53: Chapter 53 Want More Trade?

Seeing this, Katrus nodded hurriedly; he hadn't expected a heretic to be mixed in among these people.

As a Rogue Trader, Katrus was naturally highly vigilant against heresy.

Xia Xingchen guessed that Katrus most likely had no idea of the true face of Chaos.

After all, in reality, the entire Imperium had been using the massive political machine of the Ecclesiarchy to keep the populace in the dark.

Regarding the concept of Chaos, aside from Space Marines, only those who had truly faced Chaos head-on would know what it really was.

However, Katrus could still recognize that this was clearly a heretic, and one had actually infiltrated his ship.

If Xia Xingchen chose to press this point, Katrus would certainly face dire consequences.

Fortunately, Xia Xingchen didn't seem particularly concerned about the matter.

After checking everyone, about three hundred people were found unqualified; among them, seven were heretics, all of whom were executed on the spot.

"I'll take all of the remaining twenty-nine thousand plus people. State your price."

Katrus was overjoyed upon hearing this, feeling that this Governor was truly magnanimous for not using the heresy issue to drive down the price.

"The price for Imperial slaves is roughly between 200 and 500 throne gelt. I'll give you a middle ground—let's say 300 throne gelt."

Katrus didn't dare quote a price too low because the actual cost of transporting people to such a remote system was high; but he also didn't dare quote too high—if it were an ordinary Governor, he would have asked for 500 throne gelt directly.

"If I may ask, respected Governor, how do you intend to pay?"

Katrus inquired about Xia Xingchen's method of payment.

In fact, more often than not, transactions between Rogue Traders never involved pure currency.

First, it must be understood that even throne gelt, the Imperium's most widely accepted currency, only circulated in a few core sectors.

In the Sol System, throne gelt could be used directly as a fixed value anchor, but in many remote systems, it was useless; some systems even used their own unique currency systems.

In the vast majority of systems, interstellar trade still relied on the most primitive method: bartering.

Xia Xingchen naturally intended to trade this way as well, since he couldn't produce Imperial throne gelt or any other circulating currency.

The thing Rogue Traders valued most was nothing other than promethium, the core fuel that drove the Imperial war machine.

Sometimes, the byproducts of this energy source, or even the residue, could be turned into food.

Many people planning to transmigrate into the world of warhammer 40k probably wouldn't expect this.

The Corpse Starch you eat might not necessarily contain corpses, but it definitely contains promethium byproducts.

And since promethium is the core raw material for most fuels and energy, in other words, you are actually eating chemically processed fuel.

As for whether this stuff is actually edible, to be honest, Xia Xingchen didn't want to taste it for the rest of his life.

Xia Xingchen thought for a moment and then, through the communication channel, ordered the last remaining Adamantium to be transported over.

"Mr. Katrus, the only thing I can give you is minerals. If you don't mind, I can complete this transaction with Adamantium."

Katrus was stunned at first, thinking Xia Xingchen lacked the funds to complete the trade, but the second half of the sentence instantly sent him from hell to heaven.

Adamantium was one of the Imperium's most core and valuable minerals.

Every year, countless warships required Adamantium to construct their keels.

As one might imagine, the vast majority of Adamantium was tightly monopolized by the Imperium; even the tiny scraps that slipped through the Imperium's fingers were enough to fetch astronomical prices on the black market.

"For over twenty-seven thousand slaves plus this star map, I will give you one hundred and fifty kilograms of Adamantium (worth approximately eight to fifteen million throne gelt at minimum)."

Just as the deal was about to be struck, Xia Xingchen stared meaningfully at Katrus.

Katrus looked back at him in confusion, thinking he had done something wrong to displease the Governor.

"Katrus, are you really content with just this one trade?"

Katrus was a shrewd man; hearing this, he immediately understood that Xia Xingchen intended to establish a long-term trade relationship with him.

Since Xia Xingchen had taken the initiative to speak, it proved he had specific things he wanted, so Katrus immediately adjusted his attitude.

"Lord Governor, what do you need?"

"Population, industrial equipment, and intelligence regarding the Imperium or any other factions—all of these can be subjects of our trade."

As Xia Xingchen spoke, he raised his hand and led Katrus's gaze toward the sky.

"Mr. Katrus, your vision shouldn't be limited to this one planet, but should encompass the entire star system."

"You've already seen how vast this system is, and this system belongs to me alone."

"If you are willing, you can become my sole long-term partner. The resources of this entire system can be traded and valued through your hands."

After Xia Xingchen finished speaking, he looked into Katrus's eyes, which were now showing irrepressible greed and excitement.

After all, Katrus needed unimaginable resources if he wanted to reclaim his Rogue Trader dynasty.

Even if he could use his past connections to persuade part of the Astra Militarum to join his forces, he would still have to pay them; moreover, all military expenses would have to be borne by him. Without massive financial support, it was a total pipe dream.

And Xia Xingchen was the only one who could support and help him.

After thinking for a moment, Katrus solemnly extended his hand to Xia Xingchen.

"Respected Lord Governor, I will do everything in my power to procure everything you need."

Seeing this, Xia Xingchen firmly shook Katrus's extended right hand.

"Mr. Rogue Trader, all the resources you desire will be prepared for you. I guarantee this will be a fair and just trade."

After Xia Xingchen finished, he added another sentence, seemingly to show his stance and make it clear to Katrus that he was on the Emperor's side. He performed an Aquila Salute.

"The Emperor protects us."

After Xia Xingchen moved all the trade goods to the landing pad, the transport aircraft from Katrus's golden trade began moving the supplies.

"Mr. Katrus, I'd like to take the liberty of asking: roughly how long will it be before you can conduct the next trade?"

Xia Xingchen asked Katrus, who was standing not far away on the landing pad.

Katrus was preparing to return to the warship; the remaining tasks could be left to his subordinates.

Hearing Xia Xingchen's question, Katrus thought for a moment and immediately gave him a precise answer.

"In one to three years, Terra Standard Time, I guarantee I will return here with everything you want. At that time, please also be sure to have the trade goods ready. I promise what I bring will absolutely exceed your imagination."

Xia Xingchen nodded upon hearing this and performed an Aquila Salute.

"The God-Emperor watches over us. Then I shall look forward to your return."

Bidding farewell to Katrus, Xia Xingchen turned and returned to Nuwa's side.