I Became the Master of the Empress

43 – Episode 43

After the cabinet meeting, I returned to the office.

“But is there really a way for you to make that much money at once?”

Theodora, who saw me sitting at the desk, spoke as if she was curious.

“Huh? “Yes.”

I plan to strip the territories of the nobles who deserted in this anti-emperor faction war and make it my direct territory.

In that case, it is not difficult to sufficiently cover the costs.

In addition, I plan to rob the treasures that the deserted nobles have accumulated so far.

Hearing my words, his red eyes shine cutely and he speaks to me with a mischievous look.

“Please tell me how to do that too.”

I am puzzled by that statement, so I ask.

“Huh? Why do you do it that way?”

“That’s right, I also need money.”

Does Theodora need money?

“You can use the money you need from the imperial funds managed by your mother-in-law, right? “I heard that there is always money left over from the empire every year to maintain the dignity of the imperial family.”

In fact, during the time of the former emperor, who lived a frugal life, there were several instances where imperial funds were returned to the national treasury.

Theodora, who gently averts her eyes from my words, speaks hesitantly.

“Well… There is something I really need… But the imperial funds can’t afford it…”

Have the funds going into the imperial family been reduced these days? I have never given such an order to the Treasury.

I understand that they are paying the same amount as the previous emperor because they wanted to provide as much convenience to their mother-in-law as possible. Is there something going on?

I think I have been too indifferent to the imperial family recently, so I reflect and say to Theodora.

“Whoa…What do you need it for? “If absolutely necessary, I will let you use it from the national treasury.”

But Theodora, who cannot readily answer what I say, hesitates.

What on earth do you want to buy?

“Tell me, you are the emperor of the empire anyway, right? “You must have the right amount of luxury to gain dignity, so speak in peace.”

I have never seen Theodora indulge in great luxury, so let me put it simply.

“I need 45 million gold.”

“Huh…? Uh?!”

45 Million gold. Converted to the weight of gold, it is over 30 tons.

If calculated roughly in Korean Won, wouldn’t it be around trillion units?

I shouted in confusion when Theodora said that such a large amount of money was needed.

“Why do you need such a crazy amount of money?!”

“That’s…”

This side is already having a hard time because they have a lot of money to spend, but the emperor of the empire says they need an absurdly large sum of 45 million gold.

Calm down, Theodora is not a kid, right? I’m sure he has something on his mind.

If I said it without thinking… I might have to seriously imprison Theodora and support Joey.

I would rather dethrone a crazy emperor than leave him alone.

I have a little hope in the fact that even if he wasn’t a saint in the original, he was definitely not a cancer army.

And seeing her fidgeting in front of me, I am sure she has her own thoughts, so I say this kindly, believing that she must have said this.

“Because I won’t be angry. “Tell me, if you really need it, I’ll give it to you.”

But of course, I have no intention of giving it to you unless you really need it.

How much money do you have to go out now?

In addition, tax revenues from Epirus and Ezip will no longer be received from next year.

The number of places to spend has increased, but next year’s tax revenue has actually decreased, so other national projects may have to be reduced.

“We actually invited professors from the academy. At that time…”

I quietly listen to Theodora.

The more I listen, the more…

“hahahaha…”

I feel strange.

“Can you show me the materials the alchemy professor gave you?”

Theodora nodded at my words and handed me a stack of documents, and I quickly looked through the contents.

[It was confirmed that salt, which was easily found in the temples of the Babylonian Empire, had the effect of promoting plant growth…]

[As a result of sprinkling temple salt on the ground, the harvest was of abnormal size… ]

[As a result of obtaining temple salt and performing a decomposition test, it was confirmed that it was a completely different substance from the substance previously known as salt, so we conducted a long-term experiment in the laboratory to prepare a manufacturing method…]

[After a long period of experimentation, the synthesis was successful.]

Is this… Fertilizer?

With such excitement, I turn to the back page and read it.

Roughly speaking, the key idea is to liquefy air at a low temperature and distill it to obtain two necessary substances, then confine the two substances in one place and maintain high temperature and high pressure.

Looking at the unusual letters seen here and there, it is not difficult to think that this is a chemical formula that exists here.

Hmm… Now that I think about it, I heard that ammonia needed for fertilizer is made from air.

To be exact, was it nitrogen and hydrogen?

