How does Marlowe astound the King in the novel, King Rat?

Marlowe astounds the King by refusing to join his payroll for $20 a week, but had bailed him out because he had gotten him into trouble in the first place--and for the love of danger. After eating the cold eggs, Marlowe offers the King tobacco cured in the Javanese way. The King sees commercial value, but Marlowe will accept no percentage on sales; he teaches Tex to cook the weed, gratis. This astounds the King in that Marlowe is not interested in profiting by his knowledge.