I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 74

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Inheriting a Beautiful Wife and Estate Episode 074

74. Trading Partners

The rumors that had spread throughout society. That Serpal might be controlling the goblin waves in Platice Domain.

Keren believed there was sufficient possibility in these rumors.

‘Looking at the information and circumstances we’ve uncovered so far…’

There was no need to brand ordinary women.

Branding was done to those who could pose a threat to their master when they rebelled, like the ones Cliff had brought now.

But all the women found in the goblin caves were far from such circumstances.

The same went for preventing them from revealing their master’s identity.

‘They branded them solely for that purpose.’

A lot of money had gone into this affair.

It meant the mastermind possessed considerable wealth.

All of this was possible because Serpal had almost monopolized trade with the homeland.

“I heard that Platice Domain also has a trading port that can reach the homeland.”

But it was impossible that Serpal was the only village on the Yusta Peninsula that could reach the homeland.

The more fundamental reason why the Platice Family was at odds with Serpal.

As Cliff mentioned, this domain also has a port leading north. To be precise, there was a small village that could be called a port.

A place where trade barely occurred and most of the industry consisted of fishing.

Therefore, Keren smiled bitterly upon hearing Cliff’s words.

“There’s a village called Ospal. As you said, transportation to the homeland is possible, but… it’s not enough to call it a trading port. It’s just used when the main family needs to go to the homeland.”

Hearing that explanation, Cliff nodded his head.

After listening intently, he opened his mouth upon hearing Keren’s words.

“It seems Serpal considers our Elimis Family an enemy.”

Cliff spoke with a regretful expression.

Keren found it difficult to understand why he was saying this. Cliff chuckled and continued.

“From now on, our Elimis will likely use that village called Ospal frequently, so would it be alright to establish a base there?”

At Cliff’s question, Keren pondered for a moment then nodded.

“Please do so.”

There was no need to refuse.

Anyway, in Keren’s opinion, the more users Ospal had, the better.

‘The Elimis Family is also someone who has accumulated considerable wealth. Just having such a person use Ospal instead of Serpal would be a great help.’

Above all, to get from Elimis Domain to Ospal, one had to pass through Platice Domain.

Having those with strong military power travel back and forth would be a great help in reducing the goblin population along that route. With such thoughts, he showed goodwill.

“Since it’s the procession of the Baron who is the Count’s adopted son… no tolls will be demanded anywhere in the Count’s territory.”

Cliff smiled.

“That’s very welcome news.”

Just not charging tolls would allow his trading guild to generate significant profits.

‘Well, actually, since I’ve already received a manor within the Count’s territory, passage would be possible under the pretext of paying those taxes.’

Under such pretexts, it would have been difficult to reach Ospal at the northern edge of the Count’s territory.

Keren asked.

“Will you be returning to your domain now, Baron?”

Cliff shook his head.

“There’s a saying to strike while the iron is hot.”

“…?”

“The matter of securing a base in that village called Ospal. I’m thinking of implementing it right away.”

He had plenty of money anyway and had brought many goods.

Hearing Cliff’s words, Keren made a bitter expression.

“When you see it… you might be disappointed. It can’t really compare to Serpal.”

It was just a village with a few fishing boats.

Of course, there were also large merchant ships. The Platice Family had seriously invested to develop it.

But merchants from the homeland didn’t come to Ospal.

‘Ospal doesn’t have… trade goods that could entice them.’

Serpal had a slave market.

Since slaves were sold cheaper than those in the homeland, slave merchants from the homeland mainly sought out Serpal.

Also, as commerce was established in Serpal, the number of visiting merchants and floating population increased. But Ospal was completely different.

Count Platice had seriously tried to develop it into a trading city that would threaten Serpal, but few would come just based on his name.

‘Just a place used occasionally when the main family or those belonging to the main family need to go to the homeland…’

It only served as a ferry landing to that extent.

The village people also ended up remaining only those engaged in fishing rather than commerce. Still, since the river was large, fish were caught well.

“What’s happening?”

“It seems there’s a lord crossing the river again today.”

A considerable procession had entered this village.

It was the Elimis Trading Guild. Jaide looked around and spoke.

He looked at a completely dilapidated house.

‘This would be good.’

It was old.

It was probably built when they wanted to expand Ospal’s scale, but became like this because there was no one to use it.

Cliff also looked at it.

“It would need repairs?”

“It seems likely.”

“It would be good to purchase the merchant ships here too, right?”

Cliff’s eyes lit up.

The Platice Family welcomed Cliff’s request.

These were things that had become burdens despite their investment. Cliff bought up all the large ships at the port.

The houses were the same.

He bought several houses, tore them down, and built anew.

‘First build a trading guild headquarters, build warehouses, make lodgings…’

He also recalled that Jaide’s family had run an inn in Serpal.

He should make it possible to run an inn too.

The more Cliff and the Elimis Trading Guild spent money like this, the more awkward the expression became on Pog, the Renhein Family knight who had come with them.

“Is there a reason you’re investing this much?”

