It is said that a beautiful woman cannot live long due to the jealousy of other won, and a genius becos the target of hatred from ordinary people, leading to a short life.
I have tried to avoid making enemies as much as possible, like the persona non grata Jeong Do-jeon, Oda Nobunaga, and Wallenstein from the Thirty Years' War.
“Did you really manage to obtain the rank of Major Baron at such a young age?”
“I heard he got a staff position without any significant achievents?”
“What an arrogant brat, just a second son of a baron.”
Among a flock of chickens, if I stand out like a crane, even if I try not to create enemies, people around will beco jealous and envious.
From now on, it won’t just be about threats to their livelihoods.
There will also be trash who seek to be hostile simply because they dislike my success.
It feels just like 21st-century Korea.
There are employees with better looks than mine, subordinates with greater abilities, and colleagues with more money.
Such individuals are scattered throughout the nation, always trying to bury those who excel in office politics.
‘If I had solved the weapon and military supply issues solely with money, how much more would they be gnashing their teeth?’
But I have no intention of hesitating or lowering my head under such pressure.
When I beco the object of soone’s jealousy without it being my fault, the best course of action is to face it boldly.
I walked confidently towards the stage for the award ceremony.
Was it said that shadows exist because of light?
If there are people who envy , there are also those who genuinely acknowledge my achievents.
“When I heard that a 21-year-old kid was a lieutenant, I thought the world was ending, but it turns out he is the real deal?”
“Whether it’s at Cafe dici or elsewhere, he seems to be capable of anything.”
“Is that what they call a genius bestowed by heaven?”
Aside from the Duke of Visconti, my father, and the Emperor, more than half of my allies are also supporting .
So I shall continue on the path I believe in, with my head held high.
Standing confidently on the platform, I received the gazes of dozens of nobles.
“His Majesty, Emperor Vitruvio of Toscana, has arrived. Please take your seats!”
With those words, the sound of nobles sitting down echoed through the hall.
I also knelt on one knee and bowed my head at the sa ti.
It wasn't long before the Emperor stood before .
“Everyone, raise your heads.”
When I looked up, the Emperor was smiling.
It seed he was quite satisfied with my achievents.
If he were dissatisfied, even the kindest person would be quite angry, but I didn’t think I needed to worry about that.
‘Well, after all, what I’ve done is far beyond re achievents.’
“The attendant will now read the accomplishnts of Fabio de dici.”
The attendant summarized my achievents to the assembly.
The provision of seaweed and maternity care facilities that reduced the number of dying mothers and infants, the distribution of coffee that allowed scholars and bureaucrats to focus on their work.
I played a decisive role in rebuilding the 1st Division, exposing the Pereira Guild’s misdeeds with righteous conduct.
All my accomplishnts were announced, except for the iron-making technology reforms and smuggling, which would be sowhat problematic if revealed publicly.
“Although he is a young boy who is still unmarried, Fabio’s contributions have already benefited the Empire greatly. Moreover, despite being a poor lord with just over 3,500 serfs living in his territory, his loyalty and dedication in providing weapons and armor for thousands of soldiers for the Empire serve as an example for all nobles.”
While ordinary citizens of the Empire might not know , influential nobles with ears to the ground certainly do.
Whether through seaweed, which must be eaten during childbirth, or the cakes essential in high society, they have co across my na.
Thus, they probably understand that I am wealthy.
Yet the insistence on calling a “poor lord” has its reasons.
‘They’re essentially saying to hand over tribute to the nobles through this opportunity.’
If I fail to satisfy the Emperor, I might face a tax investigation, so I need to conduct myself properly.
“I, Vitruvio of Toscana, as the Emperor of the Empire, wish to reward this devotion and loyalty. I bestow the title of Major Baron upon Fabio de dici and grant him the area near Castle Tyrenia, naming it the Baronage of dici.”
Castle Tyrenia, though referred to as a castle, is rely surrounded by a wooden palisade when you actually visit.
Still, it’s good for farming, and there are plenty of people living around.
According to the bailiff in charge of that area, about 6,000 people live there.
