Chapter 255- Economics

Economics

A city supported a myriad of dwellers who named or cursed it home. The wrapped, graying walls served as a welcome protection to some, and a prison to others. The appellation, Frost City, represented an ancient bastion of glory for humans against demon beasts. It was here, the human tribes of old, according to the Tower, gathered and pushed forward into the north pass, and hence stymied the progress of the common enemy of all mankind.

Within the largest city which dwarfed even the capitals of the empire and of the three southern kingdoms combined, finding inhabitants who never stepped beyond the heavy gates seemed remarkable. One only needed to look at the toll of twenty silvers at the gate to understand why. Even starving inhabitants dare not chance their life beyond the walls in the fear of not being able to return.

Since settling in the heart of the slum district, the founders of the Behemoth Gang opened a connection with the most overlooked of society. As previous bullies originating from a similar slum society, Doug and his cohorts bonded well with these arrogant, self-made children.

One could say the Boss of the farm chose the right men for the job.

Singh brushed a hand through his straight hair.

"I have a feeling we have not grasped the full understanding of what we have created."

Chong watched his friend wear a lost appearance of a man bordering on a revelation.

"You're right. When we first befriended these children, I never expected our information network to become so successful. Now, with Doug pressing forward and opening orphanages across the various districts, our tentacles seep among lonely alleys and bustling kitchens. We know the drifting of any stranger who enters the slums."

The process had been simple and straightforward. Doug contacted the various churches of the Union under the guise of providing a meal to homeless street urchins. Tax collections from the Behemoth Gang supplied the goods, the priests and healers of the church cooked the food, and chosen members of the gang shared the gruel.

Potential candidates from the children found their way to this deserted church in the slums to be groomed and returned to their stomping grounds. Like a virus that spreads on contact, they infected and controlled little cells of their own.

Rumors in a boisterous tavern, mutterings behind the doors of the kitchen, and whispers under the sheets of a bordello.

They all arrived from the source as fast as little feet could run.

"No, Chong it's more than that. You don't understand. Take this situation with the baker. Did you know, I knew this was happening a few weeks ago? Hold on, I can't remember the details myself. Little Kat, did you say something about Mr. Quin buying out a wagon of grain two weeks ago?"

Singh searched the circle of desks to find the little girl who recently arrived. Sitting on a bench with four other members, the girl tilted her head in recollection.

"Am, Elder Brother, I can't remember when but I did hear him boast about it. I remember because he yelled for all the servants to help the stableboy empty the sacks in his storehouse. Ben, do you remember?"

The girl stood while recounting her tale. Singh shifted his gaze to the straw-haired boy sitting beside her. The eleven-year-old had begun searching through his stacks of parchments filled with crooked scrawls. Seeing him pull a sheet of penmanship to cause a teacher to break down and cry, his companions flinched.

"Big Brother Singh, I have it recorded where Kat did say that. She also said back then that Mr, Quin expected the price of grain to double within a few weeks."

A younger boy sitting about five benched down also stood up. Waiting for his companion to complete his statement, he began his own when Singh nodded.

"Big Brother, Shale sifted flour for another baker in the slums last week. I have it written where he said the baker planned to raise the price of rock bread by four coppers. A rock bread is the only food most people in the slums can afford at eight coppers. If I had to beg like before, I would starve."

The shuffling of paper continued across the room as little bodies stood.

"Ulger helped clean the stables of the Merchant Guild last week. He overheard a few merchants talk about hoarding grain."

"Wilks danced a jig for the bard at The Underground Weasel three weeks ago. I have it written where he said the mercenaries spoke about the grain stores in a few villages being burned down during the demon raids."

"Petals just said she forgot to mention that old man Rivers was yelling to his neighbor in the Merchant District. All because he didn't want to sell a houseful of smelly grain."

Singh turned to Chong while opening his arms.

