LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 86
When the Emperor heard the word “ocean,” he looked extremely perplexed.
He probably thought he would reward me generously for what I had done, with a “reward in a form that leaves no trace.”
But what I had requested was an incomprehensible concept for him: “the world beyond the sea.”
“Beyond the sea, does that mean beyond those two stone pillars at Gibraltar?”
I heard that ancient Greek mythology had such a legend.
Hercules erected two stone pillars at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar and proclaimed, “This is the end of the world. (non plus ultra)”
And so, many Europeans endured the tyranny of the wicked Venetians and the Ottoman Empire, who colluded to exploit them with spices like pepper for hundreds of years.
They thought stepping outside would mean certain death.
But what’s the reality? Those who ventured out first ended up briefly dominating the world.
With the formula for success right in front of us, we couldn’t hesitate.
We too must go beyond those distant skies, no, the ocean!
“That’s right, Your Majesty. The world beyond the sea, as I envision it, is outside Gibraltar.”
The Emperor chuckled softly at my words.
“How absurd. But you mention the world beyond while refusing a reward from me? You must have something in mind?”
There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
To put it bluntly, receiving something without offering either direct or indirect benefits could lead to my downfall.
Breaking that principle could lead to suggestions from swindlers that turn into money, or getting caught up in investments in hotels or officetels that promise a measly monthly return of 1 million won for a small investment, resulting in painful lessons.
Although the Emperor gained immense fame through my exploits, I transferred that right and credit to the Duke.
Thus, it is the Duke Visconti who must pay the price here.
“Receiving anything from the Emperor instead of the Duke is like saying I want to accept something for free.”
“There are two reasons. First, to develop the Empire’s commerce, we must venture beyond this narrow lake.”
The terrain of the Albania Continent I’m on is remarkably similar to that of the European continent.
This means if we remain tied to the Mediterranean, we’ll end up like Venice.
“After the Age of Discovery began, the decline of Mediterranean trade substantially weakened national power.”
“Trade in the Mediterranean, in this Albania Continent’s lake, is controlled by pagans and a few powerful merchants. No, to be precise, the pagans are driving everything.”
“I don’t feel great about this, but I must admit it. We want to believe that we are engaging in fair trade with the pagans and merchants. But in reality, we’re just puppets to their whims.”
They don’t import anything particularly special from our Empire.
Steel, some peculiar items or artworks from the Albania Continent.
They buy such things, but their absence won’t necessarily bring them to ruin.
However, we would be cornered if we couldn’t import spices like pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and turmeric.
We wouldn’t die without spices.
But for nobles, spices are essential luxury items.
Without them, nobles would struggle to maintain their dignity.
“A noble without dignity and honor is as good as dead, both for me and my family.”
Because of this, if you inspect the financial situation of the nobles, they’re all debtors.
In the banquet hall, there’re always exquisite wines that are simply undrinkable due to excessive spices, along with strange dishes that are hard to eat.
“When I asked merchants trading with the Alsini Clan, they told me they trade Indies and spices via a sea route, not by land.”
The merchants dealing with the Alsini Clan aren’t foolish enough to divulge all their capital.
So, I discovered trade routes by giving hefty payments to the merchants that went bankrupt while trading with the Alsini Clan.
“If we go around the sea, perhaps we can trade spices like pepper without passing through the Sultanate.”
The Emperor seemed to find this a bit insufficient and let out a hmm sound.
Well, it makes sense – no one who isn’t ‘the Emperor’ would be interested in a story that lacks certainty.
“And the merchants, simply because they possess the rights to spice trade, are charging exorbitant prices, aren’t they? Just recently, they suddenly doubled the price of pepper.”
The Emperor frowned at my words.
“Truly despicable beings. Yet, we can’t purchase spices like pepper through anyone else.”
Our Medici Baron Clan is also included in this, but let’s not dwell on it.
This isn’t something I lead or am particularly concerned about.
“We can’t continue to suffer under their wicked actions forever.”
“For the development of our Empire, we need to take a longer-term view.”
They say if you want to become a wealthy businessman, you should explore untapped markets.
Even if you open a convenience store, finding a good commercial area isn’t enough; you need to establish your shop in places where others haven’t, otherwise you’ll just end up sinking fast.
Right now, jumping into spice trade or any other trade in the Mediterranean would be, frankly, reckless.
“Imagine trying to open a convenience store in a complex where there are already four convenience stores—just drowning in debt.”
So, I need a bigger market that others can’t seem to see.
Enormous quantities of gold, silver, various new goods, luxuries, etc…
If I could acquire all of this, I wouldn’t have to be trapped in that tiny lake-like sea.
“And I’ve obtained information from the pagans regarding the continent of Ifriqiya’s west. I’ve heard there’s plenty of gold south-west of Gibraltar.”
We often think that the motivation for the Age of Discovery was “spices.”
That isn’t incorrect at all.
However, the true driving force that allowed people to reach India was the strange goods and gold from West Africa and the New World.
“Especially the gold from West Africa was remarkable.”
The Emperor’s eyes sparkled.
“If we ascertain these pagans’ trade routes, we can understand roughly in which direction to go at sea and how much we’ll need. Then, we will be able to acquire large amounts of gold. The location isn’t too far off, either.”
Honestly, taking a return voyage to India would be tough, even if I used all my knowledge of the future.
If unexpected fortune doesn’t come my way, I might struggle to make it to India in my lifetime.
“If the terrain of Earth I know matches this world’s terrain, the story would change.”
But that chance is likely low.
For instance, Rabat Island, which should be a tiny island south of Italy, is actually as large as Geoje Island.
“Beyond that sea, there must be countless treasures untouched by human hands.”
Rather than treasures, it’s more correct to say “massive economic interests.”
But saying treasures should resonate more with the Emperor.
After all, humans are creatures that would set their own lives ablaze to satisfy their desires.
I need to poke at those desires slowly.
“What the Emperor desires above all is a strong imperial authority.”
“Power derives from money, regardless of what anyone says, doesn’t it? With money, you can feed, clothe, house, and motivate armies of more than a hundred thousand. And when bribing nobles, money is ultimately required.”
The Emperor knows this well.
Anyone ignorant of such obvious truths wouldn’t be a noble, but rather someone lacking in intellect.
“God has placed everything beyond the sea. While other rulers of the Albania Continent are struggling over the trivial gains right in front of them, seize the world as quickly as you can. Why are you confined to just this part of the Albania Continent?”
The Emperor chuckled at my words.
For the first time, he burst into hearty laughter before me.
He appeared genuinely pleased.
“You’re mad, utterly mad. How dare a mere baron provoke me like this? Had my late father been alive, hearing this would have made him grab his neck. If you’d made me uncomfortable with this story, would you even have your head remaining?”
From observing all your traits and consolidating what’s needed, I was sure that wouldn’t happen.
How much certainty did I have to perform such a crazy act?
“I was as certain as water flows from high to low.”
“A person can move forward knowing they might die. We call that courage. I’m merely showing ‘a bit of courage’ to serve Your Majesty.”
“…Alright, but it’s impossible for me to permit and support a venture that has no chance of success.”
The Emperor looked me straight in the eye and said.
“Prove there’s a sea and new lands beyond the Strait of Gibraltar. And confirm the gold trade too.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If you accomplish this, I shall assign you to oversee this vast sea.”