I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 211: Agitation and Profit (6)

When you look at the rich folks, there’s one thing in common.

When someone hands them something saying it’s free, they get furious as if they’re going to smash the person’s head, or they show extreme rejection.

You might wonder why they hate receiving something without paying for it.

But if you shift your perspective just a little, it will make perfect sense.

In this world, the only people who give me things for free are my parents. So, why would some stranger give me something with no strings attached?

‘It’s either a debt or a trap to skin me alive.’

The Emperor, of course, was very cautious of my words.

He didn’t even try to hide the signs of his wariness.

“What exactly is this printing technology?”

“To put it simply, it’s a technology that allows you to print books like stamps.”

From woodblock printing, metal movable type, Gutenberg’s printing press, all the way to the laser printers we use today.

The fundamental principle of printing has remained unchanged, where letters and images are stamped onto paper.

The only thing that’s changed over time is the speed at which it’s done.

This is as simple and to the point an explanation as possible.

“If you can print books like that, could it really be possible? No, it seems plausible enough. If you have ink or wax, you could easily stamp it.”

Perhaps because he was someone who had ruled a nation, his mind worked quickly.

“Yes, that’s right.”

After hearing my explanation, the Emperor paused for a moment and then exclaimed.

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“If we can print books, then I could write down the message I want to convey and spread it across the Empire! Then, then...”

In today’s world, with the abundance of media like YouTube, TV, and broadcasts, it might be hard to understand how remarkable it is to be able to broadcast what I want to say nationwide.

Plus, since everyone lives in an era where they first doubt everything that’s said to them...

We’ve learned in school that politicians always have hidden motives behind what they say, and it’s only natural to support politicians who represent my interests.

‘People in this era tend to believe whatever comes from those in power.’

So, they believe the nonsense that to get to heaven, you have to go through purgatory and pay money to avoid punishment.

If the Emperor says, “I love you all this much!” and just gives a little praise, public opinion would rise almost straight up.

The Emperor breathed heavily, like a 20-year-old groom about to spend his first night.

“If I pretend to represent the rights of citizens and merchants, gain their support, and weaken the nobles’ position, I could establish an even stronger monarchy! Truly perfect, truly the best!”

It’s like a story from Papua New Guinea, where an American pilot flew a plane to an island with a primitive tribe, gave the chief a ride, and for some reason, took rocks the size of his head with him.

The reason? To throw stone bombs at an enemy tribe nearby.

People laughed when they heard the story, but if you think about it deeply, it’s an anecdote that proves that ‘wisdom’ is the same even if you lack knowledge and technology.

Seeing how the Emperor was already thinking of how to use printing, I thought, really...

‘I really like how honest he is with his desires.’

He’s a perfect mark, or rather, a customer, to get maximum value from a little effort.

I’ll have to treat him to a VIP course that’ll make his nose bleed.

“Is that all? If you’re going to do it, you should do it more boldly.”

“Is there a better way to use it than this?”

Ah, we call that thing ‘rumors’ in professional terms.

The experts in rumors get the glorious title of ‘media scum’ among the citizens.

There was a crazy person who wasn’t a journalist but ended up making up a story about the death of a figure skater aiming for the title of ‘Queen of Figure Skating’ while spreading rumors.

‘There are so many crazy people in the world.’

The wisdom of modern times, which is indispensable in 20th and 21st-century politics, would shock even the British Empire.

If I taught him that, the fire would burn me too.

So, I’ll just teach him something slightly ahead of medieval knowledge.

“You should leak some bad information about the nobles who oppose you, tarnish their honor, and then write about those who oppose your policies, calling them cowards, and spread it across the nation...”

The political power of a noble is determined by their reputation.

Of course, what they own in titles, lands, and assets contributes greatly to their evaluation...

Just like how General Yi Sun-sin’s naval force became the world’s best navy when he commanded the Joseon Navy, delivering constant hell to the evil Japanese, and how the Japanese general Wokyun led the world’s most idiotic army, losing in ridiculous ways to the point that the Japanese army asked, “Why are we losing?”

If a noble has no ability, what does their land, title, and assets mean in the central government?

If you listen to that person’s words, you’ll be dead for sure.

In fantasy novels, there are always incompetent barons living uselessly. Could someone with absolutely no talent lead the central government, commanding numerous nobles just because of their title?

‘In the end, power moves by their reputation.’

If we can destroy that reputation, the Emperor can hold power and wield it as he desires.

“I could eliminate the nobles who oppose me without shedding blood.”

By the way, I didn’t tell the Emperor about the side effects of this method.

In fact, I have no intention of doing so.

If I were a doctor, I would’ve politely explained to him, “This is a drug; if you take it, you’ll die.”

But I’m not a doctor, and I’m not a paid professional either.

As long as I incite trouble with no responsibility for the aftermath, that’s all I need to do.

Even if side effects occur and the Emperor ends up in a disaster or dies as a golden statue...

‘He won’t suspect me at all.’

“When Emperor Friedrich declared himself Emperor 500 years ago, could the glory of that time be recreated in my hands?”

Ah, no way.

If your Empire truly reaches the status of a superpower, the money I could make would decrease.

And think about it a bit, my friend.

What I can do easily, others can do just as easily.

Why do professionals, even as rookies, almost always earn the top 20% of income?

Because they’ve passed an extremely difficult exam that others couldn’t, and companies have to raise salaries out of tears to hire such valuable talent.

Would nobles just sit back and let you profit from printing technology?

They’ll probably print newspapers like crazy, and the entire Empire will become a breeding ground for fake news. It’s going to get chaotic.

Then, I’ll add some ‘fresh news’ and cook you all up.

“The rest depends entirely on Your Majesty.”

The Emperor grasped my hand tightly, his eyes starting to well up with tears.

“Baron Rothschild, I have a proposal.”

“What proposal are you talking about?”

“I will give you my granddaughter. Her face isn’t great, but she’s still a genuine princess. And within 5 years, no, 3 years, I will grant you a title of count. The justification will be that you married the princess, so you can claim it’s to match your status.”

...Old men seem to have a renewed interest in me these days.

Looks like he’s fallen for my dazzling tongue and incitement.

“Would you like to consider seeking asylum in the Holy Empire?”

Uh, no way.

Your Empire is going to turn into a living hell in the next 3-4 years. Why would I go?

It would be bad for the emotional development of the child Chloe and I are going to have.

Also, while I could bring Chloe and Kris when seeking asylum, I’d probably be unable to take Erika.

Do you think Erika would be safe in the Tuscan Empire?

‘She’s the Duke’s granddaughter, so she’ll avoid the death penalty, but she’ll live her life in house arrest.’

No matter how blinded by wealth and glory I am, I won’t abandon Erika.

“I’ll gratefully accept Your Majesty’s kind offer. However, as long as the Holy Empire’s policies align with the interests of the Tuscan Empire, I will serve you wholeheartedly.”

National interests... Well, as long as it fills my pockets, anything is fine, right?

“...Understood. You may leave now.”

And without looking back, I boarded my return journey.

The reason was simple.

If I didn’t escape before the Emperor changed his mind, I could really die.

The Archbishop of Mainz, who had fallen for Fabio’s incitement, received a shocking piece of news.

“We’ve lost one countship, one viscountcy, and three baronies that the Church owned, all confiscated by that damn Emperor!”

The Archbishop of Mainz fainted on the spot.

This horrifying news, of course, spread to the Vatican like wildfire.