章節 161: Trade Comission & Maiden Voyage
Yesterday, the Trade Commission was scheduled to have their ingural meeting, but Will received a missive saying Elder Thaddeus' illness had passed. The letter went on to say Elder Thaddeus wanted to return to his cottage.
"Nisha, you want to go with me to pick up our masters?" Will called out to her telepathically.
"About time, I was starting to worry," she said concerned.
"Hurry up then, I'm in the library!" Will said working on the Trade Comission's articles of incorporation and meeting agenda.
In the year Gadreel was founded, Nisha became a local celebrity.
At first, citizens were terrified to see a shadow leopard looking house cat strolling around town. Now everyone waved or petted Nisha as she walked through the city at night.
The city guards would open and close the city gates at night only for her. Tourist would look all over the city at night, just to get a view of her.
Moreover, she was the scourge for any thief, and hero to the city guard.
When Nisha arrived in his study, Will opened a spacial door to Elder Thaddeus' estate.
Will and Nisha appeared inside the hall spooking a nearby maid.
"Take me to my master," Will declared.
"Yes, Master William, right away," she nervously stuttered.
A short walk to the master bedroom, Will saw Elder Thaddeus sipping tea, with Archimedes sitting comfortably on his lap.
"About time! I was starting to think you'd never come to get us," Elder Thaddeus joked.
"Master we came as soon as I got your missive!" Will said.
"Thank you disciple. I look forward to getting caught up on your life," Elder Thaddeus said.
Will opened a spacial door to the cottage.
When Elder Thaddeus walked into the cottage, Elder Thaddeus relaxed at the kitchenette table.
When Will told Elder Thaddeus about the attempted assassin on his life.
Elder Thaddeus cursed the Goddess Nyx.
Will and Nisha spent the rest of the day hanging out with Elder Thaddeus and Archimedes.
The next day, Will walked to the ornate pagoda that was Trade Commission headquarters.
The more Will looked at the Trade Commission pagoda, the more it resembled a diminutive version of the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan.
Trade Commissioner consisted of the 20 wealthiest men in Gadreel, and the city lord.
Promptly at the 10th bell, Will called the inaugural meeting to order.
The commissioners were composed of the young bourgeois noblemen, merchants, older noblemen, and a few crafters.
After the introductions, Will gave the opening address.
"Welcome commissioners, the Trade Commission purpose is to boost the Gadreel's trade and increase profit.
I gave this organization the power to negotiate trade agreements on behalf of the city.
This is also a place to settle trade disputes between local merchants and sort out the trade problems our citizens may face with each other.
As commissioners it's our job manage a stable regional and local trade agreements, as well as give consumers and producers confidence.
Gadreel citizens should feel their supplies are secure and their choice of the finished products, components, raw materials and services shall always be available.
We also want importers and exporters know our markets will remain open to them. Are they any questions?" Will asked.
"How shall decisions be decided," Gadreel's Merchant Guid Master, Harold Murphy was the first to speak
"Decision should be made by a consensus, after all we all want Gadreel to become more prosperous, peaceful and accountable economic world. We also want to fill our pockets with more gold," Will said as the commissioners laughed in unison.
"What falls under our jurisdiction?" asked an elderly nobleman, who relocated to Gadreel to serve as a trade commissioner.
"Under the Trade Commission jurisdiction are the tariffs for the trade route, treaty between the dwarves and beastmen. We can not regulate the prices of private businesses, only trade agreements held by the city administration," Will advised.
"What's the negative? Everything sounds nice and all, but what the catch?" as a member of the bourgeoise who bought the blueprints for the Power Loom.
"There is not catch. Since this organization serves a quasi-governmental purpose the agreements and contracts we decide shall be transparent for our citizen's benefit," informed them.
"Just to restate, this Trade Commission is the arbiter for guarding trade routes, commercial diplomacy, tariffs, customs duties and municipal trade disputes?" Harold Murphy asked.
"Yes," Will smiled.
"Thank you!" Mr. Murphy said.
"Any other questions before I proceed?" Will asked.
Hearing no interruptions, Will continued to address the matter at hand.
"We have a few items on our agenda. The first agenda item is the maiden voyage of the HMS Remus to Guidon. Raise your hands, if you plan to board the flight this afternoon," Will said.
Out of the 20 Commissioners, only seven raised their hands.
Second, negotiating trade rules, identify, and reduce obstacles to trade. I'd like you all poll our business men and report back here next week.
It's important get our goods in as many markets as we can. Likewise, if their are any barriers to importing that is also problematic.
Also remember our overriding purpose is to help trade flow as freely as possible. I believe that if we can achieve that our city – shall experience economic growth.
Second, we must make sure there is no discriminate between trading partners. For this Trade Commission race does not matter, only profit. We cannot discriminate trade agreement between local and foreign persons. If you witness this, you must report it to the commission.
Last, businesses, investors and governments should be confident that trade barriers will not be raised arbitrarily. With stability and predictability, investment is encouraged, jobs are created and consumers can fully enjoy the benefits of competition – such as increased choice and lower prices.
"These three points shall make up our charter. Any comments or questions about what I said?" Will asked.
"What about our competitors stealing our ideas and marketing them as their own," said a crafter.
"That's a good point! As a Trade Commission we must enforce a person's ideas and creativity. This organization, along with the guilds, shall uphold the rules to copyrights, patents, trademarks, business names," Will said.
"Baron vont Ballard, I noticed Gadreel does not have trade agreements with other cities, what can we do about that?" asked the old noblemen from earlier.
"Thank you for asking that question. As City Lord, I'll give every commissioner that negotiates a regional trade agreements (RTAs) with Gadreel 2% of the trade value, if the comission approves the trade.
