Early the next morning, Clock Tower Avenue in the Royal City of the Kingdom of Leighton.
Although the King had personally approved a few of the best positioned shops, the front of the Kingdom of Mason's trade post was cold and deserted.
Those thirty guards, clad in black cloaks and cradling muskets, stood at the entrance. Their killing aura was so intense that even passing stray dogs had to take a detour.
On the shop's wooden platforms, bars of Mason Type I ordinary soap wrapped in oil paper and shampoo sealed in clay jars were arranged neatly.
Residents of the Royal City of the Kingdom of Leighton stopped in groups of three or five in the distance, pointing at these square blocks they had never seen before.
"I heard they came from the Kingdom of Mason? That's a famously poor place; what good things could they possibly sell?"
"I haven't seen a merchant caravan from the Kingdom of Mason in a long time. I almost forgot about that place."
"Look at those guards, holding fire pokers in their hands, their eyes so fierce they look like they want to eat people. How is this doing business? This is robbery, isn't it?"
"This thing is called 'soap'? It smells quite fresh, but who would spend money to buy a rock you can't eat?"
Just as everyone was hesitant and Delilah was frowning slightly at this dull opening, the crowd in the distance suddenly split open a path.
A maid wearing the exquisite attire of a court female official, escorted by several Palace guards, walked over hurriedly.
As soon as she approached, the tip of her nose caught that faint, drifting scent of mint, and her eyes instantly became fervent.
"May I ask, which one is Leader Delilah?"
The female official bowed slightly, her tone carrying an obvious urgency.
Delilah rested her hand on her sword and stepped forward, nodding slightly:
"I am.
Does the Queen have any instructions?"
"Her Majesty the Queen used that portion of Mason's Dew last night."
When the female official mentioned this, she couldn't hide the shock in her eyes, and she even unconsciously touched her own hands, which were slightly rough from years of hard work.
"The effect is simply... like Divine Miracles!
Her Majesty the Queen instructed that before you all return, we must order as large a batch as possible, especially that shampoo!"
As soon as these words came out, the residents and merchants observing in secret around them instantly exploded with noise.
"Something personally approved by Her Majesty the Queen?"
"Look at that female official's eyes; she looks like she wants to move the whole stall away directly. Could this thing really be some kind of alchemy miracle medicine?"
"If even the Queen says it's good, then we have to try it."
Delilah looked at the anxious female official before her, and Sophia's cold face, which never held any expression, floated into her mind.
'Hunger marketing'—is that what Your Majesty and Irene called it?
Delilah cleared her throat, her face as cold as frost, and spoke calmly:
"Apologies, Miss Official.
I must explain first: what our Majesty gave to the Queen was the 'Premium Special Edition'.
That was made by gathering the essence of a hundred flowers from the deep mountains, personally supervised by Her Majesty the Queen and her most trusted Inventor. Currently, it is extremely rare; even our Mason Palace does not have much stock."
She pointed to the ordinary soaps on the counter and continued:
"These currently on sale are the 'Ordinary Edition'.
Although their stain-removing ability is equally amazing, they lack those high-grade essential oils and pearl powder. The fragrance won't be as lasting, and the skincare effects will be slightly inferior."
Upon hearing this, the female official was not disappointed but instead revealed an expression that said 'it is only right'.
"As expected of the Queen of Mason.
That kind of divine object that can instantly make one radiate brilliance naturally is something only the Queen is worthy of using."
"Even so, please be sure to sell us some of the ordinary version!"
The female official hurriedly added:
"Even if it is the ordinary version, it is far better than the crude grease we used before.
In addition to the Palace's own use, the Queen also wants to bestow some upon the wives of several ministers."
Having said this, the female official clapped her hands, and the guards behind her carried up several heavy chests.
"The Queen said she heard yesterday that your side is in urgent need of supplies. While our country doesn't have much of other materials, our leather is quite good.
This is a batch of high-quality cured leather and processed dried tendons specially approved by the Queen, to be exchanged for the first batch of soap and shampoo.
If you feel it is not enough, we can also add some top-grade raw iron ore."
Actually, the female official wanted to say that even the simplified version of this soap should be a hundred times better than what they used before, but saying that in front of people from another country seemed a bit inappropriate.
Seeing this scene, the merchants of Leighton who had been watching from the sidelines finally couldn't sit still.
"I want a box too! I still have a lot of wool at home! Do you need it?"
"Save ten bars for me! I am willing to exchange the raw iron ingots treasured in my home!"
"Please give me one. I also want to feel the freshness the Queen spoke of. How many copper coins for one?"
The spark of trade was thoroughly ignited in that instant.
Delilah looked at these crazy people of Leighton, and the awe in her heart toward Sophia rose to a new dimension again.
Merely through the Queen's 'personal experience', she had turned these luxury goods into hard currency.
----------
Inside the Palace study.
Sophia was sitting behind that vintage mahogany desk, pinching a secret letter sent back from the Kingdom of Leighton in her hand.
This was a battle report—or rather, the fruits of war—brought back day and night by the scout riders dispatched by Delilah.
The handwriting on the letter was slightly hurried, yet it revealed an unconcealable efficiency:
"Your Majesty, the merchant caravan has won a great victory.
The Queen of Leighton can't put down the 'Special Supply Edition'. Not only did she personally legitimize 'Mason's Dew', but she even triggered a frenzy within the noble circle.
The ordinary version soap and shampoo were snatched up completely within four hours of the market opening. Our side has successfully exchanged for many high-quality cured leathers, a large amount of dried tendons, as well as several tons of high-purity raw iron ore, wool, and other materials.
It is estimated that the merchant caravan will return with all members in two days.
Additionally, the King of Leighton expressed a desire for long-term trade."
Sophia stared at those few lines of words, her pale golden pupils appearing exceptionally deep under the afterglow of the setting sun.
"Sold out?"
Sophia slowly let out a breath in her heart, and her originally tense shoulders relaxed a little.
Great, the leather is in hand.
This way, not only can we make better protective gear for the soldiers, but most importantly, Irene can finally redesign the cushions and shock absorbing layer in the carriage.
My waist really can't hold out for the next inspection tour.
I'm already starting to calculate how to reward myself with a sumptuous dinner.
Willow, who was to the side, held her breath, quietly observing the Queen's side profile.
In her view, after reading this victory report that was enough to make the monarch of any small country show joy on their face, His Majesty didn't even move the corner of her mouth.
That matter-of-fact coldness deepened the fear in her heart toward Sophia by another layer.
"As expected of Your Majesty."
Willow sighed in her heart.
This victory or defeat in transnational trade was probably just an insignificant game in her eyes.
She didn't even plan to celebrate; was it because every step that followed was within her control?
"Willow, go invite Irene over."
Sophia spoke in a clear, cold voice.
"As you command."
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