I Became A Black Merchant In Another World Chapter 91

Nothing on Earth can kill people as quickly and efficiently as gunpowder.

If soone brings this up, those unfamiliar with warfare might retort that you could endlessly stab or cut soone with a spear or sword.

But this isn’t Japan; the sharpness and durability of weapons like spears and swords used in real battles are only on the level of a “kitchen knife,” and after stabbing two or three people, the blade is rendered dull.

“Even a masterpiece known as a ‘legendary sword’ can barely handle five people.”

Moreover, unless one has learned hand-to-hand combat to a certain degree, it’s not easy to kill soone with a sword.

Even attempting murder with a kitchen knife made using 21st-century tallurgy often results in failing to kill with just one stab, requiring dozens of thrusts instead.

“However, obtaining gunpowder in this era isn’t an easy task.”

In the 21st century, a single bullet costs less than 300 won, but in this age, the price of firing one bullet is equivalent to a serf's daily wage.

The lead bullet costs 10% of the total, while the gunpowder used amounts to less than 8 grams, yet it takes up a whopping 90% of the cost...

“That just shows how incredibly valuable it is.”

Thus, the governor of Nador asks to sell him so gunpowder and matchlocks because of this.

As I was lost in thought, a knock ca at the door.

“It’s Kris; may I co in?”

“Co in.”

I hadn’t scheduled a eting with Kris today, and I had assigned the task of securing gunpowder supplies to Sebastian.

Considering the importance of the task, I expected he would co in person.

“Although Kris is almost like family…”

We’re not directly blood-related, after all.

Kris entered with a huge stack of docunts.

“The steward is too busy overseeing the dici trading company’s operations to co here, so he handed the report and instructed to present it in his stead.”

Sebastian must be quite overwheld managing the affairs after I returned.

“First of all, I have secured all 2,000 matchlocks you promised to supply to the governor of Nador. Furthermore, I paid about 1.5 tis the market price for 20 tons of gunpowder, but we successfully secured the entire amount.”

I had thought it would be acceptable to secure that quantity just within this winter.

What kind of trick did Sebastian pull to acquire such a large quantity of gunpowder and matchlocks two months ahead of my expectations?

I’ll have to ask him to report on what magic he perford later.

First, I need to get my tired body moving with so financial therapy.

“Not paying people and overworking them is an act of villainy on the level of Hitler.”

“I should reward Sebastian for his hard work.”

I heard recently that Sebastian’s son is getting married in a month, so I should give him a mansion in Florence, considering all his efforts.

Since I essentially obtained it for free by taking down the spice guild, it wouldn’t be a problem to give one away.

“The steward will surely appreciate it.”

“There’s a nice house in Florence, and I should grant it to him as a reward for his dedication to our trading company and to . Please ask the Comrcial Law Departnt later to prepare for the tax and ownership transfer.”

“Yes, Baron.”

The wealth gap in this era is more severe than we can imagine, and bonuses are on an entirely different level.

For soone like Sebastian, who practically holds the position of “vice president” in our family, even the stingiest noble would grant him this much.

Giving a luxurious villa for retirent to a loyal retainer who has worked for thirty years or presenting a few hundred gold coins as a wedding gift is commonplace.

That’s still not enough; so might even transfer ownership of a beautiful maiden to take care of them in their old age.

“Of course, if the recipient of those rewards is a noble, the scale would jump up by tens of tis.”

No one else would likely give a mansion in Florence for the wedding of a retainer's child who rely holds a knighthood without any real fiefdom.

Seeing this beautiful tale unfold, the mbers of our trading company would probably voluntarily offer their services even more enthusiastically.

“And there is one serious problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“I’m not exactly sure where the war will break out, but it seems that a war is imminent.”

When a war breaks out, the consumption of gunpowder skyrockets.

Yet, no matter how much one tries to increase gunpowder production, there are limits.

“Gunpowder prices are likely to double or triple, right?”

Even though gunpowder has beco exceedingly expensive, honestly, if I scrape it together and sell it to the governor of Nador, I’m sure there would still be a considerable profit left over.

