Albert's plan was simple but had a huge impact on the kingdom.
He proposed manipulating the prices of various basic commodities to cause instability within the kingdom.
By orchestrating a sudden and dramatic increase in prices, they could stoke unrest among the populace, prompting them to call upon the king to take action.
"Once the people demand the king's intervention," Albert continued, "we can step forward as a united front, offering our assistance in stabilizing prices in exchange for him making concessions. It will demonstrate our value to the crown and solidify our influence in the kingdom."
He glanced around the table, gauging the reactions of those in attendance.
A voice from the grain business raised concerns. "Yeah, it's a good idea, but such actions will paint us in a bad light," the attendee commented.
He had indeed benefited from the war's influx of people, which had driven grain prices in the kingdom to spike.
However, with the war's end, the average market price of grain was beginning to stabilize.
The attendee further explained his reservations. "It wouldn't be wise for me to continue selling grain at higher prices than everyone else. Plus, the kingdom has been putting efforts into developing a lot of farmland across the territory. How can such action be effective for me?"
The grain businessman's concerns were valid, and Albert nodded in acknowledgement of the challenges his colleague faced.
Albert responded, "I appreciate your perspective. It's true that you see this plan may not benefit every one of us in the same way. But, you must consider the broader goals and long-term advantages of our collective actions."
He leaned forward, his eyes scanning the faces of those around the table. "This plan doesn't revolve around a single grain merchant or a specific commodity. It involves merchants across the kingdom, each of us playing a crucial role. If you think this movement may affect your grain business in the short term, then you don't have to worry."
"I see," Relieved, the grain merchant sighed, "If many were involved, then I don't have to worry." He then asked, "But, you have yet to tell us how long it's going to last."
Albert's reply was clear and unwavering, "Until the king concedes."
Evan, still sceptical, chimed in, "Can pushing the price up really make the king concede? We all know he's not one to bend easily. I've heard plenty of rumours about the king. The only consistency in those rumours is that those who oppose him never get a happy ending."
Albert remained confident, countering Evan's doubts. "I'm confident that we can. Once we drive the prices up, people will have no choice but to buy from us. We can make several times the profit. Seeing this, the rest of the merchants won't sit still; they will voluntarily join us."
The grain merchant, however, had another concern. "What if the king refuses to concede? With his immense wealth, he can easily counter us."
Irene, with a reassuring tone, addressed the grain merchant's concern, "Sir, we have sponsors who are willing to support our cause. So, if this escalates into a battle of attrition, we won't lose that easily."
The grain merchant, still shocked by the disclosure, questioned further, "Sponsors? Who would be kind enough to spend money on us?"
Irene explained, "Well... some generous businessman from the neighbouring country. My friend is an acquaintance of his."
The grain merchant expressed his concern, "Wouldn't this pose a problem? It looks like we are inciting rebellion."
Albert, the head of the Ferron family, quickly clarified their intentions, firmly stating, "Rebellion? No, no, no. We just want our voices to be heard."
"When do we start?" came the pressing question from one of the attendees.
The question hung heavy in the air for a moment and Albert's response was met with a mixture of anticipation and scepticism.
"After the military award ceremony," he stated firmly, his eyes locking onto those of his gathered companions. His voice, though calm, carried an air of unwavering determination.
The query about the ceremony's timing came from one of the attendees, voiced with a hint of doubt. "The ceremony is in February. By the time we move, almost everything will return to normalcy," they pointed out.
Albert leaned forward, his elbows resting on the polished mahogany table.
His gaze was piercing, his eyes betraying a sense of urgency that couldn't be ignored. "That's precisely the point," he explained. "I've invested significant resources to obtain insider information and king's movement. What I've discovered is of utmost importance. You see, I believe the perfect time to act is when the king announces a certain new policy, one that I'm sure nobody here would like."
As his words settled in, Albert reached into his coat and withdrew a small, unassuming pouch. He carefully placed it on the table and pushed it forward.
The pouch's contents spilt out, revealing the gleaming crystals inside.
The room fell into a profound silence as the mana crystals cast their ethereal light, bathing the surroundings in an otherworldly glow.
Every person present straightened their posture, their eyes fixed on the mesmerizing crystals.
While these attendees were undoubtedly wealthy individuals, accustomed to the finest luxuries, there was something about these mana crystals that held them in awe.
One of the attendees finally broke the silence, his voice laced with curiosity and intrigue. "Mr. Ferron, what is this?" he inquired, his eyes never leaving the glistening gems before him.
"Some sort of newly found gems, I guess," Albert replied casually, though the gravity of their presence wasn't lost on him. "But the king has been trying to conceal this from the public eye."
Irene narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized the mana crystals.
A nagging feeling tugged at her instincts, urging her to dig deeper into this mysterious find.
It was as if there was more to these crystals than met the eye. She couldn't shake the suspicion that they held a significant secret.
For some reason, Irene felt a growing need to report this discovery to her headquarters.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel