NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27
Why can the chairman of a company act like a chairman?
There could be several reasons.
Perhaps he founded the company, or inherited it.
Or maybe he climbed the ranks from a lowly employee to secure management rights, and so on.
But if we dig down to the core, there’s really only one answer.
No matter the reason, his subordinates support him as chairman.
In technical terms, it’s called a social contract.
“If the budget head doesn’t have anyone propping him up from below, he’s just a back-room old man.”
A foreign noble has nothing to gain by interfering in the politics of another country, nor can he.
He needs to win over those beneath him.
“Is the HR Head in Guillaume City here?”
When I knocked on the door, an old man cautiously emerged.
Seeing that he wasn’t dressed in an expensive suit, I guessed he was a servant.
“Your lord is currently resting. Please come back later.”
“Please tell my lord that Fabio de Medici has arrived.”
I pulled a silver coin from my wallet and handed it to the servant.
Having given a bribe, he would probably at least inform my lord of my arrival.
It wouldn’t be human to take the money and stay silent.
“Your lord says to come in. Please step inside.”
As I entered, the HR head greeted me with a sly smile.
“You’re quite handsome. It’s hard not to think how unfair the heavens are.”
Being complimented by a man who’s aged well beyond his years doesn’t feel much like a compliment at all.
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“Younger folks like you energize me. That said, why have you come at such a late hour?”
“I came to seek the HR Head’s assistance.”
At the mention of help, a smile appeared on his face.
In medieval times, or really any time, it’s customary to offer substantial sums in exchange for help.
So, was he thinking I would pay a fortune to get his assistance?
I definitely did not come here to bow my head.
“It’s a right and duty of the old to correct the young when they’ve lost their way. That’s how one justifies their age.”
The words sound polished and nice, but his ulterior motives are all too clear.
Why not just say he prefers to spend the night holding hands at a motel with his girlfriend?
That would sound more convincing.
“No, I should be the one to help you, before you make any wrong choices.”
I raised one corner of my mouth, smiling.
“If you keep going like this, you’ll end up paying half of the seaweed price, won’t you? For someone in such a predicament, you seem quite relaxed. Have you lost your mind over troubles beyond your control?”
The HR head frowned and glared at me.
On the surface, yes, I do seem to be in trouble.
But the reality is quite different from what he seems to be imagining.
“Let’s be a bit more honest with each other. Aren’t you trying to tame me with a little trickery?”
These people aren’t out to trample me with nonexistent laws like that baron from last time.
However, it’s similar to how in a 21st-century court, even the same criminal’s sentence can vary significantly depending on the gender and ideals of the judge.
These guys are just judging and applying the law in the most unfavorable way possible for me.
This allows them to say later that they merely followed the law if anything negative comes out of this, reducing the risk of being backfired upon.
At the same time, they aim to crush my spirit early on to keep me as their compliant goose that lays golden eggs.
“You’re probably feeling bold after touching some money at such a young age, like a three-year-old not fearing a lion.”
Weak dogs bark the loudest, and when a person is scared, the severity of their voice heightens.
The HR head glanced at me, slightly flustered.
“I might be a bit more bold than I should be.”
Going to fight without thinking is akin to certifying oneself as a chicken head.
However, recognizing one’s situation perfectly and having the confidence to confront a formidable foe is what’s called bravery.
And I intend to become a brave man, but I won’t engage in foolish antics.
“Isn’t it due to the countless merchants lining up in Guillaume City that the inns and markets have become so lively? Isn’t that all thanks to me?”
Guillaume City is a port city, but it’s not all that large.
The population is a bit over 20,000, and there aren’t any special products.
So while the merchants do come and go, it was just that scale.
“Oh, how the atmosphere has changed since it became the central hub for seaweed trading.”
Becoming the only port in the Lion Kingdom where nobles go wild over buying seaweed, swarms of merchants began pouring in, and inns became overwhelmed with guests, with merchants bringing all kinds of goods to buy seaweed.
“If I say I’m leaving this city because of you, won’t the citizens just sit back and accept it? They’d definitely have complaints.”
Nobles like barons, viscounts, and earls aren’t elected officials, so they can do as they please without issue.
To put it bluntly, as long as they don’t get crossed with the common folks, their terms are guaranteed for generations.
However, lawmakers or mayors can be ousted if they lack the support of the citizens.
While citizens don’t directly vote, the source of their power is the ‘support of the citizens.’
If they lose the people’s hearts, other nobles in the city will take the city council seat occupied by the HR head.
“Or should I inform the merchants I do business with that they can’t trade because of our HR Head? Sounds like a rather entertaining situation might unfold.”
Unless I’m pushed to the brink, I have no intention of pulling such stunts.
Because that would lead us both to mutual destruction.
If I play that card, the opposition forces, including the finance chief, will be executed for having dared to deny the nobles their seaweed.
But I’d be marked as a fool who couldn’t even conduct proper dealings with the high-ranking folks, losing the crucial trust needed to be a merchant.
I’d end up living a simple life holed up in a countryside village with Chloe, which is not what I want.
Thus, this is only a means of intimidation, and even that mundane life isn’t all that bad, but I want to aim much higher.
“Besides, there are countless ways I can take revenge.”
What if I fail to bribe the HR head and his city council?
Fine, I’ll just give massive sums of money to the city officials.
At first, they’ll say they won’t be swayed by money, but once they see sums they can’t refuse, they will all change their tune.
The HR head simply stared at me in silence.
But was he feeling a chill even though it wasn’t cold? His body shook slightly.
Does he finally realize he’s messed with the wrong person?
“But I’ve been thinking, and it seems I could maintain a good relationship with the HR Head.”
I could see a glow of excitement flash across the HR head’s face.
“Really?”
“Just a bit of cooperation from you will suffice.”
“What should I do? I’d gladly offer my daughter if needed.”
Perhaps due to the medieval age, both nobles and common farmers treat their daughters as items to be given away.
The lord of my territory in Bio Village once tried to offer his daughter to me just to keep running the village, after all.
Clearly, the concept of women’s rights, or really any human rights, doesn’t exist in this world.
“The city council will be meeting in a week, right? Please impeach the finance chief.”
The HR head slightly turned his gaze.
And then he hesitated before responding.
“My family and that, well, the other family have maintained a mutually beneficial alliance for almost 120 years. If I impeach him, what will happen to me?”
Not impeaching him means the city councilor will be ousted and face a miserable downfall.
“I’ll give you one last chance, so think it over and choose wisely.”
I stared into his eyes.
Then I lightly tapped his forehead with my finger.
“Will you choose to lose everything due to that flimsy loyalty? Or will you take my hand?”
As he pondered, I handed him something, signaling that we could get along well going forward.
It wasn’t money, but a different form of friendship.
“This is a document detailing just a small fraction of the HR Head’s misconduct that’s been compiled by the administrative officers belonging to the HR department. Again, I don’t necessarily need you, but if you become someone I don’t need…”
I made a slashing gesture across my neck with my finger.
“There will be some rather sad events unfolding.”
At that moment, the HR head finally lowered his heavy head.
“If you spare me, I’ll roll in the mud like a dog.”
“I always provide sufficient rewards to those who follow me. So it seems we’ll get along just fine moving forward.”
Thus, I succeeded in bribing and persuading every city councilor, excluding the finance chief, through intimidation and coaxing.
Not long after, the city council convened.