Minister Bolson, having received the king’s command, led the talented individuals to the banks of the Malsoon River.
“This river is located right behind the capital. It’s a headache for the Kingdom of Goyard, occupying 20% of the land in an already small nation. Is there anyone who has a plan to make business use of this river?”
For over a century, the river had been an untapped resource, with ancestors failing repeatedly to use it to replenish the national treasury.
Desperate to catch Bolson’s eye, the talents offered their suggestions.
“Fill in the river and build many houses to sell to the people, thus replenishing the treasury.”
“Or, how about filling the river and turning it into a swordsmanship arena? It could be used by the entire continent.”
“We could use the river to…”
Bolson clicked his tongue at their suggestions.
The same solutions were always proposed for this unsolved problem of over 100 years.
“If we fill in the entire river, we’ll be dead.”
“……”
It was a fact.
“And the cost to fill the river would use up 50% of our kingdom’s treasury.”
There was no benefit at all.
Bolson had no expectations. He had only asked out of a small hope that someone might find a way.
As the minister in charge of managing the treasury, he had the duty to replenish it.
‘Is there really no way…?’
This wide, useless river, taking up a significant portion of the country’s land.
At that moment.
“We just need to think about how to use it.”
A voice emerged from among the talents.
Bolson raised an eyebrow.
It was Bark from the Ballas territory, suggesting not to fill it, but to use it.
This aligned with Bolson’s thinking.
“How do you propose to use it?”
He gestured for Bark to step forward.
Bark, a legend in the real estate industry who had turned 10 million won into 9 billion in assets, spoke.
“We can build houses here.”
The surroundings became noisy.
“Building houses in a place swarming with bugs, hot in summer, and cold in winter? Madness.”
“He looks like a knight. What does he know?”
“Haha, where did this guy even come from?”
However, Bolson was intrigued.
‘Build houses?’
He raised his hand to silence them and spoke.
“Explain in more detail.”
“If we build houses in this place infested with bugs, hot in summer and cold in winter, we can offer the richest nobles what they desire the most.”
What nobles desire?
“A beautiful view and the envy of other nobles. If we make large windows, it would seem as if the house embraces the river. If we create paths along the river, it would become a promenade for nobles to run alongside the river.”
Bolson imagined it.
Noble houses spread out in front of the river!
“There’s a saying in my world.”
He listened intently, almost mesmerized.
“The Han River view is everything.”
“……!”
Bolson’s mind raced with business potential.
“If we build ten houses as a test, they would sell quickly. Then, the land prices around them would skyrocket, and other nobles would want to build their houses there. You can charge them ten times the value. As more houses are built, foreign dignitaries would also become interested and want to buy. You could then sell to them at twenty times the price under the guise of external buyers.”
Twenty times?
It was feasible.
After all, all land along this river was royal property.
Bolson could already hear the treasury filling.
Ignoring the other talents, he engaged Bark in conversation.
“There are many old houses in the capital. Is there a way to utilize them?”
“Simple. Announce plans to demolish and rebuild them into new houses for nobles.”
“Wouldn’t that cause significant backlash from the people?”
“No, the nobles, eager for splendid and large new homes, would buy the properties at high prices from the poor original owners. This benefits the people, pleases the nobles, and the taxes we collect make it a win-win-win situation.”
“What about this… and that…”
“That can be solved like this… and that like that…”
“Excellent, very excellent!”
Bark received a notification.
[You have significantly contributed to the kingdom’s development project.]
[You gain 42% contribution points.]
Bark felt a sense of pride.
‘Finally, I’m making my mark for the guild.’
The Ballas territory lacked military strength.
Raising his contribution to the royal family through this quest could grant him military aid, a significant boon.
However, Bolson’s test was not over.
He addressed the gathered talents again.
This was not only to strengthen the nation’s power but also to test the talents from across the country.
“I believe that an excellent minister or merchant should be able to raise a significant amount of money within an hour when needed.”
