630 - - 19-17 Magician
The date is November 8.
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Five days after Oliver, a merchant in the town of Ismar, had promised.
Lao Tzu, accompanied by Anne, visits Oliver's store with a small package.
"This is our guest, thank you for coming again".
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Oliver was there and welcomed the Lao Tzu.
"How are you?"
Oliver asked when he saw Anne.
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"She is an automaton in the service of her master, just like me.
Lao Tzu replies in a way that can be interpreted in two ways.
Either he is an automaton who serves his master as well as he does, or he is an automaton as well as he does. In fact, he is both.
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But Oliver's reaction is what would be expected of a normal human being. In other words, Lao Tzu thought he was a human being.
"Yes! That person is an automaton?
Oliver is surprised, even to his own eyes, to the point of exaggeration.
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But perhaps this is normal in this remote town.
"I've never seen ...... an automaton that looks so much like a human being, or even a human being itself. ......"
The automata we see in general are not like this, but Lao Tzu did not say anything else.
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"My master is a first-rate magi engineer," he would say.
He only said, "My master is a first-rate magi engineer. <
"Well, I haven't heard your ...... name, if you don't mind me asking. My name is Oliver, as you may know."
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I'm sorry. You may call me
"Master Roshi, and Anne, I am, thank you very much."
Oliver bows his head, and the business meeting is about to begin.
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"Well, did you get the dried bonito flakes you promised the other day?
"Yes, of course. We were able to get five this time.
"Well, that's great. In that case, I have brought these for you.
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Lao Tzu pointed to the small package he had given Ann.
"What is it?"
"It's a tool you'll need to use dried bonito flakes in your cooking."
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Oliver bit at that.
"What? That's great news! Can I see it?"
"Of course. That's what I've brought it for.
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Well, come on in, then!
As before, Oliver led Lao Tzu into the kitchen. Anne followed with the package.
On the kitchen table, the Lao Tzu placed an object from the package.
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"What is this?"
It was a rectangular box. Lao Tzu silently took the lid off. There was a small opening through which a blade was peeping.
"It is a bonito shaver.
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"What? This is it!"
"Yes. My husband told me that this is the way to shave dried bonito flakes, so I made it up in a hurry. Do you still have the rest of the dried bonito flakes you used the other day?"
Based on Jin's knowledge, the old man had a craftsman (Smith) make this on Horai Island.
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"Yes, yes. Yes, I have it."
The old man prepares a piece of dried bonito flakes to try it out.
"This is how I adjust the blade.
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Raising the planer with the blade attached, he held it up in front of his eyes to see how the blade came out, and then tapped it on the stand.
"When you want the blade to come out, tap the head of the blade. A wooden mallet is good for this."
I see, the blade won't be damaged.
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"And when you want to retract the blade, you tap here, on the top of the blade.
"I see!"
It is the same as a Japanese-style plane, but Oliver has never seen one before, and he is impressed.
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"Now that we've adjusted the blade, let's start sharpening. ......It is normal to sharpen with a push, but you can also do it with a pull."
Then, moisten a clean cloth with water and lightly wipe the surface of the dried bonito flakes.
"If the cloth is slightly moistened, the dried bonito flakes will be sharpened well without becoming powdery. Do not wet it too much.
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After explaining all this, Lao Tzu shaved the dried bonito flakes and showed them to the audience.
The dried bonito flakes are shaved with a lively sound.
"Be careful not to shave your hand when the dried bonito flakes become small.
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With these words, he stopped his hand and opened a drawer attached to the side of the box.
"Wow, ......! You can shave so beautifully!"
There was a pool of shavings so thin you could see through it.
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"This is called shaved flakes. If you sell this in small portions, you can get a lower unit price.
Oliver's face changes color at these words. Did he think that Lao Tzu was planning to sell the dried bonito flakes he had bought as shaved bonito flakes?
But Oliver's face turns into joy when he hears the next words.
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"How much do you want for this dried bonito shaver?
"...... what?"
Oliver understood the meaning of those words. However, he could not understand what they were trying to say, and he could not help but be amused.
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"We are not merchants. We can make something like this, but we don't have the contacts to sell it. Then it is not strange that you would think of ...... through someone promising, is it?"
"I'm sure it's ......."
Intuitively realizing what this meant, Oliver took Lao Tzu's hand.
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"Are you sure you want to sell me these tools?"
"Yes, I'll tell you the truth."
Oliver's expression froze and he became silent for a few seconds, as if a dizzying calculation was taking place in his mind. But then, being a merchant after all, he immediately smiles.
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"How about 50,000 dollars?
The other day I had already known that dried bonito broth was useful for egg and vegetable dishes. I have already confirmed its effectiveness with my own tongue.
Now he would be able to sell it in a form that would make it easier for customers to purchase. It was an offer Oliver could not have hoped for.
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However, there is a limit to the amount of money that can be paid. 50,000 dollars was close to the limit of what Oliver could afford now.
The amount of 50,000 Tol was close to the limit of what Oliver could afford now. 50,000 Tol meant that he could afford to add a little more in case Lao Tzu was dissatisfied. But his estimate did not make sense.
"Yes, that's fine.
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Lao Tzu readily accepted Oliver's offer.
"Well, that's very kind of you. I will get the money for you now.
Lao Tzu said to calm Oliver who was a little flustered.
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"No, I'd like to buy two more dried bonito flakes.
The last time he had bought two dried bonito flakes, they were priced at 400 dollars each. Therefore, Lao Tzu said he would like to buy two bottles and receive the difference of 49,200 dollars.
"Oh, I understand.
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Still a little flustered, Oliver went into the back and came out immediately with a bag of gold coins in his hand. A man who looks like an escort is at his side.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. He is a security guard I have hired. He is very expensive, so I asked him to come with me just in case. Please don't be offended."
Lao Tzu nodded his head in an exultant manner.
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"Yes, of course. You never know what kind of people might come in from the outside.
"Thank you."
Oliver counted out four gold coins and 92 silver coins and presented them to Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu took the coins, put them in a bag like a drawstring, and handed it to Anne.
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He then took two dried bonito flakes and gave them to Anne.
"Well."
After the deal was done, Oliver opened his mouth to make things right.
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"Mr. Laoshi, I know this is very forward of me, but could you please listen to what I have to say?"
Lao Tzu was very pleased with Oliver's offer, since the dried bonito shaver was also to make connections.
"Yes, what is it?"
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"Do you have any acquaintances who are magi engineers? As I recall, you said that your master is also a Magi Engineer.
"Yes, sir."
Oliver stood up and bowed deeply,
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"Please! Please introduce me to someone who is a freelance Magi Engineer!"