Chapter 75. Territory Expansion Without War (6)

Of course, the Deus Knights Order accepted my proposal.

When offered tremendous benefits just for bowing their heads slightly, there was no reason for the poor knight's order to refuse.

"Money really is the best."

There are certainly things in this world that can't be done with money.

You can't buy someone's love with money, and you can't bring back the dead.

But you can buy the means and methods to gain love, and you can take living people to the hospital to prevent them from dying.

'There are almost no people who are happy without money.'

After waiting for a moment, the Duke entered the room, laughing heartily.

"You're really amazing! To actually make that Rhodes Knights Order vassals of our empire!"

"I just received payment for giving them what they wanted."

"Do you think it's easy to see exactly what they want, judge how to fulfill it, and put it into action? Stop being modest and strut around a bit."

The Duke patted my shoulder repeatedly.

His face was full of smiles, and his shoulders were raised.

"I received a general outline through the letter you sent, but I want to hear it directly. How on earth did you do it?"

"I'll explain in detail. First, as soon as the spice guild implemented a sugar sales ban to Cafe Medici, I bought sugar from abroad. I ordered the head butler to secure the necessary amount no matter what, even if it cost more than 3 times the original price."

"Sugar isn't ordinarily cheap, if you buy it that expensively, isn't there nothing left?"

Sugar takes up the largest proportion of the cost of desserts sold at Cafe Medici.

Moreover, we don't skimp at all when adding sugar, we pour it in almost recklessly.

Receiving 3 times the usual purchase price means doing business at a loss.

It's not merchants' 99% exaggerated pretense of selling at a loss in the marketplace, but money really coming out of my wallet every time we sell.

"Couldn't you just say you have no choice but to close the business due to the spice guild's atrocities?"

Unlike me, the spice guild's social image isn't very good.

So if you say they're tormenting people over prices, ten out of ten people would curse those bastards.

You could gain sympathy and empathy.

But what if this crosses over to the realm of transactions?

'To put it bluntly, missing important deals isn't tolerated except for parents' and family funerals.'

Even some chairman of a large corporation in South Korea postponed attending his eldest son's funeral because he had to deal with big foreign investors, that's how important 'trust' is.

If Cafe Medici's business was shaken just because of mere spice guild nobodies?

'It would have negatively affected other business areas too.'

"Nobles and great merchants would have fully understood from a human perspective. However, I thought they wouldn't trust someone who wavers at just this level of threat as a business partner. So I tried to show that I wouldn't waver even at the cost of taking losses."

"Excellent."

"I'll continue the story. Since this problem occurred, I looked for a fundamental solution as it seemed we'd face difficulties for the same reason in the future. While pondering, I obtained information that an island occupied by the Deus Knights Order from infidels might be suitable for growing sugarcane."

In Europe too, sugarcane can actually be grown in regions like Sicily and Rhodes.

For some reason, in this other world with a similar geographical structure to Earth, I asked infidels just in case and got a tip that sugarcane cultivation was possible.

"So when I looked into the Deus Knights Order's financial situation, it was miserably bad. I thought they would definitely accept all my proposals if I said I'd solve that."

"When facing problems, you have to look broadly. That's how you can find solutions."

Not all problems in this world can be solved just by looking broadly.

However, having a broad perspective greatly increases the probability of finding clues to solve them.

'Even my university Japanese department senior who couldn't get into even a small company in Korea got a job at a mid-sized company as soon as he went to Japan?'

"But there's one thing that bothers me. Aren't the conditions you presented to them too generous?"

The Duke brought a document listing the conditions I demanded from them.

"Complete tax exemption, even exempting tariffs."

But looking at the Duke's expression, although he says that, he doesn't seem to have major complaints.

His mouth isn't pouting or his face reddening, just his brow furrowing very slightly.

'He must be regretful about not being able to collect taxes.'

As the saying goes, when people see things, they want to buy them even if they don't need to, it's the same principle.

"Don't they have symbolism? Those who continue the holy war to the end to eliminate infidels, dedicating everything to faith. The honor of being chosen as their secular monarch is worth more than hundreds of thousands of gold coins."

"I know that, that's why I'm just feeling regretful. If you had recruited other territories with these conditions, even if it were you, I wouldn't have left you alone."

No matter how voluntarily they come over, not paying taxes at all would make other nobles who have been paying taxes well feel discriminated against.

Our empire is a feudal system, but because the military is centered on central troops, we collect shield taxes.

Shield taxes are taxes needed to protect the country.

It's a peculiar tax that nobles don't have much complaint about even though 30% of territory income is collected.