In other words, how much money one can raise in times of need is the key.
It shows how resourceful and capable one is in matters related to money.
Talents sent carrier pigeons.
The designated time was one hour.
At that moment, a man logged out.
It was Lisel.
Lisel, the youngest son of a chaebol family, made a phone call.
“It’s me. I need some gold, ah, I’m not going to use it, just need to deposit and withdraw it for a moment.”
Then he logged back in.
And the gold, when in large quantities, could be converted into a check.
Lisel handed the check to Bolson.
“I’ve secured the funds.”
Bolson was astonished.
“One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million…?! Eeeek!”
He carefully thought to himself,
‘I need to stay on good terms with this guy.’
The power of the youngest son of a rich family!
Lisel received another notification.
[You have greatly impressed Prime Minister Bolson.]
[You have gained 27% contribution.]
Meanwhile,
At the Royal Knight Training Ground.
Various knight orders were in training.
Philip spoke.
“Our kingdom has established various swordsmanship, spear techniques, archery, and martial arts. These are the best and most efficient. We are open to adopting anything superior.”
Many warriors from all over the country use techniques passed down in their families.
If there is something excellent among them, it will be applied to soldiers and knights, making them stronger and enhancing the nation’s power.
‘What’s this?’
‘Why is this…’
The talents were puzzled.
Philip put bracelets on them.
“These are magic control bracelets. The moment you wear them, everyone’s strength becomes equal.”
They understood that.
What they couldn’t understand was why dozens of knights with wooden swords surrounded them.
“The knights who will assess your skills are also wearing the magic control bracelets. I want to see your pure swordsmanship, so please understand.”
Understand?
At that moment, the top knights of Goyard, the country of swords, rushed at them with wooden swords.
“Attack!”
The talents were proud.
They thought they were the best.
They intended to dominate from the start.
“Ugh!”
“S-save me, n-not there…! Ugh!”
“Oh no, I’m dying!”
Philip watched the scene with his hands behind his back.
But then,
Whack, whack, crash, snap, bang-
Slice
“……?”
Philip looked puzzled.
A man was knocking down all the knights with just a wooden sword.
The moment he wore the magic control bracelet, everyone’s strength became equal.
In other words, it was pure skill.
Moreover, his swordsmanship was exceptional and remarkable.
He was Han-ul, a kendo gold medalist.
“?”
Philip was bewildered, seeing the knights lying defeated.
Han-ul spoke.
“By clashing swords, I realized the deficiencies in the knights’ swordsmanship. If we revise the manual, it will greatly benefit the soldiers and knights.”
Han-ul then took the swordsmanship manual and revised it in front of Philip.
“Swing like this, and the angle of the wrist should be…”
Philip was impressed.
He was complementing all the shortcomings of the swordsmanship and adding new advantages.
Han-ul also received a notification.
[You have greatly contributed to the fundamentals of Goyard Kingdom’s swordsmanship.]
[You have gained 28% contribution.]
The enhancement of the nation’s power also involves the strengthening of soldiers and knights!
And at the archery testing ground.
Thwack!
“…!?”
Thwack!
“…!!!?”
Thwack!
“…!!!!!???”
The knights couldn’t hide their admiration.
An arrow shot by a woman named Hye-ji hit the bullseye.
Amazingly, the second arrow burrowed into the first.
Even more astonishing, the third arrow pierced through the overlapping arrows.
Someone swallowed dryly.
‘It’s the return of a divine archer.’
In the silence of the knights, Hye-ji spoke.
“Seeing the knights draw their bows, it seems posture correction is needed. If anyone would like to receive posture correction from me…”
“Start with me!”
“No, me first!”
“I came first!”
“Aren’t you a better archer than me?!”
The knights surrounding Hye-ji looked ready to fight each other.
“What are you doing!”
Philip, who witnessed this, glared.
