Tonight， Your Wife Will Be Mine. 112

Chapter 112 – 11. Frozen Land Can’t Dry (2)

There was a break between interludes.

Meanwhile, Georges Garrel rode off on her horse, accompanied by a trusted confidant. Looking out the window of his office, he looked very relaxed. After all, he was relieved of his deep worries and gained an unexpected back seat, so how can he not be happy?

“Baron, this is Mr. Marcel Poincaré, general manager of the northern branch of Lucerne.”

“This is Mr. Eugen Bank, manager of the Northern Gaul branch of the Brulin Mercantile Guild.”

“This is Thomas Gillen, the head of the Gallia branch of the Britannia Trading Company.”

The revival of Yeongji does not happen overnight. So, the three people who can be said to be the leaders of the northern part of the country entered the office following the messenger. In turn, there was a young man from his home country, a middle-aged man from a foreign country, and an old man.

“Welcome everyone.”

Rome stood up with both hands on the desk with a light smile. Originally, the Margrave’s wife occupied the position of taking care of public affairs, and that fact alone showed off to the three shrewd merchants who the next influential person in Dongto was.

“Baron Romuald, congratulations on this succession.”

“It is the first time in dozens of years for a civilian knight to receive a new title from the royal family.”

“Because you were already well-deserved enough to hold that honor.”

Starting with Marcel, Eugen and Thomas delivered words of congratulations. He did not forget to bow down to him, who had been reborn as a baron in the northern east from a simple descendant of a noble family, as if he were treating all nobles.

“Thank you. If it’s okay, shall we go straight to the point?”

“Yes, you seem to be busy in many ways, so report in order…”

“Thank you for your understanding. But there are more urgent matters than that.”

Marcel, who opened her mouth as a representative of her, revealed her doubts of her. Rom first offered seats to the three merchants and then brought up a story about the customer he had just visited. He was a very familiar figure to the Britannia Trading Company, which had a branch in Saint-Buch, unlike Lucerne and Brullin, which had their bases in Havre.

“A little while ago, Georges Garrel came and went.”

“… Are you talking about the mayor of Saint Bourch?”

Unsurprisingly, upon hearing his name his, the first to react was the branch manager, Thomas, who stroked his handsome beard. Rome nodded his head with a serious expression, returned to his chair, and put his clasped hands to his mouth his to hold his weight.

“That’s right. The backlash from the administrative faction was more intense than expected. You should have seen the Count of Poitiers, the Baron of Lothringen, and the Baron Brienne outside, accompanied by a considerable number of escorts. Originally, going in and out of the frozen land with that number of people would be out of the question…”

“Mayor Garrel and his clique tolerated the protests as they please.”

Thomas groaned heavily. Marcel and Eugen only then realized what the baron was talking about and showed disapproval. In short, he was trying to discuss the additional expenditure caused by the intervention of the opposition in the territory.

“Once you start a big business, oiling is essential here and there, but…”

“It is a matter of quantity. Unplanned spending always brings discord.”

“Mmm, it would be nice if it wasn’t absurd.”

Everyone looked upset. It had to be. After all, they were merchants. It was only natural for her to react sensitively to the topic of money, even in front of the baron. So Rom boldly declared to the three who were working hard to lighten the burden as much as possible.

“Whatever it is, half of it will be paid by me.”

Strictly speaking, the deal is already over. There was no reason for ROM to share the additional costs incurred in the process. Therefore, it was a concession that could be called pleasant. A blush appeared on the three merchants’ faces.

“Are you sure?”

“Huh…”

“If that’s the case, then we would be perfect.”

Rom nodded politely and put on a kind smile. Even the three giants of Sanggye were trustworthy enough to be passed over. They couldn’t even dream that half of the amount he gave out actually came out of their own pockets.

“Even a corrupt administrative faction would not be able to extort bribes openly. I’m sure there will be some kind of tax as a name. Normally, all tax collection details within the manor are regularly reported to the wife, so as soon as the amount is confirmed, half of it will be returned to you.”

