I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

No matter the company, nobody likes a parachute appointment.

After all, there’s a 99% chance they’re unqualified freeloaders, causing trouble for everyone else’s career and power.

But when I started my first day as financial administrator, everyone at the Medici estate welcomed me warmly.

“Master Fabio, you’ve grown so much since I last saw you two years ago.”

“It’s a blessing for our house, with the young baron now linked to the Farnese family and you thriving as well.”

“We’ll have to work hard to make sure we don’t let you down.”

Having only seen people plotting behind my back before, this was a refreshing change.

The sincerity from the family’s retainers was evident.

Upon reflection, I realized that although I was a parachute appointment, I was competent and only temporarily in this role, so I wasn’t a threat to anyone’s position.

It’d be stranger if they weren’t welcoming.

“Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“It’s only right we greet you with open arms since you’ve come to help the family, Master Fabio.”

If they speak kindly, I ought to return the favor.

And considering the saying, “A good word can repay a thousand debts,” I should give them a gift.

“This is a gift for you, Captain of the Guard. It’s the finest seaweed harvested from my territory.”

From my perspective, it was a modest offering, but the Captain received it as though it were a chest of gold and jewels.

“As it happens, my granddaughter is due to give birth soon. I was thinking of buying seaweed for soup, but now I can use this. She and my son-in-law will be thrilled.”

“Try adding some garlic and dried fish to the soup—it enhances the effects.”

“Is that so?”

A beaming smile stretched across the Captain’s face.

It looked like he might just float away.

I’d better distribute more gifts, or the others might think I’m playing favorites.

“Take a box each. It’s a costly item, but what’s the harm in giving it to my fellow servants of the Medici barony?”

“Thank you, Master Fabio.”

Everyone received a box of seaweed with smiles they couldn’t wipe off their faces.

A 200g box like that could practically buy a decent house, so of course, they were thrilled.

Then Albert, the head of the baronial retainers, brought the room back to focus.

“I understand that everyone’s excited to have Master Fabio here, but we didn’t come here to chat. Let’s save that for later and get to work.”

At Albert’s words, everyone took their seats, their expressions turning serious.

“Master Fabio, as our new financial administrator, what do you make of the current state of the Medici territory?”

From the Toscana Empire’s perspective, apart from the debt from the wedding, there wasn’t much wrong.

But stepping back from conventional thinking, I saw quite a few issues.

For example, the same tariff rate applied regardless of whether the item was cheap or expensive, and instead of collecting cash from craftsmen, they accepted payments in kind.

There were plenty of outdated and inefficient policies in place.

I wanted to highlight these issues, but as a mere “temporary” financial administrator, I had limits.

While I had been tasked with addressing problems, it’d be unwise to tackle the fundamentals right away.@@novelbin@@

“The top priority is dealing with the 8,000 gold loan borrowed for the wedding with the Farnese family. The interest rate is extremely high due to the rush.”

Even if it was urgent, a 50% interest rate was absurd.

That meant 4,000 gold in interest alone each year, and if compound interest were applied, the debt would balloon quickly.

Most nobles, unable to repay such debts, would then grant the merchants various privileges—political backing, granting knighthoods, and so on.

If things worsened, merchants could even influence internal affairs, which explains why many nobles disdain these powerful merchants.

If we want to avoid that, we need to start by addressing the debt.

It’s an issue so apparent that it doesn’t even need to be mentioned, yet its severity speaks volumes.

“So, it would be best to sell any useless artwork, jewels, and similar assets to reduce the debt as much as possible.”

That statement darkened the faces of those present.

Selling family heirlooms suggested austerity measures for the Medici family.

In the 21st century, austerity might involve early retirement and bonus cuts, but for noble retainers, it meant confiscation of tangible assets in the name of “greater economic policies.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be pleasant to hear about losing wealth.

Though they wanted to object, the Captain of the Guard sighed and spoke up.

“If it’s necessary, our Stefano family will contribute 120 gold.”

The legal advisor across from him shook his head.

“It doesn’t seem quite that dire. Don’t you think you’re rushing things?”

Thanks to my proven track record in managing finances for the trading company, my words carried weight.

Furthermore, I came with the authority delegated by my father, the true head of the barony, which only strengthened my position.

Still, it wouldn’t be easy for them to openly oppose me.

“Let me clarify, there will be no extra levies on the retainers or citizens due to the wedding. Doing so would tarnish the significance of the baron’s celebration.”

The Medici family chose to host a lavish wedding, but it would be unfair to pass the costs onto the retainers and subjects.

The minstrels—essentially the medieval press—would hear of it and spread the story nationwide.

Even if that didn’t happen, I could foresee the decline in our territory’s morale.

“So, we should sell assets to resolve the immediate crisis and expand the spice trade to boost our revenue.”

This wasn’t a particularly innovative idea.

Anyone connected to the Medici family could think of expanding the spice trade for more income.

“Master Fabio, the spice trade is undoubtedly lucrative. However, increasing trade volumes would lead to considerable friction, as it operates under an unspoken agreement among the Toscana Empire’s merchant elite.”

I wasn’t oblivious to this.

But from a modern perspective, the merchants’ collusion to stay within their territories seemed highly inefficient.

“Of course, increasing trade volumes could cause friction. That’s why we’ll have to ‘smuggle’ it. We’ll use the Medici name when we buy, but we’ll sell under an untraceable alias.”

During the Age of Exploration, trade often meant smuggling.

Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea, was angered when they refused to trade spices for the trash he offered as tribute.

He took the spices by force instead.

So why should we, the Toscana Empire, play fair?

“By sowing suspicion among the merchant elite, we can remove ourselves from the line of fire. As long as we’re not caught, we have nothing to worry about.”

In a conflict where proof is lacking, the one who prepared the deception first can easily slip away from suspicion.

“We need to pay off our debt. And as financial administrator, I’ll personally oversee this trade with the authority entrusted by my father.”

While running this operation, I’ll expand my network, build additional smuggling routes, and set up pipelines for future trades.

That’s why I took on this mission to restore the Medici family’s finances.

“What do you think of my proposal?”

Albert nodded approvingly.

“Master Fabio, you’ve built an enormous trading network within a year with just a few gold coins. Your proposal is entirely logical, and our Medici fleet specializes in discreet operations.”

In a world without radars or satellites, it wasn’t hard to avoid detection.

That’s why pirates thrived here.

“Do you have any other concerns as financial administrator?”

There was one more thing.

“I think the taxes on the serfs are excessive, but that’s beyond my purview, so I won’t address it now.”

“Understood. For today, let us host you, Master Fabio. You can begin your work tomorrow.”

One key task was making a good impression on the Medici barony’s retainers.

That way, if my brother ever turned on me, they might stand against him.

Over the next few days, I prepared to carry out my duties as financial administrator and organize trade with foreigners, then set sail.