Wolves of Hader

Chapter 71

I rode a carriage toward Count Urke's castle. We discussed business in midsummer, but now it was the dead of winter.

It had been a month since I returned from Urada territory.

During that month, I met with Count Urke and Goose several times to discuss preparations for the business.

Count Urke and Goose had thoroughly prepared things in my absence, so I only had to refine the business structure a bit more.

The funds were more or less secured.

When I left for the capital, I'd sent the knight order and miners out on expeditions to both the far east and the south, and they returned with impressive results.

Those who went to the far east discovered there were plains beyond the eastern mountain range.

The southern team found several excellent sites for bases.

We also developed mines in every area. That was already three months ago, and by now, selling the minerals and gems mined from there was generating significant profit.

Sapphire, opal, emerald.

These were the gems we excavated this time to raise funds. Of these, the emerald came out in quite a large rough stone.

But this was only the beginning.

Across the entire southern continent and beyond the eastern mountains, there were gem stones no one had ever seen before, scattered everywhere.

Because no one had pioneered those places yet.

At the snow-covered count's castle, the carriages of eastern merchants who'd come in response to our call lined up.

As I got off the carriage, the butler came to guide us.

When we got to the count's conference room, there were about twenty merchants sitting.

As they all greeted me with their eyes, the door opened and Lord Urke and Goose entered and welcomed me.

"Welcome, Young Master Roger."

"There are quite a few people here."

"Not just Mouk's merchants, but central merchants have flocked here too. Isn't that thanks to my thorough explanations so far?"

Goose praised himself.

Well, it's true that during the preparations, Goose gave business briefings to the merchants countless times.

"Now, everyone. This is Roger Hader, the young master of House Hader."

"Pleased to meet you."

"It's an honor, young master."

Among the greeting merchants, there was also someone from the Mals count's house.

Count Mals had also secretly agreed to take part in our business.

"Everyone's read the business plan, so all that's left is for the young master to read it. They all seem quite expectant."

"That's good to hear."

It wasn't just talk—the gathered merchants actually looked full of anticipation.

After all, just the fact that a business plan had been prepared was an innovation to them.

I accepted the booklet handed over by the count and skimmed through it.

The sections laid out what could be started immediately and what would begin gradually, organized at a glance.

"Excellent. Some of these projects could start as soon as tomorrow."

"That's right. All the merchants gathered here are also investors, and they will also be able to purchase our goods at the lowest prices."

"Then, let's begin."

Goose stepped forward.

"Now, let me explain the business structure and details in a bit more depth."

Goose started his explanation.

Since he'd explained many times already, most merchants here knew much of what he was talking about.

"... Therefore, the merchant guild will be named the Eastern Equity Guild. There is no single owner of this guild; all of you investors who hold shares are its shareholders and owners."

Goose continued, reading from his book.

"First, we will focus on mining, livestock, and agriculture & fisheries as our main industries for trade, and will also undertake housing construction, land development, and similar projects."

The butler handed out sheets of paper to the merchants.

"The small sheet you've just been given is a share contract certificate. One sheet is equivalent to a gold coin. Of course, there are also contracts for 10 gold, 100 gold unit shares."

"When trading shares, do we simply buy and sell these certificates?"

"That's right. There are two places for transactions. The exchange headquarters is here in Mouk, and the East Bank in Tris will act as an agent for trading."

Another merchant asked,

"Are these banks located only in those two places? Our merchant group is based at Kolo Port, which is halfway between Mouk and Tris."

"There will be a bank established in Kolo Port as well."

"Even though Kolo Port is smaller than Mouk?"

Goose looked at the merchants.

"Wait and see. Kolo Port may just be a fishing village now, but it'll flourish into a city later."

"What's in Kolo?"

Goose looked at me.

Even though I hadn't said so, Goose caught on.

Kolo Port is to the south of Urada territory and is the port our house plans to develop.

There's also a lake and a mountain nearby that will be developed as a resort.

We intend to build a harbor and a shipyard at Kolo Port. Both Mouk and Tris are far from Urada, so a nearby trading port is necessary.

A merchant then asked,

"This 'bank'—well, we trust Lord Urke, but can regular merchants also trust it and deposit their money?"

"Of course. Even nobles will deposit their funds."

"What if the Secret Council or the imperial family comes up with some pretext to confiscate our assets?"

"Has such an incident ever happened?"

"You never know. Even with Lord Urke, nobles are the type who can make new laws on a whim."

I stepped forward.

"Nobles cannot do such things. If they attack our merchant guild, it is the same as attacking House Hader. If anyone attacks you, it's as if they're attacking our investors."

"Oh!"

Small exclamations broke out here and there.

I could see surprise and newfound confidence on the merchants' faces.

They also had heard about how we annihilated Urada's forces.

The unprecedented victory of 100 against 2,500 was now being talked about all over the central regions.

Merchants often suffered losses due to nobles. But from now on, we would protect them.

For a merchant, what could be more reassuring than that?

There was one more thing.

"In addition, we will build a transcontinental railway connecting Tris to Urke territory."

"A railway?"

"What is that?"

Lord Urke and Goose were both smiling.

This was the grand project of the merchant guild, encompassing not just trade, but the whole of distribution and transportation.

"We'll lay down thick rails, and carriages will run on them. With carriages moving over rails, four carriages can be hauled by just four horses."

"Is that really possible?"

"Of course. On rails, carriages can be pulled with less strength compared to dirt roads."

Everyone looked like they couldn't imagine it.

