I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 281: Colmar Peasant Revolt (4)

Raphael gathered his comrades and spoke with a determined expression.

“It’s time.”

Although he didn’t specify exactly what he meant, none of those present asked about the task ahead. There was no need to ask.

From the very fact that they had gathered here, it was clear that they all shared the righteous intention of opposing the oppressive rule of Count Colmar and fighting for a better life.

“We will start the revolution tomorrow, in seven territories including the Colmar fief, as well as Bach, Schwabastier, Agno, Aachen, Engbash, Sargomanu, and Mulruz.”

Upon hearing this, Raphael’s comrades cheered loudly.

At first, they thought they were the only ones rising up, but now they realized that six other regions were joining their cause. Even though having more allies doesn’t necessarily mean the rebellion will succeed, they felt a sense of solidarity.

‘We are not alone.’

“Long live Deus! We’ve won!”

“There were others thinking just like us!”

Raphael gave them time to settle their emotions before continuing.

“The uprising will take place tomorrow. I will relay the details of the operation then.”

Raphael spread a map of Colmar city and the surrounding fief on the desk.

He pointed to Colmar city with his finger.

“Tomorrow, at dawn, after the curfew is lifted, Camille and I will lead about 100 people to the city hall. There, we will petition, as we always have, begging the Count of Colmar for mercy.”

“Do we really need to go to the city hall and petition the Count tomorrow, right before the revolution?”

Once the uprising begins, it’s clear there will be a deadly battle. The losing side will be completely wiped out.

So, it made sense for them to question whether they really needed to petition for mercy on the day of the rebellion.

“It’s to blind their eyes.”

Raphael started to speak the lie, or rather, the operation he had been instructed to follow by Sebastian.

“Until now, we have gathered anywhere from dozens to nearly 100 people to peacefully protest, haven’t we?”

As he said, Raphael and his group had never once been suspected of being reactionaries.

If they gave even the smallest opening, they could have been violently suppressed by the Mayor of Colmar, but they had waited for the perfect timing for the revolution to maximize their chances of success.

“But if nearly 100 people suddenly gather and start protesting, the mayor will be on alert, as he won’t know when it might turn into an armed rebellion. In other words, all of Colmar city’s higher-ups will be focused on us.”

None of the people gathered here were intellectuals, nobles, or local influential figures.

To them, Raphael, who spoke of things they didn’t quite understand, seemed incredibly intelligent, and his explanation was easy to grasp. They understood why the Mayor of Colmar would focus his attention on them, so they all nodded in agreement.

“Once their attention is focused, Noir will arm everyone with farm tools and raid the armory. After seizing the spears, swords, and matchlock guns inside, we’ll arm ourselves and head straight to city hall. I trust you all know the location of the armory?”

“Leave it to me.”

Raphael gave a stern warning.

“Even though the village people have all served in the military, they may know how to fight, but we’re up against a regular army. You must kill all the soldiers guarding the armory while they’re unprepared. If the battle drags on, our casualties will increase.”

“I’ve been the village guard captain for over 10 years, you know. Among us, I’m the best at commanding soldiers. So trust me.”

Even though being a village guard captain may seem like a minor role in Fabio’s eyes, compared to a volunteer firefighter or village defense chief, he had experience leading 10-20, or even up to 50 men, in activities like hunting wild animals.

So, he did have at least the basic skills to command soldiers.

Raphael trusted him with the most important role in the operation because of this.

‘If we fail here, we’re finished.’

“Once again, I stress that no mistakes can be tolerated in this plan. Everyone must carry out their tasks as accurately as possible. If we succeed, we won’t have to let our families starve.”

With that, everyone there, determined to win, raised their glasses of strong wine and parted ways.

The next day, Raphael and his group set their plan into motion.

Raphael, following the plan, led a group of 100 people to Colmar city hall.

The 100 participants in the rebellion, though uneducated, played the part of good citizens, pleading passionately in the city hall square.

“Please, Count Colmar, send food to relieve us! We are on the brink of starvation!”

“Our children are starving! Please show us mercy!”

“The taxes are too much! Please lower the taxes!”

Hearing these cries, the Mayor of Colmar was beside himself.

Every day, except for Sundays when he had to lead the worship service, he had to deal with the demands for lowered taxes...

“I’m losing my mind! What do they want me to do?”

Even though the Lyon Kingdom doesn’t support the natural human rights of its citizens, the rulers understand that if the people starve, it’s a serious problem.

Furthermore, if famine strikes in a region not affected by drought, a noble like himself could face trouble trying to appease the people.

So, he did everything he could.

He submitted a petition to the Count asking for a reduction in taxes, warning that if things continued, they would all die.

Despite his advisors criticizing him for undermining his dignity as a mayor, he continued to live frugally.

“I ate rye bread again yesterday.”

But living frugally on his own wouldn’t bring about any meaningful change to the lives of those standing outside.

“Lejong, the Finance Minister, do you have ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) any ideas to calm these people down?”

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“Do you think I have any? The Count of Colmar has promised to bring in food from other regions at a lower price by next month. We’ll have to wait until then.”

“I’m losing my mind. I can’t suppress this protest with force.”

The finance minister thought for a moment and then proposed a solution.

“If we pretend to listen to their complaints, those peasants and citizens will quiet down. What if we give their leader, Raphael, a seat as a city councilor to shut him up?”

Up to this point, it was exactly as Raphael had planned.

He had expected that, by placing himself at the center of their movement, he could secure a councilor position...

“If things calm down, we’ll be able to blame him as the ringleader and have him executed by hanging.”

“I think that’s the only way.”

The mayor couldn’t help but agree.

If a rebellion started in Colmar city, the Count might lose his title for failing to maintain control of the territory.

As for the mayor, he could easily be replaced by someone 100 times more competent, so if the rebellion happened...

‘I’ll be the first to die.’

“I’ll go out there and calm the rioters down. If anything happens, neither of us will make it out alive.”

With those words, the mayor appeared in front of Raphael and his group.

“Everyone, calm down.”

At this moment, Raphael and his group, pretending to be good citizens, complied with the mayor’s command.

“Right now, Count Colmar is using the taxes he’s collected to purchase food from other regions for the people of Lyon. Relief supplies will arrive next month.”

At these words, the atmosphere grew slightly tense.

“Is that true?”

“Nobles don’t lie. Why would I lie to you?”

His attitude was arrogantly confident, yet that very demeanor struck a chord with the group.

‘He must have something backing him up.’

“Moreover, I will personally go to the Count and ask for a councilor position for Raphael, your representative. That way, your voices will reach the Count.”

The mayor made his demands boldly, as someone offering a generous proposal.

“Now, you must disband. Any further protest will be considered a rebellion.”

As soon as the mayor spoke those words, a group of armed peasants numbering in the hundreds approached the city hall.

One of them aimed a gun at the mayor and shot...

The mayor was instantly killed.

“Don’t be deceived by the Count of Colmar’s tricks! Take over the city hall!”

On that day, peasant uprisings broke out across the Lyon Kingdom.

The news quickly spread to neighboring countries.