I Became A Black Merchant In Another World

In the 21st century, whether in Korea or the Toscan Empire, it’s crucial to penetrate overseas markets to succeed in commerce.

While selling domestically produced goods at home is nice, selling them abroad allows for more volume and greater profit.

Conversely, one can also make a profit by selling foreign goods domestically.

So, I came geared to bring the traders from the Lion Kingdom along.

“Stop right there for a moment.”

Not long after arriving in Lyon, I ran into some thugs.

Well, rather than thugs, I could use the guards I hired to teach them a lesson and then make them behave…

“What business does a young noble like you have in this Guillaume? As an officer in this city, I need to conduct a search.”

These guys may look like thugs scamming people out of their cash, but they’re supposedly regular army.

If they draw swords and swing them around, it could spark a war.

And I could be executed on the spot for offending their delicate sensibilities.

I may be a noble in the Toscan Empire, but I’m not one in the Lion Kingdom.

‘Apparently, the bold ones even scam barons abroad on personal business?’

“There’s a suspicious person, so hurry up and check all his goods.”

These guys aren’t customs officers or soldiers either.

So if they discover that the cargo contained a massive amount of seaweed, I might end up losing my goods as protection money.

Looking at their rank insignia, they seem to be captains. They might hold some power in this city.

“Officer, you’ve been working very hard. I’m Fabio de Medici, here to broaden my horizons on a journey from the Toscan Empire.”

“You’re not a suspicious character. Still, since you’ve brought goods into our harbor, you’ll need to pay customs, right?”

It’s clear that they aren’t customs officers.

But what authority do they have to collect duties?

They sound like con artists claiming that if you transfer money to their cash account, they’ll drop your charges.

But if I cause trouble here, I’d really be in hot water, so I have to endure it.

“You must be tired; please take this.”

I subtly slipped a bag of gold coins.

Initially, I could have just handed over a few silver coins, but I deliberately stuffed in more because I wanted to ask for something.

The officer cleared his throat as he took the pouch of money.

“Hmm, upon closer inspection, it seems this young and handsome young lord wouldn’t resort to crime, so I’ll let the cargo inspection slide, shall we?”

What a smooth administrative system, seriously.

Is it really reasonable for the garrison in a city to impersonate customs officials and rob duties without some sort of bribe?

The officer peeked into the pouch and a big smile spread across his face.

“Hmm, I made a huge mistake not realizing who you are. Please forgive my rudeness.”

That guy himself might be a high-ranking officer, but there’s a reason he acts like this.

First off, someone who can give a lot of money suggests significant influence, and he probably thinks the more he bows, the more rewards he can get.

‘All officers and bureaucrats make chump change, so 99% of their income is from bribes?’

Thus, money circulates during even the simplest administrative procedures.

They can’t survive without taking money.

Moreover, someone capable of giving ten gold coins for such trivial matters is either a politically influential merchant or a noble close to the rank of baron, likely leading him to think big.

“I hold a small trading company and have come personally to expand my market into the Lion Kingdom. Therefore, I would like to meet the mayor of this city. Who can assist me with that?”

The reason I gave more money was…

To secure a trading permit to do business here, a formal (forged) identity, real estate, and a credit guarantee from the mayor.

“That would be none other than Charles de Lancelot; he can help. I am responsible for security at this port, and I can contact the mayor directly.”

The Deos Bible I read upon arrival also said gifts enrich relations between people.

Just as that said, using appropriate bribes makes life so much easier.

“I would appreciate your help.”

“And just a moment…”

Captain Charles immediately waved to call over three soldiers.

“These gentlemen will escort you, Young Lord. We’ll take care of your luggage; once you’ve secured a place to stay, please contact us. We’ll inform you as soon as a meeting with the mayor is arranged.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Don’t worry.”

Captain Charles arranged for me to meet the mayor just a little while later.

He seemed to have some political power as the head of security for a port city.

“It’s an honor to meet the mayor. I am Fabio de Medici.”

Upon mentioning my name, the mayor looked at me in surprise.

