Chapter 32: A Rain of Silver (1)
Chapter 32: A Rain of Silver (1)
A skilled farmer pays special attention not only to sowing but also to harvesting.
Similarly, Marcus carefully managed not only the new business he was about to start but also the existing business he had entrusted to Septimus.
“How is the gladiator business going? Didn’t you have a trial match recently?”
“Yes. We held a ranking match to select the gladiators who would represent us in the regional competition. The public’s interest was much higher compared to when we entered the representative selection match. We benefited greatly from both the ranking match and the title match we introduced recently, thanks to Spartacus.”
“That’s what I expected. Spartacus is now the biggest star in Rome.”
After the play about Spartacus, his popularity surged dramatically. On match days, the amphitheater was so crowded that people fought for good seats. Spartacus had to hide his face when going out in public.
Despite this, he still faced the annoyance of being recognized and followed by fans.
Marcus cheerfully explained that such challenges were part of being popular and something Spartacus had to accept. Although Spartacus initially struggled with his newfound fame, he had grown accustomed to it.
Marcus had significantly reduced the number of matches Spartacus participated in. This was to maintain the rarity of his appearances and facilitate inter-regional exchanges. This included selecting gladiators to represent Rome, transporting and conditioning them, promoting matches, and coordinating schedules with other cities.
Septimus, who managed these activities, was exhausted but satisfied with the impressive results.
“The biggest challenge was contacting the regions for trial matches, but fortunately, Pompeii showed considerable interest. This helped with promotion, and the competition went smoothly.”
“How did the public respond? Was there a positive reaction?”
“Actually, there were unexpected issues. I was concerned that Pompeii’s citizens might cause trouble if their side lost.”
“So the match ended in Rome’s victory?”
“Yes, we won. However, Pompeii sent their best gladiators, making the match very intense. Their excitement was so high that they nearly broke down the amphitheater after their win.”
“Such a passionate reaction…”
Marcus crossed his arms and nodded. The fervor of the people in this era was quite different from modern times.
‘Did I inadvertently create the first hooligans in Italy?’
Septimus also noted that the amount of money flowing into the gambling tables was unprecedented. The commissions were substantial.
Although the defeated gladiators were cursed, there were no threats of violence against them. The citizens were rational despite their anger. They understood that killing gladiators from other regions would weaken their own side’s chances in future matches. Instead, they pressured the training schools to improve their gladiators.
This was exactly what Marcus had anticipated.
“The results of the regional competition are already spreading. Capua, Aputium, and Tarentum contacted us first, asking to be included. Even Mediolanum in the north and Agrigentum in Sicily are interested.”
“Really? This could become much bigger than I anticipated. But Mediolanum and Agrigentum are quite far…”
Mediolanum was at the northern tip of the Italian peninsula, and Agrigentum was in Sicily, making transportation challenging with the ancient means available.
Marcus didn’t want to reject the cities eager to participate. An idea struck him.
The regional competition league could be divided into two: north and south leagues, similar to modern baseball leagues. The winners from each league could then compete in a final.
Marcus spread out a map and drew a dividing line.
“Let’s create north and south leagues and have the winners from each region compete in a final. Traveling back and forth between north and south repeatedly is impractical, but a single final match is feasible.”
“Indeed… The final match will be a decisive battle to determine the true strongest city. I can’t even imagine how intense it will be.”
“Along with the intensity will come substantial revenue. We should embrace this opportunity with enthusiasm.”
“Your strategy is impressive. I’m amazed by how often you surprise me.”
Marcus felt a bit guilty for leveraging accumulated knowledge to devise his plans. He cleared his throat and shifted the topic.
“Let’s move on. Are you preparing well for the wheat purchase?”
“Yes, I’ve found suitable merchants and am acquiring warehouses in dry areas to store the wheat.”
“Excellent. I plan to buy as much wheat as possible at the end of the year, so ensure everything is ready. Pay particular attention to storage.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait a bit longer? If the east is pacified, wheat prices might stabilize. Do we need to act immediately?”
Septimus questioned Marcus’s plan for the first time in a long while. Though he followed orders, he struggled to understand the urgency.
Marcus appreciated Septimus’s rational perspective. He needed both blindly loyal subordinates and those who could provide objective feedback.
“I understand your concern. It’s natural to question it. But if everyone thinks this way, we’ll miss the opportunity to make a substantial profit.”
