(Extra update 19/50, with thanks to Son of the Round Clam, Pete Griffin for the tip.)
The merchant said:
"Let me tell you, soil from Terra is worth a fortune. Finding some is practically the same as finding gold!
No! One gram of Terra Soil is worth more than a kilogram of gold!
My dad once told me a story. A governor from an Industrial World actually sold a battleship to get ten kilograms of soil from Terra!"
Li Qinwu had just taken a drag on his cigarette. Hearing that, he choked and started coughing.
His eyes went as wide as saucers, disbelief written all over his face.
"Ten kilograms of Terra Soil for a battleship?! You're bullshitting me!"
"Hey!"
The merchant waved the cigarette between his fingers.
"For this cigarette you gave me alone, I wouldn't bullshit you!"
He leaned closer to Li Qinwu and lowered his voice, as though sharing some great secret.
"Terra Soil is actually just like a High Lord's signature.
Does it really have any practical value? Not necessarily. But it carries political significance!"
Li Qinwu understood immediately.
"I get what you mean. Documents signed by a High Lord and Terra Soil both carry enormous political weight. For people who need them to express their political intentions, they're priceless!"
The merchant pointed his cigarette at Li Qinwu, giving him a look that said he knew the score.
"When my dad spent a hundred thousand Thrones on a document signed by a High Lord, he was really trying to curry favor with someone important on Terra.
That Industrial World governor who offered a battleship for Terra Soil was probably declaring his political allegiance, or trying to please some big shot we don't know about.
Anyway, if you ever see Terra Soil, don't pass it up. Take