PFC Chapter 99 Doing Business
Chapter 99 Doing Business
Chapter 99 Doing Business
When it came to matters of vital interest, Roger's politeness and Angus's enthusiasm and humor were gradually replaced by composure and coldness, and the two bargained several times.
But all business negotiations are about pursuing and compromising interests.
Roger eventually reached a business agreement with Angus, under which Islay would directly supply Roger with five bags of wool each month, but all the brown fabric spun from those five bags of wool had to be returned to Angus, who would pay him one pound and eighteen shillings for each bag of wool.
The wool beyond the five bags was provided to Roger as raw material, and the cloth produced was entirely under Roger's control.
In short, Angus was willing to provide Roger with sufficient, high-quality wool, but on the condition that Roger must process five bags of wool for Angus. Roger's textile mill would only earn a small processing fee for these five bags of wool, while the real profits would be in Angus's hands.
Angus did not act aggressively; he promised to open up sales channels for Roger's saltworks' coarse, fine, and even refined salt in the Western Islands and Norway.
However, Angus rejected Roger's suggestion to provide the salt product for free, set a price for its sale, and ultimately split the profits 40/60.
Angus stated that he would buy Roger's salt at market price, but the profit from the sale would not be Roger's responsibility, indicating that Angus would sell Roger's salt at a higher price.
Roger didn't gain the upper hand in either of these agreements, but with the Milk House Manor just starting to thrive, he needs a strong business ally like Angus to provide raw materials and sales markets, especially in markets like the Western Islands and Norway.
Angus gained an advantage in the three main trade goods: wool, cloth, and salt, leaving Roger to fight for some benefits in other areas.
Roger's first hope was to purchase high-quality, low-priced iron and copper materials through Angus.
Ireland was under tight control by the English, and Geoffrey's supply channels were limited. Roger hoped to broaden the supply channels for mineral resources, and the first batch of iron and copper amounted to five thousand pounds.
Secondly, Roger asked Angus to purchase high-quality improved Norwegian fjord horses for him. During his visit to Islay these past few days, Roger had carefully observed the Norwegian horses on the island and found them to be more suitable for riding than the Northland horses already on Arlen Island, and also better suited to the needs of guerrilla warfare. The initial order was for five horses.
Finally, Roger also wanted to use the McDonald family's channels to acquire some northern specialties such as elk skins, fox skins, mink skins, bear skins, as well as precious herbs, herring, and dried cod to supplement his southward trade.
At present, cloth and refined salt alone are not enough to fill the ships heading south. Moreover, these furs, which are not uncommon in the north, are absolute luxuries in the southern continent.
Angus thought for a moment and readily agreed. Iron and copper of the same quality were one-fifth cheaper than in Ireland, and top-quality fjord horses were only five and a half pounds each, which was also very cheap. As for the northern goods, Angus would only make a limited profit.
Angus had originally intended to recommend high-quality timber from Norway to Roger, but Roger's current shipping capabilities simply couldn't carry those heavy timbers across the ocean, so they had to discuss it again.
Roger could immediately select goods from the North to be loaded onto the ship; five thousand pounds of iron and copper and five Fjord horses would be delivered to Milkhouse Estate within two months.
Every beginning is difficult. Although the trip to Islay did not achieve the expected results, Roger at least gained a stable market for raw materials and supply channels.
You have to take things one step at a time; taking too big a step can easily lead to trouble.
With the alliance in place, Angus's enthusiasm grew even stronger, and that evening was filled with singing, dancing, and feasting, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves immensely.
The only regret is that perhaps the master was too engrossed in drinking and forgot to arrange for Roger to have twin sisters serve him in bed.
The next morning, Roger followed the butler to the port town and completed the exchange of goods in a shop warehouse near the dock.
Roger sold all the remaining cargo he had brought with him to that shop: fifty yards of brown cloth for seventy-five shillings, two thousand pounds of coarse salt for thirty shillings, and four hundred pounds of fine salt for sixteen shillings and ten pence.
The refined salt Roger brought was a premium product they had never seen before. The butler offered a price of two pence per pound, higher than what Roger's uncle had offered. However, Roger knew that as the supply of refined salt increased, this high price would gradually decrease.
