I Became A Black Merchant In Another World Chapter 207

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 governnt’s budget alone is several tis 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 co 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 and spoke at length.

"When I ca 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 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 ti, and said...

"There are magnificent houses, beautiful clothes, and pretty won 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 soone’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 so 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 ti 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 so 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 sa 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 co as an official envoy, I’ve brought over 50 people with into Vienna.

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

Logically, there’s no way there isn’t soone watching .

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

‘Being rich ans holding power.’

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

"Noble ladies are watering plants?"

I beca completely fixated on the sight.

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

"Excuse , my ladies. May I ask you sothing?"

While the culture here in the Albanian continent isn’t as rigid as Joseon’s “n and won must never sit together,” it’s still not seen as appropriate for high-born n and won 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 out.

The noble ladies allowed 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 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 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.

They’re so sensitive that there was a ti, 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 assu you’re from another country?"

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

In the Tuscan Empire, my na 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 na is Maria von Rain. Please, call Maria."

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

But in Japan and across the Albanian continent, calling soone by their na holds a special aning.

In ani, when a girl calls soone by their na, it’s often a big deal, and that’s because of this cultural background.

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

"Of course, Lady Maria."

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

"I ca 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 sotis, they end up eting foreign won, leading to the 1 1=3 scenario, as they say.

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

"Really? In that case, would you like 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 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 et. Instead, I’ll send a letter to the Rain family later."

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

She probably understood that.

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

"Yes, I’ve gathered so 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 sothing to help bring the Pope down.

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

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.