Episode 168: The Girl Sitting on the Chair
The participants of this conference are seated at the Round Table.
The Round Table signifies that everyone is of equal standing. Considering factors like distance from the entrances, doorways are provided on all four sides of the room.
However, at the front.
The chair at the front was clearly different in construction.
That was the seat for the highest authority in the room. Despite it being a Round Table, that spot alone was beautifully adorned. Not excessively extravagant, but clearly of high quality, and above all, tall. The seat was also high.
With a soft click, the door opened silently.
Appearing were the ruling girl and her guards.
Acht-Ringo and Filzig-Ringo, who serve as commanders of the ＜Paraiso＞ army.
And the six girls who serve as their guards.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
A lovely voice, like the ringing of bells, echoed.
The girl walked briskly and climbed onto the chair prepared for her.
Some of the participants subtly broke into smiles at the sight. They knew it wasn’t appropriate for the occasion, so they tried to restrain themselves, but couldn’t completely hide it.
Well, that’s beside the point.
The fox-eared girl, Acht-Ringo, settled into the high chair and glared at the participants.
“Now then, let’s begin the trade negotiations between the Afrasia United Kingdom and your surrounding nations. Let me reiterate, basically, our positions are equal. Any superiority based on the nations you belong to will also be considered non-existent, in principle.”
The declaration was very fair, and therefore, incredibly arrogant.
“We will trade with all nations under the conditions decided here, together with you. If you want to add special notes to the conditions, propose them here and decide them here. We will not recognize any Secret Treaties with us, and we will reject any proposal. Is that clear?”
“If you have any doubts, raise your hand and speak. Don’t even think about petty bribes, okay?”
Filzig, standing behind Acht-Ringo to her right, drove the point home with her usual sharp tongue.
“Filzig.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Acht ended the heartwarming exchange of jabs with a sigh.
“Now, let’s begin the negotiations.”
＜Paraiso＞ declared the start of the Seven Nations Trade Conference.
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“…So, Acht-dono is saying that importing Salt is unnecessary?”
“Depending on the interpretation. Trade in Salt as a necessity is unnecessary. We can cover all the necessary amounts. Both now and in the future. However, we do not refuse imports as a luxury item.”
First, discussions began on Salt, which the Afrasia United Kingdom had previously relied on imports from other countries.
The main Salt-producing country among the surrounding nations is the Soltia Merchant Republic, which borders the coast. It has extensive salt production facilities on the coast and earns significant profits from its trade.
It is also the country that has extensively implemented a strategy of selling large quantities of cheap, high-quality Salt to crush the Salt production businesses across the board in order to seize control of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
Of course, other countries have responded appropriately by supporting domestic Salt production or continuing Salt trade with other countries.
Unfortunately, the Afrasia United Kingdom was unable to resist.
“Oh, just in case, I’ll show you the actual Salt. … Now, please taste it. As you can see, it is highly pure Salt. Because there are no unnecessary impurities, it has the characteristic of being very stimulating. It’s good for cooking, but it’s a bit sharp to sprinkle on meat. In that sense, it is completely different from the Salt your countries prepare.”
Looking at the mountain of pure white Salt, and tasting it, the participants groaned.
The Salt production technology is undoubtedly the best. It is clearly different from their own.
Even if this is just for show at this meeting and differs from what is generally distributed.
The mere fact that Salt of this purity is presented at this meeting was simply a threat.
“We are also prepared to export this as a luxury item. However, we will set a limit on the amount we export from here. Please decide on the allocation among your countries. We will not accept individual negotiations.”
Acht continued to hold the reins of the conference from beginning to end.
She also gave advice smoothly and skillfully adjusted any hostility.
This place was completely in the palm of her hand.
After this, several trade items were set.
The Afrasia United Kingdom, that is, ＜Paraiso＞, will provide Burnstone, pig Iron, steel, and bronze.
Each country will provide wheat, various spices, Salt, sugar, and various livestock.
The Ironia Kingdom, which is thriving in the Iron industry, showed reluctance, but was pushed in because the amount was limited in the first place.
Conversely, other than the Ironia Kingdom, they welcome the increase in metal import sources.
The Wheat Country (Weizenland), the largest in the surrounding countries, succeeded in pushing for wheat exports. The ＜Paraiso＞ side decided to continue imports as a stopgap measure because the production system was not in place.
However, in order to maintain ties between countries, wheat imports will continue for the time being.
In addition, dried spices and herbs, and processed foods using them, are listed as luxury items.
Live livestock and vegetables are also listed as items.
Cotton yarn and textiles will also continue to be obtained from each country.
These will be used to improve the quality of life within the Afrasia United Kingdom.
＜Paraiso＞ can supply a certain amount, but it is judged that there is no need to provide everything. If it can be obtained through trade, that is fine.
On the other hand, the Afrasia United Kingdom will export Burnstone as the main consideration.
This is waste stone generated during the manufacturing of the amount exported to the Repuytari Kingdom.
Although it is waste stone, it can be converted into something appropriate if processed properly, but for export, it is deliberately sorted out to be below a certain quality.
This time, this will be released as the highlight of the trade.
Although it is called waste stone, it has the same quality as the Burnstone that the surrounding countries were illegally mining. Due to immature mining technology, only that level was originally produced.
Burnstone is a strategic material that can be used for trade at high rates, mainly in trade with the Repuytari Kingdom. Its use within each country will likely increase in the future.
“For the time being, it will be payment in kind, but in the future, we plan to promote the use of paper money.”
And when it comes to trade, the basics are barter or exchange with precious metals and jewels.
The Afrasia United Kingdom is trying to allow transactions using paper money within the country.
Naturally, other countries cannot manufacture paper money that can be given value due to technological issues.
＜Paraiso＞ is saying that it will supply that paper money.
“The paper money we issue will always be accepted for exchange for Burnstone of that face value. The exchange rate will be reviewed periodically, but please rest assured that we will not unilaterally impose it.”
“Is that clear?”
“Permission to speak, Weizenland Ambassador.”
“Thank you. I believe I understand the concept of paper money, but what are your thoughts on how to handle it and measures against counterfeiting?”
As expected of a major power, the Weizenland ambassador seems to understand the problems of operating paper money to some extent.
“Hmm. The reliability of paper money, is it? The paper money we issue is only for exchange, in this case, exchange for Burnstone, but only we can do that, and nothing else is allowed. However, we will only respond to exchanges for Burnstone at an appropriate rate with appropriate procedures, and we will not be involved in any other transactions.”
Then, samples of ＜Paraiso＞-made paper money are distributed to each ambassador.
“As you can see. Please check it with a magnifying glass. As you can see, the paper money we issue has minute decorations and numbers embedded in various places. All serial numbers are different for each sheet. We can issue a large amount of this.
Your technology cannot replicate it.
And for us, it is easy to see through counterfeiting.”
Actually checking the paper money, the attendees groan.
The paper money is cut to exactly the same size. No matter how many sheets you look at, the exact same pattern is printed.
Even though it is just paper, decorations are carved in with unevenness. Moreover, it does not wear off even if you rub it a little.
Even this alone, the artistic value would be immeasurable.
“Whether to barter with Burnstone or receive paper money will be decided for each transaction. Any objections?”
“…”
In this way, the seed of a paper money economy is scattered in the Afrasia United Kingdom and its surrounding countries.