Upon first seeing the map, I couldn't help but doubt my own eyes.
So many cities have been built in western Ifriqiya?
“If there are so many cities, it seems odd that there wouldn’t be several nations on the western side of Ifriqiya.”
The map didn’t specify the population of each city.
However, the existence of so many cities naturally implies that there is someone at their center.
It could be seen as evidence of their ruler existing.
‘It’s as certain as a Korean liking kimchi.’
This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.
“I’ve heard that if we go outside the area we trade in and head south, there’s a country called ‘Mali.’ However, within the area we trade, there are no nations, not even city-states. There are only large tribes forming a tribal confederation.”
Humanity has created large communities called nations since the Bronze Age.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the DNA of human beings is strongly imprinted with an obsession for nationhood...
So why is there no nation here?
“I’ve heard that instead of farming like us, they all engage in livestock farming. They are a nomadic people.”
As soon as I heard this, everything fell into place.
Nomadic tribes do not settle in one specific location; they move around as a tribe, raising livestock.
Farming allows people to settle where there is sufficient water and arable land, but when a group of nomads grows beyond a certain size, they cannot secure enough grass for their livestock.
For this reason, the necessity for a ‘nation’ is very low.
However, they are still human beings, so it’s essential for them to buy grains through merchants like Abdullah or to exchange necessary items between tribes.
Based on everyone’s needs, markets are created to serve as hubs for rest and barter, eventually developing into cities.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if a nation formed here without my involvement...’
Are there no exceptional leaders nearby who could unite the various tribes?
Well, from my perspective, it’s good that there’s no nation in western Ifriqiya.
That way, I can exploit the wisdom of the British Empire’s “divide and rule” to extract extreme profits.
“Very interesting. Do you have any more information? Even trivial things are fine.”
Upon hearing my words, Abdullah took on a gesture that clearly showed he was deep in thought.
It’s a universal truth that first-rate, or rather shrewd, merchants do not express their desire for more money verbally when they find themselves in a favorable situation.
If he weren't a traitor, I’d want to use someone as capable as him as an executive in our trading group.
Still, I can offer him as much money as he needs.
At least until I’ve extracted all the information he possesses.
“Generally, nomadic tribes engage in livestock farming because they have no choice due to the barrenness of their living areas. They lead a wandering life.”
If you visit places like Mongolia, you can understand why the Mongolian and Jurchen tribes raided Joseon and Ming Dynasty so ruthlessly.
It is said that only a few weeds grow on the grasslands, along with some water.
There’s hardly a river or a well where one could farm, not even the tiniest bit.
Suffering from chronic food shortages, it’s understandable that those people had no choice but to resort to pillaging.
But why do the people of western Ifriqiya...
“Actually, the land in western Ifriqiya isn’t fertile, but if they wanted to farm, they could easily do so. There are forests, and there’s more water than you’d think, so they could probably grow wheat... yet those folks strangely don’t farm.”
Humans possess an instinct to avoid the unfamiliar, even if they rationally understand it would benefit them.
Trying out a new food is something anyone can do, but...
When it comes to needing to study for a certification after work, people often get a headache and resort to their smartphones instead.
Or, when they join a gym to start exercising, they often dread going for the first month...
Let alone changing their entire lives by becoming a settled farming people?
That would not be easy.
It’s no wonder that Kublai Khan, who succeeded Genghis Khan and established the Yuan Dynasty, sought to kill all the Chinese and burn their cities to turn everything into pristine pastureland.
There’s a story that a loyal subject from the Song Dynasty preached the greatness of ‘taxes,’ prompting Kublai to exclaim, “Oh wow, taxes are amazing! Our protagonist is really something!” and abandon his plans.
But it seems these nomadic tribes aren’t that bright.
“Very interesting.” “Thank you, my lord.”
If I can sell them a bit of agricultural technology along with gunpowder and matchlocks, I could create several ‘small-scale’ nations here.