‘If I divert them from wheat farming to focus on specialty crops, could I make more money?’
Adding the population of our territory to the residents of the newly granted land gives a total of just under 10,000 people.
Though I hold the title of Major Baron, in terms of territorial scale, it’s quite similar to the bottom-tier Barons.
If I had simply replaced the supplies coming in as requested by the Emperor and only changed the weapons, I would have only received the title of Major Baron.
It seems best to do everything I can to the fullest extent.
“Until now, Fabio de dici has been considered a vassal of Baron dici, but from this mont, I shall take him as my vassal.”
Though the wording is complex, what the Emperor ans is simple.
This guy is now mine.
Until now, he was treated almost like a vassal of the Duke of Visconti, and Albert wouldn’t have dared to lay a finger on , but now I’ve beco soone he truly cannot touch.
My brother and I are blood relatives, so he must be watching from sowhere...
I wonder how he feels about it? Surely, he must be annoyed.
“Baron Ducat, the commander of the 1st Division, has reported that Major Baron dici perford excellently in the supply duties, so I hereby command him to oversee the supply operations for the 9th and 13th Divisions. Additionally, the supplies previously handled by the Pereira Guild will be managed separately by a guild supervised by the imperial court.”
It seems the Emperor is quite power-hungry.
He intends to grasp the core interests of military supplies directly.
Still, he granted the rights to supply two divisions.
‘I should only handle the sa scale of supplies I did with the 1st Division and ensure I make a profit.’
If I do too well, I might beco a target for resentnt from other rchants.
And given my current stature, if I were to handle both, I’ll need to expand the guild’s scale imdiately...
To earn money and rise, I must put in the effort.
“I conclude the award ceremony here. I expect you to continue your loyalty as before.”
“I pledge my body and soul to the Empire and the Imperial Court.”
“I look forward to it.”
As the Emperor passed by , he whispered softly,
“Did you like it?”
In response to that, I bowed my head even lower.
Even with just the supply duties for the 1st Division that I optimized, the scale of the interests is equivalent to a small city, and to be given two? I can’t help but feel grateful.
Once the Emperor departed, everyone rose and withdrew.
Both the Visconti and Sforza factions likely had much to say about the ergence of a new ace.
Though the Duke of Visconti didn’t directly encourage ...
Honestly, just him bringing his followers here indicates he’s paying a lot of attention to within the faction.
‘Now he’s even encouraging directly? This will only create more enemies within the faction...’
So there’s no need to feel disappointed.
I reaffird my title and status once more.
“Major Baron dici.”
Unlike when I was rely a knight, I can now operate as an independent noble.
I feel like I’ve risen faster than I anticipated.
However, I don’t think I will struggle to handle this position.
I can certainly do better in the future than I have up to now.
And now that my title has risen, I should distribute bonuses to the employees and servants of the dici Guild and hold a family celebration.
Lost in good thoughts on my way back, Albert, the current Baron dici, approached .
“Baron dici, thank you so much for gracing this occasion.”
“How could this brother miss the mont his younger brother becos a Major Baron?”
Even if he wanted to kill , he couldn’t skip this event.
If he didn’t show up, he’d be pointed at among the nobles as soone who doesn’t even care for his own family.
Albert clapped my shoulder with a smile.
“I can’t believe you’ve already built a staff career at that age and risen to the rank of Major Baron by your own efforts. I am truly proud of you.”
They say people die when they do sothing they’ve never done, so why is he suddenly acting like this?
Did he get struck by lightning or sothing?
“Every ti I attend a social event, your na cos up at least once, but now you’ll hear praises about you until your ears bleed.”
“Why are you being so embarrassing?”
Then Albert’s expression suddenly changed.
He spoke in a serious tone, low enough for only to hear.
“Don’t forget humility. There’s a saying that great success at a young age doesn’t end well. As your brother, I advise you to take heed.”
People really never change, do they?
Still, I have no intention of being hostile toward you. Since I was born into the dici family, I’ll be sure to take care of interests and gifts...
Just please don’t be jealous of .
What a disgraceful act it would be to envy your younger brother.
“I will keep that in mind, brother.”
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