Chapter 50: Same Bed, Different Dreams (5)
Chapter 50: Same Bed, Different Dreams (5)
Translation: Godtl
An average of 1.9 billion servings per day.
21,990 servings every second.
As these staggering numbers prove, cola's status in the modern world is unrivaled.
But if we trace back through history, cola didn't start as a world-class phenomenon.
Cola too was once the struggling product of a hole-in-the-wall store in Atlanta, selling barely five bottles a day while recording losses.
What ultimately elevated cola to its current position was the bottling license system.
A framework where the headquarters only produces and sells the syrup concentrate, while delegating the rest to local bottling partners.
If the first secret plan to dominate the Nortaris market gap was the Cola Dispenser,
then the second secret plan—considering expansion into other regions—was this very bottling license system.
Since both were being implemented simultaneously, timing them wasn't difficult either.
"You've come."
"What choice did I have? As you said, the desperate one must seek out the other."
True to expectations, Baron Keystone—struck by the unexpected card of bottling licenses—had come to Jurgen's residence.
He was even letting out a hollow laugh.
"Where do you keep pulling such brilliant ideas from? I must be getting old—I can't keep up with the flashy mental gymnastics of the youth anymore."
From Jurgen's perspective, he'd simply borrowed a strategy that had already built success stories in the modern world...
But Baron Keystone couldn't possibly know that.
He seemed genuinely impressed.
"Go on, say what you want. You've dragged Keystone to the negotiating table exactly as you wished."
"You exaggerate too much."
"Now, now—exaggerate? I stockpiled Berry Mix in Nortaris and dumped it all at once. I still haven't recovered from the inventory losses from that. If Pasture Trading Company starts mass-producing cola in earnest, the nightmare of Nortaris will repeat itself."
Baron Keystone rambled on as if exaggerating his plight, wearing a bitter smile.
"My greatest regret is having married off my daughter. She would've been a perfect match for you."
"Your son-in-law would be hurt to hear that."
Ahem. "So what is it you want from me? A recommendation for a baronetcy?"
Truthfully, he'd had Serena in mind since first considering the baronetcy proposal.
From their previous collaboration, Serena had proven exceptionally capable.
Above all, her growth potential was remarkable.
Though she came from an academy background, he'd heard she hadn't pursued university—he'd even wondered why she never obtained a degree.
With just a little guidance and accumulated experience, she could become a reliable partner for Y&P Trading Company.
Especially now, when Serena might be sent far away for a political marriage.
A baronetcy recommendation was all the more necessary.
Given how she seemed to dislike the arranged marriage, wouldn't she refuse an unwanted match if granted a baronetcy?
"Speak freely. I've grown quite fond of you."
By all appearances, this battle was Jurgen's overwhelming victory.
From the moment he entered, Baron Keystone had been exuding an air of near-surrender.
It seemed possible to secure the baronetcy recommendation in exchange for reasonable terms.
But.
'It'd be troublesome to misunderstand.'
Baron Keystone's bluster was clearly exaggerated.
Y&P Trading Company was less than one-hundredth the size of Keystone Company.
Though Baron Keystone treated Jurgen with unusual warmth for a noble, it stemmed from his desire to recruit talented individuals.
And Jurgen had no intention of working under Baron Keystone.
Their goals diverged too sharply—conflict was inevitable.
What Baron Keystone wanted was a capable right-hand man to lead his company, while Jurgen sought a Gastronomic Revolution.
But what if he rejected the recruitment here and instead made the baronetcy recommendation a negotiation condition?
What if, believing himself in complete dominance, he tried to toy with Baron Keystone from atop his head?
What if he declared his intent to crush Berry Mix by flooding not just Golden Hill but other regions with cola?
Nobles have their pride to consider.
Baron Keystone would laugh—"Hoho, look at this little shit"—and return to Golden Hill.
And then, by whatever means, he'd launch a merciless counterattack.
"I want the baronetcy recommendation."
"Wise choice. Then as of today—"
"However, if this is about your previous recruitment offer, I must respectfully decline."
