— The black market is quite extensive, — the Chinese woman began. — In fact, there is a very wide range of offerings available or to be ordered, from forbidden plant and animal ingredients for potions and artifacts, to controlled undead... ....
— We certainly won't be dealing with the undead — too dangerous, in every sense of the word. What about drugs? I've heard that various substances have been found in various underground and semi-legal entertainment venues in recent years, so where do they come from?
— Sora-kun, do you want to get into the drug business? — The Chinese woman raised her eyebrows slightly.
— Actually, with my skills, it's very easy to set up greenhouses and grow any drug plant, and the procedures for processing it with magic aren't difficult. But no, I don't want to do it on principle (at least in the magical world, but I can think about the Muggles — so as a last resort, if there is a real threat from their side). But what if we give our allies information along these lines?
Society has always been against drugs, at least in public, so whoever exposes the whole network, from the transport corridor to the retailers, will not only get the love of the people, but also a lot of publicity and political preferences. I think with such "acceleration", even to the king's advisor is quite realistic to grow up, and a relative in the king's bet — what can be cooler?
— Only if the relative is the king himself, — the Chinese woman shrugged her shoulders, as if we were talking about very simple, ordinary things.
Maybe it was for her, but for me it was still a bit wild, not only to think but also to act on such a scale and on such a level. I didn't pay attention to it before, I just worked, did what I had to do, but when I had to lie in bed and was "bored", I finally realized the current level, and I became a little uncomfortable.
After all, in less than a year I was on a par with many local aristocrats (if you leave aside the "authority" of their clans, that is, built up over centuries), my income, the dependence of society on my products — all this is already at a very high level. Even now, I can safely take the chair of some department head in the ministry, and it will be fine for everyone.
In fact, I've heard a few conversations between wizards and wizards wondering why I'm not in the Wizengamot yet. What if I really got involved in local politics? Form my own political bloc, faction, write a proper program.
— Yes, — the Chinese woman thought seriously, looking around with a blank stare. — If you think about it, a gift like that can bring almost anyone to the top of the political game. As far as I know, the King of Magical France likes to have his name on the lips of ordinary citizens, he likes to be praised, and that's why he will go into the drug business like a hungry wolf into a deer... — the woman looked at me, her dark eyes fixed on my face. — Do you realize that for the same price we can buy a full-fledged alliance with many French families? Then why are you so fixated on the Delacours?
— My plans go far beyond the usual clan or family alliance. If we give the case to Pierre Delacour, he will have to work out a plan and present it to the King himself, personally (some clans have that right, even if they are not close to the royal family), because the Delacour family does not have the necessary strength, their younger families have neither special gifts, nor numbers, nor special wealth.
In any case, he will have to communicate very closely and extensively with the ruler of France, and besides, only someone with great power and connections can organize and carry out such a great plan... — I stopped talking for a while — my throat began to hurt, but the experienced Chinese woman easily understood my thought.
— So the king would not be able to trust anyone but the one who brought him such "delicate" information, well, and those who took special oaths. Simply because such a level is only available to someone from the strong aristocratic families, which traditionally have a large number of spies. Accordingly, even at the stage of working out a plan to destroy the drug trade, the King will bring Pierre Delacour closer and then reward him — for his successes and personal fame and honor among the people....
— That's right, — I nod. — If we follow the logic, within a few months Pierre will be able to take a place, if not as a plenipotentiary advisor to the king, then as a minister of some important direction — for sure. His present position is good, but it's not much direct power. And then, in a little less than a year, the Delacour couple will attend our fertility ritual, with which I want to bless all my own and neighboring lands.
In nine months, Pierre and Appolin will have what they have wanted for so long, a boy heir, and we will have the eternal union of the clans. That way we will always have a powerful ally who can help us not only with words in the newspapers but also with real force in case of hostilities... kha-kha....
— And what about those who run the drug business? — I smiled understandingly at the Chinese woman, who had obviously already guessed my simple calculations.
— Some of the clans will be taken over by Delacour, a few weaker clans I plan to put under the hand of Master Boisselier — his family is very valuable and he could use the support. The rest of the change I thought I would give to those who will be able to "rustle" in time and quietly, that is our clan, Mrs. Yusheng.
— What makes you think you're allowed to do that? — Junko raised her voice skeptically.
— It's simple, — Yusheng decided to answer for me. — While the "big players" will fight among themselves for the largest areas of influence, under the noise of their squabbling, they can well enrich themselves on the "crumbs" from their "table"... — she did not continue, but at least it became clear to me how Lan was not only fabulously rich, but also provided every branch of the clan. — But all our treaties must be cemented in the strongest possible way, — the woman looked at me seriously. — When do you plan to perform the marriage ritual with my girls?
— In a month and a half, — I could barely hold back a heavy sigh.
It's not that I don't want to marry Ju and Zenzen, it's just that I have to sweat a lot first, and the conversation didn't end there....