I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 374: Merchants Want to Become Politicians Too (3)

There was a saying, whether in politics or business.

"Set the board the way you want it to be."

Of course, only those in high positions could do such a thing, but there was no more effective method.

Even in the late Joseon Dynasty, the Gyeonghwa Sajok—the noble families of Seoul—rigged the system to ensure they alone could benefit, completely overturning the Gwageo examination system.

In the past, even commoners could earn an official position if they passed the exam and worked as an unpaid intern for ten years.

But the nobility found it unacceptable that their own children struggled with the Gwageo, while some lowborn commoner could pass it and suddenly gain a title.

So, they drastically increased both the number of exams and the number of those who passed—while ensuring that unless a commoner ranked at the very top, they would never be granted a position.

In some cases, three generations in a row had to pass the Gwageo before the family could finally gain an official post.

Sure, passing the Gwageo still brought local respect and elevated status (at least a silver spoon’s worth of privilege), but...

Meanwhile, noble families could scrape by at the very bottom and still receive government appointments without issue.

Joseon scholars used this strategy—so why couldn’t the emperor?

"Of course, in this case, I'm the one setting the board."

"Take a look at this for a moment."

I pulled out a set of scales.

"On the left, we have imperial authority. On the right, the power of the nobility. Right now, the scales are slightly tilted toward His Majesty."

"It’s just like the current empire. His Majesty has become strong enough to suppress the nobility, but not so much that he can push through reforms without any resistance."

To be honest, considering that the emperor started as just the most powerful of the nobles and had managed to strengthen imperial power to this extent—it was already impressive.

But what kind of beings were humans?

No matter how well you did yesterday, you had to do even better today.

The emperor surely wanted to strengthen his authority further.

"Now, let’s adjust the board a little."

I placed a small weight on the right side and a larger one on the left.

This time, the scales tipped significantly in favor of the nobility.

Teresa watched the demonstration with great interest.

"With only nobles and merchants, power shifts drastically toward the aristocracy."

"But notice—His Majesty, the largest weight of all, is not on the scale. By changing the board slightly, His Majesty now becomes an absolute ruler who can control power as he pleases."

Teresa smirked and lightly tapped the scale with her finger.

The weights shifted up and down with each movement of her hand.

"It feels almost godlike, though I know such thoughts are irreverent."

"To those on this scale, His Majesty is akin to a god. Their very survival depends on the movement of his fingertips."

Power, at its core, was simply the ability to determine another’s life and death—to forcibly make someone do what they didn’t want to do.

Up until now, the emperor had been fighting against the nobility from within the same scale, engaging in direct political battles.

Now, he would make the merchants and nobles fight each other instead.

The winner would be determined by whoever the emperor chose to support.

The loser? Crushed underfoot.

"Nobles will want to maintain their power, while merchants, having tasted power for the first time, will become addicted and refuse to let go."

There were many people in the world who had never tried drugs.

But how many had tried them once and then willingly quit?

Power was sweeter than sugar, more seductive than love, and more addictive than any narcotic...

And humans were supposed to just quit? Impossible.

Only those like Pastor Stefano—who, even when given money, refused to spend it on steak because he realized he could instead feed twenty starving people—could do such a thing.

"But with just a small adjustment, both the nobles and merchants will end up begging His Majesty to grant them power."

"Because they crave it, yet fear that losing it could mean their downfall?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

In Joseon, the ones who excelled at this tactic were King Seonjo and King Sukjong.

They despised having to fight for power with their ministers, so they simply divided them in half and let them tear each other apart—even if it meant the country was constantly on the brink of chaos.

But the current emperor?

He was drunk on the idea that absolute monarchy ensures the stability of the people.

So, any power he gained would be directed toward improving the lives of the commoners.

"My precious citizens are starving! These damn nobles! In the name of love and justice, I will destroy you!"

He was almost like King Sejong in that regard.

But while King Sejong worked his ministers to death—men like Hwang Hui and Jo Malsaeng practically begged to be put out of their misery—the current emperor?

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

If someone harmed the people, he would simply kill them.

"This has absolutely nothing to do with me trying to avoid being worked to death like Hwang Hui."

It was a perfectly rational prediction that once my son with Erika grew up, I could naturally retire in peace.

"But if we analyze this structure closely, there’s a problem. Won’t the merchants who become city council members be appointed by nobles, just like the other council members?"

Teresa had a point.

But rather than assuming she was wrong, it was better to consider her perspective.

City council positions weren’t chosen by popular vote.

They rotated among the established elite families of each city.

If merchants took those seats, of course the aristocracy would push back.

They would see them as tools for strengthening noble authority—what a waste.

"Nothing comes for free. In exchange, merchant council members should be elected by the merchants of the city. After all, they are supposed to represent them."

"And as long as they can’t be dismissed without just cause, they will have to consider the opinions of their fellow merchants."

"For now, start with these changes and gradually cultivate the merchant class. Over time, the country will only grow stronger."

"But..."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"What do you think of women like me, who are deeply interested in politics?"

I believed that if a woman was just as capable—or more capable—than a man, she should have equal opportunity.

Gender was just a difference, not a determinant of competence.

Denying someone due to difference was simply discrimination.

Rejecting a Harvard-educated Black man as nothing more than a "walking cotton picker" would be a colossal loss.

"A wise and capable wife is a husband’s greatest blessing. If Erika weren’t by my side... it would have been very difficult for me."

"In that case—"

Before Teresa could finish her sentence, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Upon receiving permission, Chloe entered—wearing her old maid uniform.

"I came to properly serve Her Highness upon hearing of her visit."

"I don’t recall requesting tea."

"I am your concubine and the mother of the next Baron Medici. Surely, you wouldn’t refuse tea that I personally prepared?"

In both Eastern and Western traditions, having one’s wife or concubine personally serve a drink was among the highest forms of hospitality.

And tea was no exception.

Since I had already granted permission for her to enter, I couldn’t exactly send her away now.

"Refusing in this situation would just make me look like an idiot."

"Lady Erika personally instructed me to ensure that Her Highness was well cared for."

Erika must have sent Chloe with the best intentions.

So why did I suddenly feel a chill down my spine?

"Erika is always so considerate. She’s looked after me so well since we were young. And this jam cookie—I’ve loved these since childhood. Tell her I’m grateful."

"I will be sure to pass along your thanks."

"What is Erika’s schedule today? She mentioned being busy, which is why Viscount Rothschild received me in her stead."

Denying this would only make things worse.

If rumors spread that I had a private relationship with ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the princess?

The emperor himself would show up at my door with a sword, demanding I take responsibility.

Even if I did take responsibility, the consequences wouldn’t be much better.

"So this is what it feels like to be at someone else’s mercy, huh?"

"Lady Erika canceled her schedule and returned early upon hearing that Your Highness was coming."

At those words, Teresa immediately rose to meet Erika.

Chloe watched her leave—then turned to me, spreading her arms.

When she used to feel uneasy, I would hug her to reassure her...

As I did so, she pressed herself closer and whispered:

"Master, you only need us, don’t you?"

"You’re worrying over nothing."

"Can I trust that?"

"I never lie to you, Chloe."