Chapter 338 - Episode 330: Trade Preparations
Noein, having decided to establish diplomatic relations and conduct trade with the Kingdom of Revelant, decided to begin preparations now to ensure full-scale trade could commence within the year.
That said, Noein was now the head of a nation. There were few parts of the actual practical work he performed himself. His primary job became thinking about how the country should move and issuing instructions to his vassals and people.
The first person Noein summoned to the lord's office was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baronet Bart Heidemann.
"A courtesy visit to the Kingdom of Revelant, is it..."
"Yeah. Since an envoy came from their side, we can't exactly not send one from ours. They gave us various things as a token of future friendship, so we have to send return gifts as well."
Beverstamm, who held the rank of knight, had visited from the Kingdom of Revelant and left behind craftworks, local specialty foods, and cloth made from Growth Lizard leather as items to show King Gabriel's friendship toward Noein.
Therefore, for the sake of diplomatic etiquette, Noein had to send an envoy of appropriate rank to King Gabriel and present high-quality lapis lazuli, expensive sugar, and other items. Otherwise, it would be thought that the House of Grand Duke Arqvist was merely receiving unilaterally and looked down upon the Revelant royal family.
"So that is where I come in. I must admit I'm a bit nervous about crossing the Lestio Mountains."
"Ahaha, that's true. I heard they're sending a guide along with someone to help arrange the trade route, so you probably won't encounter anything too dangerous..."
The Kingdom of Revelant, whose land was mountainous, was said to be accustomed to maintaining mountain paths. Furthermore, for the time being, only their side knew the relatively safe routes in detail.
Because of this, personnel to assist when the Grand Duchy of Arqvist developed the trade route were to be sent from over there. Along with that, personnel to guide the way for the envoy sent from the Grand Duchy's side.
"Since the Lestio Mountains have harsh terrain and are poor in food, it seems there are few large monsters. I'll attach a few puppet mages as guards, so there shouldn't be much danger."
What was scary about crossing the Lestio Mountains was not so much monsters, but rather accidents such as falling or getting lost. As long as one traveled in a small group with a guide who grasped a reasonably safe route, it wasn't that frightening... or so he had heard from Beverstamm.
"Hearing that reduces my anxiety. Then I, Baronet Heidemann, shall carry out my duty with all my heart."
"I'm counting on you. Sorry for the hardship."
"No, this is also the duty of the Minister of Foreign Affairs."
As Noein gave a faint smile, Bart replied with his usual likable grin.
.....
After arranging for Bart to be sent to the Kingdom of Revelant, Noein summoned Dant a few days later.
"Squire Dant, I have come by the order of His Excellency Arqvist."
"Good work. For now, have a seat and relax."
Sitting opposite Dant in the reception area set up at the end of the lord's office, Noein immediately brought up the main topic.
"Actually, there's something I want to propose to you... it concerns the future defense posture of Kilde."
At those words from Noein, Dant's face took on an expression as if he had guessed the general content of the proposal.
"As I mentioned in the last regular meeting, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist has decided to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Revelant. Kilde will be the gateway. From now on, people from a foreign land will be coming to that town."
Due to the terrain, the trade route connecting the Grand Duchy of Arqvist and the Kingdom of Revelant was planned to have its entrance and exit at a location slightly east of Kilde. The Revelant merchants who passed through the trade route would first enter Kilde, and from there, they would come to the capital city, Noein.
The current population of Kilde was just under five hundred. As a company town, the operation of the town was practically handled by Victor's construction business guild. As for the Arqvist family, they had stationed one platoon of ten soldiers from the territorial army, two puppet mages, and one civil official on a rotation basis to maintain public order and conduct surveillance.
Until now, that had been sufficient. However, if foreign nationals were to pass through frequently, the story changed.
The possibility of receiving an invasion from the Kingdom of Revelant was almost non-existent. If they tried to send an army across the Lestio Mountains, it would require enormous effort, and with that country's national power, the military force they could mobilize was limited.
Moreover, if the Grand Duchy of Arqvist were attacked, there was no way the neighboring Kingdom of Roadberg or Kingdom of Lancel would remain silent. It was obvious that they would face a counterattack with great military force and end in futility.
However, for example, there was the possibility that bandits from the northern part of the continent might use the trade route as an escape path and flow into the south. Also, important figures might visit, just as Beverstamm had this time.
In such a case, it was a problem that only a small unit responsible for maintaining order within the city was present at what was, nominally, the gateway to the nation. The distance between the capital city Noein and Kilde was less than two hours one way, but that didn't mean it could be left wide open.
Additionally, a person in charge was needed to maintain and manage the trade route on the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's side and monitor the entry of Revelant merchants.
Therefore, there had to be a vassal of appropriate rank who lived in Kilde, managed a certain amount of military force, and protected the gateway to the nation.
"In short, I need a defense officer in a position like Radley's in Aspida. As for me, I want to ask you to do that."
"...Is it acceptable for me to receive such a great role?"
Having heard Noein's explanation, Dant spoke with a tense expression.