“Will the baron be okay with that?”

“Because it would be better than losing your trust.”

“… !”

The eyes of the three merchants waved for a moment. How long has it been since I met a partner who gave up for the sake of trust even though he had an absolute upper hand in the netting scheme run rampant by Kwon Mo-soo? Even for those with thick bones, it was a long time ago.

A short but clear impression.

Marcel of the Lucerne shop jumped up, put his hand on his chest and bowed respectfully.

“For the most part, a true merchant is one who does his calculations thoroughly. The Lucerne Chamber of Commerce will never forget the sincerity shown by the Baron today.”

Eugen of the Brullin Mercantile Guild and Thomas of the Britannia Trading Company followed suit.

“The association will deeply cherish the friendship with the Marquis of Lemoang.”

“The same goes for headquarters.”

Rom shook his head in a solemn manner. He acted out his satisfaction as if he had shared a deeper bond with the three merchants, and then he slowly changed the topic, saying let’s move on.

“Then shall we go back to the original agenda?”

“Oh, our road maintenance business is going very well.”

It was Thomas who came up with the first answer as if to hit the ball. In terms of rank alone, he was the highest-ranking senior among the merchants gathered today. Dressed in a suit lined with wool inside, he was holding a walking stick, map, and even a crystal ball to prevent possible falls.

“On slippery roads in winter, human accidents are surprisingly common. In particular, frozen land is a cold region that freezes immediately after snow falls. Old people like me can’t even move easily without the help of a stick like this…”

The aged governor placed the crystal ball on the flat desk. It was operated by magical powers, and before long it spread a certain illusion in the office. It was a narrow road somewhere in Baekryong, where winter trees were thick.

“Please look at this map.”

Thomas followed suit and unfolded the map he was holding in his other hand. And he pointed to a village on the coast, on the outskirts of the center of the territory, south of Abrvoud and north of Saint-Buchboud. According to Rome’s memory of him, it was a fishing village where lobsters were caught.

“This is a fishing village called Renan. Its specialty is lobster. It’s not up to par with what’s caught on the West Coast, but it still tastes pretty good.”

“There must be quite a few customers looking for the mountain area, right? I think I’ve heard the name before.”

“It is the smallest of the villages named on the map of the Royal Society. The lobster production I mentioned is not exceptional, but the environmental conditions make it an excellent choice to support development.”

This is because the salinity of seawater is very high. As a result, the sea of ​​Renan is the only one of the frozen land coasts that does not freeze.

“… Floating port!”

The Britannia Trading Company wants to relieve the logistics congestion that is inevitably inconvenient due to the geographical characteristics of northern Gaul. In that sense, the fishing village of Renang, which they searched for with all their heart, was the best place to build a future floating port.

If established, a port that will revolutionize transportation in the central and northern regions of the kingdom as well as in the Marquis.

The road maintenance business is a job that requires a lot of time and effort. The most important thing is where to start maintenance so that Young Ji-min does not experience any inconvenience while the construction is in progress, and rather feels convenience.

In the same vein, there were two places that Thomas Gillen first marked as places to send workers. From the capital Lumiere, it also touched the counties of Poitiers, the barony of Lothringen, and the barony of Brienne, and ultimately led to the Marquis of Lemoens.

And Renan, a fishing village that can serve as a bridgehead between Havre and Saint-Bour, while having infinite possibilities as an anti-freezing port.

“In the direction of the great snowfield, there is only a desolate field of snow where it is hard to find a single tree branch, but most of the roads in the border Baekryong are rugged mountain roads or winding forest roads surrounded by forests. More urgent than the aesthetic problem is that such roads are too dangerous.”

Unlike the northern major roads, there are almost no thieves on the roads within Marquis Baekryeong. In order to live by stealing other people’s property, at least they have to raid those who are not starving, but since the land is so destitute, the placenta is a good citizen who has nothing to steal.

Moreover, unlike other regions, the weather here was so harsh that even standing for a long time was enough to let the wind seep into your body.

