I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 315: Agricultural Revolution (7)

The Emperor greeted me with a somewhat ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) uneasy smile.

“I apologize for calling you so suddenly.”

“If His Majesty calls, then it is the duty of a vassal to run like lightning from the westernmost tip of Iphrikia, is it not?”

“I wish all the nobles of the Empire had the same loyalty in their hearts as you do.”

If everyone in the Toscana Empire were like me, I wouldn't mind, but I worry they might only learn the bad habits.

Then our Empire would end up like the deliciously-cooked England.

Those who pursue personal gain at the expense of the Empire’s interests would maximize their profits, setting fire to foreign lands, then blaming the primitive locals, all while playing the role of a martyr.

To stabilize their colonial dominion, they would divide and conquer the indigenous peoples.

They’d commit every atrocity as though it were a given.

‘Soon, a red ghost will be roaming around the Toscana Empire.’

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s expression grew a bit more sour than before.

“I’ve heard that the Rothschild estate has successfully tested a new farming method called ‘crop rotation’ and achieved great success.”

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“Yes, that is correct.”

“They say the crop yield has increased by 80% compared to the three-field system, and when including the food for livestock, food production has increased by nearly 130%.”

“It was merely inspiration given to me by Deus.”

“Deus, Deus is so indifferent. Why did He only give such inspiration to you and not to me?”

For a brief moment, I thought I saw jealousy flicker in the Emperor's eyes.

It was a perplexing thought.

If I were so capable that he wanted to kill me out of envy or if he was simply being cautious, I could understand that.

But why would the Emperor, the ruler of a nation, be jealous of me?

I could never claim that I’ve used all my abilities for the benefit of the Toscana Empire, but I’ve certainly sacrificed a great deal for the Empire.

And the Emperor should have greatly benefited from that.

“I would like to ask you for something.”

“Anything, Your Majesty.”

“Give me all the knowledge and techniques needed to implement this crop rotation method.”

If I had some high-value techniques, like the methods for cultivating ginseng or the way to grow shiitake mushrooms that could supposedly buy a castle during the Edo period, that would be one thing.

But crop rotation is a farming method that is relatively easy to follow, so there’s almost no point in keeping it to myself.

On the other hand, if crop rotation spreads throughout the Empire and the Toscana Empire’s economy grows...

I would have more chances to profit from legitimate trades (mainly benefiting only myself).

Mosquitoes prefer to suck blood from fat pigs rather than scrawny people.

As a merchant, it's common sense to sell your soul to make money, so why wouldn’t I focus on fattening up my “clients”?

“Of course, the reward for this...”

A reward? Whatever the reward is, gaining the Emperor’s trust is far more important.

It would be fine to get something in exchange for teaching the crop rotation method...

But drinking too much water can lead to water poisoning and death, just as indulging in wealth all at once can lead to indigestion and death.

“I don’t need any reward.”

“You’re going to give away such a precious technique for free?”

“Others may say I’m like a goblin who would sell my soul for money, but I was born a noble of the Toscana Empire. I have learned what a noble should, I value honor, and I understand that loyalty is more important than life itself. Spreading a farming method that benefits Your Majesty and the Empire is an obligation I must fulfill as a noble of Toscana. Loyalty and duty are rewards in themselves, Your Majesty.”

“...I will never forget your noble loyalty.”

To live a long and prosperous life, sometimes one must know how to give up.

Even if I became a count because of my contributions to the crop rotation method, how much would the nobles around me hound me?

Whenever I go to the Imperial Assembly, the nobles would whisper:

‘How can a kid who’s under 30 act so boldly?’

‘The Empire’s laws have been shattered, shattered! Back in my day, this was unthinkable.’

‘He only got this far by sheer luck, didn’t he?’

These kinds of things are said, and if I became a count at this age...

If a man who had been active for less than 10 years suddenly became a count, all kinds of pests would swarm around me, making my life miserable.

‘The title is just decoration.’

While talking with the Emperor, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”

An oblivious person might think, “Why is the Crown Prince suddenly coming in while I’m talking with the Emperor? What a surprise!”

But anyone who has been in the aristocratic circle for more than a day would think:

The Emperor must have called for the Crown Prince at the exact timing of my arrival.

But why?

“Let him in.”

The Crown Prince moved smoothly as if everything had been planned.

He greeted the Emperor, apologized for his sudden visit, and then turned to me with a salute.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Rothschild Baron.”

“I never expected to meet you here in the audience room, Your Highness.”

“We’ve crossed paths at various ceremonies, but seeing you face-to-face like this, you’re quite handsome.”

“Thank you.”

“I look forward to working with you, Baron.”

In aristocratic families, it’s expected that heirs, second sons, and third sons begin their careers in politics, as bureaucrats or military officers, fighting for power.

But this rule does not apply to royalty.

If a Crown Prince seeks power, a coup could easily follow.

To prevent such disasters, the royal family is allowed to enjoy great wealth during their lifetime, but becoming a bureaucrat or entering politics is generally forbidden.

“My father said that the Rothschild Baron is the pillar of the Empire.”

“Such words are too much, Your Highness.”

The Emperor directly contradicted that statement.

“I think otherwise. If it were any other noble, I might agree with you. But you, no matter what anyone says, are already a pillar holding up this Toscana Empire.”

As soon as I heard the word "pillar," memories from my last audience with the Emperor came back.

At that time, the Emperor had said that I should swear loyalty to the Crown Prince.

“I think the Rothschild Baron should also swear loyalty to the Crown Prince, just as you have to me, and just as you are doing now.”

“Of course, I will.”

The reason Toscana Empire's nobles pass down their positions to their descendants is simple.

It’s because the Emperor and the royal family guarantee their status.

Thanks to the royal family acknowledging my status, I’ve easily risen to where I am today.

‘If I want to live well, I need to swear loyalty.’

“Bring the sword.”

With those words, a servant brought in a sword.

The reason for presenting the sword during the swearing of loyalty is clear.

It’s to announce to everyone who your lord is from now on.

“Present yourself properly, Baron.”

Even I was taken aback by the situation.

The Crown Prince is 20 years old, and the Emperor is at an age where his death wouldn’t be surprising, so there must have been others who had sworn similar oaths at that age.

But for a mere Baron like me to be asked to swear such an oath?

This was like when Liu Bei, on the verge of death, called Zhuge Liang to him and said, “If my son does something foolish, you can be the Emperor of Shu.”

This is not like when Liu Bei told Zhuge Liang to do whatever he wanted, as long as it wasn’t rebellion.

“I will ask you, Rothschild Baron. Will you swear your loyalty to me, the legitimate heir of the Empire, and to the Crown Prince?”

If I say no, my head will be gone instantly.

But I have no intention of committing treason against the Empire.

“I swear.”

“Do you also swear to dedicate your endless efforts to the national interests of the Toscana Empire?”

“I swear.”

“Since all these vows are being watched by Deus, the Almighty in the heavens, you must remain loyal without shame.”

And then, a sword was bestowed upon me.

Normally, after swearing loyalty to the Emperor, a sword engraved with the double-headed eagle emblem of the Toscana Empire would be given.

But the sword given to me was engraved with the eagle emblem of the Crown Prince.

“You are the only one who has received this sword.”

I feel like I’m going to choke.

Really, I might choke.

“And now that the Crown Prince has become an adult, you must take him abroad and help him broaden his horizons.”

...I’m losing my mind, really.

Well, at least there’s something fun I can do now that I can’t profit on my own.

I’ll show the Crown Prince that, and it’ll be useful for his education.