Section 041: The Merchant Player

Among the three who followed behind Zhang Chong and Zheng Jun, the one at the forefront was a merchant player, while the other two were villagers in his service. As with other virtual online games, the roles players chose in "Empire" were as diverse as their preferences. The position of tribal chief was but one of many, and certainly not the most common. Some players, from the very beginning, would roam the world with their two villagers, occasionally settling in a scenic spot to build a lumber mill or a mill, chopping wood or farming for a few days before moving on when the novelty wore off.

Others became merchants, level-grinding fanatics, laborers, or simply unnamed passersby. The most vexing, however, were those who chose the path of the thief. With two villagers at their side, they would skulk about by day, scouting targets, and by night, slip out to steal chickens and ducks, living in constant fear of government bounties yet relishing the thrill. Such players were collectively known as "Wandering Players," for they had no fixed tribe.

Merchant players typically harbored dreams of business in real life, savoring the profit to be made from the difference between buying and selling. They possessed a keen commercial instinct, adept at spotting opportunities—much like the merchant before them, whose in-game name was "Pig Reads It Backwards." Upon glimpsing Zhang Chong selling sashimi at the Danyang Market, dressed conspicuously in blue cotton amidst the earth-toned garb of others, he immediately sensed a business opportunity. Learning from Zhang Chong that these were custom-made clothes from the Yanhuang Tribe and available for sale, "Pig Reads It Backwards" decided at once to visit the tribe that very evening to negotiate a deal with Chief Li Zhan.

The moment he disembarked at the dock, "Pig Reads It Backwards" saw that all the Yanhuang villagers were clad in matching blue cotton garments, scattered like stars across the fields of the settlement—an image strikingly different from the rustic look of other tribes. He could not help but exclaim in admiration, hurrying down the dock in hopes of finalizing a clothing deal with Chief Li Zhan as soon as possible. Just then, he caught sight of a missionary, wolfing down grilled fish on the sandy shore. He was taken aback: Was that truly a missionary? Had he seen correctly? A missionary from the Dark Age—how had the Yanhuang Tribe acquired such a foreign monk?

As "Pig Reads It Backwards" stood on the beach, puzzling over the scene, Li Zhan approached and greeted him, "What brings you to our Yanhuang Tribe, friend?"

Snapping to attention, "Pig Reads It Backwards" saw the chief’s title floating above Li Zhan's head and hurriedly replied with a courteous smile, "Ah, so you are Chief Li! I am 'Pig Reads It Backwards,' a merchant player. I saw your villagers wearing these unique uniforms at the Danyang Market and came out of curiosity, hoping also to discuss some business with you."

Li Zhan nodded, glancing at the merchant’s [Merchant] tag and the two villagers behind him. He had anticipated that merchants would come calling, though not so soon.

"Our custom-made clothes are currently produced in limited quantities," Li Zhan explained. "We have little stock, and there are only three styles so far: men’s villager, women’s villager, and militia. Which would you like to purchase?"

"I've already seen the men's villager outfit," the merchant replied quickly. "Both style and workmanship are impressive. I'd now like to look at the women's villager outfit and the militia uniform."

Li Zhan sent Zhang Chong to find a militia member, then led the merchant to two women working in the sashimi-drying area so he could inspect their attire. "Pig Reads It Backwards" circled the two women several times, nodding frequently—so much so that the women's faces flushed with embarrassment. Yet, understanding that this was for the tribe’s benefit, both continued their work without fuss, occasionally showing off the graceful lines and neat design of their new clothing in their movements.

Soon after, Zhang Chong returned with a militia member. The merchant examined the uniform thoroughly, front and back, and could not help but praise it, his resolve to make a deal only growing stronger.

When the militia member left, the merchant turned to Li Zhan. "Chief Li, I am quite satisfied with your tribe’s clothing, both in style and quality. May I ask the price?"

"Three gold coins per villager outfit, four for a militia uniform," Li Zhan replied.

"Can you guarantee the same level of quality and workmanship?"

"Absolutely. Any defective pieces are removed at once—only qualified garments are stored."

"Are the styles and colors permanently fixed?"

"No. We strive for innovation in style, and we are actively experimenting with colors as well."

The merchant lived up to his profession, asking more than a dozen questions in total. Once all his concerns were settled, he began to discuss the details of the deal.

"Thank you, Chief Li, for your thorough answers. Here’s my proposal: I would like to sign a long-term agreement for bulk purchases from your tribe, to resell your clothes to other tribes or NPCs. I’ve asked about all other aspects; the only thing left is the price. How much profit margin can you offer me?"

Li Zhan was more than willing to deal with bulk-buying merchants. The tribe’s role was to focus on production, style updates, and color coordination—just like a clothing factory. Sales and promotion were best left to merchants, whose networks and efforts could carry the clothes to players and NPCs alike. It was better for the tribe to pour its energy into making good clothes, not selling them.

As for pricing, Li Zhan believed he should avoid fixed rates. Instead, he wanted to adjust the price flexibly to encourage bulk buying, using attractive margins and special terms to secure stable sales for the tribe’s garments.

After a brief consideration, Li Zhan said, "Here are my terms for bulk orders: for a single purchase of fifty pieces, a discount of twenty copper coins per piece; for one hundred pieces, thirty copper coins per piece; for two hundred, forty copper coins per piece; and for three hundred pieces, fifty copper coins per piece."