In the end, despite Armad’s initial surprise, he found himself seriously contemplating the potential benefits of starting to sell the skin-whitening medicine to the town’s women. Although the prospect of significant income was tempting, Armad was initially hesitant. However, after the judge presented a compelling argument, outlining the positive impact that commerce could have on their town, Armad had no choice but to agree with the judge’s suggestion.
It is a well-known fact that no town or kingdom can achieve development and prosperity without a robust system of commerce. Commerce is the backbone of any town’s growth and progress. For a town to thrive, it must engage in the vibrant exchange of goods and services. People must come into your town to purchase your goods, and in turn, you must buy their goods, creating a mutually beneficial economic cycle. Commerce is what brings income to any town, and it is what attracts people to come and settle there. This influx of people and the subsequent economic activity elevated the status of the town over time.
Currently, their region is considered the smallest among the six regions in their section by the seaside. However, the judge suggested that if they could successfully start this new business venture and attract a substantial number of buyers, it would not be surprising if many people from the other five regions started coming to their town to purchase their products. Such an influx of visitors and buyers would be unprecedented for their town.
Armad also came across a document in the palace of the town of Tiriba when he first started living there. This document provided valuable insights into the regional dynamics. It stated that among the six regions in their section, there was one particular region whose inhabitants had never visited their region. The people from this region perceived the town of Tiriba and its surrounding area as merely a small village with nothing of importance to offer. This perception was the primary reason why many people from that region looked down upon Tiriba, viewing it as insignificant and underdeveloped.
However, Armad realized that if they could successfully implement the judge’s suggestion and develop a thriving commercial hub, it could change the perception of their town. By attracting buyers from all six regions, including those who had previously dismissed them, they could transform Tiriba from a small, overlooked village into a bustling center of commerce and trade. This transformation would elevate the town’s status and contribute significantly to its development and prosperity.
The region where the town of Tiriba is located consists of ten towns and one village. However, the regions of their section including even their neighboring region, home to the town of Montaj, tend to look down upon Tiriba’s region. The residents of Montaj’s region dismiss all the towns and the single village in Tiriba’s region as mere villages. Despite this condescending attitude, Armad understands that the power of commerce can alter this perception significantly.
In any developed kingdom of this era, two fundamental factors contribute to its advancement and prosperity. The first factor is power, which encompasses several elements: the power of cultivation, the strength of the battalions, and the resilience and determination of the kingdom’s common people.
The second crucial factor is economic power and commerce. An economy thriving with trade, industry, and financial activities is essential for development. Even if a kingdom excels in cultivation and military prowess, it cannot rival a kingdom that boasts robust commercial and economic power. For a kingdom or town to develop fully, it must possess both these elements—strength in cultivation and military, as well as a flourishing economy and commerce.
Among the many books that the deceased Prince Armad had read, one stands out in the memory of the present Armad. This book delves into the reasons why the capital city of Wilberforce is destined to endure, regardless of the fate of the empire itself. The author asserts that even if the empire of Wilberforce were to be destroyed, the capital city would not collapse. This enduring strength is attributed to the city’s status as a commercial and administrative hub.
The writer explains that any successors to the empire of Wilberforce would inevitably choose to settle in the capital city. This is because the city houses the headquarters of all the powerful associations and guilds of this era. These include the king’s legion, medicinal producers’ associations, and seal makers’ associations, all of which are vital centers of commerce and industry. These institutions contribute significantly to the city’s economy, facilitating an enormous flow of money into and out of the capital.
Moreover, even tribes and communities that do not reside in the capital have established companies and businesses there. This interconnected network of economic activities makes the capital city a critical node in the world’s economy. The sheer volume of financial transactions and commercial exchanges that occur in the capital city of Wilberforce is uncountable, further cementing its position as an economic powerhouse.
Therefore, when discussing the global economy, the capital city of Wilberforce inevitably comes up as a primary reference point. Its influence and importance in trade, commerce, and industry are unparalleled, making it a central figure in the economic landscape of the era. Armad recognizes that by fostering a similar environment of commerce and economic activity in Tiriba’s region, he can change how it is perceived and elevate its status to that of a developed and respected area.
Indeed, several cities among the kingdoms of the world’s major tribes manage significant companies within their territories. However, none of these cities can truly compare to the capital city of Wilberforce. Armad is well aware of this distinction, which is why he appreciates the judge’s insightful suggestion.
After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Armad took a deep breath, looked directly at the judge, and posed a crucial question: “If we were to open a company that produces medicine for skin diseases, how many pills of this type would be needed every day?” Armad understood that he shouldn’t solely focus on the potential revenue from the product. Equally important was figuring out how to ensure a steady supply of raw materials. If the daily demand for pills would disrupt his cultivation, they would need to reconsider their plan. Armad was intent on ensuring that these new business ventures did not negatively impact their cultivation activities.