"...You do realize how valuable a recommendation for a barony is, don't you?"
Look at this.
Baron Keystone, who had been acting as if he'd gladly give up his liver and gallbladder just moments ago, immediately began radiating displeasure.
"Don't misunderstand. If you won't come under my wing, there'll be no barony recommendation."
"Of course, I wasn't planning to ask for it empty-handed."
This was where he needed to leverage his experience as the former Minister of Internal Affairs.
No matter how brilliant Jurgen's ideas were, executing them ultimately required navigating countless conflicting interests.
The best method he'd always employed in such situations was gentle persuasion.
One had to offer a worthy compensation without bruising a noble's pride.
"In exchange, I'll grant Keystone Company a bottling license as well."
"I refuse."
"As Baron Keystone well knows, the beverage market will expand going forward. Haven't you seen? The achievements Cola has accomplished thus far."
"Even so, the numbers don't add up. If you want to bargain, you need to place equal weight on the opposite side of the scale."
Baron Keystone responded curtly.
'That figures.'
At some point, Baron Keystone had become more interested in "Jurgen" himself than the beverage business.
The barony recommendation was the decisive card to lure Jurgen in.
Even setting that aside, it was a card with limitless political utility.
He wouldn't casually place it on the negotiation table.
"The Golden Hill region already has an established partnership. But Billstone and Riverport remain untouched. How about exclusive distribution rights for those regions?"
"...I told you the numbers don't add up."
Though the refusal remained, there was now a noticeable delay in his response.
"Moreover, I was the one who originally advocated rejecting foreign beverages. What would become of my dignity if I flip-flopped like turning my palm now?"
"That won't be an issue. You could simply frame it as a bold decision to revitalize the regional economy, no? Cola isn't just any beverage. It's a drink capable of pioneering new markets."
"...Hmm."
"Here's the 'exclusive' bottling partnership contract for the Billstone and Riverport regions."
"...I'll consider the effort you've put into this. Don't get your hopes up."
To a merchant, the word "exclusive" was the most sublime and beautiful term in the world.
Baron Keystone reluctantly accepted the contract with feigned reluctance.
"Hmm, it truly is exclusive in the literal sense."
"We won't establish other licensing partners within Riverport and Billstone. Y&P won't expand direct operations there either."
"So I just operate the bottling factories while selling Cola through Berry Mix's distribution channels?"
"Precisely."
"Not a bad offer, I suppose."
Baron Keystone, who had been seriously examining the contract, chuckled dryly.
"But what if I refuse anyway?"
"I don't believe it's an offer bad enough to warrant outright rejection."
"Seeing this only makes me want to bring you under my wing all the more. If I toss this recommendation your way now, I doubt you'd ever come over."
This man's obsession is quite something...
"You make it sound like only I stand to benefit, but wouldn't partnering with me be Y&P Trading Company's best option regardless? Say what you will, but there's no one in the north who can distribute beverages as effectively as I can."
That much was true.
Despite appearances, his sharp analytical skills were another reason Jurgen wanted to establish long-term friendly relations with him.
If so, the real persuasion was only beginning now.
"Sir Keystone, I understand Keystone Company hit its growth ceiling quite some time ago."
"Why bring that up all of a sudden? Not exactly a point of pride."
Jurgen might not know Baron Keystone well, but he was thoroughly familiar with Keystone Company.
The leading representative of northern livestock and dairy farming.
Was it three years ago?
Baron Keystone, who had boosted productivity by employing various new technologies, had received the Royal Industrial Merit Medal.
The final approver for his medal had been none other than Han-bin, then Minister of Internal Affairs.
But Keystone Company's efficient production structure soon met its limits.
In fact, Berry Mix had been part of their diversification strategy to break through those very limits.
"I can solve that for you."
Baron Keystone paused.
"Now listen here, Jurgen. I appreciate your confidence. But you shouldn't make empty promises. If this were something one man could solve alone, would anyone have struggled with it? I've been running businesses for fifty years."
"Keystone Company's limits stem from market limitations. The issue arose because demand hasn't kept pace with your technological capacity to increase production."
