168. As the Crow Laughs 3
(Narator’s POV)
“What? Viscount Yamano started a business? you’re not talking about the product store of hers, are you?” (King of Vanel)
The king said so with a suspicious face after hearing a report from his subordinate…
“No, it is not the small retail store that rarely open, but a large-scale wholesale. It seems to be directly transported by a small high-speed boat from her country, and that an emerging firm is buying the goods exclusively…” (the Subordinate)
“Hm… So, were they going through the regular procedures?” (the King)
“Yes, the regular trading companies from our country has purchased the goods and the tax procedure is also properly done” (the Subordinate)
If that’s the case, then it’s the job of the department in charge and the King doesn’t need to do anything. … or rather, unnecessary meddling would make the matter more problematic.
“Then, you don’t have to worry about it. It would be greatly appreciated if the viscount could make some profit while bring goods and tax revenue to our country. Even if the viscount loses, it doesn’t mean that our country does. Rather, wouldn’t it be possible to find out her home country if we trace back at the import route? And now that she already back from her trip, she should start attending parties again…” (the King)
When the King began to think of his next move, his subordinate prevented it.
“Of course, when I heard the rumor, I sent an investigator. It seems that a small high-speed sailing ship from her home country is used for transportation to our country. And it seems that the entire hull and riggings were shiny like a new ship. And they seem to enter the port at midnight and depart the port at midnight the next day. Since nobody was looking at the site, we don’t know the direction where they’re coming or leaving…. Also, we couldn’t talk to the crew since we couldn’t find any information about the language they used. Cargo handling and transportation from the port were handled by a firm that has the exclusive contract, and it is impossible to obtain information from them. The ordinary workers do not know anything, and the general manager does no want to speak at all. Well, it’s natural… As expected, it is too early to make a false accusation and torture them …” (the Subordinat)
“You stupid fool! Do not ever try to do anything strange, absolutely!!” (the King)
The king hastily stopped his subordinate’s ridiculous words.
“And about the imported product…” (the Subordinate)
And the subordinate brilliantly ignored the King’s words.
Apparently, those words were a joke. To say such a words to the king, what a nerve he has.
But those words weren’t ridiculous. If he was an idiot, there’s no way he can stand on the place where he is right now.
“There are spices, various seasonings, and lots of luxury items. From rare foreign products to the products that we can found locally, as well as unusual dried foods… However, they’re all of the highest quality and on par with the top stores of the nobility, if not higher. Not only rare spices, but there are also alcohols, salt and sugar…” (the Subordinate)
“Wha, what did you say!?” (the King)
“Moreover, they have a lower price than market price” (the Subordinate)
“……” (the King)
After a moment of silence, the king suddenly noticed something.
“In the notification of import, was there anything that mentions the country’s name?” (the King)
However, the subordinate’s reply was not good.
“Yes, in the document, [Nihon] was written there…” (the subordinate)
“Nihon? It’s a country I’ve never heard of. Where is it?” (the king)
“I’ve never heard of it too… of course, I asked the experts too, but no one knows… However, under the law of our country, merchant ships allowed to carry goods from distant countries as long as they pay the tax upon arriving in our country, it’s not illegal even the country name, where the goods were purchased, is unknown…” (the subordinate)
This is a country that doesn’t mind pillaging, so it doesn’t matter where they got it. As long as it brings benefits.
So, even if the goods were obtained by plundering any country or ship, there’s no problem unless there’s evidence of plunder and that the other party has a formal diplomatic relation with this country.
So it doesn’t matter if the name of the exporting country doesn’t even exist. As long as the pay taxes properly.
“As expected, she still intends to conceal the name of her home country for the time being. Well, that’s fine. When they began a major-scale imports, we’ll soon hear the formal diplomacy and state-led trade contract. Until then, the girl probably would stay conducting the experimental trade to promote the merchandises of her home country, and to ascertain the business condition and the creditworthiness of the merchants in our country. Keep watch and make sure that the stupid merchants keep their hands away from the girl. If there’s anyone who’s meddling with her, warn them. And if it seems delicious, arrange the royal factions to drink the sweet juice…” (the King)
“Yes sir!” (the Subordinate)
The king does not run a company himself, and in terms of position, he cannot give preferential treatment to certain merchants.
However, there are nobles who has close relation with merchants, merchants whose home are based on their territories, and firms that actually owned by nobles. Inducing profit to such business of noble families who favors the king would greatly improve their loyalty. The king paid close attention on that matter.
And this particular subordinate seems to be in a position to enjoy the spill, so he replied happily. It’s not necessarily embezzlement, so it was a natural consideration to grasps the favor of his subordinates.
“Alright, let’s get in touch with her at the party. Next, check out the party where Viscount Yamano will attend. And tell the organizers to conceal the attendance of Count Wonrade and Viscount Efred” (the King)
“Yes sir!” (the Subordinate)
(Mitsuha’s POV)
Well then, it’s been a long time since the last party… The diet program is a little bit more effective than expected, and I can manage to hook the skirt again. Also, let’s be careful not to eat or drink sweet juice too much in the future.
Today’s party is from the army faction, but it hosted by a Count of a different faction from Marquis Mitchell.
It’s already a well-known fact that the party I attend is chosen by Marquis Mitchell. So it’s a bit too blunt of me I just attends the parties from Marquis-sama’s faction, that’s why I occasionally went to other faction’s.
It’s been a long time since I attended a party, and the matter about the trade has already spread, so today I feel like I’m going to be able to talk a lot about that …
Well, since it’s troublesome to trade with various firms in the same country one by one, let’s escape by saying that all of them are sold to Rephilia Trade at once. I’m a nobility, not a merchant, so I can insist that I don’t want to be bothered by small transactions in order to slightly increase or decrease profits.
Today is the party of another faction, so Marquis Mitchell will also attend. …It seems that he’s worried about letting me go alone. Mainly to prevent me to make strange promises or from being forced on some stupid son. …in other words, he followed me to keep his eyes on me.
Even if the faction is different, it’s not that they’re enemies between each other, on the contrary there are relatively close factions and neutral factions too, there are also many friends, relatives, troops of the same units, subordinates, and superiors in the army. So it doesn’t seem that he’s only going to parties of the same faction.
In fact, factions don’t seem to matter very much, especially when it comes to children’s birthday parties.
However, among them, today’s organizer seems to be of a relatively hostile faction. …tte, what’s with that.
Well, anyway, the marquis will follow.
Thanks to that, I’m getting a lift in the marquis’ carriage instead of riding the chartered carriage.
But I was scolded because I walked to his mansion.
It isn’t a problem, is it? It’s not like that his mansion is far from my store.
And it’ll attract attention if I ride a horse-drawn cab with this appearance.
Alright then, with Marquis Mitchell, let’s depart~!!
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