I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 190: Missionaries, Merchants, Age of Exploration (1)

There is a saying, "Even an ox horn should be pulled out when the iron is hot."

It’s good advice, saying that when you’ve made a decision, don’t procrastinate—start right away.

Following the wisdom of our ancestors, I decided that the time had come and immediately began preparing to take action.

“Chris, have the guards Captain Marine sent arrived yet?”

“Yes, a squad has arrived and is waiting in the yard.”

This is what I like about the medieval fantasy world.

With just a little bribe and a reasonable excuse, one can use the police or soldiers for personal purposes.

“Of course, the compensation should be paid properly.”

The officers are cooperating with me to build connections, while I just need to provide a good bonus and some food for the non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

“Go to the office now, send everyone home, and tell them to rest well today. If we get an avalanche of investment requests, they will have to work more than 4 hours a day for the next few weeks, so let them rest while they can.”

Since this is a time without electricity or computers, at least we can sleep 4 hours a day.

If there was just one incandescent bulb and people were a little more accustomed to working at night...

There would probably be an influx of investment and inquiries that would force us to work 4 hours of sleep every day.

“If we’re like a crazy company forcing its employees to work seven days a week, we should at least pay them well during times like this.”

Chris momentarily parted his lips, but quickly regained his composure and responded.

“Understood.”

“I’ll give Erika the family seal ring as soon as I return, entrusting her with the role of the family representative. Chloe, tell her to monitor Erika and help her if she needs anything, but not to push herself too hard.”

Wherever you go in the world, the work of a first wife is to manage the vassals when her husband is away.

“Even though Erika is young, Sebastian and the other vassals will help her.”

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

It’s not like I’m heading to war to fight and die...

But standing at the forefront of the Age of Exploration, one of the most pivotal turning points in world history...

My heart was pounding much more than when I was about to go to war last time.

“Even though I didn’t hold a gun during the last war...”

“Loyalty! Captain Marine and the squad, according to the command of Major Patchi, are here to provide protection for Baron Rothschild today!”

“Loyalty, I look forward to your guidance.”

“Why exactly have you requested our protection? You could have easily hired mercenaries or others.”

Honestly, if all I wanted was simple protection, hiring mercenaries would be more efficient than renting out regular soldiers.

Running a unit like the Florence defense force for private use is too conspicuous and would inevitably be expensive.

To make something impossible happen, an equivalent exchange is always required to change the laws of the world.

“But being conspicuous can be used as advertisement depending on how you handle it.”

“I’ve come up with a very innovative stock idea. I plan to announce the specifics in Florence Square.”

“Baron Rothschild, when you first introduced stocks, the world went crazy with joy and sorrow because of you. Personally, I belong to the laughing side, but our Major has been looking quite miserable lately.”

In fact, the stock trading system today is not much different from the coin market.

It’s impossible to know when it will rise or fall.

It’s a huge risk, but sometimes the return can be anywhere between 100% and 1000%, and other times you can end up bankrupt in just one month.

The only advantage over coins is that if you try to pull off a scam, the authorities, with about 10 times the seriousness, will execute the one attempting to flee.

“So, while marching, I want you to also serve as my protection and have the soldiers loudly announce that Baron Rothschild will be presenting a new type of stock.”

I showed Captain Marine a small box.

“Inside here is your promotion recommendation. While I’m at it, I wrote the ones for your subordinates and officers too. You know what I mean?”

“Leave it to me.”

“I’ll have a servant submit this to the important people for you.”

Being ambiguous will only lead to complaints.

If you ask your friends to help with moving on their day off and only feed them noodles afterward, they’ll complain, but if you feed them high-quality beef and send them home, it becomes just "helping with moving."

Captain Marine seemed deeply moved by my generosity.

She gathered the soldiers and gave them a brief but loud speech.

“Baron Rothschild will announce a new form of stock. You will protect the Baron and loudly announce this to everyone.”

