NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75
Of course, the Deus Knights accepted my proposal.
Ding!
With just a slight bow of the head, I offered tremendous benefits, and a poor knight order had no reason to refuse.
“Money is truly the best!”
In this world, there are definitely things that money can’t buy.
You can’t buy someone’s love with money, nor can you bring the dead back to life.
However, you can buy means and methods to obtain love, and you can take living people to the hospital to keep them from dying, right?
‘Few people are happy without money.’
As I waited for a moment, the Duke entered the room with a hearty laugh.
“You’re quite impressive, you know! You really made the Rhodes Knights a vassal of our empire!”
“I simply received the reward for offering what they wanted.”
“Do you think it’s that easy to accurately observe what they desire, and execute a plan to fulfill it? Stop being humble and strut around a bit.”
The Duke patted my shoulder with gusto.
He had a broad smile on his face, and his shoulders were quite lifted.
“I got a rough idea from the letter you sent, but I want to hear how it happened directly. How did you do it?”
“Let me explain in detail. First, as soon as the Spice Guild enforced the Sugar Sales Ban at Cafe Medici, I ordered foreign sugar in. I instructed the steward to secure the necessary amount at any cost, even if it meant paying three times the original price.”
“Sugar is usually not inexpensive, so if you buy it at such a high price, wouldn’t there be nothing left?”
The cost of sugar constitutes the largest portion of the dessert costs at Cafe Medici.
Moreover, we don’t skimp on sugar; we pour it in liberally.
If we charge three times the usual purchase price, it means we’re operating at a loss with every sale.
“Couldn’t you just say it was impossible to do business because of the Spice Guild’s tyranny?”
Unlike me, the social image of the Spice Guild isn’t very good.
So if I say they’re making people suffer with prices, everyone will curse them without a doubt.
I could gain sympathy and understanding.
But what if it goes into the realm of transactions?
‘It’s unacceptable to miss important deals, except for family funerals, right?’
In fact, a certain CEO of a large South Korean company even postponed attending his eldest son’s funeral to conduct business with foreign bigwigs; ‘trust’ is crucial.
What if the business of Cafe Medici was shaken just because of those Spice Guild rascals?
‘It would have affected other business sectors too.’
“Nobles or wealthy merchants would surely understand that part of being human. However, I don’t think they would trust someone who gets shaken by such a minor threat. So, I wanted to show that I wouldn’t waver even at a loss.”
“Excellent.”
“I continued to investigate because such issues will likely arise again for similar reasons. During my deliberation, I acquired information that the island occupied by the Deus Knights could be suitable for sugarcane cultivation.”
In Europe, regions like Sicily and Rhodes can actually cultivate sugarcane.
For some reason, I asked the pagans in this world, similar in topography to Earth, and confirmed that sugarcane cultivation was indeed feasible.
“Upon looking into the financial situation of the Deus Knights, I found it utterly pathetic. I thought that if I solved that issue for them, they would certainly accept all my suggestions.”
“When facing problems, it’s best to look at the bigger picture. That’s how solutions can be found.”
Not every issue in the world can be solved by broadening one’s perspective.
However, having a wide view significantly increases the probability of finding a clue to the solution.
‘Just like how my Japanese language department senior in college, who couldn’t even land a small business in Korea, got a position in a mid-sized company as soon as he arrived in Japan.’
“However, there’s one thing bothering me. Don’t you think the conditions you presented to them are too generous?”
The Duke had brought a document detailing the conditions I suggested.
“Complete tax exemption; even customs duties will be exempted.”
But looking at the Duke’s expression, it seemed he wasn’t too displeased, despite his words.
He wasn’t pouting or blushing; his brow merely furrowed slightly.
‘He must regret not being able to collect taxes.’
It’s the same principle as wanting to buy something you don’t need once you actually see it.
“There’s a symbolic value in what they possess, you know? They are those who devoted everything to faith while continuing their crusade against pagans. The honor of being chosen as the secular monarch holds value beyond tens of thousands of gold coins.”
“I get that, but that’s why I can’t afford to be stingy. If I had accepted this condition from another territory, I wouldn’t have let you off easily even if it were you.”
Even if they voluntarily joined, totally avoiding taxes would surely feel unfair to other nobles who are dutifully paying their taxes.
Our empire operates under a feudal system, but the military is mainly based on central forces, for shield tax collection.
Shield tax: the tax needed to protect the nation.
It takes 30% of the territory’s income, and nobles do not usually complain much about this peculiar tax.
‘If they don’t pay shield tax, they’d have to spend 1.5 times the maintenance cost of an army.’
“Shield tax isn’t a bad tax, but seeing only specific clans being exempt would make anyone furious. Naturally, I don’t intend to do anything that crazy.”
