I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

Chapter 77



The head of the tax collection contractor system must surely be a nuclear waste, a fool worse than any pig living to the north.

The intention behind the system seems okay.

‘If we outsource tax collection, the government has less to manage, so it costs less, right?’

But creating this system is even dumber than trusting a cat with fish.

Think about it: if you spent 1 billion won to buy a tax collection position,

you’d want to at least collect 2 billion to break even.

The price at which a tax collector’s position is sold is equal to the total tax revenue collected, meaning the citizens end up paying double, inflating the taxes.

Sometimes, when I see the nobles claiming they’re out of money, I want to open their heads.

“Chris, no matter how many times I think about it, the law-abiding noble who created the tax contractor system is definitely an idiot. Am I wrong?”

“I don’t have a particular alternative, but I think so too. The only ones benefiting from such a system are the tax contractors.”

Of course, I’m currently that very tax contractor.

It’s a self-evident truth, like the sky being blue, that the system itself is rotten.

You gotta vent your frustrations sometime.

‘But hey, thanks to this rotten system, I can make the Spice Guild members feel a pain worse than death.’

Behind me are countless folks ready to assist the tax contractor duties.

There’s Judge Andante from the High Court, who can issue charges and judgments at the same time, along with several court administrators and clerks, over 20 soldiers, and the knight from the guard, Colonel Tisia, and many other officials.

Really, this line-up would make even a corporate raid or special investigation team envious.

Citizens and nobles around us covered their mouths and whispered.

“Today’s going to be a proper funeral.”

“I think I see the Medici Young Baron’s flag. Who provoked him?”

“I heard the Spice Guild issued a ban on sugar sales at Cafe Medici.”

It was clear that the leisurely people started following us from a distance.

Judge Andante approached me and said,

“Cough, cough, with the crowd clinging like that, it’s a bit uncomfortable.”

No matter how good our intentions are, having many eyes around can be uncomfortable, right?

But that crowd could only help, not hinder.

“Reputation is built when many people see you, right? Let’s seize this chance to portray you as a righteous judge judging the evil Spice Guild.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice?”

I decided to impart some wisdom necessary for working through life to this judge.

“Why is Chief Judge Mancini’s promotion speed noticeably faster than that of his peers? He is indeed a capable person, but he must be visibly achieving remarkable results.”

If I step too far into this, it could turn into gossip.

But here, Mancini wouldn’t take it too seriously; I was just saying he was fortunate while assuming he’s a capable person.

And perhaps Judge Andante found deep understanding in my words.

“I, Albert de Andante, can never forgive injustice! I will deliver righteous wrath upon the wicked Spice Guild!”

The citizens cheered upon hearing his words.

They probably didn’t think he was noble; they just applauded the idea of smashing the rich Spice Guild.

That kind of evaluation eventually changes into being called a ‘righteous judge.’

It’s all about image politics, you see.

“Since we’re at it, let’s make it a grand spectacle.”

*

The servants in the Spice Guild’s office all focused their gaze on us.

What they muttered wasn’t important.

What really mattered was that the wicked demons were defeated in a flashy manner by the gracious Fabio de Medici and his friends.

“Colonel Tisia! Smash that door!”

“Yes, Young Baron!”

Whether the colonel understood my command precisely or if she was just well-prepared, she had the soldiers and knights wielding hammers like concert sledgehammers.

With a crunch, the door collapsed instantly.

As expected, inside, there were lots of people trying to incinerate documents or destroy evidence.

Upon seeing us, they froze.

Colonel Tisia took charge and advised them.

“Halt! From now on, anyone moving will be judged as resisting the lawful orders of the capital guards! If you don’t want to die, put down those documents, raise your hands, and stick to the wall!”

The soldiers gave some physical lessons to those sluggish in movement.

In other words, they kicked their butts.

“If you don’t want to die, follow the orders! You’ll find out how bad moldy bread tastes if you disobey the guards!”

“Hands up! If you don’t want to die!”

Having provided appropriate encouragement money to those who came with me, everyone was working quite diligently.

No, even without the incentive money, a mere soldier doesn’t usually get chances to challenge a merchant of the Guild to this extent, so maybe they were excited?

And doors everywhere swung open as people rushed out.

“What on earth is going on here? What crime has our guild committed?”

“The Spice Guild always follows the laws of the Empire!”

“This is very troubling for us!”

But the faces of those who appeared to be high-ranking officials turned ghostly pale upon seeing mine.

