Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

Of course, many people are quite rational. They know the odds of guessing all eighteen numbers correctly in order are extremely low, perhaps only once in a hundred years. Therefore, they choose to guess the top three, but not in order; they only guess those three people. Although the odds aren't as high as guessing in order, it's still exciting and full of anticipation. They analyze each player's strengths and characteristics before making their choice.

Adoris Cusha herself carried an exquisite box; she was in charge of collecting bets for this competition. She wore a long blue dress, her hair styled in an updo, and she appeared very elegant. She was frequently called to place bets, her busy figure moving through the crowd. This box, besides holding coins, also served as a recorder of receipts. Its design was ingenious, with many compartments to hold coins and receipts of different denominations.

The reason she personally collected the bets was because Link had promised that the vast majority of the profits would go to her as funding for the fleet's development. Adoris Cusha had always dreamed of owning a powerful fleet to explore the uncharted oceans. She had heard many legends about the seas—mysterious islands, precious treasures, and strange creatures. She longed to unveil these mysteries herself, so she naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. She treated every bet seriously, meticulously recording every detail, hoping to accumulate more funds for the fleet's construction.

The receipts for the gambling tickets were made using carbon paper newly developed by the research department at Link's request. They soaked a special type of paper in ink for several days, then dried it before placing it between two sheets of paper. When writing was done on the carbon paper with a quill pen, the pressure from the quill pen left clear traces on the lower sheet. This invention of carbon paper was a major breakthrough for the research department. It greatly improved the efficiency and accuracy of recording, avoiding the errors and hassles of manual copying.

The carbon copy serves as proof of the bet, while the handwritten copy is kept as a verification document for prize redemption to prevent cheating. The research department rigorously tests the carbon paper to ensure its proper functioning in various environments. They also provide detailed instructions and training on its use, ensuring that everyone responsible for collecting bets is proficient.

"Here!" Vikson shouted, waving his hand, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation. A confident smile spread across his face, as if he could already see the wonderful scene that awaited him after winning the lottery.

“You’ve arrived.” Adoris Kusha, carrying the wooden box, approached Vikson with light, graceful steps. Her movements were as light and elegant as a butterfly in flight. She first bowed respectfully to Link, then smiled at Vikson. Her smile was warm and kind, making one feel very comfortable.

“I want to bet on the top three, not in order, but seventeen, ten, and seventeen! The stake is one silver coin,” Vikson said confidently, as if he could already see the wonderful scene of winning. He then took a silver coin from his pocket and handed it to Adoris Kusha. The coin glittered in the sunlight, as if praying for his good fortune. This was the maximum bet limit. Link didn't want ordinary people to become addicted to gambling, so he implemented many restrictions, such as limits on the amount and a limit of one bet per person. He hoped that these regulations would make gambling a form of entertainment, not a trap that led people into poverty.

“Okay, just a moment.” Adoris Kusha took out a notebook from the box. This was a replica of Link’s notebook made by the Research Department. Although it wasn’t as exquisite as Link’s, it was still very practical. Its cover was made of leather with beautiful patterns, and the paper inside was of very good quality, making it very smooth to write on.

Adoris Cusha turned to the latest page, carefully took a sheet of dark carbon paper from a small box, and gently tucked it between the two sheets. Her movements were extremely gentle, as if afraid of damaging the carbon paper. Then, she picked up her quill pen and began to write quickly, her practiced movements suggesting countless hours of rehearsal. Her eyes were focused and earnest, and every word was written neatly and clearly.

After finishing writing, Adoris Cusha took out a small box from the main box, opening it to reveal a bright red area inside. This inkpad, made by the Research Department at Link's request, was created by soaking cork in the juice of a red plant. This inkpad was vibrant in color, resistant to fading, and perfectly suited for such important documents. The Research Department staff conducted numerous experiments and improvements to achieve the desired effect.

Adoris Cusha handed the inkpad to Vikson and said, "Please press your thumbprint."

