I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 201: If you keep telling a lie, it becomes the truth (3)

"Scatter the enemy and unite your forces."

This is one of the principles that must be followed to achieve victory in war.

No, not just in war, but also in politics, business, and so on.

In every field, to trample your opponent and rise to the top, it is a phrase that is carved into the bones and cannot be overstated.

"When we met during the plague outbreak last time, it’s good to see you again. How is your daughter doing?"

If I were in the position of someone coming to collect money, that’s how it would sound to me.

'Your daughter was so beautiful. I think I’ll take her as payment for the debt you owe me.'

In fact, I heard that a thoughtless loan shark’s rookie employee said something similar when visiting a debtor's home.

But I have no such intentions whatsoever.

‘Chris, I can handle one Chloe, but just thinking about two, soon to be three... is overwhelming.’

And if it becomes four? From that day forward, my death would be guaranteed a spot as the most honorable of all—a death by suicide.

I don't want to die foolishly at the age of 24.

Gildo smiled when he heard my words.

“Last time, when there was a dysentery outbreak, your lordship ordered appropriate treatment, and now everything is fine. My daughter is scheduled to marry the young heir of the Mainz family in the spring.”

“Congratulations. Be sure to send me an invitation for the wedding. It will be difficult for me to attend personally, but I will certainly send a congratulatory gift and a letter.”

Of course, I’ll have someone else write the congratulatory letter...

What he needs from me is to show off how close the Rothschild Baron and I are.

He will probably display the letter like a family heirloom.

‘I wonder if he’ll hang it up in his house like a picture of a piglet.’

“Thank you so much, Baron. I will cherish the congratulatory letter as a family heirloom for life.”

“What do you mean? The congratulatory letter should be kept by the Mainz family’s newlywed.”

“I apologize, I was so happy that I misspoke.”

As the mood lightened, Gildo gradually brought up the main issue.

“Now, you mentioned wanting to place a large order for matchlock guns. How many do you need, specifically?”

I held up three fingers.

Gildo looked at them and tilted his head.

“You didn’t come all the way here just to buy 300 matchlock guns, did you? Are you looking to order 3,000?”

3,000 matchlock guns—an enormous number, enough to arm 3,000 soldiers.

But I had already promised Malik to supply ten times that amount.

‘With just that, who would benefit?’

“Thirty thousand matchlock guns. I’d like to receive them all within a year if possible.”

“As much as I would like to help, that is impossible. Even if we mobilize all the artisans and apprentices in the Pisa Blacksmith Guild, the maximum we could supply annually is about 3,000.”

Even for a good opportunity or a large deal, one must not take on a transaction they cannot handle.

At first, one might rejoice at having landed a big deal, but...

If the goods are not delivered on time, or if they are of poor quality...

Not only will you lose trust with your trading partner, but you could also lose all future business with others.

Therefore, the wisest approach is to say what can be done and reject what cannot.

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‘Once lost, trust will never return.’

“I am truly sorry, Baron, but I must refuse your request, as you saved my daughter and the other artisans and their families.”

The first offer was rejected, but I never expected the Pisa Guild to handle this on its own.

It would be physically impossible for a blacksmith guild in a mere countship to produce 3,000 matchlock guns within just a year.

I’m not a fool, so I wouldn’t have come all this way to make an unreasonable request.

Naturally, there was a bigger purpose.

“How do you intend to make 30,000 matchlock guns with just your own efforts? I knew it was impossible, and that’s why I came.”

Gildo looked at me and tilted his head again.

He probably wondered why I made such a request knowing it was impossible.

“But if, by any chance, you—no, the Pisa Blacksmith Guild—could grow 10, or even 20 times in size, would that still be impossible?”

“You’re suggesting that we invade the guilds in other cities? That’s impossible. A blacksmith guild, no, any guild, must never leave its own domain...”

I know very well that every guild must remain within the city where it is rooted.

Because of this, guilds use their monopolistic positions to raise the prices of their goods.

The cost to make a hammer might only be worth one silver coin.

Yet the market price for that hammer outside the guild is at least five silver coins.

Even though this absurd pricing exists, guilds maintain their monopolistic position, and no one questions it or even dares to suggest otherwise.

‘How will the economy ever develop like this?’

First, I must uproot all the rotten elements.

Imagine clearing them away with a bulldozer—how refreshing that would feel.

“Stop talking nonsense. That ironclad oath is about to break, isn’t it? You are a diligent and conscientious man, and I like that about you... but can others be counted on to act with such integrity?”

If the seed of doubt had not been planted, the master of the blacksmith guild would not have even listened to my words.

Though he’s a craftsman, leading a life somewhat detached from politics...

He must know very well that the bond between guilds, once weakened, leads to their downfall.

But now that the seed of doubt had been planted?

He would definitely find my words more enticing.

“As you’ve likely heard, the Florence blacksmith guild is already scrambling to take over markets in other regions. While I want to keep the oath I made to my ancestors, they’re already plotting to monopolize the empire’s weapons, armor, and tools.”

Although, in reality, the amount of stocks issued by Florence is barely enough to establish a couple of workshops.

Who’s going to believe that?

‘They’re so petty.’

But what’s important is that whether the stocks issued are worth one gold coin or one million gold coins...

The fact is, stocks have been issued, and their scale, depending on how it’s perceived, can be considered large—so it’s not a lie.

I selectively chose the facts to highlight, but it’s not a lie, and that will make my argument far more persuasive.

“Other major city guilds are likely in similar situations. They’re all quietly waiting for the right moment to strike.”

Gildo remained silent at my words.

Silence is an agreement, or so I took it.

“They’ve already betrayed you. If you continue to sit idly by, you’ll only become a pathetic fool who was betrayed. Don’t you feel ashamed in front of yourself and your subordinates?”

It’s not necessarily bad to be a little naive or innocent.

In fact, it’s quite likable as a person, especially if they’re a friend.

But if such a person were my superior, my leader?

‘They’d either be swindled or fail due to a lack of leadership skills, and before long, they’d be broke.’

“...Though I was struck in the back, I suppose that’s why you’ve come to me for a solution.”

“I have a very good solution.”

I whispered the best way for him to survive directly into his ear.

“Advocate for the abolition of the guild system to His Majesty, the Emperor.”