Philip was known as the coldest person in the Goyard Kingdom.
Philip, who had been glaring at them, spoke.
“Start with me.”
“???”
Everyone wanted to become stronger, and Philip was no different.
[You have greatly contributed to the fundamentals of archery in the Goyard Kingdom.]
[You have gained 27% contribution.]
Elsewhere, those interested in martial arts flocked to someone who had knocked down five knights with a single kick.
It was Tae-hoon, a taekwondo gold medalist.
“Put power into your back foot…”
Scratch, scratch-
Nod, nod
The knights were taking notes to avoid forgetting.
[You have greatly contributed to the fundamentals of martial arts in the Goyard Kingdom.]
[You have gained 19% contribution.]
In another place,
“???”
Bella was bewildered by the scenes unfolding throughout the capital.
“Would you like to have a meal with me?”
“I’ve already had lunch.”
“It’s not even lunchtime yet…? Then how about a cup of tea?”
“I’m allergic to caffeine.”
“Is there such an allergy…? Then how about a ride in the carriage together…”
“I’m allergic to carriages.”
“???”
Lisel’s interaction with the minister, who wanted to get close to the rich.
“Bark, where have you been? We need to discuss that real estate thing…”
Minister Bolson ran towards Bark.
He was not the type of person to do such things.
‘But if it can develop the kingdom, he is a man who will do anything.’
That’s why Bolson held his position.
Bella found it remarkable.
As she toured the training ground, she realized the areas where they were lacking.
Archery, swordsmanship, martial arts.
Knights formed groups around the three individuals, seeking instruction.
‘So they were protecting Lord Hyun-soo…’
Bella found her second sun’s power truly amazing.
At that moment, a woman approached.
It was Nel, the minister of the Ballas territory.
Bella nodded in acknowledgment.
“Our kingdom is also putting all its efforts into the capital development project. However, perhaps because it is only known as the country of swords, few people come to the capital except for swordsmen.”
In other words, not many people visited the capital.
When many foreigners and NPCs visit the capital, the kingdom collects taxes from them.
On everything they wear, eat, and drink.
All of these are taxed.
But it wasn’t easy.
The capital of the Goyard Kingdom lacked the attractiveness that other kingdoms had.
Nel, who was thinking, said,
“Build a large and magnificent teahouse in the capital.”
“A teahouse? There are already more than enough teahouses, and every year they run at a loss, not helping the capital project at all.”
Nobles can enjoy good tea at home, so they do not bother to visit the capital’s teahouses.
Foreigners were even more reluctant.
Why would they visit a teahouse in this world?
However, soon Nel said,
“Have His Majesty and Sir Bella visit that teahouse every morning to drink tea.”
“…What?”
“A teahouse that His Majesty and Sir Bella visit daily will attract nobles from all over the continent, and outsiders who love to take show-off shots will flock in. Additionally, charge ten times the usual price for the tea.”
“T-ten times… is that possible?”
Bella couldn’t understand what she was saying.
Nel smiled slightly and said,
“His Majesty and Sir Bella just need to say one thing.”
“What…?”
“After drinking tea at that teahouse, say that your swordsmanship has improved and your health has gotten better. Then people will pay ten times the price to drink it. Additionally…”
Nel looked at the capital’s scenery and smiled.
“The cost of tea is 150 silver. The base price of tea is 4,000 silver. Ten times that would leave more than a 250-fold profit margin.”
Bella was bewildered.
‘Isn’t this a scam?’
Nel, looking at the scenery and smiling, said,
“This is how you do business.”
And so, Bella, together with Bolson, opened the largest teahouse in the kingdom.
A month later, the revenue of that teahouse was higher than the combined sales of all teahouses across the Goyard Kingdom.
Moreover, visitors to the capital of the Goyard Kingdom increased 54 times more than usual.
[As you sow, so shall you reap.]
Where there are geniuses, there are other geniuses as well.
Cliche Novel 