“Alright!” Vikson had some understanding of contracts. Some nobles would even prick their thumbs and leave a bloody mark when signing important contracts to show their sincerity and determination. Vikson gently pressed his thumb on the red inkpad, then left a clear thumbprint on the two pages of the document. His movements were decisive and forceful, demonstrating his confidence and resolve.

"Ch..."

Adoris Cusha skillfully tore off the receipt from the carbon paper and handed it to Vikson, saying, "Please keep this receipt safe. You can use it to claim your prize if you win." Her voice was gentle and kind, making one feel very reassured.

"Coming!" Adoris Cusha saw someone beckoning her again, and quickly smiled and walked away to continue her betting work. Her figure busily moved through the crowd, like a diligent little bee.

"Uh..." Vikson stared at the receipt in his hand, a look of surprise on his face. This was clearly not the one he had just written. He looked down at the receipt closely, his eyes widening in astonishment, and exclaimed, "Huh? How is this possible?"

This receipt was exactly the same as the one written by that person. Although some parts were a little blurry, it was still recognizable. He carefully compared the two receipts and found that the handwriting and content were completely identical, as if they had been carved from the same mold.

"This, Lord City Lord, what is this?" Vikson asked curiously, holding up the receipt. He felt this was the most incredible thing; with such a magical item, he wouldn't have to worry about being cheated when doing business. Signing contracts and keeping accounts would become easy and reliable. He imagined using this carbon paper in the business world and was filled with anticipation.

“Oh, it’s the carbon paper that the City Lord’s Mansion has just developed,” Link said calmly, as if it were just a trivial matter. A hint of pride was in his eyes, after all, it was an important achievement of the research department.

While this type of carbon paper isn't as good as its predecessor—it bleeds and doesn't last as long—it perfectly meets current needs. The research department is continuously improving and refining it, and they believe it will become even more perfect in the near future. The research team works tirelessly every day, experimenting with different materials and processes to improve the quality and performance of the carbon paper. They believe that through continuous effort and innovation, they can definitely elevate carbon paper to a higher level.

"Lord City Lord, when will it be available at the Grand Market?" Vikson asked nervously, his eyes filled with anticipation. He could almost see the sensation this carbon paper would cause in the market, and how he could make a fortune from it. He began to plan how to use this carbon paper to start his own business, imagining a bright future filled with rolling wealth.

173. Enjoy

"Buy it? No, no... The carbon paper is still in the experimental stage. It may take some time before it can be officially launched and sold."

Link shook his head slightly, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness and contemplation.

The research department has always had a unique and rigorous process, and the things they research follow specific rules.

At the very least, the latest generation of products must be successfully developed before we will consider putting the older generation of products on the market.

Link calls this approach "technology product accumulation".

It's a bit like Apple on the other side of the world. Whenever Apple releases a new iPhone, such as the iPhone 6, it's certain that Apple has already accumulated research and development results for the iPhone 7, and even more advanced concepts and technologies are in the works.

The benefits of all this accumulation are obvious.

The research and development department has ample time to adjust and optimize the products. Even if someone else suddenly comes along with something more advanced, they can immediately release their next-generation product, maintaining a leading position.

In an era of fierce competition and rapid technological development, this leading position means enormous advantages and endless business opportunities.

How important is being number one in the industry?

There's no need to say more.

In the public's perception, when people think of a certain field, the first brand or company that comes to mind is the one ranked first.

When faced with a choice, under the same conditions, people will almost always choose the first option without hesitation, and when it comes to other choices, the only remaining factor is price.

After all, being number one often represents quality, reputation, and strength, giving consumers peace of mind.

"Lord of the city, can you really not sell me some? I can offer a high price."

Vikson was getting anxious; his eyes revealed his eagerness and anticipation, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He was terrified of being cheated by unscrupulous businessmen. In recent years, he had encountered too many problems caused by contract issues in his business career.

For example, there was a time when a merchant falsely accused him of having a problem with the quantity of his goods, which put him in a very difficult situation.

Here's what happened: A merchant from the north offered a very high price and wanted a large quantity of goods.

Vikson saw this as a good opportunity to expand trade routes in the north and readily agreed to the cooperation.

