Chapter 96: Intelligence

It wasn't just Bruno who placed great importance on the plan to sell sea salt Cario was equally invested.

After all, this was the first task he had undertaken since joining the Idar Territory, and he saw it as a crucial opportunity to prove his worth and vision.

Seeing that the Earl not only readily agreed but also praised him highly, Cario's mind began to stir with new ideas.

"My Lord, after arriving in Idar, I had the chance to drink two types of strong liquor at a tavern in the southern part of the city one called vodka and the other whiskey. I believe these high content alchols have the potential for a vast market. Perhaps we could also sell them through the Idar Chamber of Commerce?" Cario tentatively sought Bruno's opinion.

"I just put you in charge of the Chamber of Commerce, and you're already finding more work for yourself?"

Bruno glanced at him with a half smile, making Cario feel slightly embarrassed.

"I only act on your command, my Lord..." Cario quickly explained.

"Selling strong liquor… there's no rush. Since even you believe it could generate significant profits, do you think others haven't thought of the same idea? Idar does have strong liquor, but the question is… can we ensure a steady supply?"

Bruno's reasoning was sound, but Cario still felt regretful. "But if we only sell it in Idar's taverns, the sales volume will be quite limited…"

"That's why, while managing the Chamber of Commerce, you should also send someone to explore the market in the Basel Kingdom."

"Basel Kingdom?" Cario was surprised. "My Lord, do you intend to sell these liquors to Basel?"

Bruno smiled but remained silent.

You only see the second layer, but I'm already at the fifth!

Selling liquor to the Basel Kingdom was just the initial part of Bruno's plan.

After all, Idar was much closer to Basel than to the imperial capital, Saint Lawrence.

Moreover, while selling liquor to Basel might eventually alert the nobles of the Norman Empire, it would take at least six months for the news to spread and be verified.

And six months was more than enough for Idar to develop significantly.

Besides, once the Odin people launched their invasion against the Norman Empire, those nobles would have far greater concerns than dealing with Idar.

As Bruno gained a deeper understanding of this world, he uncovered even more advantages in establishing trade routes with Basel.

However, rather than explaining everything outright, which might feel like unnecessary exposition, he simply instructed Cario to discuss the Chamber's preparations with Lopida.

Even after Cario left, his remarks about the northern warfront of the empire lingered in Bruno's mind.

It wasn't that Cario's analysis was particularly brilliant Bruno himself could have reached the same conclusions given the same information.

What truly troubled Bruno was that a mere traveling merchant had access to more intelligence than he did!

Granted, merchants often traveled and had broader access to information. But still he was a noble!

He had his own network of informants, yet none had compiled and reported such crucial details.

This highlighted the abysmal state of Idar's intelligence gathering capabilities or, more broadly, the primitive nature of intelligence networks in this era.

Idar had maintained a network of spies, most of whom had been deployed in Soren Territory before the Battle of the Grand Highlands, monitoring Soren's military movements.

Now, however, those spies had been reassigned to spread word among the commoners of other noble territories about the prosperity of Idar a recruitment strategy aimed at drawing more people to settle in Idar (as detailed in Chapter 63).

But these spies were amateurs.

They simply carried a few silver shillings and copper coins, wandering into taverns to eavesdrop.

They lacked the ability to blend in or gather information discreetly. Some were so blatant that they might as well announce they were spies out loud…

Bruno had long known that Idar's intelligence network was underdeveloped, but against the Soren Territory, those spies had been just enough.

Moreover, he had been careful not to expand too quickly allocating funds to intelligence operations might strain Idar's finances and hinder the construction of its wonders.

Thus, he had turned a blind eye to the intelligence deficiencies, as long as they were barely functional.

But Cario's arrival was a wake up call.

Idar's intelligence network desperately needed reform.

Building an effective intelligence system wouldn't happen overnight, but basic training and structural improvements could begin immediately.

Step by step.

One bite at a time.

Intelligence networks aren't built in a day.

Bruno understood this well.

Additionally, while the Odin Empire and Norman Empire's conflict wouldn't directly impact Idar, it could indirectly affect various regions of the empire.

If the war continued to worsen, Idar, as a vassal of the Norman Empire, might eventually be dragged into the conflict.

Between the threat of pirates and the looming war in the north, Bruno felt overwhelmed.

Can't they just stop fighting for once? Can't they let me build my wonders in peace?

"Lister." Bruno called out.

"At your command…"

"Prepare a letter to the Regency Council. Write that, after suffering a well planned attack from Soren Territory, Idar has now also been raided by pirates from the Basel Kingdom. Many commoners have been killed or wounded, our newly planted rice fields have been burned, and most of the enslaved laborers who boiled seawater for salt production have been captured by pirates. The people of Idar are in dire straits… Make it sound as miserable as possible. Then, at the end, request aid from the Regency Council whether in money or labor, everything is welcome."

Since they had already suffered, why not exaggerate the disaster?

The worse it sounded, the more help they might receive.

After all, there was no downside to making the situation sound more severe.

Besides, if the northern war worsened and the empire called for nobles to send their private armies, Idar would have a perfect excuse to refuse.

"I'm already suffering this much, and you still want me to send troops?"