Chapter 545: Chapter 404: A Family of Billionaires, Unimaginably Rich (Combined 6200)_3

The governorships of the Four Great Suyu will inevitably pass to another generation of princes, repeating the cycle.

In the long millennia past, the Empire’s territory has expanded, bit by bit.

Therefore, I must strive for that supreme kingship!

However, this particular succession coincides with an invasion by white-skinned barbarians.

The Ancient God’s Chosen Races from the East Coast are also restless; they regard us as mortal enemies and constantly plot to overthrow the Sun Empire.

My brothers are not ones to play by the rules either; they would undoubtedly seek external help given the chance.

Ultimately, the rules of this competition might differ from previous years.

My friend, our meeting must be the Sun God’s will. Please, tell me, are you willing to help me?"

Atahualpa caressed a gleaming 32-pound bronze Carronade beside him, feeling its immense power. He turned back to Byron, his gaze intense.

The latter met his gaze and nodded decisively. "Of course.

You need military support, right? No problem at all!"

Sailing, trade, plunder, and war have always been the unchanging themes of the Great Nautical Age.

Since waging war against this powerful Empire was impractical and utterly contrary to his interests, trade naturally became the optimal choice.

Even without a clear understanding of the Sun Empire’s unique products, weaponry was always a valuable commodity.

His main purpose in assisting this "distant relative" was to make money!

He dared to sell what other countries sold, and he dared even more to sell what they wouldn’t: swords, firearms, cannons, and even the large-caliber military artillery strictly prohibited by other nations. As for whether the recipient might use these weapons against Colonizers, making the colonization of the Southern Continent vastly more difficult? Ha! Who cares? As long as they aren’t used against me. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Mr. Byron—arms supplier—was instantly all business. His private secretary and chief engineer, Miss Violet, attentively took her place by his side.

"Excellent. Chinchasuyu, which I rule, is the wealthiest of the Empire’s Four Great Suyu. I will ensure you do not suffer a loss.

I find these firearms and cannons quite satisfactory. Could you provide an initial set for my Governor’s Guard to test?

If they prove suitable, I will undoubtedly increase my procurement.

If I become King, rest assured, I will not be frugal with national-level military contracts!"

Byron and Violet silently acknowledged the sheer nerve of this major client.

Consider this: merely for a trial, he was requesting the entire armament of a Warship.

Fortunately, Byron and Violet had recently calculated the various costs involved in their proposal to Edward IV regarding the copper sheathing of Warship hulls.

The large-caliber Flintlock Gun, nicknamed the ’Deck Cleaner,’ cost them approximately one pound to manufacture. Its retail price for export was two pounds.

Larger orders, of course, came with even better wholesale discounts.

As the Old Continent’s six-rate Warships had standardized sizes and armaments, they had cost estimates for each class.

The general rule was: if a Warship’s construction cost was 10 units, its armaments (primarily shipborne cannons) would cost 2-3 units, and copper sheathing 1 unit.

Take The Golden Deer, for instance. Excluding the extra teak used, its standard construction with ordinary oak cost 30,000 pounds. Equipping it with all cannons, firearms, and other armaments added roughly another 9,000 pounds.

Moreover, thanks to possessing excellent copper and iron mines in their own territory, along with the world’s most efficient Sacred Relics Iron-smelting Blast Furnace, their armament costs could be further halved. This meant roughly 5,000 pounds would cover the complete outfitting.

Therefore, Byron decided to endure the ’hardship’ of a threefold profit for now; business, after all, should be a long-term venture, and an honest man shouldn’t be excessively greedy.

Thus, facing Atahualpa, who seemed unconcerned with expense, Byron slowly extended two fingers, signaling twenty thousand pounds.

"His Royal Highness the Prince, to equip a set of armaments like those on The Golden Deer, you’ll need at least this much."

Atahualpa looked slightly taken aback by the extended fingers.

Byron immediately realized the potential misunderstanding and quickly pulled out several standard Hightins Gold Coins to show him.

"When we trade with the Old Continent, the standard medium of exchange is this type of Gold Coin. Each is equivalent to one pound of silver, so it’s also called a Gold Pound."

Upon seeing this reference, the Prince understood at once. He took a few Gold Coins in his hand, weighing them.

Atahualpa mused. Since I intend to engage in long-term trade with them, I cannot adhere to the old customs of tribute and reciprocal gifting, which involve excessive markups. I must not be too extravagant; thrift is a virtue.

Thus, affecting the air of a seasoned negotiator, he nodded without a change in expression.

"Two hundred thousand pounds, is it? A reasonable price.

May I pay directly with an equivalent weight in gold ingots? Payment first, then delivery."

As he spoke, as if fearing Byron might retract the offer, he immediately began pulling gold ingots from his pocket, thudding them onto the deck one by one.

This sum of gold, a fortune in any other nation, seemed to him no more than petty cash for groceries.

HISS—!

Led by Byron and Violet at the forefront, the entire group of sailors gasped audibly. An irrepressible gleam of gold seemed to burst from their eyes.

"Two... two hundred thousand?!" Byron stammered. "I... I meant to say... that... uh..." SLURP.

In an instant, Byron felt his tongue go completely numb, and his saliva seemed to flow uncontrollably.