“A-a… Medici! Medici Young Baron?!”

Yeah, that’s right, brother.

You guys went through a lot of trouble trying to give me a massive sht sandwich*.

So now it’s time for my love-packed punches to rain down on you.

Too bad I can’t drag you out since there are no tunnels in Florence.

Lastly, the Spice Guild Master stepped out.

“Medici Young Baron?! Even if we’ve stopped selling sugar, you can’t do this to us! It is our freedom to stop or resume sales!”

“Legally, that’s true. But that only holds when looking strictly at the law.”

In Florence, the guild master of a large guild roughly holds the power equal to that of a Young Baron or a decent local baron.

So I use respectful language in public, it’s a common display of mutual respect.

‘But that guy made a fool out of me, right?’

“So we’ve come to enforce the law. Let’s see how lawful we can get.”

I said that while unfurling the tax contractor appointment letter I bought for 7,000 gold coins.

Originally, I could’ve bought this for about half that price, but I upped the ante just to mess with you guys.

“By the name of the Florence High Court President, I grant Fabio de Medici the authority to collect taxes from the Spice Guild. If necessary for duties, you are allowed to review all the financial documents and paperwork within the guild. From Count Enrico de Peppero, President of the High Court of Florence.”

As I finished reading, the Spice Guild Master dropped to the floor in shock.

His face turned so pale it looked like he might faint, mouth gaping but unable to speak.

Too shocked to even talk, I see?

Judge Andante behind me grinned and added,

“As of now, in the name of Judge Albert de Andante, Criminal Division 5 of the High Court, we will seal off the Spice Guild and temporarily detain its merchants and servants for investigation. Since there’s a concern for evidence manipulation and destruction, all goods, paperwork, and properties they hold will be temporarily taken by us. Secretaries, hurry and seize anything that might serve as evidence!”

As soon as those words were uttered, all sorts of books and potential evidence were packed into wooden boxes one by one.

The soldiers carried them out on carts, and with each exit, the expressions of Guild merchants turned into something resembling Munch’s The Scream.

“All your merchants and servants will be moved to the Florence High Court’s prison, where investigations without torture will take place. However, if you try to conceal even a bit of truth…”

The judge pulled out torture instruments stained red with blood.

“You might have to converse with these friends, so judge wisely. Take them all!”

Well, in a world where the presumption of innocence applies, you can’t just raid someone because they look suspicious.

But here, there’s no presumption of innocence, so it’s possible.

Oh, but that doesn’t mean I came crashing in without any plan.

There’s no such thing as a company that comes out completely clean, except for some pharmaceutical company in Korea.

Let alone, when you shake the Spice Guild, wouldn’t it just spit out dirt?

All those bribes and hidden sins with the tax contractors would come pouring out.

*

And after several weeks of reviewing documents…

“Wow, Judge Andante, are you getting promoted now?”

Judge Andante chuckled upon hearing my words.

The collective body of High Court judges has a rather confusing official hierarchy.

I’m not exactly sure how it’s structured, but it vaguely includes judges, chief judges, court administrators, High Court justices, and Presidents of the Florence High Court, etc.

However, having such a vague hierarchy makes management tough.

So, while it doesn’t exist in imperial law, practically there exist ranks beneath each chief judge.

Chief judges, deputy judges, formal judges, probationary judges, etc.

This time, Andante is getting promoted to deputy chief judge.

“When Chief Judge Mancini got promoted, he promised to appoint me as head judge in the High Court.”

“Is that so? Congratulations.”

“This is all thanks to you. I’ll repay this favor someday.”

Saying that, Andante handed me documents other than those involving the tax evasion and cooking the books that I had been reviewing.

“Wow, these guys were not playing around. They’ve been trading with heathens and even selling fellow Deuses followers into slavery, along with committing all kinds of atrocities.”

“Is that so? They really are scum.”

“I’m planning only to pin crimes on those you decided to take care of, so handle them well. And make sure to keep both the principal and profits intact. I must take my leave now.”

“Have a drink before you go, it’s such a shame.”

Upon that remark, Andante chuckled.

“Actually, I’ve been feeling a connection with the noble daughter of Baron Tornèa and until now had been opposed due to my family status. But thanks to you today, I’m finally going to meet her for the first time, so I have to hurry.”

… That gentleman is also a bachelor.

And I pondered how to deal with the criminal case documents provided by the High Court.



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