“I understand that quick gains aren’t always ideal.”
“This isn’t gambling. It’s a calculated business move. You’ll understand why next year. For now, trust me.”
“...Yes. I’m not fully convinced, but I’ll follow your advice.”
Trust was crucial. Septimus, who might have vehemently opposed Marcus a few years ago, now agreed to his plan.
Wheat has low moisture activity, allowing it to be stored for up to three years in a dry environment. With careful handling, Marcus could significantly increase his assets.
However, Marcus chose to sell the wheat through another merchant to avoid negative perceptions associated with inflating his wealth using such an essential commodity.
Management required not just high profits but foresight. He decided it was better to have someone else take the blame rather than reduce his profit margin.
“Well, let’s discuss the chariots and carts.”
Marcus glanced at the door as he was about to continue. Seline, Spartacus’s wife, was peeking in with a bowl of steaming soup.
She had regained much of her former beauty since marrying Spartacus. Marcus admired how Thracians seemed naturally attractive, noting Danae’s beauty as well.
“If you’re busy, I can come back later. I brought this to taste before it gets cold…”
“No, you came at the perfect time. Let’s take a break and discuss the rest later.”
Marcus gestured for her to place the bowl on the desk. The soup resembled pork bone soup, though the smell was slightly different.
“Be careful, it’s hot. The flavor should be better than last time. I’m not sure if it’s exactly what you want.”
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
Marcus tasted the soup, which was closer to his memory than before. He finished the bowl with satisfaction and handed it to Seline.
“It’s a bit different, but I’m very pleased. How did you improve it?”
“Last time, I didn’t remove the blood from the bones properly, so the pepper didn’t cover the smell well. This time, I thoroughly removed the blood, added bay leaves and pepper, and skimmed off the scum.”
“You put in a lot of effort.”
Marcus, unfamiliar with cooking, had previously underestimated its complexity. Seline’s improvement from the previous attempt was impressive.
Despite the expense of pepper in Rome, the soup was not something commoners could afford.
‘A soup for nobles… or maybe not even a soup.’
Rice cultivation in Italy began in the 15th century, and Marcus had mistakenly thought there would be rice, as he remembered risotto.
He had hastily created a couscous-like substitute but found it lacking.
‘Perhaps I should bring rice from the east and grow it myself. Romans might enjoy dishes like risotto if I make and sell them.’
Marcus briefly indulged in this fantasy before refocusing on more pressing matters.
He needed to check on the crops he had discussed earlier.
“Septimus, how are the sugarcane crops coming along?”
“Ah, you mean the sugarcane. I sent merchants, but it’s a long distance, so they haven’t returned yet. I instructed them to bring as much as possible, so we should be able to grow enough.”
“Good. Pay special attention to this. It’s crucial for transforming Rome’s food culture.”
Sugar extraction from sugarcane was known in India, but introducing it to Europe was a future event. Marcus saw this as an opportunity to address lead poisoning among the Roman nobility, who used lead in cooking.
Sugar could offer a safer alternative and was a valuable commodity. Rome’s proximity to the northern limit of sugarcane cultivation meant it could be harvested there.
“Septimus, once the sugarcane is grown, investigate anyone suffering from lead poisoning. People will seek alternatives if they see the damage firsthand.”
“Yes. But is the sweetness really from the sugarcane stem?”
“Greek records confirm it. Even Alexander the Great was amazed by the honey obtained from reeds.”
“I can see why that would be surprising.”
“That’s why it’s revolutionary. Do you think I would send people all the way there without reason?”
Although the initial price of sugar would be high, it would mainly appeal to the nobility. Commoners would benefit from the prestige of consuming such an expensive product.
Marcus envisioned a future of lucrative ventures: gladiator competitions, wheat monopolies, and sugar production.
He had one more project he was excited about. After some fruit from Seline, he stood up.
“We’ve rested enough. Let’s return to business. Since Seline is here, her opinion will be valuable. Both of you, follow me.”
“Yes?”
“Hoo, has the prototype already arrived?”
Unlike Seline, who was confused, Septimus followed Marcus with keen interest.
“Yes. The prototype was completed today. You’ll soon see how it will revolutionize chariots and carts in Rome.”
Marcus smiled confidently and led them to Vitruvius’s laboratory. The new chariot with leaf spring suspension had finally been completed, promising to make a significant impact on Roman society, following innovations like stirrups and horseshoes.