"Famine always has its signs."
There should be heavy rains in the sumr, but if there’s an unusual lack of rain, or the heat should be oppressive, yet it’s only sowhat bearable—these are signs.
Historically, people—whether in Joseon or anywhere across the world—would recognize the signs of famine and act quickly.
They would plow their fields and plant sweet potatoes or potatoes, or they would shake oak trees and store acorns.
The elites, too, would interpret the growing discontent and signs of famine as indicators that war was on the horizon, so they would begin preparing.
They would stockpile weapons, hoard food, and save money.
The person who reads these signs first, and moves accordingly, becos wealthy.
"Have all the big players in the weapons and armor industries in the Toscana Empire gathered?"
"Everyone stationed in Florence is here. When we sent the invitations under your na, they rushed over imdiately."
Even a rchant, no matter how powerful, cannot ignore nobles higher than barons.
No, if summoned, they should rush to your side as fast as they can.
‘A rchant can lean on a baron, but if you lean too hard, you won’t be able to deal with the consequences.’
So the guys running the defense contractors were probably quick to co when I called them.
"Are they all in the reception room now?"
"Yes, my lord."
There’s no point in making people wait too long.
It’s ti to go in and share my grand plan with them.
"Thank you for coming at this late hour on such short notice."
"Since you called, my lord, it’s only right to drop everything and co."
"Thank you for saying that. Now, everyone, please, sit comfortably."
Once everyone had seated, I signaled to the servants in the room to leave.
As the servants exited, a thick silence and tension settled over the group.
I didn’t know what rumors had been circulating about .
But I truly had no intention of doing anything bad to them.
If I were to strike down those who hadn’t touched my plate, then I would truly be no better than a madman, not a person of dignity and influence.
"I called you all here today not to give a warning or show you sothing harsh, but to discuss how we can all work together for a good cause."
The rchants looked at each other, confused, as they questioned in unison.
"A good cause, you say?"
They began to doubt my intentions further.
This, however, is the standard reaction for rchants.
There’s always a catch when soone suggests a great business opportunity and asks you to invest—no one ever has pure intentions. Similarly, those offering apartnts for sale at a cheap price are hardly trustworthy.
No matter how much the world changes, this principle doesn’t change.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and no one is going to offer you sothing good for nothing.
That’s why people respect figures like Schweitzer or Father Itaeseok.
They give selflessly, performing acts of kindness beyond the normal understanding of the world.
"In our business, when soone suggests doing sothing for the greater good, it’s only natural to be suspicious. Am I wrong?"
"Yes, that’s right. We don’t doubt your intentions, my lord, but this situation is quite surprising."
Just be honest and say it.
It’s better to admit that you trust about as much as you trust politicians who say they love the people.
"Let correct one thing so you can trust . We’re not just going to work together for the sake of it. There’s a perfect opportunity right now."
"Where are we targeting?"
"The Holy Empire."
"You an... you plan to target the most powerful nation on the Albanian continent?"
They must have found my idea of targeting the Holy Empire incomprehensible.
But to make real money as a rchant, you have to know how to deceive nations and, eventually, explore new lands.
How else are you going to make huge profits?
If I don’t feed them the opportunity, they’ll remain helpless.
"As you all know, the Holy Empire is at a tipping point—revolution could break out at any ti. I’m sure no one here is unaware of this fact?"
"Yes, we are preparing accordingly."
"You’ve likely already bought land to expand your factories and signed contracts with blacksmiths to produce steel. And since the prices for weapons and armor have risen in the Holy Empire, I’m sure you’re selling everything you produce to them at a premium."
No matter how much tis change, the essence of being a rchant remains the sa.
Buy cheap, sell high.
And right now, they’re stockpiling weapons and armor in preparation for the coming rebellion, or rather, war, which will occur at much higher prices than usual.
‘They have no choice but to buy.’
If you don’t seize the opportunity now, who knows when this kind of chance will co again?
"But there’s one thing you’re missing."
Selling weapons is like trading stocks.
You make big profits by selling at the peak, but if you sell too early, you won’t see much return.
That’s exactly what’s happening right now.
Right after a war breaks out, the demand for weapons will skyrocket, and there will be a shortage of supply. You’ll be able to sell at a high price in that mont.
One of the rchants asked a question.
"The rebellion in the Kingdom of Lyon happened because there was an exceptional leader nad Raphael. Wasn’t it his great leadership that turned it into such a large-scale uprising?"
"Raphael, yes, he certainly had great leadership, apart from the fact that he led a rebellion. He was politically astute too."
Honestly, if he hadn’t co to us through such ans, a person like Raphael could have been recruited by our family and given the proper education to serve as a key figure.
He wouldn’t have been my right hand, but he could’ve played a very important role in the family.
But he was a man who sold out his own country for personal gain, so...
‘It wasn’t a good idea to just pick him up.’
And he only moved as I instructed.
Considering the high regard he’s earned here, it seems like he t a noble death.
"The Holy Empire is in a fragile state right now, but politically, it’s quite stable. So, the rebellions will likely be small-scale and easily suppressed. Unless Deus plays a cruel joke, that is."
"That seems like a reasonable conclusion."
"Small-scale uprisings can be easily suppressed by mobilizing the military. So, if you don’t sell your weapons now, you’re going to miss your chance."
If it weren’t for the religious conflict I’m planting, I would’ve agreed with that statent.
Sure, a bunch of serfs coming together for an uprising wouldn’t last long, would it?
Unless soone gives them a proper strategy and leadership.
If they don’t have military or education, what kind of strategy could they co up with?
Grab farming tools and kill the lords and nobles.
But isn’t there sothing wrong with the intelligence of the nobility and the elites?
Even the officers of the Imperial Japanese Army, known for their ridiculous strategies, would figure out how to charge with a bayonet if the Arican army was attacking.
Military officers who lead ard troops aren’t going to sit idly by.
‘They’ll be wiped out in no ti.’
Other rchants also chid in.
"The uprisings in a few places will be suppressed quickly."
"This is the peak. After the uprisings are over, no one will buy."
"You have to enter at the right ti."
I almost want to reveal everything that’s about to happen.
Father Stefano, our good priest, is spreading the true faith to the corrupt Holy Empire and Deus Church.
The nobles, citizens, and serfs who have been forced to pay tithes will rise up with weapons, blaming the emperor and the church for everything, sparking a civil war.
The Holy Empire will beco a desolate wasteland.
And just like vultures at a funeral, neighboring countries will rush in, creating chaos.
But if I say too much now, I won’t be able to handle it.
With the power I’ve accumulated, I’ll suppress it all.
"If you’re upset, why not be better at business than ? You can’t even beat a noble-born like and yet you have so much to say?"
"No, still... we have to give up our profit."
"Why are you only focusing on one thing? If the rebellion breaks out in the Holy Empire, won’t the Tsardom of Russ and the Kingdom of Lyon just sit idly by? These two countries are going crazy over war lately."
This much is safe to reveal.
It’s common knowledge in Toscana that the rebellion in the Holy Empire is imminent, and that neighboring countries won’t just watch.
"Do you know why they’re buying so many weapons in the Holy Empire right now? Because they know exactly what’s going to happen and they’re rushing to buy while they still can."
"Yes, that’s right."
I smiled and added.
"Do you really think you’re going to make money by giving them what they want?"
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