A merchant with no morals and values only maximizing profit, is a conman or a thief. And above all, a great merchant can make a profit in any situation.
As others have said this is foolish and self destructive, as he just threw away an opportunity to make favorable connections, and abandoned security in lew of short term profits. The "calculations" are not about coin but risk and reward. And money is just a medium for value, but there is also a value for things like connections, and reputation.
The options were:
1) Hide cargo in village and escort villagers as emergency passengers. Then request compensation from the lord/village Head for his losses. (and also maybe return to recover cargo).
2) Stay in the village longer to provide security and supplies. Decouple a horse from the caravan and send a rider to request emergency aid from the Lord. Continue journey when aid arrives and request compensation from Lord/village Head for supplies and services.
3) Continue journey, but slow down so the villagers can walk alongside the caravan. A compromise where everyone get what they want but with a delay to delivery and increase risk of monster attack.
In lew of compensation he could also gain the favor/debt/connections of a lord, something that money CAN'T buy.
But instead he chose 4) Steal rations from the villagers, destroy his own cart, and abandon his security for the remaining journey with known threats in the area.
He is still going to be late for his delivery, and he is taking a big risk that the cargo and the lives of everyone (including himself) will be lost on the rest of the journey. If the lord gets word of this (from survivors or other passengers he brought) his company reputation will be ruined. Not to mention the Lord pressing criminal charges if not straight execution.