95
The Ottaibi family, who had rejoiced at earning a fortune of 48,000 ducats from a single voyage, soon found themselves grinding their teeth in despair.
Although the Ottaibi family boasted a certain history and scale, right next to their territory in the Aden region was the Sindwa family, a merchant clan even larger than theirs.
They were one of the five major merchant families dominating Aden.
When the Ottaibi family had brought back glass artisans from Alexandria as slaves, they had to offer considerable gifts to the Sindwa family.
"We are not trying to establish a glass workshop; we acquired the slaves because they were requested from a place called Joseon. I swear to Allah, it is not meant to antagonize the Sindwa family."
The earnest explanation and gifts from the head of the Ottaibi family allowed the Sindwa family to overlook the purchase of the glass artisan slaves.
They had learned through their own informants that next to China was a country called Goryeo, which had recently fallen, giving rise to a new nation called Joseon.
When the Ottaibi family began to move to sell the goods unloaded from the ship that returned from Joseon, a messenger from the Sindwa family arrived.
"We will offer a good price, so hand everything over to our family."
"Excuse me?"
"Even if you sell to other merchants, it will eventually come to our Sindwa family. So, hand it over directly. Do you have confidence in safely bringing the goods from that one ship to Alexandria?"
"... Understood."
Thus, the messenger from the Sindwa family and the head of the Ottaibi family began to negotiate.
"200,000 ducats is too expensive, isn't it?"
"Consider the journey to Joseon and back. The pirates of Malaya and Majapahit, not to mention the pirates of Zingbu, are swarming in those waters. Is it easy to make a round trip through such dangerous places?"
"Still, 200,000 ducats is too much. Let's make it 100,000 ducats."
"Even for the Sindwa family, this is too much! Are you saying you won't trade?"
"Isn't it because it's too expensive?"
"Then 180,000 ducats!"
"100,000!"
"175,000! I can't go any higher!"
"Hey! Do you think we don't know how much the glass artisans you acquired are worth? Isn't it 20,000 ducats? Even if you brought funds, your family would have maxed out at 30,000 ducats altogether. Who are you trying to deceive? As fellow merchants in Aden, we can let it go up to 100,000!"
"I promised a reward to the crew!"
"Then 100,000! If you demand more, it will be difficult to do business in Aden!"
Realizing there were no more options, the head of the Ottaibi family understood the words of the merchant sent by the Sindwa family.
"... Fine. I will hand it over for 100,000."
"Good deal."
In the end, the Ottaibi family handed over the goods they brought from Joseon to the Sindwa family for 100,000 ducats.
After the transaction, the head of the family ground his teeth in frustration.
"More ruthless than pirates!"
However, the elders of the family were pleased, claiming they had gained three times the profit.
"Aren't they just as bad as pirates? Even this much is a threefold profit! It’s a successful trade! It would be better to prepare to go to Joseon at this time!"
"That's right! Without a license from Joseon, other merchants cannot acquire goods! We should seize this opportunity to gain even greater profits!"
"Haah~. Let’s do that."
Under the elders' words, the head of the family had no choice but to step back.
Left alone in the room, he pounded his chest.
"Damn it! Damn those Sindwa bastards!"
While waiting for favorable winds to head to Joseon, the Ottaibi family began to seek what had been requested from Joseon.
"They asked for horses from Joseon. They said they would pay generously for purebred stallions."
"Horses?"
"The horses from Joseon are quite adorable."
At that time, Arab horses were renowned as fine steeds.
They were large, with excellent speed and endurance.
"Is that so? Then we must ensure we acquire purebred stallions."
As the Ottaibi family members busily sought horses, news reached their ears about the Sindwa family.
It was said that the goods the Ottaibi family had bought for 100,000 ducats were sold for 1.1 million ducats in Alexandria.
Especially, there were rumors of fierce competition—real bloodshed—among European merchants crossing the Mediterranean for spices.
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!"
The members of the Ottaibi family, including those who had rejoiced at making a threefold profit, were all furious.
They consoled themselves, thinking that considering the time and danger to reach Alexandria, even double the profit would be significant, but in reality, they had lost an opportunity to gain nearly 40 times the profit.
While the Ottaibi family members were grinding their teeth over this, a group of merchants approached them.
"People from the Azram family have come."
"From the Azram family?"
"The head of the Azram family has come as well!"
"Show them in!"
Upon hearing that someone from the most powerful family among the five major families in Aden, even the head, had come, the head of the Ottaibi family sprang to his feet.
A moment later, when the group of merchants entered, the head respectfully greeted them.
"Welcome. It is an honor to meet the eldest elder of the Azram family."
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
"Please, have a seat."
As the merchants from the Azram family took their seats of authority, tea was soon served.
The Ottaibi family and the Azram family began to prepare for conversation over tea.
"Oh? The fragrance is unique."
"This is tea from Joseon. A relative who works in the Joseon royal court gifted it to me. It has a different aroma from Chinese tea."
"Indeed, as a descendant of Goryeo, which was famous for its fragrance, the tea's aroma is delightful."
Starting with the topic of Joseon tea, both sides soon got to the main point.
"I heard that your recent trade was a great success."
"By the grace of Allah."
"But it must be a bit disappointing because of the Sindwa family?"
"Still, we made a profit."
The head of the Ottaibi family carefully chose his words in response.
The power of the Azram family was formidable, but the power of the Sindwa family was not to be underestimated either.
