I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 390: Ponzi scheme (4)

Orsini, observing the people gathered for the investment briefing, recalled Fabio’s saying:

“Money has the power to turn people into moths to a flame.”

The people here were exactly like that.

They had no idea that Fabio was planning to execute a grand /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ scam, and yet, they were eagerly diving headfirst into the inferno, just wanting to make money. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

“Good evening, I’m Angelo Orsini.”

At those words, the applause from the gathered crowd poured out.

In a trading city, especially in Lyon, the best port city of the Kingdom of Lyon, the response to a mere foreign merchant was an overreaction...

But no one here pointed out such trivial things.

No, they didn’t even have the mental capacity to do so.

‘If you invest in that stock, your money will multiply.’

They’d put in one gold coin and see it become two—who cares about the small details when they can see that miracle?

“Before we begin the investment briefing, I would like to sincerely thank the mayor and Manager Montblanc for arranging this event.”

At those words, the nobles of Marseille, the prominent merchants of the Kingdom of Lyon who resided in Marseille, and all the attendees clapped and cheered.

“As you all know, our Namhae Company has identified where valuable commodities such as cochineal, cocoa, and tobacco, currently monopolized by the Toscani Empire, are being traded. We have established close relationships with the local tribes and have already built a trade network.”

Namhae Company was, in fact, a subsidiary of the Rothschild family’s business (a throwaway card for scams).

So, his words were all true.

No, even if he had lied from the start, no one could help but believe him when they saw the warehouse of cochineal and tobacco piled up in the Namhae Company.

If they hadn’t secured their own trade routes, it would be impossible for a mere foreign merchant to possess more of these rare goods than the top merchants in Lyon.

“However, our company currently has no capital and needs investments to continue with the next trade. Otherwise, we might go bankrupt in a month due to our inability to repay our debts.”

At those words, a nobleman, driven by greed for money, shouted loudly.

“Bankruptcy? Forget about bankruptcy! How much? How much do you need?”

“Thank you so much for your concern. But we’ll be accepting investments after the briefing, one person at a time. Since large sums are involved, it’s better to be cautious.”

There’s a magical rule that applies to those who are involved in Fabio’s little tricks at Rothschild Company, especially those who are familiar with him.

Stack little truths like a forest, and hide just one lie inside.

If you put a drop of poison into wine, it’s impossible to tell whether it’s poisoned or not, but after drinking it, the person will die.

‘As my lord said, if you don’t get caught, it’s not a crime.’

“Our Namhae Company is preparing a new plan. We will increase our fleet by four times, leading four caravels to conquer the native tribes and establish farms where we can produce cochineal, coffee, and tobacco.”

“Then we can securely obtain valuable goods like cochineal. The Toscani Empire always struggles to secure enough supply, after all.”

“If we exploit the local people like slaves, we can easily secure labor. By doing so, we’ll be able to obtain four times as much cochineal, tobacco, and coffee more securely than we’re getting now.”

The minds of the people gathered here had already flown off to a land of fantasy.

Four times the cochineal, four times the tobacco, four times the coffee.

If they became shareholders in a company that monopolized these valuable goods distributed across the country, their invested money would quickly return as dividends...

Stock dividends would be pouring in every year.

Their financial situation would improve to a degree that could not even be compared to now.

‘If you don’t buy this, you’re a fool.’

Everyone thought that way, but suddenly, someone stood up and raised an objection.

“I understand that Namhae Company has its own trade route and methods, but isn’t there a serious problem?”

“What do you mean?”

“How are you planning to conquer the locals? And how will you maintain the supply chain? You can manage with bows, arrows, swords, and armor, but food will be a major issue!”

“That’s a reasonable point.”

Everyone was so focused on the immediate profits that, in the midst of it all, a rational critic emerged. Anyone who understands the concept of ‘human indicators’ would act like this.

This is a rigged game, I’m outta here!

But only Fabio and Baron Florin understood the concept of ‘human indicators’ (the law that stocks people flock to end up failing).

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

The ignorant people, despite the absurdity of the situation, thought:

Why would the one who made this mess be the one to intervene?

However, Orsini simply smiled and answered each question one by one.

“The civilization level of the locals is lower than that of the Maasai Confederation, who don’t even have matchlocks. So, if we arm 500 trained mercenaries with guns, swords, and spears, we can easily win.”

“I see.”

“Also, the New World is suitable for farming. So, farming there is definitely possible. Therefore, food won’t be a major hindrance for us. As for the weapons, our ships can supply them locally. As for gathering people, if we offer the poor a little money, we’ll gather them quickly. If you’d like, I can show you a report with specific solutions.”

“You have solutions for everything. Good, since you’ve resolved my last concern, I’ll gladly make a generous investment.”

“It’s an honor.”

The already heated atmosphere became even hotter.

The question raised by the person who objected was something they would have asked Orsini two or three times after they regained their sanity.

He answered the complicated questions smoothly, successfully proving that he had all the solutions.

Now there was no reason to hesitate.

Manager Montblanc grinned and looked at the group.

“If you don’t invest now, who knows when the next opportunity will come? Mayor, I’ve already invested our entire family fortune.”

“You have quite a lot of guts.”

“You’ll see once you become a shareholder, but the Namhae Company warehouse is full of tobacco, cochineal, and cocoa. If you don’t invest, you’re losing out! Who knows when the next opportunity to invest will come?”

Montblanc, who handles trade in Marseille, spoke with such authority that it sounded doubly, even quadruply convincing.

In the end, even the mayor, with a grin, couldn’t help but make a decision.

‘You have to grab the chance to make money.’

You can’t be a noble without money, and conversely, if you have money, you can live like a noble even without the title.

“I’ll invest 10,000 gold coins.”

At that, the surrounding crowd started murmuring.

“Is it really okay to invest that much?”

“No, but if we hit the jackpot this time...”

“Now’s the best time, I’m telling you.”

Orsini looked at them and prepared to deliver the final blow.

It wasn’t the same trick as in convenience stores where they stick up signs saying "buy one, get one free" to make you buy something you didn’t even want...

It was a method Fabio had seen often in home shopping.

“Thanks to the investments from the mayor and Manager Montblanc, we’ve gathered a massive amount of capital. With this momentum, even if we don’t receive investments here today, we can definitely get investments elsewhere.”

The thought that they might miss the opportunity to invest made the crowd on edge.

I’d be happy if others succeed and I make money, but what if others succeed and I can’t?

How painful would that be?

When a cousin buys land and gives you a gift of hanwoo beef, you get jealous; it’s human nature.

Would you pass up a good opportunity and give it to someone else?

“The investment briefing in Marseille might be the last one. If the capital doesn’t gather here, we can always go to the Toscani Empire or another city. After all, money is everywhere, right?”

Humans are weak when told they won’t be able to buy at this price again.

So weak, that even things they didn’t plan to buy end up being bought, especially when it’s advertised that something originally worth 100,000 won is now 90% off and being sold for 20,000.

“Those who wish to invest, please fill out the investment amount and family name on the checks distributed by our employees. The cash will be collected by our staff in person.”

At the words signaling the end, the people here truly made massive investments.

Orsini had now cast the bait.

That bait had burned Marseille to the ground.