Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

The merchants stared at Simon, and after his words fell, there was a brief silence.

Finally, Jack was the first to speak. He spoke. "Your Highness said that you cannot easily agree, which means there is still a chance for us. We hope Your Highness can clarify."

"Please clarify, Your Highness." The other merchants echoed in unison.

Simon glanced at Jack. This old man was indeed good at reading people, which was why he had amassed such a fortune. However, Simon wasn’t someone who could be easily fooled.

"You’ve all seen the glass. Its value is immeasurable, and I’m sure you’ve already formed your own estimates. If it were to be sold, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation across the Eldorian Empire and amass a vast fortune." Simon said.

The merchants exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

Simon continued. "The production cost of glass is extremely high. Handing it over to you now would result in significant losses for me."

The statement about the high cost of glass was a lie, but it was easy for those unfamiliar with the process to believe, as glass seemed so extraordinary to them.

Seeing Simon’s troubled expression, Jack said. "Your Highness, if you allow us to sell it, we will certainly not let you suffer losses. We can purchase the distribution rights."

"That’s right, Your Highness. As long as you say the word, we have the silver." The merchants chimed in.

Simon nodded at this point. "Even so, I’m afraid I won’t be able to provide so much glass at once. To be honest, my domain lacks skilled craftsmen, which is why glass production is slow."

"Is that so? Your Highness, my family has many skilled slave craftsmen. If you need them, I can send them to you." A merchant from Prince Dornhal’s domain offered.

Another merchant added. "I can report this to Prince Valemont and have him allocate some slave craftsmen."

"..."

The merchants vied with each other to offer their assistance to Simon.

They all spoke of slave craftsmen because it was clear that free craftsmen would not be as reliable.

Simon pretended to ponder deeply for a moment, then said. "Since you are all so sincere, I can agree to open glass sales to you five months earlier. However, this will inevitably upset other merchants. How about you all upgrade to become members of the chamber of commerce?"

"Members?" The merchants looked puzzled.

Simon smiled. "This is a policy the chamber of commerce is preparing to implement. I will categorise merchants in the chamber based on their contributions into ordinary members, intermediate members, advanced members, bronze members, silver members, gold members, stewards, elders, and vice presidents."

"What do these contributions refer to?" A merchant asked.

Simon explained. "This chamber of commerce was created by me to promote the prosperity of my domain and build a free commercial city. Contributions naturally refer to contributions to the construction of this commercial city. There are many types of contributions, such as the total amount of silver traded within the chamber, providing craftsmen, grain, ore, and so on. Once the contribution value reaches a certain level, you can be promoted to a higher-level member and enjoy more benefits from the chamber."

Upon hearing this, the merchants fell into deep thought.

Simon continued. "Vice presidents, elders, and stewards will have priority access to all goods from Brambleford, enjoy maximum discounts, and even have partial management rights within the chamber. Specific policies will be handed over to Percival."

The membership system was a highly profitable modern model designed to maximise profits while attracting high-quality consumers.

Simon was applying this method now. Given his current capabilities, he couldn’t cater to every merchant, as the cost would be too high. Instead, he needed to focus on a group of high-quality merchants who would then collaborate with smaller merchants.

Moreover, the introduction of the membership system would drive these major merchants to climb the ranks desperately to secure greater profit margins. However, the contribution values required to move up the ranks would be substantial.

By the time they climbed to the top, Simon would have already reaped enormous profits.

Furthermore, once they were ’in,’ these merchants would be tied to the chamber of commerce, effectively using the entire merchant class of the Eldorian Empire to work for him.

"Immediate access?" Some merchants were already tempted.

Simon continued to sweeten the deal. "Not only will you have first access to goods, but in the future, certain technical processes will also be sold based on membership levels."

This temptation was too much for the seated merchants to resist.

The sale of technology meant that higher-ranking merchants would gain access to technology first, leaving lower-ranking merchants to envy them.

Simon calmly observed the merchants, waiting for them to ’recharge.’

After a while, Jack suddenly stood up and spoke. "Your Highness, I am willing to donate two million caps of silver, one hundred thousand bushels of grain, and five thousand skilled slave craftsmen to the chamber."

"Impressive, Manager Jack! Such generosity! Based on your contribution, you will be directly promoted to an advanced member. This means you can access the glass in two months." Simon said, giving Jack a thumb-up. Jack was essentially buying his way up the membership ranks rather than climbing step by step through chamber transactions.

Simon hadn’t expected Jack to be so impatient.

"Two months?!" The other merchants were in an uproar. They were not yet members and would have to wait six months to access the glass.

Jack was delighted and glanced smugly at the other merchants.

"I’ll also donate two million caps of silver!" One merchant shouted, standing up.

"I’ll donate ten thousand craftsmen!"

"I’ll donate one hundred thousand catties of iron ore!"

"..."

One by one, the merchants stood up, vying to donate their most valuable resources to the chamber in exchange for higher membership levels.

Simon maintained a calm exterior, but inside, he was laughing maniacally. The modern membership strategy was indeed effective. Driven by the desire for special status and greater benefits within the chamber, the merchants were thoroughly ensnared.

"One at a time, please. No need to rush. Joan, take notes on what each merchant is donating and hand them over to Percival." Simon instructed.

Joan picked up a brush and began recording beside Simon. She was still somewhat confused, not understanding what method Simon had used to make these merchants so eager to donate money and resources.

After the commotion died down, Joan had recorded all the donations from the seated merchants. Simon tallied them up and was shocked.

All of them had reached the advanced membership level, which meant he would have to open glass sales to them in two months.

However, for Simon, the resources he had gained were more than enough to offset his losses. Nine million caps of silver, five hundred thousand bushels of grain, a considerable amount of wrought iron, thirty thousand skilled slave craftsmen, one hundred thousand labour slaves, five thousand bolts of silk, one thousand horses, and various other items, he had struck gold.