With fewer people, you wouldn't need to control them as much.
You might be able to get say a dozen traders together who would be willing to work as a team if they knew the success they'd enjoy would be in jeopardy if they got greedy.
If all the dozen that were considered "trustworthy", would bring in one other, you'd have a good-sized group who could work effectively.
Or maybe not. ( :
"Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle.....razzle dazzle 'em"