Free Web NovelChapter 200: Chapter 185: The Rationale of an Actor’s Campaign
’Something’s not right!’
Although he didn’t know what was wrong, the City Lord’s intuition was screaming that something was amiss.
The Oli Crystal Ore wasn’t the hot commodity it used to be. The Mine outside the city had been shut down for years, and the inventory on the market still hadn’t run out.
’Who would want this Mine?’
’Could it be that some rare treasure had been discovered in the Mine? The kind of dazzling, soul-bewitching, massive gemstone that would make a Dwarf lose all reason upon sight.’
’Or perhaps there was an even more valuable mineral hidden beneath the Oli Crystal.’
’Impossible. Absolutely impossible.’
’If something like that existed, the Elves would have discovered it long ago.’
This Mine had been in development for over a century. After the price of Oli Crystal plummeted, they had even brought in Prophet Mages to make predictions several times, all of whom concluded that the Mine had no chance of ever being profitable again.
The City Lord impassively observed Zog, trying to spot a weakness.
He had studied expressions and mannerisms quite extensively. If a speaker was hiding their true thoughts, he was confident he could tell.
He picked up his water cup to divert the other’s attention, so Zog wouldn’t notice he was being watched.
The City Lord focused intently.
...
He saw nothing at all.
A Dragon’s expressions were different from what he expected. All his research had been on humanoid creatures.
"We need Oli Crystal as a material for our new toys," Zog explained.
The City Lord knew that toys were a significant source of income for the Zog Group.
"But the price of Oli Crystal on the market is generally very low right now. To take over an entire Mine for toys—the largest one, at that—seems a bit unnecessary. The Silver-White City State could offer more favorable..."
He too began to beat around the bush.
Zog interrupted, "Mining it ourselves will always be cheaper than buying from a middleman.
"After all, our toy production volume is massive, and we require an enormous amount of crystals. If other merchants see an opportunity for profit in selling us raw materials, they’ll definitely raise the price.
"I’m sure you wouldn’t do that, would you?"
"Of course not," the City Lord said with a smile.
"Or do you believe the Mine holds some incredible secret? That Oli Crystal is the key to the future, and I want it to build a world-changing weapon, like something that can generate Magic Power from thin air."
Zog had just blurted out the truth, albeit in a joking tone.
"How could that be possible."
The City Lord thought Zog was just mocking those outlandish rumors about Simon.
Besides, the idea of generating Magic Power from thin air... even the most uneducated, arrogant Dwarf, drunk out of his mind, wouldn’t have such a bizarre Illusion.
"Then what’s there to hesitate about?" Zog pulled out a Contract directly. "Reopening the Mine will also provide a lot of jobs for the city. With money comes spending, and then the economy will improve. The Zog Group will be able to sell more products too.
"So, just fill in a price you think is appropriate."
Zog placed the choice in the City Lord’s hands, projecting an air of magnanimity. ’Now that’s a respectable Dragon!’
The City Lord was even a little moved by this display.
’He’s actually thinking about the city’s employment situation.’
The employment situation for Elves was indeed not optimistic these days. Traditional sources of income were gradually being replaced, and living off old wealth had become a common phenomenon.
In truth, reopening the Mine wouldn’t provide many jobs for the Elves.
Although mining required a lot of miners, Elves wouldn’t work as miners. They wouldn’t take anything less than a management position; at worst, it would have to be a clerical job.
As long as they still had their old wealth to live on, they couldn’t bring themselves to stoop to that level.
But the fact that Zog even had the thought was rare enough.
’As the head of a corporation, he’s not thinking about extracting the maximum profit from the city, but about prospering together with the city state.’
His draconic charisma far surpassed that of those treacherous merchants.
The City Lord was ready to call him the "Conscientious Entrepreneur Who Moved the Elves".
Zog himself probably never imagined he’d earn a reputation for having a conscience in this lifetime.
To show his sincerity, the City Lord solemnly wrote "1 Gold Coin" in the price field of the Contract.
For the term, he filled in a full seven hundred years—the average lifespan of an Ordinary Elf.
In reality, that was a bit too long. With the efficiency of modern mining tools, coupled with the fanaticism of Dwarf miners, the Mine would be lucky to last a hundred years.
"This 1 Gold Coin shall serve as a testament to the friendship between us. As for the seven hundred years, it is my hope that our partnership can influence an entire generation of Elves, inspire the next generation, and plant the seed of mutually beneficial cooperation deep in the hearts of future Elves."
The City Lord even managed to bring a tear to his own eye as he spoke.
Zog almost lost his composure. ’We’re just making a deal. Why are you elevating it to such a noble plane?’
’Or maybe after being a City Lord for so long, you have to elevate everything.’
However, he was very satisfied with both the price and the term. In Zog’s mind, the City Lord’s level of "money-splashing" was now second only to Craig’s. He was definitely a loyal friend of the Zog Group.
Of course, the moment the money-splashing stopped, the friendship would too. Being friends with the Zog Group required a friendship fee.
Zog extended a claw and shook the City Lord’s hand, signaling that the deal was done.
"Now, we should talk about how to build up momentum," Zog said.
"I’m sure that with your help in promoting it, the popularity of Demon Vision and the network in the city will definitely increase over time."
The City Lord nodded in agreement.
As possibly the Elf who had most earnestly experienced the Zog Group’s products, he believed these things held enough appeal for the majority of Elves; it would just take time.
’As for the opposition, they will come to regret their decision.’
"So, you need to appear frequently on the network and on Demon Vision programs to familiarize the Elves with you. We’ll run an account that’s nominally yours—your own ’elf-fficial’ account—but is actually managed by a team.
"You can post your political views and opinions on various events there. The wording doesn’t need to be too formal. It should have that down-to-earth feel, to make everyone feel that you’re approachable."
