In the Toscana Empire, being a noble is akin to being a retired civil servant.

    When someone of high rank, such as the emperor, duke, marquess, or count, “appoints” you, you can become a parachute hire at any time.

    “The emperor oversees the entire empire, while nobles below dukes can only appoint within their direct jurisdiction.”

    Thus, my sudden appointment did not surprise or face any rejection from the city hall staff...

    Yet, this kind of occurrence is not common in our empire, so my subordinate officials looked at me with puzzled expressions.

    “I am Baron Fabio de Medici, appointed as the temporary director of public safety and the head of gunpowder production starting today. From this point forward, you will all be members of both the public safety and gunpowder production departments, based on your original affiliations.”

    Everyone looked dumbfounded by the abrupt reshuffle order.

    Well, considering it wasn’t even a time for reshuffling, it’s understandable they’d be flabbergasted to be assigned to departments that didn’t even exist until now.

    However, they seemed to know that I was favored by the emperor, so there was no sign of despair on their faces.

    “In any era, being transferred to a department that didn’t even exist before isn’t generally a good thing.”

    Of course, a department that’s suddenly created under the strong will of a high-ranking individual could be seen as an opportunity for promotion.

    “Gunpowder production was originally under the Ministry of Military Affairs, and there is a higher organization, the Public Safety Bureau, responsible for urban security. So, it’s reasonable to question why a separate, independent agency has been established. Allow me to explain everything one by one.”

    Given my position, I could practically command the officials here.

    The emperor’s favor, the duke’s favor, the position I aim for as a merchant leader, and the resolution of military procurement issues and supply problems.

    With just a little bit of leverage on these significant issues, I could easily ask for “cooperation” from the department heads while it sounds like “orders” coming from my rank.

    However, I choose not to do so because explaining to people why they are doing a task is more efficient.

    “First and foremost, the reason I’m in charge of gunpowder production is to test a new manufacturing method for gunpowder.”

    At this, a man serving as the assistant to the head of the department asked,

    “Does this mean we will also oversee the collection of dirt from around the toilets, walls, and ceilings?”

    The people here are equivalent to government officials above the 5th grade in Korea.

    Based on their social status, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to refer to a doctor who claims a net salary of ten million won as “a mere doctor.”

    Gathering such individuals and saying we’re going to collect excrement could elicit protests.

    “If I were a count, I’d likely face similar protests.”

    “You only need to organize the documents. You have plenty of subordinates under you, right?”

    I’ll send the subordinates below them to supervise on-site, and the task of collecting excrement won’t fall on soldiers but rather on others.

    “It’s one thing to be dragged into the army, but making them collect excrement for a meager salary crosses the line.”

    “Upon reviewing the production methods for gunpowder, I found that the soil used as a raw material can only be collected from areas rich in excrement and urine. Therefore, I pondered that the true raw material for gunpowder is not actually the soil, but excrement and urine.”

    The raw material for gunpowder is potassium nitrate.

    And potassium nitrate is most abundantly found in excrement and urine.

    It took humanity a staggering 400 years to realize this after starting to use gunpowder.

    Unless someone has a certain degree of social standing, it’s standard for even the innocent to end up with broken limbs.

    Getting imprisoned on charges of obstructing imperial orders?

    You’ll be forced to drink mushroom soup straight from the pot.

    “And lastly, I’d like to give a warning that you’ll not be able to complain about this to anyone else.”

    “First, let’s focus on gathering personnel to collect excrement and urine; prepare to head to the slums. We’ll do it properly, so bring about two companies from the Florence garrison. Have the officers come dressed in their uniforms.”

    In fact, I only need to borrow about a platoon, but ‘providing jobs for the poor’ is seen as a good deed by the standards of this era.

    And to achieve success, it’s better to carry out good deeds in a way that everyone can see.

    Playing a trumpet and dressing in fine clothing is the proper decorum.

    That way, we’ll have a good reputation.

    “Just the assistant head will remain for a while; everyone else, prepare to go out.”

    I waved for the remaining assistant head to come over.

    Upon closer inspection, he appeared to be five to seven years older than me.

    It seems he, like me, was either a second son of a baronial family or the first son of a baron with a legal robe, starting his career in public service.

    If he’s the head of a baronial family with a legal robe, he would typically reach my position or possibly even a deputy director with just average work performance. If he’s the second son of a baron, my position might be his limit.

    “He must be very eager for promotion.”

    “Assistant head, I’ll be direct. Do you wish to be promoted?”

    “Yes, indeed.”

    There wouldn’t be a single person in our empire who doesn’t want to be promoted.

    Just becoming a non-commissioned officer from a mere soldier significantly improves the quality of life and treatment for serfs, and bureaucrats receive far better treatment with just a single rank increase.

    “As you know, I’m only serving as a temporary head. So, when this work is completed, I will step down. However, what will happen to this organization once gunpowder production stabilizes?”

    It goes without saying: it will grow.

    Currently, it’s the Gunpowder Production Division, but later it will likely expand into the Gunpowder Production Bureau.

    “Even if someone else occupies the director’s position, the job will only run smoothly if someone who fully grasps the operations heads the department. If the organization expands to a national level, there should be about four or five head positions... unless the mayor of Florence is a fool, you’ll undoubtedly...”

    I intentionally paused.

    “Your promotion to head is guaranteed. At your age to be a head, if you perform well, you’ll surely rise to the position of director.”

    From the position of director, one is considered a ‘key bureaucrat’ within the empire.

    That’s the pinnacle of success.

    “Let’s make sure to work well together. And if there are any complaints, it’s your job to handle them.”

    With that, I placed a substantial amount of money in his hand.

    “After overseeing the subordinates, give a little to those who perform well as incentives. That way, you’ll also be promoted. Now, go.”@@@@