Fewer people have 100 ships so there’s less competition, but here’s the weird part: The market doesn’t grow proportionally, so not only does the spread of this new invention require the capitalist invest more to remain competitive, it decreases the profit they get per dollar invested.
Alternative merchant route: “I could save the 100 ships worth while making all the money. … But he knows too much.” stabs you in the back.
Fewer people have 100 ships so there’s less competition, but here’s the weird part: The market doesn’t grow proportionally, so not only does the spread of this new invention require the capitalist invest more to remain competitive, it decreases the profit they get per dollar invested.