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TL: ALT
Chapter 12 – Welcome Trading Company President William’s Business Meeting
Welcome Trading Company was a store founded by William.
It was a young company that William had started after working as an apprentice, and although he was treated as a greenhorn by people in the same business, his reputation was not bad.
The name of the company was chosen because it did not discriminate against its customers.
William himself came from a poor background, and because of his age, he was often treated with blatant disrespect and not treated as a customer.
He felt it was unfair that he couldn’t shop like other people, even though he said he would save up and pay.
His pride was hurt, and he decided that one day, he would run a store that didn’t make people feel that way.
He would welcome everyone as a customer with sincerity.
With that in mind, he made that his business name so that he would never forget his original intention.
Fortunately, William, who had a talent for customer service and calculation, was liked by his mentor and was able to become independent at a young age.
From there, he continued to work hard, gradually increasing the number of people he employed, buying slaves, expanding the range of products he handled, and increasing the number of contacts he had for suppliers and sales.
While doing business, he also came to understand the reason why the poor were kept away, but he never forgot his original feelings and never stopped trying to increase his fortune.
“(This is my chance. If this business goes well, I’ll be able to have a good relationship with the nobles.)”
Now William had a great opportunity.
He had obtained sugar of such high quality that it could be called pure white.
No other company even handled such a product.
The Welcome Trading Company also handled sugar, but the quality was too different.
The sugar that came from overseas through the trade was a darker brown color and had a strong taste, to put it nicely. It could also be said to have a mixed taste.
“(I’m curious to know where he got it, but the important thing is to make sure the trade goes smoothly. Too much greed can lead to disaster.)”
And William had a connection with the local lord―or rather, the local governor―even if it was a tenuous one.
There was no way he could pass up that connection.
On the day he purchased the goods from Wataru, he sent a messenger to the local governor’s residence and arranged a meeting for the following day.
“Raise your head.”
“Yes. It’s been a while. Thank you for taking the time to see me.”
“Time is precious. Let’s get right to the point. I hear you’ve acquired something valuable.”
“Yes. It’s the finest sugar currently available.”
In the audience room of the governor’s mansion, William faced Herodotus, the acting governor.
Herodotus was a man of thirty-four this year, tall with a nervous-looking face.
His ability as a governor was so-so, neither good nor bad.
He had married in this area and was now the father of two children.
He was a loving husband, and his wife was the second daughter of a lower-class noble in the central region.
William thought back to the information he remembered about the governor.
“(It’s been about five years since he came to this area, but he hasn’t achieved anything significant, so he must be impatient. He can use it to perform at parties in the royal capital, or he can use it as a gift. Either way, he must be dying to get his hands on this item, which he can use for socializing.)”
The audience chamber is not very large.
Two guards stand on either side of the governor, and a table and chairs are set up in front of him.
The large table is difficult to get around or climb over, and if knocked over, it can be used as a shield against arrows, so it was made with the governor’s safety in mind.
Behind the governor, the room was decorated with flags, shields, paintings, and other items that symbolized authority and wealth, arranged to intimidate visitors.
Even if it was only for show, the furnishings of a room reveal a person’s wealth and character.
Herodotus’ interior, however, did not intimidate William.
William took the sugar he had bought from the bag.
“Oh… This is sugar, how beautiful! It’s as white as pearls or shells…”
“As you can see from its whiteness, it contains no impurities.”
“I see. That is why you asked to see me.”
Herodotus’ eyes stared at the sugar with a sharp look.
Since it was before the purchase, of course, he wouldn’t let him touch the product.
He planned to give it to him according to his request.
“(As expected, he’s taking a good bite of it. Sugar is a consumable item, and in order to keep the memory of the nobleman in the central area happy, he needs to buy it many times.)”
Each time, a large amount of money would come into his hands.
If he became popular in the central region as well, his sales would probably increase even more.
“Mmm… so much… but…”
Herodotus grunted and could be seen doing quick calculations in his head.
He was calculating the effective use of this sugar and a rough estimate of how long it would take to get a return.
How much would be an acceptable expenditure?
He quickly calculated all of this.
William spoke to help Herodotus make his decision.
“This time, I was thinking of taking it to the most famous merchant in the city, the Kantaku Trading Company, but I thought I should show it to you first, Herodotus-sama.”
“No, no. If it catches the eye of that greedy man, he’ll raise the price in a heartbeat. So how much is it?”
“Yes, I will sell it to you for 100 gold coins.”
“That’s expensive.”
“You must know the general market price of sugar, Lord Governor. I know it’s expensive, but I don’t think it’s exorbitant…”
Sugar is a commodity that is imported from overseas at great expense.
Even ordinary sugar costs a lot of gold.
Even if you enjoy it yourself, it costs a lot of money, and if you serve it to others, it costs even more.
Therefore, the fact that you have actually achieved this also shows your power and influence.
Herodotus, knowing this, does not hide his reluctant expression.
“I know. But can’t you do something about it?”
“That is the only thing we can do. We are in this business, too.”
“I suppose so.”
Herodotus’ irritated reply lacked magnanimity.
William thought this was the reason he could not take another step forward as governor, but he was not close enough to him to say so, and he had no obligation or duty to do so.
He kept his mouth shut with a soft smile that was characteristic of a merchant.
Herodotus, who had been making calculations for a while, finally made a decision and looked him in the eye.
His powerful nod told him that the deal was done.
“Very well. I’ll have the money brought to you now.”
“Thank you very much. If you need anything else, please let me know.”
“So you have a regular supply route?”
“That is not certain. However, we are currently negotiating with the person who procured the goods to see if we can make regular purchases.”
“Hmm. Well, I don’t need it today or tomorrow. I plan to show this in the central area. However, depending on the response at that time, I may ask for a larger quantity.”
“…We will do our best.”
If a large amount is needed, a large amount of money can be made, but the preparations also require that amount of money.
If the amount cannot be arranged, he will be reprimanded.
On the other hand, if the response is slow, William, who ordered the stock first, will suffer a great loss.
Although the product is such that it will not be difficult to find a buyer, an ambiguous request that can be accepted either way will be a hindrance to business.
On the other hand, he can’t just tell the nobles what to do.
The fact that such a request was made without hesitation showed that they looked down on the other party.
“(That’s why I hate nobles…)”
In some cases, he may have to work hard to raise funds.
However, the opportunities are also great.
If he plays his cards right, William will be able to join the ranks of the big trading companies.
It’s not a dream to build a strong relationship with the nobles in the central region.
“(For this reason, it is imperative that the negotiations with Wataru-sama be successful. I can’t afford to treat him badly.)”
He has already taken some steps, such as facilitating the purchase of slaves.
With a deep bow, William began to think about how to negotiate with Wataru.
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Thanks for the treat.
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