This is all viral marketing.

No sane person would go around shouting about stock issuance in the middle of the day, on a weekday when everyone is working.

Why stir up trouble and make things harder for people when they are already busy?

“Politicians know that demonstrations should be on their days off.”

But let’s look at this from a different angle.

If you want to stand out, maybe it’s better to shout and cause a scene.

“Once you’ve safely completed the protection of Baron Rothschild, I will reward you with plenty of beer and meat after Mass this Sunday. Also, the Baron will generously reward you with a bonus.”

Back in the 1980s and early 90s, when people weren’t that well off...

New employees would welcome company dinners.

The reason? After work, they couldn't go home, and had to serve their superiors, but they could eat expensive food without paying.

Soldiers are in a tougher situation than those new employees, so of course, they’d be happy.

A huge bonus, a meat feast.

These two promises had the soldiers shouting enthusiastically.

“Baron Rothschild is issuing a new form of stock!”

“If you’re curious, come to Florence Square!”

In the Toscanian Empire, it became common sense that to make money, you don’t buy land, you invest in stocks.

Naturally, our Florence citizens pricked up their ears when they heard that.

Some even rushed to close their little shop doors and ran to join in.

Stock-obsessed fools. If I were to pull off a scam, this would be a mess.

“At least, I’m relieved my family and children aren’t crazy about stocks.”

By the time we reached the square, rumors without legs had already spread far and wide.

Florence Square on a weekday, normally filled with ordinary citizens watching the spectacle, was now overflowing with a crowd.

It wasn’t just ordinary people today. There were merchants, rich people, agents of nobles, and even noblemen.

High-society people had gathered here.

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

“For the busy ones, I’ll skip the long greetings.”

A good speech, a good advertisement, should be short.

It’s wrong to give unnecessary long-winded speeches like military commanders or school principals.

While the speaker might enjoy having a longer time to look impressive...

The listeners will get bored.

“I, Baron Rothschild, have successfully opened up a route across the Strait of Gibraltar leading to the western continent of Ifriqiya.”

Opening a new trade route.

Just hearing this would make your heart race, almost to the point of bursting from excitement.

Even the nobles and scholars who knew the Earth was round had learned that nothing existed beyond the Strait of Gibraltar.

Presenting an entirely new worldview, one that didn’t exist on Earth.

If there were journalists here, the camera shutters would be clicking like mad.

“I have succeeded in opening this route, and now, I intend to trade with those from overseas. However, to trade with strangers from far away, I need substantial capital. So, I plan to issue stocks.”

Was it the rumor about the new form of stocks that had spread?

The crowd was in an uproar.

“The dividend for this stock is a one-time thing. However, based on the investment, all the profits from this trade will be distributed as dividends. If we make a profit, the return could be several times your investment.”

In the early Age of Exploration, trade wasn’t just business.

It was like the state leading a coin trade, and the risk was incredibly high.

I, too, was planning a trade operation like the stock market schemers.

In the middle of my speech, someone interrupted.

“Baron, are you confident you will make a lot of money from this stock?”

As long as the ship doesn’t sink from a storm in the middle...

We’re going to make a massive fortune.

“I’ve invested all of Rothschild’s family wealth into this trade.”

If I monopolize the gold and silver mines in Ifriqiya and everything valuable, there’s no way I won’t profit.

It’s literally like copying money.

“Anyone who doesn’t invest doesn’t matter. But if you want to make money...”

There’s no one in this world who hates money.

“Invest.”

I never thought I’d have to say this in a fantasy world.

“All the riches and glory of this world lie beyond the sea.”

I’m not some great merchant who has gained everything in this world.

But the history of Earth proved long ago...

All the riches, the driving force of human progress, the new and mysterious things...

Everything humans desire lies at the end of the great voyage.

“If you want to go beyond the sea, invest in Rothschild Trading by tomorrow morning. That’s all.”