85_85536 "Scared me. John breathed a sigh of relief—though what William was really interested in was a little different from what he had in mind. But he didn't find it strange. There are more aristocrats with all kinds of quirks in this world.

People who like to kill, people who like to listen to people's screams, and people who like S・M. And William was only interested in weapons and equipment. Compared to the aforementioned quirky merchants, they are nothing at all.

"Yes. Of course. In this way, relieved, and when it came to his profession, John the merchant quickly calmed down, and then said, "Yes, the Blue Hat Merchant Group has noticed the current tension in the Grand Duchy of Mazovia. So, my caravan did bring a lot of weapons and equipment. So, specifically, what exactly are you interested in? And the best armor in the north, the best armor in the north, zuò, the most beautiful plate armor you've ever seen, and the sword, you're interested in—"

"That's not what I need. William interrupted: "Extra-long spear, breastplate, and gunpowder." These are the three things I need. ”

"Oh, oh, I see. You are a knight who truly understands war. Hearing William say this, the merchant John finally showed a slightly surprised expression:

"In general, those knights only trust themselves. Pursue only those high-priced, flashy personal gear. They had no idea that it was the ordinary soldiers and warriors who could really dominate the battlefield.

War, in the final analysis, is not a contest of individual strength. It's about comprehensive strength. Something that is cheaper and can be produced in large quantities is much more useful than flashy, labor-intensive custom-made equipment.

I can't imagine that at this age - I beg my pardon to be presumptuous, but I have absolutely no intention of taking you lightly. You, such a young knight, can truly see the mysteries of war. It's really, really ......."

"All right, Mr. John. If you can't say it, don't say it. William smiled gently, broadly. At the same time, he replied to the businessman.

Although the businessman said it very eloquently. But William still has to decide, just listen to it and forget it. Never take it seriously. In the final analysis, there is only one thing that a merchant should take seriously, and that is to sell the goods in his hands.

Now he said so to William. After a while, in front of a knight who admired personal force, he must have completely changed his statement. Then he touted the other knight as comfortable, and asked him to obediently pay for a bunch of expensive and terrible things, or flashy or sophisticated personal equipment, or something.

“...... Is that so?" whatever William thought in his heart. Charlumi seemed to be quite touched by the side. Her previous education at William's father, her uncle, Baron Otto, was an orthodox knightly education. That is, the kind of traditional knights who "advocate individual force" discussed earlier.

What she believes in is naturally such a tactic of sweeping the battlefield and dominating the battlefield with her own superb force. At the same time, she has a good example to follow, with practical goals. That was William's father, Baron Otto, the man who shone in the Great Frontier Wars.

It's just that after William's version was upgraded and strengthened, she got along with William again, which naturally affected her a lot. He has his own complete logical thinking, world view and values, and he is subtly changing Xia Lumi.

For example, if it was before, when William was not under his influence, Charlumie was getting the merchant John's forehead. At that time, there was absolutely no other thought than a sneer, as if she had gone back to the Barony of Hereford to argue with William about whether the musket was useful.

But now it's different, and now she knows how to think. Knowing hesitation. In addition to the subtle influence of William's thoughts, a group of spearmen trained by William in two months is also a strong proof.

Of course, this impact is only an impact for a while. The education she had received in the previous sixteen years was not so simple and could not be shaken.

At this moment, William did not notice the state of Charlotine. He was preoccupied with a deal with John, the merchant.

"So, do you have all these goods, all the things I need?" asked William.

"Yes, of course. No matter what size the spear, or the matching cuirass and steel helmet. Or maybe it's gunpowder. Even if I don't have these things in my caravan, I will have them in the nearest caravan. In the spring, when the river thawed, the fleet was transported along the Vistula. Even the equipment that armes thousands of people can be sent to you.

But then again, Mr. Knight. Do you just need these things? Generally speaking, spearmen are meant to be used in conjunction with musketeers. You're an expert, so you don't need me to remind you. So you don't need some muskets?

