Chapter 167
Chapter 167. Extortion rather than negotiation (6)
“It’s scary that they’re doing this even at some cost.”
I didn't think it was possible.
However, it was thought that there was no possibility because neither side would benefit from trying.
Arnil Corporation will continue to suffer losses thanks to excessive purchase prices and cheap sales.
Maybe they are suffering a bigger loss than themselves.
No one will be happy doing this.
The problem was that he didn't care.
“I don't know if I should be astonished at the... Prince's funds... or... surprised at the way he is.”
It meant that Arnil Chamber of Commerce had a lot of money.
Even if they ruin themselves, it doesn't matter.
That intention is evident.
“It's a radical retaliation that we can't even imitate
.
“...Shouldn't we protest?”
Arnil's behavior was not normal.
Of course, those who collaborated with Seongguk and spread unfair rumors about cacao fruits would not have the right to talk about their fairness.
But this way is extremely strange.
“The thing to stop right now is,
“Will that prince listen?”
Everyone knows that the prince is not just an idiot.
There was no way he didn't know that this was an unfair act and there was a risk of being denounced.
Nonetheless, taking it this way.
‘It means that even if I do something like this, I have enough grounds to ignore it.'
something they are holding
“Come to think of it, didn't you say that the... carriage was attacked by bandits a while ago?”
“Yes, but.”
And he knew that the thieves were soon subjugated.
At first, I thought it was an act of simple thieves.
‘It must have been the work of that prince.'
Already he was sure he had noticed something about smuggling.
That's why they think that even if they take such drastic retaliation, they will be able to clear up their actions later.
‘No accusations...is this a message beyond simple retaliation?'
The fact that the accusation has not yet been made may mean that there is room for a full discussion later.
Senil judged that.
If I missed this opportunity, I couldn't imagine how much more ridiculous he would be after that.
“What would you like?”
“I must ask the prince for an audience immediately.”
“Can I accept it?”
“It won't be easy. But I have no choice but to do it.”
Senil muttered as if he had made up his mind.
Apparently, the prince had made up his mind.
It's more poisonous than it looks.
“It is the only way we can survive.”
He bit his lip as if he was resentful of Senil.
* * *
“Arel-nim.”
I was spending time leisurely drinking cocoa as usual when a servant suddenly called me.
“okay. What kind of accident happened again this time?”
When he calls me, I think something happened has become a premise.
As I smiled and waited, the servant, unlike other times, was only slightly embarrassed.
“I... nothing else... There is someone who asks for an audience with Arel.”
“Reject it. I am a busy person.”
I slurped cocoa in my mouth and looked out the window again.
Phew.... What are you doing and discussing today?
It's really worth it.
“Arell?”
“Did you say you were busy?”
“Over there… the one asking for an audience…
“Who is that?”
“I am Senil Geotal, the head of the Geotal Company.”
I stopped drinking the teacup.
Then he put the still half remaining teacup back on the desk.
“okay. You mean that woman?”
ok i wrote it
meet you
After deliberately idling around for about two hours, I went out to the audience room, where Senil Geotal was patiently waiting for me.
Well, I can't get out without waiting.
Right now, she's going crazy because she wants to meet me.
“I made you wait.”
When he spoke in a voice that didn't feel the slightest regret, Senil Geotal hurriedly lowered his stance.
I thought I wanted to run at me, but the escorts glared at me from behind and I couldn't move. It was really worth seeing.
okay. It's really nice to see them biting their lips and shaking their fists.
“What is it?”
“Arel-nim won’t know.”
Now, her face was as if she could barely hold it back even if she wanted to blow a nutmeg letter openly because she was afraid of her own life.
Why don't you have to take off the pretentiousness?
“You managed to think of stepping out in front of me. I thought I would definitely pack up and cross the border by now.”
“...Closing the business and me dying mean the same thing.”
Senil said with a self-deprecating smile.
But her eyes are unmistakably hostile.
That is why the escorts are not slowing down even a little bit.
“How do you know?”
“huh?”
“You wouldn’t say you didn’t know, would you?
Arel-nim's retaliation against our company over and over again. You're not saying there's no reason, are you?”
“Retaliation.”
I snorted at her words.
“I was just playing a little prank, just like you guys.”
“It's trivial... I can't handle the size of Arel's trivial pranks.”
I guess so.
After I got solid evidence about the smuggling case, I didn't make any accusations.
Instead, I asked my uncle for a favor.
“They kept offering it at a lower price than our company’s products.”
I instructed them to sell products that were subtly cheaper than theirs right next door.
In addition, they seduced the peddlers who came to buy them by buying them at a better price.
This is an obvious business obstruction.
“It’s a special sale period.”
Is the sale period until you go bankrupt?