The judge paused briefly, then quickly retrieved a piece of paper and began to perform calculations. In the tribe of Wilberforce, judges play a vital role in overseeing the tribe’s businesses. While they are not primarily known for their cultivation abilities, all judges are indeed cultivators. However, their training focuses more on business management and other civic activities, including those related to inheritance and history. Consequently, the judge was a well-versed scholar in business matters.
After about a minute of focused calculations, the judge finished his work and handed the paper to Armad. The judge was already envisioning the benefits that this new venture could bring to their community.
Armad examined the paper handed to him. According to the calculations, the business would initially need 200 pills daily. Each pill would be diluted in a drum of water, producing approximately 5,000 to 7,000 bottles of the diluted medicine. Additionally, a large building would be required to house the company. This building would be selected from the existing structures within the town to ensure it met their needs. Furthermore, the paper detailed the number of workers required to run the company efficiently.
Armad estimated that he currently has approximately 3,000 skin-whitening pills at his disposal. The judge requires just 200 pills daily for the company’s operations. Given this, Armad realized he didn’t need to worry about sourcing additional pills for at least a month. Moreover, he doesn’t even need to visit the manufacturing site where the medicine will be produced. His only responsibility is to supply 200 pills to the judge each day, which he could easily organize by counting out the pills for a week and handing them over in one batch. The judge would take on the responsibility of overseeing the business, freeing Armad from any direct involvement.
After some contemplation, Armad nodded his head. “This is not a problem. I can provide 200 pills for you every day. On your part, you need to find the workers and arrange the building for the company. If you are serious about starting the production, you should hire people to advertise the medicine throughout the town.”
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
To demonstrate his commitment, Armad shook the judge’s hand and instantly materialized 20 pills. “Use these pills to kickstart the advertising campaign around town. Find individuals suffering from skin-related conditions and offer them the medicine for free. This will allow us to test its efficacy before we begin commercial sales.”
The judge listened attentively and, upon hearing Armad’s plan, smiled and nodded in agreement. He felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the prince redirect his focus towards business endeavors. In his mind, the judge pondered whether this remarkable transformation in Armad was a result of his near-death experience—being shot with an arrow and subsequently revived with newfound powers. If such a profound change was indeed possible, many would wish to undergo a similar ordeal. However, the judge was acutely aware that this was far from a common occurrence; it was a rare phenomenon that might happen once in a million times. Therefore, he knew better than to hope for such an extraordinary event to befall him.
“Consider it done, my lord. Beyond the current company, I believe we should launch all the new companies simultaneously. This includes those producing insect repellent and horse stamina products, along with skin whitening medicines. While the other medicines might not generate as much income as the skin whitening products, they will still serve their purpose and benefit their users. Moreover, customers attracted by the skin whitening medicine will likely be interested in our other products as well, creating a comprehensive market presence.
Furthermore, your Highness, we should utilize the pills that enhance skin toughness, muscle strength, and cultivation to fortify our battalion. I understand you are following my guidance, but I must emphasize the urgency of our situation. We need to concentrate all our resources and attention on increasing the number of devas in our battalion and those with enhanced skin and muscle strength. This strategic focus will be crucial for both our economic growth and our military strength.”
As the judge reached this point in his speech, Armad couldn’t help but smile bitterly. The reality was far more complex than the judge’s optimistic plan. Armad could not implement the judge’s proposals fully. The three types of pills intended to increase skin toughness, muscle strength, and cultivation are not as straightforward as the judge seemed to believe.
Firstly, Armad no longer needed the skin-whitening pills. He had already achieved the maximum possible skin toughness, as indicated by the system. Although his eyes showed only 99%, he knew that he wouldn’t require the skin-whitening pills again in the foreseeable future. Therefore, even if he produced these pills, they would be useful only for commercial purposes, not personal use.
Similarly, the insect repellent and horse stamina pills were not something he needed to consume. This was in stark contrast to the other four types of pills, none of which he required at the moment. If he could produce the skin toughness pills, he would prefer to give them to Nusi to help her increase her skin toughness.
Additionally, the cultivation pills were a constant necessity for him. He needed them day and night, and his supply was perpetually depleting. Because of this, he could never afford to distribute such pills to others. If the entire battalion were to increase their power while his own stagnated, it would put him at a significant disadvantage.
Many historical books delve into the recurring theme of a formidable battalion being undermined by a weak king. In these narratives, the weakness of the king often becomes the battalion’s Achilles’ heel. Enemies exploit this vulnerability by sending a single, stealthy assassin, clad in black and with their face covered, to infiltrate the king’s chambers under the cover of night. This assassin’s mission is simple but lethal: eliminate the king.
