Special Edition
Commemorating the Release of Volume 8
The Inception of the
Executive Committee ② — Invigorating Discussions
This executive committee is not just for the
athletic competitions; the planning and management of the concurrently held business
negotiations also fall within its purview. Therefore, after finishing the first
discussion regarding the first part, the athletic competitions, we moved on to
the second part's discussion.
「Now
then, I think the discussion just now was exceptionally good. Even I, who have
accumulated numerous experiences, was made to realize new things. Moving on, I
would like you to proceed with the first discussion regarding the business
negotiations, and the preparation of the 『vessel』 in the Royal Capital, which will be the
host city.」
Upon saying that, this time the Vice Minister
of Commerce raised his hand right from the start. Yeah, this is a good flow.
「To be
honest, when I heard the story from His Excellency Klein, I had
absolutely no idea what I was supposed to do. However, it is different now.
Based on that, how about we use the examples we were instructed on by Her
Highness Archduchess Yoltia during our training, and the trade fairs His
Majesty the Archduke held in Teigoon in the past as a template?」
（Hmm,
what should I do? While my true intention is that I want them to use it as a
reference, I also want them to vastly break out of their shells, though.）
「That's
right, it is an unknown experience for us, but if we refer to successful
examples, we can manage somehow... In particular, wouldn't the examples
regarding operational aspects be extremely helpful as a reference?」
（By
operational examples, do you mean the operations manual?）
That's certainly true. In modern Japan, if it's
a large-scale venue like a massively hyped trade fair or exhibition business
negotiation, something is held throughout the year, but there are no such
examples in this world. Here, I decided to interject. If the rails laid down
initially are wrong, it's difficult to recover them.
「The
policy of effectively utilizing past examples is not wrong. However, I want you
to be bold enough to break customs so that we do not become trapped in the past
and end up making a mere rehash. The business negotiations in Teigoon
were at the level of regional nobles, but this time it's on a scale even larger
than the national level, involving multiple nations.」
「By being
bold... do you mean something different from simply increasing the scale?」
Yeah, good question. Because what I want to say
is that just doing that is no good.
「Rather
than simply increasing the scale, let's freely add our own arrangements and
ingenuity, and astound the guests from each country by throwing out content
unparalleled in this world.」
「Y-Yes...」
Even so, they are currently in a state where
they don't even know what they don't know. Perhaps it's better if I give them a
little bit of wisdom and examples as well? Thinking that, I continued the
conversation further.
「First of
all, even though it's called a business negotiation, you should discard the
perception of it being a boorish place for business transactions conducted
behind closed doors. We should tailor it into something exceedingly glamorous,
and of course, we should prepare an extremely large venue for it.」
「I was
thinking of using a part of the shooting range, but would that not be
acceptable?」
It's true that when we held it in Teigoon,
we used the stadium that became available due to the venue change. But that's
no good. To be frank, my image, even if it's impossible this time, leaps to the
scale of a World Expo eventually.
「The
heads of state of various countries are coming; is that really acceptable? Even
if there is no official visit, those people will absolutely come incognito, you
know? I believe the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs mentioned this, but we
will be accepting invited merchants from outside the alliance as well, right?
Setting aside whether they buy our products or not, I believe the perspective
that it will lead to an evaluation of 『the Kingdom cannot be underestimated』 is
correct. If we are talking about a venue capable of accepting personnel on such
a scale?」
「I-In
that case, I believe it is necessary to construct a new venue...」
Exactly! Even when we held the tournament in Teigoon,
the level of the guests skyrocketed, so we built a new competition venue, after
all.
「That is
exactly why the Chief Officer of the Construction Bureau and the Chief Officer
of the Finance Bureau are here. Now, when the King and the Kingdom's top
officials are panicking, isn't this the perfect chance to take advantage of
their weakness and propose something massive?」
「Glamorous...
what kind of image is that?」
（That's
right, they've never seen such a thing and have absolutely no image of it.）
「For
example, we divide the venue into several sections and create an area where
each country can compete with their proudest exhibits. It would also be fine to
make the venue accessible to anyone who pays an admission fee, not just the
invitees. We'll make that space solely a place to exhibit and 『charm』 with
products. Therefore, it might also be a good idea to spend money on decorating
the venue and devise things like having elegant music playing constantly.」
「If we do
that, I believe the costs will be considerable as well...」
（Naturally,
it would be. That is exactly why I want them to break their 『shells』 in
terms of costs first.）
「Right,
that is why we will partition the 『charming』 venue into numerous 『booths』, and
apart from the official exhibits of the Five Allied Nations, we will sell them
to other exhibitors, varying the price based on size.」
「「「「「!!!」」」」」
（I
understand your surprise. Such an idea is unprecedented in this current world;
it's something that has never existed in the past. Even I, who am speaking so
pompously, am merely repeating knowledge gained in modern Japan.）
「Of
course, the decoration of the booths will also be at the expense of the
exhibitors. If there are a hundred booths, and one booth is one hundred gold
coins, that's ten thousand coins. I think that would leave plenty of change
even if it is allocated to the overall decoration and operation?」
Well, one hundred gold coins per booth is a bit
too extreme, though. If we were to hypothetically make it one hundred coins, we
simply need to add enough added value to make them think it's worth paying.
