System vs Rebirth

Chapter 1241: Merchants vs Nobles

Count Elevan was one of the northern lords who had the qualification to attend the conference.

And it was obvious that, as one of the attending nobles, he would be visited by a merchant.

It was no ordinary merchant. It was one of the ten top merchants who were once invited by Noel to the past conference.

"Count Elevan. Our relationship has gone a long way back, so I'm sure that I have never been stingy with you. I have helped your territory with my power, allowing your people to purchase goods at a reasonable price." The merchant smiled.

Count Elevan's expression remained unchanged. He simply asked, "I know what you want. You want me to persuade Marquis Ardagan to help you, right? No. It's more accurate that you want me to actually recommend you in the conference."

The merchant smiled. "Of course. I have been a good merchant this whole time, so don't you think I deserve some of your help?"

"Help, huh?" Count Elevan gritted his teeth and shouted, "Let me see. What kind of help do you need for a merchant who was once invited by Marquis Ardagan and let the favor slip?"

The merchant's smile disappeared. "Count Elevan!"

"I'm not done. Not only did you miss out on that favor, but you also bribed my wife to get that information." Count Elevan squinted his eyes.

"That's…" The merchant's body was trembling. The invitation itself was a secret. In this mansion, only him and his wife, whom he talked to, knew about this information.

The fact that the merchant suggested himself meant he knew the information. In other words, the only one who could tell him was his wife.

Of course, he would be angry at his wife for letting out that secret, but he was angrier at the merchant for using that method.

The merchant gritted his teeth, but the count wasn't done yet.

He glared at the merchant and said with a cold tone. "Also, helping me? It's true that you have circulated the group, but a reasonable price? Do you think I don't know that it's actually 20-30% higher than the market price?"

"What? You should also count the effort that I take to get it!" The merchant stood up.

But he would soon sit down the moment Count Elevan asked, "Then, what kind of explanation have you prepared for me for the surge of price when people tried to sabotage Marquis Ardagan? Tell me."

"That's…" The merchant couldn't say anything. The answer was clear.

"You want me to actually recommend you while this whole time you have been profiting off me?" Count Elevan gnashed his teeth. The veins on his forehead bulged as if he wanted to kill this merchant right away. "It seems you're still working together with those bastards from the central plain. I know it. You're trying to sabotage me, aren't you?"

The merchant was trembling in fear. He could claim he didn't, but what would change? The count was angry.

And the fact that he was talking back to the count was the same as him forfeiting the chance of making up.

"I… I…" The merchant bit his lips. "If you recommend me, I'll reduce the price of the goods in your territory to half for three years."

He was willing to take a huge loss because, after those three years, his company would definitely become larger.

That might be effective before Noel produced all kinds of transportation, especially the trains.

But even without him, the people in his territory could receive the goods from a farther place by using the trains. It would be much easier to deal with it, and with Noel's authority, no one would dare to mess up the price.

That was why Count Elevan shouted, "No. You better pack up your belongings right now before I tell my guards to escort you out of my territory. From now on, you're banned from my territory. If you want to come back, better beg Marquis Ardagan."

"You…" The merchant gnashed his teeth, but there was nothing he could do. Even if he begged Noel, there was no chance of him being forgiven. Even if he managed to do it, it would probably take a lot of time to the point where other companies would have become much bigger compared to his by the time he was allowed to trade.

Several other nobles were also approached by merchants, who used their ways to get that information.

However, there were also a few other merchants who were called by nobles.

…

Mayzion Family.

Earl Mayzion smiled at the merchant in front of him.

"Lavar. You have helped my territory a lot."

Lavar was wearing a complicated expression, not knowing why the Earl suddenly called him to his mansion.

Lavar scratched the back of his head and said, "I'm just repaying your Lordship." It's thanks to you that my company can prosper."

"No, no. It's because of your good leadership that your company can prosper. I'm just thankful for all the goods you have brought to my territory and keeping the price stable. As expected of a great merchant."

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"I can't be compared to the great merchants." He shook his head. "While I do want to become a great merchant, I believe that one shouldn't lose their humanity when pursuing greed."

Hearing those words put a smile on Earl Mayzion. He smiled. "And that's what I like from you. And I believe it's time for your effort to be rewarded. Lavar. I would like to recommend you as one of the merchants that is allowed to use the trains."

"Huh? Sorry? What do you mean…" Lavar was stunned.

"Literally. Marquis Ardagan is allowing us to recommend a merchant that will be allowed to distribute their goods with trains. I'm sure you know about the trains' good reputation recently, right?"

"Yes."

"I believe that you're capable of being accepted. This way, you can distribute your goods to a much wider area. And this might allow you to become a great merchant. With such a good merchant transporting their goods in his area, Marquis Ardagan will be happy, and he will recognize me as well. In other words, everyone wins." Earl Mayzion smiled and patted Lavar's shoulders.

"I just hope you don't abandon your way once you get big."

The nobles and merchants' interactions varied, but they all were settling one way or another. Finally, a month had passed, and it was time for the conference.