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Chapter 528: Nothing Money Can't Fix; If So, Just Spend More!

Upon hearing this, Manor Lord Marier's eyes immediately brightened.

He had been frowning in distress lately because his wine couldn't be sold. Champagne was full of wineries, producing an extremely high volume of wine, far more than the local market could consume. Most of the wine produced needed to be sold in Germany.

He hadn't expected a merchant caravan to suddenly arrive today, offering to solve his problem.

Moreover, the terms of the deal were even more favorable than previous caravans. In the past, caravans would often return from Germany with a significant amount of problematic wine that had to be returned. Some caravans even deducted a 5% "spoilage discount" before making any payment.

Yet, this Mr. Bona told him that all these issues could now be compensated through "property insurance," and he wouldn't have to pay a single franc!

This alone would save him nearly a thousand francs in losses each year.

Marier asked with extreme curiosity, "Mr. Bona, how did you manage to secure such an advantageous insurance agreement?"

"That's a trade secret," Bona replied, shaking his head. Then, with a hesitant expression, he lowered his voice, "However, since we're already friends, I suppose I can let you in on a few details.

"Our caravan belongs to the French Trade Alliance. The Alliance has signed a blanket agreement with the Royal Insurance Company, involving an insured amount of nearly a million francs. Therefore, whether the caravan encounters robbery or goods are accidentally damaged, we receive insurance compensation.

Marier instantly showed a look of understanding, then smiled like an old fox. "If that's the case, we could certainly collaborate to gain some advantages from the insurance company. For instance, we could claim some good wine as damaged returns, collect the insurance money, and then resell it..."

"That won't do!" Bona shook his head decisively. "There's an insurance company representative in the caravan who keeps a constant eye on the goods."

'What a joke,' Bona thought. 'The Trade Alliance and the insurance company are both backed by the same boss—the Crown Prince. How could they possibly cheat themselves and let a small wine merchant like you milk the system?'

Marier pursed his lips regretfully and nodded. "Very well, then it's as you said: 310 francs per barrel for this batch."

He gestured towards the mountain of oak barrels behind him, emanating a rich aroma of wine. "There are 121 barrels in total. However..."

He hesitated, "I hope you can pay 20,000 francs upfront. Oh, please understand, we've never cooperated with your caravan before, so..."

Typically, caravans only paid 30% of the cost when purchasing goods, at most not exceeding 40%, with the remainder paid after the sale. Marier, however, was asking for over 50% all at once.

Of course, "never cooperated" was just an excuse. After all, both the Minister of Trade and the Governor of Champagne had issued documents guaranteeing the Trade Alliance's credibility, leaving little reason for him to be uneasy.

It was simply that the recent backlog of wine had depleted his funds, which was why he wanted a larger upfront payment.

However, he didn't hold much hope. If Bona refused, so be it. After all, there were no other channels to sell his wine at the moment.

Unexpectedly, Bona only hesitated for a moment before nodding. "To show our sincerity for our first cooperation, I can pay you that much. Of course, for subsequent transactions, the initial payment will revert to the normal 30%."

"Yes, yes, 30% it is for future transactions. You truly are a generous gentleman," Marier exclaimed, overjoyed. As if afraid Bona would change his mind, he pulled him into the office, eager to sign the agreement immediately.

Bona also offered a relaxed smile. This was already the third deal he had secured today.

His boss's mission for him was "to restore trade in Champagne as quickly as possible," and the funds provided were absurdly generous, giving him a distinct advantage in negotiations.

In fact, these transactions were very profitable for the Trade Alliance.

For example, Marier Manor's high-grade wines usually sold for at least 330 francs per barrel. However, due to recent disruptions in trade routes, manor lords had been forced to lower their prices. The Trade Alliance swooped in at this time and made a handsome profit.

One week later.

Dozens of carriages belonging to the Picard-Blanchet Caravan, a member of the French Trade Alliance in Champagne, proceeded majestically towards Strasbourg, led by Bona and others.

From there, they would enter Baden and begin over a month of sales in the German territories.

At the same time, in a villa east of Champagne City, François Revenir stood at the window, watching the caravan's retreating figures, his face so dark it seemed to ooze displeasure.

He was the owner of Champagne's largest "Credit and Quality Caravan," originally controlling nearly 40% of Champagne's cargo trade.

This time, at the request of his caravan's major shareholder, Viscount Fould, he had suspended all of his caravan's activities. Fould had paid him a hefty ten thousand francs in compensation for this.

Initially, he believed he had made a killing—without his caravan, Champagne's manors or workshops would not be able to find other channels to sell so much product. He thought he only needed to wait two or three months, and these businesses would still be his.

He even anticipated that, eventually, people would drastically lower prices to sell their goods sooner, and signs of this had already begun to appear recently.

However, the Picard-Blanchet Caravan, which had suddenly emerged, seemed to have devoured almost all of Champagne's backlog of goods, like a ravenous beast, and departed for Germany today.

He couldn't fathom how this small caravan, with assets of no more than thirty thousand francs, had managed to procure so much capital. Absorbing nearly half of Champagne's goods would require at least 400,000 francs!

Just then, Revenir's son hurriedly knocked and entered, frowning as he said, "Father, we found out.

"Picard joined an organization called the 'French Trade Alliance' and received a massive investment as a result."

Revenir's eyes widened in shock. "Four hundred thousand francs! That much?"

"It seems so."

Revenir collapsed weakly into his chair. If that were the case, then the Picard-Blanchet Caravan was now the largest caravan in Champagne.

Moreover, his sudden suspension of trade must have soured his reputation with all the manors and workshops. He could foresee that he would be at a severe disadvantage in future competition.

"Fould," he snarled, grinding his teeth, "you've utterly ruined me!"

He estimated he would lose over 50,000 francs in profit this year, all for the sake of Fould's 10,000 franc compensation.

His son stiffened for a moment, then, understanding the ins and outs of the situation, looked at him hesitantly. "Father, should we resume business?"

Revenir bowed his head in silence. Fould was the largest shareholder in his caravan, and if he were to resume operations now, he would undoubtedly incur his severe wrath.