War Is Coming

The good news was that the project was now up and running.

Upon returning to the headquarters, Edward instructed the lawyer to finalize the contracts. He, alongside the accountant, set about drafting a cash flow sheet.

Meanwhile, he called upon one of his associates to deliver a wag 3300.

As he gazed at his newly purchased carriage, Edward couldn't help but reflect on the nature of appearances. A man must appear powerful if he is to rise to prominence.

He knew that in high society, 80% of people at any given gathering were nothing more than social climbers or opportunistic businessmen. Only the remaining 20% held real power, and those people were always well-acquainted with one another. Breaking into that circle was no easy feat.

For Edward's first task, he had set himself the goal of becoming a familiar face. From there, he would find his chance.

Thus, a week passed, and Edward was able to attend various upper-class banquets.

At the stricter events, where invitations were required, he would politely smile and leave, instead retreating to the carriage to wait. Once the gathering ended, he would casually mingle with the guests, pretending to be just another merchant departing the event.

In less strict gatherings, Edward would confidently stroll in, using his fine clothing and noble-sounding name to blend in with the crowd, learning from them and making connections.

He observed every individual carefully and danced with several young women, impressing them with his handsome appearance and charm.

Though much of this socializing proved fruitless, it ensured that he would be recognized within the circles of power.

In time, one would be able to make real connections only by entering the inner core of that group, a privilege that was earned, not granted.

The Hansa merchants, in Lübeck, were considered to be a part of the aristocratic class.

Edward scoffed at the idea of joining their guild, noting the exorbitant 10,000 gold coin membership fee required to be recognized as an official Hansa merchant, replete with privileges.

With that much gold, he could have simply built a factory. For Edward, the fee seemed ludicrous.

But, as with any exclusive organization, the guild was clearly searching for genuine elites.

Edward continued to frequent high-society gatherings, meetings, and salons, making his presence known and eventually finding a kindred spirit.

Through his youth, his eloquence, and his façade, Edward gained the respect of a young man named Baron, a chubby fellow who came to believe Edward was a well-connected and wealthy noble.

When commoners look at the aristocracy, they tend to assume they are wealthy. However, true wealth often belongs to the merchant class, particularly those in the Hansa League, who shunned production and focused entirely on trade.

Merchants, once they amassed their fortunes, were the ones with money to spare, their wealth untethered by the demands of military expansion.

Edward's insistence on presenting himself as wealthy and influential proved effective. Baron, increasingly in awe of him, began to follow Edward as his loyal shadow.

To further bond with him, Edward shared tales of future speculation, mesmerizing the chubby Baron with stories of lucrative ventures.

One evening, at a social event, Baron approached Edward and whispered, "Boss, have you heard? The Kingdom of Denmark has started mobilizing for war. They plan to attack Lübeck from both land and sea."

The news startled Edward, but he remained composed. "So, you've heard too? My brother, Baron von Stein, will also be joining the battle. He has sworn to defend the honor of Germany."

Although Edward had a background in finance, his knowledge of European history from the 1370s was somewhat lacking, so he found the news of Denmark's aggression surprising.

In his mind, Denmark was a minor power, easily crushed by the Prussian Kingdom or other stronger forces.

But it seemed the tides had changed.

Baron continued, "The rise of the Hansa League has severely impacted Denmark's interests in the Baltic. The tension between Denmark and Lübeck has been growing, and now war has broken out. Do we have any opportunity here?"

Edward looked at the eager Baron, feeling a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

Lübeck, if attacked, would be a major upheaval for the elite. Countless noble families would have their fortunes upended.

Edward placed a hand on Baron's shoulder. "We do have a grand opportunity, but we can't manage it alone. I know someone with an extremely powerful background. We'll need him to help us seize the chance."