Chapter 28: Land of Poison
Edgar named the bank Flamewoth Bank. The bank will not copy all the services of modern banks. It will depend on available technology and staff. Edgar told Medres how banks could gather deposits from nobles and merchants.
The purpose of the bank is to make it convenient for trading that requires a huge amount of money. Nobles and merchants will deposit their money in a bank, and they will receive a commercial paper that could be withdrawn at any branch of the bank.
The commercial paper on earth is a short-term debt, but Edgar plans to use it as paper money that could be used for trading between merchants, nobles, and the royal court.
Edgar wants nobles and merchants to accept commercial papers as money. To encourage them to use commercial paper, the Flameworth Group will offer discounted merchandise if merchants and nobles buy it using commercial paper.
"Your highness, it will be very convenient for trading if your plan is carried out. They no longer need to drag a large amount of gold when carrying out business," said Medres with admiration.
Edgar smiles at Medres. He did not say that he would use the bank to issue more commercial papers to fund the projects of the kingdom and pay them back later with zero interest. He will be the only one allowed to issue commercial papers because he knows the danger of them and did not tell anyone to avoid the possibility of leaks.
"Elena, how many people have learned the calculation method that I taught you?" asked Edgar.
"Your highness, there are only less than fifty people that understand the calculation method that you taught." Elena is helpless because there are only a few people that could teach it.
"We should open a school that specializes in teaching calculations. We will spread the word that it will teach calculations for future staff of the bank to avoid making nobles vigilant and oppose the school. Medres explained to nobles and merchants the function of the bank. Let them think that the school is for the convenience of trade. When the Royal Court is strong enough, we will push inch by inch and introduce more subjects in the school just like the school in the town that we built. More schools will be built. I will make sure of that!" Said Edgar with conviction.
Edgar further explains to Elena and Medres what is needed for the bank. After their discussion, they all went out of Edgar's study room, but the chief of the intelligence department was waiting outside the room. He walked forward and greeted them.
"Your highness, I have important information to report," said Skyte, the chief of intelligence. historical
"Let us go inside," said Edgar with a serious face. If the chief came himself, it might be something important to the kingdom. Elena stayed outside, and the chief went inside with Edgar.
"Your highness, there is a secret valley discovered by a sheep herder in Grey Mountain. There is a purple fog deep inside the valley. The sheep herder was poisoned when he was near the purple fog. His poison is the same as the purple fog in Death Land!" said Skyte.
Edgar stood up. He feels very excited. Death Land is connected to the sea! It is the closest to the southern continent in the southern part of the central continent! It will give the Baynard kingdom access to sea trade to the west and south.
Death Land is covered in purple fog all the time. The fog extended to the sea around it. It already existed a long time ago. Even before kingdoms were founded, including Baynard.
Many powerful aura users and magicians tried to conquer it, but few came back alive.
Empires and kingdoms tried to research antidotes, but they failed.
Edgar knows about the Death Land.It is separated from Baynard by huge mountain ranges that extend to the Fran kingdom. Crossing the mountain is difficult. Making a tunnel will take many years, even with a magician, and he might make the poison fog enter the kingdom, which is hitting his own foot. The secret valley in Grey Mountain has been there for a long time, but the purple fog did not enter the kingdom and remains deep inside the valley. This means the pathway is not a danger to the kingdom. It is a massive opportunity!
"Did you block the news?" asked Edgar.
"Yes, your highness. It might cause panic if it spreads, so I ordered to block it," Skyte answered with a confused face. He is confused about the excited face of the prince. The poison fog is a huge danger to the kingdom!
"Wait here! I will call for someone," said Edgar. He went outside to give orders to Elena.
Edgar looked at Elena and said, "Elena, call Chief Pelca here."
Elena left the castle and came back with Pelca. Pelca went inside the study room. Edgar beckons him to sit down.
"Chief Pelca, I want you to send a research team to Grey Mountain and take a sample of the purple fog from Death Land. Look for plants within the fog. There could be antidotes in plants within the fog since they evolve to survive the poison from the fog. Use the microscope and test various antidotes on the poison. You should be able to see what plants have an effect on the poison.We must develop an antidote and remove the source of poison in Death Land."
Pelca panicked when he heard that purple fog from Death Land appeared on the territory of the kingdom. He stares at the confident face of the prince. He grips his fists and swears in his heart that he will not betray the prince's confidence in them. They will do what no other kingdom or empire has ever succeeded in doing. They will do it with a microscope and chemistry!
Skyte, on the other hand, is not optimistic about the prince's plan. No one had ever created an antidote, not even an empire that is much more advanced than their kingdom.
Edgar looks at the two people in front of him and states his true thoughts.
"We will conquer Death Land and open the Sea Trade!"