Chapter 367: Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, New World (3)
Chief Malik of the Botswani Tribe, the High Chief of the Maasai Confederation
Malik met with numerous people every day—chieftains overseeing multiple tribes under his command, warriors and officials under his authority, and merchants from the Toscani Empire.
Of course, not just anyone could gain an audience with the High Chief. Only select merchants were granted such a privilege, and even then, it was not a daily occurrence.
“I am Antonio Louis Vuitton, the head of the Louis Vuitton Trading Company. Thank you for granting me the honor of this audience, Your Excellency.”
“You people treat me as if I were your emperor.”
“Are you not a king in your own right, Your Excellency?”
“I am not a king, but I suppose you could say it is something similar.”
When speaking with Fabio, Malik laughed freely, joked about bringing their families together, and engaged in unreserved conversation.
But that was because Malik genuinely considered Fabio a sworn brother, despite their considerable age difference. It was not because he was a naive or overly generous man.
Thus, Malik did not greet Antonio with the same warm smile, affable tone, or playful remarks that he used with Fabio.
"All Toscani merchants, except for Baron Rothschild, are snakes who will rob you blind the moment you show a weakness."
This was a lie Fabio had spread to protect his business interests in the Maasai Confederation.