Chapter 149 Business and Trade
Chapter 149 Business and Trade
"This is a complete set of equipment that our Mithril Group provides for ourselves and our allied armies." The salesperson pointed to the weapons exhibition hall on the second floor and introduced that these are only second-line equipment for maintaining public order, and the truly advanced equipment will not be displayed here.
"In addition, we also provide customized services for non-standard weapons and equipment."
"What are the performance and prices of these weapons?" Guromas was eager to understand the differences between the two sides and compare prices in order to get products with higher cost performance.
"Please rest assured, we customize everything according to the basic price to ensure that every customer is satisfied. According to the needs of the army, the Mithril Group has designed weapons of different levels, and the prices vary according to the levels. These weapons are of high quality while ensuring performance, which is enough to meet our daily needs." The salesperson continued to explain.
"So, how do we get higher-level armaments?" Guromas showed great interest.
"This requires the purchase of a license. For those without a license, each customer can only purchase a maximum of ten sets. Because the troops in Titanium Mine City also use the same equipment and production is very limited, these equipment are not currently available for sale to the public. We will not sell military equipment to the public unless it is required for market expansion." The salesperson once again emphasized the sales restrictions.
“There are only so many licenses that can be purchased at one time, what if we need more?” asked Guromas.
The salesperson took a sip of tea and replied, "We will increase the number of licenses in due course based on production and actual demand."
"So, do you mind if I learn more about these more advanced, superior weapons? And how do I purchase a license for them?" asked Guromas.
"Of course, please follow me." The salesperson led Guromas and Hillier to visit the display area and continued to explain.
"Golomus, these weapons are generally 1.5 to 2 times more expensive than the weapons below. I don't think it's worth it. We need better weapons." Hillier and his butler, Gromomus, walked towards the salesman while complaining. After all, these weapons and equipment were far from what they expected. Hillier wanted weapons and equipment that could rival the strongest Black Armor Knights in the Empire, and these were obviously not advanced enough.
"Master Hillier may not know that even the equipment below the battle platform is already top-notch, and only the front-line reserve troops in the entire empire have it. And the equipment on the second floor of the battle platform is only owned by the Imperial Royal Knights. Therefore, we cannot compare these ordinary equipment with those of the Black Armor Knights, that is meaningless. There are only three or four thousand Black Armor Knights in the entire empire." Guromas explained patiently.
"You can't fool us with these broken copper and metal. We need stronger weapons." Hillier was still dissatisfied.
"We have a batch of heavy armor equipment, but each person can only purchase one set per month without a purchase license." The salesman once again took out the bomb of heavy armor equipment. After all, this is a powerful weapon of a great country, and most people are not willing to sell it to others.
"What's the price?" What Guromas is most concerned about now is not the need for better equipment, but the price. The first-level cavalry equipment requires 50 gold coins per set, and they can only provide 3,000 sets even if they sell everything they have. Now the second-level can only provide 2,000 sets at most. If the number of people equipped is even smaller, then it will be meaningless.
"The price is 200 to 400 gold coins per set. The price varies depending on the quality."
Hearing the price, Guromas immediately rejected the plan to build a heavy cavalry regiment. Even Hillier stopped talking now. With a price more than four times higher, even if a heavy cavalry regiment of 1,000 people was built, it would be meaningless.
"Please wait a moment, I have a question. What if we can't buy the license? Are there other ways to obtain higher performance armaments?" asked Guromas.
"I see. If you really want to have more advanced armaments, you might consider independent research and development. We can recruit relevant professionals or entrust a third-party organization to develop weapons. We can also use existing funds and resources to acquire advanced technology from other channels." As he spoke, the salesperson mentioned a series of technical terms, which made Guromas a little stunned.
"What you said is too leaps forward. We are just an ordinary army. Where can we find such technical resources? If we have the technology, why would we come to you? I am more curious about what kind of magic weapons an arms manufacturer of the size of the Mithril Group can produce?" Unexpectedly, Hillier actually understood what the other party meant, which made the salesperson look at this young white-faced gentleman with admiration.
"The Mithril Group has mastered various technologies and manufacturing processes. If you have your own technology but cannot achieve mass production, we can provide OEM services. Of course, we will only charge the cost." The salesperson continued to explain. After all, the technology that Alpha can independently develop is too limited.
"This is a good idea. But what if you get the technology but don't produce equipment for us, or resell it at a high price?" Hillier followed Guromas to the display cabinet.
"These problems can be resolved through a contract. Under the constraints of the contract, we can use your technology to produce products, and then sell them to you at cost price. Of course, the contract will stipulate the specific time limit and quantity. After the time limit and quantity are exceeded, we will also charge normal fees. Technology exchange means that we provide each other with technical information, and if there is a suitable one, we will exchange it, and then we will not owe each other anything. In the third case, we use your technology to produce products, but the selling price is the same no matter who we sell to. However, we will give you part of the sales profit as agreed." The salesperson explained.
