NOVEL NEXT Chapter 68
The noble class of the law is essentially the radical royalists.
Moreover, the term “royalists” refers to those who act in the interest of the Emperor, so it can be said that all nobles of the law are those who would stake their lives for the Emperor’s benefit.
Ah, there’s one misunderstanding that should not be made.
It’s not that they are unswerving patriots like General Yi Sun-sin or Zhuge Liang.
All the power the nobles of the law possess fundamentally derives from the Emperor, so the reinforcement of imperial authority directly correlates with their wealth and glory.
“It can be said that the ability to roast the nobles of the law is almost identical to being able to roast the Emperor.”
Thus, the Emperor trusts the nobles of the law more than any other nobles.
‘Not all nobles of the law are royalists; some follow the noble faction, like Duke Sforza.’
“If you want to kill a mounted knight, you should first kill the horse he rides, right?”
In any endeavor, especially difficult tasks, one must take it step by step.
That way, the probability of achieving the goal increases.
“And regarding business with the guild, particularly military supplies, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Military Affairs, Ministry of Finance, or the Ministry of Commerce.”
Among them, those who would like me the most would be the Ministry of Commerce handling commercial affairs.
Even though I’m rapidly making progress, requesting a private audience with the Emperor might get me in trouble, and the Minister of Commerce is too high-rank for me to simply ask for a meeting.
It seems appropriate to aim for the Deputy Minister of Commerce.
‘Whether it’s the Deputy Minister or the Minister, they are both nobility of the law, counts or barons.’
Naturally, they can request a private audience with the Emperor, so if they really appreciate what I say, they’ll relay my words well.
“If I lay down a proper gift, securing a private audience with the Deputy Minister should be easy as pie.”
Persuasion is a separate issue, though.
But I’m confident.
Those who depend on the Emperor would be thrilled with a “policy of strengthening imperial authority.”
“Please deliver this letter to Sebastian.”
I sent a letter to Sebastian through a servant.
I told him to grease the wheels with about 500 gold coins to secure at least a chance for a meeting.
Naturally, the Deputy Minister of Commerce graciously agreed to give me time in return for the 500 gold coins.
It’s funny to call it grace.
To serve a high-ranking person’s subordinate politely is also a way of respecting that high-ranking person’s authority.
Conversely, ignoring them is like smearing mud on their face.
‘Would anyone refuse to meet when you’re offering both money and the Emperor’s authority?’
Yet, they still want to act all high and mighty, as if they’re nobility; I really don’t get that kind of mindset.
The Deputy Minister of Justice immediately offered me a friendly handshake upon seeing me.
“You’re quite handsome for a young fellow who has already risen to Baron on his own strength. I wouldn’t mind giving you my granddaughter!”
The reason bribery has been banned in politics is partly because it’s immoral.
But the bigger reason is that if bribery were legalized, all policies and public services would obviously be swayed by the amount of the “gift” involved.
‘You’d need to hand over 100,000 won to a public official just to get something like an ID card.’
In our Toscan Empire, where bribery is actually legal, serfs even pay taxes to public officials when they die.
It differs based on the public official’s character, but if you meet a rotten person, they might even snatch a cow from you.
I utilized such points to offer a “gift” and secured a discussion with the high-ranking official.
“Your words are too kind, Deputy Minister.”
“Not joking here. The Emperor has quite high hopes for you. I thought it was too much, but upon receiving your very polite letter, I understood His Majesty’s feelings.”
Politicians love to speak ambiguously, yet you need to grasp it as if it’s perfectly clear.
This statement hides a meaning: ‘I’ll support you too, so let’s maintain this close relationship in the future.’
Thus, bribery becomes something that cannot be legally normalized regardless of the era.
“What help do you seek in coming to me? I can’t fulfill every request, but I’ll review them positively as much as I can.”
Just the fact that they urged me to make a request seemed like a pretty positive sign.
But as we often say in our guild, “positive review” is just a formal expression and essentially devoid of any real implication.
Especially for politicians.
“Baron Fabio de Medici has obtained the rights to supply military provisions for two divisions through the Emperor’s grace. However, since my guild is small, we can’t fulfill the demand alone, so we’ve contracted with guilds from small towns like Paruzesi to produce and supply the necessary goods.”
