Most of the people here aren't merchants, so the specific wording of the proposal goes over their heads, but the cannier few at the least seem to understand the idea, and explain it to the others, in simplified terms. Most of the people look hesitant to sign, immediately, since they'd need to speak with everyone else, back home, before agreeing to sign away a portion of their annual profits, especially since half of them weren't farmers, themselves, but that they'd be back within a month, with their answers.