Chapter 81: The Embryo of a Mercenary Lord

Hire?

Upon hearing this word, Mo Xiaobai’s first thought was about the early stage of his future Mercenary Territory.

However, the man before him clearly did not match the image of those large future Mercenary Groups in his memory.

Without a clear impression, Mo Xiaobai decided to stop thinking about it and replied, “If I am unable to mine it myself, I can simply hire Players directly. There is no need for you to make a profit from the middle, is there?”

“You do not want too much contact with Players, and you even do not want us to know who you are or where your Territory is located. So, you need a partner or an agent.”

A-Dai had clearly thought deeply about this and felt that the cooperation between the two could be very great. “The initiative is in your hands. If you feel we are not capable, you can find others at any time. However, we have already completed one transaction. It is undoubtedly a good start and is at least more trustworthy than other strange Players.”

A-Dai spoke very clearly. He knew he did not have many chips and could not force a cooperation. However, if he gave up now and left with four Gold Coins, he would be very reluctant.

Currently, few Players had the extra ability to mine the wild mining areas, and there were even fewer rich Lords like the one before him, who did not even blink when he took out Gold Coins.

A-Dai wanted the Gold Coins, but he also wanted to regain a new way of life in the Plane instead of returning to those days of leveling up in the wild where the small amount of money earned was not enough for food and use.

Although four Gold Coins were enough for spending for a while, Gold Coins would run out. When both of them spent all their Gold Coins, it was unknown if they would still be so lucky to meet a benefactor like this again.

“What you said does sound somewhat reasonable.”

Mo Xiaobai stroked his chin. On the surface, he was thinking about the feasibility of the cooperation, but in reality, he was pondering how much trouble this could save him.

Just when Mo Xiaobai frowned and remained silent, continuous footsteps came from the grass on the Shandong side of the mining mountain, and a figure carrying a Precious Carved Bow appeared.

Seeing Mo Xiaobai, A-Dai, and others standing together, Li Guang walked forward quickly. “My Lord, I just patrolled this mining mountain. The area is truly huge, and there are other Territories to the northeast and to the south.”

The arrival of Li Guang interrupted Mo Xiaobai’s train of thought. Hearing what he said, Mo Xiaobai frowned. “Do you know the size of those Territories?”

“Judging by their appearance, their population is only one or two hundred, far less than ours.” Li Guang did not expose the three words “Daming Village” in front of others. This had been the instruction Mo Xiaobai gave him when they parted at the Lingshi Mine earlier.

One or two hundred people.

Adding a few Territories together, it would only be four or five hundred at most.

If he placed Li Guang here to guard the mining area and handle the ore transport, he would not need to worry too much about security issues.

“No, now is exactly the time when our Territory lacks people. Li Guang cannot be placed too far away from Daming Village.” Shaking his head in his heart to reject the feasibility of stationing troops, Mo Xiaobai did not have many choices left.

The first option was to temporarily give up the coal mine that had been so hard to find. The second was to cooperate and trade with Players, just as A-Dai suggested.

Mo Xiaobai did not want to give up. After much thought, he asked, “How much confidence do you have in stably providing the coal?”

“My confidence is very high. A Grey Wolf skin is worth only a few Copper Coins. Many Players have to risk their lives to kill one. Even more so, the stronger Black Wolves require several Players to join forces to defeat. Compared to farming wild monsters, mining might be hard work, but it is safe and stable. It also avoids disputes over stealing monsters. Players who are not doing well will definitely be willing to come.”

A-Dai insisted repeatedly, and Mo Xiaobai knew this line of work as a Mercenary had development space. He nodded immediately. “One unit of coal is 20 jin. Currently, I need about 100 units every day. I will pay 12 Copper Coins for one unit. I do not care how you hire Players, even if you only give them one Copper Coin each. I only need you to guarantee one thing: deliver what I need to me on time.”

One unit is 20 jin, so 100 units is 2,000 jin.

At 12 Copper Coins per unit, the total is 1,200 Copper Coins, or 12 Silver Coins.

A-Dai silently calculated the daily amount Mo Xiaobai needed and the transaction price in his mind. He realized that even if he hired Players to mine at a price of 8 Copper Coins, he would still make a good profit.

Although it could not compare to earning 4 Gold Coins in ten days, this transaction focused on long-term cooperation.

The returns would definitely be much better than exploring mines!

“No problem. If I fail to complete your commissioned cooperation, I will pay double compensation.” As A-Dai spoke these words, he was quite excited in his heart.

He felt that the hiring sector must have great potential in the Plane.

Not only could one hire people to mine, but one could also hire Players for other tasks. Just like in the Middle Ages with Mercenary Groups, perhaps in the future, one could even organize a Mercenary Army, and at that time, one might be able to build a Mercenary City.

Mo Xiaobai did not know what A-Dai was thinking. If he knew, he would surely praise his insight.

In the Lord Plane world, while Mercenary Territories were not the mainstream choice for Players, this line of work had indeed produced many characters with a legendary color. The strength of the Ten Great Mercenary Groups in the Plane was no worse than that of the conventional Great Lords who built cities.

Of course, the process to become a top-level Mercenary Group Leader in the Plane was also very difficult. It was absolutely not just about getting lucky and meeting one or two rich benefactors.

With the cooperation settled, Mo Xiaobai had no intention to continue watching the scenery, and A-Dai also needed to prepare for finding hiring targets. However, when they were about to part ways, A-Dai showed an awkward smile again. “My current strength is still lacking. I need you to help me one more time.”

Mo Xiaobai knew what he meant and teased, “You have your eye on my Great General?”

A-Dai was truly envious of Li Guang, but he could only think about it in his heart. “I dare not. That General looks like a formidable character. I am talking about the two Rattan Armor Soldiers. Can you lend them to me for a while longer?”

“Again to borrow?”

Mo Xiaobai shook his head again and then smiled. “I can lend them to you for free for at most one more week. If they have not returned after a week, I will charge you a hiring fee. One day costs at least one Silver Coin. If an accident causes injury or disability, you must compensate me ten times the fee.”

“No problem, no problem. I will definitely return them intact after a week.”

Leaving the two “precious” Rattan Armor Soldiers behind, Mo Xiaobai waved his hand. “Alright, keep them with you for now. Flying General, let us go.”

“Wait, do we not add friends yet?”

“Wait until I transport the first batch of coal to my Territory, and then you will know who I am. Only then will I add you as a friend.” Turning around, Mo Xiaobai raised his right hand to wave. Before he finished speaking, he led Li Guang down the mountain.

Watching Mo Xiaobai leave, Little Yue, who had not spoken beside him, pouted. “A-Dai, this guy is really so full of himself!”

“He is very cautious. He is definitely one of the top Lords in the Huaxia Region. Moreover, he values practical results. Before we successfully organize a group of mining Players, he will not trust us too much.”

“Pfft. We will also become Great Lords in the future. What is so impressive about that?”

“Yes, as long as we work hard, we will succeed.”