If you increase the number of pulling horses, speed goes up. There's a deceleration device so the carriages and horses don't crash.

If horses get tired, you can swap them at the station.

To be honest, I wanted to construct a steam engine, but since I couldn't design one, it was difficult to build.

When I explained this to Urald and Wundbark, they showed great interest.

"If we build such a rail, overland trade becomes possible, and it'll be faster than ships."

"Seems like it would cost a lot."

"It does cost a lot. However, once it's built, many will prefer rails over ships. Unlike ships which depart only once a week, the railway can be used at any time."

Even so, the merchants remained skeptical.

I continued,

"These railway wagons can operate more than once an hour. Depending on the cost, there can be passenger, freight, and express wagons."

"Will it be cheaper than renting regular carriages?"

"Naturally, it's much cheaper."

The merchants began discussing among themselves.

They might not know exactly what a railway is, but they understood it was a revolutionary means of transport, and a new age for trade was opening.

The construction of the railway was still a distant story, but I mentioned it intentionally, as a declaration of the merchant guild's big ambition and vision.

To show we weren't merely an ordinary merchant's league.

Afterwards, more detailed questions and answers followed, mostly about profit distribution and banking operations.

Having concluded the explanation, we pledged our investments on the spot.

First, the Eastern Equity Guild.

Assuming total shares are 100—

Hader house: 30.

Count Urke's house: 10.

Goose's merchant group: 10.

Count Mals: 5.

The remaining 45 would see about a third invested by the assembled guilds here, and the rest released as public shares.

The shares of the bank were different.

Count Urke: 50.

Hader: 15.

Goose: 10.

Count Mals: 25.

There were also administration shares for the exchange.

Goose: 50.

Urke: 25.

Hader: 25.

Share distribution reflected each party's involvement in their main business area.

The merchant guild handled development, construction, and distribution, each managed by one of the three houses.

The unlisted bank and exchange were run by Count Urke and Goose.

And apart from the equity guild, house Hader ran its own business.

Mainly extracting precious metals, and only distributing them via the equity guild.

In other words, we handled value-added businesses independently.

Only high-cost businesses that needed outside investment went through the equity guild.

The merchants, all in good spirits, headed for their carriages. After each left, only the merchant sent by Count Mals remained.

Lord Urke asked,

"So your lord is interested in banking?"

"Yes. He is very interested in the banking business."

"Is he only investing in our bank?"

"In fact, our Lord wishes to create his own bank and have its shares traded at the Mouk exchange."

"Hm..."

I felt I needed to step in.

"You mean Count Mals wants to accept investments and release some shares?"

"That is correct. He is considering about half."

"We're fine with that. Our merchant guild can also acquire those shares and work together with your bank."

Goose spoke up as well.

"Nothing wrong with that. Count Mals is a highly respected figure in the central region, so his banking business will be helpful for us, no?"

"Goose is right. The role of the equity exchange is expanded. If banks trust each other and conduct credit transactions, the systems will be established much faster."

At last, Lord Urke nodded. It seemed he'd thought it might interfere with his own banking business.

"Very well. As long as the banks can trust each other, there is nothing to lose. If you have money deposited at Dote Bank, you can withdraw it at our East Bank, for a small fee."

"Exactly. When you make a deposit, you receive a voucher, and you can redeem that voucher at the relevant bank."

"Please convey to Count Mals that we look forward to working with him."

"Yes. Then, if you'll excuse me."

The merchant of Dote Guild boarded his carriage.

Dote Guild is owned by Count Mals.

It was founded specifically for this business, and almost nobody knows the true owner is Count Mals.

But in fact, the banking business of Count Mals was something I'd subtly suggested to him.

Tris is a huge trading city, a place where merchants' money accumulates, so I asked if he'd be interested in starting a bank.

Count Mals read my letter and decided immediately. He's astute when it comes to money, and understood banking the moment he heard of it.

I also told Count Mals,

Why not become the king of finance? Unlike Lord Urke, he could handle the funds of both nobles and magnate merchants.

With this, Lord Urke would lead prosperity in the east, and Count Mals would be a bulwark for the capital.

I then boarded my carriage.

Suddenly, another thought came to me.

"By the way, do you have anyone to recommend as a butler?"

"Of course. I'll introduce you to my excellent butler."

"Thank you. Goose, I have a request for you as well."

"Please, ask me anything."

"Find someone, around 15 to 17 years old—intelligent, quick-witted, and with good character."

"Such a person isn't common, but I can't refuse such a request. I'll do my utmost to find someone."

"I'll count on you."

"Yes, young master."

I boarded the carriage.

Right now, the merchant guild was recruiting talent, and skilled people were gathering.

I felt sure there would be at least one person among them who fit just what I had always been looking for.

/ / /

The year turned, and it was a bitterly cold January.

Now, elder brother Ross at age 20 and myself at 18, bundled up in thick coats, walked through the busy streets of Mouk.

"Looks like the business is going well."

"Yeah. It's going really well for midwinter. There used to be many people who couldn't do any work in winter."

We were on our way to the exchange. Ross was to meet the butler, while I was to meet a certain youth.

We'd already stopped by the eastern equity guild building and the bank in the shopping district.

"This is the exchange. There were a lot of people here on the very first day, but now trading is steady."

As soon as we entered the exchange, Ross's eyes widened. There were far more people than expected.

"Why are they all acting like that?"

"The guild discovered a huge copper mine a few days ago. That's why everyone's clamoring to buy shares."

Ross was at a loss for words.

It was an uproar. Well over a hundred people, including brokers, were all shouting at once.