“The Midwest prioritizes aesthetics when reclaiming or repairing roads. Since it is already a practical path, we focus on making it look good. On the other hand, in the southeast, they are obsessed with practicality rather than aesthetics, and this is also because, due to the nature of warm regions, fragrant flowers and grasses bloom beautifully even if you make a good road.”

“But the North will lack both…”

“The cold and dreary landscape of winter can sometimes give you a neat feeling. However, in a situation where the foundation was not yet established, it was judged that proper maintenance would be difficult if only greed was given. So, in this old man’s opinion, how about focusing on the original function of the road…”

Thomas reached for the crystal ball and manipulated something. And it has transformed a fantasy that extends from the fishing village of Renan to a nearby small town.

From a shabby and sloppy feeling to that after being well-maintained.

“The person in charge said that flat paved roads would not suit the northern environment. I heard that the roads are frozen every day, making it uncomfortable for people who come and go. Certainly, from what I looked at, it was.”

So, the road to be changed was planned to be paved with bumpy gravel rather than dirt. Unlike the previous appearance, which had at least a calm feeling, it was very crude that it was not wrapped in the slightest.

“It doesn’t look like a good road for a wagon.”

“It actually is. However, as a result of our research, it is believed that the rate of carriage use in the Marquis of Lemoyn is not even a part of walking. In such a poor and barren land, and the harsher the weather, it seems that a backpack that can be carried on two feet is preferred to a wagon full of luggage.”

The price that Rom and Oriane paid for the maintenance of the entire territory was 300 Gallian gold coins. It was certainly a considerable amount, but considering the vast territory of the Marquis, it was not something to look at leisurely.

“The bottom line is this. Let’s focus on making it possible for pedestrians to safely return home to a nearby village without taking any special measures in a situation where they can’t see an inch due to the snowy wind. So, like here in the fishing village of Renan, side roads outside the road are made to be clearly visible with gravel instead of pavement, and signs are also placed at every fork in the road.”

What stood out most of all was the snow removal box. The protruding road was rather slippery and there was no chance of falling, and there was even a wooden chest filled with sand so that anyone could manage the road corner so that it would not freeze.

“I think that box over there is a snow removal box.”

“Yes, I put in the sesa procured from the Wild West. Even for the reclamation business, they were able to save quite a bit of money because they didn’t get paid if they had someone to dig up the sand. This time, the demonstration car was installed only in the Renan area, but in the long term, we plan to make it visible anywhere in the border region.”

“On the northern road side?”

“Currently under maintenance. Due to the nature of the servants there are many wagons coming and going, so we had no choice but to pave the road, but we are taking measures to prevent mishaps while moving.”

Rom stroked his chin. For a business that had just started, progress was quite good. I liked it very much because I had a good direction, I didn’t waste money unnecessarily, and I didn’t rush the construction.

“Good. It’s a clean, uncluttered process.”

“It’s an overstatement.”

“The aesthetics are nice, but I liked the idea of ​​focusing more on practicality. When the construction on the road side is completed, bring the scenery in the crystal ball like now, and report where the road to be improved next will be selected.”

“Is it possible? I will not disappoint you.”

Thomas bowed his head fully respect. Rolling up the map again and putting it in his arms, he retrieved it after reaping the illusion emitted by the crystal ball.

As if this was the end of my turn, I glanced at Eugen Bank, who had decided to report next.

“Baron? Then, we will settle the accounts at the Brulin Commercial Association.”

“Mr. Bank, how are things going with opening taverns throughout the estate?”

“Based on the document you confirmed earlier, we plan to open our business within this month.”

The solemn, bald-headed middle-aged man was carrying a waist bag full of papers and glass bottles. Normally, it would be for storage of dyes, but surprisingly, he kept various kinds of alcohol.

“There are also colors of alcohol that I haven’t seen before.”

“Now that we have the exclusive right to distribute alcoholic beverages, there is no need to obsess over price competitiveness. We decided to invest the remaining profits to provide more diverse products.”