"What can you do? You can't force people to eat what they don't want to eat. But more than that, it seems like our conversation keeps veering off track..."
Baron Keystone frowned as if a sore spot had been poked.
"Six months."
"Huh?"
"That's how long it took to make people go crazy over a beverage no one cared about before."
"..."
"I didn't just provide a product people needed. I made customers desire the product itself."
"..."
Baron Keystone fell silent.
Only his trembling pupils remained fixed on Jurgen.
"My goal is to start a revolution in Britannia—a culinary wasteland. Personally, I call it the Gourmet Revolution."
"Gourmet Revolution...?"
"Cola is just the beginning. The first step to building an ecosystem that craves gourmet cuisine."
As a baron, Baron Keystone had received countless investment proposals from all sorts of people.
They all tried to persuade him with sweet words and empty promises.
But most were either delusional dreamers clinging to their unrealistic goals or outright swindlers trying to extract money with flashy ambitions.
Among them, Jurgen's proposal was the most absurd of all.
It bordered on sheer fantasy.
"Just imagine. If this 'gourmet ecosystem' takes root—if we can elevate people's tastes to the next level—in other words, if we can exponentially increase the demand for dairy and meat products. Just think how high Keystone Company's livestock and dairy industries could soar."
No matter how capable someone was, could a single individual really change an entire 'culture'? The culture of an entire nation?
It was nearly impossible.
And yet.
There was conviction in Jurgen's dark eyes.
A determination so overwhelming that even Baron Keystone, who had lived many years, felt its weight.
In fact, Jurgen had already proven his theory—albeit in a small niche.
And he had done it in just six months.
"I regretfully must decline your scouting offer. But if Y&P Trading and I can maintain a good relationship going forward, it won't be a loss for you, Baron Keystone."
Baron Keystone pondered.
Should he believe in this outrageous man's Gourmet Revolution and invest his baronetcy recommendation?
Or should he dismiss it with common sense and walk away?
Soon, Baron Keystone made his decision.
"...I'll write you the baronetcy recommendation."
"A wise choice."
"Don't forget. Y&P Trading and Keystone Company are comrades in this Gourmet Revolution."
"You won't regret it."
"Hah, I must be out of my mind."
Grumbling, Baron Keystone pulled an envelope from his coat.
An elegant ivory-tinted parchment, adorned with intricate silver foil decorations.
The ornate, antiquated calligraphy of a royal scribe, each character meticulously penned.
And at the very bottom—the Queen's personal seal.
A single sheet of paper that could change a person's life.
A baronetcy recommendation.
As far as Jurgen knew, the production cost of one such document was a full crown.
"Write your name here. Once sent to the royal court, it will return with your official title. You can frame it as a keepsake."
"Ah, there's one more request."
"What is it?"
"I'd like to give it to someone else."
"...?"
Baron Keystone stared at Jurgen as if he were looking at a madman.
"This? To someone else? Who? Have you lost your mind?"
"Serena Lenoir, a technician collaborating with Y&P Trading."
"Do you even understand what kind of opportunity this is?"
"Y&P already has Penelope as its public face, doesn't it? I don't necessarily need the title myself."
Baron Keystone's expression twisted into something utterly bewildered.
It was almost pitying.
"Listen, young man, it's good to be young, but... you know how it is. Love is always fleeting."
"That's not the reason, but..."
"Hear me out. Love? It lasts three years at most. Once you're married, it all becomes meaningless. I know from experience."
It seemed he had been completely misunderstood.
For the next thirty minutes, Baron Keystone earnestly tried to talk Jurgen out of it.
He desperately attempted to dissuade the promising young man from throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the sake of love.
"...Sigh, I've said all I can. You do know that once this is sent to the royal court, it's final? No take-backs."
In the end, Baron Keystone squeezed his eyes shut and stamped the document with his signature and family seal.
After all, once given, it was up to the recipient to decide how to use it.
"You'll regret this someday, mark my words..."
"..."
"Then again, what do my words matter now? What does love even mean..."
"..."
But the look of genuine pity and frustration on his face never faded.