A wicked grin spreads across your face as you lean forward, the shimmering heat from the molten coins reflecting in your spectacles. 'Your Scaled Excellency, why settle for matching Grimscale's yields when we could simply... acquire the source of his prosperity? His prized cloud-farming venture in the Cirrus Vale accounts for nearly 60% of those returns.'

Valthorix's nostrils flare with sudden interest, the volcanic rumbling beneath your feet shifting to a low, predatory purr. 'You propose I take what is his?' The dragon's tail twitches with barely contained excitement, sending a sapphire the size of your head rolling across the floor.

You produce a vellum map from your satchel, unfurling it across a conveniently flat pile of emeralds. 'The Cirrus Vale operations sit atop an easily destabilized weather nexus. A properly timed... geological intervention from Your Excellency could render the farms inoperable right before harvest season.'

Molten gold drips from the dragon's jaws as he studies the map. 'And when that groveling scale-polisher comes begging for assistance...' Valthorix trails off, his eyes gleaming brighter than the surrounding treasure.

'We offer to purchase the distressed assets at 30% of valuation,' you finish smoothly. The enchanted abacus begins rattling excitedly, its beads forming the shape of a triumphant draconic skull.