23 Dead Man Walking

"Jazłowiec has to change, so I have a list of tasks that must be completed first. First, our income comes mainly from the sale of grain, then leases, rent and taxes. Apart from wood and grain, our production is almost non-existent." (MC)

"But how do you want to change that?" (Secretary Kowalski)

"Simple, bring new products to the market, furniture, clothes, smoked cheese or meats that will have a unique flavor." (MC)

"For this we need people, and many of these professions do not exist in Jazłowiec." (Secretary Kowalski)

"They exist, but we do not use them ... 27 carpenters live in and around Jazłowiec and each of them produces the same things. You can hire 10 of them to make furniture, similar to blacksmiths ... You bring people to me and I will find them occupation." (MC)

"I understand, what should I look for in Lviv?" (Secretary Kowalski)

"You will contact printers, I am going to publish a book and you will find out about the prices of printing. You will also look for gunsmiths, maybe veterans who know weapons, people who can cast cannons and make gunpowder. You can also ask about settlers who want to leave the city, of course priority they have blacksmiths, carpenters, builders, brewers, printers, brickmakers, beekeepers, stonemasons ... here you have a list of professions that interest me. " (MC)

"Lord, it will be expensive." (Secretary Kowalski)

"I will not take gold to the grave, and this way I will strengthen Podolia... before you go to Lviv, bring me local merchants who have good reputations ... no matter if they are Poles, Jews or Armenians, they must be trustworthy. " (MC)

After giving orders to Secretary Kowalski, I sat down at my desk ... so many things to do, so little time, resources and people. I was going to repair most roads in Podolia, if I manage to hire gunsmiths, I will have them work on a Puckle gun, although I do not know the technical data of the weapon, I know how it worked. This weapon was not very popular and was expensive, but it is still worth having in your arsenal.

Two hours later, there were two merchants in my office. Jankiel, a Jewish merchant who traded mainly in grain and Aram, an Armenian who traded in textiles. They both lived in Jazłowiec for many years and enjoyed a rather good opinion.

"Welcome to my home and please sit down ... I don't like to waste time, and time is money. I have an oroposition for you two, but first I will ask you how you evaluate the changes that I made in Jazłowiec. I am asking about land and taxes." (MC)

"We are glad that the taxes are lower, but they could be even lower ... we Jews did not get the land." (Jankiel)

"Lord, I think, as old Jankiel said. Lower taxes is a good thing, and the land missed us too." (Aram)

"Lifetime lease of land missed you, for one reason. When the Turks or Tatars attack, neither Jews nor Armenians fight. They give more money to fight, for weapons or supplies ... It's easier to seal with your own gold than with your own blood..." (MC)

There was an awkward silence ... what I said was true, it changed in later centuries, but in the 17th century a Jew or an Armenian on the battlefield was a rare sight.

"...Of course, this can change, but only for you and your families. My suggestion is this. Both of you are merchants with many years of experience, I would like each of you, on your own or with the help of your business contacts, to establish cooperation with traders from Vienna and Moscow, if it is possible that I would like you to open your own sales offices in these cities. " (MC)

They were both surprised by my proposal, it might have seemed strange to them, and it was certainly unusual.

"Lord, but for what purpose?" (Jankiel)

"Of course, in order to earn money, but not only. You will buy the products I need in these cities and deliver them to Jazłowiec, you will also recruit people, but more importantly you will collect information and try to be friends with local officials ... maybe some bribes." (MC)

"Should we do it ourselves ?! (Jankiel)

"No, you and your families will stay in Jazłowiec ... but you have relatives who can go to these places. I will provide capital to start this enterprise. Each of you will receive 15,000 ducats ... you have time to answer by tomorrow and keep our conversation a secret." (MC)

I told them to leave and come back tomorrow at the same time with a reply.

It was already late so I called Sveta to bring me a meal. After a few minutes she showed up with a tray, I looked at its contents ... I will have to start exercising again, with such a diet I quickly gain weight. I looked at Svete and thanked her ... although she tried to hide it, I noticed that she had a black eye ... as they say "he beats because he loves, or the rogue loves the most."... but it also reminded me that I have business to do.

The next morning I went to see Jerzy, Sveta's husband.

"Greetings Jerzy. Am I not disturbing you?" (MC)

He was surprised and a little scared, I had never visited him before.

"No, Lord. A guest at home, God at home. What can I do for you?" (Jerzy)

"I heard that you are a good carpenter and I would like to order a table from you." (MC)

I explained what I mean, what my requirements and expectations are.

"Lord, it will be hard to find such a wide tree, they grow near the river, but it's too far to bring the log into the city." (Jerzy)

"You have two thalers here, cut this tree first, and then we will look for people and a way to bring them to Jazłowiec." (MC)

I said goodbye to him and returned to the castle, Jankiel and Aram should visit me in a few hours ... Perhaps I had lost two thalers, but I was going to make his wife my mistress ... he deserved some compensation.