'Because if you don't pay shield taxes, you have to spend an additional 1.5 times that on military maintenance costs.'

"Shield taxes aren't bad taxes, but how angry would they be seeing only certain families not paying? Of course, I have no intention of doing such crazy things."

I heard this old saying:

In the military, if everyone is equally hard up, they somehow endure, but if they see just one guy in the same squad having it easy, they can't endure due to a sense of deprivation.

Shield tax exemption is exactly the same concept.

"Good, then let's settle your merits. The merit of making the Deus Knights Order our empire's vassals without shedding a single drop of blood is very great."

The Duke grinned at me.

"If I add my words, I could petition His Majesty to bestow a baron title on you using this as justification. And it will definitely pass."

Companies expect to create at least 4 times the value of salary when hiring employees.

And in feudal society, to be bestowed a title, you need to perform about 30 times the value of the benefits brought by the territory to be granted.

Because it's hard to take back once given due to the hereditary issue.

The population of Rabat Island is about 26,000, so it doesn't make sense to be granted a title for obtaining just that much territory without shedding a drop of blood.

But the value of the justification and honor held by the Deus Knights Order is so great it's difficult to convert to money.

'Even the Sforza bastards probably can't openly oppose it.'

"Your Grace, I incorporated Rabat Island and the Deus Knights Order into imperial territory thinking only of you. But if I receive a title for this, all this glory and honor becomes mine. I don't want that."

Hearing my words, the Duke's eyes reddened.

I've never seen him so moved to tears while dealing with this person until now.

"All merit is yours. I'm just a mere proxy."

"Fabio, you..."

"The results and glory obtained by a master sending a servant are all the master's. How could I covet what isn't mine?"

It's not that I don't desire a baron title.

Moreover, unlike Albert, the head of the Medici baron family, getting a title through the Duke's 'force', this case has proper justification...

'There's no need to become the Duke's slave.'

But people need to have a broad perspective to succeed.

There wouldn't be a problem if I just accept the baron title now, but the problem is if I rise too fast?

Even if the Duke doesn't, the people around him would become jealous of me.

If guys consumed by jealousy keep impeaching me, the Duke and Emperor might change their minds about me.

'Simply put, I'd die.'

That's why there was a saying in Joseon:

Passing the civil service exam at a young age brings an uneasy death due to jealousy.

"It's enough if only Your Grace acknowledges me. So I don't need any rewards. It's enough for me to just receive sugar from there."

It's time to let go now for greater success.

The Duke, moved by my mindset, couldn't control his emotions and hugged me tightly.

"Others are desperate to rise at any opportunity to raise their titles, but you gave up the baron position for me. I'll never forget your loyalty for my lifetime, no, as long as our family exists."

The Duke's favor, and further, the Emperor's evaluation who will notice this behind-the-scenes.

Just getting these two is enough for now.

Then the Duke praised my loyalty and sincerity over quite a long time.

"You're not married yet, right?"

"Yes, I've been too busy with work."

"Wait a bit on marriage. Unlike women, it's okay for men to marry in their 30s."

In the Tuscan Empire, normal marriage is impossible for noble young ladies over 22.

Because they get labeled as old maids.

Men are relatively free from this, but usually get pointed at if they're over 25, so what's this about 30s...

"Alfred just retired from the military as a major general yesterday and is coming to Florence now, I'll personally introduce you to him. As a pillar of our family."

...... Even if he's the heir to a ducal family, if he's incompetent, they give him seemingly important but actually useless positions from lieutenant colonel, then give him a 'star' for 0.5 seconds at retirement and discharge him.

'The petit duke must be in his early 40s now.'

Seeing that his promotion was nearly 10 years faster than others even with the power of being the ducal family heir, he must be an outstanding talent.

"I think it's about time to start giving him proper successor training in earnest."

"Yes."

"That fellow is capable, but his perspective is a bit narrow. So I think he needs to broaden his perspective. I'd like to get some help from you later, is that okay?"

Translated, this means he'll have me take the position of the petit duke's teacher, even if temporarily.

'I probably can't be a formal teacher due to age.'

It's too great an honor to entrust to a mere viscount.

Especially considering my age.

"It's an honor, Your Grace."

"And how do you plan to deal with those spice guild bastards? If you wish, I can completely wipe out even their relatives' relatives."

That sounds fun too.

But I think it would be better and more fun if I do it myself.

"I have a method in mind."

I briefly explained the method.

The Duke laughed heartily hearing my words.

"You're really relentless. Those spice guild bastards will bleed a bit."

"It's an honor. I'll take my leave now."

"Go back comfortably."

And I immediately moved to bury those spice guild bastards.