The Mad Tycoon of Rome Chapter 268:

I have heard so rumors about the recent trade situation of Ro, and I decided to investigate them.

Kashapa tone was heavy and cautious.

He was the head of his clan, and he had postponed many important matters to co to Ro himself.

If he returned without any profit, his future position would be in jeopardy.

He was in a desperate situation, but he could not let his expression show it.

Famous rchants had an almost universal instinct to obtain the maximum profit with the minimum cost.

This was especially true for the magnates of Ro, who were among the best in the world.

They could read their opponents weaknesses and psychology from even the slightest changes in their expressions or tones.

Kashapa psychology was opposite to that of Tadius, who showed no change in his face.

He seed mildly interested, but no one knew if he was sincere.

Taking it as a signal to continue, Kashapa went on with his story as calmly as possible.

We have been receiving Ros goods through Han until now. Thats why it took a long ti and the prices were too high.

Given the geography of Satavahana, you would have to go through several other countries to trade with Han. I guess you had no choice.

Thats right. Thats why there are many people who want to trade directly with Ro. But no matter how hard I looked, there was no way to do that unless it was a secret smuggling operation.

The rchants only said that they had to abide by the contract between Ro and Han. But I heard a rumor that the situation had changed recently. I dont know if the relationship with Han has shifted or not, but they said that there was no need to trade only with Han anymore. Did I hear wrong information?

Its not a secret matter, so I dont mind telling you. You are not mistaken. Until now, Shahanshah had promised exclusive trade to Han as a sign of friendship, since they were the first to ally with us. But after the last war, Hans attitude made us suspicious.

Kashapa was well aware of the war with the Huns.

In fact, the details of the war did not reach far away India.

Unlike Han, who had spent a fortune on investigating it directly, the Satavahana dynasty did not have much reason to do so.

All they knew was that the Huns had made so advances at first, but after Shahanshah intervened, they were swept away like fallen leaves.

He did not know what Han had done to earn their resentnt, but this was a golden opportunity for Kashapa.

If Ro traded with various countries, who would be the target?

India-Greece and India-Scythia were hardly worthy of being called countries.

And further north, they had already been swept away by the Huns, so there was no suitable country to be found.

The countries in the northeast of Han were too far away to be considered.

Then naturally, the target would be limited to the countries in India.

Among them, Satavahana was currently the most powerful and wealthy dynasty in southern India, so it had to be the first choice.

If its already decided, then its only a matter of ti before Ros rchants co to India.

I suppose so.

Ro and Satavahana have the best location for trade. Trading with Han is nothing but a hard way to go by land. The risk is high and it takes more ti. But we can trade directly with Ro by sea, cant we? It will be much easier than trading with Han.

I know roughly what you an. Although it is forbidden to sell Ros specialties in India, buying them is not illegal, so rchants are coming and going even now. If you buy goods in India and follow the route well, you can reach Ctesiphon in one go. Its a bit rough because there are many swamps, but its much easier than land.

Kashapa face brightened.

As expected, Ro had already made up its mind to trade with India.

Ro was a goose that laid golden eggs, as proven by their previous examples.

The one who jumped into this golden opportunity first would rake in the money.

Do you plan to trade with Chola and Anuradhapura as well?

Are those two places located in the far south of India? Ive thought about it, but I havent made any concrete plans yet.

It would take a long detour to go to Chola by boat. The western region is already occupied by Satavahana, and Chola is located in the southeast. Anuradhapura is the sa.

What Kashapa wanted was Satavahana, or more precisely, he wanted to lead the trade with Ro.

If that happened, he could sell Ros goods at a high price, just like Han had done.

No matter how much Ro dominated the sea, it would be difficult for them to trade directly with the small countries in the east of India.

If he used this point well, Kashapa could amass a wealth beyond his imagination.

If that happens, they wont be able to ignore as a clan that was incorporated from another country. They will have to bow their heads in front of .

Tadius, who was staring at Kashapa, smiled with a strange smile.

Trade is sothing that happens on the basis of mutual trust. But to be honest, I was having trouble because I had never established a relationship with Satavahana. The only thing the rchants did was co and go to get spices. If we enter in earnest, we will have to deal with the powerful people there, and we will have to study their culture separately

Thats true. To be honest, Im a bit embarrassed to say this, but the open-minded Romans might be shocked when they co to Satavahana. No, shocked is a euphemism, they might feel angry. There are hardly any nobles among the Roman rchants.

It cant be helped. Most of the noble families of Ro want to enter the Senate, but the senators cannot engage in comrce directly. So they usually appoint agents, and these agents are either freed slaves or knights.

That may be a natural fact in Ro, but not in our land. Most of the haughty Kshatriyas will likely take a hostile attitude towards the rchants from other countries.

So of the harsh ones may not even want to see your face unless you are a noble. And thats not all. There is sothing that might frustrate you. What do you think is the most common phrase you will hear while trading?

Tadius knew about the caste system from Gatam.

But he had not thought much about the question Kashapa asked.

Isnt it the obvious lie that they have nothing left to sell at this price?

You will hear that too, but if you co to our side, you will keep hearing There is no problem.

