"International Port? Limited-time land sale of port territory? Is that true?"
"So, you're saying that even small factions like us, the Remit People, who lack a national entity, could obtain a piece of land to use as a stable rear base for boldly conquering Yucatan?"
Upon hearing Byron's words, Michael became immediately excited.
These Remit merchants, who stick together for mutual support, indeed had their own information channels; at most, they lagged only slightly behind official government sources.
Without Byron needing to elaborate further, he instantly grasped the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity laid out before him.
'Originally, Tayman Archipelago was a colony exclusive to the Kingdom of Hightens, just over three hundred kilometers southeast of their royal colony, Jamestown.'
'The Castilians dared to snatch an island to use as a base for invading the Taya Empire, but we don't have that strength.'
'Now that the Harkins People are voluntarily opening up their ports, it's as if an entire island has shifted from wholesale to retail, allowing us Remit People to secure a spot.'
'Even if it's just about setting up a branch office, having access to the port's public facilities is a good deal.'
As if perceiving the thoughts in Michael's mind, Byron led him to a wooden sign covered with a red cloth.
"I believe you, like me, have been searching for that perfect place to build a lifelong home and make your fortune. And today... it has arrived!"
With a gentle wave of his hand, the red cloth fluttered down from the sign, revealing a coastal planning area painted in vibrant colors on the wooden board.
This was something they had rushed to complete overnight before heading to the royal colony for the "matchmaking," and now, it was being put to use ahead of schedule.
"Mr. Michael, this is the highly anticipated first phase of the Georgetown International Port project. Don't ask me the price, because its future is priceless."
"It spans a one-kilometer radius, backed by mountains and facing the sea—a scenically beautiful location."
"Bordering the colonial district to the east and connecting to Yucatan to the west, its location offers an unparalleled strategic advantage."
"The Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company will have a permanent presence, with two thousand elite pirates providing close protection. Security is guaranteed, ensuring your complete safety!"
Byron looked into the shrewd merchant's eyes, delivering the final, compelling piece of good news:
"The most crucial point is, land resources are limited, short-term demand is endless—buy today, and it appreciates tomorrow!"
Upon hearing the keyword, Michael, who possessed the Golden Eye of the Gold Sequence, literally had two visible beams of golden light flash in his eyes.
Behind them, James of the 'Treasure Guardian,' who had already called a truce with Bruh, reacted similarly.
While the other advantages were all good, "appreciation" was the vital pressure point that hit the Achilles' heel of the Gold Sequence.
Seeing their instinctive, genuine reactions, Byron felt reassured; he knew today's first deal was as good as done.
"Mr. Michael, don't say your old friend doesn't look after you; you've truly come at the right time. Follow current novels on NoveI[F]ire.net
"We've just begun planning the plots. For the first batch, we're releasing fewer than one hundred lots, each a thousand square meters, spread across the dock, warehouse, office, and residential areas.
"All land comes with perpetual ownership, requiring only a negligible annual land tax.
"After purchase, you can use our architectural planning handbook to construct buildings to standard, or you can entrust the work to our construction team.
"The current policy limits each buyer to three lots.
"So, given your financial standing, shall I arrange one for you in each of the residential, office, and warehouse districts?"
Byron, having single-handedly wrestled with the world in a previous life, had learned from numerous experiences and concluded two key points when pressuring a client.
First, have the customer answer multiple-choice questions, not essay questions.
Second, never stupidly ask someone whether to buy or not but instead ask whether to buy more or... even more!
Michael, already buzzing with excitement, heard this and felt a jolt as if he'd been shot with adrenaline. He grabbed Byron's hand and said urgently, "Where's the contract? Limited to three lots? Then get three for our Golden Palm Company right away!"
As Byron turned, Miss Catherine, the Treasurer, having already heard the news and hurried over, immediately presented a contract document notarized by the Silver Code.
At an average price of two pounds per square meter, the deal was concluded for a total of six thousand pounds, marking the first transaction.
Satisfied smiles bloomed on the faces of both parties; it was a joyous outcome for everyone involved.
"Governor, it's a pleasure doing business."
Michael, the shrewd merchant, successfully acquired assets with both practical utility and investment potential.
The shrewd Byron, in turn, acquired another backer—one who came with his own resources and was prepared to shoulder the blame.
A square kilometer could be divided into a thousand such plots.
He'd said the first phase included just under a hundred plots, but he hadn't said that the second or third phases couldn't include another hundred, or even two hundred, had he?
This tactic of holding back plots for phased development was something he'd learned simply from observation.
Watching the ecstatic creditor before him, Byron mentally prepared to add his classic case studies to his trading company's real estate division employee training manual:
"Encounter a creditor in a strange land, coax him into investing more."
"Three sentences, make the shrewd merchant spend six thousand."
"Want to be my bodyguard? Pay up!"
In fact, this was another form of "Anchoring."
Those with fixed property have a steadfast heart.
You'll build houses, and people will need to occupy them, right? They'll need to live and consume. They'll need to develop supporting facilities and hire personnel. And they'll have to pay taxes to my Governor's Mansion, won't they?
As long as they invested enough capital on this island, creating substantial sunk costs, it would forge a solid, hard-to-sever Anchoring.
Once it reached the point where, should their investments go belly-up, they'd be ruined enough to consider lining up on rooftops—that's when the deep binding of their interests would be truly complete.