And if our Toscana Empire controls them through ‘gunpowder,’ ‘matchlocks,’ ‘weapons,’ and ‘armor’?
Wouldn’t that be akin to the East India Company?
The kings of these nations might deceive themselves into thinking they are rulers of independent countries.
In reality, if the Toscana Empire decides not to sell them gunpowder, they would be devoured in an instant.
If things go well, I might create a colonial-like scenario without spilling a drop of blood.
Then I could use this as a base to expand into other areas.
“I promised I’d give you three thousand gold coins, didn’t I?” Abdullah answered honestly, like a dog wagging its tail.
“Yes, that’s correct, my lord!” “Now, tell me, what will you do with those three thousand gold coins? Where will you go to live after receiving that money?” “I’ll have to hide my identity and live somewhere else. For that, I need money, so I’m giving you this information now.”
I had initially thought about just killing him because he was a traitor.
However, the quality of the information he possessed seems to be higher than expected.
‘Maybe I should let him live for another three years.’
After that, I can either dispose of him or give him a little money and send him away, considering his previous contributions.
“Can you speak the language of the local tribes?” “Yes, I can. Since I need to engage in trade, I must know at least the minimum amount of their language. Additionally, I understand their culture to some extent.” “Good, very good. Then let me make you a proposal.”
This isn’t a suggestion; it’s essentially an order.
Because all my instincts tell me so.
‘He’s not simply blinded by money; he’s definitely being chased by something.’
I can’t stake my wrist on that being wrong, but I can stake two thousand gold coins on it.
“I’m about to start trading with the folks in western Ifriqiya. Just bringing gunpowder won’t sustain the trade.”
If trading were that easy, Vasco da Gama wouldn’t have executed advanced trade (threatening with cannons) from the start.
Also, history shows that the early Indian trade was ultimately about ‘who could threaten with a sword.’
“I need your help, as you know the language and culture. If you do well, we’ll treat you as before in our trading group. Honestly, I can see it just by looking at you. They’re plotting to kill you in our group right now, aren’t they?”
At my words, Abdullah broke into a cold sweat.
“After receiving the three thousand gold coins, I’ll likely plan to defect with my family.”
That was already too obvious from the moment he arrived here.
There’s a world of difference between just defecting after receiving money and attempting to flee with a huge sum due to ‘major corruption’ within the trading group.
“There’s also a way to extract information from you and then hand you over.”
At that, Abdullah quickly knelt and begged.
“There are employees under me who are in the same boat as I am. They naturally have a deep understanding of the language and culture of the local tribes...”
Begging for his life might not be effective, so he’s desperately trying to appeal to his usefulness. He truly seems like a potential traitor.
After all, who said it?
‘Even the most competent traitor cannot succeed. If Lee Wan-yong had been incompetent, could he have sold out the nation?’
For now, I should let him live, as he’s helpful.
“I’ll give you the money later. Please prove your worth. Now go.”
As soon as I dismissed Abdullah, Kris walked in.
“How did it go?” “I feel like I’ve obtained a surprisingly useful piece of trash.”
Honestly, if he weren’t a traitor, I’d want to bind him to our trading group for life and use him as a slave.
“I did a bit of background checking on Abdullah, and unsurprisingly, he was involved in various things like embezzlement and human trafficking.” “Human trafficking? He’s likely been involved in selling slaves from the Sultanate, who believe in the Mahabad religion.” “That’s something everyone does, but since he’s also involved in embezzlement, it seems he was framed.”
As I expected, he had quite a few ‘crimes.’
Well, since he’s that kind of person, I feel little guilt about disposing of him.
“What are your plans going forward? Are you heading to western Ifriqiya?” To be honest, I intended to gather information and send other explorers this time...
‘If I have a map this accurate...’
“The map I acquired has the coastline drawn, and there’s a rather large tribe nearby. I’ll replenish supplies in the Granada Kingdom and head out immediately.”
I need to initiate the trade and gradually expand my information network.
And in about a month, we would encounter the tribes of western Ifriqiya for the first time.