Chapter 17: Reaping the Rewards
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“Baron Colonna, have you heard of kelp?”
In social circles, where failing to keep up with trends leads to ostracization, there’s no noble who hasn’t heard of kelp.
Yet, there’s a reason for asking such a question.
It’s a way of saying, “Hey, isn’t your family broke?”
It not only insults the recipient but also slightly damages their political standing, as it subtly implies their family is being looked down upon.
Baron Colonna wanted to throw his glove down in challenge but suppressed his anger.
Demanding a duel over such a trivial matter would disgrace his ancestors.
“Haha, how could a noble of the Toscana Empire not know about kelp? I’ve heard it’s very good for expectant mothers.”
Baron Colonna managed to respond gracefully.
But his opponent wasn’t going to let him off so easily.
“I see you’re well-informed. Actually, I recently acquired a small quantity.”
He handed Baron Colonna a luxurious box.
Inside, about 100 grams of dried kelp.
Its value is 10 gold coins, 100 pounds.
It’s not a huge sum for a Baron, but it’s not insignificant either.
“Our Dele Baron family managed to secure about 2 kg. So, I thought I should give some to you, Baron Colonna, with whom we have a cordial relationship.”
Baron Dele supports Duke Visconti, while Baron Colonna supports Duke Sforza, his rival.
Giving 100 grams of precious kelp to someone from a rival family?
It’s a blatant display of wealth, implying, “We’re richer than you.”
Furthermore, since wealth equals power, it’s also a taunt, saying, “You’re weaker than us.”
One of the main reasons for kelp’s popularity is its use as a “legitimate way to mock rival families.”
But since it’s presented as a gift of a valuable medicinal ingredient, you can’t get angry.
‘You’d be labeled as ungrateful.’
Baron Colonna could only grit his teeth.
“Well then, I must excuse myself. I need to greet the others.”
The divide between those who secured kelp and those who didn’t was clear.
Baron Colonna, though fuming inside, couldn’t throw away the box containing 100 grams of kelp.
“This is humiliating.”
He hadn’t felt this way since he witnessed his most cherished courtesan having an affair with a commoner.
“Even my vassals can’t hold their heads up high.”
If a Count, or even a Viscount, were to pull such a stunt, he’d feel a slight pang of inferiority and move on.
But for another Baron, his rival, to do this, and for the story to spread…
The thought itself was horrifying.
And his wife, who attended the banquet with him, immediately complained.
“Why should I be subjected to such humiliation, being mocked for not having kelp, even at a banquet?”
While the Toscana Empire is a patriarchal society…
The relationship between a wife and husband is a symbol of a semi-permanent alliance between two families.
Therefore, while their roles differ, their standing is almost equal.
So, Baron Colonna had to suppress the urge to lash out at his wife.
“I apologize for my incompetence.”
“Baroness Dornard boasted about how quickly she recovered after giving birth 10 days ago, thanks to that kelp soup.”
“…”
“And she said the childbirth itself was completely safe, thanks to that hospital built by the second son of the Medici family.”
His wife gently caressed her belly and stared at him.
It wasn’t a loving gaze.
“Childbirth is a noblewoman’s duty, but wouldn’t it be better to give birth as safely as possible?”
Even if childbirth is considered normal, it’s still frightening.
Baron Colonna understood that much.
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“So, would you mind using your influence to secure some kelp and a place for me at that Medici hospital?”
“But the Medici family are our rivals…”
“But we’ll be ostracized if we don’t keep up with this trend.”
It’s not just about being labeled as unfashionable.
Being mocked for not following trends is unbearable, an insult to one’s honor, which is more valuable than life itself.
“I can probably find kelp on the black market, even if it’s expensive. And I’ll even beg the Duke to secure a place for you at that Medici hospital.”
Kelp is just a commodity, but childbirth is a serious matter that can lead to the breakdown of a marriage alliance.
And if this wretched woman dies during childbirth…
If she died in the hospital, it would be one thing, but if she died because I couldn’t get her into the hospital, her family would cause a huge uproar.
‘My father-in-law would use her death to burden us with immense debt.’
That’s how noble society works.
As soon as Baron Colonna left the banquet hall, he barked at his butler,
“Butler! How can you not even secure some damned kelp?!”
“Sir Fabio, under Duke Visconti’s protection, has monopolized the entire supply.”
“As if I didn’t know! Secure it immediately!”
“That would require bowing our heads to His Grace.”
“I can lower my head to get my wife into a maternity hospital. Even Duke Sforza would understand.”
In noble society, childbirth is a blessing that strengthens family alliances, but also a bomb that can destroy them.
So, if it’s to prevent things from going wrong, even Duke Sforza wouldn’t object to being indebted to Duke Visconti.
Childbirth is a matter of family survival.
“Secure at least 1 kg of kelp, even from the black market! I don’t care about the price. For the honor and reputation of our family! This is an emergency.”
This is the main reason for kelp’s popularity.
Aside from its health benefits and trendiness, not having it makes you a laughingstock in noble society.
“Yes, sir.”
“Once you’ve secured it, prepare for a banquet. I need to get back at that Dele bastard.”
And so, Baron Colonna purchased 1 kg of kelp at three times the market price.
And he managed to secure a hospital room for his wife, who is due to give birth in five months, by appealing to Duke Visconti.
The Duke was reaping the political benefits, and Fabio, the profits from the kelp black market.
They were making the most of the situation.
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“Appealing to nobles’ vanity is the best strategy in the Middle Ages.”
The cake I first made, the kelp, and the postpartum care center.
All three cater to nobles’ vanity.
Thanks to this, nobles are paying four times the price for cakes in boxes with the “Medici” label, considering them essential for banquets.
And kelp and the postpartum care center have become must-have items for nobles, even if it means going into debt.
“I wonder how much money the kelp and postpartum care center are generating.”
I instructed Sebastian to hire suitable people to manage them, so it’s time for the financial reports.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Sebastian’s voice came from outside.
“Young master, may I enter?”
For him, with decades of experience as a butler, to rush in like this…?
I have high expectations.
“Come in.”
As expected, he has a beaming smile, indicating good news.
“The net profit from kelp sales and the Medici Hospital exceeds 4,000 gold coins. In just one month!”
Even in 21st-century Earth, the top 1% holds 50% of the world’s wealth.
So, it’s even more extreme in the Toscana Empire, with its unequal wealth distribution.
That’s why I’ve focused on products for nobles, as they buy in large quantities.
‘This is more than I expected.’
The sales figures are lower than the steel mill’s, but…
Once kelp production scales up to meet the entire Toscana Empire’s demand, the revenue will be comparable.
And unlike steel, which has constant demand, the rarity of kelp and the postpartum care center will decrease over time, leading to lower sales figures.
“We’ve generated quite a bit of revenue.”
Sebastian stared at me wide-eyed.
He’s surprised that a young man of 20, soon to be 21, isn’t ecstatic about earning such a fortune.
But it’s too early to celebrate.
‘I need to use this money to establish a trading company.’
The base of operations will, of course, be Bio Village, my territory.
“Prepare to invest all this money in the village and the trading company. Let’s develop Bio Village properly.”
With ample funds, a foundation industry, and people…
The region is bound to prosper.
It’s time for us to take the first step.
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