As soon as I returned home, I requested an audience with the Emperor.
In principle, any noble above the rank of baron can ask for an audience with the Emperor, but in practice, that's just a matter of law written on paper.
If you blindly believe that and act on it, you might receive a scolding accompanied by clear and loud criticism from a count.
‘It’s similar to how very few executives in large companies get to meet the chairman personally.’
Let alone requesting a one-on-one meeting is like trying to mix soy sauce with pickled crab for dinner.
“Baron Medici, His Majesty has granted permission for your audience.”
However, I had gained special favor from the Emperor, so I was able to receive his approval without issue.
“Thank you.”
After expressing my gratitude, I followed the attendant’s guidance directly to where the Emperor was waiting.
The Emperor greeted me while sipping black tea in his office.
“It’s been a few months since you became a baron. I see you’ve been to the continent of Ifriqiya; your face is quite tanned.”
“Still, I was able to achieve accomplishments worthy of pride to report to Your Majesty.”
Successfully opening trade routes was already a significant achievement.
Once established, whether another merchant or I sharpened our swords to venture forth, we would reap substantial profits next time.
The expansion of trade would mean the empire’s power would greatly flourish, so there was no reason for the Emperor to dislike it.
‘But ten thousand gold coins for the first expedition?’
That could be called a miracle by divine standards.
“Let’s hear about it.”
I conveyed every piece of information based solely on facts without leaving anything out.
With each of my words, the Emperor’s mouth gradually opened wider in surprise.
“I can’t understand how you came up with such an evil, no, astonishing idea. I can grasp the notion of selling gunpowder to the governor of Nador and selling matchlocks and gunpowder to the indigenous tribes of Ifriqiya to escalate the scale of the war.”
I had already discussed the idea of selling weapons to both sides of the conflict with Duke Visconti beforehand.
Since the Emperor was already aware of this, there was no need to elaborate further.
“There are two things I don’t understand: why did you encourage them to unite? If they establish their own nation, wouldn’t that put us at a disadvantage when we want to conquer them later?”
The continent of Ifriqiya isn’t such bad land for farming, so they could probably grow wheat to some extent if they worked hard enough.
However, if they were going to struggle like that, it might be better to introduce their farming methods, which rely on three-crop rotation, rather than suffering.
Why? Because the agricultural productivity there didn’t seem promising.
‘If the yield of wheat per unit area harvested in Toscana is 100, it might only be around 30-40 there.’
Unless that place is like the ‘open land’ that Pizarro or Cortés thrived in South America, the value of risking resistance from the indigenous tribes for cultivation isn’t high...
“By using that as a base, venturing into the wider sea would be beneficial in the long run. Right now, we’ve only extended our reach to the west of Ifriqiya, and yet we’ve gained such great profits. What will happen in the future?”
Currently, they were too pressed for resources to buy anything other than matchlocks, gunpowder, and bullets.
However, once they had more leeway, they could potentially sell various crafts, luxury goods, and liquor, gathering immense gold.
With a chance to amass wealth, it wouldn’t make sense to simply let this opportunity pass by.
One must target this once-in-a-lifetime chance and invest more significantly.
“Well, we don’t have to wage war to seize that land. And right now, we’re too busy dealing with the Duchy of Milania. While gaining distant lands would be good, it might be better to focus on securing nearby territories for now. If you establish a foothold, other merchants will follow, and they will pay substantial taxes.”
Ah, the Emperor still had a significant misunderstanding.
The reason I wasn’t keen on forcibly taking over western Ifriqiya was that...
It was already certain those folks would become our colony.
I wouldn’t directly govern them; they were just shackled by matchlocks and gunpowder, the only means to fight the governor of Nador...
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‘Could those fellows really gain independence from us?’
From my perspective, it seemed impossible even a hundred years from now.
“Your Majesty, conquest isn’t the only way to expand the Empire’s influence.”
Why did countries like the United States give up all their ‘colonies’ by the mid-20th century?
It was only natural for the defeated nations to relinquish their colonies, while victorious nations could hold onto them forcibly.
The reason can be summed up simply.
‘They might look good, but they aren’t profitable.’
“The western Ifriqiya region has little value for our Toscana Empire except for the gold it produces.”
Of course, there’s a ‘merit’ in acquiring a tremendous amount of gold.
Aside from that, there are only lion skins and ivory, and a vast expanse of land we can cultivate.
However, this would mean opposing Nador, and possibly the entire Sultanate.
‘If we give them the impression that we’re infiltrating their territory, they will surely become uneasy.’
The losses from that could far exceed the direct governance of the Ifriqiya region.
Even if there were no losses, the costs for cultivation wouldn’t just appear from digging in the ground...
“If we obtain western Ifriqiya, the Empire’s territory will expand rapidly. However, they do not farm, so the land is essentially barren. To make that land a complete part of the Empire, we’d need to support it with immense food and money. Can the Empire afford that?”
Though it’s not colonization, it brings to mind the unification of East and West Germany.
At the time of unification, East Germany’s economic power was only about 10% of West Germany’s.
So when West Germany took active steps to equalize, it reportedly experienced such severe ‘financial deficits’ that they were practically left on the streets.
Even now, decades after unification, Germany is still suffering from those aftereffects.
‘Our Empire can’t end up like that.’
“Your Majesty, I think that would be quite difficult.”
The official decision for the partition of African colonies was made in the late 19th century.
During other periods, Western powers didn’t even consider subjugating them as ‘colonies.’
They were just trying to dominate a port and some surrounding areas.
“So let’s chain them with gunpowder and matchlocks, naturally binding them under the influence of the Toscana Empire.”
“I think it would be better for them to support us willingly rather than forcing them to spend money. Alright, then let me ask one last question.”
“Please, Your Majesty.”
“Why did you refer to it as belonging to the Granada Kingdom? I understand the intent to avoid war, but I wonder if you have other thoughts as well.”
That’s a plan to avoid shedding even a drop of blood from our Toscana Empire.
I pondered how to explain this in a way the Emperor could easily grasp.
“Your Majesty, the Granada Kingdom is a potential enemy of our Empire. Both the Sultanate and the governor of Nador are considered adversaries as they follow the heathen faith.”
This was also the reason I sold surplus gunpowder to Nador.
It was based on the Eastern wisdom of ‘attack those closest to you while maintaining friendly relations with distant states.’
Nador, being far away, posed no immediate threat to us, so selling to them was feasible...
‘But when we expand beyond western Ifriqiya to the ocean, they might become an obstacle.’
Therefore, it’s crucial to provoke either war or conflict with the Granada Kingdom beforehand to prevent them from thinking of hindering us.
“If those two start fighting, the Toscana Empire will naturally find itself out of suspicion. They will believe the other is the villain.”
When people become excited or face dramatic situations, their perspective narrows dramatically.
The same goes for war and diplomacy.
Moreover, these fellows think of each other as more than capable of causing trouble.
Even without tangible evidence, they will fight each other based on instinctive suspicion.
“We must delay the Granada Kingdom’s advance to the ocean by at least a day longer.”
Specifically, until the Medici, or rather, the Rothschild Company is established in western Ifriqiya.
That way, I can consume most of the profits from Ifriqiya.
‘Although I will have to cut a significant portion for the Emperor, Duke, and other merchants...’
I must strive to ensure I can keep half for myself.
“That directly translates to the Empire’s benefit.”
The Emperor widened his eyes upon hearing my words.
“Without occupying the land, you would bind them with chains, making potential enemies and heathens fight each other. Truly magnificent. Alright, then, let me ask one last question. What will you change your family name to?”
Every merchant must approach trade with the determination of going into battle, and they should engage in business with that mindset.
In the process, blood may flow from the enemy, and my blood may flow as well.
“Red Shield, Rothschild.”
“Then step inside, Baron Rothschild.”
And after Fabio left, the Emperor felt a chill run down his arm.
“It’s truly fortunate that Baron Medici, or rather Rothschild, was born into our Empire...”