Swedish Merchant

Edward returned to Lübeck.

Accompanied by a dozen people from his hometown, it was inevitable that he could no longer remain in the slums of the city.

He went to the city center and began inquiring about the prices of buildings.

On average, a building made of brick cost 70,000 gold coins.

A better quality building would set him back 100,000 gold coins.

He couldn't afford it—no, it was utterly impossible. By purchasing power comparison, this price was equivalent to 100 million in modern society.

And yet, to Edward's eyes, these prices seemed reasonable, even cheap, considering the potential for future appreciation.

Thus, he began searching for an entire building available for rent.

In the city center, albeit a little off-center, he found one.

It was a five-story brick building, and if purchased outright, it would cost 50,000 gold coins.

However, the rental for three months was only 500 gold coins.

Edward decided to rent it for three months.

After transferring funds at the Jewish community's goldsmith shop, he bid farewell to the landlord. Finally, Edward had secured a stronghold in the city center.

Gold coins left: 4200 - 500 = 3700.

He directed his butler to supervise the four maids in cleaning the premises.

The accountant and lawyer were instructed to find their own office and set up in the headquarters.

Once everyone had settled into their rooms, Edward began organizing the work.

Agent 1, in charge of overseeing ten bodyguards, was assigned to manage the wheat transport route.

Edward needed to purchase two more carts, costing an additional 200 gold coins.

Gold coins left: 3700 - 200 = 3500.

He instructed them to handle the transport independently.

The remaining four agents were tasked with gathering market intelligence.

Once he had arranged everyone's duties, Edward stepped out of the office.

There was an important matter to attend to.

The wheat Edward had bought for 33 gold coins per cart at home could only be sold for 40 gold coins in Lübeck, yielding a mere 7 gold coin profit.

But Edward wasn't content with such a modest gain.

Since he knew that wheat could be sold for 60 gold coins in Malmö, Sweden, he was determined to find a way to export it.

In his past life, Edward had been an export merchant, fully aware of the benefits of international trade.

What kind of profession is a merchant?

It's a game of consumption and disappearance.

For instance, a merchant selling liquor hopes for one thing above all: once the liquor is sold to the customer, it is consumed.

The worst-case scenario is that the liquor is purchased, but the customer hoards it.

If the liquor doesn't disappear, it will eventually find its way back into the market, ruining the market itself.

In the same vein, what's the difference between selling wheat to Germany and selling it to Sweden?

If sold within Germany, a cart of wheat might only fetch 40 gold coins, while fulfilling the market's immediate needs.

However, the goal is to maintain scarcity and create demand—this is the essence of successful commerce.

By selling to Sweden, the wheat is fulfilling only the Swedish market's needs, and the German market continues to hunger.

In a scarcity economy, the citizens endure hunger and deprivation.

Hence, the mantra for export merchants is simple: "Better to sell to foreign lands than to cater to homegrown interests."

In ancient times, lords were seen as just, while merchants were viewed as the source of corruption.

But did the merchants truly err?

Striving for greater profits is hardly a sin—it's simply the nature of money.

If selling to Sweden yields more profit, then that is the clear choice.

As for social responsibility, that falls to the lords. Lübeck had no lord? That is where the problem lies.

Just as Venice in Italy and Lübeck and Hamburg in the Holy Roman Empire sold their resources to foreign lands, they exploited a fundamental flaw in the feudal system.

How many people, in this age, could truly recognize this flaw and profit from it?

...

Edward went to the port and found the Swedish merchant he had worked with before.

The recent export ban on beer from Lübeck had these Swedish merchants complaining bitterly.

They had only just discovered a new lucrative trade route, made some money, and now it was shut down.

However, upon seeing Edward, they considered him Lübeck's insider in Sweden—an agent working on their behalf.

Edward was invited to the Swedish merchant's office with great enthusiasm, welcomed as a VIP.

"Has the beer export ban been lifted?" the merchant eagerly inquired.

"No," Edward replied. "So, I've moved on to another business, one that also aims to sell goods to Sweden." He offered the bait.

"What goods?" The Swedish merchant's interest piqued, given their previous cooperation.

"Wheat."

"How much?"

"Wheat in Sweden goes for 60 gold coins per cart. I'll offer it to you for 50."

"But... we can get it for 40 gold coins in Lübeck."

"Ha, are you sure you can actually get the goods?"

"If I can't get the goods, then what am I doing in Lübeck?"

"You'll only be able to buy leftovers, whatever is left over after the market has been served. Sometimes, there might be nothing left for you at all."

"...You win. How much do you have?"

"Right now, only one cart, but in the future, nine carts per week."

"Nine carts? You're wasting my time."

"It's a steady nine carts every week. I'm an expert in foreign trade exports. I'll sell you nine carts of wheat weekly, and once you pick up the leftovers, you can fill your ship and send it back to Sweden."

"Hmm, it's a bit of a side deal. It's too small for me, I can't offer you 50 gold coins per cart."

"Then what will you offer?"

"Forty-five."

Edward remained silent.

After a brief pause, he threw out another offer. "Look, I'm a well-connected German noble. Selling wheat is just a temporary move. Once the beer export ban is lifted, beer will be the main business."

The Swedish merchant's attention shifted. "Ah, my friend, you must sell me more beer once the ban is lifted."

"Of course, we'll work together for mutual benefit, making money together."

...

After leaving the port, Edward kept wiping his hands with a handkerchief, disgusted.

Business friends, as it turns out, are just like this: they say they are friends, but in truth, they only see the other's value as an opportunity to exploit.

It's all a show, and deep down, they would gladly swallow each other whole if they could.