Chapter 74
Human life ultimately can't help but be dragged around by money.
In wealthy families, although tuition isn't a small amount of money, it doesn't shake the lives of family members because of it.
However, in poor families, the whole family can be in an uproar crying over university tuition and lives can get tangled.
Moreover, even if this is a knights order where those with exceptionally strong faith gather, it won't be much different.
'Even among those who did independence movements, quite a few gave up due to livelihood issues.'
But since these gentlemen aren't just looking at the grand cause and fighting infidels, money has to be more important.
"Are you saying you'll make a donation? We welcome donations too."
Guys like Vikings who go out to sea when bored to rob innocent infidel merchant ships, and if they want something more thrilling, completely loot villages on the Sultanate coast.
However, because ethical standards differ by era, these are also people recognized by the Pope to the extent of giving them titles like 'Holy Knights Order', 'Model of Faith', 'Iron Hammer Carrying Out God's Will'.
Donating to those who deserve respect from Deus believers is also clearly devotion.
"If we have business abroad, we'll testify to His Grace the Duke's sincerity. We'll also hold short masses monthly."
As I expected, these guys must be in dire need of money.
When money is plentiful, they wouldn't readily give such benefits even for donations.
Now they're saying they'll provide such VIP service at a greatly discounted price.
I'm really moved to tears, truly.
"I'm thinking of donating some money too, but more than that, I came to talk business."
The Grand Master tilted his head hearing my words.
"There's nothing particularly special about our island's products. At best, fish are caught well, but is that anything great?"
If this were the Medici baron family's territory, smuggling with infidels would probably be done almost openly (miracles happen where magic that blinds the eyes of administrators occurs).
Then all sorts of spices, mercury, precious metals, and infidel artworks would have flowed here.
They would have made huge sums of money selling these.
Like Singapore or Taiwan that live off just location conditions.
'They know it makes money but can't do such things because of these guys' beliefs.'
"The climate here is very good for growing sugarcane."
As soon as he heard the word sugarcane, the Grand Master frowned as if about to grab my collar.
Then he stood up, slamming the desk.
"It's true that our Deus Knights Order has no money! But are you telling us to grow sugarcane that infidel bastards grow? Are you trying to insult us?! That Duke Visconti bastard has gone completely mad!"
If I weren't the Duke's proxy, he really would have cut off my neck.
But how many times have I nearly died?
If I get scared by threats, I can't do this.
When dealing with someone using strong measures, you have to use strong words.
"Why is Your Excellency the Grand Master's view so narrow?"
"Are you insulting me now?!"
When the word 'insult' flies between nobles, it can be interpreted like this:
'I'll kill you, even if I can't kill you now, I can't live under the same sky as you.'
In Korean terms, it's a stronger statement than cursing someone's parents to their face.
"Your Excellency the Grand Master must have heard of Cafe Medici. The sugar consumed there is 3-4 tons per day, over 1,500 tons consumed annually."
"What nonsense, ah!"
You seem to have a rough idea of what I want to say?
"I have to buy 1,500 tons of sugar from the spice guild, so I'm paying them over 5,000 gold coins every year."
5,000 gold coins is the annual living expenses of 5,000 serf households.
"And I'm thinking of expanding Cafe Medici nationwide. If we consume that much just in Florence, when we open stores in big cities like Naples, Latina, and Amalfi, we'll consume nearly three times that amount in the future."
I moved a bit closer to the Grand Master.
"The sales volume that will go to the spice guild bastards distributed throughout the Tuscan Empire is 15,000 coins annually."
If we plant sugarcane in all the farmland of Rabat Island, it will meet the demand I need and have some left over.
"And the spice guild bastards are trading with infidels. Strictly speaking, it's the great merchants controlling them. The Medici baron family I belong to is one of them. So I know the proportion of income that goes to infidels..."
The information I know is, exaggerating a bit, at the level of second-class military secrets.
To put it simply, it's as precious as materials that can only be seen by members of the National Assembly in our country when needed during meetings.
Your Excellency the Grand Master's eyes lit up hearing my words.
"Half of the sales go to infidels. Therefore, if we continue trading sugar with the spice guild, this becomes an action that helps infidels."
The Grand Master is a moderately worldly person.
