Chapter 155: One Chicken a Week (3)
The Count of Piedmont agreed to meet me, though he looked slightly bewildered.
Considering that we’d had no personal interactions beyond being in the same faction under Duke Visconti, it wasn’t surprising. To suddenly request a meeting to discuss an important business matter might understandably catch him off guard. At the same time, rejecting a direct request from the son-in-law of Duke Visconti wasn’t exactly an easy option either.
‘Since I’m the one who came unannounced, it’s only right that I approach him humbly.’
“I truly appreciate you taking the time to meet me despite your busy schedule, Your Excellency,” I said with a polite bow.
My low posture seemed to ease his expression slightly. The saying “you can’t spit on a smiling face” held true here. A sincere apology appeared to have softened his mood. However, since we were about to delve into a significant discussion, I needed to grease the wheels of our conversation further.
“This is a small gift from me. Please, take a look.”
The Count opened the pouch I handed him, his eyes widening in surprise.
“My word, rubies, emeralds, amber... and all of exceptional clarity and brilliance. These are top-grade gemstones.”
I could’ve offered something like seaweed as a trendy gift, but the craze for seaweed had died down somewhat since I had stopped flooding the market with it. Though it was still prized as an aphrodisiac and a medicinal supplement, its price had dropped by about 20%.
‘It’s a bit too passé to use as a bribe for someone of high standing.’
“These gemstones are the finest I could acquire from the infidels who supply my coffee. I thought they would suit Your Excellency’s stature.”
Strictly speaking, I had purchased these gemstones from the tribal confederation of West Ifrikia. Unaware of their true value, they had sold them for a tenth of the price one would pay in the Albanian continent or among the infidels. Essentially, I was giving the Count a bribe worth ten times what I had originally spent.