I don't think you actually understand what I wrote.
I'm not sure how to clear it up. You like 100% missed what I was saying.
I did. The merchant seemed cartoonishly evil to you. I’m saying back then, he wasn’t. He’d absolutely take their supplies, cripple their escape, and leave them to possibly die.
Either they’ll die, or they’ll survive and complain about it, at which point he’ll deny the claims and pay off who they’ll need to. Even with what you’re saying about modern day capitalism, but there are no rules like that Here.
Same principle maybe, but nothing to stop a wealthy merchant from doing exactly what he did. Probably a moot point because they’re just here to die to orcs, or some other comeuppance.