I was a charlatan in India

Before the servants even entered, Dalna was already guessing what was going on.

Vasudiv has most likely wavered again.

After the porridge distribution incident, he visited the Saraswati family once, and their attitude became somewhat wavering at that time.

At that time, many workers demanded higher wages or even holidays, which had a huge impact on his business.

This recent incident has introduced a great deal of uncertainty into the operation of the sacred fetus.

From a rational perspective, we really should consider whether or not to do it, or at least slow it down.

But Dana couldn't be rational.

He's invested a huge amount of money in this—raw materials, distribution channels, bribing officials…

If the business goes out of business, who knows how much money will be lost.

The act of distributing porridge and the appearance of the divine eye are too close together.

If either of these two troubles had occurred, he would have been able to extricate himself from the situation through coordination.

But when put together, they are completely different things.

With increasingly terrifying taxes, these business people have to bet all their savings each time, and even borrow money to increase their investment.

Even if you engage in minor tax evasion, the Kshatriyas and the monks will assume you are evading taxes and forcibly estimate your tax liability based on your total assets.

If your profits can't keep up with loan and tax payments, your entire business will be quickly wiped out.

His emergency budget was already quite tight back when Surrey took action.

After the porridge-giving incident, even getting the business running smoothly required walking on thin ice.

At that time, it took him a tremendous amount of effort to keep Vasudiv in check.

They no longer expect to make much money from the Holy Embryo Company; their continued cooperation is entirely based on its potential for profit.

This time, I'm afraid...

He sighed, trying his best to keep his tone calm, but there was still a hint of dejection in his voice.

"It must be the Vasudiv family's house."

Normally, Dana would never have offered to guess; instead, he would have calmly waited for his servants to report the situation.

After all, if you guess wrong, you lose your composure and your subordinates will start to have doubts.

No, it's not.

The servant paused for a moment, then replied, "It's those foremen."

"They said many workers refused to take on work related to the Full Moon Festival, fearing they would offend the heavens, so..."

"You'll have to pay more."

"That's utter nonsense!"

Dana slammed his hand on the table: "I'm making offerings to Heaven, not blaspheming it!"

"Just ask for more money, don't make up these ridiculous excuses!"

The servant had never seen the master so angry before, and could only cautiously probe, "Then..."

"add!"

Dana gasped for breath, practically spitting out the word through clenched teeth.

"Yes, sir."

"etc!"

Dana suddenly spoke up and called to the servants.

He took two deep breaths and calmed himself down for a while before he could regain his composure.

"Don't rush to agree. First, send one of your own people to pose as a foreman, pretending that we've already found someone else to cooperate with, and then find out who's causing trouble."

"Take out the leader, and bribe and promote the second-in-command!"

Danaman could control his speaking speed and tone, keeping his voice steady, but his eyes held an indescribable sinister glint.

"My only request is that the newly appointed second-in-command doesn't cause me any trouble!"

"Otherwise, if I can support one, I can help a second one!"

He might not even be able to help a second one.

Changing foremen comes at a cost; it's uncertain how many workers will go missing, disrupting production.

Normally, Dana would have the confidence to say this, but at this critical juncture, it is clearly just bluffing.

Moreover, if whoever sits in the foreman's position gets into trouble, it's difficult to find someone to help them up.

After all, they are just poor, not stupid.

Keda had no other choice.

If we don't show our teeth now, these bastards will only become more and more aggressive.

Upon hearing this, the servant's shoulders stiffened.

The master wasn't this radical before, saying things like he'd kill the leader.

He has always valued harmony and would simply choose not to cooperate if necessary.

It seems this business deal is really important, perhaps...

He had initially considered teaming up with the new foreman to take a cut, but considering the master's attitude this time, he forcefully suppressed the idea.

Let's not provoke this further and see how things go first.

However, killing a Shudra untouchable is not a big deal; we just have to do it.

Of course, he seemed to have forgotten that he himself was also a Shudra, an untouchable.

"What are you waiting for? Get to work."

Dana sat back down in his chair, steady and composed, like a stout general guarding his family's estate.

"Yes, yes, sir."

The servants hurried off to do it.

Blessings are unparalleled, and misfortunes do not come singly.

Soon, another servant came to report: "Master, the merchants have sent someone to ask if the items we're renting the space to produce are religious products. They're worried..."

Dana was sitting in a chair, wiping the sweat from his face with a handkerchief.

Upon hearing this, his hand paused slightly, but he quickly resumed his normal movements.

"That's normal."

Dana asked calmly, "How much more money do they want to raise?"

This is a load of rubbish.

A bunch of dishonest bastards! What business is it of yours what kind of goods I produce?

"Three, three percent."

The subordinate's tone lacked confidence.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Dana's small eyes.

This kid took a bribe from someone.

If the other party really intended to raise the price by 30%, they wouldn't have just informed their subordinates; they would have visited in person with a reasonable excuse.

There's a difference between taking advantage of someone's misfortune and making exorbitant demands.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, but his face remained impassive: "Understood. I will make adjustments. You may leave."

"Master, about this matter..."

"It's a small problem; the rent is only a few dollars."

"Go downstairs, I'm waiting for guests. I'll have the money transferred from the account later."

"Yes."

The servant turned around, his face instantly lighting up with joy.

A 10% increase in business would be enough for him; if he kept the rest, it would be enough for him to move to a smaller city and live a better life!

Dana chased after the string of gemstones, seemingly unaware of what was happening.

But not long after the servant left, he summoned a trusted aide and gave him instructions.

"Go talk to Shangdao and see what price they've offered."

"Yes, sir."

Business isn't about making big money, but profits are earned little by little, and at this critical juncture, every penny counts.

He had no choice but to do it.

Unsurprisingly, trouble ensued.

"Sir, what about the river defenses..."

"Sir, there are several monk soldiers..."

"Sir, the tax officer..."

"master……"

Dana is almost overwhelmed by the word "master".

He maintained his composure throughout, but his tone gradually shifted from a forced calm to a trembling one, eventually revealing barely suppressed anger.

But what can he do?

A Vaishya.

He could only force himself to do his best in every step, and leave the rest to luck.

After enduring torment and becoming numb, Dana finally received a piece of news that could barely be considered good news.

"Sir, news has come from the Water Rat's side that the first shipment has arrived!"

"However, because the sky changed abruptly when the Great Celestial Eye appeared, several boxes of goods were damaged. They said if you have time to go over there, they will definitely compensate you..."

"well!"

Finally, some good news arrived, and even Dana was somewhat flustered.

"A little bump or scrape is nothing to worry about!"

"Let's go take a look!"