「However...
will they sell?」
「It
depends on the amount, but in the athletic tournament in Teigoon, the
booths set up by stalls were also paid, you know? Good locations can sell for
ten gold coins during the period, and although the main price range is one to
five gold coins, they sell out every time.」
「!!!」
（Hahaha,
it must be a surprise for them, who have no connection to business on a regular
basis. However, I need them to change their thinking a little bit here.）
「We will
make bold investments and use a massive amount of gold coins. But we won't just
use them. We will gather loose change from various places and ultimately bring
the income and expenditure to a surplus. Even for the venue of the exhibition
business negotiations, we propose it after considering in advance the
utilization methods and profitability after it concludes. More than anything,
so that we ourselves can stick our chests out with pride after it's over.」
（Right,
there's no meaning if it's called a useless white elephant. It only has meaning
if it leaves a legacy after it's held.）
Here, I decided to have a certain person
speak—someone who had returned to Kusanagi from the Falmus
Margraviate slightly earlier than myself. Just to give them a little push on
the back...
「Participating
in this meeting from the back row is Virile, who serves as the Minister
of Commerce for the Demon Territory Dukedom. He has also just returned
to the country after finishing business negotiations with various nations of
the Merchant Federation. Therefore, Virile, I would like you to share
with everyone the situation of the Merchant Federation nations you reported to
me before this meeting, and their enthusiasm towards the business negotiations.」
Actually, Virile had been sitting in the
corner of this meeting room from the beginning, erasing his presence. They
probably thought he was a civil official of the Demon Territory Dukedom,
but they likely never expected him to be the Minister of Commerce. Virile,
after elegantly bowing to the surprised group, floated a cheerful smile and
began to speak.
「I will
humbly omit the greetings. From what I have seen, the nations of the Merchant
Federation are also desperate not to miss the newly departing ship. It depends
on the negotiations, but if we tell them that at the exhibition business
negotiations, we will provide booths unique to each nation equivalent to those
of invited nations, they will likely scramble to apply. Even if the total
amount ultimately comes to around one thousand gold coins...」
「「「「「One
thousand coins!」」」」」
At this point, everyone froze with their mouths
wide open. Because Virile's answer went far above and beyond the amounts
they were agonizing over.
「For
them, the face of their nation is on the line, after all. Of course, they won't
simply fork over a large sum just by being given information. How to guide
them, how to motivate them, and how to make them compete—that is where the
skill of the one handling the negotiations shines. This kind of solicitation is
also, from a different perspective, a splendid business negotiation.」
Hahaha, their eyes are starting to look a bit
distant. They probably have absolutely no image of how to specifically conduct
the negotiations.
「By the
way, I also intend to have Virile join this executive committee. As
expected, when it comes to ruthless negotiations with nations and merchants,
it's impossible for amateurs.」
Fufufu, I heard the sound of loud sighs coming
from various parts of the table, but they also need to become bold in the
future.
「If it
were you, Virile, how would you effectively utilize the box we are
preparing this time?」
（This
question is completely ad-libbed, but I wonder how Virile will answer?）
In response to my question, Virile
smiled with a cool face, without showing any bewilderment.
「Let's
see... If it were me, I would first involve the Kingdom's nobles and domestic
merchants. For instance, holding events where each house regularly exhibits the
special products and produce of their territory even after the exhibition
business negotiations have concluded, or having merchants hold exhibition
presentations for new products each season. There are already several noble
houses that have set their eyes on the special products business initiated by
His Majesty the Archduke during his time as the Demon Territory Count, and have
begun making moves in the Royal Capital. The merchants, too, might
appreciate an event where they can compete and boast of their products.」
（Hahaha,
delightfully, it's an answer that exceeds my expectations.）
Indeed, if we involve the nobles, they will
likely participate en masse because their face is on the line. Especially the
Frontier Dukes of the North, East, and West, who are in a position to bring in
products that don't exist in the Kingdom. In that sense, if commercial flow
becomes active within the Kingdom as well, it will ultimately benefit the
entire Kingdom.
