Survival Game: Call Me an Honest Businessman

Sivir had left sometime earlier.

Apart from the various dismantled airship parts, only Li Zhi and Celia remained in the front yard.

She sat down opposite Celia. "I'm thinking of recruiting an orc merchant to the exchange. What do you think?"

Celia: "There are hardly any merchants in the entire Beast Alliance, and they're all below level 3 who don't even have the qualifications to sell weapons and equipment. What's your reason for letting the orcs join?"

—Of course, this is to lay the foundation for entering the Beast Market and the Beast Alliance, and incidentally, to gain an ally.

Li Zhi: "The existence of the exchange is to allow all races to enjoy the latest inventions and fair trade of other races, and also to help shareholders mitigate some risks. This can indeed make money, but the base is not large enough. In the entire Tianqi Continent, the orcs are the largest race. If we don't let the orcs join, how can they trust and trade on our exchange?"

Celia: "What can orcs store? Bones? Jerky?"

Li Zhi: "The Orcs are indeed technologically behind other races, but they are actually the biggest buyers of low-end weapons and equipment. I believe that most merchants have stockpiled some equipment and weapons below grade D. These weapons and equipment can only be sold in the trading area depending on the situation. If the Orcs are allowed to join, these weapons and equipment can be cleared out of the inventory, which is a good thing."

Celia: "I disagree, and the other shareholders won't agree either. You were able to join because you were the initiator. The potential of the new race is not high, but as you said, the base is larger than that of the orcs, and the rating has not yet arrived, so there is still potential for good relations. But the orcs have nothing. Their existence will only lower the upper limit of the exchange."

"The only S-class race you've come into contact with right now is me, but I can't represent all S-class races. Even some A-class races, like the Feathered Spirits, might refuse to become partners in the exchange because of the Orcs' inclusion."

"It's good that you're telling me this idea now, so that you won't lose potential partners and customers by saying something like that on the day of the trade fair."

"I told you before that merchants don't distinguish between racial classes too clearly, but now I'm telling you that commerce has long since separated different classes of races."

"The orc race is numerous, yet it cannot even occupy 1% of the wealth of the Apocalypse Continent. Inferiority and inferiority always complement each other. What we need to do is to extract money from the races that own 99% of the wealth. Before you can get them to part with their money, you must first gain their trust and make them believe that you are one of our own."

Celia's expression changed as she spoke.

At first, it was seriousness and disapproval, then it turned into intentional instruction, and finally, it was the disgust and relief of someone who had always been on the red carpet who accidentally stepped into the mud.

Fortunately, she was on the red carpet the whole time, and the mud that accidentally got on her shoes was just an accident that was unbecoming of her style.

Li Zhi remained silent.

After a moment, she nodded: "I understand, I won't bring this up again. However, my career path requires me to trade with orcs, and I want to acquire a batch of low-level weapons. Teacher, do you have a way to help me get them?"

Celia paused, her deep nasolabial folds smoothing out slightly: "How many do you want?"

Li Zhi: "I'll take as many as you have."

Celia: "Wait."

Celia opened her panel, manipulated it for a while, and then said, "The transaction will take place at the trade fair in five days."

Li Zhi smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you, teacher."

Celia: "Remember what I said, not just about the orcs, but about your own race. Once you've grasped the heart of the strong, you've broken free from the shackles of racial hierarchy. Your future path is destined to be a solitary one. Only by completely severing ties can you go higher and further."

She said meaningfully, "Originally, I was not optimistic about the future of the exchange, but after you comprehended the heart of the strong, the foundation of the exchange has truly been stabilized. Only a neutral, fair, non-partisan, non-biased, and promising new race can attract the partners we want."

"The future of the exchange lies in every decision you make."

Li Zhi also suppressed his smile, lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before nodding firmly: "I promise I will make the right decision."

"very good."

Celia glanced at the time: "I have other things to do. You go and designate your safe zone first. Try to get as close as possible to Artisan Town. Also, Shen has been going crazy lately, so don't leave the Emerald Mountains unless necessary."

"teacher!"

Celia turned around.

Li Zhi: "I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Celia frowned slightly and returned to her previous seat.

"Is the matter of Black Iron Port already settled?"

Celia: "Yes, it's the revenge of a mermaid who was expelled from the Scaled Clan."

Li Zhi looked into Celia's eyes: "That's my friend. If possible, could you think of a way to replace her with a clone?"

Celia: "Do you know that if the Forging Clan is found to have saved the scapegoat handed over by the Scale Clan, the previous conclusions could be overturned, and the blame could be placed on our Forging Clan?"

Li Zhi lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze.

Celia's droopy eyelids narrowed slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes: "How did you meet that mermaid? What's her relationship with you and Ling of the Feathered Spirit Clan? And Chen, I remember the three of them trained together before. Recently, Chen has been going crazy everywhere, which should also be related to that mermaid..."

She was secretly plotting something, but after her gaze fell on Li Zhi's drooping eyelashes and the empty fried rice and cola on the table, she returned to calm.

"Don't get involved. That mermaid is doomed. Getting involved will not only fail to save her, but will only get you killed. Do you understand?"

A hint of surprise appeared on Li Zhi's expressionless face.

She subconsciously looked up and saw Celia's earnest expression as she planned things for her.

Li Zhi pursed his lips: "But my shop wants to hire a shop assistant, and I think she is the most suitable. Her race and level are similar to mine, so I won't be unable to control her. In addition, she was once powerful. Even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. She is very cost-effective. Besides, I saved her. She won't betray me."

Celia's expression relaxed slightly: "Your idea is good, but the investment and return are not proportional. Saving her is too risky and the return is too low. It is indeed not easy to find a suitable employee, but risk control is more important. You are still too young and easily influenced by feelings. You will be better when you grow up."

Li Zhi: "I understand, teacher."

Celia nodded, and the mechanical arm pulled a magic stone from the space.

"This magic stone is engraved with a distinguishing magic. If you want to find a shop assistant but are unsure whether the person is suitable, you can activate this magic stone, and it will help you distinguish between the real and the fake."

Li Zhi took the magic stone, and a dialog box popped up:

[****Magic Stone: This is a high-grade magic stone engraved with rare talents. It can help you uncover the truth and distinguish between truth and falsehood.]

Celia has left.

Li Zhi tidied up the leftover food on the table, put the table and chairs back in the bedroom, and then went to find Sivir to inquire about adding a bedroom.

Sivir: "Your spaceship is designed with optimal utilization. I don't recommend changing any space. Of course, if you want to change it, that's fine, but the 'sky villa' is just a concept. There aren't even any blueprints yet. There's absolutely no need to destroy the space flow that's most suitable for you right now just for a concept."

Li Zhi: "I know, but there are reasons why it has to be changed. Do you have any ideas on how to make the changes without affecting the overall design?"

Sivir: "If you just want the name 'sky villa,' you can simply use the space expansion blueprints to expand another space in the lower cabin area. That way, it won't take up space or affect the overall layout. I can help you divide this space into four, so you'll have five rooms."

Li Zhi suddenly realized, "That's right! How come I didn't think of that?"

Sivir: "Do you have space to expand the blueprints?"

"have!"

Li Zhi rummaged through the blueprints drawer and pulled out the unused blueprints for expanding the spaceship's interior, handing them to Sivir: "Master Sivir, how many gold coins are needed to expand the space?"

"No need, it's your own blueprint anyway, it'll only take a few minutes, I can do it easily."

"However, if you have any blueprints for expanding the space that you can sell to me, I'll buy them for 5 gold each."