“It’s a sale… even while taking a loss?”
“Sometimes I thought it was necessary to have an unconventional sale.”
Obviously, as a measure to feed Geotal Co., I deliberately put taffy in their business even at the cost of this side.
It's not a lot of money anyway from my point of view.
one more thing there.
As an implicit measure, he even wrote down a number of outright retaliation, such as cutting off loans from Ernesia Bank to not only Geotal Corporation, but also to all merchants contracting with it.
Rumors are already circulating in the world that Geotal Firm has earned my wrath.
“...It's a matter of course.”
I threw the bundle of papers I brought at Senil's feet.
I saw her eyes widen in surprise for the first time.
“this is....?”
“It is written in detail who you sold what to. If you don't believe me, you can read it.”
“Where the hell did you get this from?”
“There was a good-intentioned informant.”
There was a partner who had the same interests and wanted to give a counterpoint to guys who were against each other.
That's it.
Senil kept his mouth shut, as if he had any guesses.
“I hope you don’t misunderstand.
It's not that I'm retaliating because of the bad talk about cocoa beans. You know that, right?”
If I was simply going to retaliate for that, I would have pushed myself into the same public opinion battle.
“He crossed many dangerous bridges. Was the money that good?”
The smuggled items were so diverse.
Precious metals, including rare medicinal gold in salt.
There were even drugs that could be taken on a subtle scale.
Even here, where the restrictions are relatively loose, they were committing various types of smuggling that would be difficult to preserve their lives if caught.
The reason why she had frequent contact with aristocrats was probably to commit smuggling.
Well, they'll pay for it in some form or another sooner or later.
i'm fair
“Isn’t it natural to make money? Raising money endlessly
That must be the true attitude of a merchant, right?”
“is it.?”
At this point, I couldn't help but laugh.
Looking into Senil's eyes, everything she was spewing out now was sincere.
You really live only for money.
It's not too bad.
“Arel-sama seems to think otherwise.”
“Okay? Well, talking about this just hurts my mouth. By the way, you didn't run away well.”
“Would you be willing to watch me if I packed up and ran away?”
“you're welcome.”
Upon hearing the information that she had fled, they would have immediately accused her of smuggling and issued a wanted order immediately.
Even if you jump abroad, how far can you go?
I'm really curious, but I don't think I'll ever check it out.
“You asked me before. I mean, do you think you'll change your mind later?”
“Yes, you are right. My thoughts have changed wonderfully. You are indeed wise.”
I smiled kindly and brightly.
There's no way she doesn't know that this is blatantly sarcastic against her.
Senil's face hardened.
“I like that look. very good. Would you like to trade Senilgeothal?”
How can I hear my voice in her ears?
Will I hear the hallucination of money flowing sweetly?
you're welcome.
“Give me your hand. instead.”
My voice is clear.
“Hand over your business to me. Forgive me for that.”
It's going to sound horrible, like a demon would make.
“Don’t worry. Don't let me sit on the pavement. I will cover the crime to some extent in the name of a reasonable transaction. But other than that, I will have to give it away.”
That's the deal I came up with.
What does she get instead?
it will be your life
And it won't be bad since it guarantees old age.
I am so merciful.
“...You're kidding too much. Did my store seem cheap enough to give it up just for smuggling?”
Senil is trying hard to maintain a strong pretense.
Are you trying to squeeze the last remaining ego? That's great.
“Hmm, isn’t smuggling enough of a crime?”
Yeah, thinking about it, something is missing.
In the first place, smuggling is a felony, but if the agreement is good, is it an area where you can escape with a fine?
“Then a bribe?”
“yes?”
I also threw out other papers.
It is a record of the friends Senil and her aides have met over the years.
It is truly a covert voyeur.
“If that’s not enough… Eight, be generous. Not to mention rebellion.”
I threw another bunch.
“He intervened in a small country’s conflict. It must have been pretty expensive to supply weapons and supplies to the rebels?”
This is why her mentality bothered me.
It wasn't just smuggling that came out of the digging.
I've really done anything to make money.
Senil was completely frozen and said nothing.
“Could that be enough? Oh, what a greedy man. Then...
let me bring out another charge and the evidence.
“Stop it...
Senil murmured weakly.
Who do you dare to ask to quit?
It was laughable, but I was kind, so I stopped as requested.
Yes, it looked like I would run out of breath if I threw any more.
“How the hell do you do this…?”
“Aren’t you curious? They say there are people who can see through everything. Can you see through even the lost evidence or what?”
Whoever you are, you are a very famous detective.
As if she understood who it was just by saying that, her lips moved and she mutters someone's name without sound.
That's right, he's not here. It's meaningless.
Senil weakly picked up the fallen papers and checked them.
Yeah, it doesn't change anything.