I couldn’t help but doubt my eyes when I first looked at the map.
There are so many cities in western Ifriqiya?
“Considering there are so many cities, it seems odd if there aren’t multiple nations in western Ifriqiya.”
The map didn’t even show the population of each city.
However, the sheer number of cities naturally implies that there are people governing them.
It could be seen as evidence that they have a ruler.
‘It’s as clear as the fact that a Korean likes kimchi.’
“I heard that if we go outside our trading area and head south, there’s a country called ‘Mali.’ However, within our trading area, there are no countries or even city-states. Only a confederation of large tribes exists.”
Humans have built large communities known as nations since the Bronze Age.
It’s safe to say that the DNA of humans is heavily engraved with an instinct to cling to nations…
So why are there no nations?
“They say these people engage in herding instead of farming, meaning they’re nomadic tribes.”
As soon as I heard this, everything fell into place.
Nomadic tribes do not root themselves in one specific place; they move around in packs, raising livestock.
Farming can happen wherever there’s adequate water and land for people to gather, but if those groups grow beyond a certain size, they won’t be able to secure enough forage for their livestock.
For that reason, the need for a ‘nation’ is extremely low.
However, they are still human, so it’s essential for them to buy grains from merchants like Abdullah or to exchange necessary goods between tribes.
Markets form as resting points for exchanges based on everyone’s needs, and they gradually develop into cities.
‘It wouldn’t be surprising if a nation formed here without my involvement…’
Is there no outstanding leader capable of uniting the neighboring tribes?
Well, from my standpoint, it’s better that there’s no nation in western Ifriqiya.
That way, I can use the wisdom of the Great British Empire—’Divide and Conquer’—to extract extreme profits.
“Very interesting. Do you happen to know more? Even trivial things are fine.”
Upon hearing my words, Abdullah took on a visibly troubled gesture.
It’s a universal truth that a top-notch merchant, when in a favorable situation, won’t express a desire for more money verbally.
If he weren’t a traitor, I’d want to utilize his talents as an executive in our trading company.
But I can always offer more money.
As long as I draw out all the information you have.
“Typically, nomadic tribes engage in herding because they have no choice due to the barren lands they inhabit.”
If you go to places like Mongolia, you can understand why the Mongols and Jurchen raiders pillaged Joseon and the Ming so ruthlessly.
They say the grasslands have only a bit of weeds and hardly any water.
There’s barely a river or well suitable for farming in sight.
Chronic food shortages make it understandable for them to resort to plundering.
But why do the western Ifriqiya folks…
“Actually, while the western Ifriqiya land isn’t particularly fertile, it can certainly be farmed if they choose to. There are forests, and there’s water, so it seems feasible to grow wheat… but for some strange reason, they don’t farm.”
Humans possess an instinct to avoid the unfamiliar, even if they can rationally understand that it would benefit them.
Anyone can try a new food…
But when they think about studying for a certification after work, they get a headache and reach for their smartphones.
When someone signs up for a gym with the intention to start exercising, they might dread going, especially during the first month…
Let alone switching their entire way of life to settle down and farm as a sedentary people?
That’s certainly not easy.
That’s why Kublai Khan, who succeeded Genghis Khan and founded the Yuan Dynasty, tried to kill all the Chinese subjects and burn the cities to create a clean pastureland.
Thanks to some loyal subjects from the Song Dynasty preaching the greatness of ‘taxes,’ Kublai ended up exclaiming, “Wow, taxes are amazing! Our protagonist is incredible!” and dropped it.
But it looks like these nomads aren’t that bright.
“Very interesting.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency.”
With a bit of agricultural technology, along with gunpowder and matchlocks, it seems possible to create several ‘small-scale’ nations here.
And if our Toscan Empire controls them through ‘gunpowder,’ ‘matchlocks,’ ‘weapons,’ and ‘armor’?
Isn’t this basically the East India Company?
The kings of these lands may mistakenly think they’re rulers of independent nations.
In reality, if the Toscan Empire decides not to sell them gunpowder, they’ll be gobbled up in no time.
If things go well, it might be possible to establish a sort of colony without shedding a drop of blood.
Then using this as a base to expand to other areas would be a good idea.
“I promised to give you 3,000 gold coins, right?”
Abdullah nodded honestly, like a dog wagging its tail.
“Yes, that’s correct, Your Excellency!”
“But what will you do with those 3,000 gold coins? Where do you intend to live after receiving that money?”
“I’ll have to hide my identity and live elsewhere. For that, I need money, which is why I’m passing on this information now.”
I was initially considering just killing him thinking of him as a traitor.
However, the quality of the information this guy possesses seems better than expected.
‘I guess I have to let him live for another three years.’
After that, I can either deal with him harshly or consider his previous contributions and just pay him off to send him away.
“Can you speak the language used by the native tribes?”
“Yes, I can. To strike a deal, I need to at least speak the basics. Plus, I also have a bit of understanding about their culture.”
“Very good, very nice. Then let me make one suggestion.”
Not just a suggestion, but practically an order.
Because all my instincts tell me.
‘It’s obvious that I’m not just dealing with someone who’s blinded by money; there’s something else chasing him.’
While I can’t bet my wrist on it, I can wager 2,000 gold coins.
“I’m about to start trading with the folks in western Ifriqiya soon. But just bringing gunpowder alone won’t make the deal go smoothly.”
If trading were that easy, Vasco da Gama wouldn’t have used trade (threatening with cannons) to conduct commerce with developed countries.
Moreover, looking at history, early Indian trade largely came down to ‘who’s holding the sword and threatening.’
“I need your help, as someone who knows the language and culture. If things go well, you will be treated like you were before in our trading company. Honestly, I can tell just by looking at you. The trading company is planning on offing you, right?”
At those words, Abdullah broke out in a cold sweat.
“If I receive the 3,000 gold coins, I plan to seek asylum with my family.”
This was already painfully evident from the moment I arrived here.
But there’s a huge difference between simply seeking asylum with received money and trying to start a new life with a large sum amid ‘huge corruption within the board.’
“The information can be extracted, and then we could hand you over.”
At that, Abdullah quickly knelt and begged.
“I have people under me who are in the same boat as I am. Naturally, they have a deep understanding of the native tribes’ language and culture…”
Since begging for his life won’t work, he seems to be trying to prove his worth as a useful traitor.
Well, who said that?
‘Even a traitor can’t perform well if they’re incompetent. If Lee Wan-yong had been incapable, could he have sold out the country?’
For now, I have to extend his life since he’s helpful.
“Let’s postpone the payment. I hope you prove your usefulness. Now go.”
As soon as I dismissed Abdullah, Chris came in.
“How did it go?”
“I feel like I’ve gained a surprisingly useful piece of trash.”
Honestly, if he weren’t a traitor, I’d want to keep him tied to our trading company for life as a slave.
“I did a bit of background checking on Abdullah, and unsurprisingly, he was involved in various activities like embezzlement and human trafficking.”
“As for human trafficking, it seems he got caught selling slaves from the Sultanate, which believes in the Mahbadi cult.”
“Anyone does that; it’s the embezzlement that makes me think he had something framed against him.”
As I had expected, he was quite the criminal.
Well, being that kind of guy means I can feel almost no guilt over turning against him.
“What are your plans going forward? Will you head to western Ifriqiya?”
Honestly, I was planning to just gather information this time and send other explorers…
‘But with a map this accurate…’
“The recently obtained map outlines the coastline, and there’s quite a large tribe nearby. I plan to resupply in the Granada Kingdom and set off directly.”
I need to start trading and gradually gather more information.
And we would encounter the tribes of western Ifriqiya for the first time about a month later.
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