NOVEL WEB Chapter 25
“You know, the shipbuilders are quite a valuable resource. But why would I entrust them to a noble of the Toscan Empire?”
Actually, there’s no need for the market’s permission to recruit shipbuilders or craftsmen.
I can just tell the artisans making ships that I’ll pay them well if they quit the guild and come work for us.
From the perspective of the person being poached, that would be incredibly annoying, but in our continent, there aren’t any particular laws to regulate this.
If I do that, I will make an enemy of this city, right?
“Well, while there may be minor diplomatic conflicts between the Toscan Empire and the Lion Kingdom, they can’t help but maintain a good relationship moving forward. For now, trust not in me but in the situation.”
Humans are creatures dominated by circumstances.
A good person who hasn’t eaten in a week might kill for food, while rich but wicked folks won’t risk their necks for just a little grub.
Political interests and diplomacy flow in a similar way.
“The potential enemy of the Toscan Empire is the Duchy of Milan. On the other hand, the Lion Kingdom’s potential enemy is the Hanover Empire. Aren’t they busy dealing with their enemies right in front of them?”
What the market is most wary of is the worst-case scenario of me building a warship and attacking them.
So I need to convince them from the get-go that I have no intention of doing such a thing.
“That’s true.”
“So, wouldn’t it be no problem if you provide me with some convenience, Mr. Mayor?”
A slight smile appeared on the mayor’s face.
However, I’ve only earned the right to negotiate.
They’ll only grant me permission to recruit shipbuilders if I offer them adequate benefits and give them something in return.
“If you grant me the permission to recruit the shipbuilders, I will also provide you with assistance, Mr. Mayor.”
“What kind of assistance?”
“I’ll sell a sufficient amount of seaweed to the Lion Kingdom, and I’ll promise not to sell seaweed in any other cities of the Lion Kingdom except for Guillaume City for three years.”
Rumor has it that news about seaweed has spread beyond the empire to several surrounding countries.
So naturally, there are a few folks in our village trying to sell it covertly like Hans.
“So all the seaweed supplied to the Lion Kingdom would go through Guillaume City?”
“Nobles would be eager to get their hands on medicinal herbs that help mothers recover.”
Add the rumors of boosting vigor into the mix.
I heard that as soon as it was rumored that the overpopulated pest Nutria was good for that in Korea, their numbers plummeted.
There’s no way a medicinal herb that’s good for mothers and men alike wouldn’t sell.
The nobles are sure to hush up, take my money, and then clamor for all the seaweed.
But since the farming is going well enough, by next year, I’ll easily secure enough stock to sell to the Lion Kingdom.
Anything overproduced can either be consumed in our Bio Village or smuggled to other countries.
“Our Guillaume City has been somewhat slow to develop, being quite a distance from other major cities. But with the influx of traders coming to buy seaweed, it will greatly benefit urban development.”
No matter how barren a place is, if there’s an appealing specialty, people will flock there, and a city will arise.
Being someone who has served as the mayor of a port city, he surely knows this obvious truth.
Yet this guy is subtly underestimating the value of the favor I’m bestowing?
That’s a bit disheartening.
“If the city develops, wouldn’t that bring considerable profit to you as well, Mr. Mayor?”
If we look at it narrowly, there’s the benefit of an increase in political funds (bribes) the mayor receives every year.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“The many citizens living in Guillaume City will praise your wisdom, Mr. Mayor. Everyone will actively support you.”
Nobles holding titles like Baron, Viscount, and Count generally keep their positions for life once they receive them.
But positions like that of a mayor are surprisingly democratic.
They can be replaced anytime by voting from the citizens, or more accurately, the city council, without the lord’s approval.
Therefore, mayors across the Albania Continent must seek support from city councilors and citizens to maintain their positions.
‘There’s nothing better than filling these folks’ wallets with money to gain support.’
The mayor suddenly cleared his throat.
Hemm, hemm.