The biggest problem is whether there will be enough gunpowder left in our empire when the army conducts its buying events at double or triple the price.

“I had a feeling from the mont I was sent to serve as the logistics officer for the 1st Division, but are they really planning to go to war?”

From the emperor’s perspective, it honestly seems reasonable to initiate war.

The Milanians keep provoking us, raiding the Toscana Empire’s rchant ships at any chance they get.

“Of course, we’ve engaged in so questionable actions like the British have.”

But the reality is, if I do it, it’s romance; if others do it, it’s infidelity.

Therefore, wise nobles of the Toscana Empire should think this way.

“Just because our empire pulled so pranks, they’ve hurt us so much? We cannot forgive this in the na of Deus!”

“Just as we shouldn’t concern ourselves with their circumstances, they certainly won’t care about ours either. If we can’t secure gunpowder, our transactions will halt.”

Employee absences are generally excused during funerals or ergencies, and everyone understands that.

Of course, so pathetic individuals throw their requests in the trash, using such situations as an excuse to skip work.

“Having a funeral for a deceased parent won’t be productive; you should focus on productive work instead.”

The dead are dead; they won’t care if you don’t hold a funeral for them.

If the governor of Nador faced a war, an unexpected variable on the level of a “parent’s funeral,” he would hardly hold it against for failing to deliver supplies...

Though, as they say, all things in life are judged more by results than by the process...

“The transactions will stop.”

That’s why I held the price of sugar at three tis its normal rate at the Giyoms, ensuring that Café dici continued operating smoothly.

“What will you do?”

Fortunately, gunpowder can be mass-produced if one wishes.

Ideally, I’d like to monopolize gunpowder manufacturing, but if I attempted sothing like that, I’d truly be in danger.

“No matter how much of an emperor he is, he would cut open if I tried to monopolize advanced gunpowder manufacturing technology alone.”

“I guess I have no choice but to produce gunpowder.”

“I believe we can sufficiently manufacture gunpowder by utilizing our trading company’s connections and artisans…”

The problem is that the process of producing gunpowder in the Toscana Empire is quite barbaric.

Noble mansions are invaded every ten years to gather dust piled on ceilings or corners and salty-tasting dirt around bathrooms.

Commoners live through the daily grind of invading every possible area to find “soil that can be processed into gunpowder,” making it a norm.

To survive while doing this, one must possess power greater than that of a “count.”

For a re baron like to engage in such acts?

“That’s a surefire way to get beaten and die.”

“Kris, that’s not the kind of thod you’re thinking of.”

Surprisingly, with a very simple shift in perspective, anyone can find a solution, but I’ll use an approach that no one typically employs to escape this crisis.

“Gunpowder is originally cultivated like growing mold, right?”

This obvious principle has been applicable to humanity for hundreds of years until Professor Haber developed the magical process of nitrogen fixation.

I should take advantage of that.

“It’s a thod that’s more certain while also not inconveniencing anyone.”

However, to attempt this imdiately, I would need to take a public office again.

Perhaps I could directly ask the emperor.

If I present a way to increase gunpowder production, he would welco with open arms.

“I might have to start working at the Florence city hall for a while.”

To secure a large amount of manure, which is the primary ingredient for gunpowder, it’s fastest and most reliable to assu a position of authority and push through.

“What on earth are you thinking, Baron?”

“I’m thinking of a way to produce gunpowder in abundance. It’s not precise, but it’ll certainly be much more efficient than the current thod of digging up dirt from toilets and walls.”

If I use this thod, I’m certain I can secure at least several tis more gunpowder than what I’m currently obtaining, and I could do it with far greater efficiency.

“Moreover, it might greatly reduce the chances of diseases.”

Florence isn’t as unsanitary as those dismal dieval cities we often envision, but to be honest, the sanitary conditions aren’t particularly good either.

And I wrote a very simple but clear letter to the emperor.

[After analyzing the principles of gunpowder production, I believe it can be made from feces and urine. Thus, I would like to conduct an experint; the costs will be fully covered by the gods, so I just need a little assistance.]

The next day, I was able to receive a temporary position in Florence from the emperor. It seems that the emperor is more serious about war and gunpowder than I thought.