GDC 77

Chapter 77. Negotiations Break Down “What did the head of the Merchants’ Guild say?”

Perel scratched his forehead.

“He said he’s been encouraging shopkeepers to apply for stalls, but the opposition among them is too strong.”

“So… are they saying the marketplace plan is canceled?”

“He said he’ll try persuading them again.”

I let out a scornful laugh. His real intentions were obvious.

“There must be conditions, right?”

“He suggested giving subsidies as compensation.”

“He wants us to hand out more money to the Merchants’ Guild?”

Perel raised his eyebrows, surprised I guessed it.

“Since it would look bad if we gave subsidies directly, he wants us to provide the Guild with extra funds. Then, under some official excuse, he would ‘distribute’ them to the merchants.”

“So, we provide the money, and he gets all the credit?”

“Exactly.”

“What do you think, Perel?”

“Honestly, the Guildmaster himself may be the…