The salesperson pointed to a cabinet in a corner of the third floor and said, "These weapons and equipment are the highest-performance products of the Mithril Group. They are not usually shown to others. We attach great importance to our cooperation with you, so we made an exception and displayed them for reference only. They are not for sale to the public."
Hillier was clearly puzzled: "Why is it only for display?"
Guromas was also slightly dissatisfied: "I think the Mithril Group is deliberately hiding something."
The salesperson looked apologetic, obviously not understanding what Guromas meant: "I'm sorry, Mr. Guromas, you should know that we will do this to any potential customer."
Guromas didn't want to dwell on this anymore, because the focus now was on obtaining a purchase license: "It's okay, we already have a full understanding of the mithril weapons. Thank you for your hospitality."
Guromas took a deep breath. The Mithril Group's products were indeed a good choice. Unfortunately, he couldn't directly exchange for a license. It might be a good idea to increase the number of people to purchase. I think Titanium City also planned this. After all, even if the purchase and sale were consistent, Titanium Dragon Spear could take the opportunity to attract heavy armor personnel to settle in Titanium City.
Guromas carefully observed the equipment on the third floor and suddenly exclaimed. Hillier hurried over and saw a row of weapons in the corner.
"Guromas, what's wrong?" Hillier was frightened by Guromas, because Guromas had never lost his composure like this before.
"Hillier, come and see, is this the same spear your father displayed at the royal banquet?" Guromas reminded almost in a whisper.
Hillier took the steel gun, which was extremely heavy in his hand. He waved it twice continuously, and a faint light was lingering on it.
Seeing this, the salesman felt relieved, knowing that the order was secured. He gently reminded, "Sir, these are Mithril Steel Dragon Spears. There are seven of them. The purchase certificate for one Steel Dragon Spear requires two hundred purchase permits. Now four of them have been ordered by the imperial nobles."
In fact, these weapons are modified by Titanium Mine City through titanium metal and black armor materials to attract high-end customers, so the price is naturally high.
"I want four poles, 500 gold coins per pole according to the market price." Hillier said without thinking.
"I'm afraid not, sir. A Steel Dragon Spear costs five hundred gold coins, but the corresponding license is not available even if we want to buy it. We can't buy and sell it at will." The salesperson regretfully rejected Guromas' offer.
OK, I'll start polishing. Please note that as a robot, I may make slight changes to your text to make it clearer and smoother. Here is the polished article:
Although the Mithril Group has only just begun to show its prowess in weapon refining, the sophistication of its weapons is already first-rate, and even many high-level knights and swordsmen are flocking to them. This will undoubtedly help the Mithril Group recruit high-end talents.
"A Titanium Dragon Spear license means that twenty people are needed to complete it. Let's go to the Administrative Office and take a look." Hillier couldn't suppress his inner impulse.
Guromas and Hillier walked out of the weapons store and soon arrived at the Administration Office. However, they learned that the license for the Titanium Dragon Spear was issued by the Administration Office of Titanium Mine City and was only allowed to be circulated within the Titanium Mine Group. Therefore, they needed to apply for a license from the Titanium Mine Group before they could purchase the Titanium Dragon Spear.
Hillier was quite disappointed, but he had an idea: he decided to meet with the chief executive of Titanium City with Guromas and apply for a license directly from them. After some inquiries, they failed to meet the legendary Alpha, but instead attracted the attention of Phyllis.
That night, a man came into Phyllis's bedroom and stayed there all night.
"Lord Alpha, why are you so interested in those two people?" Phyllis asked curiously while lying on Alpha.
"They should be a prince of the Fatalia Empire." Through observation over the past few days, Alpha roughly guessed the other party's identity.
"Are you talking about the empire where the nobles controlled the country and the royal family became a decoration?" Phyllis was very confused.
"Yes, they seem to be seeking weapons, building an army, and seeking independence. Therefore, we should help them with all our strength. Only when the water is muddy can we catch fish." Alpha needs a chaotic Fatalia and completely disregards the relationship between the other party and Florina.
"Master Alpha, do you mean that we should give them whatever they need?"
"No, we still have to charge according to the market price. In other aspects, we encourage free trade." Alpha was referring to the license.
"Lord Alpha, don't you think highly of them?" Phyllis remembered that Alpha had spared no effort to sponsor Cromwell and even gave away the Kalia gold mine.
"Yes, the Fatalia Empire is different. The key is that the people are not good enough. Investment should be made in people." In fact, Alpha was just relying on historical experience. Historically, the Fatalia Empire was roughly the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Serbia. There had never been any big figures in this area, so Alpha didn't pay much attention to it.
"Okay, leave this to me."
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