Chapter 32

In my past life, my mother was a political broker.

Each election, she would rig the internal primaries, connect businesses with the political circle, and in return, push through various requests. She was especially skilled at ruining specific politicians, either socially incapacitating them or even landing them in jail.

Surprisingly, this was one of the highest-paying jobs she did. Anyone could attempt a small-scale rigging if they were ready to go to prison, but making someone’s life tumble into ruin was an entirely different level of difficulty. Even if the target truly deserved it, the work remained just as challenging.

The method she used for such cases was called “elevating.”

It involved placing someone in a highly visible position to capture public attention. There were even instances where enemies were deliberately pushed into roles like Prime Minister or Minister candidates to manipulate and ruin them.

It was odd how far she would go, but it made sense. Exposing the flaws of an unknown nobody wouldn’t interest anyone, so this was the approach.

This was exactly what Anais needed to experience.

“Anyway, right now, even she doesn’t have much presence.”

It was true that the health syrup was selling well. There were reports of people lining up to buy it even before it hit the stands, correct? But at the end of the day, it was still a product sold at small stalls. The daily sales barely reached about four thousand bottles.

Moreover, the buyers were mostly from the middle class of the State. They weren’t impoverished to the point where every meal was a struggle, but they also weren’t influential enough to sway public opinion significantly. Unless there were numerous deaths due to adverse effects, the situation wouldn’t attract much attention.

“Sooner or later, it will become a hot topic, perhaps even surpassing morphine,” I thought.

Anais was already working on increasing production.

In a few months, several tens of thousands of bottles would likely be sold daily. At that point, it wouldn’t be possible for the nobles who controlled the economy and the bourgeoisie to ignore it. Those trying to attach themselves to Anais for better visibility would likely increase. Naturally, the demand for shares in the “Gordon Renox Stock Company,” the manufacturer of the syrup, would skyrocket. Even those uninterested in the health syrup would find its profitability tempting.

All I was doing was accelerating that process, since waiting would only intensify the aftereffects.

When I explained my plan like this, even the villainess readily nodded.

“So, you’ll be executing this operation personally?” she asked.

“Yes. If we were to attack now, the third princess would just attempt a tail-cut strategy at the Chandler lady level… Additionally, it’s difficult to bring this matter to public attention because there are very few people genuinely interested in health syrup.”

“True, how many people would care about a few commoner deaths? Everyone will just consider it not their problem.”

“In that case, we need to force attention. I’ll take steps to raise awareness about the health syrup.”

“Well, I could do it if you’d like.”

She didn’t want to sit idly in the palace.

I was familiar with Siena’s capabilities. There’s no way she would ignore something as interesting as a political scheme against her half-sibling.

“Your Highness, I shall handle this personally.”

“Will I just be sitting idle then?”

“Not at all. It’s unlikely you’ll just stay put even if I said so, isn’t it? Your Highness has another role to play. The mission will progress more smoothly with Your Highness’ cooperation.”

Siena finally seemed satisfied with my explanation.

“Good. What shall I do then?”

“Please visit the Military Affairs Ministry and speak against the health syrup there.”

“Hmmm. As you know, the military’s atmosphere isn’t great right now. I’ve heard that conflicts with the elves have intensified, so how will this health syrup conversation fit in… Oh, I see. That’s why you want me to go?”

“Exactly.”

I didn’t feel the need for further explanation given her sharp intuition.

Though this sharpness usually annoyed me, this time it was helpful.

“Alright. Alan, let’s get moving.”

As soon as we agreed on our respective roles, Siena and I sprang into action. While she headed to the Ministry of Military Affairs, my destination was the stock exchange of the State.

In this world styled after the 17th century, less than a hundred stocks were listed, with half of them belonging to trading companies. Bonds traded in larger volumes than stocks.

However, it was undeniable that this place was the heart of finance. The investors’ attachment to their money was remarkably strong.

“Alan Medoff…!?”

“Is that true?”

As soon as I entered the lobby, the attention of many people focused on me, evidence of their curiosity. Naturally, this was due to the success of morphine.

I planned to leverage this attention to sway public opinion.

The stock exchange was also a social venue for the wealthy.

As I sat quietly in the trading hall, various people gradually approached me.