Both parties were very cautious during the handover of the goods, and strict random checks were conducted on both the quantity and quality. The results showed that everything was fine, so the two parties happily signed the contract, thinking that this would be a win-win cooperation.

But not long after, the northern merchant changed his mind.

He claimed that the quantity of goods delivered by Vikson was incorrect and demanded that Vikson make up the missing 20% ​​of the goods.

This infuriated Vikson. His face instantly turned bright red, his eyes widened like saucers, and veins bulged on his forehead.

If we replenish the goods by 20%, wouldn't that bankrupt him?

Originally, in order to develop the northern trade route, Vikson had already lowered the price of that batch of goods to attract northern merchants, so the profit margin was already small, and there was almost no profit to be made.

Asking him to give us an extra 20% of the goods now is practically making him work for nothing; all his previous efforts will have gone down the drain.

Normally, this matter shouldn't be a big deal; it could be easily resolved by simply showing the contract written during the handover.

The problem ultimately lay with this contract. The northern merchant, harboring ill intentions, complained to the capital's government official about Vikson and demanded that Vikson make up for the missing quantity.

Vikson was furious. He immediately pulled out the contract to confront Vikson, but when he compared them carefully, he found that a certain number on the other party's contract did not match his.

Without a second thought, Vikson knew that the other party had altered the numbers.

Contracts in this era were all handwritten, and there were obvious differences between the two contracts. However, when the government officials looked at these two completely different contracts, they were also at a loss, not knowing which contract to believe was genuine and which was a forgery.

The matter ultimately ended badly and was not properly resolved.

But then something even more disgusting happened to Vikson: the northern merchant spread rumors all over the capital, saying that Vikson was an unscrupulous merchant who cheated people out of their money, and so on.

These rumors spread rapidly like a virus, causing some damage to Vikson's reputation.

Even more seriously, his northern trade routes were completely cut off, and all his previous efforts and investments went down the drain.

Vikson was so upset that he couldn't stand facing these unpleasant things in the capital any longer. So he left the capital to clear his head and look for new business opportunities to make up for his losses.

Vikson encounters disputes like this once or twice a year, and most of them come from caravans outside the kingdom.

Those people are like wild dogs; they will stop at nothing and use all sorts of schemes and tricks to exploit any loophole that offers a chance for profit.

Even if you can't get what you want, you still have to annoy your opponent and make them miserable.

"Oh?"

Link could also see that Vikson was really anxious. He narrowed his eyes slightly and pondered.

Considering that we might need to use their caravan later, selling them some of the experimental products wouldn't be a bad idea.

After all, this can also bring them closer to Vikson to some extent and lay the foundation for future cooperation.

"It's not cheap!"

Link said calmly, his tone steady and unfathomable, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

Even if this carbon paper is put on the market and sold later, it will be positioned as a high-end product.

After all, the paper used for carbon paper is special. The research department has accumulated rich experience in paper research and development, and dozens of types can be distinguished due to differences in materials, technical steps, etc.

Several of them impressed Link; their quality and performance were outstanding, but their cost was too high, so they could only be used in important places, such as the banknotes used by money changers to ensure the safety and accurate recording of funds.

“Price is not a problem,” Vikson quickly replied, his eyes filled with urgency and determination.

The gold coins he lost each year due to contractual issues still pain him to this day. Those losses were like sharp knives, cutting into his heart and causing him unbearable suffering.

He also realized that in recent years, some businessmen had joined forces to resist him, fearing that he would take another share of the capital's market.

These businessmen, in order to protect their own interests, resorted to any means to suppress him, making it difficult for him to make progress in his business career.

Therefore, he urgently needs reliable materials like carbon paper to protect his business activities and avoid getting involved in similar disputes again.

"Luca, tell someone to bring a box of carbon paper," Link said, turning to Luca beside him. His voice was clear and strong. "The whole set!"

“Okay!” Luca replied immediately. She turned around quickly and arranged for someone to fetch carbon paper.

Her steps were light and orderly, demonstrating her proficiency and efficiency in her work.

Ten minutes later, a delicate wooden box was delivered to Link.

