The ergence of glass in this era was undoubtedly a highly profitable industry, and its potential for imnse profit made even Simon unable to remain calm.
For this reason, he entrusted the managent rights of glass to his Chamber of Comrce.
However, if Simon monopolised the glass trade, rchants from other regions would naturally be displeased. They might cause trouble when operating in their own territories. Therefore, Simon proposed a plan to auction off the sales rights for glass after six months.
This way, he could not only secure the first wave of profits but also appease these rchants.
A few days later, the glass exhibition Simon had promised officially took place in the Eastern Market. All the glass produced by the workers in recent days was put on display.
Simon even dispatched soldiers from the Brambleford army to maintain order at the event.
rchants were already accustod to the new terminology erging in Brambleford. Once they understood the aning of the exhibition, they flocked to the event.
"Is this glass?"
rchants whispered among themselves. Like Walter and Alfred, they were deeply moved by this unfamiliar material the mont they saw it.
"Transparent, cool to the touch, smooth as skin, this is truly a divine creation."
At the exhibition, rchants were allowed to pick up and examine the glass. After inspecting it, so exclaid in awe.
"How do you think this glass compares to porcelain?" One rchant asked his companion.
"Porcelain is exquisite, but glass is prized for its transparency and rarity. Its value is imasurable. If this were to be sold, it would undoubtedly be adored by the nobility." The rchant replied.
"I agree. In my opinion, glass could be even more profitable than soap or fine wine. However, the auction for its distribution rights will likely be exorbitantly expensive."
"That’s true, but the returns would co quickly. As rchants, we must be willing to take risks."
"You are absolutely right."
"..."
The exhibition was held in a circular area, cordoned off with ropes. Inside, glass items were displayed on wooden benches, and rchants walked around, admiring the various shapes and forms of glass.
As ti passed, more and more rchants arrived, and their anticipation grew for how Prince Simon would auction off the distribution rights for glass.
However, their excitent was dampened when Percival arrived, bringing with him Simon’s sales plan for glass.
"Six months?" A rchant asked.
Percival nodded. "Yes, six months. And after six months, only rchants who have joined the chamber of comrce will be eligible to participate in the auction."
Many of the rchants were newcors from other regions and were unfamiliar with the chamber of comrce. Percival’s announcent made them realise the importance of joining the chamber.
They decided to pay the mbership fee and join the chamber after the exhibition.
Initially, joining the chamber was free, but as the number of rchants grew, Simon added this requirent.
"What a pity. Waiting six months will cost us so much potential profit."
Jack, a prominent rchant favoured by Prince Gerad, stood among the crowd. Although he was influential, Percival, as the vice president of the chamber of comrce, held significant authority under Simon.
Since Percival was making the announcent, it was clear that this was Prince Simon’s decision.
The shrewd rchants quickly understood the reasoning behind this arrangent, which also highlighted the imnse profitability of glass, enough to make even Prince Simon uneasy.
So of the major rchants affiliated with other feudal lords remained silent. Openly opposing the decision would be disrespectful to Prince Simon. Instead, they planned to visit him privately.
The public exhibition lasted an entire day, and the na ’glass’ spread rapidly among the rchants. The common people of Brambleford also buzzed with excitent.
Prince Simon had created yet another miraculous item.
After the exhibition, the rchants dispersed, each returning to devise their own strategies. So prepared lavish gifts and headed directly to Simon’s castle.
"Prince Gerad, Prince Aurelia, Prince Vael, Prince Ravencrest, Prince Valemont, Prince Dornhal, Prince Blackthorne, Princess Lisa, Third Prince, Crown Prince..." In the main hall of the castle, Simon read through the stack of na cards, his anxiety growing deeper.
Ysabeau stood beside Simon. She was the one who had delivered these na cards. She spoke. "My Lord, you are truly the most sought-after person in the empire now. Everyone from feudal lords to princesses and princes is coming to seek your favour."
"Hmph, a na card is just a formality. It doesn’t an they’re begging. I could write three hundred of these in a day without breaking a sweat." Simon said, handing the stack of na cards to Joan. "Take these and use them as kindling for the coal stove."
Joan glanced at Ysabeau, thinking Simon was being unreasonable again. Seeing Ysabeau nod, she took the na cards and left.
"My Lord, this is still a good thing. At least they now have to consider your position and can’t afford to slight you." Ysabeau said.
Ysabeau’s intention was to persuade Simon to et with these rchants. Lady Isolde had sent her here not only to assist Simon but also to act as his confidante, offering advice when he made impulsive decisions.
She believed that now was the ti for Simon to rebuild relationships with other feudal lords, princes, and princesses, and that this would not be a bad thing for him.
After a mont of thought, Simon said. "I will et them, but since their masters treated with such disdain in the past, I must return the favour. Tell them I am bathing and changing clothes, and they will have to wait a little longer."
Ysabeau nodded and withdrew from the main hall.
Simon sat down, tapping the table lightly with his fingers as he pondered how to deal with these rchants.
When he announced the six-month delay for glass sales, he had anticipated that so major rchants would grow impatient. He knew exactly who they were.
Their purpose was undoubtedly to seek special privileges, which was normal in an era like this, where the nobility enjoyed extensive privileges.
It was all about exchanging interests, either cooperation or mutual sabotage.
Therefore, if he couldn’t avoid granting them so privileges, Simon needed to secure what he wanted in return.
At the mont, what he needed most was silver and skilled craftsn, the fundantal elents of industrial developnt. These were the only things that could make him relent.
With this in mind, he thought over his approach and then instructed Ysabeau to invite the rchants in.
The first to enter the main hall was Jack Walker, followed by Damian Preacher, rchant affiliated with Prince Aurelia, the Seasoned rchant from Prince Dornhal’s domain, and others, a total of twenty-five rchants.
These rchants ca from the domains of both non-imperial and imperial feudal lords, as well as from the entourages of princes and princesses. They represented the highest echelons of power in the Eldorian Empire.
"Please, have a seat." Simon said with a smile. "I understand why you’ve co to visit so late. However, the matter of glass concerns the interests of Brambleford, and I cannot easily make concessions to you."
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