He may be pretending not to understand, trying to minimize the payment he’ll give me, but I’m not fooled.
He must have just poked a little to see what would happen.
“And councilors are elected by citizens who support them, right? If the city thrives thanks to you, everyone will push for which faction…”
When dealing with those in higher positions, it’s usually best not to ask for more money outright.
So, it’s best to make them feel compelled to offer more themselves.
“Since you’re offering such substantial assistance to city development, even if you’re a foreigner, I guess I’ll have to provide more generous compensation. What do you want?”
After saying that, the mayor sighed.
Yeah, transactions should be straightforward.
“Please allow me to take the poor from the slums.”
“Is that all?”
Even in the medieval ages when manpower equated to national power, the poor were often seen as a social evil.
Because they were viewed as potential criminals who, due to poverty, might resort to crime to survive, they only worsened public safety and made citizens uneasy.
It wasn’t uncommon for lords, lacking faith, to massacre the poor or exile them from the city altogether.
Who would dislike taking on such problems?
“To start the trade, aren’t sailors necessary?”
I’d like to employ them for other tasks as well, but I’ll keep that under wraps for now.
One must know how to keep their cards close, just like in a card game.
“Go ahead and take as many poor folks as you want. Do as you wish.”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll see you next time when we officially start trading.”
The shipyard was a major facility in the port city, so there were quite a few people around.
“I didn’t expect much from a small port city’s shipyard…”
The number of artisans working here seems to be well over a hundred.
No, it might easily be in the hundreds if you count those who aren’t visible to me now.
“What brings you here?”
Turning around, I found a sweating craftsman standing there with a hammer in hand.
His body was packed with practical, compressed muscles, reminiscent of a knight.
“I want to build a new port and shipyard in the Toscan Empire, and I’ve come to recruit craftsmen.”
“Everyone here is affiliated with the shipbuilding guild. But if you’re trying to take our craftsmen…”
The artisan conversing with me waved to gather others nearby.
They all wielded tools like saws and hammers.
It seems they think of me as some trash trying to intrude into their territory, but since I’m a noble, they’re willing to let me live if I back off.
‘Guess that’s how it works here in this world.’
In Korea, industrial spies are often caught on the spot and thrown into jail.
“I’m clearly trying to recruit artisans with the mayor’s permission.”
The guards Captain Charles assigned to me presented the authorization letter like a badge.
Seeing that, the artisans stopped trying to intimidate me.
I approached the one who looked the least experienced and asked him.
“How much do you earn each month?”
“As an apprentice, I earn around 50 bronze coins a month, plus meals and accommodation…”
“Here, I’ll pay you 1 silver coin and 1 pound a month. You’ll also get better meals and lodging.”
The apprentice’s eyes widened in surprise.
Others started glancing at their companions.
“…….”
It’s abnormal that they wouldn’t go crazy over the lure of a salary double their current wage.
“I’ll pay double the current salary for anyone who follows me regardless of position. I’m looking to recruit exactly 100 people.”
They probably don’t know who I am.
But if I’ve been authorized to poach their kind from the market after meeting with them, they’d think I am someone trustworthy.
“One silver coin as a referral fee for introducing a skilled sailor. If you introduce someone who can be a captain, I’ll give you 2 gold coins. Referral fees vary based on experience and skill.”
To their standards, I was throwing money around like a madman, leaving them in stunned silence staring at me.
But right now, I believe saving time with money is more important than saving money.
“I want to buy a 300-ton sloop; do you have a good one? If you can find a decent one quickly, I’ll generously reward you with gold coins as a referral fee.”
Hearing that, the artisans scattered in a hurry.
“I don’t know who that madman is, but this is an opportunity!”
“Let’s make a good profit!”
“Dario, you grab that barfly from the tavern! Just introducing him will earn us money!”
In just a few days, I was able to gather the manpower to build a shipyard in our Bio Village along with trade ships and sailors I could use.