268. Bertrand & Lee (2)
From the beginning, Seongjin did not plan a grand project to revive the northern economy. No matter how good the items and plans are, isn’t a business prone to failure depending on luck and trends?
Seeing his junior join the company, crying after ruining one of his ventures, Seongjin decided that he would never touch a business again for the rest of his life.
Just a small salmon specialty store.
A delicious restaurant where you can enjoy fresh salmon delivered directly from the producer every day.
I only wanted that one thing. He was the prince of the Holy Empire and the greatest merchant on the continent, and he just thought that he could afford to run such a small shop with his pocket money.
However, Branch Manager Schmidt’s opinion on this was skeptical.
“Somehow, the financial calculations are not right.”
The place where salmon is mainly caught is Barletta, in the northern part of Ortona.
This is an area where cold sea water flows and is home to an abundance of plump salmon before they migrate up to fresh water.
Fishing was once thriving, but after the fall of Ortona, it gradually declined and there are not many fishermen left.
“Most of them became refugees, and most of those who remained became bandits.”
Naturally, the number of salmon caught has decreased significantly.
Although it is still distributed at relatively low prices locally and in nearby regions, the situation was different in the Empire, where it was supplied in small quantities through the maritime trade of Cyprus and through the inland upper reaches. The price of a piece of salmon jumps to more than the same weight of silver.
The supply was not constant, and it came in irregularly, mixed with church supplies.
‘Ah, but a salmon specialty store, I think it’s really possible… … .’
Seongjin covered his head.
Somehow it seemed like it would work. I have a strong feeling that there will be a solution soon!
But this time, Seongjin couldn’t just rely on his intuition and do things blindly.
He is completely unfamiliar with business, and the opinion of Schmidt, an expert, is so negative. If you make a mistake like this, not only yourself but also branch manager Schmidt will be ruined.
“I thought it would be cheaper and more stable to drive straight inland rather than going around Cyprus….”
“Would the cost of an already safely secured distribution route be the same as that of a dangerous new distribution route that needs to be opened? Moreover, since the fall of Ortona, public order in the north has been a mess. Areas without proper lords are like lawless zones.”
“Yeah. I guess so.”
In any case, it is a burdensome investment that is too unreasonable to develop a distribution channel just by looking at salmon.
‘Then wouldn’t it be possible to maintain the status quo if we combine it with other productive businesses?’
Thinking like that, Seongjin this time turned his attention to other resources around him. Schmidt, the branch manager of the Merchants’ Union, had a lot of data on the goods traded in Ortona in the past and the industries that flourished there.
Seongjin shouted after confirming that there was a highly profitable copper mine near Barletta.
good! Copper mining. How about this time!
And Schmidt’s reaction to this was relatively positive.
“Well, it’s not bad. It will take time to reinforce the outdated mines, but we will avoid a deficit within three years. As long as you give up distribution of salmon.”
Then, let’s increase the scale a little more to overcome the deficit.
Seongjin, who was searching through the data with his eyes open, learned that there was a huge lumber yard upstream of the river flowing through Barletta.
‘Let’s cut down the trees we have and sell them! With this, the initial investment won’t be as high as a mine!’
And upon hearing this opinion, Schmidt was quite pleased.
“In two years, you may be able to recoup some of your investment and make a profit. Of course, the low-quality salmon will continue to eat into that profit.”
Okay! It can’t end like this!
Seongjin struggled with the documents.
Then, when he changed his thinking a bit and came up with a plan to supply rotting grains from southern Anatolia to the north, the wrinkles between Schmidt’s eyebrows finally began to smooth out.
“With a business of this scale, it would be tempting to pioneer a new distribution network. The problem is that the scale has grown so frighteningly. But it’s still bad.”
“huh?”
“Could you please put down that unprofitable salmon now?”
“…….”
After instructing Schmidt to explore various ways to secure the supply chain, Seongjin left Regina.
However, Seongjin’s worries did not end even on the way to Sigismund territory or upon arrival at the territory.
‘A little cooler. So how did you do it? ‘Is there anything I can show my father?’
What was then born was a large-scale cooperation plan that attracted nearby lords. In Ortona, where the normal distribution structure has been broken, it is aimed at fiefdoms that are self-sufficient or need help from the top on a regular basis.
From slaughter to dyeing, it is a large-scale project in which several small businesses and related personnel move at once.
‘How did I end up here?’
Anyway, when I sent a letter with a detailed explanation about this through Dasha, I was finally able to get a very positive response from Schmidt.
-I really didn’t know you had this much talent. Indeed, he can be said to be the grandson of the Iron Blood merchant, Grand Duke Asein. Perhaps, with this level of planning, stable profits will be generated within a few months.
Even though the reply ended like this.
-Except for salmon, of course.
‘Holy shit! This is all done to airlift fresh salmon to the Imperial Capital!’
But there was no other way. Distributing fresh live fish or dead fish was a completely different problem.
There was a reason for the merchants to mix and distribute supplies supplied to churches. In order to maintain freshness, you must use items containing sacred power or the sacred power of the priest in charge.
‘There really is no answer now… … .’
As such, the work of opening a salmon specialty store in the Imperial Capital was at a standstill indefinitely, and Seongjin faced a major attack by demonic beasts in the Sigismund Territory.
Then, I unexpectedly acquired an ice heart.
Seongjin created a refrigerator modified from shaved ice that does not melt even at room temperature at Dragon’s workshop.
It was a perfect mobile warehouse that even had the characteristics of normal world items that could never be stolen unless certain conditions were met.
‘… ‘What on earth have I done so far?’
What came over me was disappointment rather than joy.
The efforts so far have been in vain, and the problem has been easily solved. Somehow, I had a feeling that everything would work out on its own.
“It’s definitely a cool thing, but….”
