I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 207: Agitation and Profit (2)

One philosopher once described the Holy Roman Empire as a country that was neither holy, Roman, nor an empire.

However, the Holy Empire of the era I live in is a great power that can rightfully be called an empire.

With a population of a whopping 60 million, the government’s budget alone is several times larger than that of the Tuscan Empire.

"Indeed, the capital of a true empire has a different level of grandeur."

While Florence, the capital of the Tuscan Empire, is a lavish and splendid city, it doesn’t even come close to Vienna, the capital of the Holy Empire.

"Although this area is mostly inhabited by nobles, I never expected to see marble statues, fountains, bizarre rock formations, and all kinds of rare flowers."

If I wanted to live in a place like this, I could definitely do it.

Though I’m not a billionaire, with enough money given to the stonemasons and gardeners in the Tuscan Empire, I could easily build several such estates in Florence.

Sebastian smiled at me and spoke at length.

"When I came to Vienna 10 years ago, the city was already this magnificent. Now, it’s quiet because it’s outside the nobles’ active hours, but in 3 to 4 hours, when the bureaucrats finish their work and the social gatherings start..."

Sebastian looked around with a nostalgic gaze.

"You’ll see black and white carriages adorned with gold filling the streets, and nobles and servants walking around in magnificent clothes. Beautiful young ladies will flaunt their beauty."

Hearing Sebastian praise another city’s beauty reminded me of a friend I once had who studied Joseon history.

I’m not sure exactly when or who said it, but during the Edo Shogunate, a diplomat went to Edo, one of the largest cities in the world at the time, and said...

"There are magnificent houses, beautiful clothes, and pretty women here. But these people don’t understand Confucianism, so they have no foundation!"

This person then boasted that Joseon was the best.

It was an attitude common among Confucian scholars in Joseon, but honestly, even though they were our ancestors, it was rather embarrassing.

When someone’s doing well, you should acknowledge it, learn from them, and try to surpass them. There’s no use in indulging in a false sense of superiority.

I wondered where that kind of mindset could be used.

"I’ll make sure to stroll through the streets during the ball’s opening hours later."

"That’s a good idea."

"And since they say the clothes here are beautiful, I’ll need to have some made to order. Do you know the sizes of Erica, Chloe, and Chris?"

When you go on a trip, bringing gifts for people you know is a must-do courtesy of this time period.

If you don’t, you’ll easily get labeled as rude.

So, in addition to the gifts for my family, I have the huge responsibility of buying gifts for the people I correspond with at least twice a year.

Damn, buying gifts for professors during overseas trips always felt like a waste of money.

I’ll relieve my frustration by having Chris wear some very revealing outfits sold here.

"Of course. I’ve already instructed the butlers to find a store for us."

"That was quick. Also, order dresses for the maids and suits for the butlers. If you want, you can even use my money to buy clothes for your family."

In a world where a single outfit can cost the same as a serf’s annual salary, spending money freely is a good way to keep the loyalty of subordinates.

The reason I spend money like this is not just for show, though.

"Shouldn’t I spend this much to catch the Holy Empire’s Emperor’s attention?"

Though I didn’t come as an official envoy, I’ve brought over 50 people with me into Vienna.

Moreover, I officially entered as a Baron of the Tuscan Empire.

Logically, there’s no way there isn’t someone watching me.

So, through this display, I’ll show that I’m filthy rich.

‘Being rich means holding power.’

As I said this and glanced around, something unusual caught my eye.

"Noble ladies are watering plants?"

I became completely fixated on the sight.

The reason was simple—I felt like I could make a fortune from this somehow.

"Excuse me, my ladies. May I ask you something?"

While the culture here in the Albanian continent isn’t as rigid as Joseon’s “men and women must never sit together,” it’s still not seen as appropriate for high-born men and women to casually speak to one another.

Especially if a stranger approaches a noblewoman in a setting other than a ball.

‘I’d be arrested for street hunting here if I wasn’t careful.’

But perhaps my face helped me out.

The noble ladies allowed me to ask my question.

"Yes, feel free to ask anything."

"Thank you. I was wondering, do you perhaps have a hobby of growing flowers?"

If this noblewoman was simply growing flowers as a hobby, it wouldn’t help me at all.

However, if it’s seen as a trend among nobles across the Holy Empire to grow at least one flower, then importing exotic flowers from Ifrikiya or Sultanate could be a great business opportunity.

The lady shook her head at my question.

"It’s not really a hobby. Everyone around me grows beautiful flowers and shows them off, so I couldn’t exactly not do it."

Nobles, no matter where they are, are incredibly sensitive to trends.

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They’re so sensitive that there was a time, about 10 years ago, when wearing a particular padded jacket was considered a symbol of human rights in school, and anyone who didn’t wear it was ostracized.

If you don’t follow trends, you’re labeled as uncultured.

‘Being the one who sets the trend is also a symbol of power.’

This lady was just growing flowers because it was the trend.

"If you’re a noble in the Empire, you must know that growing flowers is a trend. From the fact that you didn’t know, I assume you’re from another country?"

"Yes, I’m Baron Rothschild from the Tuscan Empire."

In the Tuscan Empire, my name is probably as well known as any Count.

I’m the grandson-in-law of Duke Visconti, and I also oversee the saltpeter, seaweed, and coffee industries as both a noble and a magnate.

But that’s only in the Tuscan Empire...

Here, I’m just an unknown Baron.

"I see. My name is Maria von Rain. Please, call me Maria."

In Korea, it’s common to address someone by their name whether you're close or not.

But in Japan and across the Albanian continent, calling someone by their name holds a special meaning.

In anime, when a girl calls someone by their name, it’s often a big deal, and that’s because of this cultural background.

‘By calling me by name, this noblewoman is essentially flirting with me.’

"Of course, Lady Maria."

"Why have you come to the Holy Empire, Baron?"

"I came to broaden my horizons. I plan to travel around the Albanian continent for about a year."

In my case, it’s a bit special, but for nobles, traveling across the continent to broaden one’s knowledge is an essential part of life.

And sometimes, they end up meeting foreign women, leading to the 1+1=3 scenario, as they say.

‘Does this noblewoman expect me to turn this into a 1+1=3 miracle?’

"Really? In that case, would you like me to show you around Vienna?"

She’s quite attractive, but I have no desire to add another wife.

Plus, it’s obvious she’s only approaching me because of my face...

‘Crazy. Am I supposed to marry this woman?’

"Thank you very much, but I have a friend I urgently need to meet. Instead, I’ll send a letter to the Rain family later."

At this point, saying "later" is like saying "we’ll never meet again."

She probably understood that.

"Sebastian, have you found the thieves I asked for?"

"Yes, I’ve gathered some sharp-eared ones. But what do you plan to do with them?"

"Where else would they be useful?"

I was born with a mission to push the Pope into a corner and bring about a religious reformation.

Of course, I’m going to do something to help bring the Pope down.

‘How dare he steal 20,000 gold coins from me?’

Wait for it, Pope.

"To hide a tree, you must hide it in the forest, and to make a lie look like the truth, you must hide it within the truth."

I’ll show them just how powerful unfounded rumors can be.