Chapter 24
Whether in 21st century Korea or the Tuscan Empire, breaking into overseas markets was important for business success.
It's good to sell domestically produced goods within the country, but selling them overseas allows for selling larger quantities and making more money.
Conversely, one can also profit by selling foreign-produced goods domestically.
So I came here partly to bring shipwrights from the Kingdom of Lyon, but...
"Stop there for a moment."
Not long after arriving in Lyon, I encountered thugs.
No, if they were just thugs, I could use the guards I've hired now to beat them up and make them behave...
"What business does a young noble like you have in this Guillaume? As an officer of this city, I need to inspect you a bit."
Although they're extorting money from people like thugs, these guys are officially a regular army.
If I draw my sword and swing it, a war might break out in the worst case.
No, a war might break out, and I might be immediately executed for offending them right here.
Although I'm a proper noble in the Tuscan Empire, I'm not a noble of this Kingdom of Lyon.
'I heard that the bold ones even extort money from barons who come abroad on private business?'
"A suspicious person has come, so quickly open and check all the luggage."
These guys aren't customs soldiers or officers.
Therefore, if they discover a large quantity of seaweed in those luggage boxes, in the worst case, they'll just confiscate the goods as a bribe.
Judging by the rank insignia, is he about a captain? He must have quite some power in this city.
"Officer, you're working hard. I am Fabio de Medici, who has come from the Tuscan Empire on a journey to broaden my horizons."
"You're not a suspicious person. But since you've brought goods into our port, you should pay customs, right?"
It's obvious that you're not a customs officer of this port.
But by what authority are you trying to collect customs?
You're spouting nonsense like voice phishing scammers saying that if you transfer cash to the prosecutor's office account, the lawsuit will be withdrawn.
Still, I'll endure it because if I cause trouble here, I'll really be screwed.
"You must be working hard, please use this."
I discreetly handed over a pouch containing gold coins.
Originally, just handing over a few silver coins would have been enough, but I deliberately put in a bit more because there was something I really wanted to ask.
The officer cleared his throat and accepted the money pouch.
"Ahem, ahem... Upon closer inspection, it seems unlikely that a young and handsome gentleman like you would commit a crime. I'll let the cargo inspection pass."
The administrative system really works well, truly.
Does it make sense for mere city garrison troops to pretend to be customs officers and extort customs if you don't pay a bribe?
The officer slightly opened the pouch and a smile spread across his face.
"Ahem, I made a big mistake not knowing you were such an esteemed person. Please forgive my rudeness."
Although that gentleman is also of quite high status as an officer, there's a reason he's acting like this.
First, being able to give a lot of money means having great influence, and he probably thinks that if he bows his head well, he can receive more compensation.
'For officers and administrators with low salaries, 99% of their main income is bribes, right?'
That's why silver or gold coins change hands even when processing administrative procedures.
They can't make a living if they don't accept money.
Moreover, he probably mistakenly thinks that someone who can hand over 10 gold coins for such a trivial matter is either a merchant with political influence or a high-ranking person above the level of a viscount.
"I own a small trading company and have come personally to expand my market to the Kingdom of Lyon. So I'd like to meet the mayor of this city. Through whom could I get help?"
The real reason I gave more money was...
To secure a permit to do business here, official (forged) identity, real estate, and to get the mayor's letter of credit guarantee.
"I think I, Charles de Lancelot, can help with that. I'm the security chief of this port, and I can contact the mayor directly."
Even in the Deus Bible I read here, it said that gifts make relationships between people smooth.
As it says, using appropriate bribes makes life this convenient.
"I'll be counting on you."
"And just a moment..."
Captain Charles immediately gestured to call three soldiers.
"These guys will escort you. We'll take care of your luggage, so please contact us after you've secured lodgings. I'll let you know immediately when a meeting with the mayor is arranged."
"I'll be counting on you."
"Don't worry."
**
Not long after, Captain Charles arranged for me to meet the mayor.
As the security chief of the port, the most important part of a port city, he seems to have had some political power.
