NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32
Brother Albert must have been moved by the bond of the Medici brothers.
Just 3 days after I spread the rumors, he summoned me to Medici Mansion.
Indeed, as they say, good intentions pay off; my sincere efforts must have opened Brother Albert’s heart.
“Thanks for coming, Fabio.”
Last time, when he extorted money for the wedding, he treated me like his one and only brother, but his attitude has changed now.
They say people are different when they walk into and out of the bathroom, right?
Now that his financial troubles are resolved, his thoughts have changed completely.
To think this guy is my brother really fills my heart with pride.
As soon as the door closed, Albert’s expression soured a bit.
“Anyway, we’re the only ones here to hear this. So tell me honestly—did you do it?”
Of course, I spread that rumor.
Think about it from my perspective; would you confess honestly?
If I committed a crime but there’s no evidence and I don’t get caught, there’s no issue. Confessing would just be handing over evidence willingly.
It’s not like I did anything that would prick my conscience.
I just asked for money, what’s wrong with that?
“Why would I leak the loan agreement with the Baron? And how could I carelessly discuss the Medici Clan’s territory issues?”
The Toscan Empire is a country alive with the traditions and perceptions of the beautiful medieval era.
Whether Eastern or Western, it’s considered quite inappropriate for brothers to cause a fuss over lending and repaying money.
As for the Medici Clan’s territorial issues, unless there’s a very special circumstance, not even the Emperor can meddle in our clan’s affairs, let alone someone like me.
If I give them a reason to act, I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on even if I lost my head.
“I’m really hurt to think you don’t trust me this much. Aren’t we brothers?”
We’re not exactly on great terms, though.
Look at that annoyed expression on his face.
What can you do by just grinding your teeth?
“Just, you know, when someone borrows money, they should pay it back, right? Even if it’s family.”
Even the Deus Bible says this.
It states that a person who borrows money and fails to repay can have everything taken away from them, except for their outerwear and underwear, turning them into a homeless person—that’s legal!
A forced smile appeared on Albert’s face.
Try to hide that twitching at your lips a bit.
If you keep exposing your feelings, you look weak.
Don’t you think the saying about keeping a poker face at work in 21st century Korea was built on something?
“Of course, you should repay it. But as you know, my circumstances aren’t great.”
Nobles often become financially destitute right after a wedding.
You have to solemnly declare alliances between your clan and your partner’s clan at the wedding, showing off your dignity, which means pouring out every last coin.
No exaggeration, the money flows out like water!
There’s no way that guy’s wallet is intact!
‘So I never even thought of being paid in money to begin with.’
“If you can’t repay, you can always exchange some of your territory. That rumor kind of started that way.”
If we’re talking about social power, the Baron is obviously the superior one.
But right now, the situation is completely different.
A debtor who borrowed 7,000 gold coins without any means to repay; if the rumors are true and he can’t repay, his noble honor—the lifeline—would vanish.
What can he do about it?
Even a successful CEO or politician would have to lower their head and make excuses if they can’t pay back a bank loan and interest.
‘Of course, this is possible because I have a Duke backing me up.’
While I can’t take advantage of the Duke’s authority, at least I can protect my rights.
That’s quite a privilege.
Because, in this era, I could potentially be sold into slavery at any time based on the villagers’ agreement.
“Please make a wise choice, Baron.”
If you make an improper choice, even a good person like myself can’t help but get angry.
Albert continued to stare into my eyes.
Not long after, he let out a sigh.
“How much territory do I have to grant you?”
“7,000 gold coins is enough for 7,000 workers to survive for a year without doing anything in the city. Serfs earn about half of the urban laborers, but they manage to support their families and live.”
Of course, for urban standards, it’d be hard to support just oneself with that money.
But I’m not lying about the serf line.
Rural serfs live with their wives and 3 to 4 children in cheap homes of 8-10 pyeong.
You might wonder how they survive on so little money.
This is possible because, like in 21st century Korea, if you farm only for fun, excluding rice prices, you can cover almost all your food ingredients.
The serfs in the Toscan Empire are self-sufficient in food, so the rest of their living expenses can be met with a small amount of money that isn’t even a monthly allowance for the entire family.
“And when trading territories for money, isn’t it based on the value produced by a serf over 20 years?”
For example, if one serf produces a value of about one gold coin each year, that serf could be traded in the local serf market for 20 gold coins.
Conversely, if a serf can pay this sum in one go, they could free themselves and become a free farmer.
“So I need at least five villages from you.”
“Five villages? Don’t spout nonsense!”
According to the territory trading price parameters, asking for this is indeed quite unreasonable.
Because, looking at the money an adult male serf earns, it would be enough to support about 700 people.
However, those living in the countryside typically don’t need much money, so viewed from a ‘currency’ income perspective, they give very low evaluations.
Moreover, the value produced by a serf’s wife and children cannot be dismissed either.
The price I called out only reflects about 30% of these facts.
So the reason I called out such a high price is…
From the moment he openly tried to cheat me out of my 7,000 gold coins, I was convinced we were destined to be at odds.
‘I have to scrape him clean mercilessly.’
“Five villages are just out of the question! Not even if I die!”
It looks like that guy isn’t dumb enough to fall for such obvious tricks.
“Four villages. How about a territory size for around 1,300 people? If you give me that, I’ll consider the 7,000 gold coins in the loan agreement as fully repaid.”
“That seems a bit much.”
“I’m not even charging you interest, for your sake, Baron.”
Vendors often say they lose money selling something; that’s a universal lie.
There are also phrases like going to college means everyone falls in love and gets married.
“Giving you four villages is a bit burdensome for me too. As you know, I don’t have many territories I can freely dispose of. So, brother, could you let this slide?”
Where does someone who tries to squeeze money from me suddenly appeal to emotions?
Should I just smash his head in?
“Feel free to replace 70% with young unmarried female serfs. And the remaining 30% can be unmarried young men without land rights. You don’t even have to give me villages with adjoining fields. But in exchange, you should at least give me 2,000 people.”
I’m not trying to acquire territories like other lords wanting to farm.
I want to increase seaweed production, find smuggling routes, and gather staff for special products I want to sell.
And in this era, gathering staff for a lifetime job is surprisingly simple.
‘Just marry them and match them with a workplace and their home.’
I referred to policies implemented during Japan’s bubble era.
Where companies provide apartments, education funds, and other fun perks, creating an environment where employees have no choice but to devote their lives to them.
I added finding a wifey for them in this era.
In this time, survival matters more than love, so almost no one would refuse this.
“Anyway, those without land rights are really the headaches, aren’t they?”
Unmarried female serfs, when they can’t find a partner, often end up city-bound, selling themselves for a bowl of stew.
Second and third sons often become day laborers in the city or find themselves very close to a life of crime.
“That’s true.”
“I’m treating you generously because we’re family.”
In truth, this is the ultimate way to maximize my benefits, but from a general perspective, it might seem like I just want to dump a bunch of headaches on him.
Maybe that’s why my brother’s face brightened up a bit.
Well, I benefited, but he probably feels good resolving his 7,000 gold coins with potential troublemakers off his back.
“Alright, I understand. I’ll draft a pledge now, so hurry up and leave. It’ll take about four months to hand over what you’ve demanded, so you’ll need to wait until then.”
“Yes, brother.”
So, I stepped out of the office.
And immediately went to find my father, the former Medici Baron.
I wasn’t just going to say hello; I had to show off that I received 7,000 gold coins in exchange for a bunch of incompetent people, all for Dad’s sake.
Isn’t there a saying about this?
If you help someone and don’t brag about it, everyone forgets.