Chapter 19: Port, Fieff, Banking System plan
A few days later a meeting was taking place in the Golden Dragon Palace, I finally get to meet the merchants Lexor managed to find. This was a chance to make a deal with the merchants that I can trust to work in my market. If they can't follow the rules when it comes to being fair and honest merchants then I'll have one of the warriors show them the door. Another step closer to my goal to bring in citizens from around the world into my kingdom. "Lets begin with intorductions, my name is Queen Ranessa and I want to make a deal with you." I begin. I explanned the plan of building a port, fieff, and banking system to them, "that means you'll be able to pull a loan if need be. But of course you have to make a certain amount to be able to recieve this loan. Because you do have to pay it back once you're able to make enough to do so."
One of the merchants raises his hand, I look in his direction, "speak." I tell him. "So you're saying that we can only get the loan after selling enough merchandise, and only if we need it?" He ask. I nodded, "exactly, though I'm willing to give a loan to those who need merchandise at this moment, of course you have to prove you can't afford said merchandise in order to qualify for the loan." I point out. Lexor begins to pass around the information, "this is showing you how much the prices will be on merchandise that each of you sell. I made sure I added just about everything down that is sold in your usual carts. I expect that there won't be any problems with the prices since I made sure I got information on the value of your goods." I tell them.
Watching a few of their expressions told me that they didn't like the markup, but I have to start with low prices to get citizens who can barely afford their own names to want to shop at the markets here. Since the merchants that are here have some impressive merchandise, I can understand their dislike of the prices. Evens so I won't back down,the prices will eventually go up once the people who live here begin to floursih, I want Majesty City to be the richest market place. This will be a place for the wealthy after all, a place where people can look for a place to work and make money even for the poor. I want to be able to even make sure I'll have a Duke that live in Majesty Kingdom as well, someone who's background is quite trusting. I don't know anyone like that though. I glance over to where Castian stood listening, or do I?
Another merchant raises his hand, "is it about the prices?" I ask him. The man nods, "alright, your opinion?" I ask. "Well I wanted to explain to the other merchants about how this was a great opportunity. The prices make sense, if one thinks about it this is a way to bring citizens in to buy merchandise." He says. I see he wanted to explain to the other merchants why the prices were not satisfactory for those who have goods that are very rare and deserve a better markup. "Who ever wants to leave, I understnad, but whoever stays will be able to witness Majesty City become the wealthiest city of all my other cities. Our market will become the best shopped on the list of most Kingodoms with flourishing markets." I say.
I waited as I notice none of the merchants stand to leave, the six that were here was not enough, but they would have to do until other merchants begin to draw in. "I'm glad none of you left, now let's get down to business." I say as the meeting continued with my plan in how to get the goods shipped here from other kingdoms. I already managed to make a deal with Guman Kingdom about using their port for shipping goods, also they had seeds that could be sold at a good price. Thankfully there was a farmer merchant amongst the six. Lexor came in and walked over to whisper something to me, he straightens and leaves. I sigh as I turn to the merchants, "please start setting up your shops, I have something to take care of." I say walking out the room.
"There's a problem with the farming city? What's this about?" I ask Lexor who stood waiting outside the meeting room. Lexor begins to rub the bridge of his nose, "some unwelcomed monsters ate the rest of the crops that were growing there. Not only that the water there is extremely dirty and won't be good to use on crops. Let's add to the fact that it will ruin the fertile land. We need to find a way to make the water clean and to get rid of the monsters." He says. I frown, it's a good thing the city was close to us. "It would be hard to give the farming animals water and food now. Also we have no farming animals to speak of." He adds. Dammit it seems like I have more things to worry about.
"Excuse me, Your Highness?" A voice interrupts me as one of the six merchants steps out, "I don't mean to eavesdrop but I'm a farmer Merchant who needs a place to stay. I have a family of farmers as well, a few have magic power that would help in this situation. If you let us stay in that city we can handle your problems there." He says. "Why should I trust you?" I ask. He falls to his knees into a bow, "I hear there's a vow I need to make in order to prove my loyalty to this Queen. I, Sir Rodger Keplan, will serve Queen Ranessa as My Queen. I will loyally follow her and will never betray you, please accept my family and I as your people." He says. I looked at him in surprise as he crawled ofe an lightly kissed my feet.
"Stand up, I accept your offer to live in that city. Since you are the first citizen of that city then you get to name it. As it does not have one." I tell him. He looked relieved, it seems that he probably did not have a place to go, "thank you, Your Highness. This will mean alot to my family and I. I think naming the city Farmer City is definitely accurate enough." He says. I nod and had Lexor write a decree on the name of the city, "good, let's also give Sir Rodger a title. How does Count Rodger sound?" I ask as his eyes widen in surprise. He immediately bows, "I will be honored Your Highness." He says.
"Good. I do warn you that if other citizens begin to live there and you show any signs of disloyalty or cruelness I will have your title strpped and you and your family banned from Farmers City." I say, " I won't let you down Your Highness." He says before walking away. "Looks like things are coming along, Chancellor." I say as I return to the meeting.