Warhammer 40: Starting as a Rogue Trader

Chapter 167 Debt of Honor
The Star Pioneers set sail once again. This time, in addition to his regular troops, Gao Yi also brought personnel responsible for establishing a stable trading post in Sintira.

He plans to establish a trading branch in Sintila.

With the assistance of the Unity Church, it became a functional branch for acquiring resources and intelligence.

Although trade and economic exchanges seem insignificant in the face of the desperate warhammer.

However, in regions with a stable situation, they are indispensable. The various necessary resources, as well as the talents generated by the large population base, are all urgently needed by the ever-expanding Montgomery dynasty.

Besides loyalty to the emperor, self-interest is also essential for maintaining a large power.

Just like the Wandering Merchants Alliance that Gao Yi is currently leading, can it really cultivate a lot of loyalty and identification with the alliance among its members in such a short period of time?
They believed that under Gao Yi's leadership, they could obtain profits and other benefits that were previously unimaginable.

This is even more useful than Gao Yi's identity as a living saint. As long as he can continuously bring benefits to these alliance members, Gao Yi can firmly bind them to his war chariot.

However, this is on the premise that Gao Yi himself is strong enough, and the Montget Dynasty has just achieved this. All kinds of key resources such as combat suits within the alliance are firmly in the hands of the dynasty itself.

When Gao Yi arrived at Sintira, the large number of fleets that had been docked on the orbit had decreased significantly.

The urgency of the battle situation no longer allowed the support troops to remain stationary.

Damon's Rangers, along with other troops subject to the tithe, headed towards Cadia.

Conventional subspace travel would take a very long time to reach its destination.

Blood Raven, who was not among those conscripted, did not leave but waited for Gao Yi to arrive.

At Gao Yi's invitation, Gabriel boarded the Star Pioneer with his guards and the promised Soul Stone. Looking at this powerful warship, Blood Raven's genes began to stir again. He really wanted to pick up something!

However, given what had happened before, the Rangers kept a close eye on Blood Raven, not giving them any chance.

His attendants also provided him with a welcoming ceremony worthy of him.

Before the enormous, ornate, solid wood round table, Gabriel looked at Gao Yi, the wandering merchant who had piqued his curiosity.

"Lord Gao Yi, these are the Spirit Race Soul Stones that were promised before."

Looking at the huge metal box filled with Spirit Race Soul Stones, Gao Yi suppressed the urge to turn them into system resources.

"Grand Master Gabriel, I think our deal will be very pleasant. Damon told me that you want to buy some technology from our dynasty?"

“Indeed, as Damon said, you can state your requirements. The Blood Ravens have good relationships with the Inquisition and the Mechanicus, and I believe the Blood Ravens can afford the compensation you need.”

Gabriel said confidently.

However, this was also the first time Blood Raven had negotiated terms with a traveling merchant. In the past, they would simply "requisition" the items or give the owners a perfunctory answer like, "I found this." Gabriel couldn't be sure what terms Gao Yi would propose.

In the past, transactions with the Mechanical Repair Guild and the Tribunal were very direct, with both parties clearly knowing what the other wanted.

Blood Raven works for the Inquisition, which finds the supplies it needs. Blood Raven shares the loot from the graves it digs with the Mechanical Order, which in turn provides them with the equipment, weapons, and ammunition they require.

“Grand Master, I think you have already seen the strength of the dynasty. Under my rule, we have dozens of resource planets and colony planets. I have no shortage of regular supplies and various weapons and equipment. You have also seen the combat uniforms on my soldiers. I hope that this time our transaction can be done in a different way.” Gabriel also understood the meaning behind Gao Yi’s words, which was that Gao Yi would not be interested in most of the conditions that Gabriel could offer.

Gabriel also made a decision in his heart: if Gao Yi proposed any outrageous trade conditions, he would refuse, and at worst, he would find an opportunity to "pick up" some things from the battlefield where the dynasty was located later!
"State your terms, wandering merchant. Tell me what you mean by 'alternative method'."

"I hope to swear an oath to the God-Emperor and establish an honorary debt with the Dynasty in exchange for the Blood Raven Chapter. In return, my Dynasty and I will provide you with the technology you need free of charge, and even help you find suitable recruits!"
The dynasty's vast population would surely provide plenty of suitable candidates.

However, upon hearing Gao Yi's words, Gabriel's anger flared up as well.

"Honorary debt? The Blood Raven Legion will not accept such terms. Do you, a mere merchant ronin, expect us to become your weapons?!"

"Calm down, Master. You haven't heard my next conditions yet. I'm sure you'll be tempted!"

"No matter the conditions, my brothers in arms and I will not accept your arrogant terms!"

As he spoke, Gabriel prepared to get up and leave the Star Pioneer. At this point, Gabriel felt there was no need to continue the negotiations.

But Gao Yi's next words made Gabriel stop in his tracks.

"Grand Master Gabriel, I remember your chapter's recruits and think tank have been plagued by psionic outbursts and even demonic possession! What if I could solve this problem for your chapter?!"

Gabriel knew that these things were secrets of the warband, known only to a very few members of the Inquisition and the Mechanicus. After all, the warband also had to pay a tithe of gene seeds to the Empire, and some things couldn't be kept secret just because they wanted to.

However, to outsiders, these are secrets that the Blood Raven Chapter must keep strictly confidential. The fact that the think tank has been corrupted by the warp and gone out of control is extremely dangerous to talk about. If one think tank is at risk of going out of control, what about the other think tanks? Do they also face the same risk?
This is a stain on the warband's reputation that cannot be revealed.

Gabriel and the group of Blood Ravens watched Gao Yi warily.

"How did you know?! Did someone from the court tell you?!"

"Would you believe me if I said the God Emperor told me? You also know that besides being a traveling merchant, I am also a living saint certified by the state religion. All you need to know is that I can solve the problems that are troubling your warband, and whether you are willing to accept this honorary debt in exchange for my efforts."

Given Gao Yi's confident tone, Gabriel wasn't sure if what Gao Yi said was true, but it was indeed as Gao Yi thought. If it were true, it would be of great significance to the entire Blood Raven Legion, enough to tempt Gabriel.

Even if Gao Yi was lying, Gabriel still wanted to give it a try.

"If what you say is true, the Blood Raven Chapter can accept your terms, but how can you prove it? The Chapter has been researching solutions to this problem since its inception, but to no avail. I don't believe you have such technology."

"Proof? Proof is easy. You just need to provide me with a think tank member who is facing this kind of problem, and in just a day or two you will know that I am telling the truth!"

After Gao Yi finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

He thought of a think tank member within the warband who, during a previous battle, had to mobilize far more psionic energy than he could handle, pushing him to the brink of psionic energy loss of control.

The warband cannot reverse this irreversible situation, and if it truly spirals out of control, then they will have to painfully execute this comrade-in-arms. Perhaps, as a last resort, it might actually be true?
“Alright, I’m willing to give it a try, but you must understand, merchant wanderer, if it’s a deception, you and your dynasty will suffer the wrath of the Blood Raven.”

"Don't worry, Grand Master Gabriel, you won't regret your decision."

(End of this chapter)