Moreover, the Sindwa family was right next to the Ottaibi family.
A slight misstep could lead to the family’s merchant ships being reduced to ashes in an unexplained fire or their warehouses burning down.
"However, compared to the profits the Sindwa family made in Alexandria, it is nothing."
"Isn't it a matter of capability?"
An elder from the Ottaibi family interjected on behalf of the head.
The merchant from the Azram family nodded at the elder's words.
"I acknowledge that. However, unfairness is unfairness. Let me speak plainly. How about joining forces with our Azram family?"
"Are you suggesting our family join the Azram family?"
As the reactions of the Ottaibi family grew sharp, the head of the Azram family hurriedly intervened.
"Not at all. The Ottaibi family is a venerable family; how could we do that?"
"Are you swearing by the name of Allah?"
"I swear by the name of Allah."
With the head of the Azram family’s assurance, the spirits of the Ottaibi family members calmed down.
"Are you suggesting... a partnership?"
"Indeed. The Ottaibi family is preparing to go back to Joseon, correct?"
"That is correct."
"It seems you will be mobilizing all three of your family’s merchant ships; we will add our family’s merchant ships as well. Would three ships each be acceptable? We will also provide assistance in Alexandria. The profit distribution will be 60:40, with us taking 60 and the Ottaibi family taking 40."
The head of the Ottaibi family’s face grew serious at the proposal put forth by the head of the Azram family.
After a long silence of contemplation, the head of the Ottaibi family posed a question to the head of the Azram family.
"This is indeed the best proposal. In some ways, it may even be excessive. What is the reason for such a generous offer?"
"To not miss the opportunity. The Ottaibi family’s trip to Joseon was also due to that relative's request, correct? That means the Ottaibi family has connections with the Joseon royal court, which is an opportunity that a merchant cannot afford to miss."
The head of the Azram family explained his reasoning while looking directly at the head of the Ottaibi family.
Although he wore a smile, his eyes did not reflect the same joy.
"Now! I swear by Allah that I am not deceiving you! So, I hope you will make a decision! Ah! I should mention in advance that if you are considering trading with the Sindwa family instead of us, I would advise against it."
"Can you protect our family from the Sindwa family?"
"I swear by the name of our family and Allah that I will certainly protect you!"
With the promise from the head of the Azram family, the head of the Ottaibi family let out a long sigh.
"There is no choice left. Very well. I will accept the proposal from the Azram family."
"You have made a wise decision."
Seemingly satisfied with the negotiation, the head of the Azram family stood up with a smile on his face.
"It was truly a pleasant gathering. Just in case, I will have our family’s people sent to the docks and warehouses starting today."
"Thank you."
The head of the Ottaibi family expressed his gratitude to the head of the Azram family.
After seeing off the people from the Azram family, one elder of the Ottaibi family spoke up.
"I wonder if we have stepped into a snake pit while trying to avoid a lion."
"What can we do? Our family’s power is still weak."
Although the Ottaibi family had some military strength, it paled in comparison to the five major families.
As soon as the rumor spread that "the Ottaibi family and the Azram family had joined forces," people from the Sindwa family rushed over.
"Why! Have you joined hands with the Azram family? Have you forgotten about our Sindwa family right next door?"
The messenger from the Sindwa family was furious, but the head of the Ottaibi family responded calmly.
"Did you not enjoy the profits in Alexandria?"
"Well..."
"Merchants move towards greater profits, do they not?"
"Profit is important, but loyalty is also important!"
"Did the Sindwa family uphold that loyalty?"
Confirming that the Ottaibi family had completely made up their mind, the messenger from the Sindwa family ground his teeth and warned, "Do not expect our family’s goodwill in the future!"
"We are prepared."
As the messenger from the Sindwa family left in anger, the head of the Ottaibi family commanded the elders, "Even though the Azram family has offered to help, just in case, increase the security at the docks and warehouses."
"Yes."
"Also, pay attention to the stables. The most important goods are there."
"Understood."
After giving orders to the elders, the head of the Ottaibi family looked up at the sky.
If this trade succeeded properly, or if three more trades of similar scale succeeded, the Ottaibi family could establish themselves as the sixth family in Aden.
However, the Sindwa family had turned into enemies, and the Azram family posed a risk of swallowing the Ottaibi family at any moment.
After staring silently at the sky for a while, the head of the Ottaibi family muttered softly as he turned away.
"Inshallah..."
As the purebred stallions and mares requested by Joseon were prepared, the Ottaibi family got ready to set sail.
"We want to go with you!"
Nearby small merchants requested to accompany them, but the head of the Ottaibi family flatly refused.
"The journey is long, and there are many pirates, so I cannot guarantee safety."
"It doesn't matter! Everyone knows the sea route is dangerous! But if there is an opportunity, isn't it the nature of a merchant to risk their life?"
As the merchants continued to cling on, the head of the Ottaibi family revealed his trump card.
"Joseon only permits trade with this license! Without it, you cannot even disembark from the ship."
"Ah..."
Of course, Joseon sold licenses, but the head of the Ottaibi family had no reason to reveal that fact.
Thus, shaking off the small merchants, the merchant ships of the Ottaibi family and the Azram family departed from Aden port.
On the largest merchant ship of the Ottaibi family, the head of the Ottaibi family was aboard.
As he gazed at the increasingly distant Aden port, he clenched his fist.
"I will definitely not fail twice!"