Satavahana people seem quite positive.

Yes, well they have that side too, but thats not the problem. To translate it accurately, it doesnt an dont worry because there is no problem. It ans there is no need to take responsibility because its not a problem. Not only other people, but also nobles and rchants will say that more often with that aning.

Tadius smirked as if he finally understood.

So you an we could get into trouble if we take their words literally.

Not only words, but also contracts. If you dont do it very carefully, changing your words later will be commonplace. No matter what you complain about, you will only get the answer that there is no problem.

Thats a bit troubleso.

Ro had an unwritten rule that contracts and promises had to be strictly kept.

Breaking a promise was one of the most hated acts by the Romans.

But on the other hand, Satavahanas tendency might be an advantage for Tadius.

Considering the order he received from Marcus, it would be better to provide a source of conflict.

First of all, you will lose if you trust what nobles or rchants say decisively. If they say it will end in a week, you should expect it to take at least ten days more. If they say its definitely possible, its half and half If they say it might be possible, its better to understand that its actually impossible. And if you want to set up a eting ti, you have to set it much earlier than the ti you really want to et.

Ill have to prepare myself well. It was good to get along with soone who knows the local culture well and has a high position.

Kashapa was pleased by the reaction Tadius wanted.

He tried his best to keep his happy expression from showing and nodded solemnly.

Its not an easy place. You dont know how prejudiced they are. My clan, which was incorporated from another country, spent years to assimilate into the local culture. If you want to trade with India, you will need a reliable ally. If you trust , I can help you with various things.

You are Gatams friend, so I can trust you of course. I look forward to working with you.

The deal went much easier than expected, and Kashapa could hardly hold back his laughter.

Tadius smiled back at him and got up from his chair.

Then, in celebration of eting a good connection, Ill treat you today. Gatam, will you join us?

Id be honored. Kashapa, you can look forward to it. Ill show you what Roman entertainnt is like today.

Im fine anyti. Shall we go now?

Kashapa jumped up from his seat.

Tadius, who had been staring at him for a long ti, turned his head as if he had blinked and exaggerated his gesture.

By the way, the parade will start soon. Since you ca from abroad, it must be a rare sight for you. How about watching it once before enjoying the entertainnt?

Is it like a military parade? Sothing like a departure ceremony?

No. Its part of their training, but at the sa ti its a good propaganda tool, so they do this sotis. The Aqulanus are Ros elite cavalry and the object of admiration for all citizens. Every ti they march, the streets are full of people who want to see them.

Ros elite cavalry

Ro was famous for having overwhelming cavalry power even among those who defeated the Huns.

In fact, even India-Scythia, where Kashapa had belonged before, had quite decent cavalryn, but they were swept away without resistance.

He couldnt help but be interested in the strong ones who trampled on the Huns.

Id love to see them if theyre good.

Theres nothing wrong with that. Co on, lets go.

Tadius and Gatam led Kashapa out of the hotel and headed for the wide boulevard.

The street was already crowded with people who ca to see the parade.

Fortunately, the people who recognized Tadius gave way and they were able to find a spot where they could see the procession best.

By the way, Aqulanus ans eagle. In Ro, the eagle is a symbol of the legion, so it has a great aning.

Then Aqulanus is like a personification of Ros legion. I wonder how majestic they are.

Kashapa eyes were full of anticipation as he looked around.

His gaze was fixed on one place.

From afar, a group of horsen ca with a huge cheer.

Thats Ros elite cavalry

As they got closer, Kashapa could see them with his eyes.

He had never seen such dazzling armor and wing ornants fluttering on their backs.

The plate armor that looked like a lump at first had been improved and now looked sleek and reminiscent of an eagle.

The majestic sight of the Aquilan army brought a great shock to Kashapa.

There was no other way to describe their imnse dignity.

He could vaguely understand why the citizens were sending such enthusiastic cheers.

They were the symbols of Ros mighty power.

Another thing that caught his eye was the man who was leading the Aquilan army from the front.

Even at a glance, he could tell that the people of Ctesiphon were giving him the loudest applause.

Thats Surenas!

The Eagle of the East, Surenas!

The left arm of the great Shahanshah!

He could also tell that he was not a Roman by his appearance, but all the others showed him extre courtesy.

This scene was very unfamiliar to Kashapa, who was discriminated against as a noble who had joined from outside.

Who is that man going ahead? Surenas? He doesnt look like a Roman.

He is a Roman citizen, so he is a Roman. Of course, he wasnt always one. He was the most outstanding general of the old Parthia. Now he is Marcuss confidant and a senator of Ro.

A senator? I thought that was the core of Ros power Did he switch from Parthia to Ro faster than anyone else? And beca a noble of Ro by recognizing his rit

As far as I know, it was rather the opposite.

No, how

Unlike Kashapa, who was astonished, Tadius spoke nonchalantly as if it was nothing to fuss about.

Thats the way of the great Shahanshah Marcus.

The grace of Shahanshah

Kashapas eyes could not leave Surenas, who received respect and admiration from not only the locals but also the Romans following him.

His eyes, filled with the unimaginable scenery of this foreign land, trembled with longing and envy.

The End