NOVEL WEB
Chapter 259: Provocation
Kevin, brimming with joy, pushed his wheelbarrow down the road, followed by several people from his village. Some, like Kevin, pushed carts, while others carried shoulder poles.
This group was on their way to Port Fran to deliver goods. A wealthy merchant, Lord Adra, had set up a purchasing station in Port Fran, specifically buying salt prepared through traditional methods.
Unlike other salt merchants who acted superior and disdainful due to their wealth, Adra was amiable and got along well with the salt workers. He often addressed them as “my friends,” making Kevin and others feel genuinely befriended.
Strangely, they had never seen Lord Adra selling this salt in nearby areas. He claimed it was destined for distant eastern lands.
However, they didn’t care where he sold it, as long as they earned money to sustain their families.
Upon reaching the purchasing station, they saw people bustling in and out, apparently moving goods. Lord Adra, with his round belly and wealthy appearance, stood at the entrance, directing his servants.
Kevin approached to greet: “Lord Adra, what are you doing?”
Turning around, Adra, recognizing Kevin, hastily replied, “Oh, Kevin! Are you here to deliver goods?”
“Yes, we’ve brought the village’s salt.”
Adra’s face showed a hint of guilt as he glanced at the queue behind Kevin, then quietly pulled him aside.
In a low voice, Adra confessed, “To be honest, Kevin, I was about to send someone to find you.”
“Is there something important?”
“I… I can’t continue with your business… I have to move out in a few days.”
Kevin, initially confused, soon exclaimed in panic, “What do you mean? What do you mean you can’t do our business anymore, Lord Adra?”
Adra, troubled, explained, “Ah, it’s this ongoing war, isn’t it? The trade routes to the east are completely cut off. I have no connections in other directions.”
“The war? This damned war!”
Kevin clenched his fists in frustration, desperate for a target for his anger.
Adra looked at him sympathetically: “Ah, you’ve come all this way; it wasn’t easy. Come, rest in my store for a while. In honor of our long cooperation, I’ll treat you to a meal. Invite your companions in.”
“Thank you, Lord Adra.”
Kevin thanked him weakly, his stomach growling with hunger.
Returning to his companions, Kevin shared the news of Adra’s departure from Port Fran, which caused an uproar.
“What? Lord Adra is leaving? What will we do?”
“I urgently need money at home!”
“Ah, let’s fill our bellies first and then think of a solution.”
…
At the dinner table, everyone ate in silence, engulfed in a gloomy atmosphere.
Adra, smiling wryly, said, “There’s no hurdle we can’t overcome. Once this war ends and trade resumes, I’ll come back. I’ll still rely on you for supplies.”
Kevin and others could only respond with bitter smiles, wondering when the war would end. The lords certainly didn’t care about the suffering of common folk like them.
“Someone, bring the barrel of wine from the kitchen. Let’s drink a few glasses today. I’ve always considered you my friends, and it’s hard to leave like this.”
Adra waved his hand, signaling his staff to fetch the wine.
Kevin stood up to stop him: “Lord Adra, this is too generous. You’ve already shown us great kindness by providing a meal.”
Adra looked at him intently: “Are you refusing to give me face? Sit down!”
Reluctantly, Kevin sat back down.
The wine barrel was soon placed on the table, and large cups of wine were served to everyone.
Adra raised his glass and announced loudly, “Cheers!”
Kevin stared at the wine before him, his emotions complex. “Ah, they say drinking helps forget worries, so let’s drink…”
He lifted his glass to his lips, and his companions, seeing this, also picked up theirs.
“Damn! This wine is strong!”
Kevin downed his drink in one go. The spicy taste made him scrunch up his face, nearly choking. He had never tasted such strong wine before.
But once it reached his stomach, an unfamiliar burning sensation rose from his belly, quickly spreading throughout his body, creating a strange feeling in his brain.
The others showed a range of expressions, some sticking out their tongues and gasping from the spiciness.
Adra chuckled softly, “You’ve never had this kind of wine, have you? Come, another round!”
…
After several rounds, everyone started to feel tipsy.
Adra, red-faced and reeking of alcohol, slung an arm over Kevin’s shoulder. “My young friend Kevin! Actually, my leaving here isn’t entirely because of the war. It’s also because… ah, never mind, let’s drink!”
Seemingly hiding something, Kevin tried to stay clear-headed and asked, “Lord Adra, is there another reason? You don’t need to hide anything from us.”
Adra sighed deeply: “Ah, the salt field owners in Port Fran and the local officials… *hic*… they can’t stand me!”
“Why can’t they stand you?”
Adra, with a drunken gaze, explained: “I have a significant demand on their turf, but I’ve never purchased from them, which deeply offends them… I didn’t mean to do this; it’s just that my target customers prefer salt made traditionally.”
Kevin slammed the table angrily: “Do they not consider giving us a way to live? We’ve been making salt for generations. If you’re driven away, to whom shall we sell our salt?”
A brief, almost imperceptible glint flashed in Adra’s eyes as he lamented, “People these days are too obsessed with money. In their eyes, you are competitors, wishing for your early demise. I tell you, there are rumors circulating that traditionally made salt is poisonous, secretly harming one’s health. It’s likely their doing.”
“That’s outrageous! Before the salt fields, they also consumed our salt for generations. Never have we heard of salt poisoning anyone.”
One of Kevin’s companions spoke up in anger.
Adra shook his head, a look of helplessness on his face: “Rumors are the worst. Say it enough, and people start to believe it.”
“Alas! Nowhere to sell our salt, and soon we have to pay taxes again!”
“Those bloated salt field owners are detestable!”
Under the influence of the wine, the conversation grew more animated, with everyone voicing their grievances about the unfairness of the world.
Only Kevin silently drank his wine, one cup after another pouring into his stomach.