I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

Late at night, I heard Sebastian’s voice.

“Young Master, it seems that His Highness the Second Prince has sent someone.”

If this were a message from any other noble, I’d tell them I’d see it in the morning unless it was urgent.

Even a certain chairman once said that a person needs good sleep to work well.

No matter how busy you are, securing a good amount of sleep is essential.

“I’ll change and come down. Serve our guest the best tea we have—or rather, some coffee.”

The Second Prince, or rather, the Emperor who uses the Second Prince as a mouthpiece, wouldn’t send just anyone.

So the person downstairs is likely one of the Emperor’s inner circle.

In company terms, they’d be an executive from a huge corporation.

“Be as courteous as possible and prepare about 150 grams of coffee beans as a gift.”

When meeting someone important, it’s proper etiquette to offer an appropriate gift (bribe).

If you ignore that, you could be seen as an ill-mannered fool, and you never know when you might be erased from this world.

I quickly changed my clothes and went downstairs.

Hopefully, this unofficial envoy brings some good news.

The man who came as the envoy was dressed in a way that clearly marked him as someone of noble birth.

Sipping coffee with a dignified posture in his fine clothes…

Is this what a true noble looks like?

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I am Fabio de Medici.”

The unofficial envoy put down his coffee with a subtle smile.

“The aroma and rich flavor of this coffee and cake kept me from noticing the time. I’m the one who dropped in unannounced, so the fault is mine, not yours.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Antonio de Allegrone, the Second Prince’s chamberlain.”

I’ve heard that the Allegrone family is one of the larger baronial families.

However, as the Prince’s chamberlain, his practical authority far exceeds that of most barons.

The fact that someone like him came in person suggests that the Emperor acknowledges my value.

“I’m here today to convey a command from His Highness the Second Prince.”

At this, I straightened my posture.

Antonio lowered his voice, adopting a cautious tone.

“The Pereira Trading Company has been selling steel to the Duchy of Liguria.”

The Toscana Empire isn’t at war with any other nation at the moment.

But we do have potential adversaries.

Following the principle of ‘ally with distant states, strike those nearby,’ we consider neighboring states like the Duchy of Milania and the Duchy of Liguria as potential enemies.

Right now, the balance of power between us and them prevents conflict.

But they’re countries we could go to war with at any time…

Selling strategic materials like steel to them? That takes guts.

“The Pereira Company is currently selling steel at two to three times the market price. It’s a petty, despicable thing only those without any breeding would do.”

When I told my father, the head of our grand Medici Trading House, that I wanted to become a merchant, he opposed it, calling it a base profession.

It’s no wonder Allegrone sneers at merchants.

Even in 21st-century Korea, there are many who look down on sanitation workers, miners, and technicians—people who make more money than most office workers.@@novelbin@@

Still, I’m a merchant, so he probably spared me by just calling them ‘scoundrels.’

After all, we’re both sons of noble baronial families, born of decent breeding.

“It’s not my place to judge the money-grubbing ways of these scoundrels. They’ve learned nothing but how to make a buck, rubbing their hands like flies.”

As the Second Prince’s chamberlain, he acts as the Emperor’s mouthpiece.

So, if he’s using such harsh words, it means the Emperor himself is furious with Pereira’s actions.

‘Are they seriously ordering me to take them out?’

“However, strengthening the power of a potential adversary is unacceptable. We want them to face appropriate punishment.”

Nothing is more detestable than orders like that.

‘Take care of it, thoroughly, properly, neatly, and with sensitivity.’

Instructions like this give no direction on how to proceed, but if anything goes wrong, I’d bear all the blame.

It’s common wisdom that a subordinate’s achievements are their superior’s, but a superior’s mistakes are the subordinate’s fault. But this is taking it too far.

Even if it risks my evaluation slightly, I need specific instructions.

Otherwise, I’ll be the only one facing the consequences.

“How far does His Highness expect me to go?”

“I clearly told you to handle it as you see fit.”

