The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 110: Chapter 109: The High Tribunal's Sole Weakness

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Chapter 109: The High Tribunal's Sole Weakness After recruiting the sleazy merchant to his cause, Lucius then went on to visit many of Ganelon’s retinue who seemed displeased with their leader’s orders. Mister Marcille wasn’t the only one suffering losses due to Arabia’s bans. Many others such as spice hawkers, crystal caravaners, steel, incense, and even seaside exporters found themselves in quite the conundrum, their coffers steadily draining of funds by the day. The Saracens no longer needed to rely on solely Francia for trade, and with an open route now available to the northern Saxons and the southern Lombards whose borders were previously ruled under Frankish watch, the desert people’s goods could now travel throughout the continent. This would ordinarily be good news, even for the Franks, because with widespread trade came a bigger, bustling economy. Those who conducted transactions fairly found themselves practically drowning in new Arabian contracts. The problem lay with those of… dubious inclinations, so to speak. The Arabia of past had no power or influence elsewhere beside their own border, and thus they were forced to bargain with whoever came their way, even if it meant being swindled into an exploitative arrangement. But the Saracens had never forgotten. The humiliation, the shame, helpless to watch as their already poor nation fell deeper and deeper into the clutches of ravenous merchants… they held onto their grudge. And when it came time to enact it, they did so ruthlessly. Everyone who once took advantage of the Saracens were now blacklisted across the entire desert. They couldn't even hire middlemen to do business in their place, for only those who underwent an extensive audit by the Saracen financial inspectors could be given permission to handle Arabia’s goods. No stone went unturned, as the saying went, especially considering that Lucius had already given the young Emir an extensive list of those belonging or related to Ganelon. However, it was also Lucius who had the power to remove those names from Arabia’s bans. Such a hilarity it was that, for the proud and slimy traders of Francia, the gentleman they were ordered to bring down was now their only hope for salvation. They were left with two choices: continue acting as Ganelon’s pawns, or abandon him to sustain their life of debauchery. Needless to say, most picked the latter option. All Lucius had asked in return was to be their friend. A simple request, no? Some would say even foolish. It’s not as if the gentleman was forcing them to switch sides - far from it! He needed them to stay close to Ganelon, to listen and relay all they were ordered to do. Having such an informal relationship allowed the merchants to feel more at ease, and their only requirements for the good Lucius’s aid was to complete the occasional request, fulfill a favor here and there, and stall for time by lazily carrying out their duties. Did that mean Lucius trusted them? Of course not! If given the chance, they would no doubt backstab him if the High Tribunal ever appeared to be back in power. But that was just fine. The gentleman would never allow for that to happen. Thus, with the merchants thoroughly convinced, Lucius went to sway the old priests of the Order. Their troubles weren’t related to Arabia. They didn’t wish for money, particularly, and had no reason to align with the gentleman since Ganelon had promised to raise their positions. Regardless though, the same desire stoked true in their hearts: power. They wanted authority, influence, the right to command others. The old priests clung to their faith and their long-decayed seats because it was the only way they could remain affluent within the court. Without their so-called history and traditions, there would be no reason for the people to revere them. They’d simply move on, leaving the decrepit relics behind to brood in their bygone glory. Ganelon had assured otherwise. So long as they served him and him only, their li