I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 355: Enlightenment (2)
Knowledge is power, and ignorance is a crime.
Even if the judicial system in the medieval fantasy Toscana Empire is a mess, they do not kill someone simply for being ignorant.
However, if one is ignorant, there is no way to appeal even if something unjust happens.
In fact, one might not even realize they've been wronged.
"What's the connection between waking them from ignorance and becoming a great noble? Can you explain it in detail?" "Isn't it the nature of people? They can't know how precious what they have is or how valuable the one who grants it is until they learn it from someone." "Indeed, as you say. If I hadn’t learned how precious honor is from my father, I would never have understood its value."
People living in advanced countries often don't even know the concept of "dying from hunger."
They may understand the dictionary meaning, but they can't comprehend how terrifying and dreadful it is to die from hunger, or the lengths one will go to in order to avoid it.
I was one of those ignorant people.
‘After studying history in university, my views completely changed.’
Once hunger strikes, a person can lose their reason and, in their suffering, might start a witch hunt looking for someone to blame.
In Korea, Japan, China, and Europe, it was common for heads of families to sell their children into slavery to avoid starvation.
Even more shockingly, until before the industrial revolution, around 1-2% of Europe’s population died from hunger every year...
After learning these things, ironically, I became more patriotic.
No matter how bad the military is or how much I want to tear apart the officers who are our enemies, once I understood that, living in a country where I don’t have to worry about starving to death or suffering from hunger, I realized how big of a privilege that is. That’s when I started to love my country.
‘But the military still hasn’t gotten any better.’
"The serfs and workers living in the Visconti Duchy are the same. Unless you, my father-in-law, teach them directly about how great Duke Visconti is and how immense His Majesty the Emperor’s grace is, they will never understand the weight of that grace and those ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) achievements." "Indeed, after you published the newspaper and shared His Majesty's achievements and his care for the people, the loyalty of the people increased significantly. My friends in the military say that soldiers are also putting in a lot of effort in their training these days." "If you wake them from ignorance and show them the value of the happiness they enjoy, perhaps a little exaggeration, but..."
Just as I developed patriotism after studying history and going to the military, the people of this era will likely be the same.
If they realize how great what they are enjoying right now is...
‘A habitual worship might start?’
"Do you remember the story where Deus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish?" "Who doesn’t know that? Even the serfs must have heard it a few times from the priests' sermons." "Then, you must know the rest of the story."
In this era, the Bible of Deus is the pinnacle of culture among the nobility.
It holds a similar position to the Four Books and Five Classics of Joseon.
The difference is that in Joseon, if you wanted to be an official, you had to memorize the Four Books and Five Classics.
But in the Toscana Empire, knowing just the basic contents of the Bible is enough to become a bureaucrat.
Because of this, most of the nobility only knows the essential parts of the Bible...
"Those who witnessed the miracle of feeding 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish wanted to crown Deus as king. Looking at it more broadly, the word of mouth spread throughout Jerusalem, and when Deus entered, everyone revered Him as king." "They must have thought that by making Deus king, they’d never have to starve." "We’ve never starved, but hunger is terrifying. Just like how nobles go into a battlefield with bullets flying, risking their lives for honor, the serfs will jump into a battlefield or a fiery pit if it means avoiding hunger." "...Did Chloe tell you this?" "I’ve known this for a long time. To be a merchant, you must be able to read people’s desires. If you don’t understand the plight of the serfs, who make up the majority of Toscana, you won’t be able to make money." "So that’s why the people in your domain support you so strongly..."
I understand their plight very well.
That’s why I lower taxes, use my administrative network to ensure they don’t suffer injustices, and if a poor, lowly person faces unfair treatment, I help them directly.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
When the Kingdom of Lyon pillaged the village of Vio, I started a war, executed Guillaume the Baron in front of their eyes...
‘I’m definitely siding with them as much as possible.’
Of course, I’m doing this so that my children can continue to be noble for generations to come.
"And in the Bible, the people of Judah, despite knowing Deus’ miracles, suddenly called Him worse than the world’s worst murderer. Do you know about that story?" "Yes."
The Bible describes this.
Jesus and two of the worst criminals.
Meaning, among a group of serial killers, rapists, and plunderers, the people were asked to choose one to save.
The person who led this vote believed that the good man Jesus would be set free, even though he said some strange things...
‘Surprisingly, the worst criminal was set free.’
The reason was absurd.
However, once you understand it, it actually makes a lot of sense.
"The reason is quite simple. The people believed that when Deus entered Jerusalem, they would be completely freed from hunger, but Deus did not fulfill that wish. They were overwhelmed by betrayal."
My father-in-law’s eyes opened so wide that I thought they might pop out.
Then, he let out a huge sigh, clearly feeling disbelief.
"Is that true?" "Surprisingly, yes. And for the people, hunger is a crucial issue. After buying Chloe in my first domain, the village of Vio, I learned how terrifying hunger is. It was truly horrific."
During the Thirty Years' War, the Imjin War, and other pre-modern wars, the most agonizing thing for people was not the war itself.
It was the food shortage caused by the war.
When there’s no food, everyone suffers and dies from hunger, and those pushed to the edge eventually resort to eating people.
At first, they eat the bodies of the dead, then they start eating other living humans, and in the end, they even cook and eat their own children.
History records it.
"Who freed them from that hunger?" "His Majesty the Emperor, of course. And the nobles of our Toscana Empire as well."
"Tell them that. And also tell the people of Toscana about the situation in foreign lands. It will have ten times the effect."
Humans are truly wicked beings.
I’m at a level where, compared to the real evil ones, I’m just a novice, so it’s difficult to express how cruel humans can be.
One of them is that when they feel superior to others, they find happiness.
Those who post hateful comments online, belittle the poor unnecessarily, and insult people with lower academic backgrounds or jobs, they find solace in seeing themselves as better than those ‘fools.’
‘It’s the ugly nature of humans.’
That strange man with the crescent-shaped mustache once said, "Even so, I love you, my foolish son!" and tried to embrace everyone.
Even the ugly nature can serve the public good if used properly.
"When the neighboring country is suffering from hunger, but our Toscana Empire does not need to face such a thing thanks to our great Emperor and enlightened nobles, the serfs will start to love their country."
In fact, there are rare cases where people who go on tours to Southeast Asia suddenly become patriotic toward Korea for similar reasons.
"Then, protect the merchants. They are currently being taxed with corporate tax, and they are not safe from the tyranny of the nobles, officials, and bureaucrats. If you protect them, the merchants will willingly serve you as their lord, just as you did." "Just like you?" "Yes."
I honestly can’t say there’s anyone more talented than me.
To be honest, following my example is going to be difficult.
My father-in-law’s face no longer held the signs of concern.
It seemed he had set his goal.
"...Alright. Then, I’ll start by thinking about how to educate the serfs and workers right away."
...Everything is going according to plan.