This wooden box was specially designed by the research department for carbon paper. It has an exquisite appearance and is made of superior materials. It not only reflects the high-end positioning of carbon paper, but also protects the items inside very well.

"This box contains one hundred sheets of carbon paper, as well as a matching notebook, etc."

Link handed the box to Vikson, holding up one finger, and said, "The price of this box is..."

"One gold coin? If so, please give me ten boxes."

Before Link could finish speaking, Vikson eagerly quoted a price. He held the box tightly in both hands as if it were the most precious treasure in the world, and hurriedly said, "Please sell me ten boxes!"

His eyes were filled with anticipation and excitement, as if he could already see the wonderful future after the carbon paper resolved his business dispute.

"..." Link's lips twitched, and he swallowed back the words "a box of ten silver coins" that were about to come out.

Looking at Vikson's eager appearance, he couldn't help but find it a little funny. Vikson reminded him of some wealthy tycoons on Earth who were willing to pay exorbitant prices to get what they wanted.

Is carbon paper expensive to produce?

Link is not expensive at all, and relatively inexpensive.

Although it cannot be mass-produced at present due to reasons such as ink formula, the cost price of one box is about twenty copper coins.

Vikson is now offering one gold coin per box, which is outrageous!

Of course, if these ten boxes were in a separate contract, they would be enough for Vikson to use for many years, so in the long run, they would be worth the money.

"Luca, get nine more boxes of carbon paper for Mr. Vikson," Link ordered calmly, his tone radiating composure and tranquility.

“Okay!” Luca replied again, and she quickly went to arrange for someone to prepare another nine boxes of carbon paper. Her movements were clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

Sometimes, Link felt that the nobles and merchants of this era were just rich tycoons; they were willing to spend money on anything that suited their taste.

When pursuing what they want, they often disregard price and only value the item's worth and its usefulness to them.

"Lord of the City, please sell me one box."

Cliff was also envious. His eyes were fixed on the wooden box in Vikson's hand, and he quickly pleaded, "Just one box will do." His voice was filled with a hint of pleading and expectation, hoping to get Link's permission.

“Okay!” Link nodded, a smile appearing on his face.

Today was truly an unexpected bonus. The performances of Vikson and Cliff gave him a wake-up call: should he open a luxury goods store to sell high-profit items?

For example, perfume, with its unique fragrance that can be intoxicating, is a symbol of status and taste for nobles and wealthy merchants; milk tea, with its sweet and delicious taste, is loved by the masses, especially young women and children; and carbon paper, etc., are all products with high profit potential.

Add some ceramics—those exquisite ceramic pieces are absolutely rare treasures in this era—and place one or two glass cups on top; their transparent texture and unique design will surely attract the attention of countless people.

Link doesn't care how business is going; what he wants is foot traffic.

When the center of a nation and its economy are concentrated in Winter City, he can be considered an uncrowned king.

By controlling foot traffic, one gains control over commerce and can create their own success on this land.

"Attack! Go get him! Beat him up!"

"Hey! Counterattack, counterattack! I'm betting on you to win the championship, you have to keep winning."

"Oh my god! How could we have lost?"

"Damn it, they lost too. That big guy Bai Chang actually lost to a short guy."

A commotion arose outside; it turned out that a boxing match was in full swing.

It's no wonder the common people were so excited. After all, Link had imposed many restrictions on gambling. To make the competition fairer and more just, and to prevent anyone from maliciously manipulating the results, he stipulated that each type of bet could only be placed once.

If it's a bet that one out of eighteen people will become the champion, then you can only bet on one person; you can't bet on more than one person, and you also have to show your ID card to ensure that everyone's identity is real and reliable.

The boxing match was very exciting because it was a five-minute match with five rounds.

In a match, points are awarded only for direct hits or by knocking down the opponent.

This competition format is full of uncertainty and excitement, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

Sometimes, being big doesn't guarantee a win.

Many ordinary people bet on the taller person to win because they believe that the taller person has an advantage in strength and is more likely to win.

But they lost all the matches, which made them feel very frustrated and disappointed.