"I told you so. Since the merchants began to buy all the grains while knowing about the shortages from the destroyed villages, I knew. It's just that I didn't know this information was so important. The children keep most things written down, otherwise, I wouldn't even remember."

"Ok, so all I can say is that I am impressed. But how does this help us now? Do we use the rest of our gold to hoard grain? What do I tell Robby? This guy is a baker who was actually planning to build another oven. Come next week, he may close or sell his shop. And it's not only from him will we lose our income. I heard a few of the general store owners might close their doors because they can't afford to buy grains at such a steep price."

Chong shrugged. When it came to business, he only knew the basics. Such technical knowledge he left to the Boss and the two so-called accountants. Casting a frustrated look, he continued.

"I told you back then we should never follow the little Boss and skip the evening classes. Look where it landed us in. If only Sakura or Amanda was here..."

While thinking about how to cut their losses from the fallout of the increasing grain prices, the kitchen door creaked. Three young boys under ten entered. On seeing the two young men, they ambled to a stop and offered greetings. Of course, they didn't hesitate to provide a report of the day's proceedings.

"Big Brother Singh, Big brother Chong, how are you? I begged in the park near the gallows but learned of nothing new. Two scouts from the Military spoke about some large division coming from the south. They muttered about escorting an important figure. I heard later, they are accompanying a large batch of apprentices from the Tower."

"That stupid servant in the governor's mansion made me oil a heap of boots near the hall. I didn't have any chance to visit the kitchen. When that scary hulk of a governor passed with his steward mumbling about grains, I nearly pissed my pants. Big Brother Chong, you have an aura as having killed before but this man has an even terrible one."

"I sat near the gallows today. Nothing happened at the tea shop. No beggars visited from the alley at the back. I haven't seen the old beggar back again. For a blind man, he is also very hard to find on the streets."

"Wait, stop! What's that about grains, Lowel?"

Singh and Chong both asked together. The newcomer in question took a step back while adjusting to the unexpected response. Scrunching his face, he formulated his words carefully.

"Big Brothers, I heard them muttering about grain prices increased too quickly. Tomorrow the governor plans to open the granary and sell one of the warehouses at half the original price. By doing so, they said something about reducing prices."

"Thank heavens for this news. Otherwise, I wanted to spend our gold following those merchants in hoarding for a better price."

Chong relaxed as if throwing off a huge weight from his shoulders.

Singh, on the other hand, scratched his short beard. Chong worded his thoughts out loud.

"Okay, so we know the governor plans to sell grain cheap. This way, the price in the market will drop from its highs. But how does this help us? I don't have plenty of grain to sell so as to make a killing. What we have is a few sacks of flour for cooking gruel. Maybe, we should pass this news to Robby the baker?"

The two of them stood in silence for some time.

Singh woke first, as his neck creaked towards the boy.

"Lowel, tell me something, did the governor plan on sharing this with anyone in particular? Like the Merchant Guild for instance?"

The boy paused while in deep thought. The expression on the faces of both seniors indicated they left no room for erroneous information.

"Big Brother, I did not hear the entire conversation. The governor did say nobody was to know. From the way he acted, only that head servant seemed to know. He also mentioned first come first served, or something..."

"Hmmm, I see. Great work Lowel."

Singh nodded appreciatively at the boy. Information flowed into this room like countless leaves on a mountain river. Every leaf possessed the ability to alter the future. Choosing the ones to benefit them, however, proved difficult.

"What do you think, Singh? Should I have the lieutenants of the Behemoth Gang relay the news to the businesses under our protection? That way, they can line up to buy the grains cheaper at the granary when the doors open."

"Yes. Yes, we can do that. In the eyes of our friends, trading partners, and community, we certainly gain a favorable reputation. I dare say, we will be able to walk the streets with pride."

Singh muttered absently while constructing his thoughts. Slowly, his coal colored eyes narrowed and gleamed as he looked at Chong.

"But, why should we? Have you ever known the Boss to place reputation in front of profitable gold coins?"