Dasha, who was the liaison between Schmidt and Seongjin, also looked a little depressed when she saw the completed refrigerator.
Anyway, everything was smooth sailing from then on.
While living in isolation at the count’s residence, Seongjin diligently exchanged letters with Schmidt and gradually fleshed out his plans for a salmon specialty store.
It was in the meantime. One night, Dasha spoke to Seongjin like that.
——————
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“Thanks to the momentum of the decline, it was becoming a pretty cool thing, but it’s a little disappointing.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it would have been a good opportunity for Ortona to stabilize a little and for some of the wandering refugees to settle down.”
“Um… huh?”
Seongjin suddenly came to his senses as if he had been doused with cold water, and blinked his eyes into space.
‘Ortona is stabilized, refugees are settling down… … .’
Then, the countless documents he had been struggling with up until now began to unfold in reverse order in Seongjin’s mind.
Revitalization of fisheries, especially salmon, and development of highly profitable coal mines. and the operation of an abandoned logging site.
Supply southern grains at low prices and obtain cooperation from nearby lords to stabilize the economy near the distribution network.
‘… Wait, isn’t this really all possible?’
At that moment, a shiver ran down Seongjin’s spine.
A picture of a lantern that started in a small northern village called Barletta, moving down toward the ecliptic, and eventually starting to slowly light up the entire region of Ortona.
That brief vision hit Seongjin’s mind hard at the moment.
‘okay. Is this right! You can’t just pour Logan’s pocket money into Ortona forever, can you?’
Logan had already arranged for several merchants and was sending relief supplies to refugees while keeping their names hidden. It is said that the quantity has increased significantly due to the recent increase in pocket money.
‘Still, there are probably more people taking advantage of refugees than going to them! I can’t monitor this one by one. If Ortona is to be rebuilt and refugees are saved, the only way is to make the economy self-sufficient!’
And if you catch one of the popular republican transfer groups in the capital, connect them to the top, and bring them to the forefront… … .
Seongjin’s head began to spin for the first time in a long time.
‘Then, even though he is the prince of an enemy nation, there may come a day when Logan stands proudly in front of the Ortonans… … !’
* * *
“This is what happened! In this way, Ortona’s economy will gradually revive! Refugees will no longer have to wander around!”
Logan had a blank expression on his face after hearing the harsh records of the past.
I wanted to respond to Seongjin’s enthusiasm, but because the scale was so huge, I didn’t seem to know how to react.
“Now, and this is the cold carriage, the great beginning!”
Seongjin pointed to a cart standing at the entrance of the building.
The newly manufactured packaging, which is still shining white, has ‘Bertrand & Lee’ written in large paint.
“Cryogenic carriage?”
“Yes, a wagon to carry the refrigerator.”
“refrigerator?”
“The long explanation is endless, but to put it simply, it is something similar to the Knight of Grace.”
Then Logan made a puzzled expression.
“…You’re saying that holy relics are being used in places like that?”
“But you can’t have a priest in shifts 24 hours a day to maintain the freshness of the salmon, right? The church won’t sit still, and the financial calculations aren’t right either.”
“hmm.”
Logan was hesitantly agreeing, and Seongjin’s eyes sparkled as he walked closer to him.
“So, Logan.”
“huh?”
“You should invest in this business too! I’ve done too much and I’m probably short on initial funds. But I’ll make you double or even triple your investment in a few years!”
“…uh?”
Seongjin stabbed Logan, who was taken aback by the unexpected words.
“Think about it carefully. The profit is not just that. Even excluding the effect of Ortona’s economic revival, the profit will be three times that of just you! Then you can use it to start another revival project. There is no better story than this. Where are you?”
Seongjin, who was tearing the corner of his mouth, looked like a fraudster from all angles.
Logan, who suddenly received a gift that looked like an empty tin can and signed a large investment contract in return, asked awkwardly.
“…So Lee Seong-jin, is this really a gift?”
“Well, of course!”
[What is natural, you fraudster?]
The demon lord let out a small sigh in his head.
However, Logan is also a man with a formidable personality.
“Okay. If you are, then whatever.”
Scrunch.
Logan coolly scrawled his signature on the contract that Seongjin secretly presented to him.
“Excellent choice, Logan. I assure you.”
Seongjin, who was happily putting the contract in his arms, suddenly looked back at Logan in shock as to what he was thinking.
“But, Logan?”
“huh?”
“If someone asks you to sign something later, be sure to call me next time, okay?”
“……?”
* * *
That afternoon, Administrator Dorian visited Seonghwang’s office carrying a huge stack of documents.
Although he was soft, he was sharp in getting things done, and was a young administrator whom Seonghwang always admired.
However, Dorian, who had hesitated for a while even after entering the office, finally spoke while holding out the documents he had brought in front of Seonghwang.
“Your Majesty, it is a matter of permission from a merchant who plans to conduct business across the imperial capital. Other than that, various business plans are awaiting approval at the same time.”
“If it is such a problem, we can discuss it with the Merchants’ Union at the executive level.”
“Haonde, the name of the merchant owner is jointly owned by Prince Mores and Prince Logan….”
“…….”
Seonghwang, feeling something unusual, accepted the document without saying a word.
“It seems like he impersonated the prince, but the content is very specific and the amount of money is large. So, I felt like I had to report it to His Majesty first.”
Seonghwang’s eyes, as he was carefully reviewing the contents of the document, began to tremble slightly.
After a period of silence in the office.
“business…….”
widely.
Finally, Seonghwang turned the last page of the document and slowly raised his hand to stroke his face.
‘okay. It’s a hundred times better than going somewhere and getting hurt. It’s better, but… … .’
Still, isn’t this a scale that far exceeds the annual operating budget of a small country?
How big are you going to make this happen, son?
fantasy,
