The Rich Chain-Smoking Boss (5)
Mollo gripped the reins and slowly eased the carriage to a halt. Dozens of wagons and just as many people crowded the small plaza in front of City Hall. They gathered in clusters, faces grave as they talked or puffed on cigarettes. Officials bustled about, directing the wagons and warning folks not to toss their butts anywhere.
"What's all this? Why are so many people here—with wagons too?"
"Hmm. Looks like some folks I know are mixed in, so I'd say City Hall's called in all the city's merchants."
An official approached and pointed to a spot for us to park.
"What's going on here?"
"Oh, the administrator's summoned all the city's merchants. Discussion on a major issue."
"What issue?"
"Come inside and find out."
We parked in an empty spot, got out, and headed into City Hall.
"Sir, did the administrator summon you personally?"
An unfamiliar official blocked Mollo and me. Then one of the aides standing behind spotted me and ordered him aside.
"Bertrand. Perfect timing. Head straight up to the administrator's office on the third floor."
"Uh... sure. But was I supposed to come here?"
"Not exactly, but the administrator said to let you in if you showed."
Mollo had heard the same from officials at the city entrance, so they let him through too. But while I headed to the third floor, he went to the first-floor auditorium, and we parted ways.
I knocked on the administrator's office door, and Hildeva's voice called me in. Inside, people sat around the long conference table. Hildeva occupied the head seat, flanked by the deputy administrator and aides I recognized from around town. Captain Lambert was there too.
"Come in, Bertrand. Have a seat."
Hildeva smiled warmly and gestured to an empty chair. But I hesitated. This looked like a meeting of the city's top brass—hardly a place for a simple innkeeper.
Sensing my reluctance, Hildeva spoke up.
"Bertrand, you've contributed massively to this city's revival. I believe that qualifies you for this meeting. What do the rest of you think?"
Everyone nodded in agreement. So I sheepishly slid into a seat at the end of the table. Captain Lambert met my eye and gave a curt nod of greeting.
"Bertrand, this is a strategy session on the Grancis Trading Company. Listen in."
"Got it."
"Then let's continue."
Eyes shifted back to Hildeva. One of the aides glanced at the papers on the table and spoke.
"In the past few days, Grancis has quietly snapped up a ton of land and buildings—mostly prime spots with high value in the city."
"All through legal channels?"
"Yes. They went all out. Paid double to triple market price, no strings attached, and brought in lawyers to make every deal airtight."
"Hmm. Can't interfere in private sales, so what's done is done. Any ideas to block future buys?"
Suggestions flew from around the table. The frontrunner: a temporary trading freeze. The administrator could halt all real estate deals citywide—a tactic Hildeva had used before to fend off speculators.
"Sure, it's the most direct and effective, but it'll spark backlash. 'My neighbor sold for triple yesterday, but now I can't?' That kind of grumbling everywhere."
"But if they cash out quick for big bucks, they lose their livelihoods. The pain hits the citizens hardest. Grancis-devoured cities all fell that way. Long-term, shouldn't we force a stop?"
"Doubt the public buys that logic."
The aides debated the freeze fiercely pro and con, while Hildeva listened quietly.
"The pros and cons are clear-cut, so it's risky to rush it."
"Maybe petition the capital for a kingdom-wide freeze..."
The deputy shook his head skeptically at one aide's idea.
"The capital won't touch Grancis easily. Simple reason."
He pinched his thumb and forefinger into a circle. Money. Bribes.
"So we're on our own. Though... no city's ever escaped Grancis intact."
He trailed off gloomily. Shadows deepened on everyone's faces.
"We've already reported the Grancis boss for bribery to the capital. Let's wait for their reply—it'll shape our next moves."
Hildeva smiled, lightening the mood. Figures. She got a bribe too—and not only turned it down but reported it.
I glanced around, then raised my hand tentatively. Hildeva nodded at me with a grin.
"Bertrand?"
"Administrator, countering Grancis matters, but isn't stabilizing prices the urgent priority? Essentials are skyrocketing."
"Got a good plan?"
Caught off-guard by her direct question, I gathered my thoughts.
"Grancis is choking north-south trade, monopolizing distribution. Starving the city out—like the Golruks last year."
Something flickered in Hildeva's eyes at "Golruks," but it vanished too fast to read.
"No clue on their funds, but this blockade could drag on. The damage would be huge."
"True. Go on."
"So we need our own distribution network."
I turned to Captain Lambert.
"How about a temporary city merchant caravan using local wagons? Escorted by guards."
Attendees exchanged surprised looks. A Rosens caravan of city merchants, guarded by official forces, punching through Grancis's encirclement for direct trades elsewhere. Guards were kingdom regulars—Grancis wouldn't dare tangle lightly. And with their own city withering, merchants wouldn't balk at slim margins.
Obvious in theory, tough in practice. I treaded carefully; they were probably thinking along those lines too. But I was a self-made businessman; they juggled bureaucracy.
Arming guards to break a siege? Too aggressive for policymakers.
Sure enough, an aide objected.
"If guards clash with the caravan, the fallout's brutal."
"Then... mercenaries?"
"Mercenaries?"
"Hardo's agency could handle escort duty."
Hildeva chimed in.
"Solid idea. Thoughts on Bertrand's proposal?"
The deputy nodded.
"Simple and straightforward, but most efficient for now."
"Escorts deter rash moves from them."
"With enough wagons and controlled volume, we could steady prices."
Positive murmurs rose. Hildeva eyed me.
"Bertrand, see the merchants out front?"
"Yeah."
"I called them to explain the crisis and brainstorm solutions. But you've already nailed it."
"Hire him as special aide instead."
Laughter rippled at the joke.
"Alright, that's our internal session. Let's head down—can't keep the merchants waiting. Details there."
Hildeva stood; the rest followed. As we exited, she fell in beside me.
"Bertrand, I was hoping you'd show. Spot-on timing."
"Just luck. Why hope for me?"
"Because..."
She flashed a seductive smile.
"Things always go right with you around. Golruks, the new administrator—you name it. Today too."
She squeezed my hand quick, out of others' sight.
"You're my lucky charm. Keep you close, good stuff happens."
"Lucky charm, huh? We'll see if it works this time."
Her tone turned meaningful.
"But Bertrand... this time, watch me handle it."
That hit me—she'd sniffed out my shadow work. Sudden Golruk vanishings, the greedy new admin's hasty retreat, the baron who kidnapped her suddenly petitioning the capital.
Yeah... a sharp woman like her wouldn't miss it.
"Your way's fast and clean, but this is different. I'll give it my best."
My way: kill, smash, flip the table. Grancis was too big for that.
I nodded.
"Sure. But if it goes south..."
"I'll call you."
She linked pinkies with mine, her eyes brimming with trust and affection.
The day after the meeting, the provisional "Rosens Trading Company" kicked off. Scraped-together city wagons rolled out under Hardo and his mercenaries' escort toward Bue. Mollo was in the mix.
Merchants would buy essentials at fair prices from Bue and Fribourg, flood Rosens' markets. Grancis might react, but escorts would crimp interference.
Who knew my offhand idea would shape city policy?
Caravan and city squared off tensely, but no clashing spears or arrows—just business. The city hummed on normally. Except at the inn.
"Those shameless fucking bastards!"
Ukun's face flushed crimson as he unleashed a torrent of curses. Before I could grab him, he yanked his hammer free, kicked open the inn door, and charged out.