398 Episode XXI: Education in Ludwig

The day after she was consulted by Chloe, Meer immediately contacted Ludwig.

"You'll be busy with a lot of things... but you'd better come to Ludwig too"

Call out cases of high urgency and judgment, the most dependable wisdom bags.

"Hmm... Speaking of which, Ludwig also played the role of Bell's teacher. Perhaps it would be a good idea to ask for arithmetic education with you anyway. He's going to think of something good."

and so on, while thinking about it, write "I want Bell to teach me," and send a letter.

Meer, your grandmother is very keen on education.

Further out of St. Noel's Island, head to the city where the Fork Road Chamber of Commerce merchants are staying.

"Um, Meer, sister, can I come with you?

When I left the island, Bell said something like that.

"Oh, I don't think it's particularly fun..."

"Meer, I'd love to burn your sister's bravery in your eyes."

"I don't think there's anything like showing bravery... but you are... Hmm"

Meer braces herself and thinks.

- Speaking of arithmetic, merchant... If you see an actual merchant, maybe you'll get into studying!

Meer, your grandmother is very keen on education.

"Well, let's go together"

The line then headed to the city where the Fork Road Chamber of Commerce was stationed.

"This, my dear Meer... You may be bothered..."

Suddenly, Marco Forklord, Chloe's father, who saw Meer show up, was surprised with his eyes round.

Marco rushes to get up on the bed of the inn. With one hand controlling him like that, Meer had a tender grin.

"Looks like you're safe, more than anything. How would you like to join us?

"Did your daughter tell you? I'm sorry. It's no big deal. It's just that I'm tired..., and I'm glad your Highness is lucky to have your feet..."

"You don't have to worry about it at all, Lord Marco. You are important to our empire. It's literally a lifeline."

Meer adds, then, with a pranky grin.

"Besides, you are my dear reader, Chloe's father. Without you, Chloe and I won't be able to do reading rigging, and it's not fun."

"Her Royal Highness Princess Meer..."

Marco bowed his head deeply.

"Thank you for your generosity"

"If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to tell me."

"Oh... the... it's really not a big deal. It's only a commercial matter..."

"But I heard you were obstructed. What if there's some kind of violent attack... for example, hiring a bandit to attack..."

"No, that's never the case"

When Meer is leaning her neck against Marco, who shakes her head in a hurry......

"Lord Folklord, my Lord, Her Royal Highness Princess Meer, is a wise man. Please describe the situation in which your Chamber of Commerce is now located"

A voice heard from the entrance to the room. When Meer turned her attention, there was the figure of a loyal minister she could count on.

"Oh, Ludwig, you're here"

At the arrival of the comforting reinforcements, Meer let her voice play. Because I didn't feel like I could listen to Marco on my own.

"It's late. Meer."

Ludwig bowed his head deeply before turning again to Marco.

"Now... if the commercial thing is hard to say, let me tell you my reasoning, so please just keep asking"

Then Ludwig pushes his glasses up with his fingers.

"First of all, Meer, I would like to correct your misunderstanding, but in the case of disputes between merchants, there are indeed direct attacks, such as hiring bandits. But that's not so common. I rarely do that, especially if the other person is a big chamber of commerce"

"Well, is it?

"Yes. Clear evil, naturally, because there are sanctions. If we break the law, we can ask for State intervention. Besides, if you are a large chamber of commerce, you can also have the means to defend yourself. It's risky and the means to prevent it are easy to understand."

"I see. That's what it is..."

"Merchants have a way of attacking merchants. For example, yes…, it is easy to understand that excessive price reductions have created competition…"

Ludwig said as he pushed up his glasses. Marco, who saw it, looked bitterly.

"Heh... price reduction...?

Today, it was Bell who tilted his neck. Ludwig, who saw it, laughed oddly,

"Right. Belle, it might be a little difficult. Hmmm......"

After a few thoughts, Ludwig said.

"Right. For example, Belle, if baked sweets of the same flavour, the same size were sold for one piece of copper coin and two pieces of copper coin, which would you buy?

"Huh? Uh, one copper coin, is it?

"Right. As a customer, it's a natural psychology. I bought it from the cheaper price. So selling your own merchandise at a lower price than a hostile merchant is a basic way to disrupt the merchant's business."

What Ludwig said was very obvious. As much as that, Meer can tell.

"And in malicious cases, you may come up with a cheap sale that discourages profits. Extremely, like selling a single piece of silver coin for a single piece of copper coin."

"Heh? What's the point of doing that? It will cost you..."

To the answer, Ludwig nodded with a harsh face.

"It means a lot. If they do this, if the big merchants let their financial power say something and crush all the rival merchants… they can monopolize the market"

With that exchange sidelined, Meer was eating the tea treats that Marco had prepared for her.

- Hmm..., it's a treat I've never seen... but I wonder if this is a treat across the ocean... This black paste is made of beans... What a refreshing sweetness...... I have a feeling this is going to taste good when mixed with cream.

Sweet connoisseur Meer's delicacy eye (Shinmi cancer) crosses.