Chapter 242: Go Now!
The Commerce Hall was packed with people coming and going; it felt just like a festival.
Hearing Baldwin’s congratulations, Simon couldn’t help but smile wryly. Only after taking charge did he truly realise how expensive it was to run a household, or in his case, a domain.
Now that he was a prince ruling a territory, he fully understood one thing: if the people were to live good lives, if the soldiers and officials were to get their salaries on time, if ships and cannons were to be built, and materials purchased, then almost everything came down to one thing: silver.
Without money, officials wouldn’t do their jobs, soldiers wouldn’t fight, and craftsmen would slack off. From a ruler’s point of view, things like loyalty to the emperor or peace under heaven were noble ideals, but for the average person, it all boiled down to feeding their families.
Only now did Simon realise that money in your pocket is what lets you survive tough times. If he had only focused on building up his army without developing industry or making money, then when the reavers came to attack Brambleford, he would’ve had no public support, no cannons, and only a ragtag group of poorly armed conscripts ready to run at the first sign of trouble. By then, he might’ve already been six feet under.
That’s why, in his heart, he never once loosened his grip on trade and commerce. With money came resources. And only with both could he afford to build a real army.
"That kind of congratulations is a bit expensive," Simon replied with a smile.
Baldwin chuckled softly, then said seriously. "My Lord, it’s all for attracting merchants to settle in Brambleford and improve the city. We’re planning to pave all of Brambleford with cement roads. That’s no small project. Without money, it’s impossible."
Coming from the modern world, Simon naturally had a longer-term view. His urban planning for Brambleford had started early; he didn’t wait for things to fall apart before trying to fix them, as the saying goes. "If you want to get rich, build roads first." Every time it rained, Brambleford’s muddy streets left both merchants and locals miserable.
And for Simon, it was even worse. So he had decided it was time to launch his first municipal engineering project since arriving in this era: build paved roads and beautify the city.
The goal wasn’t just to improve daily life, but also to attract more outside merchants to settle here long-term. After all, if you want to attract a phoenix, first build a nice nest.
Also, there was a simple truth: large-scale construction was the fastest way to stimulate the local economy. In the modern world, municipal projects and real estate had proven that time and again.
Throwing a lot of silver into this meant spending on materials and labour, money that would end up in the hands of the common people.
As they were talking, a dishevelled Percival rushed in, sweat pouring down his face. His clothes were a mess, as if he’d just been wrestled to the ground.
"Oof, those money-hungry merchants!" He grumbled. "They act like I’m a thief! I nearly had my clothes torn off!"
He caught his breath and then asked. "My Lord, all the merchants are asking when the auction will start. What should I tell them?"
"No rush," Simon said calmly. "The real VIPs haven’t even arrived yet." He waved the imperial fast letter from Emperor Alaric.
"So the news about the mirror just started spreading in Eldora?" Percival asked.
Simon nodded. "And I want to delay things a bit so James and the others can make more mirrors."
"I agree." Baldwin chimed in, now learning more every day by working closely with Simon.
Percival nodded too.
Simon added. "Oh right, send another merchant ship to Eldora with ten more mirrors. Make sure one of them goes to Elin."
"Sending a gift already? The princess isn’t even married yet. Looks like Your Highness was quite impressed during your visit to Eldora." Baldwin said teasingly.
Simon tried to recall Elin’s face, but the memory was already a bit fuzzy. Still, in the modern world, it was normal to send gifts to your fiancée; it was just good for married life later on.
"I only met her briefly." He said. "Sending a mirror is just a nice gesture."
Percival chimed in with a boot-licking grin. "Your Highness is achieving great success and winning the heart of a beauty. Truly enviable!"
Simon, while pleased, wasn’t one to get carried away. He shot him a look and said. "Less flattery, more work. Now get moving."
Percival laughed and nodded before squeezing back out into the sea of merchants.
The imperial letter had asked about the mirrors specifically, with hints that the imperial concubines loved them. Alaric clearly wanted more sent over.
But unlike consumables like perfume or soap, Simon wasn’t going to hand out mirrors to every concubine. He decided to send more to the emperor and let him deal with the distribution. After all, the emperor had sent an urgent message; Simon had to show some respect. Otherwise, the impact of the first gift would be lost.
As for the concubines who didn’t get one? They’d have to pay for it like everyone else.
The merchants outside still refused to leave, so Simon had someone announce that the auction would be delayed another ten days.
He himself headed to the Oxford Academy. Even while preparing for the auction, he hadn’t slacked off.
Over the past ten days, he had been teaching Liam how to calculate cannonball trajectories, and giving Desmond and others basic navigation lessons. And he would keep going; there was still much more advanced material to cover.
While Brambleford’s merchants were going wild over the mirrors, another batch arrived in Eldora. Nine went to Emperor Alaric, and one went to the Baker family’s residence.
"Master, this is a gift from Prince Simon."
At the Baker residence, the steward brought in a large mirror covered in black cloth.
When Hughes saw it, he instantly understood. "Careful now! Don’t drop it."
The man from Brambleford set the mirror down and left. The steward, still puzzled, asked. "Master, what is it?"
Hughes stroked his beard and said. "It’s probably a mirror."
He pulled the black cloth off and sure enough, an elegant, stunning mirror appeared before him.
Looking at his reflection, Hughes smiled warmly. Prince Simon’s thoughtfulness made him feel even more at ease about entrusting his daughter to him.
"Take this mirror to the young miss." He said.
The steward nodded and brought it to her room.
At that moment, Elin was in her room sewing a pouch. When she heard the commotion outside, she had her maid open the door.
Hughes stepped inside, followed by the steward.
"Father, what’s this?" Elin asked curiously.
The black cloth was still covering it. Hughes smiled and said. "A mirror from Prince Simon."
"Ah!" Elin gasped in surprise.