📌 Previously in Chapter 38:
Zayd made about 850 gold in profit in a week and handed over the daily management of his shop to Aftab's two brothers — Rafi and Faisal — trusting them to manage inventory, finances, and sales. With his core team now in place, Zayd decided it was time to return to his village and upgrade the original workshop for future expansion.
📍 Scene: Nimr Caravans Showroom – Morning
Zayd stood between Rafi, who was nervously scribbling on a ledger, and Faisal, who was trying to sell a carriage to a rich, indecisive nobleman's wife.
FAISAL (grinning):
"Madam, when you ride in this — the wind will envy your elegance."
The noblewoman blushed. Her husband frowned.
ZAYD (teasing):
"Charm is good, Faisal. Just don't charm their purse shut."
RAFI (quietly):
"Brother, our daily expense is 30 gold. We need two sales a week to break even."
ZAYD (patting his shoulder):
"You'll learn to breathe in numbers. For now, keep the ink off your nose."
Zayd walked them through every detail:
How to price based on materials.
How to upsell without being pushy.
How to talk to nobles versus commoners.
When to accept a discount — and when to stand firm.
ZAYD:
"Faisal, speak less when the customer is speaking. You sell better when you listen first."
FAISAL:
"Got it. Less words, more coins."
ZAYD:
"Rafi, never fear a full page of numbers. That's the map to gold."
📍 Scene Change: Road to Al-Qarah Village – Noon
After weeks in the city, Zayd left the bustling alleys behind. Riding in one of his carriages, flanked by three guards and Nimr, the eagle, perched beside him, he took a deep breath.
The dusty road twisted through palm groves and wheat fields. Children chased the wheels. Farmers waved.
ZAYD (softly):
"This is where it began…"
📍 Scene Change: Al-Qarah Village – Afternoon
Zayd stepped down from the carriage. Familiar faces greeted him — neighbors, old men from the mosque, wide-eyed children whispering, "That's Zayd!"
He first visited the old man who had once lent him 100 gold when Zayd was just a boy with ideas.
ZAYD (grinning):
"You gave me a start. Now let me give you a ride."
The old man blinked as Zayd pulled off the cloth — revealing a brand-new, polished black carriage with gold trim.
OLD MAN (shaking):
"For… me?"
ZAYD:
"Not for sale. A gift."
The entire village applauded.
📍 Scene Change: Zayd's Family Workshop – Evening
The old shed looked the same — cracked walls, smoke-blackened ceilings. But the heart of it had changed.
Zayd sat with charcoal and parchment, sketching:
Wider carriages for nobility with sliding doors.
Convertible models with retractable roofs for summer.
A merchant version with secret compartments and lockable trunks.
Smoother axles using carved ivory and brass fittings.
He called in his lead blacksmith and explained the vision.
ZAYD:
"We're not just carpenters now. We're inventors. Every city in this land will beg for what we build here."
The blacksmith grinned, rolling up his sleeves.
BLACKSMITH:
"Then let's give them something to dream about."
📍 Closing Note:
Zayd had returned not just to improve his workshop — but to remind himself of why he began.
With his cousins running the shop, guards protecting the roads, and innovation guiding his hand — the empire of Nimr was spreading its wings.
End of Chapter 38