The Deputy Minister of Justice stroked his beard as he listened to my words.
His face revealed a slight smile, expressing his interest.
“To be honest, the Emperor was a bit hasty. While other magnates might manage it, you don’t even have a large workshop yet handle military supplies on such a scale of two divisions. Only two months’ time, is it?”
The Emperor likely urged me to hurry up to test my capabilities.
And logically, this task was almost ‘impossible’, so even if I failed, there wouldn’t have been any penalties.
But I fought tooth and nail to succeed in making it a mutually beneficial regular transaction.
“I was also impressed with how you fulfilled the supply demand. You entrusted production to the small town guilds, and you were just in charge of delivery.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Are you planning to keep doing it this way? Or will you buy out other guilds like others do to maximize your production profits?”
Making a 60% profit margin through two guilds is less beneficial than managing twelve guilds with a 15% margin.
Naturally, I want to maximize the advantages of production outsourcing, or rather, the general trading company model.
“I want to maintain the current method. While entrusting production to small town guilds surely reduces my immediate profit, many more people benefit from it.”
“I don’t quite understand. Other guilds I know are all about hogging everything for themselves.”
There’s no need to explain the merits of a general trading company to the Deputy Minister of Commerce.
No, I must not leak any secrets.
Even if it’s a secret, as long as I’ve begun this business, someone will surely try to follow suit…
Delaying the emergence of latecomers for even a day is better.
‘If I reveal the principles of the general trading company here, this person will surely leak it to someone.’
So now I can consider this the moment to unleash the bait I’ve prepared.
“Sharing profits with more people doesn’t benefit me, but it will benefit Your Majesty.”
“Thinking of Your Majesty first in business, that’s quite admirable loyalty.”
Though he said that, the Deputy Minister of Finance’s eyes had already turned cold.
Had I not gifted the 500 gold coins, he would have likely told me to leave right away.
“Yet, on second thought, what a strange statement that is! What’s the relationship between the growth of small town guilds and the benefits for Your Majesty and you?”
The story I’m about to share from now on is a clever assembly where I conceal half of my true intentions.
“To be blunt, it’ll be hard for me to rise to the position of a magnate right now. Because above me, countless guilds from big cities and magnates are occupying their spots.”
Organizations that monopolize guilds and interests while refusing any competition hinder social development.
Though better than communism, if guilds collude openly to set ‘prices’ in every city and block goods from other cities…
Since no competition can arise, every guild can own their monopolized market.
And in a monopolized market, the seller becomes the powerful party rather than the buyer…
‘There’s no need to research or cut prices.’
Because city citizens would buy my goods anyway, and with no competition from goods from other cities in terms of price or quality, I can sell carelessly.
But for new merchants like me, it creates a huge wall.
‘Dealing with cheaper goods from other cities on a larger scale would yield bigger profits.’
“I suspect Deputy Minister of Commerce is also troubled by merchants colluding with guilds. Our Medici guild meticulously inspects each item, ensuring only quality goods for military supplies. However, other guilds supply defective weapons and slightly subpar food, don’t they?”
“That is indeed the case.”
“I’m demonstrating to Your Majesty and the Deputy Minister that by giving up minor profits, our Medici guild will not manipulate you with collusion with guilds. That is the profit I seek.”
Upon hearing that, the Deputy Minister of Commerce nodded in agreement.
“Are you planning to buy Your Majesty’s trust with money?”
Though he said that, a smile was already forming on the Deputy Minister’s face.
Yes, I’m only showing moves that benefit both the Emperor and you royalists.
I’ve declared that I’d deeply bow my head to gain the Emperor’s trust.
You would hardly dislike that.
“I plan to buy trust by giving up money.”
“Hmm, indeed, the Medici guild is different. Trust over money, can I count on that? However, that alone… seems a bit difficult?”
Of course, it’s difficult. That’s why I’ve prepared something.
A weapon that will make the Emperor and you royalists unable to resist.
“If we grow the small town guilds to compete with the large city guilds, how much assistance would that provide to Your Majesty and the Deputy Minister?”
Absolute monarchy.
The start of achieving that is the sticky combination of the power held by cities and the Emperor.
Since my interests align as well, I will grant the Emperor absolute power.
In exchange, give me the military supplies.