I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 367: Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, New World (3)

But it was also a truth.

Toscani merchants truly were men who would rob you blind with open eyes.

“To begin our discussion, I have brought a gift—a fine sword from the Toscani Empire.”

“A sword, rather than gold or silver trinkets? That pleases me.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency. Additionally, I wish to propose the sale of matchlock guns—”

“Our Maasai Confederation only purchases firearms and gunpowder from Baron Rothschild. He is our brother and family—an upstanding and devout man.”

Antonio barely restrained the urge to slap his forehead or grab the back of his neck in frustration.

He could accept that firearms were off-limits.

But Rothschild was a devout man?

True, he was someone who never broke a business deal.

But if anyone so much as touched his business interests, he was the kind of madman who would retaliate with the most cunning and ruthless schemes imaginable.

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Every merchant in the Toscani Empire knew the story of how the Duke of Sforza had attempted to extract a large donation from Fabio, only to have his entire duchy ravaged by Fabio's ruthless sanitation inspections.

"The inspectors wore white gloves, and if they found even a speck of dust, they fined the establishment ten gold coins."

There was even a legendary story about how, in order to keep restaurants from being shut down, owners had to secretly pay Fabio twenty gold coins as a bribe.

“If that is the case, would Your Excellency be interested in purchasing Toscani-made jewelry, clothing, swords, and armor?”

“Hmm, I will allow it. Our warriors need worthy rewards for their service. Sell the goods in the quantity that Chief Atau requests.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency. But may I ask just one more question?”

At that moment, a witty thought flashed through Malik’s mind.

The negotiations were complete, so perhaps now was a good time to lighten the mood with a joke.

“Haha, would one question be enough? I’ll allow you to ask two.”

Had Fabio been here, he would have sighed and thought, So he’s officially old enough for dad jokes now.

But just as jokes from a superior officer somehow became funnier when told in the office, Malik’s humor, as a high chief, was automatically elevated to peak entertainment.

The guards standing in the audience chamber had their faces frozen in stoic disbelief.

But Antonio, reflexively covering his mouth, chuckled.

“Forgive me, Your Excellency. That was simply too amusing.”

“Go ahead and laugh.”

Antonio laughed heartily, as if he were an actor performing in a play.

“Your Excellency, you have a gift for humor.”

“In the Maasai Confederation, wit and humor are marks of refinement.”

The guards had already decided that once their shift ended, they would spread word of their chief’s exceptional comedic genius.

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“I must say, Your Excellency, the cloak you wear is truly magnificent. That bold, noble red—it suits the High Chief of the Maasai Confederation perfectly.”

“Ah, this? It was dyed using a rare pigment from a distant land.”

“Might I ask where such pigments are sold?”

“It was presented to me by the Cheroni tribe. They, too, refused to reveal where they obtained the dye.”

Antonio’s gaze lingered on the vibrant red cloak.

If he could secure a supply of that dye, he could create a fortune by dyeing silk with it.

Given the lower level of craftsmanship in the Maasai Confederation compared to Toscani artisans, it was certain that he could produce fabric that was even more brilliant and vivid.

“If I can get my hands on that dye, I’ll be rich beyond my wildest dreams.”

“And now that I think about it, I nearly sent you away empty-handed. Bring the tobacco.”

Malik took a pipe and began to smoke.

No matter how much worry clouded his mind, a few puffs of this, and he felt like he could withstand anything.

“I can’t even imagine life without tobacco anymore.”

“Here, try it. It clears away all your worries.”

“Then, if Your Excellency insists...”

Antonio took the pipe and drew in a deep breath of smoke.

Immediately, he started coughing violently.

“Cough, cough! What is this? Inhaling burnt smoke—have you lost your mind? This is madness—cough!”

“That’s how it is at first. But don’t you feel a little better now?”

Even through his coughing fit, Antonio could feel it.

His worries and stress seemed to melt away. His fatigue faded, replaced by an inexplicable sense of well-being.

“Hah... Hoo...”

“You’ve discovered the pleasure of tobacco.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. It’s strangely soothing, like my burdens have lightened.”

“This is called tobacco. The first time I smoked it, I realized how incredible it was.”

“Yes, it’s quite remarkable. I feel refreshed, and it seems to ease my tension. It must be good for the body. Would it be possible to take some with me?”

Antonio was certain.

Just a few puffs erased one’s worries. Smoking it looked undeniably refined.

“If I market this as an exotic remedy, it will sell like crazy.”

“What will you offer in exchange?”

“How about sugar? An equal weight in sugar—”

“Hah! Did you leave your conscience back in the Toscani Empire?”

“A kilogram of sugar for a hundred grams of tobacco—”

“Twenty grams of tobacco for a kilogram of sugar. I won’t go lower. Do you think acquiring this from the Cheroni tribe is easy?”

In truth, all of this tobacco came from Fabio.

But since Fabio did not yet wish to be known as its supplier, Malik simply took a slight profit from the transactions.

“I have brought five tons of sugar. Please provide me with one hundred kilograms of tobacco.”

“Very well.”

Antonio purchased one hundred kilograms of tobacco and took it back to the empire.

It didn’t take long for the ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) empire’s elites to become addicted.

Toscani Imperial Palace

The emperor sat in his chamber, smoking a pipe.

“This Antonio fellow... He’s brought something marvelous. Tobacco—it’s expensive, but just one puff, and all my fatigue vanishes.”

A headache from political stress?

A single puff, and his mind cleared.

Anxiety or loss of appetite?

A puff, and he felt renewed.

“It even helps digestion. What a miraculous medicine. I must ensure my people smoke it as well.”

In his efforts to counterbalance Fabio, the emperor had long since descended into indulgence.

He had originally been an above-average ruler.

But as he gained popularity and power, his perspective shifted.

At first, he had become a wise ruler to consolidate his authority.

Now, he simply enjoyed being a wise ruler.

Like a child forced to eat spicy food by his mother, only to end up loving it himself.

“But this stuff is far too expensive. One pipeful costs a hundred grams of sugar or two silver coins. I smoke four or five times a day...”

At first, when a merchant had presented this burning plant, he had thought the man insane.

Now, that merchant deserved a hefty tax break and a royal reward.

“I should lower Louis Vuitton Trading Company’s taxes... and grant them a reward.”

The emperor sat back, praising his own wisdom.

And thus, the demand for tobacco spread across the empire.