I don’t remember the details.

I thought it would be nice to have fertilizer before, so I looked into the fertilizer used here.

Primitive forms of fertilizer existed even here in the Middle Ages and early modern times.

This is done by mixing animal waste with ash or straw, letting it rot, and then scattering it on the ground.

However, it is basically less effective than modern fertilizers and parasites sometimes infect people.

With just this, we can solve the chronic food problem.

There is a huge amount of farmland in the empire.

However, since only 1/4 of the farmland can be cultivated, productivity is greatly reduced.

But if there is fertilizer, the story is very different.

Existing arable land will quadruple, growth will be faster and yields will increase.

In other words, productivity will increase by more than dozens of times.

As expected, we cannot ignore the technological prowess of this place. But if you had this kind of technology, you would have let me know.

Honestly, I knew that the academy professors were hostile to me, but I bowed first and begged them to help the empire develop.

I feel a little… No, to be honest, very sad that they didn’t help me like this.

Where is this though? Even if you don’t do it, you can still get dozens of times more crops?

Yes! I would rather hate myself as much as I want and ask for this result. Then I am willing to take any criticism.

“Good job! Theodora! As expected, I believed it, No. 2… No, the emperor of the empire!”

“Yes?”

Theodora seems taken aback by what I say, but ignores it and continues reading.

I nod as I look at a graph that shows how much yield increases if fertilizer production facilities are set up.

After 10 years, the slope of the expected yield graph looks almost 1, and the happiness circuit is slowly activated.

Okay, what if I get criticized and the people of the empire grow up healthy?

As I was running the happy circuit and looking at the budget plan, I noticed something strange and spoke to Theodora.

“Wait a minute… Theodora, is something strange about this? Why are there so many balls?”

10 Million gold as the first installment.

35 Million gold in 2nd installment.

With the crazy amount of 100 million gold for the third installment, I start to question my sanity.

Is it because I’m so happy? Do you think there’s something wrong with your eyes?

But Theodora carefully speaks out as if that were not the case.

“Well… Well… You’ll probably find more details later. “It’s the cost of producing the equipment and artifacts needed for the experiment.”

I read those words again.

Magic supplies and devices for creating and maintaining desired temperature and pressure, and devices for separating necessary substances from the air.

And research funds to ensure that the artifact can withstand all these high temperatures and pressures, etc.

But 45 million gold is needed just for the experiment?

I fall into despair while looking at the details.

Artifacts are too expensive… And the cost of researching metals that can maintain and withstand high temperatures and pressures is also enormous.

At least the first and second payments must be paid all at once since they are necessary for the experiment.

That too is a problem. Literally, if you convert the cost of the experiment into Korean Won, it breaks into trillions.

No, wait a minute… That’s also because of the cost of living. Doesn’t it actually break more?

It can be said that the birds of modern Korea and the birds here are quite different.

In addition, the third major expense was construction of facilities for mass production.

This is just a rough calculation; no one knows whether it will go higher or lower.

That’s why I close my eyes for a moment and get lost in thought.

Is this really possible?

What if this astronomical amount of money fails?

If you fail, just hearing about fertilizer may give you a stomach ache for the rest of your life.

“Whoa…”

As I was sighing and thinking, Theodora spoke with an anxious look.

“Wouldn’t it be possible?”

It is worth doing if there is a guarantee of success.

But what if you fail? Both Theodora and I, who approved this plan, may be branded incompetent.

At that time, there is really no other way to rule than by force.

As I was lost in thought, I saw Theodora’s red eyes shaking and said,

“It is possible if we succeed. However, it is difficult to invest a large amount of money just by looking at the data here.”

As she said that, I could see her face turning a little brighter.

“I’m glad.”

“What?”

“I was a little worried because I didn’t know what people would say for trying to do something so absurd.”

“No, I actually did better than expected.”

As long as we succeed in making fertilizer. She may leave a mark on this empire as a great saint.

That moment.

“Thank you.”

Her heart is pounding as she sees her smiling brightly, as if she is in a good mood.

That kind of smile is against the law, right?

She did it anyway to regain her own power.

So, there is no point in being excited alone.

“First, I will review it and let you know. “Please submit a formal proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes, even if you are the emperor, you can’t do whatever you want if the ministers refuse at the cabinet meeting, right?”

