251. The price in [transactions of] sale and purchase, daily, is regulated by the monarch;[342] the difference[343] is declared to be the traders' profit.
252. On goods of his own country let a trader clear a profit of five per cent., and ten per cent. on those of another country; provided he make prompt sale of his purchase.
253. [The monarch] is to determine the price, in unison with the wishes of both purchaser and seller; first adding to the cost of the article the expense of bringing it to the market.[344]
254. He who, having received the price of any commodity, fails to deliver it to the buyer, shall be compelled to deliver the article, together with damages [for the detention]; and should the buyer be from foreign parts, then, the foreign profit [shall be added].
255. There may be a re-sale of goods sold, if the original buyer will not receive them. If loss arise from misconduct of the buyer, he shall bear it.
256. Whatever damage may befal goods by [act of] the monarch, or by accident, shall be the loss of the seller,[345] where he has failed to make delivery on demand.
257. If a person re-sell that which has been sold to another, or sell, as sound, a damaged article; [in either case] the fine shall be double the value [of the article sold].
258. A trader who makes a purchase in ignorance of the rise and fall of prices, must not recede from his bargain; if he do, he shall be fined a sixth [of the price].
259. Traders who carry on business jointly, for profit, shall share the profits and losses, either in proportion to the capital [brought in by each], or according to the contract between them.[346]