"It's an honor to be able to meet you, Mr. Mayor. I am Fabio de Medici."
The mayor looked at me curiously as I gave my name.
"Oh. A person from the Medici baron family. What business brings you here?"
Within the Tuscan Empire, I'm actually more famous than my brother Albert.
Because there are close to 100 baron families in the empire, exaggerating a bit.
I'm the person who leads trends, including the postpartum care center, seaweed, and cakes that all nobles in the empire line up to enter.
It's like how in Korea, celebrity names are more famous than ministers or vice ministers.
Still, it seems the name value given by the Medici Trading Company is greater abroad.
"First, please accept this. It's a small gift."
I handed a box containing seaweed to the mayor in front of me.
The mayor opened it and looked unimpressed.
"It's seaweed, said to be used as medicine in the East. It's not something I particularly need."
In the Tuscan Empire, no, almost no one in this entire continent dislikes seaweed.
Because in a world where contraceptive technology isn't developed, but nobles still need to have sex with other women, they love this ultimate medicinal ingredient that guarantees safe childbirth for mothers (their lovers) more than anyone.
It's not for nothing that seaweed sells at such high prices...
Could this gentleman be impotent?
No, he looks quite young, in his mid to late 40s, and judging by the slight muscle showing under his clothes...
'For some reason, it seems he lacks confidence psychologically at night.'
Before speaking, I had the mayor's servant call for Chloe.
Chloe came in with a box containing a larger quantity of seaweed, and the mayor showed surprise at seeing her.
She is indeed a beauty recognized even by our Duke.
"Chloe, good work. You can go back now."
After dismissing Chloe, I deliberately spoke in a low voice as if bringing up a suspicious topic.
"I'm the one who discovered this seaweed... Actually, seaweed has more hidden effects."
Judging by the mayor's reaction, although my name hadn't spread, the seaweed being good for postpartum mothers seems to have spread quite widely.
So I'll establish authority by revealing that I made it.
"This is actually really good for men too. Really good. So good I can't even describe it."
The Mayor Guillaume in front of me stared at me intently as soon as he heard it was good for men.
As expected, this gentleman must have been troubled by erectile dysfunction.
Despite having a terribly healthy body, not being able to function as a man...
'It must be frustrating. What wouldn't you do to relieve that frustration?'
Well, since the cause is actually lack of confidence, the solution is simple.
"Tell me more specifically."
I deliberately played hard to get once.
"Ah, this is quite embarrassing."
"Tell me quickly. Hurry!"
Seeing him asking while abandoning even his dignity, playing hard to get any more would be counterproductive.
So now I should tell a plausible lie, right?
"You know the maid I just called in. Well, ahem. Being young and passionate, I ended up putting my hands on her before I knew it."
In fact, I'm a pure virgin.
But to sell medicine, I can tell this kind of white lie anytime.
No, it will take some time, but someday I will actually embrace Chloe.
"Then by chance, I ate seaweed and then had relations..."
The mayor gulped as he heard my words.
The eyes of that person looking at my mouth were almost dripping with honey.
"Don't tease me, tell me."
"Well, it was unbelievably amazing. It didn't subside until dawn. And when I experimented with the efficacy and risks of this seaweed in my territory, would you believe all the women who could get pregnant in the village became pregnant."
"Is that true?"
"For pregnant women, simply boiling seaweed into soup is enough, but when men eat it, it's effective to boil it with a lot of dried fish and garlic."
Seaweed isn't actually a food that's good for virility.
However, fish and garlic are foods that are effective for erectile dysfunction, so if you eat a lot while boiling seaweed soup, it would actually help increase virility.
Also, it's true that there was a rapid increase in pregnant women in the village.
So that gentleman will have no choice but to believe my words are true.
The mayor, who had been looking at the seaweed with an unwelcoming gaze until just now, quickly cherished it like a treasure chest.
Like a dwarf who had discovered the One Ring.
"To bring such a precious thing. I'll do my best to help you. So what do you want?"
"I'd like to take some shipwrights with me, could you help with that?"
Now that I've gained favor with the seaweed, should I start the real negotiations?