TF Amethyst

TFA1 4.3 - Returning A Kindness

Dourk Tavern, Walluo City.

The lunch was quick and the food was quite delicious as Captain Rumus said. It could be said the delicacy of each menu was equivalent to a family restaurant on earth. It was something that extraordinary because in Amstell Continent, salt, sugar, and spices were expensive and rare commodities.

Unfortunately, the ginger beer from Dourk Tavern made the group from Magwurt City want to cry and swear non-stop.

"This beer tastes like horse pee mixed with boiled ginger water," Captain Rumus complained while glancing at the Amur Beer samples.

Lt. Colonel Slane said casually, "Maybe we can offer Amur Beer to this tavern."

"Ser Slane, with all due respect, I think Amur Beer deserves a better place." Still in a pleading tone Captain Rumus continued, "One of my men can return to Magwurt City to pick up Lady Maine, then we can follow her advice to meet noble families at Walluo Castle."

Lt. Colonel Slane took a bite of an apple in his hand before saying, "Captain, it doesn't matter where we start, what matters is where we end. After all, Amur Beer we carry is not an exclusive commodity for nobles."

Captain Rumus fell silent while Lt. Colonel Slane cheerfully called one of the waitresses.

"I want to thank the cook for this delicious lunch. Can I offer him a glass of beer?"

The female waitress who seemed to be 17-18 years old nodded before saying proudly, "Papa was the head cook at Walluo Castle before opening this tavern. Unfortunately, his habit of giving food leftover to beggars made him lost his position."

"No wonder."

Lt. Colonel Slane smiled, and then took a beer glass that will be included in the Amur Beer's promotion. Meanwhile, Captain Rumus grabbed a small barrel containing Amur Beer samples from his men and immediately opened the seal.

As Amur Beer fell into the glass in Lt. Colonel Slane's hand, the waitress was amazed at the clear golden-yellow beer.

And not long after the young waitress brought Amur Beer into the kitchen, an old man in casual clothes and a cream-colored apron came out carrying the empty glass.

All of the man's hair had turned white, his face was also full of wrinkles, but his steps were steady while his eyes were sharp and clear.

The Old Man gave a small bow before the Magwurt City group, then saying, "Gentlemen, my name is Dourk and I am very honored by your compliments. The beer you have brought is extraordinarily delicious."

Old Man Dourk looked at the empty glass in his hand before continuing in admiration, "I don't know who made it, but I'm sure it took decades or maybe generations to perfect the recipe."

Lt. Colonel Slane immediately rose to his feet before giving a small bow to Old Man Dourk, "My name is Slane, thanks for your compliment, and is it okay if Amur Beer that you just tasted was sold through this tavern?"

Captain Rumus immediately invited Old Dourk to sit in his chair, or to be precise in front of Lt. Colonel Slane, and without hesitation Old Dourk accepted it as he said, "I don't mind, but I doubt I can buy Amur Beer. 

The profit of this shop is not great. I can't even hire workers, and only rely on my wife to help out in the kitchen while my two daughters become the waitresses."

Lt. Colonel Slane turned to the boy in the corner of the tavern before saying, "How about him?"

"While recuperating, Sturk is working here, but apart from food and shelter I can't pay him properly. So I don't know how long he will last."

After pondering for a moment, Lt. Colonel Slane said, "Amur Beer is not expensive, only 6 coins/glass. Also, for the first year you only need to pay 48 liters for each barrel of 50 liters."

Old Dourk dropped his jaw before doubtfully asking, "Are you sure about the offer?"

"I am."

"How many have you brought?"

"32 barrels. After you open the seal, each barrel must be consumed within 12 days before the taste becomes softer. For unopened barrels, the taste can last up to 3-4 years as long as you store it properly."

After making a brief calculation Old Man Dourk said, "I'll take 15 barrels then."

"Can you take them all?"

"Sorry, I have an adequate storage room, but I still have to buy vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, and other stuffs."

"Mr. Dourk, right now you just have to pay a down payment and next month I will come to collect the rest. You can also return the unsold beer as long as it is remains in its original condition, or maybe you will increase the order."

Old Dourk looked at Lt. Colonel Slane deeply. "Mr. Slane, you have a strange way of trading."

"You could call it a breakthrough in marketing."

Old Man Dourk smiled faintly before asking, "Have you met the other bar owners? Most of them are pricks, but they are not idiots who can't see an opportunity. So I'm sure they'll grab your offer without hesitation."