In fact, no matter how much the emperor is, she only has the right to appoint and dismiss ministers who make up the State Council, but there is no law that requires her to unconditionally follow what she says within the council.

That’s why Frank was able to reject the idea of opening an intelligence department earlier.

At this point, it would be good if Theodore also knew how to write a proposal.

Usually it is written by an aide.

She deliberately did not give an aide to Theodora, who did not yet have any ability or her own political philosophy.

Does she want to experience, realize, and grow on her own?

“She’s never written a proposal before?”

“It’s okay, I’ll watch over you. “The emperor will not have to write the proposal himself, but he will learn something from writing it.”

“I understand. However…”

Theodora continues, tilting her head.

“But if we open an intelligence department, will we have the money to do this?”

“Whoa… I’ll have to figure it out somehow. “First, I will tell you what you have questions about, so you can look at it and ask the professors.”

If such a large amount of money is invested but the production volume is minimal… I have no intention of doing it.

This means that at least tens of tons of product should be produced per day.

Theodora speaks with a puzzled expression.

“But you don’t plan on meeting me in person?”

I laugh bitterly at Theodora’s words.

“Yes, I guess they hate me. “It would be better for you to step forward yourself.”

When I visited the academy, no help was provided.

But Theodora, in response to her request, I gave her this groundbreaking paper.

The only thing they believe in and follow is the legitimate ruler.

They don’t want to help me.

So, in order for them to participate voluntarily, it would be better for Theodora to come to the forefront.

I also need to revive the market manipulation that was abandoned for the time being. Some things are busy.

I didn’t want to become a market manipulator…

I can’t stand fertilizer.

At that moment, memories of the past flash through my mind.

“Oh, that’s right. “You promised to give some of your power back, right?”

Theodora smiled brightly at my words and nodded her head.

-Pisik.

Is power that good?

I don’t like power.

“First, I will give you full power over the development of this fertilizer.”

Theodora tilts her head as if she is surprised at what I say.

“Yes? All power over development?”

I say that with a grin.

“Yes. With power comes responsibility, right? “I will fully trust and hand over everything regarding development, so take responsibility and make sure it succeeds.”

“Now… wait a minute?”

Theodora, whose face became pale, continued speaking in a trembling voice.

“You… Are you really asking me to succeed in such a big business?”

-Nod.

“Yeah!, I’m so busy, right? When do I pay attention to that while going through papers one by one? Besides, the emperor has the right to audit the affairs of the Grand Duchy, so there won’t be any legal problems, right?”

“Well… Still! “This is not it!”

Theodora trembles and speaks as if she can already see all-night and overtime work ahead of her.

“I… I don’t like it! “You’re going to make it so I can’t sleep every night!”

Seeing Theodora refusing like that, I calm my eyes and say.

“Theodora. You clearly work hard for the people and the empire? “Did you want to become emperor just to have fun?”

“Ugh…”

Seeing her unable to refute what she said, I push her a little more.

“Think about it. There is no power without responsibility. The reason an emperor exists in an empire is to make the empire and its people prosper. But you’re not saying you’re going to play behind the scenes, are you?”

“Ha… But no matter what… Working all night like that…”

As I look at Theodora’s pretty face becoming pale, I hold her hand and say.

“Now… wait a minute?”

Ignoring her embarrassment, I just tell her what I have to say.

You can’t leave me thinking. Now we have to push hard.

That is the height of psychological warfare.

“Think about it carefully, what if this business succeeds and the people of the empire live a full life? A life where you eat steak for dinner every day! And the one who took off was Empress Theodora. Ah, I see clearly in my eyes, the great saint Theodora.”

I smile inside her as I see her blushing, probably because my words touched her.

That’s it. I’m almost over it!

“Ha… I’ll do it… Let go of my hand…”

I say as I nod my head and let her go, hearing her crawling voice.

“Then I will believe it. “Your Majesty, the great Emperor Theodora!”

Theodora hides her blushing face at my words.

“Ugh… I don’t know.”

Watching her say that and hurriedly leave her room makes her feel happy inside.

Okay, work hard, Slave No. 2!

“Thanks to you, I’ll have a bit more free time.”

Theodora, please grow up quickly. And please get me out of this overtime hell…

Thinking like that, I sit back down and look for the market manipulation agenda that I haven’t signed before.