

This is why, after selling all the goods on hand, Bernard rushed to report immediately and came up with a thorough and detailed purchase intention list and plan without reservation.

He worked so hard to show his value because he hoped to tie Zuo Si onto his warship as soon as possible through the relationship of interests.

…

The businessman who got the affirmative reply soon left happily.

Not long after he left, the werewolf girl Fangus who was waiting outside the door walked in, knelt down on one knee and bowed deeply.

"Master. As you requested, the two older members of the clan and I went to the slave and pet markets, but we did not find the creatures you mentioned."

"Oh? No one in the market is trying to drive you away or embarrass you, right?" Zuo Si looked at the other party with interest.

Since she took a bath and slept peacefully last night, the werewolf girl looked much better.

In addition, she is not ugly at all. Her three-dimensional facial features and sharp eyes make people feel that she has a wild beauty that cannot be described in words.

Obviously, this is the impact of lycanthropy on a person's appearance and temperament.

It is said that some lycanthropes who completely succumb to the control of their bestial instincts will even permanently transform their bodies into half-human, half-animal forms.