I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 343: Modernized Colonial System (2)

"A person alone is weak, but when everyone joins forces, they become strong."

Humans can never live alone, and it’s a fact that if you accept the idea that no one can live alone, you will inevitably face destruction.

Therefore, having obtained ‘factory land’ and ‘tax exemptions’ from the nobles who owed me money, I gathered a few trusted people to secure it.

"How’s everyone doing these days?"

"Thanks to the Holy Empire buying weapons at extremely high prices, we’ve become very wealthy. Thanks to you, my lord, if things go well, I might even buy a knight’s title."

"If you want to buy one, contact me. I’ll get you a special discount."

"I didn’t know it was possible to buy a title! I didn’t even think of that."

In the Joseon Dynasty, there was a practice of selling fake government appointments or fake civil service exams for money.

It’s a bit peculiar that it was a ‘government appointment’ and not a noble title, but in Joseon, whether you were a commoner or a lowborn, if you passed the exam or were appointed to a position, you became a noble immediately.

Technically, once you became a noble, your descendants were legally guaranteed nobility for four generations.

However, in the Toscana Empire, a knightly title above baron can be bought for money, and you’re made a noble, with no fief, salary, or obligations.

"A fine merchant like you shouldn’t remain a mere commoner. Oh, and it’s a shame that all the people here are mere commoners. If you’re thinking about it, contact me."

Paying for a knightly title doesn’t damage my honor.

So, whenever there’s an opportunity to make money, I have to take it.

Why would a person with 99 bags of rice target the person with just one bag?

"I gathered you here today not for nothing. I called you here to do something good together."

Trusting people, whether in business or anything else, is difficult at first, but the second time is easier.

They’re already the ones who made huge profits by selling weapons to the Holy Empire, running factories as I had suggested. They’ve already succeeded, so they’re expecting success again.

"What good thing are you talking about?"

"The nobles I lent money to said they couldn’t repay it. So, I forgave the debt in exchange for some rights."

As soon as they heard the word ‘rights,’ everyone perked up.

Such cute people, they didn’t even ask what rights, and already, they were thinking about how to make money.

I love how loyal they are to their desires.

Honestly, people like Father Stefano, who act purely based on faith and conscience, are unpredictable... But those who move for money are much easier to handle.

"Money can control even ghosts, that’s no empty saying."

"One right is the ability to obtain free land for setting up a factory or trading company, and the other is the complete exemption from corporate taxes and other taxes."

Getting free land for a factory is by no means a small benefit.

Buying land to build a factory requires a lot of money.

But the biggest benefit is this:

Being legally exempt from corporate taxes and other taxes.

A 20% corporate tax on gross revenue? Not having to pay that?

‘This is the best.’

"Certainly, it’s a great right. But there’s something that concerns me."

"What’s bothering you?"

"The rights to obtain free land and the tax exemptions belong exclusively to the Rothschild family, Fabio de Rothschild, doesn’t it? It has nothing to do with us."

A sharp observation.

As it’s written in the contracts made with the nobles, this agreement applies only to me, and upon my death, the same rights will be passed on to my heirs.

From a general perspective, this contract doesn’t concern them.

However, let’s change the way we think about it.

‘As long as I’m the owner, it’s fine.’

If I am the nominal owner, those benefits would still apply.

"Ah, you’re talking nonsense, only half of it is true. Can’t I just put the title under my name?"

Business owners often reduce taxes by setting up ‘figurehead owners.’

They pass property and business ownership to their children’s names to spread out the taxable amounts, like property taxes, income taxes, corporate taxes.

In illegal activities, a figurehead owner is set up to take the money and avoid punishment.

‘The legendary drug lord, the house fraudster, once caught at Seoul Station, this is what happens.’

It’s like me being the figurehead owner for them.

Of course, I will demand something in return, like making them exempt from taxes and giving them the land for free.

"That’s one way to do it, but I think the Empire’s accountants might catch on."

"If all of you buy shares in the factory I build, all problems will be solved. You’ll manage and run it yourselves."

Selling weapons to the Holy Empire can’t last forever—10, 20 years, it won’t last that long.

I only intend to drag the war on for about 3 to 5 years.

So, if I build too many factories ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ and try to keep all the profits from selling weapons to myself, I might end up not recovering the investments I made in the factories.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

‘The risk should be shared.’

And since I’m limited in capital, I’ll team up with those who hold power in the Empire, like factory owners and armor manufacturers.

It’s better to share some of the profits from selling weapons.

And once the economic development zone is set up, there will be more opportunities than just weapons.

"This is an incredibly generous proposal, but... the terms will be the same as before, right?"

"I’ll handle the sales. I’ll take a small commission, of course."

"Sounds good, we’ll invest all the available funds into this."

When we formed the cartel, no, the trust last time, there was quite a bit of opposition.

But this time, the ones who tasted money immediately signed the agreement.

"My lord, the owners of the weapon and armor factories have invested 200,000 gold coins as initial capital."

"Those guys really pulled out every last coin they had."

"My lord, there’s nothing you do that doesn’t succeed."

Well, if the chance of success is 100%, it’s legal to invest even if you’re in debt.

But there’s still money left.

However, I shouldn’t think too much about this.

Just invest and win, that’s it, right?

Some people even use leverage, but if you follow them, you’ll ruin your life.

"Baron Florin comes to mind. He really..."

"If he knew about this investment, he’d probably have mortgaged his entire estate."

It’s not critical information, but the money you can borrow by mortgaging an estate is usually about 20 years’ worth of total tax revenue from that estate.

Investing all of it and gaining profit? You could become a sudden millionaire.

Of course, such risky investments are not for everyone...

Ah, Baron Florin would definitely do that.

"Have the factory sites been selected?"

"Yes, we’ve selected a total of 13 sites."

"You’re sure no one will notice?"

"Of course not!"

"Don’t get caught."

We have no need to hide the fact that we obtained the rights to do business on land without paying taxes.

Did I threaten the nobles with guns and knives?

I just gave them a little warning that they might suffer some unpleasant consequences if they don’t repay their debts and obtained the right to operate without paying taxes.

They must have gone to Deus Cathedral to pray for my longevity by now, but...

Right, they wouldn’t thank me for forgiving their debts.

It feels too devilish to accept gratitude for that.

So, I’ll live with a clear conscience.

"If anyone finds out I’m buying property in that area, someone else will try to cash in."

"If you make an investment in that area, other merchants will surely smell the money."

Money-making information is something I keep to myself.

If I can’t profit from it, I’ll share with my family, relatives, and closest friends.

The fewer people who know, the more money it makes.

"So, before anyone else knows, we need to buy the land around the factory site."

The only thing I’m receiving for free is the ‘factory land.’

As soon as rumors spread that I’m building large factories, the landowners around will scramble to raise the price.

"We’ll buy the land around the factory, build houses, and create a city."

The initial investment costs will be astronomical.

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But once the city is established, the returns will be far greater than the investment.

"...In fact, I’ll make it my territory."