Chapter 161

A command that seems to be casually thrown by the leaders of a certain faction or group has a tremendous impact on their subordinates.

A single order from the chairman of a company can sometimes lead to losses or gains of hundreds of billions, and a general’s command can save or take the lives of thousands to tens of thousands of soldiers.

Therefore, they all pay a price for giving orders in one form or another.

If good results arise from a command, they receive rewards and praise for creating that outcome.

On the other hand, if bad results occur, they are obliged to face deprivation of position or the loss of honor, authority, and property, or to propose a solution to resolve the issue.

And now I am fighting with the administrative officers to resolve the side effects arising from the orders I gave to win the war.

“Your Excellency, due to your ban on grain exports to Romania, our family’s income has decreased by 15%. If this situation continues, we expect to incur losses of around 40,000 to 70,000 gold coins each year. What will you do?”

“His Imperial Majesty of the Eraline Empire has proclaimed an expedition against Franche. So, the lords in each territory will also try to stockpile the grains coming in through taxes instead of selling them for the next war. However, that means there will be a shortage of food for the merchants and technicians in the city. We will exploit that gap. Let’s sell all the remaining food except for the amount needed to feed about 150,000 soldiers for two years to the Eraline Empire. That will help compensate for the losses.”

“Now that it’s become difficult for the impoverished serfs of Romania to cross over into our territory, they are becoming bandits in our territory and troubling our subjects. What should we do?”

“Send one-third of the newly conscripted soldiers from the Architel region to the troops near Blueport for combat training and suppression operations. And for those bandits who have not killed any of our serfs or citizens, they should all be sentenced to forced labor. Feed them only two bowls of thin porridge made from wheat a day and impose forced labor. Of course, those who have killed people or molested women, as well as those involved in human trafficking, should all be executed.”

While I was continuing to process documents, a newly appointed inspector opened the door to the office and said,

“Your Excellency, I apologize for entering suddenly during work.”

“No problem. It seems urgent, so what is it?”

“Marguerita, the councilor from Hamburg, has arrived. She wishes to meet with you as there is something urgent she wants to discuss.”

Given that she came without being called, it must mean that a problem requiring her direct intervention has arisen.

Otherwise, there would be no reason for a key figure of a free city, one that wields influence comparable to that of a noble, to come in person.

And while I am not yet aware of the problems Marguerita is facing, it’s likely that many of the difficulties she endures result from my decisions.

Because I conquered the Architel Duchy, Hamburg could no longer benefit from intermediation trade with Romania and Franche, plus it has ceased to export food to the Romanian Empire, which was one of their main businesses.

Additionally, each of the princes has raised taxes to construct fortified churches, affecting the sales intended for the common folk, who constitute a significant portion of their revenue, and not infrequently disrupting the dwindling transactions due to banditry.

She must have thought that while I cannot solve the latter problem, I could mitigate the former issue by offering them surplus grain from the Croilet Marquessate.

If so, this is a chance to gain leverage over them while putting out the fire.

“Bring her to the reception room.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

**

Upon entering the room with walls made of white marble, decorated pillars of gold, my portrait, couches wrapped in red silk, and a black marble desk, I found Marguerita sitting there looking drained.

Acting as if I were completely unaware, I greeted her warmly.

“Isn’t this Councilor Marguerita? Thank you for coming. So, are you here to congratulate me on becoming a marquis?”

Hearing those words, she instantly wiped away the earlier gloomy expression and replied with a cheerfully warm smile.

“Indeed. I hurried over as soon as I heard the news, but I couldn’t prepare anything substantial… Please accept this: dried truffles, a specialty from Cardinal Matthias, and olive oil from Italy.”

“Receiving something so precious is an honor. Here, I have brought pastries and tea made by our family’s best patissier to entertain you. Please enjoy a cup.”

And we shared a cup of tea.

It was a top-quality tea, with a fragrance like roses, a slight bitterness, and a hint of sourness, but Marguerita maintained a calm expression even while drinking it.

The fact that she could no longer keep up the appearance of leisure despite enjoying such delicious tea suggests that she is under great stress.

If not, she would have been exclaiming about how good the tea tastes by now.

However, at such times, maintaining a heightened sense of unease in the other party is a skill.

Thus, I continued to eat the tea and pastries in front of me, engaging in completely useless small talk.

I mentioned how the daughter of the Marguerita family has reached the marrying age and that I would send sugar and pastries as congratulations, how the Emperor of Romania took a sixth concubine, and there was a twenty-year age gap… tales like that.

In a relaxed context, we might have empathized and laughed like friends to alleviate each other’s tensions.

By doing this, I could show that I was not in a hurry, gaining an advantage in negotiations with her.

“Isn’t it absurd? How can the Emperor of Romania still fight while sprinkling holy water on his sword, claiming it gives him stronger power in war… No wonder they’re labeled as a desecrated empire… After all, it was announced dozens of years ago by the Papacy that holy water does not bestow power to win wars.”

“Haha… Indeed. No matter how purifying the holy water may be, it is meant to cleanse our hearts when we approach Deus… Haha…”

At this moment, he only gave a response with an awkward expression typical of a merchant as if he had no room to spare.

After conversing for about five more minutes, Marguerita finally spoke with a resigned expression.

“Actually, I came here because I have a request for you, Marquess.”

“A request… Since it’s coming from you, I will consider it positively. What is it?”

“The thing is, since you absorbed the Architel region, we’ve been unable to conduct intermediary trade with Franche. Also, since you’re not selling food to Romania, our profits as intermediaries have diminished.”

“We had no choice; you already know that our Emperor announced an expedition against Franche right after ascending the throne. So I had to stop exporting food to Romania and prepare for war. Protecting the lives of those living in the territory is more important than making money.”

Although I said that, we currently have the ability to secure enough military supplies while still exporting food to Romania.

However, the fact that we are not currently exporting food is merely a measure to further destabilize Romania’s situation.

Yet from the standpoint of Hamburg or other lords, it will appear as if we cannot afford to export food because we are preparing for total war.

Perhaps this is why Marguerita kneeled before me as if I were her sovereign and spoke,

“The Duke of Papenheim is already reducing the consumption of luxury goods to seize Maxburg, and he is purchasing various weapons and mercenaries from our competitors, Danzig, Salzburg, and Winterfold. We have no one else to rely on but Your Excellency.”

“That doesn’t mean I necessarily need to save you. And to ask us to spare you…? Even if Hamburg wobbles, it would only end up weakening; just honestly beg for us to protect your family.”

“Very well… Your Excellency, please save our family. If you do, I and my family will become your vassals.”

There was no longer a need to test the waters.

Moreover, coincidentally, I needed those of the Marguerita family and the merchants associated with Hamburg… This worked out nicely.