Several merchant companies have been attempting to establish a foothold in the region, with limited success.

The European merchant companies raised bodies of troops to protect their commercial interests and latterly to influence local politics to their advantage.

This wasn't what Rlinda had envisioned when she'd first formed a merchant company, subcontracted other captains, and gathered five good ships.

Grants have been made continuously since then to livery companies, merchant companies, civic bodies, charities and hospitals.

At the same time, there was intense speculation in the China trade by American and British merchant companies.

Even if another major energy trader or merchant company collapsed, it would probably not upend the economy, he added.

So far only her merchant company had the connections and knew the source.

The merchant company also held a monopoly on the use of dangerous spacefolder ships for commercial transportation.

As if to punctuate his words, another merchant company pulled away, the traders lashing their animals ahead.

Far fewer work for independent, merchant companies like Willow or Pastel.