No, people with deep faith actually can't succeed in any group.
How can people who live putting down all worldly desires beat oddballs with strong worldly desires?
'Even within the Deus religion, they say even saints chosen by God who perform miracles can only rise to cardinal at most?'
Even bishops and archbishops only go around rural places with high religious symbolism.
"To win against infidels, shouldn't we first reduce the profits they gain?"
Someone described trade with enemy countries like this:
Trading with enemies is like giving them weapons to kill our country's soldiers.
A Grand Master who shivers at the mention of infidels will surely think like this:
'Make money and deal an economic blow to infidel bastards. This is a total jackpot, isn't it?'
"That's right. The money they earn will return as swords and shells to stab us in the future."
Then the Grand Master bowed his head very slightly before me.
"Honestly, I don't like the Medici baron family. But you brought a way to help us devout believers while pursuing profits and deal a blow to infidels. From now on, our Deus Knights Order will treat the Medici viscount family as friends."
The Deus Knights Order Grand Master position isn't hereditary.
In the first place, the knights here take vows of celibacy, so what heredity?
However, because of their military power, symbolism, etc., the Grand Master is treated like a count wherever he goes.
'That's why I call him Your Excellency too.'
For a gentleman of count rank to apologize honestly, it's amazing.
"The conversation isn't over yet. Since it's come to this, how about swearing loyalty to the Tuscan Empire? Then I'll use my influence to petition His Majesty for full tariff exemption on all goods imported to this island from the empire."
"Full tariff exemption..."
"Of course, taxes will end at the level of paying symbolic items annually."
The reason this is possible is because of the various symbolic meanings this knights order has.
To the Emperor, the Deus Knights Order is a vassal who voluntarily walked in, and thanks to their existence, the Tuscan Empire's territorial waters are not threatened by infidel pirates.
'The Deus Knights Order completely wipes out infidels trying to cross over to our empire.'
Moreover, they are those who received the title of Defender of the Faith from the Pope.
If rumors spread that the most devout serve them directly as their lord, our Emperor will be evaluated like this:
'A noble monarch so lofty that even guys living crazy for faith acknowledge him as their monarch.'
Considering these things, even if it's a complete tax exemption, the Emperor will welcome it with cheers.
"...... Positive, no, no matter how much I'm the Grand Master, I can't easily decide this. I'm the Grand Master of this knight's order, not the monarch."
This knights order operates similarly to a parliamentary cabinet system.
Because decisions are made through meetings with executives like the Grand Marshal, Marshal, and Abbot under the Grand Master.
'Except when warring or plundering.'
"However, everyone will welcome this proposal. Although our knights came here following faith, we can't ignore financial issues."
Even among church pastors, many diligent small church pastors have second jobs.
They work as technicians on construction sites on weekdays, and gather believers for ministry on weekends.
Originally, ministers are not viewed favorably for having second jobs due to 'various issues', but believers reluctantly allow it because they can't do ministry while starving.
Financial issues are this difficult.
Moreover, there's no need to mention a 'knight's order' where worldly humans got jobs to make a living.
"Where are you staying now?"
"I'm staying at an inn called Footsteps of Wind, which I've rented out entirely."
"That's not bad, but we can't have an honored guest like you stay in such a place. I'll lend you the VIP quarters inside our knight's order's walls."
"Thank you."
And he said shocking words with an indifferent expression.
"Ah, at your age, you must be overflowing with vigor. I'll prepare something good and send it. They're infidels anyway, so you can treat them roughly."
He just changed the wording, but he's saying he'll give infidel sex slaves that are hard to get elsewhere.
As expected, I did well not bringing Chloe and Chris here.
I should strictly order those two not to wander inside the fortress until we return.
'I should block contact with servants too.'
It's shocking even for me to hear, but for those two women, it's stimulating in a bad way.
"My maid will be jealous. She's a child who gets jealous even when I say I'll just raise a cat."
"It's the first time I've seen a young noble master care for a maid this much."
The Grand Master clicked his tongue as if regretful.
"Receiving things is also a preference, and if you like maids that much, I can't force you. If you change your mind, tell me anytime."
I've adapted to and gone along with everything else, but I have no intention of throwing away even a minimum sense of human rights.
"Thank you, Your Excellency."