"Unfortunately we didn't meet them and I was tired of walking around."

Old Dourk gave a small nod as he wondered why Lt. Colonel Slane didn't wait until he met a mid-range bar owner to get a better price, but in the end he chose not to reveal his heart.

The deal with Old Dourk was closed after the old man happily offered his cart to move Amur Beer.

--- 

A farm and ranch on the south of Walluo City

Of the hundreds of farming families in Kandez Region, Jarac Family was only a middle-class player. When Tuscan Region was at its prime, Jarac Family only received a small amount of orders.  

However, when Tuscan Region was at its lowest point, Jarac Family was the only farmer family in Kandez Region who did not look away when they were asked to give Tuscan Region a big discount.

The Jarac family even sold groceries to Tuscan Region for almost no profit for several times. When Tuscan Region’s condition improved greatly, Viscount Rattel immediately decided that it was the time to return the favor to Jarac Family.

Captain Rumus smoothly parked the M1152 in front of a large house with wooden walls and thatched roof, and as soon as he got off an old man immediately approached him while dozens of children looked at the iron carriages that had just entered their yard.

"You haven't visited in a long time, and now when you come you are riding a strange iron carriage."

"Uncle Jarac, it's nice to see you are so healthy and fit."

Old Jarac gave a small nod before speaking casually, "Come  in, we have a lot of excess vegetables that haven't been sold for the past few days."

As usual, Old Man Jarac would say he had a lot of excess vegetables and would sell them cheaply. However, never once did he sell unworthy vegetables or fruit to Tuscan Region. Therefore, Captain Rumus's heart felt warm while his gaze was fixed on the old farmer in front of him.

"Ummm ... Uncle we'd better talk first, our order this time is bigger than usual."

"It seems news that Tuscan Region is winning the conflict with Northern Coalition is true."

"Yeah, and now Tuscan Region's economy has improved."

Without further ado, Old Jarac then took Magwurt City group to sit on the terrace, and not long after that several women came out carrying red apples, pears, oranges, boiled corns, and roasted sweet potatoes.

"I hope you are still fond of farmers' food."

"Of course, for me and the entire Tuscan Region, every meal from Jarac Family farmland is a priceless blessing."

Without hesitation, Captain Rumus took a roasted sweet potato and devoured it cheerfully, while Lt. Colonel Slane and his bodyguards took various fruits.

As a farmer who cares for every plant in his farmland like his own child, the stern expression on Old Jarac's face softened as he watched his guests cheerfully enjoy the harvest of his field.

After putting a mouthful of roasted sweet potato in his mouth, Captain Rumus then handed a list to Old Man Jarac, who accepted it with wide eyes.

In all his life he had never seen such white paper and such neat writing, so it was only natural that he was stunned for a while, and when he read the list that was written on the paper, Old Man Jarac became even more dumbfounded.

Apart from wheat, barley, soybeans, and cereal crops, he could provide all the vegetables, fruits, and tubers on the list. It's just that the list specifically stated that each product must be graded with base on their size, ripeness, and quality.

As for animal products such as meat, milk, and eggs, the conditions must be as fresh as possible.

"The sorting will be tiring, but I can do it. The problem is the quantity you are asking for is too big. I have to invite other families, and of course they will not give a discount like me."

Captain Rumus casually nodded, "We understand and are ready to pay the normal price. It's just that we'll only talk to Uncle Jarac."

As the sole representative, Jarac Family would receive a 2% commission from other families, but Old Jarac was in no rush to celebrate.

"Are you sure? I believe you already knew that for orders of this size, 6-8 biggest players will be appointed as representatives."

"We are absolutely sure."

"Fine then, but you must be aware I can't convince other families just by talking."

"Of course."

Captain Rumus then took out 20 banknotes made of sheepskin measuring 30x20 cm, each worth 10,000 coins, complete with a receipt.

Old Jarac looked at the banknote in front of him for a moment before calling out to his wife. With great care, Old Jarac's wife then examined the banknotes one by one before finally, she took a deep breath.

"All of them are genuine banknotes from Makai Central Bank, where did you get them?"

Captain Rumus cheerfully answered, "From an underground vault at Fort Cambia."

Old Man Jarac and his wife immediately took a deep breath, while inwardly they muttered, 'Looks like the Gods in heaven are blessing Tuscan Region.'

*****