NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35
“Look, there’s the harbor! We should arrive within an hour!” drumroll
At that moment, the crew got even busier preparing to unload the cargo.
“Get ready to disembark soon! Once we dock, we have to unload the cargo first!”
“Don’t even think about picking a fight just because you made eye contact with those heathens! If you act up, you’ll die!”
“Don’t bring booze, you won’t be able to drink anyway!”
The crew hurriedly started bringing boxes filled with our goods onto the deck.
One might think we could take our time once we reached the harbor.
But the more we prepared now, the less time we would waste hiring laborers later, saving us money.
‘Time is money.’
“Attention everyone! From now on, change into your proper outfits!”
Everyone grimaced at the order to change clothes.
With how busy we were, it’s understandable to be irritated at that request.
But the reason for their grim expressions was more than just irritation.
The captain protested, “No, my Young Lord. Must we really wear the clothes of those heathen scum? Even though you’re our superior, this is too much.”
Other crew members chimed in as well.
The people of the Albania Continent, who believe in Deus, and those on the Medina Continent, who follow the Madbah religion, refer to each other as heathens out of hostility.
So telling them to wear the uniforms of our opposing nation was essentially like asking them to wear the enemy’s colors.
But there was a reason I was forcing them to change clothing despite their resistance.
“The Medina Continent is hot and humid; if we don’t wear their clothes, we could collapse from heatstroke. Plus, don’t you think we should show them a good impression when trading?”
Even in the 21st century, salespeople sometimes have to hit the sleazy spots—like room salons—just to earn a living for their families.
It doesn’t change just because we’re in another world.
Yet, if I forced them to wear those outfits without offering proper compensation, they’d all resent it.
“Four silver coins.”
At that moment, the crew’s gazes snapped to me in unison.
“I’ll give you four silver coins if you wear the heathens’ clothing. And wearing their clothes doesn’t mean we’re abandoning Deus! We’re just doing this to survive!”
Honestly, I could drop my faith just to get on good terms with the Madbah folks.
I could even pray five times a day and argue that their god is actually the same as our Deus.
But by the standards of our continent, that would be heresy, and heretics get executed, so…
Just getting them to wear clothes is the best I can do.
If I can manage that, we could garner quite a bit of goodwill from them.
“If you don’t like it, you can just stay on the ship.”
Upon hearing my words, the captain immediately took the crew inside.
“What are you doing? Hurry and change! Changing your clothes won’t make you abandon Deus!”
In this world, respecting cultural perspectives that don’t exist is a big deal.
How can they not like us when we go this far?
As soon as we docked, I went to meet a merchant who frequently traded with the Medici Clan.
His face was beaming with a big smile.
It didn’t seem to be just an act for a big business deal.
“I am Hamad bin Alshini, operating a small trading post in this city. My family has been trading with the Medici Clan for nearly 70 years.”
“I am Fabio de Medici, second son of the Medici Baron Clan. It’s an honor to meet a senior member of the Alshini family.”
“Haha! I am also pleased to meet such a young, capable person. Please, have a seat.”
I could just sit in the chair as is.
However, in order to open trade with the Medina continent, it would be wise to earn his goodwill.
“But first, let me extend a proper greeting. May peace be upon you.”
Alshini’s eyes widened in surprise.
He couldn’t hide his astonishment but still accepted the greeting.
“May peace be upon you as well.”
As soon as the greetings were exchanged, I promptly took a seat.
Alshini sincerely expressed his goodwill.
“Many merchants have visited our Alshini family to buy spices, but not a single one has shown us this level of respect.”
It’s actually bad practice for a merchant to be so direct about goodwill before a deal.
Why? Because in this world, turn your back, and folks easily lose limbs or even their entire fortune.
The recently turned to ashes Christian the Archbishop was notably one of those.
Yet the fact that he flat-out admitted he liked me shows that my approach was effective.
“Just because our religions differ doesn’t mean we lack loyalty. I wished you peace, and we dressed our men in your local attire to show respect for your culture.”
In Islam, a woman walking around uncovered is often compared, exaggeratedly, to wandering around naked.
Thus, a man raised in an Islamic culture who has never seen a good video might just pass out at the sight of a woman in a miniskirt.
Men might not be that extreme, but not wearing a veil or a headscarf can lead some to view it as provocative attire.
“Medici, no, Young Lord Fabio, you appear to be a trustworthy individual.”
Using my name instead of the title ‘Young Lord Medici’ serves a purpose.
While it was introduced to me through the Medici Clan, it indicates that in the future, I might even deal with you directly.
This is the victory of a 21st-century Korean’s culturally relativistic thinking.
“It’s an honor. The reason I’ve come is to purchase spices, particularly cloves and pepper.”
“Naturally, I’d be happy to sell them to you. How much do you need?”
“One ton of pepper and 500 kg of cloves. I’d also like to get 250 kg each of mace and nutmeg.”
That’s definitely no small order.
In a way, that’s enough to buy a barony with cash!
Of course, that’s based on sales prices in the Albania continent.
“We don’t solely trade with the Medici Clan, so I can’t guarantee that volume.”
“I’m not asking you to disclose all your goods outright.”
I quickly pulled out my cash cow—a seaweed with a secret manufacturing method that could be sold for a fortune.
“I present to you seaweed. Surely, you’ve heard of its benefits, right?”
“I’ve heard it’s good for men’s stamina and beneficial for mothers, so I buy it a bit from the Medici Clan and other families.”
Even though I’ve gotten my seaweed to be a bit more common recently, it’s still ridiculously expensive.
To be specific, it’s worth a cow for just 10 grams of seaweed.
With one silver coin, I can buy a cow when it costs around 5 grams of gold, making it effectively worth 0.5 gold coins.
“I’m the one who produces and sells that seaweed. Even the rarest items are usually pretty common in the production area.”
In Qing Dynasty China, the price for a ginseng root traded was significantly more than one in Joseon.
There were various factors like demand, but the biggest reason was that ginseng was produced in Joseon.
Pepper is likely a common item that even the average Joe can buy without a second thought at its source.
“This box contains enough for 150 servings, 300 grams. If you offer me some convenience, I can give you an additional 10 kg.”
While this is quite pricey for others, to me, that extra 6 kg honestly costs me around a silver coin.
However, ignorance is bliss for those who wouldn’t know what it’s really worth.
“I could offer mass supply as well. It benefits both sides if our sales opportunities expand.”
Upon hearing my offer, Alshini let out a sigh.
“Trust is the most crucial aspect for us. So selling more than what’s already agreed upon is a challenge. However…”
Alshini looked me in the eyes and wore a suspicious smile.
“If you could deal with the troublesome vile heathen pirates that have been pestering our Alshini family, I can give you the quantities they previously stole from us.”
This, my friends, is what we call ‘tax evasion’ in less civilized terms.
It’s also not a bad proposal for me.
I could buy more spices and deepen my friendly ties with the Alshini clan.
Of course, since it’s dealing with pirates, I’ll need to proceed with caution.
“I’ll do my utmost!”
And so, I began preparations to figure out the reality of those pesky flies annoying the Alshini clan. dramatic music