Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

A merchant carriage was making its way through the green forest; a fresh breeze rustled the lush leaves. In the distance was a small town called Krishnagiri. It was a rather calm town with smithing workshops.

Merchants often traveled to Krishnagiri to buy goods and wares for selling in the ports and other cities. There were many smithing workshops in the town.

The merchant carriage entered the town, and in the middle of the town was a huge banyan tree where the elderly of the town came to sit and chat for the whole day while kids played around it.

The merchants carriage belongs to a couple of small merchants from the nearby city of Vellore. They had travelled to the Krishnagiri to buy the wares as usual.

"Are we sure. We should ask them to shift to this quickly? We don't know if they would become popular." A merchant asked his colleagues.

"I got this scale from the wealthy merchant named Suraj. You know about him, right?" Rohan replied, a small-time merchant from Vellore.

"The one that controls a large part of trade in this region?" Another merchant asked curiously

"Yes, Him? He was planning to shift to this with his personal craftsmen. I think this is our chance to hit big by becoming the first to shift to this scale."

"Hmm…. Let's take this gamble then. Let's go." another merchant chimed in.

The small group of merchants decided to take a gamble of introducing the scales to the blacksmiths in the town of Krishnagiri. This way they could also work with other merchants and sell these at a lower cost and make a profit.

The scales were being supplied quickly to the merchants that agreed to introduce the scales to their shops and craftsmen. They also began to give some scales as a gift to small merchants rather than already established merchants so that the market as a whole would be affected by the change.

This move would force the other medium and large merchants to follow through as well due to the influx.

Rohan walked to the blacksmith workshop at the southern end of the town, from which he usually acquired his wares to sell.

He looked around as he walked with the carriage carrying the scales following closely behind him.

He had worked with the blacksmith workshop for 2 years now. The master blacksmith Jeevan was his close friend and partner in the business. He even occasionally helps them with some money in case they need it due to some issues.

This ensured that the workshop members had an excellent and family-like relationship with Rohan.

Rohan entered the workshop with a grin plastered across his face.

"Hey, how are you doing?" He yelled enthusiastically.

The master blacksmith, Jeevan, turned quickly hearing his voice and came running.

"Hey, How are you doing? Did you come to buy things as usual? I have prepared your order. We need to pack it up."

"Oh, that's there. I have also come for something else. Anyway, how is the workshop doing?"

Jeevan looked down in disappointment and sighed.

"The work has increased, but it is hard to find apprentices these days; most are trained in other measurements, and we have to spend a lot of time getting them used to our own system."

"So, you need more apprentices?"

"Yes, or else in the next two months we can't really handle the workload for the workshop." Jeevan paused for a moment and asked, "So how is business going? Is everything alright?"

"Oh, it's fine, and I was planning to expand my business to other areas soon, once I get some more money." Rohan said.

"Ah, I see. So you are on the path of becoming a big merchant," Jeevan exclaimed.

"Uncle Rohan, don't forget us when you become a big merchant," added the apprentice teasingly.

"Hey!! I wouldn't forget all of you. It was because of you guys I am here."

They all laughed heartily at the wholesome moment.

"So, about something I got you. Come, it is in my carriage." Rohan said as he walked out towards his carriage.

"What is it? Some gifts or something?"

"No, No. This one would really help the workshop."

"Help us?" He followed Rohan towards his carriage.

Rohan unveiled the scales to Jeevan, who looked confused at first, then began inspecting them curiously.

"What is this? It looks like some sort of scale with symbols and markings." Exclusive content from m,v lem|p,yr

"I got these from a big merchant. This is a new measurement system that some of the biggest merchant unions are going to be using in the future."

"New measurement system? So everyone is going to be shifting to a single standard weight and length unit?"

"Yes." Rohan exclaimed as he came closer to Jeevan and whispered. "Keep this between me and you. I heard that the Emperor is personally behind this new standardized system. So it might be useful to adopt this as soon as possible."

"Hooo… The Emperor, eh?" Jeevan muttered aloud, thinking about the implications the new system would have on his work.

"If that's true, then the returns could be huge for us if we are quick to capitalize on this situation."

"I see. This is a gamble for our workshop, Rohan." Jeevan said sternly. "We still have to learn the new system and adopt it to our needs. It will take time to get used to it."

"Don't worry, Jeevan. The new system is relatively simple to master. There is even a small document that gives details of the weights and lengths. So you can just match it and begin using it quickly and adapt over time." Rohan claimed enthusiastically.

Rohan saw the opportunity in this endeavor, so he wanted to grab it.

Jeevan hesitated as he thought of the consequences if this failed.

"Rohan, I will take this gamble not because I believe this would be successful." He paused to take a deep breath. "Because I trust your vision."

Despite his resistance, he agreed to partake in the change to the standard system of measurements.

This move would later allow him to expand his workshop along with Rohan very rapidly in the region.