Chapter 49 - The King is Short of Money?
Chapter 49: The King is Short of Money?
Lorne looked at Kyle’s sudden silence and patted him on the arm with some resentment.
“Hey, old friend… What’s going on? This is such a lucrative business, yet you’re still hesitating in it?
“I’m telling you, if you miss this opportunity, you’ll never see this tavern ever again.
“I’m only willing to bring you along for such a lucrative business because we’re true brothers and you’ve poured your heart and soul into me.
“I could find any famous merchant in Lolan City and guarantee that they’ll work with me no matter what.
“Because anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is a business that’s enough to make a fortune. Who wouldn’t want to make a lot of money?
“Let’s not even mention any other merchants, say Vincent or Warren who often comes with you, I’m sure they must also have the capabilities that you possess and would agree to it. After all, the starting capital isn’t that high.
“But I chose to only tell you about this business deal because you are a true brother, you have to consider this matter carefully, old friend.”
Looking at Lorne’s sincere eyes, Kyle could not help but waver. Lorne trusted him so much that he was willing to find a small merchant like him who did not have much wealth on the surface. This simple gesture was enough to show that he regarded him as a true friend.
However, now, the identity of him actually being the king really made him worry.
Seeing that Kyle was still hesitant and could not make up his mind. Lorne could not help but bang on the table, and then he walked around with his hands behind his back.
“Old friend, what do you want me to say to convince you? Why are you being so stubborn??
“You are a merchant. Of course, you make money as your business. You do whatever you can to make money. I don’t even know what you are worried about sitting here.
“It’s obviously a business that can make a lot of money. What are you worried about? Are you worried that I will cheat you?”
Kyle coughed awkwardly and then shook his head.
“Lorne, please don’t say that. How can I not trust my own brother?
“It’s just that the medicinal herbs business is my family business. Once I start this business of refining refined salt, I will definitely have to give up the medicinal herbs business. That’s why I have some misgivings.”
Lorne could not help but sit across from Kyle and sigh.
“I say, with your brain, it’s easy for you to block yourself at a critical moment.
“Think about it carefully. Let’s not talk about giving up on your medicinal herbs business that has no profiting income at all right now.
“Even if the current king was sitting in front of me and I told him about this business of refining refined salt, he would be willing to divert his attention to work with me.
“The current king is such a noble person. His time is more valuable than yours. So his energy should be more valuable than yours, right?
“The time he spent reading a few memorials would be equivalent to your entire fortune.
“I never boast to others, but I’m telling you right now that even if the current king is sitting here, he would disregard other things to talk to me about this business deal.
“And he’s not just talking to me in the name of the imperial court. Instead, he would want to cooperate with me in the king’s private name.
“In comparison, look at you, old friend. You are still making excuses and complaining about this and that. Hurry up and give me a definite answer.”
When Kyle heard Lorne talk about the current king, his eyes could not help but light up. He was completely convinced now. Since that was the case, he might as well let Lorne persuade him.
“Boss, then tell me, why should the current king be interested in this business deal of yours and want to sit down with you to discuss a deal?”
Lorne slapped his hand hard.
“Alright, alright, alright. It seems that if I don’t explain it clearly, you probably won’t take any action.
“You have to listen carefully. I’ll tell you how important this business deal is to the current King of Lolan!”
Kyle nodded and looked at Lorne with anticipation.
Lorne coughed lightly and gestured.
“First of all, you must understand that for the king, the supply and demand of the royal family must be of the highest level and the most exquisite.
“In the past, it was because there was nothing to replace the coarse salt, so the king could only silently endure it.
“But once he knows that I have such a skill, the king will definitely be willing to cooperate with me and refine a large scale of refined salt. At the very least, it will be used by the royal family first.”
Kyle nodded silently. This was exactly what he wanted. As long as this refined salt was produced, the first thing he needed to do was to introduce it to his royal palace and let the entire royal city place a few orders first.
Lorne saw the look of agreement on Kyle’s face and immediately continued speaking.
“The second reason is that if we promote the extraction of crude salt across the entire empire and sell a large amount of refined salt, it will allow the empire to develop a few other businesses related to the salt industry.
“After all, after crude salt gets refined, there would be other businesses such as selling, reselling, and shipping.
“As long as a few other businesses get developed, we would definitely be able to increase the income of the empire’s treasury and raise the taxes of the empire.
“As a result, the empire’s treasury would be more abundant and its national strength would be more prosperous. Compared to the other competitors, this would have an overwhelming advantage.
“This is beneficial to the country and the people. How can the King of my dynasty ignore it?”
The moment Lorne finished speaking, Kyle’s pupils could not help but contract.
This man was right, why did he not think of this point!
Previously, Kyle’s mind had been only thinking about making money. By doing so, he had neglected the promotion of refining crude salt into refined salt. Not only could he obtain simple money, but it was also a matter of meritorious deeds that can benefit the whole country and the people.
As long as this industry was established, it would become a giant industry that would sweep across the entire world.
After a certain period of time, this method would become worldwide and would be on par with or even surpass the salt mining industry.
Other industries that were born from the refining of crude salt would also grow in size and take off successfully.
This was a great thing for the country as a whole.
Although the Lolan Empire’s foundation was still based on agriculture, with Kyle’s vision, he naturally knew that there would be business dealings in the future that would branch off from it.
The country’s wealth was the foundation of all prosperity.
Therefore, the tipping scale in Kyle’s heart — which was originally wavering — had gradually begun to tilt to one side.
However, after thinking about it, he still did not understand one thing.
“Boss, if that’s the case, why don’t the palace just send officials to discuss with you directly? Why did you say that the king will cooperate with you in his personal name instead?”
Lorne changed his seat and sat on the right side of Kyle.
Then, with a mysterious look on his face, he leaned over and whispered, “Because the king is in need of money too!”