You are a prosperous business person who has become very rich by building and operating general stores in England during the early 1700's.  Lately you have been hearing about great opportunities from your friend in the New World Colonies(USA).  The territory west of the Mississipi River (later known as Missouri) has been growing rapidly and you start to get excited thinking about how much money you could make if you opened a general store in that area.

There is only one problem.  The people in this territory are different than those that you service in England.  French pioneers, like fur trappers and mountain men, as well as Indians occupy this territory and behave differently from your countrymen.  They do not use money or currency to buy items or supplies. They operate on a barter system and use "trading posts." This is a rather new concept for you to understand.

This will not be easy for you.  You are a very proud and successful business person.  You have never failed at anything and you can't afford to start failing now.  This adventure will be very expensive as you will have to invest most of your money to start.  If you succeed, you will be the richest man in England(besides the king of course).  If you fail, you will lose your fortune and will have to go begging for a job.  You take on the challenge anyway, wanting to show everyone you can do it.  Let the adventure begin!