And... fashion shows and the like would also be
interesting. It would become a chance for the merchants to pitch sales to the
various noble houses, and depending on the planning, they would likely jump on
board.
「That's
extremely interesting. What else... If it were me, maybe I would propose
charging admission fees to hold concerts or operas? Of course, it would
realistically be necessary to consider a design in advance so that it can be
used for such things, and to utilize Sound Mages, though.」
In this world without microphones or acoustic
equipment, such things could only be realized in limited, enclosed spaces.
However, we have already put voice amplification devices into practical use
even on the battlefield. If we can operate built-in megaphones and Sound Magic,
the sound will reach throughout, and it will likely become realizable even in a
vast space.
◇
Once the conversation reached this point, their
discussions instantly became active. Using the trade fair in Teigoon as
a springboard, developing it further through a process of scrap and build...
「First is
the booth sales at the venue, but I thought it didn't necessarily have to be
limited to merchants. I'm sure there are some among the nobles who would like
to take this opportunity to pitch the products of their own territories.」
（That's
right. I wonder if I should do that too? Also, it would be interesting if
Imperial merchants like the Kempurna Trading Company or the Bottakurina
Trading Company participated. Bringing in products from the Principality of
Sura or the Kingdom of Turncoat besides sugar, and so on.）
「I am
also basically in favor of charging admission to anyone other than the
invitees. However, if we open it up poorly, spies might slip in, there will be
security issues, and if commoners mix in, there will likely be nobles who raise
complaints regarding issues of dignity. That area is troubling, but...」
「That
will be fine. For example, how about opening it up in stages? For instance,
only invitees are allowed entry on the first day. The following two days will
be restricted to those affiliated with the Five Allied Nations, and the day
after that, merchants can enter for a fee regardless of their country of
origin. From there on, we could impose no restrictions and allow entry for a
fee?」
（Hahaha,
restricting attendees based on their position, and deciding the days they can
enter in advance? That's also an option. In that case, it will lead to trouble
if it's not thoroughly publicized in advance, and even if they know, there are
likely to be thugs who forcefully demand to be 『let in』.
Perhaps dealing with that will become a good learning opportunity for him
during the operational stage?）
「Umm...
for example, would it be unacceptable to make admission free for students who
come to help from the Academy? Or granting them the privilege of observing
during the period restricted to affiliates as a reward?」
「That's
right. If they are Academy students, we can gather them all in advance and
drill the operations manual into them. Their origins are clearly known, so
there is no need to investigate them beforehand, right?」
（Yeah, I
believe we did something similar for the athletic tournament held in the Royal
Capital, right? This time, if we suspend classes at the Academy during the
event period and have them all participate as operational staff, we're talking
about a staff in the thousands, so we'd save a considerable amount on personnel
costs alone, you know?）
Here, I decided to share past examples that the
currently enrolled students wouldn't know about.
「Actually,
two years ago, something similar occurred. At that time, it only applied to
some students enrolled in the Academy, but this time, it will be an opportunity
to learn about the products and information of various countries, including
diplomacy. Couldn't you appeal that it is a part of their classes?」
Well, last time it was only those in the knight
training course. This time, it's athletic competitions and exhibition business
negotiations, so we could probably expand the target to all students. However,
there is just one problem.
「When
negotiating, you should try negotiating directly with the Academy Principal
from your position as executive committee members, saying something like, 『It is a
part of the students' learning, and a good opportunity to demonstrate
contribution to the Kingdom. By rough estimates, it will also save over one
thousand gold coins!』 The Old Tanuki won't say no either.」
「「「「「The
Old Tanuki?」」」」」
Ah, oops. It just slipped out... What should I
do? Ah well, since we're here. I'll probably slip up again in the future, so
should I just make it an internal common term?
「I'm
talking about Grand Duke Klein. I myself have been used as he pleases
and led around by the nose endlessly since I was still a Baron, after all.
Well, ultimately, I was saved from conspiracies because of it, and it served as
a good learning experience for dealing with crafty adults. He might just start
telling you all this time, 『Negotiating with me is also a part of your
studies,』 you know.」
「「「「「W-We
will learn from this...」」」」」
「However,
even the cunning Old Tanuki has a weakness for women who make positive efforts.
If you have the female students stand at the forefront of negotiations when the
time comes, difficult negotiations might surprisingly be settled easily.
Because this is also one of the tactics of striking at the opponent's weakness.」
「「「「「Yes!」」」」」
At this time, I got carried away and said
unnecessary things, but I didn't realize it in the moment. Of course, later on,
I would receive grandly sarcastic remarks from the Old Tanuki himself.
Their positive discussions still continued...
-----