Chapter 173: Sound of spring coming (1)
Some wanted to pay in goods instead of money, making it more time consuming to strike a deal. This was where the merchants came in. Merchant groups led by Donian who had been in poor standing with the count eagerly helped out in sealing the trading deals with the goods that had difficult pricing issues. Donian was never friendly toward the count after the incident, but they had become very friendly now.
‘That’s amazing. I guess that’s what makes them the best merchant group in the kingdom,’ Joonb.u.m thought as he watched Donian taking part in the trade. It was the matter of survival in this world. It was the survivor who reigned supreme in the end.
“Look at this ornament…”
“Such decoration!”
“It’s so beautiful!”
“I can’t believe this!”
“Look at this precise craftsmans.h.i.+p!”
Older women gathered around Sunsook, mesmerized by all kinds of ornaments and jewelry left on the large table. Even the women who were hostile toward the countess gathered around to take a look.
“That over there is called a teddy bear. It’s shaped like a bear. It will be a good friend to children who can’t sleep soundly at night out of fear. This here is a horse… duck, chicken… Oh, and this is for all of you.”
Sunsook showed of various jewelry that left the women in awe. They were cheaply-made, common accessories sold on Earth, but the color and precision could not be replicated in the other world.
Then Sunsook took out a variety of cosmetic goods to appeal to the other women who were uninterested and showed hostility.
“These cosmetics are what make me look ten years younger!”
“Ten years? I can’t believe that!”
“You can try it on yourself. Come, anyone. You will see for yourself if you try. But it won’t last long.”
People began mumbling between themselves as they were unconvinced. It was obvious that some heard the rumors that originated from the empire. Then one person stepped out.
“Can I try?”
Woman in her forties walked out and all the n.o.ble women frowned.
-Countess Rane Holland-
She was famous for being the ugliest women among the n.o.bles. Her skin was rough and had speckles and spots all over her face. She had sullen eyes that made her look worse.
“Isn’t she Countess Holland?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen her at a party!”
“I heard she hates all parties. Why is she here?”
She was famed for her ugliness and rumor had it that it was her status that allowed her to get married. Some scoffed as she stepped out and some frowned purely because of her ugliness.
‘Perfect!’
To Sunsook, she was the best candidate as a guinea pig. Sunsook smiled brightly and the countess walked closer.
“Come here. You are Countess Holland, right? I wanted you to try it out so much!”
“Yes? W-why. What’s that- Can you let me g-”
Sunsook took her hand and pulled her. Rane Holland was a big woman, but Sunsook had strength that did not fit her small size. The two women walked inside a small curtained section and began moving about busily from inside. Women mumbled at each other as they watched the figure behind the curtain move about.
“Thank you for the long wait.”
Sunsook came out. Everyone turned to the tent to catch a glimpse of the outcome.
“Huh?”
“Why isn’t she coming out?’
“What’s going on?”
Sunsook smiled and pulled Holland out of the curtain. She seemed hesitant. Everyone fell silent instantly at the sight. No one spoke a word, they just watched. It was when someone dropped her teacup that made a cras.h.i.+ng sound that broke the silence. Everyone gasped and moaned.
“HUH?”
“WHAT!”
“OH MY!”
“IMPOSSIBLE!”
“SHE’S LIKE A DIFFERENT PERSON!”
The reaction was viral. More women began gathering around Sunsook.
“You can take this chance to become ten years younger.”
“Can-can I try this? Please?”
“I have someone I love… Please use it on me so I can…!”
There was no more hostility in any of women around.
*
“Excuse me, sir.”
“Jackson, come in. Sit down.”
Joonb.u.m pointed to the chair and Jackson sat down. He looked tired and Joonb.u.m handed him hot coffee.
“Coffee?”
“Of course. Thank you, sir. OH! Is this the Blue Mountain?”
Jackson spoke of the name as he smelled the aroma coming up from the cup.
‘He’s quite fat now,’ Joonb.u.m thought as he glanced at Jackson. He was very skinny when he came here, but he began eating a lot of new food that Sunsook made and began gaining weight.
“So, how did those n.o.bles from the empire react?”
Jackson sighed at the question and shook his head.
“It worked as you expected. We won’t need anything else.”
“I knew it.”
“How did you get such… ugh. I’ve never thought such a thing even existed.”
“Isn’t it best for a present?”
“Yes, sir. It is. I think it worth more than any gifts.”
“Will it work?”
“I think the emperor himself will die to get his hands on it.”
“Did you tell that people might have different side effects?”
“Of course. I even made a written manual.”
“Good.”
“But that v.i.a.g.r.a, is that so common in your Daehan Empire?”
“It’s not too cheap, but it’s readily available. I think half a day of a servant’s work is enough to purchase a pill.”
“Wow, I can’t imagine such a thing being so cheap.”
Jackson was shocked. He already had experienced what v.i.a.g.r.a could do by himself. It would definitely win over those n.o.bles from the empire.
‘All men share the same problem when they grow older. Especially for higher-ranking n.o.bles…’
Wealthy and powerful n.o.bles had many wives and they needed more stamina. v.i.a.g.r.a was like a miracle to them.
‘No n.o.bles will refuse it. I think it might even let us avoid any additional war.s’
That was the goal. It was a bad idea to keep fighting against the empire when Khalodian land was only part of the Torian Kingdom.
‘We need more time to build… grow stronger… be ready…’
Jackson thought for a moment and continued.
“I have a report that Luther Berric has successfully persuaded Viscount Noeman, sir. He seemed to have been overly excited at the power of v.i.a.g.r.a. He will side with us once he returns to the empire. Donian is working on other n.o.bles also. Most of the n.o.bles agreed to our aid also.”
“That’s good. Let’s pick out Noeman and few others who have been perfectly persuaded and send them back.”
“Yes, sir. Spring is coming soon, so I believe it’s the right time. We will send them back when it becomes a bit warmer. We should also send some food with them to ease the anger toward us.”
Joonb.u.m nodded.
“Okay. Emphasize that we were about to send them food if they didn’t come to take it away by force. Tell them that we had no choice but to fight back because they wanted to take all of it away. Make sure to include that we need some left so we can create more food and send it to them.”
Joonb.u.m explained it calmly. He was blaming the duke.
“It might cause a problem if we blame him too much.”
Joonb.u.m shook his head. “The duke is not going, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Huh?”
“He’s not going.”
“What? Didn’t you say that you were going to release him?”
“No, he is sick from the loss of his loving two sons and the battle. He will be resting here for a while.”
“What’s that… Sir, is it maybe..?”
Jackson then came to the answer he was looking for.
“Did you get it?”
“But…!”
“Yeah.”
Jackson looked dumbfounded but Joonb.u.m grinned.
“They will want the duke back for now, but for how long?”
“Hmm…”
“They will start fighting against each other to take his place. They might even send a secret messenger to not release the duke. I’m sure someone ambitious will send a message before spring.”
“Hmm…!”
“We will wait and see.”
It was very likely. The duke had hundreds and thousands of relatives. It was more than likely.