Antonio shrugged his right shoulder.

He twisted his mouth slightly as he looked at me.

“I’m nothing but a tool for His Highness. If I interpret the command incorrectly and trouble arises, I can be discarded. I only fear that His Highness’s reputation might be tarnished.”

Despite my words, if they toss me aside, I’ll grab Sebastian, Chloe, and the people of the village and flee to the Kingdom of Lyon.

“An admirable attitude. You’re clearly different from those scoundrels. This is why bloodlines matter.”

The superiority of the upper class isn’t because of good blood.

It’s because they have the resources for a better environment and education, which leads to greater success.

‘I’m not about to introduce democracy, though.’

In my sphere of influence, I’ll pick talent regardless of background.

If everyone else cares about rank, and I don’t, I can gather plenty of talent.

“His Highness only wants to frighten the Pereiras. Make sure this doesn’t surface publicly.”

“Is there any reason to protect the Pereira Trading Company?”

“The Pereira Trading Company has long been loyal to the royalist faction.”

That was all I needed to hear.

They’re on the Emperor’s side, and they haven’t sold steel to an active enemy, so they’ll be let off this time.

“Just give them a good scare. Enough to jolt them awake.”

So they want me to deliver a blow that won’t expose the smuggling?

And without implicating myself.

The Emperor is truly ruthless.

Why does he want to burden someone as young as me with such a task?

“If things go awry, the royal family will provide minimal protection.”

So they won’t just discard me if I fail?

Of course, they’d be slightly disappointed if I did.

“If you succeed, His Majesty will grant you a great opportunity. Someone of your abilities shouldn’t remain a low-ranking knight.”

Proving my skills might earn me a baronetcy and a chance to aim higher…

It’s an enticing offer for someone who needs to increase his standing.

No, to survive, I can’t refuse.

‘If it can’t be mine, destroy it!’

The Emperor might not say this, but he would likely act accordingly.

“I accept the mission.”

“Your ambition reminds me of my younger self.”

Sorry, but I’m far more handsome than you…

It may sound rude, but you’d never get a date in Korea with that face.

Antonio patted my shoulder and stood up.

“The Second Prince has high expectations for you. Try not to disappoint him.”

I said I’d show the Pereiras how spicy things can get…

But the Pereira Trading Company ranks among the elite trading houses in the Toscana Empire.

They’re unlucky not to have bought a barony, but their influence rivals that of a baron.

“They have influence comparable to most barons. All they do is trade, yet…”

They don’t reveal all their strength, but the little they do show is enough to hint at their power.

They run dozens of trading companies with hundreds of guards, merchants, and porters.

If they make a mistake, they can just buy off high-ranking nobles with cash.

No matter how quickly my trading house grows,

‘I’m just breaking into mid-sized business, while they’re a conglomerate.’

Considering the steel mill, I might rank higher among mid-sized businesses, but my assets and production facilities are tied to the Duke.

So that’s my limit.

“Which means I have to be even more careful.”

But caution alone won’t solve everything.

“I need to find something to deal a blow without them catching on. For that, I’ll need voluntary cooperation from their employees.”

Lower-level employees of the Pereira Company might cooperate, but it’s doubtful the higher-ups holding critical information will.

They’re not just employees; they’re also vassals to the Pereira family.

I might have to use threats.

“Do I need to catch those involved in the smuggling red-handed?”

The crucial thing is not getting caught.

In 21st-century Korea, even if I committed a crime, as long as I wasn’t discovered, a judge couldn’t punish me.

And in the Toscana Empire, as long as I have the Emperor’s backing, I can’t be punished as long as I’m not caught.

Then, an idea from the wisdom of a certain notorious country came to mind.

‘How would the East India Company handle this?’

They inherited all of Britain’s wisdom and fought on the frontlines of that nation.

Those people would surely have a clever trick for situations like this.

After pondering for a while, I came up with a clever plan.

“Let’s start by roughing up those committing illegal acts within the trading company. Sooner or later, answers will come.”