This batch of refined salt is estimated to be sold to the nobles of Norway or the western islands for five pence or even seven or eight pence per pound; ordinary people could not afford it.
During his trip to Islay, Roger brought in a gross profit of seven pounds, fourteen shillings, and sixpence from the small amount of salt and cloth he carried. Roger generously gave four shillings and sixpence to his steward under the guise of paying for drinks.
These people will play a crucial role in maintaining close ties with Islay in the future.
Of course, after selling salt and cloth, Roger also bought a lot of valuable furs, venison, precious dried herbs and a lot of dried white herring and cod. The half-ship's cargo totaled only six and a half pounds. Because he avoided customs duties, he could earn at least double the profit after shipping these goods to Ireland.
After delivering the goods, receiving payment, and having lunch, Roger boarded the Shanghai Wolf, a fine horse gifted to him by Angus, and set sail for home.
When the Seawolf returned to Milk House Manor, the grumpy-faced butler had already returned to the manor with the Nor ship.
The ship Noor was loaded with mostly cloth and salt, which brought Roger's treasury a profit of sixteen pounds, which would have reached twenty pounds had it not been for the Glasgow Merchant Guild's interference.
"...The Merchant Guild only recognized Baron John. Even after we identified ourselves as the Campbell family, they still demanded heavy taxes. In the end, I had to ask Bishop Robert Visacher to intervene, and only then did the Guild reluctantly allow us to pass."
"For this, we still paid a fine of one and a half pounds and a two-pound thank-you gift."
The man with the sour face closed the ledger, but there was no sign of disappointment on his face. "However, our raw cloth and improved coarse salt are very popular in Glasgow. Shops throughout the city are vying to buy them, and two shops controlled by powerful families have expressed their willingness to do business with us long-term."
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"My lord, Glasgow is a market we must stabilize, but we need you to figure out how to open up channels into the city. If all else fails, we can sell in the city in the name of the Baron. At worst, we can share the profits with the Baron." After saying this, the old butler quietly stood aside, waiting for Roger's response.
Roger leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and pondered, "Our access to the city is severely restricted, but wouldn't it be easier for them to come to the island to pick up their goods? Surely the Glasgow Guild wouldn't impose heavy taxes on their own people?"
The man with the bitter face shook his head. "Merchants in the city can transport their own goods without incurring heavy taxes, but if they are allowed to pick them up on the island, they will still factor in the heavy taxes, which will definitely drive the price down."
Roger opened his eyes, raised his hand to rub his face, and asked, "Who is the power behind the Glasgow Merchant Guild?"
"Glasgow is a royal charter market controlled by the city council, but in reality, the biggest controlling force is the Conger family, who are staunchly pro-British."
"Pro-British? How can he be associated with Baron John? He's a staunch anti-British!"
"Sir, enemies and friends can transform into each other when faced with common interests."
Roger agreed wholeheartedly and continued, "Since Glasgow is controlled by pro-British forces, we don't need to worry too much. We'll be able to clear the game smoothly in no time."
The man with the bitter face didn't know what Roger meant, but he was certain that his master probably had a plan.
"By the way, have you gotten any results from inquiring about the iron and copper mines?"
The man with the bitter face rubbed his hands together and shook his head, saying, "There are quite a few iron mines near Glasgow, but they have long been tightly controlled by the English and local lords, and they are not easily sold, and the prices are extremely high. As for copper mines, I've heard that there are quite a few deposits on Roach Island in southwestern Ireland."
It seems that the plan to obtain reliable mineral resources nearby will have to be put on hold for the time being, and for now, we can only rely on my uncle Jeffrey and our ally Angus.
"Bard, let's discuss the most pressing matters first. Christmas is just a few days away, and after Christmas I'll head south with the goods. This time I might be gone for a while."
"I need to take advantage of the English hibernation during the winter to travel around more. You'll have to take good care of the estate and the two factories. I'm taking the young stable boy with me again this time, and young Louis will also be coming south with me. I plan to send him to the Kingdom of France to study."
The man with the bitter face was startled. "Young Master Louis is going all the way to France? And the old lady...?"
"I'll go and persuade the old lady. When you have some free time, have the servants prepare some luggage for young master Louis."
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