Chapter 402: Moving Forward
The sound of metal clanging filled the military workshop.
After understanding the production situation of artillery and muskets, Simon called for Gru Simpson and Bjorn giving them production tasks to carry out.
The production capacity of the military workshop has tripled, but it is still not enough for Simon’s liking. The reason behind this was stressed out. His current capabilities are too far behind those of the Western powers.
Compared with such terrifying figures, Simon’s current power gap is very large, so now he tries to vigorously develop trade and continue to expand the number of shipyards, he will really have to fight for colonies with these established empires in his lifetime.
So after experiencing the melancholic atmosphere of politics in the Eldorian Empire this time, he didn’t want to waste his energy on a clandestine plot in the court. Internal strife would only distract him and drag down Brambleford’s industrial and commercial development.
Furthermore, he now holds two pieces of land, Brambleford and West Ham, which are as large as the main island of Great Britain at that time.
After all, the main island of Great Britain was only 240,000 square kilometers at that time. He was just a little short of that. There were still 150,000 to 600,000 square kilometers.
With such a large land area, he has no demand for land for the time being. The only remaining problem is to industrialize the land and make the people on the land become rich.
While thinking about it, Simon walked towards the Chamber of Commerce.
Today, Minister Baldwin was actually in charge of the distribution of the potatoes, and has asked the states and counties to go into villages to promote potatoes. To support this kind of promotion, he needs the help of the chamber of commerce.
Ordinary people are not stupid. If they take something they have never seen before, they will not bother to plant it unless they find that this kind of thing can be sold for money.
This requires the Chamber of Commerce to promote potatoes this time. In fact, for Simon, it doesn’t matter how many potatoes they sell this time, or how much they sell them for. The important thing is that he wants to let the local people know that growing potatoes can make them a lot of money.
Upon stepping inside the Chamber of Commerce, the aroma of potatoes hit his face unannounced. In the Chamber of Commerce, there were iron pots set on a dozen briquette stoves, and potatoes were being boiled in water.
Businessmen gathered around the iron pot who were busy eating boiled potatoes. This way of eating is also the most basic way of eating potatoes.
Inside the chamber of commerce, a cook was frying shredded potatoes and a cook was also making French fries. The businessmen were having a fun and interesting time in the chamber of commerce. A short while later, A thin man ran over to the cook to get some of it.
At the sight of Prince Simon stepping inside the chamber of commerce, Percival immediately rushed forward and paid his respect. His arrival made everyone stop whatever they were doing, while the businessmen gathered around with eyes full of expectations.
"My Lord, most of the businessmen here have offered to buy a large amount of potatoes, but they think the price is really unreasonable for them. But I spoke with them and they think thirty caps of silver is a fair price for it." Percival said.
"Thirty caps of silver?" Simon frowned. This was much lower than the price he expected.
After hesitating for a moment, Simon said. "Fifty to sixty caps of silver." He said in a low voice.
"Sure," Percival said happily.
Shaking his head, Simon added. "Don’t be too proud. When potato production increases, the price of potatoes will only continue to drop. It will be good for it to be a little more expensive than rice."
With this, Percival was convinced.
After receiving Simon’s approval, Percival gathered the group of merchants and announced to them. "My Lord agreed, sixty caps of silver. So if you are interested, you can proudly place an order now." He said. With a voice full of motivation.
As soon as he finished speaking, the merchants eyed each other, and immediately surrounded him and shouted.
"Give me fourteen bags" Said one of the men
"Seventeenth bags." Said a man.
Not wanting to be left behind. Someone else shouted. "I need twenty bags."
In no time, Percival wrote down all the orders of the men with joy in his heart. This business had turned out beyond his expectations.
"..."
Upon receiving the news about the merchants having a competitive spirit in buying the potatoes at such a price, Simon had a satisfied expression.
The potatoes will slowly spread throughout Brambleford. As a result, Brambleford’s East Market and West Market responded faster, and before long potatoes appeared on the market.
***
The following day, the people who entered the city were surprised when they saw potatoes on display.
Not long ago, the government sent people to the countryside to announce potatoes. But many people were too afraid to get involved with such unfamiliar things in their lives.
However, when they asked about the price of potatoes, the people’s expressions changed dramatically.
"Seven... What!" A commoner exclaimed. Disbelieve etch in his voice.
The vendor smiled as he tried his best to sell the potatoes, "It can’t be fake. I just bought this from the Chamber of Commerce. I have to make some money by selling it. It costs sixty caps of silver per bag. It tastes very good. This pot here is for trial, try it." The vendor said.
"Hmm.."
Upon seeing the surprise look on the man, the vendor immediately burst into laughter. The potato business was pretty good. He had already sold a total of three bags of potatoes this morning. From this, it seemed that selling the potatoes was no longer a problem. Thinking of this, he thought of going to the Chamber of Commerce to purchase some more. The potatoes provided by the Chamber of Commerce this time were actually limited.
And just as the merchants thought, as the potatoes were sold, more and more merchants came to purchase, and even many people came to purchase potatoes and sold them in the village.
The merchants who usually walked around the streets blocked the chamber of commerce.
These people were not big traders, but hawkers, and each purchased one or two bags. However, under Simon’s instructions, the Chamber of Commerce was happy to sell potatoes to these small businessmen.
There is no other reason, because these traveling merchants and people are all locals. Now Simon was also supporting local businesses and focusing on supporting the people.
Moreover, these traveling merchants and common people all come from the lowest level of society. They move around the domain with their goods, and they can also bring the most direct news to Crimson Forest Town about potatoes.
Also, these smaller traveling merchants would also venture into places where big merchants were unwilling to go. In this way, the news about potatoes could truly cover every corner of the domain
Later in the evening, Percival handed over the day’s potato sales to Simon. He was truly elated. Overall, two thousand bags of potatoes were sold on the first day, which was a good start for the business.