I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 23

Let’s Make Money! (3)

* * *

“Surely, you have the capacity to produce much more. Why such a small…”

“Why would Baldwin deliberately supply only a small amount? Think about it.”

Marco clicked his tongue, looking at his colleague.

The Venetian branch warehouse in Jerusalem, the Fondaco [a trading post or warehouse in a Venetian colony], was filled with all sorts of goods and people.

From laborers loading and unloading cargo to those in charge of boxing and transcribing letters.

Numerous merchants and slaves came and went from the warehouse.

But the most noticeable among them were the ten wooden barrels.

Barrels filled with Elixir.

Strong men with clubs stood guard in front of the barrels.

They were hastily hired after the Elixir was targeted by thugs a few days ago.

“The scarcer any item is, the more it’s worth. Baldwin knows that.”

“So, he deliberately divided the supply sources and distributed them in small quantities?”

“Probably. I heard there are over a hundred barrels of Elixir in the Knights Templar’s basement.”

Marco muttered.

The Elixir had been selling like hotcakes for the past few weeks.

Numerous royal courts and cities in Europe.

From kings and nobles to knights.

They were all enthusiastic about this new and ‘powerful’ liquor.

There were even pirates trying to raid ships carrying the Elixir.

Genoa, Pisa, and Venice were fiercely competing for the limited quantity.

“Why hoard so much if not to control the supply?”

Marco muttered.

“I wish we could get a little more. Italy and Aquitaine are in an uproar right now. Even Queen Eleanor, who lives half-confined, is showing interest in the Elixir.”

“Now England will join in. Soon, troubadours [traveling poet-musicians] will be dedicating poems to it.”

“To think Baldwin anticipated this situation.”

His colleague shrugged.

“You seem to overestimate that kid. How could a kid who’s not even fifteen yet…”

“You wouldn’t understand unless you’ve seen Baldwin in person.”

Marco shook his head.

His colleague tilted his head at his serious tone.

“Baldwin is different from others. That gaze. I can’t forget that gaze that seems to see through everything.”

He muttered.

“How could Baldwin possibly know that Lord Reynald would incite the Bedouin tribes to attack Eilat?”

“Isn’t Lord Reynald’s madness a daily occurrence?”

His colleague burst into laughter.

“Maybe one of the knights below warned him. Or maybe he just got lucky.”

“No, there’s definitely something more.”

Marco shuddered.

While talking to Baldwin, he had never taken the initiative.

Not even once.

Not only him but other merchants as well.

Baldwin negotiated more skillfully than any other merchant.

Even those who had been seasoned in the field for decades were amazed.

“It’s like he’s reading my mind. You’ll know what I mean if you meet him in person.”

“Well, I’ll find out soon enough.”

His colleague shrugged.

Wagons and goods were brought out one by one as he gestured to the laborers.

“I was planning to bring gifts soon anyway. The most expensive and decent ones…”

“Gifts? For Baldwin?”

“Haven’t you heard? Genoa and Pisa have already loaded up gifts and offered them.”

The merchant said with his arms crossed.

“They’re probably going to ask for an increase in the Elixir supply. We can’t afford to fall behind.”

“Then I’ll come along. I should show my face again.”

“Didn’t you complain last time that Baldwin took your prized horse? And now you’re bringing gifts again?”

“There’s an Arab saying: ‘If you can’t break an arm, embrace it and pray to God to break it for you instead.'”

Marco sighed.

“If you can’t beat them, you might as well score some points.”

“That would be the most profitable thing to do. How else have we merchants survived until now? Confronting them head-on…”

His colleague nodded with a serious expression.

The two men’s conversation was drowned out by the shouts of laborers and merchants.

* * *

‘War is a continuation of politics.’

A saying by Prussian soldier Carl von Clausewitz in his book ‘On War.’

But a more accurate expression would be…

‘Politics is a continuation of war.’

Perhaps this is it.

That’s how much the politics of the Jerusalem Palace resembled war.

‘The existing noble faction, the royalist faction, and the new force centered around me.’

It’s utter chaos.

Even with Islam right at our doorstep, they’re still bickering.

‘Still, is Baldwin IV the reason this balance is maintained?’

Every time I see him, I think he’s really amazing.

That was the conclusion I came to while looking at the chessboard.

“You seem to have your mind elsewhere, Baldwin. You should concentrate more.”

The man sitting opposite me said with a smile.

Baldwin IV moved his rook forward with a relaxed motion.

Completely surrounding my king.

It was a disappointingly bland match.

“Rather, your chess skills seem to have deteriorated. Or is there something bothering you?”

“There are always things to worry about. It’s just that my skills don’t match His Majesty’s.”

I replied with a smile.

In the first place, the rules of chess in this era are subtly different from those of the 21st century.

“Good, that’s enough chess for today.”

Baldwin IV said, pushing the chessboard aside.

Only the two of us were in the office.

Baldwin IV had been calling me frequently since I came to Jerusalem.

Playing chess together every evening is now almost a daily routine.