“Sir Alan, I’ve longed to meet you, and now finally, I have the chance! If you allow, I’d like to make a mutually beneficial proposal! I have connections in the Turu Republic, and if Sir Alan agrees…”

“Are you finally expanding your business? Are you here for raising funds? Morphine is just too good to be used only by the military! Of course, I haven’t tried it myself, but that’s what I’ve heard. They say it’s being praised as a godsend in military hospitals!”

“I’m related to Sir Alan’s great-uncle!”

Various people approached, some pleading for partnerships, others revealing their expectations for a stock listing, and some mentioning their distant kinship with me. Despite my notoriety, over fifty people lingered nearby, and their numbers kept increasing.

“With this many people, it should suffice.”

I allowed their chatter to wash over me for a while before speaking.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I wasn’t here to pursue the listing of Medoff Pharmaceuticals or to find partners.”

“Even with such excellent medicine?”

“I am satisfied with providing medicines for the military.”

Gasps echoed throughout the room.

It was clear how much the discussion of morphine had circulated among the wealthy. How frustrated they must have been, unable to have a stake in a medicine that cost 1000 talers per gram.

“If I leave now, it’s like playing a prank and running away.”

I noticed various faces still staring at me, their ambitions unfulfilled.

It was time to cast the bait.

“In fact, I am here to prevent Gordon Renox Stock Company from raising capital on the stock exchange. They manufacture the health syrup produced by Mrs. Chandler. I’m sure many of you have at least heard the product name.”

Immediately, voices of recognition spread through the room. It appeared they all had at least heard of it, simplifying matters.

“I must stop the health syrup from becoming a trend in the State.”

“What…?”

“Oh, it’s not a problem with the State itself. In six months at the latest, you’ll be able to find health syrup in every city of the Empire. It might even be imported from neighboring countries by that time. By then, it will be too late; hence, I am trying to prevent further investment.”

The crowd mostly reacted with a mixture of confusion.

However, a few people’s eyes started rapidly calculating the implications. The words “across the empire” and “importing from neighboring countries” would likely intrigue them.

It was natural. The CEO of a company that made a sales profit of 25 million talers through a single military supply contract was now practically endorsing the newly emerged health syrup.

If I were to praise the health syrup’s efficiency, it’d likely draw suspicious reactions, but my goal was to criticize the syrup aggressively.

That’s exactly what I would do.

“Ladies and gentlemen, contrary to its name, the health syrup isn’t actually good for your body. Watching people line up to buy this syrup makes me feel a sense of urgency. If left unchecked, it might become a necessity in every household.”

“Of course, it gives a temporary sense of well-being when consumed — reduction in pain, less fatigue, and you won’t feel hungry. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? However, prolonged use without proper considerations can render you a cripple.”

“… Honestly, it may sound irreverent, but I believe Her Highness Anais is gambling with the lives of the citizens for something dangerous like this. Why make such a harmful substance!”

I made sure to discredit the health syrup thoroughly, sometimes sighing deeply or glancing at people around me for confirmation.

Of course, the most important part was the conclusion.

“Let me clarify, in case of any misunderstanding: I’m not intending to suppress the health syrup. Morphine was created for military use; why would we bother with the health syrup? I’m simply concerned about the wellbeing of the State’s citizens.”

“Oh… Yes, that’d be understandable.”

“I only wish to prevent the reckless consumption of a substance that requires careful administration. I hope you all can cooperate.”

At this point, people started looking at me suspiciously, perhaps believing I was indeed trying to suppress the health syrup.

It didn’t matter since these people were driven by money. Given my implicit endorsement of the health syrup’s potential, some were bound to become genuinely interested in investing.

My guess was proven correct when inquiries began.

“Excuse me, Sir Alan?”

“Yes?”

“Is this health syrup something only Her Highness Anais or rather, Mrs. Chandler, can produce?”

“That’s correct. Who else would make such a dangerous product? Why do you ask? Hmm…”

“Ah, no, no! Haha!”

Come on, don’t play innocent now. You were likely considering jumping into the business yourself, weren’t you? But since I told you Chandler has exclusive rights, you’ll have no choice but to go directly to her.

“Of course, I wasn’t alone in manipulating public opinion.”

By now, Siena must’ve already visited the Ministry of Military Affairs to protest against the supposed military procurement of health syrup, which hadn’t even been discussed in the first place, to some high-ranking officers.

With our blatant attempts to hinder, the presence of the health syrup would forcibly skyrocket, providing the perfect stage.

I merely hoped the third princess would enjoy her fleeting fame.