Luria Nova/Events/Estate-Manager/Balancing Trade Interests
A group of local merchants approaches you with a pressing concern - they are struggling to compete with merchants from Lexis' estate. The newly established trade route between your estate and Lexis' estate has not been as profitable for your merchants as they had initially anticipated. Conversely, Lexis' merchants have thrived by selling manufactured goods at a premium while securing local crops and livestock at lower prices.
Upon investigating the issue further, you discover that local farmers have a different perspective. They reveal that local merchants have historically offered lower prices for their crops and livestock, making Lexis' merchants' prices comparatively more attractive. In essence, Lexis' merchants are offering fairer prices than those previously provided by local merchants.
In light of this revelation, you face a crucial decision. The local merchants request that you impose higher taxes on Lexis' merchants, which could strain your relationship with Lexis. On the other hand, you could choose to ignore the local merchants' grievances, reasoning that they must adapt to the changing market dynamics by offering better prices to the producers.
Your choice will have implications for both local and foreign merchants and could shape the future dynamics of trade within your estate.
In response to the plea from the local merchants, you opt to increase taxes on Lexis' merchants. This decision swiftly elicits a sense of relief and satisfaction among the local merchants who had been struggling to compete.
News of this decision reaches Lexis, who now faces a choice in response. The outcome of his decision remains uncertain, and it carries the potential for economic retaliation against your local merchants. Their fate now hangs in the balance, awaiting the consequences of this choice.
However, as the repercussions of your decision ripple through the estate, concerns among your local peasants begin to emerge. They worry that this move might drive Lexis' merchants away from your estate, potentially forcing them to sell their produce to the local merchants who have a history of offering lower prices. The delicate balance of trade and commerce within your domain hinges on the next steps taken by Lexis and the evolving dynamics between the local and foreign merchants.