“Oh, a member of the Medici Baron Clan! What on earth brings you here?”

In the Toscan Empire, I am actually more famous than my brother Albert.

Why, you ask? Because there are nearly a hundred baron families in the empire, but I’m the one everyone lines up to get into the maternity wards and seaweed cakes; I’m the trendsetter.

It’s like how celebrities’ names are more renowned than cabinet members in Korea.

Yet still, outside the country, the name value of the Medici trading company seems to hold more weight.

“First, please accept this. It’s a small gift.”

I offered a box filled with seaweed to the mayor right in front of me.

Upon opening it, the mayor turned up his nose.

“Ah, so this is seaweed, which is said to be used as medicine from the East. It’s not something I need.”

Almost nobody in the Toscan Empire—or the entire continent—dislikes seaweed.

That’s because even in a world lacking advanced contraception, nobles need to have sex with other women; they love it for ensuring safe childbirth for their partners.

After all, there’s a reason why seaweed sells at that expensive price…

Could it be this gentleman is impotent?

No, he looks to be in his mid-40s, fairly young still, with a hint of muscle under his clothing…

‘For some reason, he seems to lack confidence at night.’

Before speaking, I signaled the mayor’s servant to bring Chloe in.

Chloe entered with a box containing a larger quantity of seaweed, and I could see the mayor’s shock at the sight of her.

Even his Excellency the Duke, who has been with all sorts of beauties, would surely recognize a stunning woman.

“Chloe, you did well. You can go back now.”

After dismissing Chloe, I intentionally spoke in a low voice to bring up a suspicious topic.

“I discovered this seaweed… In reality, it has hidden benefits.”

The mayor’s reaction showed that while my name hadn’t permeated, the fact that seaweed is good for mothers seems to be well-known.

So I revealed myself as its discoverer, to establish my authority.

“This is actually quite good for men as well. It’s remarkably beneficial… so much so that I can’t even describe it.”

Looking directly at the Guillaume mayor, his gaze sharpened as soon as I mentioned the seaweed benefits for men.

Ah, so he’s been troubled by impotence.

He’s fit as a fiddle but can’t perform as a man…

‘That’s gotta sting. Wouldn’t he do anything to fix that?’

Well, the solution is quite simple; it’s all about confidence.

“Please elaborate.”

I intentionally feigned hesitance.

“Oh, it’s rather embarrassing, but…”

“Spit it out! Hurry!”

Seeing him drop all pretenses and ask so earnestly, I realized that if I kept resisting, it would backfire.

It was time to spin a convincing fib.

“You see that maid I just called in? Well, I, ahem, given my youthful vigor, we ended up getting to know each other.”

In reality, I’m a clean-cut virgin.

But when selling something, a little white lie is acceptable.

I mean, I will actually embrace Chloe at some point; it just takes some time.

“And then, serendipitously, after consuming the seaweed, we had relations…”

The mayor gulped at my words.

His eyes were practically oozing honey, staring steadfastly at my mouth.

“Quit teasing and tell me already!”

“Oh, it was quite… extraordinary! It refused to calm down until dawn! And when I tested the effects of this seaweed on women of childbearing age in my territory? All of them ended up pregnant!”

“Is that true?”

“When preparing it for pregnant women, you can simply boil the seaweed to make soup. But for men, it’s best to add a lot of dried fish and garlic!”

In reality, seaweed isn’t considered an aphrodisiac.

However, dried fish and garlic are known to help with impotence, so consuming lots of seaweed soup while enjoying those should indeed help boost potency and stamina.

Plus, it’s also true there’s been a sudden spike in pregnant women in the town.

That way, the mayor has no choice but to believe what I said is factual.

Gone was the dismissive look he held toward the seaweed just moments ago; he now treated it like a treasure.

Much like a dwarf who’s discovered the One Ring.

“How could you bring something so precious… I will do my utmost to assist you! Now, what do you wish for?”

“I’d like to bring the traders along. Can you help with that?”

Having built rapport with the seaweed, it’s time to get down to business!

---