Upon succeeding, the battalion wakes up the next morning only to find their leader slain. This sudden loss thrusts them into disarray and confusion, creating a vacuum of leadership. In the ensuing chaos, the battalion becomes disorganized and demoralized, making them an easy target for the enemy. The enemy’s battalion, well-prepared and unified, takes advantage of this disarray to launch a decisive attack, ultimately annihilating the leaderless battalion. Countless stories reflect on this motif, emphasizing one crucial lesson: the king of a battalion must be the most powerful and capable individual, as the strength of the leader directly correlates with the strength and unity of the battalion.
This principle is deeply ingrained in the Wilberforce Empire. In this empire, it is a fact that no emperor ascends to power without being the most formidable figure in the land. This tradition of ensuring the ruler’s supreme strength has safeguarded the empire from destruction, despite numerous attempts by enemies to overthrow it. The resilience of the Wilburforce Empire lies in its leaders’ commitment to maintaining and enhancing their power alongside their battalion.
Armad also doesn’t want to be like those weak kings. He is relentless in his efforts to bolster the power of his battalion, yet he is equally vigilant in avoiding the pitfalls that come with over-reliance on others. His strategy involves leveraging every opportunity to enhance his strength. Presently, he possesses a limited supply of pills designed to increase muscle toughness, a valuable asset in his quest for dominance. However, he exercises extreme caution in distributing these pills. Not even Nusi, one of his most trusted and capable soldiers, receives them freely. He has decided that only when his muscle toughness reaches 10% of its maximum potential will he consider sharing these pills. Even then, he plans to retain 70% of the supply for himself, allocating just 30% to Nusi. This careful rationing underscores his priority: maintaining his position as the most powerful individual in the battalion.
Furthermore, his recent experience with creating the pol strings has highlighted his urgent need for cultivation pills. The depletion of his Nagirinki during this process is a clear indicator of this necessity. After a period of contemplation, he reflects on his situation and the strategic decisions he must make.
“These four pills are crucial for my strength,” he muses. “Since the king’s legion attacked us, my power has surged. This is the key to our survival and success. Indeed, I need to empower certain individuals in my battalion, which is why I selected Nusi. She is one of the people whose power I wish to elevate. However, focusing solely on her power diminishes the speed at which I can enhance my own. If I were to distribute these pills among more people, we would face a shortage, hindering our ability to strengthen ourselves simultaneously. Therefore, I must prioritize my power. This strategy ensures that I remain the most powerful person in the battalion, safeguarding our overall strength and stability.”
The judge paused for a moment, deep in thought, before he shook his head with a sigh. “Indeed, I understand, my Lord. This means there is a finite capacity. There is a limit to the number of blessing pills that your body can produce. Therefore, we must be judicious in how we use them to avoid depleting our body’s power. I understand, my Lord. However, I believe you don’t need these energy-boosting pills as much. Among the four types of pills, this is the one you require the least.”
Armad nodded in agreement, recognizing the validity of the judge’s observation. Indeed, he seldom needed the energy-boosting pills. If he was not heading to the battlefield, their necessity diminished significantly. He could simply keep a reserve of one thousand energy-boosting pills for emergencies and distribute the rest as needed. However, it was important to note that these pills did not enhance cultivation; their primary function was to awaken the core.
“I am confident that I can supply you with at least 70 to 80 energy-boosting pills every day. You may use them as you deem appropriate. However, we must keep everything related to these pills confidential. Should news of them leak and reach the ears of the major association that manufactures seals, you are well aware of the potential consequences,” Armad cautioned.
The judge took a deep breath, his resolve evident. “I understand, my Lord, and I assure you that you will not regret this decision. Initially, I will use the pills to awaken the cores of all the young aspirants wishing to join our battalion. Among these youths, we may discover hidden talents that would otherwise remain unknown if their cores are not awakened. For instance, we might find individuals like Ai, who has the potential to awaken a significant demon. She is currently under the tutelage of one of the devas, receiving advanced training. This girl could very well become one of our battalion’s leaders. After we awaken their cores, we will then identify those who exhibit substantial cultivation and demon-awakening capabilities. The truly talented ones will receive our support to further elevate their cultivation. Those who do not display such talent will still join our battalion but will serve as foot soldiers, continuing to develop their cultivation independently.”
Armad considered this plan carefully, then nodded in approval. “If that is the approach, you can select any individuals who are not only talented but also demonstrate bravery. We can support them with pills that enhance their cultivation, but this assistance cannot be free. Each individual seeking to receive the pills must contribute by performing tasks that benefit the town. This way, the number of pills I provide will not diminish, and it will also help me to increase my power.”
The judge nodded emphatically, fully understanding the gravity and practicality of the plan. They continued their discussion, strategizing on how best to enhance the power of their battalion and manage their affairs. Without wasting time, they implemented their plans, and soon, everything began to progress as intended.