The Mad Tycoon of Rome

with.
First of all, let's experiment with artisans who make chariots and wagons.
“

 

“It could be just a silly idea, so don't expect too much.”

 

“No.
I have a good feeling.
Production will go up considerably.
“

 

**

 

A few days later, Septimus praised Marcus in front of Crassus.

 

“He must have tremendous talent in commerce.
If he learns and grows properly from now on, he will become a talented person who will double our family's wealth.
“

 

“…Is this a new joke that's trending these days? “

 

“No.
I've only been watching him for a few days, but his talent is on a genius level.
He has the most important insights into the business.
“

 

Crassus looked at Septimus with an expression as if he had eaten something wrong.

 

There's no way that his child's praise can make him feel bad, but this was too unrealistic.

 

“Aren't you overestimating it more than necessary because that child has only shown you so far a lacking side? “

 

“Absolutely not.
I thought you would say that and brought the data.
“

 

Septimus unfolded a wax woodblock he used as a notebook and showed it to Crassus.

 

“I tried to make the sawtooth based on the idea he came up with.
As a result of the actual operation, we confirmed that all the wheels meshed evenly.
In the opinion of the craftsman who made it, the life of the sawtooth would be incomparably longer.
“

 

“Ho-oh, did that child achieve this kind of achievement?”

 

“In addition, the new concept of division of labor by dividing the labor process is also very effective.
Although it is very childish to say that he came up with this because he did not want to study.
“

 

“Really? How specific was that different from the existing method? “

 

Septimus deliberately paused for dramatic effect.

 

And in a small voice, as if whispering, he told Crassus the shocking figures.

 

“If you look at the simple work speed, there is a difference several times.
Besides, this is the result of an experiment with artisans who are not yet accustomed to this method.
Moreover, surprisingly, the defect rate was also lower in the division of labor.
“

 

This time, even Crassus was sincerely astonished.

 

It was because he never imagined that productivity would increase to that extent simply by dividing and collaborating.

 

“Amazing…
I never imagined he would have such a talent.
“

 

“Besides, it's not just a brilliant idea.
He foresaw that even after the gears were improved, the profit from repairs would diminish.”

 

“The most important thing in commerce is the intuition to figure out where you can get a profit.
Well, since he's my son, it's not strange even if he has that ability.”

 

“That's right.
Everyone has something that matches their aptitude and something that doesn't suit them.
It's probably because the boy's studies didn't suit him very well.
“

 

Crassus, who had been listening to Septimus's report all along, caught his mouth up to his ears.

 

It is surprisingly common for a child who has no talent in studying to show talent elsewhere.

 

However, Crassus did not expect that such a thing would apply to his son.

 

That expectation was spectacularly wrong.
But to him, it was a very happy mistake because now he can see his son's talent because of that.

 

“If he has a talent, we should let it bloom.
Make sure that you stay close to that child in the future.”

 

“All right.”

 

After Septimus retreated, Crassus, who was left alone, murmured in a low voice.

 

“If the two children grow up as well as they do now, there is no reason for me to be defeated by Pompey.”

 

An ideal structure was pictured in his mind, in which the second son, Publius, gained the support of the citizens, and the eldest son, Marcus, was responsible for the family's wealth.

 

“What's left is a military feat comparable to that of Pompeius…
We have to solve this part.
But there's no suitable stage…”

 

After Septimus praised him, Marcus' range of maneuver widened considerably.
It was thanks to Crassus personally giving orders to develop Marcus's talents first.
Experiments that cost a lot of money could have been done without a good reason.

 

Marcus, who had time to catch his breath, visited Danae.
After a few days, she was a completely different person than before.
Her complexion was now fully restored, and her frizzy hair was neatly curled up in a plait.
Even her skinny body, which seemed close to malnutrition, gained some weight.

 

She was still a lot skinny, but time will solve that.
Judging from her straight features, it seemed that she would become a lovely girl if she gained moderate weight.

 

“How's life here? Is it acceptable? “

 

“Yes.
I can't compare it to when I was there before.
Other people treat me kindly and learning is really fun.
I want to learn more things with my heart.
“

 

“Really? That's really fortunate.
In fact, I thought you'd better start learning about the trade, too.
I'll tell Septimus, so you'd better stick around with me for a while.
Will that be okay? “

 

Although women's rights in Rome were low compared to modern times, they were quite high for ancient countries.

 

No matter how strong the authority of the head of the household was, the wife's authority in the family could not be ignored either.

 

A good example is the repeal of the opium law, which forbade women to be extravagant.

 

At that time, the head of the family could not contain the onslaught of the women who were sincerely angry in any way.

 

In Rome, upper-class women were quite important customers in the luxury goods market.
In addition to simply purchasing goods, women's unique human networks were still alive in this era.
It also played a very important role in creating political opinion.

 

Marcus planned to dig into this area and attack it.
However, there are limits to entrusting it to men.
So Marcus planned to give Danae this role once she had grown enough.

 

Danae clenched her fists and burned with enthusiasm.

 

“I will do my best to do whatever the young master entrusts to me.”

 

“Haha, it's going to be a distant future to entrust you with direct work, so it's okay, you are doing too much already.
“

 

“I'll do my best, though.
I will have to be several times smarter than I am now to serve the young master by his side.
“

 

'I wondered if she was overly motivated, but there was nothing wrong with learning hard, so I decided to leave it as it is for now.'

 

“It's enough to stop the future work…
Oh, that's right.
I'm going to Capua tomorrow, so if you have anything to prepare, you'd better do it in advance.”

 

“Are we going, Capua? Is it because of business? “

 

“No.
It's because my friends are screaming for me to go.
I shouldn't be too negligent about managing my personal connections.
If I have something to make money with, I'll take care of it.
“

 

Most of the children from the families Marcus usually hung out with were members of the same senatorial family.

 

Now, even if he distances himself from the riotous life, he could not neglect future VIP customers.

 

Moreover, the place to go this time was also an area that Marcus was very interested in.

 

“We are going with other nobles, are there any festivals going on in Capua?”

 

“I'm going to see a gladiatorial match.
Capua's gladiators are the talk of the town these days.
There are rumors that the level is extremely high.
“

 

“Ah~ it's a gladiator match.
It's kind of like a festival.”

 

“Yes.
Especially, the champion of the Capua gladiators is famous for being beast.”

 

Marcus said the name he knew well.

 

“Spartacus.”