Lord: Starting with Summoning the Regular Army of Earth

After hearing Conrad's report, Matthew had already made up his mind.

The open and covert struggle between the two chambers of commerce is both a risk and an opportunity for them.

"Go talk to the Black Bear Merchant Guild," Matthew said in a low voice. He believed that the Black Bear Merchant Guild had just been overshadowed by the Golden Flower Merchant Guild and now desperately needed a unique product that could turn the tide and demonstrate their strength.

Moreover, they certainly didn't want to see such good products fall into the hands of the Golden Flower Merchant Guild.

Therefore, approaching them now to discuss a deal will allow you to maintain a strong position of power.

Perhaps this opportunity will allow us to sell it for a good price.

Matthew parted ways with Conrad again, walking alone toward the Black Bear Guild, while Conrad followed at a distance, eventually disappearing into the crowd not far away.

After all, Conrad's physique and limp were too distinctive.

The Black Bear Guild's facade was magnificent, with a roaring black bear head forged from metal inlaid on the heavy oak door.

Matthew adjusted his cloak and stepped inside.

The interior of the guild hall was more spacious than the exterior, and it was filled with a wide variety of goods, mainly weapons, armor, ores, and various spices that exuded an exotic aura.

Several well-dressed waiters were serving guests when a well-dressed, shrewd-eyed middle-aged manager came up from behind the counter.

Although Matthew was dressed plainly and wore a mask, he dared not neglect anyone who could walk straight into the Black Bear Merchant Guild.

"This guest looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting our Black Bear Merchant Guild? What can I do for you?" The manager had a professional smile on his face, but his eyes quickly scanned Matthew, trying to determine his background.

"Find someone who can make decisions; I want to negotiate an exclusive deal." Matthew changed his tone, his voice becoming low and hoarse.

The manager paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sir, I can make decisions on ordinary transactions. But what kind of exclusive deal are you referring to?"

Matthew did not answer, but instead took out a square, pale yellow soap lined with a soft cloth from inside his cloak.

"Let your president or someone who can actually make the decision come. You don't understand the value of this thing." Matthew's voice carried a hint of arrogance.

Although he was just a high school senior before he transmigrated, the original owner of this body grew up in the most complex capital city in this world and had seen all kinds of people. Matthew, who has the original owner's memories, knows very well how to deal with these people.

The manager's smile froze for a moment. He had indeed never seen this thing before, but the other party's demeanor didn't seem like he was bluffing.

He hesitated for a moment, said "wait a moment," and then turned and strode quickly toward the back room.

A moment later, a middle-aged man with a slightly plump build and ruddy complexion, wearing a gorgeous silk robe and several gemstone rings on his fingers, came out, followed by the steward from before.

This man was none other than Groom Winton, the president of the Black Bear Merchant Guild, and a distant cousin of Earl Cress.

He wore the smooth smile typical of businessmen, but deep in his eyes lay a scrutinizing gaze and an almost imperceptible arrogance.

"I am Groom Winton, the chairman here. I heard you have a big deal to discuss?" Groom's gaze fell on the wooden box in Matthew's hand.

Matthew placed the wooden box on the counter next to him, took out the soap, and said succinctly as always: "This is called soap, and its cleaning effect is comparable to a magical cleaner."

Upon hearing this, Groom raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest and skepticism flashing in his eyes: "Really? This stuff looks a bit like beeswax... Does it really have such a strong cleaning effect?"

"Seeing is believing, why don't you give it a try!" Matthew's voice was still full of confidence and certainty.

Groom immediately ordered the steward to bring clean water and an oily cloth.

When Matthew easily washed the filthy rag, its original color unrecognizable, with soap, Groom's suspicion vanished completely.

Instead, there was undisguised surprise and greed.

But instead of jumping to conclusions, he snatched the cloth, examined it repeatedly, and then even tried washing another dirty cloth with soap himself. Only then did he turn to Matthew with a smile and ask, "Sir, what's your name?"

"Just call me Morpheus." Matthew deliberately used the name of the president of the Royal City's No. 1 Merchant Guild—a guy who was very famous, but ordinary people had never seen him in person.

"Morpheus?" Groom's eyes flickered slightly, then he chuckled and said, "Could it be that you are the Blue Silver Guild Master?"

"Mr. Morpheus Anderson doesn't have my upright posture. Even if you include his cane, it barely reaches my shoulder." Matthew's words immediately made Groom's arrogance disappear, and his eyes became much more respectful.

After all, the current heir of the Anderson family rarely makes public appearances, and his wife handles the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce most of the time.

So ordinary people may have heard of Morpheus, but few know that Morpheus was actually a dwarf and that he used to use crutches all year round because of his leg disability.

It is obvious that the person in front of me is an insider, and is very likely from the royal city, or has lived there before. In short, his background is definitely not ordinary.

"Just kidding, I hope you don't mind, Mr. Morpheus, please come in!" Groom ushered Matthew into a quiet private room and instructed the steward to bring two cups of mint tea.

After closing the door, Groom's attitude became even more enthusiastic: "Mr. Morpheus, your soap is indeed a fine product. How many do you have? And at what price are you planning to sell them?"

Instead of answering, Matthew countered with a calm yet pointed question: "President Groom, how much do you think cleaning products with this level of effectiveness are worth in Ironrock City to those nobles and wealthy merchants who value appearances? How does it compare to the value of the batch of white sugar the Golden Flower Merchant Guild acquired a few days ago?"

Groom's pupils contracted; the astute man naturally understood the implication in the other's words.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and tried to take the initiative: "Good things are naturally valuable. However, new things need promotion, and distribution channels also have costs... So, I'll offer 50 silver coins per piece; however many you have, I'll take them all!"

This price is quite reasonable for an unknown new product; it's practically astronomical.

However, Matthew chuckled lightly, with a hint of mockery.

"50 silver coins? Your Excellency, are you insulting this item, or your own judgment? In the capital, a bottle of mediocre magic cleaner is worth several gold coins, and it's practically priceless. My soap, you've seen for yourself, its cleaning power is no less than that of magic cleaner, and its lifespan is several times longer. You think such a unique item is only worth a few dozen silver coins?"

Matthew's voice was firm and assertive, causing a barely perceptible flicker of guilt to cross Groom's eyes.

"So... how much do you think would be appropriate?"

Matthew held up two fingers and said firmly, "Two gold coins, one. Not a penny less."

"Two gold coins?" Groom almost jumped up, and even the steward next to him gasped.

This price is indeed too high, and most importantly, it almost completely squeezes their profit margin.

……