As the caravan continued on its way, Grandet felt somewhat relieved, for he saw willow trees, trees often seen near water, indicating that they were approaching the river.
The new guys are on the right track. They're heading in the right direction.
"Hey newbie, looks like you're pretty close to getting those two copper coins. How about this reward – go get an Ale? Or have some black bread? Or maybe give it to your sweetheart on Market Street?"
Grandet was in a great mood and even started joking with the new guy.
"Oh, boss, two copper coins might not be enough," the new waiter stopped and turned to Grandet.
"Haha." Grandet laughed at the new guy's words. "That's enough, this is the standard price."
"Haha." The other caravan workers also laughed.
"When I say it's not enough, it's not enough."
The laughter abruptly stopped, and the atmosphere became a little awkward. Everyone realized that the new guy's words had a hidden meaning.
"So, how many copper coins do you need?" Grandet asked slowly, his tone serious; he was a shrewd businessman. After weighing the pros and cons, he asked gently.
The new man held out his hand, pointed to Grandet, and then glanced around the caravan.
"Five copper coins?"
The new guy clenched his fist, revealing his index finger.
"One Silver Coin?"
The new guy wagged his index finger.
"One gold coin?"
Grandet felt relieved but also worried after the other party didn't haggle after he offered a price of one gold coin.
They were relieved that this one gold coin could save them, but worried that the price of this one gold coin was too high.
"Boss, I still think you're a stingy person."
The new guy's words plunged Grandet's heart into despair once again.
"How about this? I'll give you all the Silver Coins I had left over from buying the goods. That way you won't think I'm still a stingy person, right?"
Grandet had about twenty or thirty Silver Coins left after paying the deposit, which would be about three gold coins. He regretted not paying the full amount with Lord Ed earlier.
Now this money might be wasted; this guy's intentions are clearly hostile.
"Hehe, boss, you really are a generous person. But this is far from enough. I want everything, everything here, including you, boss."
After speaking to the new recruit, he arrived at Grandet's side with lightning speed and then held a small knife to his neck.
At the same time, a group of armed men suddenly rushed out from the surrounding jungle and surrounded the caravan.
Grandet didn't struggle. As a businessman who traveled around, he already knew this would be the outcome when his new partner uttered those words. He knew they had nowhere to escape, and the few guards he brought wouldn't be of much use.
It was obvious that the other party had come prepared, but there was one thing he hadn't expected: their appetite would be so great.
It seemed the other party was a group of bandits, which was a stroke of luck for him. Bandits were generally only after money, so the safety of their caravan should not be a problem.
"Don't have any bad thoughts, just face reality." The newcomer looked at the caravan's guards. "Putting down your weapons is definitely a wise choice for you."
Several guards threw the longsword to the ground.
The moment the caravan guards threw down their weapons, a man emerged from the shadows behind the tree.
" Mr. Grandet, it's been a long time!"