The noble faction can also be referred to as the radical royalists. The royalists are those who act in the interest of the emperor, so it’s safe to say that all noble faction members would risk their lives for the emperor’s benefit.

    Ah, but there’s one thing I must clarify to avoid misunderstandings.

    They aren’t loyal figures like General Yi Sun-sin or Zhuge Liang from history.

    The fundamental source of all the power held by the noble faction lies with the emperor, so strengthening the imperial authority directly correlates to their wealth and glory.

    “Being able to grill the noble faction is almost equivalent to saying the emperor can be grilled as well.”

    Thus, the emperor generally trusts the noble faction members more than any other nobility.

    ‘Not all noble faction members are royalists; some follow the noble faction leader, Duke Sforza.’

    “To kill a mounted knight, one must first kill the horse he rides.”

    This means that, regardless of the situation, especially when facing difficult challenges, one must proceed step by step.

    That way, the probability of achieving the goal increases.

    “And when it comes to dealings with the merchant group, especially military supplies, we deal with the Ministry of Military Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, or the Ministry of Commerce.”

    Among those, the ones who would most likely favor me are those in the Ministry of Commerce.

    Even though I’m quickly rising, requesting a private audience with the emperor could be seen as a crime, and the Minister of Commerce is too high-ranking for me to ask to meet.

    The vice-minister of commerce seems appropriate.

    ‘Whether it’s the vice-minister or the minister, they’re both noble faction members, whether they be barons or earls.’

    They, of course, can request an audience with the emperor, so if my words resonate with them, they will convey my sentiments effectively.

    “Assuming I present a suitable gift, securing an audience with the vice-minister should be a piece of cake.”

    Convincing them is another matter, but I’m confident.

    I plan to propose the ‘strengthening of imperial authority,’ something that those dependent on the emperor will love.

    “Deliver this letter to Sebastian.”

    I had the servant pass a letter to Sebastian.

    I instructed him to slip a bribe of about 500 gold coins to the vice-minister of commerce and obtain an opportunity to meet.

    Naturally, as expected, the vice-minister of commerce stated that for the bribe of 500 gold coins, he would grant me the favor of taking some time to meet.

    It’s amusing to call it a favor.

    Politely attending to the superior is also a way of respecting their authority.

    Conversely, ignoring them would be akin to throwing mud on their face.

    ‘You think I wouldn’t meet after providing both money and the emperor’s authority?’

    Yet, they still want to act pretentious; as a noble myself, I find such a mindset incomprehensible.

    Upon seeing me, the vice-minister of commerce immediately offered a cordial handshake.

    “You’re quite handsome and tall for a young man who has risen to baron at such a young age. I wouldn’t hesitate to give you my granddaughter!”

    The reason why bribery in politics has been criminalized is partly because it is morally wrong.

    The main reason is that if bribery were legalized, all policies and public services would obviously be dictated by the amount of gifts given.

    “While sharing the profits with more people may not benefit me directly, it would be advantageous for the emperor.”

    “To think about the emperor first in business, your loyalty is truly commendable.”

    Although he said that, the eyes of the vice-minister of finance had already cooled down considerably.

    If I hadn’t given him the 500 gold coins as a gift, he would probably have told me to leave immediately.

    “But thinking about it differently, isn’t that strange? How does the growth of guilds in smaller cities relate to the emperor and your benefits?”

    What I’m about to say now is half a fabrication to conceal my true intentions.

    “To speak frankly, it would be difficult for me to rise to a position of influence now. Because there are many guilds and merchants from large cities above me.”

    Groups that monopolize guilds and interests and do not allow for any competition hinder societal development.

    While it’s better than communism, if the guilds openly collude to set “prices” across all cities and prevent the influx of goods from other cities...

    Competition would cease to exist, allowing each guild to monopolize their respective markets.

    In a state of market monopoly, the seller becomes the winner rather than the buyer...

    ‘There’s no need for research or price reductions.’

    Citizens of the city will purchase my goods anyway, and since there’s no competition with the goods from other cities in terms of price competitiveness or quality, I can sell them carelessly.

    However, for new merchants like me, this creates a massive wall.

    ‘It would be more profitable to trade cheaper goods from other cities on a larger scale.’

    “I also think the vice-minister of commerce is likely to be troubled by merchants who collude with the guilds. While our Medici group thoroughly inspects each item for military supplies, other merchant groups supply defective weapons and slightly subpar food items, don’t they?”

    “That’s true.”

    “By giving up minor profits, I am directly showing the emperor and the vice-minister that the Medici group will not disturb the emperor. That’s the profit I’m seeking.”

    Upon hearing that, the vice-minister of commerce nodded in agreement.

    “Are you saying you want to buy the emperor’s trust with money?”

    Although he said that, a smile formed on the vice-minister’s face.

    Yes, I’m only demonstrating actions that benefit both the emperor and your royalists.

    I’ve declared that I’ll bow deeply to earn the emperor’s trust.

    There’s no way you wouldn’t appreciate that.

    “I intend to purchase trust by giving up money.”

    “Hm, as expected, the Medici group is different. To value trust over money, that’s commendable. But even so, this alone might be a bit difficult?”

    That’s only natural, which is why I prepared for it.

    I have weapons that the emperor and you royalists will find irresistible.

    “If we can nurture the guilds in smaller cities to compete with the guilds in larger cities, how much greater would the benefit be for the emperor and vice-minister?”

    Absolute monarchy.

    The starting point will be the sticky union of the powers held by the city and the emperor.

    Since this aligns with my interests as well, I will offer the emperor a system of absolute monarchy.

    In return, I want the military supplies.