I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 409: Burden of the Empire (5)

Propaganda is like a coin.

On one side, there’s the message that our country is great and wonderful, and on the other side, there should be criticism that the other countries are in a bad situation and struggling.

If only one side is present, it won’t even have one-millionth of its potential power.

‘I’ve told the people how great and wonderful the Toscani Empire is.’

But the people of the Toscani Empire still don’t know what is happening in other countries.

So, I have to show them.

I need to show the people how unfortunate and miserable the other nations are.

"Editor Hauzen, thanks to your hard work in publishing the newspaper, the people of the Toscani Empire have been enlightened despite their ignorance. His Majesty is also extremely pleased with the efforts of you and your journalists."

"You're too kind, my Lord. I’ve just done my best at the job entrusted to me."

"Doing your job well... It may seem simple, but most people fail to do even that. You've done excellently, and I'm pleased."

When you buy meat from a butcher with money, you expect fresh meat. When you buy fruit, you expect delicious °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° apples.

Paying for goods, whether they are good or bad, is the normal transaction.

However, some butchers will try to get rid of slightly aged meat, and some fruit shops will sell grapes that clearly don’t look fresh.

If you visit a large market in China, you’ll find plastic eggs and rice, things that only resemble their real counterparts.

Just paying for fresh ingredients is becoming somewhat of an achievement nowadays.

What the editor has done is the same.

He followed my orders and delivered the desired results.

Therefore, proper rewards must be given.

‘In Korea, if you do a good job, you get more work.’

"I have an important task I would like to assign to you, Editor Hauzen, for your service to the Empire. It concerns the Empire’s very survival and prosperity, but..."

I paused dramatically, resting my hand on my forehead, and then said resolutely,

"I want to entrust the future of the Empire to you, Editor Hauzen. Can you handle it?"

"Of course. If you entrust it to me, I’ll do anything for the Empire."

"Good, I trust you, so I will personally assign the future of the Empire to you."

Editor Hauzen’s eyes sparkled when he heard this.

He looked worried but also filled with more than just anticipation.

‘It’s also a skill to make your subordinate believe that the task you’re assigning is critical.’

"I’d like you to publish articles not only highlighting the happiness of the Toscani Empire’s people but also focusing more on the misery of other nations. By doing so, I want to make the people of the Toscani Empire realize how fortunate they are."

"I will carry out your orders, my Lord. But if you could tell me the reason behind this, it would help me execute your instructions even better. If possible, I would appreciate it."

Some religious figures or philosophers tell me to love myself as I am.

But most people living in reality can’t do that.

Because they are constantly comparing themselves to others.

Mr. Kim from the other department is dating a woman five years younger than him, and my colleague, who is my same age, got a house as a gift from his rich parents.

Hearing these things, I can’t help but feel inferior—why can’t I live like them?

On the other hand, I find comfort when I hear about someone worse off than I am.

When I hear that my boss, with a broken personality, lost 30 million won in stocks, it cheers me up, even if it doesn't directly benefit my life.

That’s human nature.

And now, shouting "Long live His Majesty! Long live the Toscani Empire!" without utilizing that instinct is not wise.

‘I should use every available tool, after all.’

"Humans are constantly comparing themselves to others," I said.

"Yes, I too am always comparing myself to someone else."

"It’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you can guide comparisons in the right direction, it’s a huge blessing."

Many modern people tend to think that comparison and competition are bad.

But through comparison, I might realize that I have a natural talent for mathematics, leading me to choose the path of studying math at university and contributing to the world.

Or I might realize that I’m good at football, and through dedication, become an excellent player.

But if I didn’t compare, I’d never know what talents I have, and I’d live an ordinary life.

"The people of the Toscani Empire, especially the soldiers, are being brainwashed through the teachings of military chaplains and newspapers, unaware of how happy they truly are. But they don't understand the extent of that happiness."

The editor tilted his head and asked,

"As far as I know, the soldiers shout 'Long live His Majesty!' every day and show unwavering loyalty to the Empire. So, I find it strange that they don't realize how happy they are."

"But that’s the reality. Just change the perspective a little. People call me the richest man in the Toscani Empire, but why do they call me that? Because they know roughly how other people are doing, and that’s why I get that title and become an object of envy. The happiness and prosperity the people of the Toscani Empire enjoy should be the same. We need to make them realize they enjoy things others cannot."

Humans can either become happy or miserable through comparison.

For example, Bhutan was once ranked as the happiest country in the world. But once people started using social media and realized how poor their situation was, their happiness drastically dropped.

When Koreans experience the medical system in the U.S. or the UK, they realize how great their own system is, and they become patriots.

"I understand your words, my Lord."

The editor paused, thought for a moment, and then continued.

"So, you mean that we should show how lucky the soldiers of the Toscani Empire are to serve His Majesty, while also exposing the miserable situations in other countries. And we need to choose the most provocative examples, correct?"

"Exactly. You understand quickly."

"I’ve heard that in the Kingdom of Lyon, some of the nobles raised the fees for the 'right to the first night' (though it’s just a name, in reality, it’s a tax system) from 50 ducats to 5 silver coins. It's not that they can't get married without paying it, but I’ve heard rumors that beautiful young women who can’t afford it end up in the lord’s bedroom."

"...Is that true?"

"It’s from a reliable source. Also, the slave markets are seeing an increasing number of women from the Kingdom of Lyon. The Holy Empire isn’t much better. Because of this, the price of female slaves has dropped drastically, and the slave traders are going crazy."

Rome was once just a small city-state in the Etruscan kingdom.

But when a single woman was taken from them, the Romans rose up, defeated the Etruscans, and won their independence.

Of course, it wasn’t just because a woman was taken, but the fact remains that to civilized people, losing a woman was considered one of the greatest humiliations.

Yet in the Toscani Empire, the Emperor and the nobles protect themselves, while in the Kingdom of Lyon, this is happening?

‘By seeing others’ misfortune, the people of the Toscani Empire will realize how truly fortunate they are.’

"And the Kingdom of Lyon and the Holy Empire, among other nations, have raised taxes to fund their participation in wars. Because of this, when winter ends, even without a famine, 3-4% of the villagers are expected to starve to death." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

I don’t know everything about the Albanian continent.

I can’t know everything, and what matters to me is the direction in which nations are moving, not the trivial details.

‘Trying to know and control everything would just overwhelm me.’

"This is a completely different situation from the Toscani Empire."

"I’ll publish these articles and spread them far and wide through bards, as you suggested."

I’m glad he understood so quickly.

With this, I can spread the propaganda to all the soldiers of the Toscani Empire, or rather, to all the citizens.

"Do as you see fit."

And Fabio’s propaganda quickly spread through the army.