It's every commissioners job to gather information and foster discussions on RTAs. Let's build wealth together!" Will said holding his hands out up high.
The commissioners applauded before adjourning.
Over all Will was happy with the meeting. Since most people have never heard of a Trade Commission, he felt it was important to provide an orientation.
If the Merchant Guild served as a local Chamber of Commerce, then the Trade Commission served as the municipal's Department of Trade.
Back on Earth, it was common for the largest cities to have a Chamber of Commerce and International Trade Department or a World Trade Center.
To be honest, Will was served that city had thought to create a Trade Center, Department or Commission. Only kingdom, had a Deputy Minister of Trade.
In Fermion the Finance Minster, the king's younger brother Duke Francis vont Whitby, oversaw the four Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade, Treasury, and Agriculture.
The churches were responsible for the kingdom's health policy and safety.
City lords and land owning nobles, were responsible for the housing and urban development.
The academies oversaw the kingdom's education.
And the council of general's governed the kingdom's security and defended it from threats.
With divine absolute authority, the king governed by promoting, demoting, exiling, imprisoning, or killing nobles, city lord, ministers. and generals.
With divine right, kings built a strong legacy of trust and track record of success. In a country, where over 75% to 80% of the population was illiterate and highly religious, king's made sense.
At least Will thought so, because no matter the era or period people always flock to the rich and strong for direction.
Some people may not admit it, but that's the reality of human nature. The weak always seek the protection of the strong. A benevolent dictator is better than a weak president. History had shown that time and time again.
Will daydreamed these thoughts in a carriage ride to the airship HMS King Remus Albus Fermion IX or HMS Remus as it was known for short.
As the carriages pull up to the bridge, Guild Master Mr. Murphy asked Will, "Can you do anything about this cumbersome bridge. It's to small only one carriage or two carts can pass at a time."
Will looked at the bridge. It was the same bridge Bradley and his engineering team built four years ago. The bridge had sentimental value.
Will was reminded of the terrifying stand they made on the riverbank protecting the fort.
That was a long fought battle, but ultimately they were victorious in the end. Will remembered how scared he was then, but now he looked on those days with fondness.
"As soon as we cross the bridge, I'll remodel it," Will said disappointedly. But, that was progress. His city had overgrown the use of a small wooden bridge.
After the carrier crossed the bridge. Will had the guards stop traffic. In front of a crowd of over 200 people, Will turned the small wooden bridge into a four carriage, cobble stone lane, Dolomitic Limestone bridge.
The limestone bridge was wide and flat with wide guardrails and a stone center medium.
On the guardrails Will placed six rock golems with shield and swords. The each shield displayed a single tower.
Under each golem was a limestone pillar. The bridge had a nice clean look at the golems looked impressive.
"Rockies, guard the bridge from threats. If you see a beast trying to cross kill it!" Will ordered.
The overlooked cheered for Will after he finished. Watching a magic caster in action was a rare treat for many.
Moreover, the new bridge seemed to match the ascetic and provided protection.
While Nisha and Archimedes worked hard to clear the side of the river where Gadreel was built. The opposite side of the river where the trade route, train tracks, and fort were built was not. The forest on the other side was very much still wild, unmapped territory. The Adventure Guild, often sent member into the forest to complete quests.
Next to bridge, floating on the water sat the HMS Remus.
Bradley, Rupert, Marcus waited on board for Will and the commissioners. The 200 hundred onlookers, also came for the maiden voyage.
Most came for the excitement and bragging rights. There were also a few tradesmen with their goods stored in the hull.
After the goods and people were aboard, Rupert signaled the captain, and the ship began climbing up into the air.
Once again people clapped and cheered. They felt the air flowing through their hair. They admired the view from above and how the ground below them began to shrink.
After watching the sails unfurled, the guest moved indoors.
Rupert gave the guest a tour of the bedrooms, dining area, and the observatory. The capacity for the ship was a little over 300 and that include the crew.
At the conclusion Rupert, Bradley, the commissioners and Will toasted to Gadreel's success.
The trip was schedule to take a two days to reach Guidon, shaving off five days. From Gadreel to Yorkshire would take a week. Even better if they had a northward wind, they would get their earlier.
On every airship there were three large suits, reserved for the royal family, high nobles, and Will.
When the airship landed successfully a day and a half later in Guidon. A large crowd of people came to watch the airship dock and passengers disembark.
Unknown to only, but a few. The airship had traveled overnight to Guidon and Yorkshire, several times. This was not the ships maiden voyage, but actually it's 27th time in Guidon. The only difference was the furnishings and upholstery were finished.
Will, Rupert, and Bradley waved from the side of the ship to the onlookers. People cheered seeing the trio waved.
Even better the Mage and Knight Academies dismissed students to view their famous graduates. That's right, Rupert, Bradley, and Will were heralded as prodigies. Their classmates told epic stories of the trio.
Several women asked Elizabeth to set them up with Rupert or Bradley.
Not one to miss an occasion to pontificate Guidon City Lord Timothy vont Alms, Bradley's father, gave a speech. Specifically detailing how close he and Bradley were as father and son, and how supportive he was as a father.
The speech focused more on his vanity, than the achievement of an operational airship.
Even worse the leech purchased a ticket, embarked and hugged Bradley in clear view of everyone. Timothy vont Alms who disowned his on son, acted as if that day had not happened all.
Bradley was so disgusted he tried to unwind from his fathers claws, but Timothy was much stronger than his son. When it came to publicity, Timothy vont Alms was a lamprey.
After the goods were unloaded and loaded, and the new guests aboard, the airship took off for Yorkshire.
In two and half days later, the airship landed in Yorkshire to another celebration.
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