Just because I''ve succeeded in recruiting shipbuilders and the impoverished from Guillaume doesn''t mean everything is over.

    I''ve only just opened up a path for trade in the Kingdom of Lyon, but I haven''t secured any business partners yet.

    Still, I probably won''t have to go out of my way to find someone to trade with.

    “We are the Maron Trading Company, based in Marseille. Some even refer to us as a trading giant.”

    If this were Joseon, in East Asia, that phrase would be followed by some modest expression like, "But we’re not quite that impressive."

    Because in Joseon—or rather, in East Asian countries—it''s considered polite to pretend to be humble even in the 21st century.

    Failing to do so would get you labeled as arrogant, with people pointing fingers at you from all directions.

    But here on the Almanian continent, in European culture, as long as you''re not outright arrogant, it''s not a big deal.

    “I heard you’ve been selling seaweed in the Kingdom of Lyon lately. Why not sell it through us? We''ll pay you generously.”

    “How much are you willing to pay?”

    “30 gold coins per 100 grams.”

    If we were selling this in the Toscana Empire, that would be a decent rate.

    After all, the production cost is just a few copper coins, so selling it for nearly 100 times that amount—even with a discount, there''s no real loss.

    But expecting to buy foreign medicinal ingredients at domestic prices? That’s a bit shameless, don’t you think?

    “70 gold coins per 100 grams. For nobles, let’s make it an even 100 gold.”

    “That seems nearly double the price distributed among the Toscana Empire''s nobles.”

    “Still, isn''t there a lot of demand? Even Mayor Guillaume was... Ahem.”

    I had ordered the construction of a shipyard on the Bi?o village coast, and I''d hired mercenaries to organize the “special preparations” for the impoverished there. Then, upon returning...

    Mayor Guillaume proudly bragged to me that his seaweed soup with garlic and fish had revitalized his stamina.

    He said the quality of his life had changed so much that he almost ran over to kiss me on the cheek, calling me his lifelong savior.

    I hear it''s customary for men to kiss on the cheek when they’re close in this country... But I’m not into that.

    “A rare medicinal herb that''s good for stamina and even better for pregnant women. And nobles from the Toscana Empire are crazy about it. Can you imagine them not buying it?”

    “How much can you supply?”

    Now, it’s crucial not to let greed for more money lead me to oversupply.

    If you sell too much, people might pay a high price at first, thinking it’s rare.

    But if something becomes too common, its price will plummet.

    ‘Wild pine mushrooms are pricier than shiitakes not because they taste better, but because they’re rarer, right?’

    “40 kilograms. It could decrease based on local circumstances.”

    “...Could you supply a bit more?”

    “No, I’m afraid not. I have plenty of requests from other traders as well, plus domestic consumption within the Empire.”

    I filled in the blanks on the prepared contract.

    “Please sign here.”

    There were three copies of the contract prepared. We would keep two originals, and one copy would be split in half for verification.

    “When you wish to verify the transaction, just bring the half-contract.”

    “I understand.”

    With that, the trader from the Maron Trading Company stood up.

    Just before he exited, he asked again.

    “Are you really unable to supply more?”

    Do they think I can’t tell they’re trying to scare me with seizure threats just to fatten their own pockets with excuses like customs duties or tax evasion?

    And how is this courteous?

    It’s like the department head who gropes a female subordinate and then pretends to care about her career prospects.

    “If you didn’t have a permit, we’d have arrested you all by force. And since these items belong to their owner, seizing them is difficult.”

    He must know what seaweed is. Mayor Guillaume has been raving about it.

    As soon as I mentioned it has an owner, he must have thought,

    ‘These are for the nobles; don’t mess with them.’

    “Fine, then. As a special favor, we’ll impose a customs duty.”

    “I’ve already paid all customs duties.”

    I slipped a small gift to the customs officer at the port.

    So I brought them in at the lowest tax rate. It’s borderline tax evasion, but technically, it’s all legal.

    “Normally, we impose a 50% duty on luxury goods like this. So you’ll need to pay half the cost of the seaweed.”

    What a piece of work.

    He''s just interpreting the law in the most favorable way for himself to squeeze money out of me.

    “And if you want to continue doing business here, you’ll need my help. Hate to say it, but in this city, everything flows through my hands as the treasurer.”

    As treasurer, he likely controls all the money in this city.

    Collecting taxes, managing budgets—all his domain.

    “Choose wisely.”

    Then, Treasurer Louis made a circle with his fingers.

    He''s asking for a bribe.

    I feel like I could explode with anger, but right now, I have to escape this situation by paying him off.

    A gentleman—or rather, everyone—knows.

    When faced with a deadly situation, survival comes first, even if you have to bow.

    Then, you can take your revenge later.

    “I’m low on cash after securing this shipment, so I can’t pay all the customs duty right now. Please wait until I receive payment.”

    I told him as much, and then handed him about 100 gold coins from Sebastian.

    A smile spread across Louis’ face as he beheld the shimmering coins.

    He’s probably delighted at the thought of squeezing money out of someone who’s about to dominate this city’s trade.

    “Of course, I can wait. Our city—no, I am very generous. But until you’ve paid all the duties, you cannot leave Guillaume.”

    Like hell, I’ll pay that duty.

    Once you bow your head, they’ll see you as an easy mark forever.

    ‘It might be hard to get swindled once, but once it happens, you’re branded for life.’

    He loves showing off that city councilor title. Let’s see him go all out.

    I’m the kind of madman who, once provoked, will find a way to bury my enemies.

    Louis left with his loot.

    “Sebastian, find out where the other council members live, especially those allied with Louis.”

    Those who think money can buy everything are the ones ruined by it.

    Time to teach him that lesson.