With a clatter, Eugen added as he placed the glass bottles on the desk one by one.

“Honey wine, which has recently been in the limelight in the East, wine made according to the southern tradition, and sand beer with the strange charm of the West.”

It was an impromptu tasting held unexpectedly. Coincidentally, Rome, who did not like alcohol, refused, but the other merchants, despite their best efforts not to show it, eventually let out a small admiration.

“A cup of comfort for those who spend a hard day in a cold climate.”

“… Uhm.”

“This is the motto our union wants to put forward for this project. That’s why we are trying to take a low-price, high-price strategy by focusing on cost-effectiveness.”

It had to be. With the help of merchants in the kingdom belonging to the Guild, each liquor was treated as a commodity only with the most reasonable taste and cost.

Kung-kung, Eugen, who confidently tapped his chest his, grinned.

“We couldn’t show remarkable results right away like Britannia Trading Co.’S road maintenance business, but building a distribution network takes time. If you trust us, we will report to you soon so that you can be satisfied.”

“Good. The outlook is optimistic, right?”

“Yes, if the consignment management of the gambling house that the Baron sold to the Lucerne Company goes well, we will be in charge of the delivery there as well.”

After replying calmly, he glanced at Marcel, who had already stepped forward. This time it meant that it was his turn. Although they seemed friendly at first glance, they were three potential competitors to each other, so Marcel Poincaré, who had always been concerned about the progress of the other two merchants, accepted the remark lightly.

“We are still exploring the site for the casino. It’s an underdeveloped area, but it’s not easy to find a place where traffic is easy. Renan, mentioned by the other two, is also being looked at as a candidate.”

“Because it’s Renan, I think it would be okay to focus on growing that place.”

“Anyway, the construction will be able to start within this quarter. In Gaul, there is a popular belief that there are more beautiful women the further north you go, so based on that perception, I plan to fill all the receptionists in the casino with ice-cold beauties.”

“It is the basic of the basics to set up a person with outstanding appearance as a signboard. But why is she a beauty as cold as ice? Is it Mr. Poincaré’s personal taste?”

“If you want to entice the nation’s top players, you need a differentiating strategy. Who wouldn’t be attracted to waitresses who used to stare at you with contempt as if you were selling them and politely pour them every time you order a drink?”

For male customers, she attaches an angular beauty. He puts a cold handsome man on his female customers.

“I can guarantee that those charming friends will be the biggest contributors to the increase in sales. It’s appropriate, so I’ll leave a lot of profit with the cheap liquor delivered from the Brulin Commercial Guild in the gambling place that manipulated the odds. Moreover, since the roads throughout the territory, as well as the northern road, are being maintained one by one, the road to come will not be inconvenient anymore.”

The excited Marcel appealed, clenching her fists. She was so engrossed that she even talked about plans that normally would n’t have come out of her mouth her.

“If you win, you will play with what you win, and if you lose, you will play with what you lost. The key here is the romance and pleasure of being reborn as a lithe prostitute at a nearby window when an ice-cold receptionist pays the right amount… !”

Rome, who had been silently listening to the conversation, frowned and asked again.

“… What coffin?”

Only then did Marcel, who belatedly realized his mistake his, harden. She rolled her eyes eagerly, stuttered her words terribly, and made excuses that didn’t make sense.

“Come on, minister. I wonder if she will be a guide who will lead you to the wonderful sights of Baekryeong, the border area.”

“Ah, is that so? I think I heard her wrong because she just said she was a prostitute. There is no way that the Lucerne Chamber of Commerce would promote such a serious crime that Madame Lemoyn strictly forbids.”

“Ooh,haha! The baron too! How can you believe that an honest and trustworthy business like us would pimp?”

Marcel, who was breaking out in a cold sweat, managed to calm her down. The conversation, which was captured with awkward laughter between the two, was as follows.

‘The choice is free, but…’

‘Yes, I won’t blame you.’

If you get caught, you die.