"Of course. Your ability as a soldier and the height of your loyalty to the Arqvist family are beyond doubt. You have proven that with your achievements until now. You are the only one I can entrust with this role... You will have to move your residence to Kilde, but I will prepare a house and farmland of the same level as what you have now over there. How about it?"
Asked this, Dant tightened his expression, steadied his breath, and opened his mouth.
"Understood. I shall carry out the assigned duty, staking my life upon it."
"Thank you. I'm counting on you."
Noein replied to the saluting Dant with a satisfied smile.
.....
A few days after proposing the move to Kilde to Dant, the last person Noein summoned was the court merchant, Philip.
"Intentionally restricting the export volume of potatoes, is it..."
"Yes. In order to deepen the connection with the Kingdom of Revelant in a form as convenient for us as possible."
Nodding at his murmur, Noein continued explaining the aim of intentionally restricting the amount of potatoes exported to the Kingdom of Revelant.
"The potatoes they want most will cease to be in demand once they have secured enough to cultivate and increase them. However, we want to import salt semi-permanently. In the long run, trade with the Kingdom of Revelant will actually become important for the Grand Duchy. It will also make it easier for them to look down on us."
Of course, Noein did not intend to rely on the Kingdom of Revelant for all salt imports, but the ratio would inevitably become high. If they were told, "If you want us to sell you salt, listen to what we say," it would become difficult to resist.
"That's why I want to maintain a relationship of buying and selling materials important to both sides for as long as possible. I want you to make the amount of potatoes the Grand Duchy can sell to the Kingdom of Revelant look small. While saying, 'Excluding domestic consumption, reserves, and the export portions previously promised to the Kingdom of Roadberg and others, these are the only potatoes we can sell.' Can you do it?"
"Of course it is possible. Originally, the export volume of potatoes to the Kingdom of Roadberg and the Kingdom of Lancel can be adjusted however I wish. As for the domestic consumption amount, if I have Your Excellency's assistance, I can manipulate it."
The sovereign of the Grand Duchy and the head of the court merchant guild who grasped the economy of this country. If those two conspired, it was easy to make the potatoes available for export look small without being suspected by the Revelant merchants.
"Good. Then I'll leave it to you. Let's consult on the details later, including Anna and Edgar... and one more thing. This is something I want you to proceed with over the long term,"
Starting with that, what Noein spoke of was—the importance of becoming in a "honeymoon relationship" with the Kingdom of Revelant.
In order to continue equal trade even after the Kingdom of Revelant became able to self-supply potatoes within its own borders, it would be enough to create a situation where trade with the Grand Duchy of Arqvist was indispensable for that country. If so, the Grand Duchy could continue to import salt stably.
"For that purpose, I want you to skillfully guide them so that the Kingdom of Revelant becomes dependent on trade with the southern part of the continent via the Grand Duchy. I want you to make it easy for Revelant merchants to purchase lapis lazuli, sugar, and goods from the Kingdom of Roadberg and Kingdom of Lancel that transit through this country."
"So, if they can sell the rare and expensive items from the southern part of the continent obtained that way in the northern part of the continent and make a large profit, the economy of the Kingdom of Revelant will develop greatly... If they achieve national wealth in such a form, in order for that country to maintain its power, they will have no choice but to maintain a good relationship with the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, the source of the imports of wealth."
"Fufu, that's the correct answer."
As Noein wore a fearless smile, Philip gave a wry smile.
"As expected of His Excellency Arqvist. I am impressed by your wonderful thinking."
"It's an honor to be praised so by a merchant like you. So, can things like what I just said be realized? If possible, I want you to build a certain "honeymoon relationship" within about five years from the start of trade, or ten years at the latest."
"There are plenty of ways to do it. I shall certainly create a close economic tie with that country and show you. If so, it should turn out as Your Excellency intends... Moreover, I believe there is meaning in letting the merchants over there get a taste of new wealth."
Saying so, this time Philip grinned.
"It's for me to say, but merchants are indispensable for a country's prosperity. If we let the Revelant merchants profit and gain power, even the Revelant royal family will be unable to ignore their own trade merchants and will be forced to maintain a close trade system with the Grand Duchy for their sake. Such a situation will also be for the benefit of Your Excellency and the Grand Duchy of Arqvist."
"I see, there's that perspective too... As expected of my court merchant."
"I am humbled."
Both in terms of maintaining the country's wealth and in terms of maintaining the centripetal force from the royal family's merchants, healthy trade with the Grand Duchy of Arqvist was essential for the Kingdom of Revelant. Noein and Philip confirmed their shared goal of creating such a situation.
After confirming further details and sending Philip away, Noein leaned back on the sofa in the reception room and took a breath.
"...For now, I guess this is about it."
As usual, he let Matilda sit beside him and murmured while acting spoiled toward her.
For the time being, the groundwork and instructions Noein needed to carry out were mostly finished. From now on, he only had to exercise the necessary authority in response to requests from various places. The target time for the start of trade was approximately half a year later. Until then, the situation would not progress rapidly.
From the next day, Noein returned to his peaceful daily life as a sovereign.