Chapter 197: Battle between Abagnon and Shylock

This chapter is dedicated to "Xuanzong" with an additional update.

---

"Lord Liszt, the response to Flower Soap has been very strong. Many nobles have already expressed interest in purchasing it."

Sherlock frequently traveled between North Valley City and Flower Town. As one of Liszt's merchants, he had risen to prominence along with the birth of the Thorn Sprites, becoming a significant figure in North Valley City's business community.

Upon receiving feedback, he immediately reported back to Liszt.

Merchants are skilled at reading people, and Sherlock knew that this young lord might not be enthusiastic about power or mundane affairs. However, he enjoyed being well-informed and disliked being kept in the dark. Therefore, Sherlock always found opportunities to report to Liszt.

"It seems that Flower Soap has made a promising start. Go ahead and do your best. I look forward to seeing Flower Soap dominate the soap market on Coral Island."

"As you wish, Lord Liszt!" Sherlock replied loudly. "Sherlock is willing to dedicate all his efforts to fulfill your wishes!"

Liszt, who was quite pleased with Sherlock's obvious flattery, said, "Don't disappoint me, Mr. Sherlock."

Hearing the suffix "Mr.," Sherlock became even more excited. "Rest assured, my lord!"

After leaving the castle, he was filled with ambition.

He knew that by promoting Flower Soap, he would gain a status within the lord's favor, rivaling that of Harpagon, perhaps even matching Grandet.

"I need help spreading the word! The reputation of Flower Soap must reach every city and town on Coral Island. First, we need to inform the soap-selling caravans that Flower Soap is cheaper but of better quality. For every piece sold, they will earn more profit."

Flower Soap could not be given away for free in large quantities. Eager to spread its reputation and dominate the market, Sherlock decided to lower the selling price.

No advertising effect could surpass making salespeople more money.

"What? Better than regular soap, and only one silver coin plus fifty copper coins?" exclaimed a peddler in surprise.

"Yes, you buy soap from Baron Henderson for one silver coin plus eighty copper coins, and can only make twenty copper coins per sale. But with Flower Soap, you'll earn fifty copper coins, equivalent to selling two and a half pieces of regular soap. You can do the math yourself."

"But is Flower Soap really that good?"

"The nobles in North Valley City have used it, and everyone praises it. Feel free to inquire. Also, I have a used piece of Flower Soap here. I can let you try it once."

The peddler, of course, wouldn't believe Sherlock without evidence, so he fetched some water and tried the Flower Soap.

The abundant foam, smooth texture, cleansing effect, and the skin-tightening experience convinced the peddler that Flower Soap was indeed superior to regular soap.

Replacing regular soap with Flower Soap would undoubtedly succeed.

Sherlock confidently added, "If you decide to order, you should act quickly. The soap workshop in Flower Town has limited production. Once the nobles start competing for Flower Soap, we might raise the price."

The potential price increase broke the peddler's last hesitation.

He nodded firmly and said, "Then, Captain Sherlock, I want to order five... no, ten pieces of Flower Soap!"

With a snap of his fingers, Sherlock recorded the peddler's order on thick parchment paper. "A wise decision." He then collected the deposit and agreed to deliver the goods in three days.

Rising to leave, he clutched the parchment tightly. It contained seven orders from seven peddlers in North Valley City, who primarily operated in the surrounding towns.

These seven peddlers collectively ordered fifty-eight pieces of Flower Soap.

Many nobles also placed direct orders, such as Gaierta's steward, who ordered eight pieces.

"Captain Sherlock, we've had a perfect start. Flower Soap will become a luxury item for the nobles! They won't be able to live without it!" exclaimed his deputy enthusiastically.

Sherlock smiled modestly. "Based on the usage of soap, North Valley City sells about three hundred pieces per month. Snake Spear City, Broken Stone City, Elmwood City, and Birch City sell roughly the same amount, totaling fifteen hundred pieces. Coral City, with the most nobles, barons, knights, and wealthy freemen, uses at least two thousand pieces per month."

In other words, if Flower Soap dominated the soap market, it could sell three thousand five hundred pieces per month on Coral Island. Adding another three hundred pieces from Beer Island and local use in Flower Town, the monthly output would approach four thousand pieces.

"Four thousand pieces of Flower Soap!" Sherlock couldn't contain his excitement, grinning widely. "One piece for one silver coin plus fifty copper coins, which means..."

He couldn't calculate it mentally.

So he counted on his fingers, eventually determining that the monthly revenue would be six thousand silver coins. The cost of producing Flower Soap was only forty copper coins, meaning a net profit of four thousand four hundred silver coins per month.

Once Flower Soap dominated the market, the price could be raised to one silver coin plus eighty copper coins, the original wholesale price of regular soap. By squeezing Baron Henderson and lowering the cost of soap powder, the production cost could be further reduced to thirty copper coins.

Thus, the net profit per piece would be one silver coin plus fifty copper coins, totaling sixty gold coins per month.

"That's two gold coins per day."

"Compared to the peak profits of nearly four gold coins per day from the seafood business, Flower Soap is slightly less profitable, but the labor and material costs are lower... Moreover, I am in charge of this business! Both the Thorn Caravan and the Flower Caravan must cooperate with me!"

With this confidence, Sherlock met with Harpagon, who had come from Coral City, to discuss how to dominate the Coral Island market.

However, Sherlock never expected that Harpagon was prepared.

This old acquaintance from Papa Island looked at him sideways. "Sherlock, your vision is too narrow. Dominating the Coral Island market isn't much of an achievement. With the advantages of Flower Soap, it will naturally replace regular soap over time. I think we should focus on the outer islands and commoners!"

"Outer islands? Commoners?" Sherlock was taken aback.

"Flower Soap can be promoted as a specialty of Coral Island, using the channels of Tulip Castle and Beer Castle to sell it to the outer islands. Additionally, I spoke with Bounie. While Flower Soap is fully loaded, reducing the ingredients can produce a cheaper, regular soap for commoners."

Harpagon smiled smugly, giving Sherlock a challenging look. "I have already reported this plan to Lord Liszt, and he supports my ideas!"

A direct hit!

Sherlock was somewhat bewildered.