The city of Perugia is similar in population to the city of Guillaume.
There are about 10,000 citizens living in the city, with an additional 20,000 residents, bringing the total to 30,000.
Even in densely populated Korea, a place with this many people would be considered a town, so the city itself feels bustling for a rural area.
“There are quite a few people here.”
Though it’s not a port city like Guillaume and doesn’t really qualify as a hub for overland transport, this area has quite a broad plain and ample water for agricultural use.
Thus, it’s only natural that a city has formed here.
Where there’s a city, there’s bound to be a guild that I’m looking for.
“Major Baron, there’s a small blacksmith shop over there.”
Upon hearing that, I entered the shop to take a look inside.
Inside, there seemed to be about three people: a blacksmith and an apprentice, but seeing them sitting and resting during work hours...
‘It seems that the blacksmiths in this city aren’t overwhelmed with work.’
In fact, guilds in such small towns generally produce goods only for local consumption, so other workshops likely face similar circumstances.
Even if I throw some work their way, they wouldn’t turn it down due to being overwhelmed.
“It looks like I’ve come to the right place.”
Chloe smiled as if it were her own achievement.
“That’s great news.”
“I doubt that would have been the case, but if these blacksmiths were too busy to get by, I would have had to look elsewhere.”
While it’s unavoidable to earn money, the thought of traveling for days in a rickety carriage without any suspension is truly dreadful.
“I’ve looked around enough, so now it’s time to meet the blacksmith guild master. The bulk of military supply consists of weapons and armor.”
Besides weapons, there are also armor, meat, grains, bread, cheese, and wine.
However, the scale of transactions for weapons and armor far surpasses the rest combined.
So, it makes sense to resolve matters with the blacksmith guild first.
“Let’s hurry. We also need to find guilds to handle the supply for the other divisions.”
As I entered the blacksmith guild, the guild master came running to greet me eagerly.
That doesn’t mean he wasn’t wearing shoes, though...
“Oh my, is that you, Major Baron Medici? What brings someone of your stature to our humble guild?”
The guild master and senior artisans may not be of noble blood, but socially, they are not much different from lower nobility.
Thus, while they may lack the refined qualities of nobles, they are as well-informed about central affairs as any aristocrat.
While artisans are rarely affected by changes at the center, when they are, the repercussions can be quite significant.
‘Still, I didn’t expect a mere Major Baron like me to be welcomed so warmly.’
How did he recognize me?
“I’m no high-ranking noble like a lord or count, so isn’t this a bit excessive?”
At my words, the guild master shook his head.
“It’s only been a year and a half since you came of age and rose to the rank of Major Baron on your own. Word of your accomplishments has reached even this rural corner. I’ve heard you’ve successfully restored the military supply to the 1st Division. Even though our guild is small, we understand the importance of military supplies as blacksmiths.”
For a blacksmith to be considered third-rate, meaning they didn’t even go through the apprenticeship process and only learned casually at their father’s village workshop, they wouldn’t have any connection to military supplies.
The only weapons they make would be basic knives that serfs take to the city.
However, artisans belonging to even a small guild have no choice but to stake their lives on military supplies.
That’s where the largest demand for weapons lies, and if the weapons they create catch the attention of the nobility, it could significantly raise their value.
The guild master beckoned to his subordinates.
“Bring that thing from my office! The set that includes a sword and armor!”
“Isn’t that a masterpiece?”
“If our Major Baron wears it, it will be something for the Arezzo family to boast about for generations, so bring it here!”
This guild master seems like a decent person.
Instead of trying to bribe me for a supply deal with a petty sum, he offers me the best masterpiece he has crafted.
It seems he intends to show off the skills of his guild and his own sincerity.
“I’ve brought it.”
Though the guild master may not have reached his position solely through skill, he must have at least enough talent to be considered top-notch.
I wondered how the weapons and armor made by such a person would turn out.
The sword and armor were far more beautiful and of higher quality than I had imagined.
They were adorned with elegant gold embellishments without being excessive, and I could believe they would hold up well against arrows or bullets in battle.
It’s not easy to achieve a balance of beauty and functionality.
“I like it.”
“We don’t put this level of effort into every item we make. However, as the guild master, I have the skill to ensure that I won’t deliver anything shabby or subpar.”
If he had claimed he would make all the supplies to this masterpiece standard, I would have stood up and walked out.
The items supplied for military contracts are all mass-produced.
So how could he possibly produce everything at the highest quality?
‘It’s not an easy task, even with automated machines that run on electricity.’
Though I’m now a Major Baron, I stand at a higher position than the guild master of this small town.
So when I extended my hand for a handshake, he bent at a 90-degree angle and clasped my hand.
“Thank you!”
“I haven’t even mentioned the details of our transaction yet.”
“My apologies, Major Baron.”
I settled comfortably into my chair and spoke.
“The Emperor has ordered me to oversee military supplies for two divisions. However, with the financial capacity of our Medici guild, we cannot establish production facilities immediately to fulfill those supplies. Therefore, I need a reliable guild to produce the necessary items for us.”
Outsourcing will naturally reduce the scale of profits I can make.
However, it’s a perfect opportunity to conduct business without incurring high initial costs, allowing for a form of octopus-style expansion.
This is similar to how comprehensive trading companies operate in Japan, Korea, and other developed countries around the world.
‘With an average operating profit margin of 0.5%, companies entrust projects worth 30 billion to even new hires.’
Of course, my profit margin will exceed 30%, but the principle remains the same.
“I’d like to ask you to produce weapons, armor, and tools for the 1st Division. Is that something you can manage?”
The guild master didn’t immediately say it would be possible.
Instead, he pondered deeply before responding.
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“How much time can you give us?”
“A month, or rather, 40 days.”
“If we operate all the forges in our city, I believe we can manage it somehow. Afterward, we’ll need to recruit more apprentices and artisans for stable production.”
“I also plan to make similar offers to other guilds. Supplying military goods isn’t just about weapons and tools; it involves much more.”
Upon hearing that, the guild master’s eyes lit up.
Seeing the smile on his face, it seemed he understood my intentions perfectly.
Considering the effort behind the masterpiece he gifted me, he was likely eager for the opportunity.
‘Let him inform the other guild masters of this great opportunity and extract a bit more than the value of the masterpiece.’
“I will convey that well. If you don’t visit personally, they will come to you.”
“Good, then let’s proceed to the actual price negotiation. Given the bulk supply and the need for consistent supply levels, there shouldn’t be a better deal for the blacksmiths than military supply, right?”
The reason there’s almost a 1.5 times difference in price between subscription plans for internet services is due to this principle.
By promising regular purchases, they can afford to sell at a lower price since it’s still profitable for them.
Moreover, the time it takes to create and sell tools or weapons made by blacksmiths is often lengthy, aside from custom orders...
‘A longer inventory time means a greater risk of not selling.’
Considering these comprehensive factors, they wouldn’t suffer losses even if we significantly lowered the price.
“How much are you thinking of? Feel free to say what’s on your mind.”
Upon hearing that, the guild master’s expression hardened a bit.
However, as a merchant, I must maximize my profits.
So, I need to establish a contract that is acceptable to us both but one that allows me to keep as much profit as possible.
“If our thoughts differ, we can narrow down the discrepancies through discussion.”