At Pog’s question, Cliff chuckled.

“Because now is the bottom? How about it, Sir Pog, if you had money, investing here now?”

It was real estate, after all.

As Cliff said, now when everything had failed was indeed the bottom. But Pog made an awkward expression.

“Do you know how much the Platice Family invested trying to match Serpal, no, to surpass Serpal?”

And all this investment remained as losses for the Platice Family.

Hearing those words, Cliff also nodded.

“Because there was no one to come.”

And he defined it like this.

Serpal had trade goods.

And through this, it had attracted floating population and commerce. But this Ospal had not.

“Knowing that… you’re still investing in this Ospal?”

Cliff chuckled.

“Even without a slave market, there will be people who come here.”

And Elimis Domain had sufficient specialty products.

Also, there was another reason why Cliff had gotten involved here.

‘Either way, a port was created and I can try taking ships.’

This was downstream of the river.

That meant it was close to the sea.

It was better for handling ships here than in Serpal.

Pog shook his head.

‘He’s reckless because he’s young.’

There were certainly times when he thought that way. But there was something Pog had missed.

It was the fact that the Elimis Merchant Guild already had reliable trading partners.

Tom’s Shop.

This place, which had caught the eye of the Duke who was the Prime Minister, had grown rapidly.

The number of merchants wanting to join the trading company had also increased much more.

What had previously been just a mid-sized trading company had now become a large-scale merchant guild that anyone would acknowledge.

“…Hehe. It’s been a while since we’ve met.”

Tom smiled.

The person who had helped his trading company grow to this point.

‘I’ve been hearing news through Jaide… You’ve really grown tremendously compared to before.’

Tom knew of the time when Cliff had nothing. It was he who had visited the Elimis Domain twice carrying supplies during those days.

That domain which had nothing back then had now become the core of the northern Yusta Peninsula.

‘You became an adopted son of the Platys Family and now you’re thinking of developing Ospal? I wonder how the match between Serpal and that person will conclude?’

Serpal had already accumulated funds and power over many years.

It was impossible to bring down that place all at once. However, most of the homeland merchants who frequented Serpal were of low caliber.

As such, Tom’s Shop had been handling a large portion of Serpal’s recent trade volume. But now that Tom was changing his main trading city.

It was likely to be a major blow to Serpal.

‘And somehow, if it’s that person, he probably prepared something that would impress not just me but others as well…’

First of all, the porcelain produced in Elimis was excellent.

It was such fine work that even the nobles of the homeland would covet it. Tom had already obtained one or two pieces through Jaide and used them where necessary.

That Tom had set foot on Ospal’s land.

“…This ship is operated by the Elimis Merchant Guild?”

And he smiled while crossing the river.

It was indeed Cliff, and Jaide.

It seemed they had already swept up the foundation once they were confident they could develop Ospal. They would have obtained this with little money now, but it wouldn’t be easy in the future.

And Tom showed a satisfied expression with today’s trade.

He had transported not only a lot of food but also quality iron ingots.

‘Since these are goods obtained through that person, I should sell them there too.’

It was iron purchased from Barton’s in-laws.

Iron whose quality was as good as certified, good enough to be supplied to the Central Army. While the Elimis Family would find it difficult to consume all this iron, fortunately the Elimis Family also knew trading partners who could consume it.

The Platys Family.

It was a family that maintained one of the largest armies in the Yusta Peninsula.

Tom was feeling like he was doing a favor by supplying such excellent iron at a reasonable price.

“Th-this is… isn’t this paper?”

He was shocked when he saw what Cliff had presented.

This was truly an item he had never imagined.

“That’s right. It’s paper.”

Cliff nodded.

“The quantity seems… large. May I ask what this is about?”

“Oh my. You don’t need to know that. What’s important to a merchant is the product.”

Tom’s mind raced as he listened to Cliff’s words.

‘Paper produced in the Elimis Domain!’

That’s why he said there was no need to know.

Tom had already made an agreement with Barton. That he would cut off trade with the Elimis Domain.

So he needed at least the excuse that he had purchased this paper without knowing its production site.

‘I almost made a mistake.’

Tom bowed silently to Cliff and examined the paper.

The paper he showed had two qualities.

One was low-quality paper that could be easily obtained anywhere.

And the other was, conversely, high-quality paper that seemed suitable for delivery to the Royal Court.

What Tom particularly focused on was precisely that premium paper.

“How is it? This much… seems like something our ally Lord Barton would like?”

“Would the Lord… like it?”

“If you speak well, that is.”

A contract to supply this high-quality paper at a cheaper price.

Cliff said.

“If our patron Lord Barton brings such a contract, wouldn’t the Prime Minister be very pleased?”

“Hehehe…”

Patron, ally.

Hearing such words only made him laugh.

Because Barton wouldn’t think that way at all. Cliff grinned and added.

“Since I received a gift from my brother, I thought it would be good for me to reciprocate, so I thought about it a lot.”

Come to think of it, the Duke’s birthday was also approaching.

Cliff whispered in Tom’s ear.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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