Chapter 53 - Fifty-Three ... The Viscount’s Bargain

Chapter 53: Chapter Fifty-Three ... The Viscount’s Bargain

Chapter Fifty-Three ... Perrone’s Bargain

"I watched their training a while ago, and when the pikemen form a square, it’s a truly formidable sight."

Sir John praised them, gesturing toward Captain Lampard. Lampard cleared his throat awkwardly and quietly turned his head away.

"So if we post halberdiers in the inner castle and line the pikemen up in the outer castle, I believe it will show them our strength well, my lord."

"Indeed."

Jan nodded.

It was exactly right. He was a little reluctant to show off a secret weapon he’d only just begun training, but it would be worth it.

"Captain Lampard. How is the pikemen’s training coming along? Are they ready to be called up for this occasion right away?"

Captain Lampard thumped his chest as he answered.

"Hmph! Of course they are, human lord. Call them up whenever you like."

"Oho. Even right this moment?"

"Naturally!"

Captain Lampard shouted it boldly. He looked as though he might go out and assemble his soldiers on the spot. But Jan calmed him down. They couldn’t just go charging off without a thought, could they?

’Besides, the Lufen Company sent word that they want to meet tonight.’

If they saw soldiers being mustered and mistook it for a threat against them, it would be a serious problem.

The Lufen Company was essential to his plans going forward.

"Let’s hold the review three days from now, not today. Your soldiers need time to prepare themselves too, don’t they?"

Having settled his thoughts, Jan said it half in jest. Three days. Yes, with that much time, Captain Lampard would be well enough prepared to put on a fine show.

"I greet the wise Gold-rank lord of House Lupton. I am Perrone, head of the Lufen Company."

Perrone kissed Jan’s hand, every inch the merchant. He wore an overcoat of that famously expensive velvet and was adorned with dazzling jewelry.

"A pleasure to meet you, Perrone. I’m afraid these humble surroundings may be an imposition on you."

Offering him a chair in the reception room, Jan said it half in jest.

"Even if this paltry coat were soiled, how could it be worth more than this meeting? Please, don’t give it a thought."

’Oho. Look at this.’

The corners of Jan’s mouth lifted at Perrone’s courteous words. He could easily have put on airs, yet he was behaving like this? It was a sign that he came to this meeting with a good deal of goodwill.

’This will go more smoothly than I thought.’

Stroking his chin, Jan slowly began to speak.

"There’s a saying, isn’t there, that if you want to learn the money trade, you should go to the Lufen Company of the city league?"

"Well, people do say such things. But the money trade is just the money trade. There’s nothing so remarkable about it."

"Nothing remarkable? Then what does that make me, asking for your help like this? Ha ha."

Jan laughed heartily at Perrone’s modesty and went on.

"I asked you here because I’d like to borrow the Lufen Company’s hand in the affairs of my lands. I plan to expand the waterway we’re building and create a transit market linking the south and the north."

"Hmm... A transit market. So it’s not a waterway you’re building, but a canal, in truth."

The System’s messages appeared before Jan.

[You have revealed your plan for a historic transit market.]

[Notice: Perrone, head of the Lufen Company, takes an interest.]

[Notice: If you win the heart of Perrone, head of the Lufen Company, progress on the transit market will rise rapidly.] [Current progress: 12/100]

’Oh!’

The messages had come at just the right moment.

Judging by them, Perrone’s reaction was quite favorable. Now all Jan had to do was coax him along properly.

"It seems you’re already handling the canal on your own... So you’re asking us to invest in the transit market?"

Perrone’s eyes gleamed. At the words "transit market," he seemed to have caught the scent of money.

"Exactly. I’d like the Lufen Company to take an active part in getting a transit market linking the south and the north off the ground."

"Hmm..."

At Jan’s proposal, Perrone let his words trail off.

"A transit market linking the north and the south... Your proposal is truly attractive, my lord. However."

He paused to catch his breath, then went on.

"Doesn’t this domain lack any proper specialty goods? What’s more, the north and the south use different coins. Their gold and silver content differs, which makes trade awkward. The transit market could fail because of it."

Perrone raised one objection after another. But Jan knew perfectly well that none of this was a refusal.

In the end, it was a question of profit.

There are risks, so give us privileges.

"We’ve already taken measures for that. We’re building large workshops with materials supplied from the neighboring domains. As for the currency problem, I plan to set up an exchange house. It won’t cost much."

Though he knew exactly what Perrone meant, Jan pretended not to. Perrone backed off a step, his voice gone flat.

"In that case, what is there for the Lufen Company to invest in?"

"Come now. Is investment only ever a matter of goods and coin? I’ve heard your people have very sharp eyes when it comes to counting money."

"Then you mean to put us in charge of running the exchange house?"

"No."

Jan said it firmly. Once the transit market was up and running, the exchange house would be nothing less than a goose laying golden eggs. He’d have to be mad to hand that to the Lufen Company.

At his answer, Perrone looked dumbfounded.

"Training people who are good with numbers costs a great deal of money. And you mean to just snatch them up for yourself?"

For an instant, Jan caught a flash of insult on Perrone’s face. He seemed to have taken Jan’s behavior as a slight against him. It was a natural reaction. What Jan had said was no better than daylight robbery.

But Jan meant to put something else in his hands.

And that was...

"I’ll give you trade permits."

"Pardon? Trade permits?"

"Are you aware that I’ve recently summoned my feudal vassals?"

"That I know, of course."

"Then do you know what it’s about?"

Perrone shook his head. Then again, if he’d found out even that, it would have meant a serious hole in Jan’s security.

With a sigh of relief, Jan brought out information he hadn’t yet told anyone.

"There are several matters to be discussed at this summons. One of them is the right to waive transit fees across my lands and the lands of my feudal vassals. And that is..."

"The trade permit, you mean, my lord."

His eyes gleaming, Perrone finished the thought for him. He was probably working out in his head which was more profitable. At last, Perrone asked.

"Then naturally, only the Lufen Company would receive these trade permits, my lord?"

"Of course. Among outside merchant companies, only the Lufen Company. Until you’ve ’put down roots here for good,’ that is."

"Among outside companies..."

Perrone hesitated. But Jan knew very well that it wouldn’t last long.

Sure enough.

[Trait effect activated: The Meticulous Schemer.]

[You have persuaded Perrone of the Lufen Company. He is extremely satisfied with your proposal.]

"That part doesn’t sit entirely well with me, but very well. I look forward to working with you, my lord."

"And I with you."

Jan answered with a bright smile.

After confirming their views once more with Perrone, Jan had the terms of their agreement put down in writing. Now all that remained was to get every item passed at the gathering of his feudal vassals.

And today was finally the day he would review the pike unit led by Captain Lampard.

Boom, boom, boom.

The drums set up on the drill field sounded. In time with them, soldiers bearing long pikes marched forward in step, keeping their ranks.

"A truly magnificent sight, my lord. Garnoc wasn’t exaggerating."

"Elite soldiers through and through. The sense of menace is no joke."

"Quite right. A coward would wet himself at the sight of this."

"Baa! Truly excellent soldiers, baa!!"

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