I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 363: Enlightenment (10)

Lord Rothschild gave the Emperor absolute monarchy, and there’s no world where he betrays me!

I am Lord Rothschild, and I, too, am Lord Rothschild! We are one. How could I doubt myself?

‘The likelihood of being suspected is gone, disappeared into the far reaches of the universe.’

“You look happy too, it seems.”

“Your Majesty’s joy is my joy. But what exactly pleased you?”

The Emperor took out a book titled "The Social Contract."

When it reached the Emperor, it must have been in the form of a paper a week ago, but when did he turn it into a book?

It even looks like it was printed.

“Right now, what I’m teaching is the idea that reigning as Emperor is the will of God.”

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

“Your Majesty had the idea that you made the people prosperous by following Deus’ will. Since you’ve worked to benefit the world as Deus willed, you now have the justification to claim that defying you is akin to defying God’s will.”

In modern society, even if someone says that God approves of something, most people would ignore it.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on novelbuddy.cσ๓.

However, until the early 20th century, most people believed in God with almost blind faith.

To put it in comparison, it’s like people who attend large churches and go to Sunday services, Friday services, and even volunteer on Saturdays and Sundays.

Even if the pastor drives a Maybach and sends his kids to Ivy League universities, these people would still believe and make sacrifices for their pastor. Some even sell their houses for donations.

To this day, religion still holds this kind of authority.

But once a person gets a slightly higher level of education, they don't just accept what’s told to them by religion.

“However, that alone would not have persuaded the nobles. So, scholars who could justify Your Majesty’s kingship, who could logically prove it, were necessary. That way, we could eliminate any rational reasons for the nobles to oppose your rule.”

“Of course, that’s exactly it. The argument they made was also very reasonable. They used a story from the Bible, where the people of Judah ask Deus for a king, claiming that the existence of a king was what the nobility and the people wanted. It matched perfectly with how knights became nobles.”

The Emperor is referring to this.

According to the Deus Bible, the original kingdom established by the people of Judah had no king.

Instead, there was a leader, a judge, appointed by God, who served for life.

However, those who felt that having only a judge was insufficient insisted on having a king, and eventually, they got one.

“The people who demanded a king offered women, paid taxes, and took on the obligation to serve as soldiers. In return, the king was obliged to protect their freedoms, rights, and safety.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“If I twist this a bit, the nobles’ ancestors also agreed to give up certain rights in exchange for survival by entering into a contract with me. In return, I made them prosperous.”

“If you assert and support this theory, the nobles will not dare to oppose Your Majesty. You have a logical proof for both Deus' will and Your Majesty’s kingship. Who would dare question the Emperor’s command? They may offer advice, but that’s all.”

“Hmmm... Hmmm...”

The Emperor looked at me intently and gave a suspicious smile.

Well, why is he looking at me like that?

Even if I die as a lord, I’ll never, ever be the Emperor’s son-in-law.

If the Emperor has a leash around my neck, living becomes difficult.

“The Crown Prince said something about you. He said you’re the most grateful talent for being born in the Empire.”

“How can His Highness say such things when there are so many more talented people than me?”

“He argued strongly that if you hadn’t been born in the Empire, it would have been a tragic situation for us. I deeply sympathize with that sentiment.”

“If a mere second son from a baron family could not have earned the Emperor’s favor, would I have been able to come this far? Excalibur and famous swords didn’t make history great; it was the greatness of the one wielding them that left the mark.”

If Excalibur or the Green Dragon Crescent Blade had been in the hands of ordinary soldiers, they would have just been sharp weapons, nothing more.

It was because King Arthur and Guan Yu wielded them that they became legendary.

The Emperor gazed at me, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re always so humble. Too humble.”

“Human beings must know their place in order to live long.”

“... Recently, young nobles have been dying after trying to imitate you. But here you are, so humble. If you continue like this, I might just want to make you the Prime Minister.”

... The Prime Minister of the Empire? If that was offered to me, even the Duke of Visconti would probably cheer and go for it.

I’d hand over the Duke’s title to my father-in-law, become the Prime Minister, and then enjoy the power by overthrowing the Duke of Sforza.

But the moment I ascend to that coveted position?

It’s fine for Fabio to do whatever he wants, but everyone around me will likely dislike me intensely.

“Well, of course, there are still some practical issues. The world is so cold and brutal. Talented people like you aren’t even given the opportunity to show their abilities.”

I couldn’t even joke about how harsh the situation is.

I’ve probably reached my peak, so...

Maybe I should just retreat to my domain for the next three years. Spend my days working, and my afternoons focusing on making heirs?

That would make me free.

That thought crossed my mind for a brief moment.

“So, what do you think should be done about them?”

“Should I speak of the ones who wrote ‘The Social Contract’? You should gather them as Your Majesty’s subordinates.”

“Be more specific.”

“Give the scholars who are interested in research positions as royal scholars. For those who wish to display their abilities as administrators, offer them positions in the bureaucracy. And if you promote them faster than others, it will be excellent. Show them that even someone with a humble background can rise to success by serving Your Majesty. It would also be good to publish their stories in the newspapers and hire minstrels and theaters to promote it all over the country.”

There’s a reason why King Jeongjo used practical scholars like Jeong Yak-yong, Bak Je-ga, and Lee Deok-mu.

They have no one to rely on other than the King, so they offer absolute loyalty, and other ministers also become more devoted to the King for the promise of greater power and wealth.

“Alright, I’ll do that.”

“And find and promote the lower classes directly. Even if it’s just 10 or 5 out of 100, give them a seat at the table. Share the power with those who hold blue blood. And shout for enlightenment; if you do that...”

I quietly whispered the top-secret plan to the Emperor.

“Even the noble families ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) with blue blood will desperately flatter Your Majesty to survive.”