Xu Yi immediately smiled. "I'm truly flattered that the Federation would make a special exception to admit us. But Chairman Lanke, I've only heard of the Commercial Association, and I don't really understand what it does. For instance, if our Xinfei Merchant Guild joined, what rights would we enjoy? And what obligations would we have?"
Chairman Lanke laughed and waved a hand. "President Xu, there's no need to be so nervous. Our Commercial Association simply brings together the larger merchant guilds in Bunta City so we can cooperate and grow together. That makes us much stronger than if we each worked alone. Would you agree?"
"Of course. But Chairman Lanke, what exactly does this cooperation involve?" Xu Yi pressed.
"To be specific, all merchant guilds that join the Commercial Association must maintain close working relationships and refrain from destructive competition, such as malicious price cutting or scrambling to monopolize resources. Beyond that, we also share resources and information, and members offer one another preferential terms. For example, if your Xinfei Merchant Guild joined the Commercial Association, you could receive a discount when buying pig iron from the Falkor Merchant Guild."
Chairman Morgan nodded slightly. "That's right. If your Xinfei Merchant Guild also joined the Commercial Association, President Xu, our Falkor Merchant Guild could offer you a discount on pig iron. I can't give you an exact figure yet, but I can promise it should be close to five percent."
"Five percent?" Xu Yi couldn't help smiling.
When the Falkor Merchant Guild had raised its prices before, it had increased them by ten percent in one go. Now it was only offering a five-percent discount.
Compared with the original price, that was still a considerable increase.
After a moment's thought, Xu Yi let that issue go and turned to Chairman Lanke.