Our merchant group has its own dedicated musket workshop. Both arquebuses and new flintlock pistols can be made. Also, do you need artillery? Our merchant group has both army and navy artillery. The largest guns could fire twenty-four-pound projectiles. Invincible!"

When John had finished speaking, he looked at William with a smile on his face, and then he felt regretful—he was in too much of a hurry. That's not how selling things should be. In this way, how can he increase the price?

So, the merchant John hurriedly remedied and said, "But ...... Of course, most of these products are ordered by customers. So, so ......" He said so, and then looked at William's seemingly smiling appearance, but he was a little speechless.

That is, when the merchant John spat on the variety of goods in his merchant group, William was secretly a little surprised in his heart:

This John was nothing more than a mid-level caravan master of the Blue Hat Merchant Order. But as soon as he opened his mouth, he was armed with weapons and equipment capable of arming thousands of men, twenty-four-pounder heavy guns and the latest flintlock pistols.

That's enough to equip a duke's standing army. And judging by what he means, these are just "ordinary commodities". In other words, there are other better weapons and equipment that people of his level can't touch.

However, since he is like this, what are the other weapons and equipment he wants to talk about? ironclad ships, armored trains, 75-millimeter rapid-fire guns, TNT or Gatling guns? Is this era better developed than he imagined? Could it be that he is in the wrong place? In fact, the Grand Duchy of Mazovia is a very, very barren and backward place, like the scum of Black Africa in the previous life?

"So...... Is there anything better?" and William asked tentatively.

"Better ...... Whatever you need, I can customize it for you. Hearing William's question, John didn't understand it a little.

"I mean, twenty-pound guns or something. Is there anything better than that?" asked William further.

“...... Thirty-six pounderers, but that's usually a Navy model. It's too heavy, and it's useless to pull it onto land. For siege, twenty-four pounder guns were enough. Of course, if it's a new type of bastion, then no matter how big the caliber of the cannon is, it's not much use......"

After John had said this, William put his heart in his stomach. It seems that I misunderstood. It's not that this era is progressing so fast. There's nothing wrong with my own understanding of the tech tree of this world. Then, it means that this middle-level caravan steward, this person's energy is much greater than he imagined. Or rather, the Blue Hat Merchants, or the Borosque Merchants of the North, are a bunch of unbridled bastard arms dealers. As long as you give money, you dare to sell anything.

"It's just...... It's a little bit of a hassle here. So William furrowed his brows, and began to count the difficulties as he watched the expectant gaze of John the Merchant:

"It's not that I'm unaware of the benefits of musketeers. It's just that the problem is that it takes months to train a qualified musketeer. And now, our enemies, the rogues, are in a small town not far from the Chersk Count's county. As for artillery, that's naturally better. But you said it would be too late until spring, when the Vistula froze.

And in addition to that, you should also have noticed the change in the weather in recent times. In such a cold climate, I am afraid that there is no need to fight, and if I have to wait for a while, the tributary of the Kou army will collapse.

And you also said that most of your current stock has been booked......" Speaking of this, William lengthened the syllable: "In this way, the price is ......"

"This, this......" Hearing William say this, merchant John was a little frustrated. William was not wrong. Although he could argue that what if the army did not fall apart, if the weather would soon get warmer, or if a new war would begin? Even if it didn't, it would be good if you bought a batch of munitions and trained the troops, so that you could be prepared. There is a disease to cure the disease, and there is no disease to strengthen the body. There's nothing wrong with that.

Of course, he could say the same. But it doesn't help to say that. Because, even if William thinks he has a point, it doesn't change the fact that this batch of munitions is not a necessity for urgent needs after all. I can't sell it for a price.

"But it doesn't matter if you can't get a good price. It's better to have a credit before anything else. The most important thing is to make the first business, and to buy and sell and open a business. As long as you can make a parity and have a hard-earned money, it's good. So John made up his mind in his heart.