Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 26.2 - Canada Bombing Operation (1)

 

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While preparing the ‘Canada Bombing Operation’ with Diego, we bought up all the produced Canada from the farmers.

 

With no budget for purchases, we had no choice but to issue bonds. 

 

Of course, since the money would return to the territory’s people, we set the discount rate reasonably high. If there were no interest, it would feel like outright robbery.

 

Diego estimated the quantity needed for the operation.

 

“We still don’t have enough. We’ll need to gather for about another month.”

 

“That much?”

 

“If we want to bankrupt the spice merchants of Lisbon.”

 

“…I don’t want to die yet. Let’s keep it reasonable.”

 

“Then two weeks.”

 

The production of Canada was steadily increasing.

 

The manufacturing method was shared with all villages bordering the Great Forest, and necessary items like metal taps and buckets were quickly produced and distributed.

 

Even after this‘Canada Bombing Operation’ concludes, they had been steadily preparing export quantities.

“How about trying futures trading in addition to physical goods?”

“Futures? What’s that?”

It seems this place doesn’t yet have a system for futures trading.

How should I explain it? I’ll just give basic instructions on forward contracts.

“I’m talking about forward contracts. For example, if you’re selling next month’s production in advance, how much should you sell it for?”

“The merchants would negotiate and decide… Ah! Products expected to be in high demand would sell for more next month. Those predicted to be unpopular would sell for less.”

“Right. Arrange forward contracts. Next month’s goods, the month after that—sell everything in advance if possible. And make sure to get full payment upfront.”

“But they probably won’t pay the full amount when the goods aren’t even ready yet.”

“I’ll issue a guarantee under my name. Take my seal too. And tell them they’ll get a discount equal to the premium if they pay in full.”

The longer the term until maturity, the cheaper the selling price would be.

At a fair price, there might be losses, but if Canada’s prices are set high, there’d be no risk of loss.

“And use the same method when buying goods for us.”

“Understood.”

I skipped explaining trading the contracts themselves since that likely wouldn’t work in Lisbon.

 

“Meanwhile, while we gather supplies, I should make some medicine.”

“You mean the formulation you’ll teach Witch Winnie?”

“Yeah. I’ve been putting it off because I’ve been busy.”

“Pascal has been free lately, so why not take him with you?”

Diego probably didn’t want to handle any more tasks.

Seeing him pass Pascal’s name like that made me laugh—his intentions were clear.

“Alright, alright. I’ll take Pascal with me.”

 

Leaving behind Diego, who saw me off with a bright smile, I headed to Witch Winnie’s general store with Pascal.

But along the way, Pascal kept whining.

“My lord, do I really have to go?”

“Why? Are you scared of the witch?”

 

“It’s not that he’s scary, but he keeps smiling whenever he sees me. For some reason, it gives me chills.”

Is Pascal Winnie’s type?

 

“You two seem like a good match. Why not meet up while you have the chance?”

 

“No. The way he talks reminds me of my grandmother. How on earth was he raised to speak like that?”

 

Though Winnie looks young on the outside, she’s actually 185 years old. Of course she’d talk like a grandmother.

 

Surprisingly, Pascal had good instincts.

 

I’d planned to tease him a little, but it backfired completely.

 

Soon, we arrived at Winnie’s general store.

 

“Welcome, Lord. What brings you here today?”

 

“It’s about the branch priest. I’ll teach you today.”

 

Winnie’s expression brightened.

 

“Hoho, I’ve already set up the company a long time ago.”

 

“But don’t touch my shares. Even during capital increases, my stake shouldn’t be diluted.”

 

“…You’re being awfully thorough with me, don’t you think?”

 

“It’s about money. Let’s draft a contract and make it clear.”

 

Since the topic came up, I drew up a share contract with Winnie. As the lord of this land, no other formalities were needed.

 

“What should we do now?”

 

“Let’s head to the Great Forest. We need wood.”

 

“Are you making medicine from trees?”

 

“You could say that.”

 

We set off for the Great Forest with the soldiers.

 

I referred to the tree distribution map I’d prepared earlier when we found the sugar maple.

Thanks to that, we quickly located the target tree.

 

“This is the one.”

 

“It’s a beech tree. Are you making it from the nuts?”

 

“No. We’ll turn this into charcoal.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Winnie looked bewildered.

 

What I was planning to make was Jeongrohwan.(Relief for ingestion)

 

In my past life in Korea, it was a widely sold medicine, produced by multiple pharmaceutical companies to the point that the name Jeongrohwan had become a generic term.

 

“You’re not planning to make us eat charcoal, are you?”

 

“No. I’ll explain the method.”

 

It was a lengthy explanation, but to put it simply, it was medicine made by distilling the tar from the wood vinegar obtained when burning beech wood into charcoal.

 

“A witch who’s practically an alchemist should be able to make this easily.”

“Surprisingly simple. Where did you learn this?”

I learned it from my grandfather in a past life.

 

Maple sap and wood vinegar were both my grandfather’s side businesses. Though he exaggerated their health benefits to sell them as functional foods, the stories he told me about Jeongrohwan while making them were true.

It might sound like I’m speaking ill of him, but I didn’t believe it at first and had to look it up.

 

Since I couldn’t talk about my past life, I dodged the question.

“But the problem is, we don’t know the safe dosage. I’ll provide you with prisoners—run clinical trials for me.”

“Ah. Surely they won’t die, right?”

“Can’t say for sure. Any medicine can kill if you take too much.”

 

Winnie’s expression darkened. But she wouldn’t have a choice.

If we could make a cure, we’d not only save countless lives but also make a fortune.

“Anyway, wood vinegar can be harmful if mishandled, so be careful.”

“Does that wood vinegar have any other uses?”

“If you spray it in a toilet, it reduces the smell. It also repels insects. I’ve heard it’s used in farming, but I’m not sure.”

 

Grandfather advertised it as good for athlete’s foot and skin diseases, but I don’t know if that’s true. When I tried to verify, the internet was full of baseless drug ads.

“…Not exactly a big moneymaker, huh?”

“Do your own research if you want.”

“Got it. I’ll take responsibility and make it work.”

“If you succeed in releasing it, I’ll teach you about other things too.”

 

A little incentive to boost her motivation. As expected, Winnie’s eyes sparkled.

“Could you teach me just one simple thing in advance?”

“Something simple? Hmm, you might already know this—white willow bark reduces fever and relieves pain. They say it also removes calluses if you stick it to your soles.”

“First time hearing that. I’ll check if it’s already been commercialized.”

 

Multinational guilds protect pharmaceutical rights. It’s best to check if it’s already registered.

“Then, good luck. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“I’ll do my best, my lord.”

 

Winnie bowed her head in greeting.

Somehow, it felt deeper than before.