Selling Farmland, Cornering the Grain Market!

For the land that various families in Willowbrook Town were putting up for sale, Galen Veritas accepted every offer. Due to the large amount of land being sold by these families, Galen Veritas was able to drastically lower the prices. The families in Willowbrook Town, thinking Galen Veritas might be an official merchant working for a high-ranking figure in the palace, did not mind his bargaining too much. They planned to make a significant profit by cornering the grain market in the town.

After signing the purchase contracts with Galen Veritas, the next day, he brought boxes of silver coins for the transaction. The swift handover of money for land titles made them firmly believe that Galen Veritas was indeed a wealthy merchant. Upon receiving the silver, the heads of Willowbrook Town's prominent families immediately sent people to buy grain from the town's grain stores. On that day, the discount price for military families was still 20 copper coins per kilogram.

However, with the frenzied buying by families such as the Blackthorn family, the Ravenswood Family, and the Hawthorne Family, within three days, the market price of grain in the stores rose from 2 taels of silver per kilogram of fine rice to 3 taels, and the discount price for military families went from 20 copper coins to 30 copper coins per kilogram. The frantic buying by these families also led other residents with spare money to start hoarding grain. It resembled a bull market where investors rush to open accounts, eager to give their money away.

Amidst this buying spree, Magnus Valorion raised the grain prices by another 5 copper coins, and had people announce at the store entrance, "Our store has ample grain supply, no need to hoard!"

Seeing this, family heads like Edmund Blackthorn laughed heartily. Edmund Blackthorn confidently said, "This town's grain store must be running out of stock, otherwise they wouldn't be making such loud proclamations."

"Everyone, let's keep pushing; they can't have much left!" The other families agreed and spent even more silver to buy up the grain.

Sure enough, the next day, the discount price for military families doubled to 70 copper coins per kilogram. This situation made the families even more convinced that the town's grain store was running out of stock, and they continued their frantic buying.

Soon, the silver they had received from selling their land to Galen Veritas was completely spent. They had no choice but to sell even the land that originally belonged to their families to Galen Veritas. With the silver they received, they bought even more fine white rice, filling their warehouses and homes with bags of grain.

Predictably, on the third day of the price reaching 70 copper coins per kilogram, the market price of grain rose to 4 taels of silver per kilogram, and the discount price for military families rose to 100 copper coins per kilogram, with a daily purchase limit. Additionally, a new sign appeared at the grain store: "Buying back grain at 90 copper coins per kilogram."

Now, Edmund Blackthorn, Walter Ravenswood, and Alaric Hawthorne were more convinced than ever that the grain store's stock was nearly depleted. Otherwise, they wouldn't be offering such a high buy-back price.

"Everyone, we are about to see the dawn of victory. Let's buy up the last of their grain, and Willowbrook Town will be ours!" Edmund Blackthorn exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

A small family head suddenly spoke up, "Sigh, all our silver is spent on grain. We have nothing left but our family land."

"The Blackthorn family, the Ravenswood Family, and the Hawthorne Family are in the same situation. Our houses are full of grain; I sleep on grain bags every night!" Edmund Blackthorn complained.

Another small family head suggested, "Why don't we sell the grain to Greenwood City and Lionheart City to get some funds back first?"

The three major families did not object to this suggestion, and everyone agreed on a date to transport the grain.

"Transporting the grain to sell is possible, but the timing might be tight for the silver to return to us. We are at a critical moment in our showdown with that scoundrel Sheriff Magnus. Therefore, I suggest you sell the remaining family land to Galen Veritas. When we make our money back, we can buy it back if necessary!" Edmund Blackthorn proposed.

The small family heads hesitated but, seeing the major families' determination, reluctantly agreed. They sold their ancestral land to Galen Veritas, who, after confirming he now owned all the land in the town, excitedly reported to Magnus Valorion.

After Galen Veritas finished his report, Neil Thompson's son, Ethan Thompson, came running from the barracks. "Sir, the young members of the Blackthorn, Ravenswood, and Hawthorne families have reported back. They plan to transport the grain in two groups, one to Greenwood City and the other to Lionheart City, at midnight three days from now."

Magnus Valorion smiled and said, "Midnight departure? They aren't afraid of encountering ghosts on the road at night!"

"Ethan, have some people monitor the families day and night to prevent any changes in their plan. Also, send a message to your father in Green River Town to prepare masks and skull flags. This time, intercept all the grain being transported out of town!"

Once again, Sinbad was about to take action, and a distinctive mask was necessary to avoid recognition.