‘He seems to be testing me with all sorts of questions every day….’

It’s also an opportunity to learn new things.

Lost in thought, Baldwin IV spoke again.

“Patriarch Heraclius is very enthusiastic about producing the elixir. He’s even taking the initiative to get approval from Rome.”

He asked.

“The Patriarch’s face turned pale when he heard your name. Did something happen between you two?”

“I’m not sure either. Maybe I did something wrong during the last mass….”

I deliberately trailed off.

Of course, he’d be shocked.

His secret affair with a man was exposed.

If it becomes public, he’ll at least be stripped of his position as Patriarch.

At worst, he might have to give up his priesthood altogether.

“Hmm, well, it doesn’t matter. By the way, the elixir seems to be quite popular….”

Baldwin IV shrugged.

“There are so many people trying to buy it that petitions are even coming to me.”

“It can’t be helped since our royal family has a monopoly on production.”

I smirked.

From the beginning, I aimed for this situation.

In Last Crusaders, the economy, like in reality, operates on the principles of supply and demand.

Currently, the demand for distilled spirits and elixirs is high, but the supply is low.

‘I’m in an absolutely dominant position.’

If I’m the only producer, I can essentially set the price.

Still, I didn’t expect the reaction to be this enthusiastic.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect it to be this popular.”

It wasn’t like this when I played as a Muslim merchant.

Is it because the Jerusalem royal family is directly producing it, giving it more of a marketing effect?

“This morning, even the Grand Master of the Knights Templar came to see me. He said the Knights Templar also want to be in charge of elixir production….”

Baldwin IV leaned forward.

“What do you think, Baldwin?”

“It’s not a bad proposal. But we must get a promise that it will only be produced in Jerusalem.”

I said.

The Knights Templar have branches all over Europe, including London and Paris.

“We can’t let the recipe leak out too quickly.”

“Even if we continue to receive just this much in fees, we’ll soon be able to buy all of Europe.”

Baldwin IV burst into laughter.

As he brought a handkerchief to his mouth, a little red blood stained it.

“As you know, the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller are constantly feuding. If we favor only one side too much, the balance could be broken. So, I will grant production rights to the Knights Hospitaller under the same conditions.”

He said with a thoughtful expression.

“It’s not strange that the elixir is so popular. Kings and nobles always try to show off their power and wealth.”

“Gold, silver, and jewels are just stones if there’s no one to admire them.”

I said.

The elixir wasn’t just popular because it tasted good.

The scarcity and the image it gives.

Is it similar to luxury brands in the 21st century?

“Now the elixir has risen to that position. This situation won’t last long, but we should maximize profits while it does.”

“I agree. And the best thing about this situation is….”

I said with a smile.

“We can give big gifts with little money.”

“Give big gifts with little money?”

“All you need to make the elixir is wine and a still [an apparatus used for distillation]. Even if you include labor costs, it’s a pittance compared to the price it’s being sold for now.”

I continued.

“If we give gifts and rewards in the form of elixir instead of money, wouldn’t that be more profitable?”

“….”

Baldwin was silent.

The next moment, he burst out laughing.

“Yes, Baldwin, you’re right. We can give big gifts with little money. So, you’re deliberately controlling the amount being released?”

“Yes, that’s so the value can be maintained. But there’s another reason why I’m hoarding the supply.”

I added.

“I plan to use it as a gift at the right time.”

“I’m curious who you’re going to give that gift to. Raymond? Or Balian?”

Raymond was the leader of the aristocratic faction.

Was he the lord of Tripoli?

“Those two as well… but I actually have another place in mind.”

I said.

A place where things will soon erupt.

“It’s the Eastern Roman Empire. It will be useful there.”

“After you told me about it last time, I sent a few people to the Eastern Roman Empire.”

Baldwin IV said.

“And I’ve also heard stories from merchants who have passed through Constantinople. As you said, the atmosphere doesn’t seem very good.”

He added.

“The young emperor is losing support among his people. If the chaos continues, all sorts of rabble will rise up to seize power.”

“And if the Eastern Roman Empire falls into chaos, they won’t be able to support Jerusalem.”

I nodded.

The worst-case scenario for the Crusader camp.

“That’s probably the situation Saladin wants most.”

“Are you saying you can prevent that situation? By bringing the elixir as a gift?”

“If we have money and elixir, we can use them effectively.”

I shrugged.

Even with thorough preparations, it wouldn’t be easy.

“But I want to go to Constantinople myself, Your Majesty.”

“Interesting. It just so happens that there’s talk of sending an envoy to the Empire. If we can conclude a defense agreement, we can keep Saladin tied down for a few more years.”

He rose from his seat.

His silver mask twitched.

Was he smiling?

“It’s already time for the staff meeting. Come with me, Baldwin.”

“Does that mean….”

I stared blankly at him.

Going to the staff meeting together means he’s accepting me as a key member of the kingdom.

He added in a meaningful tone.

“It seems the time has come to formally introduce you to the nobles, and to discuss the Eastern Roman issue together.”