8mi Chapter 25 Stereotypes
Chapter 25 Stereotypes
Bim's shout confirmed Vijay's identity.
The protagonist makes a grand entrance, his agile skills inspiring confidence.
In everyone's imagination, how could someone dare to lead a team on the road without some martial arts skills?
Vijay, with one arm hanging over the railing, looked down at the merchants in the hall. He saw them arguing fiercely and competing with each other, creating a noisy and chaotic atmosphere that was almost out of control.
He immediately took a deep breath, focused his energy in his dantian, and roared, "Everyone, please quiet down and listen to me!"
A powerful roar swept through the hall, suppressing the chaos and noise.
"I know what you all wish for, but please forgive me for being unable to grant your request."
Vijay paused, organizing his thoughts to make his points more persuasive:
"By Brahma, this is my first journey to the East, and many matters are still unresolved. Therefore, the accompanying caravan must not be expanded arbitrarily! Please return home, and when I return successfully, I will surely bring exotic treasures and rare goods from distant lands to share this opportunity with everyone!"
Vijay spoke earnestly and politely, but it seemed to have little effect.
A few seconds of silence fell over the hall before a merchant loudly proclaimed, "Shiva bears witness! I am willing to bear all the costs, providing you with elite guards, robust camels and oxen, fine steeds and trained animals, and gathering all the rarest goods in the world to accompany you!"
"I only hope to share in the glory of this honorable journey."
Vijay glanced at him and recognized him! The owner of the Ten Offering Shops in the city. This guy was quick-witted and perceptive, no wonder his business had lasted for generations and remained standing for so long.
However, it seems they're underestimating themselves a bit! Do they really think they're naive and easy to bully just because they're young?
This abacus bead has slapped itself in the face!
Once someone started it, another merchant immediately uttered the absurd statement: "Brahma above, we can also offer you treasures, hoping only to be able to attach ourselves to your wings and travel together to the East!"
"My wife, my three daughters, and I are willing to serve you as your slaves on your journeys to the East!"
The various voices mingled together, forming the purest desire, which was nakedly and directly revealed to Vijay.
These guys are just ungrateful! Vijay almost laughed out of anger at their attitude of "I'm doing this for your own good, I'm thinking of you, I've already shamelessly asked for favors, so you can't not give me anything in return."
Vijay knew all too well that these street merchants were the most opportunistic and eager to curry favor.
At this thought, Vijay's smile vanished, and his tone suddenly turned chilling: "You all know that this journey is fraught with danger—wild beasts in the wilderness, barbarian tribes, treacherous paths shrouded in miasma—danger lurks everywhere, don't you?"
"Even my elders had to risk everything for every attempt, and even if they returned with great success, they had to pay a heavy price in blood and life."
"Not to mention, this is my first time embarking on a business trip, and I lack the experience of my elders. Although I am certain of success, the losses I incur will likely far exceed those of my predecessors!"
Whether it was the chill in his words or his seemingly sincere analysis, the room fell silent for a moment.
But their overwhelming greed had already clouded their judgment, and they wouldn't give up so easily.
Immediately, someone else jumped out, waving their arms to show their determination, "I am willing to follow them personally, even if it means losing everything and dying far from home, I will have no regrets!"
Encouraged, the merchants below began to stir again.
Why are these bastards causing me so much trouble!
Vijay, enraged, completely abandoned all pretense of civility, saying, "Do you know that this merchant voyage was personally planned and initiated by the noble Kshatriya, Lord Liroshman, and the supreme Brahman saint, High Priest Brahma, will also send a holy attendant to accompany the voyage."
He lowered his gaze, his disdainful gaze sweeping over the merchants below, his words laced with chilling contempt: "You dare to harbor such presumptuous thoughts, attempting to share power with the two supreme rulers and covet the profits of the trade routes?"
By waving a big flag to make a tiger's skin, he firmly established his position as the master of the matter and made those businessmen who took advantage of his youth and wanted to take advantage of him back down.
There's nothing wrong with stirring up trouble here and bullying the already fallen Mittal Vijay!
But if they were to actually face the noble Brahmins and Kshatriyas, they would never dare, even if they had a hundred times the courage.
After exchanging bewildered glances, some people quietly left the room.
Vijay climbed onto the veranda and looked toward a room on the second floor.
He seemed to sense that someone had been secretly watching that place, but when he looked over, he found nothing!
"Shiva, please protect me, my master!" Bim cried, scrambling up the stairs to the second floor. "Please punish me, this old servant has messed up!"
Despite having just experienced an unexpected turn of events, Vijay wasn't angry: "Bim, my loyal old servant, tell me what exactly happened?"
"That's right, Master," Bim said without any hesitation, immediately recounting what had happened: "As you commanded, I brought another cartload of gold coins from the village and went door to door to pay them, refusing their offers of donations."
"At first, it wasn't a big deal, but after I visited a few places, I noticed that quite a few businessmen followed me. They surrounded me in the commercial district, using all sorts of sweet talk, threats, and inducements to try and get me to plead for their master..."
"I refused, but they wouldn't let me leave. They insisted on meeting the owner in person. As the struggle went on, word got out, and all the merchants in the commercial district felt they had a chance and gathered around."
"Then someone shouted that I was staying at the Royal Hotel, and I was pushed through the crowd here!"
Well, I underestimated the shamelessness of these businessmen; they really just followed the scent!
Regardless of whether he had the ability or not, he would still try his luck... which fit his stereotype of these guys.
Although I managed to get them back by taking advantage of their power, things won't end so easily!
If we continue to stay in the city...
It's highly likely that the owners of these wealthy merchants will step forward next!
He had no bargaining power in front of those Brahmins or Kshatriyas. As for Roshman... even Roshman would not stand against most of the Kshatriyas just to monopolize the profits!
If it really develops to that point... Vijay shuddered.
If he truly controls the trade routes, it could undoubtedly be a grand social event, and with his skills, he should be able to secure a good and stable position in the upper echelons of Harappa City.
Just like my great-grandfather and grandfather did!
But you're already playing with fire. If you pile the firewood up even higher and pour oil on it, are you trying to make sure you don't get burned already?
Having considered this, Vijay could no longer stand still.
"Bim, hurry and prepare the oxcart!" Vijay looked frantically at the thin, dark-skinned old man who was still wiping away tears. "We'll go out the back door and go back to the village now!"