Chapter 253
"Even if we need to spend money, there is just one solution."
Dwayne's words drew everyone's focus.
"We must import food from other countries. The local food stocks have already been converted into military funds or jewels owned by the wealthy."
Logan grimaced at the direct statement, and the rest sighed heavily.
Dwayne moved forward and continued.
"We have to seek aid from other nobles. We must tap into the resources of territories with surplus to help those suffering from food shortages."
While the suggestion had its merits, it seemed impractical.
As the group shook their heads in disagreement, Damian spoke up.
"The nobles are unlikely to assist. Even if they do, it will only be to gain favor after the situation escalates and starvation occurs in their own lands. His Majesty wouldn't want that."
Logan nodded in agreement at those words.
"If we wait too long, resentment towards the royal family will grow, and addressing the aftermath will require even more resources. A crisis that demands the united effort of the nation is looming in a few years. We need to consider more realistic alternatives."
It was a proposal to rule out noble cooperation.
This was logical, as legally, the royal family couldn't compel the nobles to contribute. Even if they requested aid, the response would likely be, "Why should I?"
'Nobles may dress it up nicely, but the outcome remains the same.'
Those familiar with the nobles' nature couldn't help but agree.
Even Dwayne, who initially suggested seeking noble help, could only bite his lip in frustration.
"Does this mean we have to rely heavily on reserves from the McLaine and Esperanza territories, Your Majesty?"
"Esperanza already provided support last winter and can't offer more now."
The Sword Sage, who had been supportive since before the coronation, shared the dire situation of the territories with a solemn expression.
"The same goes for McLaine. While I haven't reported on public sentiment there, the atmosphere is..."
Logan interrupted the conversation.
"What about Taren? They have surplus now, right?"
"Ah! Yes, that's correct. With the cursed mana stone farming method and dam constructions complete. But are you planning to exploit them again so soon? McLaine isn't a serf, and you intend to profit from those valuable mana stones... Urk!"
Dwayne's expression shifted from self-awareness to resentment and anger, then to stone-faced realization.
Realizing his slip of the tongue, he anxiously glanced at Logan and the Sword Sage for their reactions.
With a wry smile, the Sword Sage replied, while Logan sighed lightly and added,
"No need to be so cautious. I've already discussed it with your master."
"Ahem. My apologies, Your Grace. So, Your Majesty intends to sell mana stones to buy food from abroad, correct? It's feasible, but..."
"But what?"
At Logan's prompt, Dwayne sighed sadly.
"I may not know much about commerce, but one thing is certain."
"What's that?"
"If the kingdom begins bulk purchases, traders will hike prices at the first opportunity. Even with a limited amount of food for distribution, we could face a budget deficit due to inflated prices."
"Discuss this with Philip first. We need to find a way to import a large quantity of food quickly and affordably. He'll find a solution."
"... I'll speak with him, but I doubt Philip can meet all those demands..."
"Let's put our trust in Philip."
Logan sighed repeatedly as he mentioned the seemingly unrealistic conditions.
"If you have any other ideas, share them."
While it was unconventional to sacrifice one's people to build an army against the Empire, they had no choice at the moment. They had to proceed cautiously to minimize the fallout.
'We cannot allow another disaster like a plague to occur.'
Logan began brainstorming fervently.
* * *
"The situation looks grim."
[Indeed. We're relying on you, Philip. We'll also explore alternative options...]
The young man with gray eyes could only sigh at the unwavering encouragement.
With just a month left until the planting season, the pressure was mounting.
While the peak of starvation usually stretched from spring to summer, it was only about three months away.
There was a glimmer of hope, though.
"Our capital is well-stocked."
Though it was in mana stones rather than cash, the concern was there. However, acquiring physical goods would take about a month, which wasn't a major issue for the current McLaine Trading Company. The Empire's vast food market they had pioneered was so extensive that a month's production from one mana stone mine wouldn't cause significant price fluctuations.
Yet, a new challenge emerged.
"We must purchase enough food to sustain over a million people for six months, discreetly, swiftly, and at the lowest cost within a month."
The daunting task sounded almost comical when voiced out loud.
Just enough food to survive, to avoid death, yet the scale was immense.
An estimated one million individuals – a significant portion of the kingdom's population.
What had led the kingdom to anticipate such a massive starvation crisis?
Had a disaster struck the kingdom without his awareness?
"Impossible... How can I accomplish this..."
As Philip leaned back, feeling overwhelmed, he touched the luxurious leather of the sofa beneath him.
A sofa crafted from the finest cowhide.
The touch of such opulence, unprecedented in the kingdom, reignited his dwindling determination.
