Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Blueport Development (1)
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Upon arriving at Blueport, the first thing I did was head out under the pretext of inspecting civilian affairs, just as I had before, to observe the lives of the commoners and serfs.
The sea breeze brushing past my ears, seagulls soaring overhead in search of food, the quiet yet impressive sound of the waves.
Beneath the clear blue sky stretched an endless blue sea, and at the docks capable of accommodating countless ships, massive vessels stood in rows like small mountains.
Meanwhile, at the dock beside me, countless sailors were unloading cargo from their ships onto carts and wagons.
"Just four more hours of work, and we're done for the month. Everyone's done great!"
"Captain, does that mean we can go have some fun with the ladies?!"
"I'll talk to the ship owner and make sure we get paid properly! Hurry up and unload, men of the sea! The women who admire your passion and manhood are waiting!!"
"Long live the captain!!"
The merchants waged a relentless war for profit, stopping just short of drawing their swords.
"Sir, this is the finest fur from the Northern Alliance. Two gold coins per pelt?..."
"What, you want three per pelt then?"
"How about two and a half gold coins each? In return, we'll supply fur exclusively to the Alt Merchant Guild."
"Would wheat or grain work instead? Based on your market rates."
"Of course."
Listening to their haggling, I approached them like some novice guild officer clueless about the place and asked,
"What kind of deal did you just make?"
One of the merchants heard me and replied with a wry chuckle.
"I don't know how long you've been here, but you don't know much, do you? It's a barter of hides and food."
"Barter? Isn't that some primitive method from the stone age? Food and hides can rot, or go unsold. Why bother importing them via trade like that?..."
"Anywhere else, maybe. But not here. Those northern bear folk up there are starving for food—they buy whatever's sold like dutiful sons. Northern Alliance hides take a bit longer to sell out completely, but even selling half of what you just got nets a huge profit."
"I see. Then, may I ask one more thing?"
The merchant waved his hand dismissively.
"I answered you earlier because I was once as clueless as you... but I don't feel like fielding more questions. Time is money—haven't you wasted enough of mine already?"
To squeeze a bit more honest info out of him, I handed over a pouch of silver coins from my belt and said,
"Elder, just a little more of your time..."
The merchant I called "elder" peeked inside the pouch, smiled broadly, and replied,
"Fine. The deal's done, and I can't leave until those hides are unloaded from that ship over there anyway... I'll spare some time for you."
"Thank you, elder."
From there, I continued chatting with the merchant I'd called elder.
Throughout, he kept bragging about sharing what he considered "prime intel" with me...
Every time his lips sealed shut, I had to pay up, and in the end, it cost me about three gold coins to secure the information from him.
Still, as always, the intel was worth more than the investment.
**
To cut to the chase: this city was a vital transportation hub linking the Northern Alliance, Britannia, and Elrain. Leveraging that prime location, it specialized in exporting Kroitel's food, salt, and sugar via trade.
That's why the merchant I'd spoken to yesterday described Blueport like this:
"Blueport is wealthier and more powerful than a barony with 40,000 souls."
But he also said:
"Even so, the real big deals happen while lingering at the 'trade crossroads,' but there's nothing here for those folks—no food, drink, or entertainment—which is stunting growth."
To solve that, I ordered the local notables summoned the moment I got home, then pulled an all-nighter hammering out countermeasures.
By the time I staggered into the meeting room—head spinning from the lack of sleep—the notables assembled there embodied the essence of a commerce-driven port city's elite.
Their arms showed more fat than muscle from age, they wore black silk symbolizing merchants, and each hand glittered with rings studded in gold and jewels.
As I entered, an old man seated closest to my spot greeted them on their behalf.
"I am Golden Port, representing Blueport's 1st District. It's an honor to meet Your Excellency, renowned even among merchants."
"Thank you for answering my summons."
"If Your Excellency calls, we come running anytime."
"Spare me the obvious flattery. But as thanks for coming at once, I've prepared modest gifts for you all—accept them."
The local notables sat down with puzzled expressions.
I watched them leisurely while sipping the black tea before me. Soon after, the door opened, and a cart laden with snacks rolled in.
The maid pulling it placed ice cream before me first, then every notable, before quietly exiting.
Flustered by the unfamiliar treat, they didn't even think to pick up their spoons.
For their sake, I took the lead, scooping some ice cream to show it was safe.
Seeing me eat, they figured there was no poison and shakily shoveled spoonfuls into their mouths.
They all exclaimed in unison:
"A food this sweet and delicious exists?! Sweeter than sugar, softer than a woman's skin!"
"And look at this color! Whiter than milk or the finest lamb's wool sweater. I've lived 60 years, but this is luxury beyond imagining. No—even His Imperial Majesty hasn't tasted this."
"Yes, 3rd District Head. It melts on the tongue, cooling the heat like a dream..."
Smiling at them, I said,
"I'm glad you enjoy it. Though it costs about five silver coins to make a single cup's worth, how could I not treat those who'll work for me like this? Ring the bell if you want more. Now, let me ask you something."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Does this suit a noble's palate?"
They didn't grasp the implication, merely staring blankly at each other without reply.
So, to stoke their inferiority complex toward the nobility, I continued:
"Let me rephrase. Do you think this could grace a noble banquet?"
"Absolutely. A novel dessert to satisfy their lavish mouths and eyes, Your Excellency."
"Then imagine this: nobles savoring exquisite dishes and ice cream to the tune of orchestras you arranged for them, basking in abundance. And the envious glares of lesser nobles too poor to partake..."
At those words, the notables—exaggerating a bit—grinned ear-to-ear like soldiers spotting an idol group at a military concert.
Undoubtedly, their minds were filled with visions of themselves enjoying ice cream—rare even for titled nobles in Blueport—amid refined music and culture.
While petty nobles, who usually scorned them as mere "merchants," gnashed their teeth outside, unable to enter.
I clapped and declared:
"To be frank, I have no intention of living with an inferiority complex forever. Create a venue where you can openly overshadow them with superior culture. There, you'll meet Northern Alliance or Britannian magnates—high nobles unseen even in villages—sparking massive deals. Rubbing shoulders with lofty nobles will one day grant you 'their caliber' too."
One notable slammed the table as I finished:
"Once we attain that caliber, the Northern Alliance's 'blood-poor but cash-rich nobles' and magnates will flock to us, the origin of this splendid culture... They can't survive without trends. We'll land far bigger, better deals! We can even make them stay longer, waiting for better terms, or bore them into price cuts."
"Exactly. That's why I aim to transform this city into everyone's envy—a 'cultural hub,' a 'tourist haven'—with your help. Follow me, and I'll elevate every one of you beyond magnates. So, follow me."
Their eyes burned with fervent loyalty, fueled by my strokes to their honor and greed, as they chorused:
"How could we not? As long as Your Excellency doesn't abandon us, we'll follow to the end. For Kroitel Bay...!!"
But the speaker's words cut off. A messenger had entered the meeting room, knelt before me, and reported:
"Report! About two kilometers from here, the sea has suddenly turned white—residents are trembling in terror!"
..... The sea turning white? What the hell could cause that?
With that thought, I spurred my horse toward the site as fast as possible.