Chapter 11: A Business Without Capital

Costa was convinced that Miss Talia would return to see him. Although she tried hard to conceal her interest in that high-yield wheat, her eyes could not lie.

Speaking of these high-yield wheat seeds, Costa had to thank his other benefactor, a botanist from France.

That French botanist had not only provided funding, but had also boarded the same ship as Costa's expedition team, heading deep into the Amazon rainforest.

Along the way, thanks to this knowledgeable botanist, Costa and his expedition team were spared from being wiped out by accidentally consuming poisonous plants.

Deep within the rainforest, they discovered a ruin, but unfortunately, there was no gold and no jewels. Just as everyone was disappointed and preparing to leave, the French botanist cried out in excitement, claiming he had found a treasure. The expedition members pushed the botanist aside, only to find a field of wheat.

Sighs of disappointment filled the air; the botanist must have lost his mind.

Yet the excited botanist began to introduce his discovery to the crowd.

He stated that this wheat could increase Europe's wheat yield by at least ten percent, a food that could change human destiny, and he would be remembered by history for it.

However, in the end, he was forgotten by history.

Greed-driven expedition members killed the botanist and buried him beneath the wheat field.

The expedition members stole the botanist's achievement, but upon returning to Europe, no one bought their story. Not only did they fail to sell the seeds, but they were repeatedly driven out as swindlers.

At this point, they remembered their other benefactor and those rubber tree seeds soaking in water tanks.

Now Costa and his men regarded Talia as a fat sheep, eager to make a hefty profit.

"Boss, Miss Talia is here." A bald, farmer-dressed subordinate walked into the room, interrupting Costa's reminiscence.

"Splendid, invite her in at once," Costa said while pouring medicinal powder into the teapot and shaking it evenly.

Before long, the door was pushed open, and the bald man walked in, accompanied by Miss Talia and a young gentleman.

Costa felt a twinge of confusion. Why was there an extra person? Weren't her bodyguards supposed to stay at the door?

Talia smiled and said, "Allow me to introduce Professor Schussel from the University of Vienna. He is a botanist."

Hearing the word "botanist," the corners of Costa's mouth twitched twice.

Then he returned to normal. It made sense now; when Miss Talia had left earlier, it was to find a botanist to inspect the goods.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Schussel. I am Costa, a professional explorer."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Costa. Miss Talia tells me you have discovered a brand-new variety of wheat." Schussel had deliberately put on a wig, making him look like a retro-style scholar.

"Indeed. I discovered it in a ruin within the Amazon rainforest..."

Flowing with eloquence, Costa began his adventure story again, casting sideways glances at Talia.

Unwilling to listen to nonsense, Schussel interrupted him, "May I examine the sample?"

"Of course."

Schussel had some knowledge of botany and could confirm that this was indeed wheat, albeit somewhat larger than European varieties.

With a professional air, Schussel pulled a handheld magnifying glass from his jacket pocket, peered through it for a long time, crushed a few grains between his fingers, sniffed the scent, and said with a solemn expression,

"This is not wheat, but the food of the Incas—quinoa."

Costa was utterly dumbfounded. Had he been swindled?

Prepared in advance, Schussel immediately pulled out a thick botanical encyclopedia, moistened his finger with a bit of saliva, flipped through the pages, finally stopped at one, and handed it to Costa.

The illustration on the page looked strikingly similar to the new wheat variety before them, and the annotation next to it clearly read: Quinoa, food of the Incas, native to South America...

Costa was left speechless. He never expected that after committing murder for treasure, he would end up with worthless junk.

Feeling the moment was ripe, Schussel continued, "Miss Talia, quinoa can display different colors when mature and is quite beautiful. It might be a wonderful choice for you to buy some and plant them in your garden."

Talia put on a troubled look.

"Since you say so, I am willing to offer ten thousand florins to purchase these quinoa seeds."

Schussel pressed the advantage.

"Mr. Costa, it is rare to find someone as generous as Miss Talia."

Costa clenched his teeth. He did not know the exact market value of quinoa, but he knew that if it truly was what the botanist said, these seeds would simply rot in his hands.

Rather than making nothing at all, it was better to pocket ten thousand florins first.

"Very well, for Miss Talia's sake, it's a deal."

Talia produced a check and wrote the sum of ten thousand florins upon it.

Costa felt a wave of deflation; his dream of fifty thousand florins was likely dashed. Yet, holding onto another plan, he perked himself up.

"Miss Talia, the rubber tree seeds are ready. Whenever you wish, I can send someone to retrieve them. Have you brought your check?"

"Of course, the check is right here, guaranteed by the Rothschild Bank." Talia took out the check and placed it on the desktop.

Costa inspected it and verified the check was genuine, then said with a smile,

"Miss Talia, to our successful cooperation, let us have a cup of tea." Costa picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Talia. "This is fine English black tea."

Talia picked up the teacup, sniffed it, and smiled. "Indeed, fine tea!"

However, instead of drinking immediately, Talia said, "Mr. Costa, I would like to draw up a contract. It will be better for both of us."

"No problem, I'll go get some paper." Costa turned and left.

After Costa departed, Talia picked up Costa's cup, sniffed it, and swapped the positions of the two cups.

Talia's action left Schussel somewhat bewildered.

Shortly after, Costa returned to the room with paper and a seal.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Talia. Please."

Soon, both parties drafted the contract. Talia stroked her teacup and said,

"Mr. Costa, if we don't drink the tea, it will get cold. To our pleasant cooperation."

Talia drained her tea in one gulp. Costa touched his teacup, found the temperature just right, and also drank his down in one gulp.

"Mr. Schussel, thank you so much for today. Where are you staying? I'll have my men escort you back."

Costa was essentially seeing him out, while Talia remained to wait for the rubber tree seeds.

Schussel looked at Talia, and she nodded, signaling that all was well.

Costa had someone escort Schussel away, returned to the room brimming with excitement, and suddenly blurted out, "You'll be mine soon enough."

"What did you say?" Talia asked.

Realizing he had slipped up, Costa tried to correct himself, but suddenly everything before his eyes warped. Unable to even stand steadily, he swayed and stumbled back to his seat.

"Where am I?" Costa muttered.

Knowing it must have been the tea, Talia smiled and said,

"I've been to Franz's court; what fine tea haven't I tasted? I could tell your tea was tainted the moment I smelled it. Give me back my check, or I'll report you to the gendarmerie."

Talia had intended merely to frighten the man before her, only to see him actually pull out the check.

"Could he have lost consciousness?" Talia thought to herself.

Since those checks were backed by a contract, the gendarmes would never help Talia retrieve them.

"Then tear up the contract as well."

Costa took out the contract and ripped it to shreds.

"Do you have any more quinoa seeds?"

Costa nodded.

"Where are the rest?"

Costa pointed to a large chest nearby. Talia opened it to find a bag of wheat seeds along with a small packet of fragrant powder.

Talia packed away the items and waved toward the window.

Downstairs, someone unfurled a large net, and Talia leaped out...

Talia's attendants departed after securing the rubber tree seeds. Puzzled by the circumstances, Costa's subordinates wanted to check on the room, but the sounds of a man's groans drifted out from within from time to time...