The luxury he enjoyed was thanks to McLaine territory, no, to the kingdom's support.
He had to find a way to fulfill this task, for their sake if not for his own.
Gathering his resolve, Philip outlined the essential steps.
"The central Empire is too risky. Trade should be restricted to the eastern regions. It takes a month to travel from Enerheim to the western end of the east. All transactions must be completed within a fortnight and in secret. Grain merchants must not share information to prevent price-fixing. Therefore, I must..."
As he articulated his plan, the challenge seemed even more formidable.
'No, it's an illusion. I can do this. I must do this.'
Reassuring himself, Philip exited his office promptly.
However, at the outset of this Herculean task, an unexpected hurdle emerged.
"What did you say?"
Upon entering the familiar trading company, Philip received startling news.
"It appears... there are issues with grain distribution in the eastern Empire, and the Imperial Court has imposed a three-month trade embargo. It's devastating!"
"What!?"
Atun, a merchant who had established a year-long credit with Lustpelheim, struggled to grasp the news.
"Why would the Imperial Court do that? What's the reason behind it?"
Atun, a supplier to even the Imperial Court, was clueless about the cause.
Ultimately, Philip redirected his steps towards another influential figure in Lustpelheim.
Yet, the foreboding feeling he had sensed since his encounter with Atun solidified when he attempted to meet the market's mayor, Dmitri Lion.
"The mayor is preoccupied with official duties and unavailable for meetings at the moment."
A man whom he had constantly bribed over the past year, so much so that he couldn't recall the total without checking the ledger.
The once-smiling figure who always greeted him now refused an audience.
'This smells fishy.'
The scent was rancid.
- One day the Empire will invade our kingdom. That's why I told you...
His liege's words, now king, echoed in Philip's mind.
He suspected this was an Imperial ploy targeting McLaine.
'Why not just ban trade with our company outright? Ah, perhaps to avoid raising suspicions?'
Or maybe they didn't want to directly target McLaine. Nonetheless, pretending not to notice was vastly different from explicit action.
'So they halt all food trade...? What a brilliant scheme. Truly.'
He had a rough inkling of the motive behind such a drastic measure.
He couldn't help but sigh at the realization, but suddenly, an idea struck him.
'Hold on, given this situation...'
A glimmer of hope emerged amidst the chaos.
Philip's gray eyes sparkled briefly, and a cunning smile played on his lips.
"... There might be an opportunity here?"
The already daunting mission, seemingly unattainable under normal circumstances, now seemed plausible due to the absurd variable of the Imperial trade embargo, which had disrupted the market's flow entirely.
The trade currents of a nation, akin to blood circulation in the human body, emphasized that commerce thrives on constant exchanges and material movement.
If these exchanges ceased due to external factors beyond the norm?
The Empire's vast market wouldn't crumble from a temporary trade halt. However, for individual merchants, the disrupted flow could prove fatal.
"Trade embargo, my foot! If I can't sell my goods for three months, I won't meet next month's payment! Do you grasp the implications? I'll go bankrupt!"
The grain merchant, Kwan, vented his frustrations to his long-time business associate, the Ferum Trading Company.
"I apologize, but my hands are tied. The imperial court has decreed it. To conduct business here, one must abide by the law."
"What about our agreement?"
"For disputes, you must approach the imperial court. It's unfortunate, but please leave."
Bang!
The door shut firmly, rejecting Kwan's plea.
As Kwan slumped in despair, someone approached him.
"It seems you could use some assistance..."
"What? Who are you...?"
"Grain merchant Kwan, isn't it?"
"Yes, but...?"
Cautious, Kwan eyed the man with gray eyes.
"I represent the Aemal Trading Company."
"... I've never heard of you?"
"I assumed as much. We're transient traders from abroad. We conduct business once and depart. Do you see potential for collaboration?"
At the proposal, hope flickered in Kwan's eyes.
The Imperial order?
A blanket trade embargo?
'What good is that? I'm at my wit's end! I'll liquidate everything and depart this realm.'
Crack.
"How much liquidity can you provide? Depending on the sum, I can offer up to 80% of the standard market rate."
A rare offer of self-discount from Kwan piqued interest.
Observing this exchange, Philip's smile widened.
"A merchant will strike a deal with the devil for profit."
A phrase used to belittle merchants in societies that look down on commerce.
In many ways, it held true.
'High-ranking individuals may not comprehend the heart of a humble merchant...'.
Thanks to the Imperial Court's decree, Philip saw a clear path ahead.
From that day on, seven major cities in the eastern Empire began diverting grain towards the McLaine Kingdom through various covert channels and under different trading company aliases.