There’s an old saying that states…
If everyone is suffering together, we can somehow endure, but if one guy in the squad is living it up, it creates a sense of deprivation that makes it hard to bear.
The exemption from shield tax operates on the same principle.
“Alright, then let’s evaluate your contributions. It’s a massive accomplishment to have made the Deus Knights a vassal of our empire without shedding a drop of blood.”
The Duke grinned at me.
“If I add to that, I could petition His Majesty to grant you the title of Baron using this as a justification. And it will undoubtedly pass.”
Companies expect to create value that’s four times the salary of their hired employees.
In a feudal society, nobility is granted only after substantial contributions amounting to thirty times the benefits brought by the territory that’s to be granted.
Due to issues of inheritance, once granted, it’s difficult to take back.
With the population of Rabat Island being around 26,000, it’s unreasonable for a barony to be granted for just that little territory without shedding a drop of blood.
However, the honor and merit held by the Deus Knights is priceless beyond mere currency.
‘Sforza guys probably can’t openly oppose this either.’
“Your Grace, I only thought of you when incorporating Rabat Island and the Deus Knights into the empire’s territory. However, if I received a title for this matter, then all the glory and honor would belong to me. I do not seek that.”
The Duke’s eyes glistened at my words.
I had never seen him so moved that he almost teared up while interacting with him until now.
“All the credit goes to you. I am merely a proxy in this.”
“Fabio, you…”
“The results and glory that the master gains through directing the servant all belong to the master. How could I covet what isn’t mine?”
It’s not that I don’t desire the title of Baron.
Moreover, unlike the Duke’s ‘forced’ acquisition of the title from Albert, the head of the Medici Baron Clan, this time it offers a valid justification…
‘I’m not going to become the Duke’s slave.’
However, one must keep a wide perspective to achieve success.
Accepting the baron title as it is now wouldn’t be a problem, but what if I climbed too high?
Though the Duke might not care, those around him could get jealous of me.
If those envious folks continuously undermine me, the Duke and Emperor might change their views on me.
‘In simpler terms, I could be doomed.’
That’s why there’s a saying in Joseon:
If a young man succeeds in examinations at a young age, he can’t live comfortably because of jealousy.
“As long as you acknowledge me, that’s enough. So I don’t need any rewards. Just receiving sugar from over there is enough for me.”
It’s time to let go for a greater success now.
Moved by my sincerity, the Duke couldn’t help but pull me into a hug.
“When others get a chance to rise in rank, they desperately scramble to do so, but you willingly gave up the baron title for me. For the rest of my life, no, as long as my lineage continues, I won’t forget your loyalty!”
The Duke’s favor, and moreover, the Emperor’s evaluation on this matter.
If I could achieve just these two things, it would be enough for now.
Then, the Duke spent quite some time praising my loyalty and sincerity.
“Have you not married yet?”
“No, I’ve been really busy with work.”
“Delay marriage for a while. Unlike women, it’s perfectly fine for men to marry in their 30s.”
In the Toscan Empire, noblewomen generally have a very limited time for a normal marriage past the age of 22.
They would be marked as old maids.
Men have somewhat more freedom in this regard, but typically by the time they hit 25, they would face judgment, let alone turning 30…
“Alfred just retired from the military after being a general yesterday and he’s coming to Florence now; I’ll introduce you to him directly. I mean, he is the pillar of our family.”
… Even if he’s the Duke’s heir, if he’s incompetent, he would end up just spinning his wheels in obscure positions until he retired, only to get a ‘star’ for 0.5 seconds before getting discharged.
‘The young duke must be in his early 40s now.’
Even with the power of being the Duke’s heir, if his promotion was nearly ten years faster than others, he must be quite capable.
“I think it’s time to start properly preparing him for the position of heir.”
“Sure.”
“That guy is indeed competent, but his view is a bit narrow. So I think it’s necessary to broaden his perspective, and I’d like to ask for your help later; would that be alright?”
To put this plainly, it means he’d like me to temporarily take on the role of a mentor for the young duke.
‘Due to age, I can’t formally be a mentor.’
Having someone so young as a mere baron take this on would be a tremendous honor.
Especially considering my age.
“It’s an honor, Your Grace.”
“And what do you plan to do about the Spice Guild members? If you desire, I could take down even their distant relatives.”
That could be entertaining in a way.
But still, I think it’d be more fun to do it myself.
“I have a method I’ve thought of.”
I briefly explained my plan.
The Duke chuckled upon hearing it.
“That’s just downright wicked! The Spice Guild should prepare to spill some blood.”
“It’s my honor. I shall take my leave now.”
“Return comfortably.”
And then, I moved right away to bury the Spice Guild thugs.