It seems my brother Albert was moved by the bond between us Medici brothers.

    Not even three days after I spread the rumor, he ordered me to come to the Medici estate.

    It must be true that sincerity moves hearts. After all the effort I put in, Albert’s heart must have finally opened up.

    “Thanks for coming, Fabio.”

    The last time he squeezed money out of me for his wedding, he treated me like the best brother in the world. Now, his attitude has changed.

    It’s just like they say: people change their tune when they’re desperate and when they’re done.

    Now that his financial crisis is over, his thoughts have changed too.

    It’s truly heartwarming to have a brother like this.

    As soon as the door closed, Albert’s expression soured slightly.

    “There’s no one here to overhear but you and me. So, tell me honestly—was it you?”

    Of course, I was the one who spread the rumor.

    Put yourself in my shoes—would you admit it?

    Even if you commit a crime, as long as there’s no evidence and you’re not caught, there’s no problem. If I confess, I’d be giving myself up.

    It’s not like I did anything morally questionable.

    All I did was ask for what I was owed—how could that be wrong?

    “Why would I spread rumors about your debt to me, Baron? And how could I recklessly discuss matters of the Medici estate?”

    The Toscana Empire cherishes the values and traditions of the medieval age.

    Whether in the East or West, brothers fighting over debt is seen as a disgraceful act.

    And the matter of the Medici estate is so delicate that even the emperor can’t interfere without a good reason—who am I to give my opinion?

    If I gave him an opening to accuse me, I’d be risking my neck.

    “It’s disheartening to know you don’t trust me. Aren’t we brothers, after all?”

    Our relationship isn’t exactly rosy, but look at that irritated expression of his.

    Even if he grits his teeth, what can he do?

    “Still, when a man borrows money, isn’t it proper to repay it? Even if it’s family.”

    The sacred texts themselves say that a man who doesn’t repay his debts can be stripped of everything but his clothes and left to sleep on the streets.

    Albert forced a smile.

    He should hide that twitching at the corner of his mouth.

    Showing emotions like that makes him look weak.

    There’s a reason why they tell you to keep a poker face at work in 21st-century Korea.

    “Of course, I should repay you. But as you know, my financial situation isn’t great.”

    A nobleman is always at his poorest right after a wedding.

    To solidify alliances and display the family’s grandeur, they end up spending everything they have on the ceremony.

    “I’ll never give you five villages! Never!”

    Albert wasn’t foolish enough to fall for such an obvious trap.

    “Four villages. Let’s say around thirteen hundred people. If you grant me that, we can consider the seven thousand gold paid in full.”

    “That sounds like quite a lot.”

    “I’m not even asking for interest out of consideration for you, Baron.”

    When merchants claim they’re “taking a loss” or “selling below cost,” it’s almost always a lie.

    It’s as true as the saying, “Everyone falls in love and marries in college.”

    “Even giving up four villages is a strain on me. You know I don’t have many lands I can freely dispose of. Can’t you cut me some slack, little brother?”

    The nerve of this man to appeal to family ties when he was trying to cheat me out of my money!

    Should I just bash his head in?

    “I’m willing to substitute around 70% of that with young, unmarried female serfs. The remaining 30% can be eligible bachelors without land rights. You don’t even have to give me villages with farmland. But in that case, I’ll need over two thousand people.”

    It’s not like I plan to farm like other lords.

    I intend to expand seaweed production, secure a smuggling route, and recruit workers to produce the special goods I’ll sell.

    Keeping workers for life is surprisingly easy in this era.

    ‘Arrange marriages and make sure their workplace and home are the same.’

    It’s a strategy inspired by Japan during the bubble era.

    The company would provide apartments, cover tuition fees, and create an environment where an employee would practically have no choice but to stay for life.

    And I’ve added the perk of providing a spouse.

    In this era, survival matters more than love, so most people wouldn’t turn it down.

    “Anyway, unmarried female serfs who can’t find husbands usually end up in the city, selling themselves for a bowl of porridge.”

    “Indeed.”

    “Considering our family ties, I’m doing you a favor.”

    It’s a plan that maximizes my benefits, but it probably looks like I’m taking on all his problems.

    Albert’s face brightened noticeably.

    While I’d gain a lot, he’d be free of the seven thousand gold debt and rid of his potential troublemakers, so he must be pleased.

    “Fine. I’ll have the deed written up. You’ll need to wait about four months for the transfer to be complete.”

    “Yes, brother.”

    With that, I left his office.

    I went straight to visit my father, the former Baron Medici.

    I wasn’t just going to pay my respects—I was going to flaunt the fact that I took payment in problematic people instead of the seven thousand gold for his sake.

    There’s a saying for a reason:

    If you don’t make a fuss after doing someone a favor, they’ll just forget about it.