I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 306: Reformation (9)

The concept of regime changes, world wars, and great depressions is close to a natural disaster rather than something that can be controlled by human talent.

This is because these events occur when an unbelievable set of coincidences come together, at a time that no human can predict.

The new teachings and miracles of Father Stefano will reach the Emperor, the nobles of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Deus Church in exactly that way.

‘For us, this is a golden opportunity.’

While I was lost in these thoughts, the Emperor asked in a confused voice:

"Lord Rothschild, what do you mean by this? That the heavens are helping me?"

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

I messed up here.

If I just said that the heavens were helping His Majesty without any explanation, it would be confusing.

No matter how urgent I felt, I should have explained each point so that the Emperor could understand.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. I became so excited at the great news that I may have gotten carried away."

"You are not the type to speak nonsense or exaggerate. So what is it?"

"According to the information I received, a priest in the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, Vienna, directly criticized the Church’s wrongdoings. He thoroughly outdebated Archbishop von Nassau, who was presiding over the Inquisition. Although the Archbishop sentenced him to be burned at the stake..."

I became so excited that I had to pause to catch my breath.

In my life, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been this excited.

This news isn't something I heard for the first time, nor is it something recent, yet here I am, this excited.

I must still be far from becoming a true mastermind.

I still have to work hard so that, when I meet my end, I can receive an honorary East India Company employee badge for my service to those now in Heaven.

"When the pyre was about to be executed in Vienna, a miracle occurred—rain began to fall, halting the execution."

A century ago, during the barbaric trial by ordeal, they sometimes did such things in serious criminal trials.

They would make someone walk over flames, and if they walked out unharmed, they were acquitted; if they burned to death, they were guilty.

They also chained limbs and threw people into rivers or seas—if they floated, they were guilty; if they sank, they were innocent.

Though not to that extreme, the people of this time are greatly influenced by the will of the gods and miracles, so they tend to think this way:

‘The one who experiences a miracle must be right.’

"That’s a very interesting story. But what does it mean?"

"According to the information I’ve gathered, this priest criticized the corrupt practices and theology of the Deus Church, and he was labeled a heretic."

Father Stefano spoke about the Holy Spirit, the Saints, and matters that had no direct relation to reality. Without the miracle, he would not have had much of an impact on society.

Such topics do not affect their daily lives.

‘How many people care about how much the nobles drink or how much bribe they take? It doesn’t change my life.’

"He criticized the corrupt practices and theology. Do you think this has great significance?"

"Well, in the Toscana Empire, thanks to Your Majesty’s selection, the lives of the serfs have greatly improved. The nobles have seen their incomes rise due to the new merchant tax, and the empire is in a stable state. But in the Holy Roman Empire, our situation is the complete opposite."

"Are you saying that the serfs do not trust the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire?"

"Yes, they are also extremely dissatisfied with the Church, which forces them to buy indulgences by emphasizing purgatory and exploiting them."

When trying to persuade someone, it’s most important to release the information one piece at a time, according to the person’s level.

If you try to get someone to understand everything from the start, they’ll feel resistance.

‘That’s why educational systems divide elementary, middle, and high school subjects. It’s not by accident.’

You must persuade them slowly but surely.

"And Father Stefano thoroughly rebutted the core doctrines of the Deus Church—purgatory, indulgences, and salvation—and proposed a new alternative. He stated that salvation can only be achieved through faith."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s face turned serious, and he could not hide his astonishment.

"Good heavens."

As expected, as the ruler of a nation, he quickly realized just how dangerous Father Stefano’s teachings ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) were.

Yes, the philosophy—or rather, the religion—he founded is as impactful as the specter of communism.

No, it may have even a larger impact than communism or capitalism.

"If there is no purgatory, then there is no need for indulgences. Furthermore, if salvation can only be attained through faith, then it’s no longer justifiable for priests to extort money from the faithful under the pretense of purgatory."

"Yes, indeed. Purgatory was necessary so that rulers, nobles, merchants, artisans, and serfs would tremble in fear of the clergy’s threats and spend their money—both what they had and didn’t have—on indulgences and confession."

Perhaps the serfs wouldn’t understand, but the higher classes have another reason for buying indulgences.

If they don’t buy indulgences, they fear being seen as poor by others. It’s a kind of vanity purchase.

In fact, the Elector of Saxony, who protected Martin Luther, bought thousands of fake relics and indulgences, spending vast amounts of money to shorten his penance.

He did it to maintain his social status.

But even so, for it to work, there must be an unspoken agreement that buying indulgences would release one from purgatory. If that agreement disappears?

‘Who would want to waste their money on such a useless thing?’

"And if there is no purgatory, indulgences will merely become a tool for priests to satisfy their own selfish desires."

"That’s a wise insight."

"The people who have been robbed will be filled with rage, and that rage will boil over. If the electors see this as an opportunity, it wouldn’t be surprising if they tried to rebel."

I was about to give the Emperor a hint, but he seemed to have sensed the rebellion of the electors instinctively.

‘Thank goodness the Emperor isn’t foolish.’

If someone like Albert had been the Emperor...

He would have been playing the role of a sycophant in front while secretly plotting to overthrow the Emperor and the royal family for decades.

A patriot like me, who denounces traitors, would have had to become a sycophant.

Just thinking about it makes me sick.

"A civil war will undoubtedly break out in the Holy Roman Empire. And it will be a war that washes blood with blood."

"I agree."

And from the beginning to the end, I orchestrated this civil war.

Of course, this fact will never be revealed, neither while I’m alive nor after my death.

In a few hundred years, maybe a TV show will air, speculating on who was behind this war.

‘Everyone who knows I was behind it can be trusted.’

The Emperor said in disbelief:

"You really are more suited to be a merchant than a noble. I can see the light in your eyes when you talk about making money right before a war breaks out."

"It’s an honor."

"That wasn’t a compliment."

"Your Majesty, the reason you favor me is that unlike other nobles, I can see the true costs and benefits, and I am the merchant who can bring you the greatest profit. If I ever lose sight of that essence, it wouldn’t be strange for you to cast me aside. That’s why I’m deeply moved by the fact that you’ve told me I haven’t lost my way."

People who reach the peak of their industry, whether idols, celebrities, or businesspeople, tend to fall once they lose their initial drive.

That’s why those who have maintained the top spot for years focus on the basics.

Like someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I can’t afford to lose the basics, especially if I want to protect my family.

‘As long as I don’t lose my original intent, the Emperor will never cast me aside.’

"But would I come to you just for the opportunity to make money? The heavens, Deus himself, have told us that the time is now."

If the Emperor starts stockpiling weapons with the nobles, my profits in the Holy Roman Empire will decrease.

So, I won’t tell him about the opportunity to make money selling weapons.

I won’t share this with Duke Visconti either.

"The Church has already rotted away."

"Is there anyone among the nobles of Toscana who doesn’t know that?"

"I’ll emphasize it more."

I purposely cut off my words and whispered into the Emperor’s ear.

This was something that only the Emperor should hear, as the people around us would label me a heretic for saying it.

"Your Majesty, the clergy of the Deus Church are no different from animals—dogs, cattle, pigs without masters. Whether it’s a stable or a pigsty, they’ll be made into livestock for you."

The Emperor broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing my bold words.

"...Are you mad?"

The courtiers here are likely to have no idea what shocking words I’ve spoken, except for the fact that they were shocking.

"You must trust me completely."