Printing Money with an OB/GYN (5)
Printing Money with an OB/GYN (5)
As Count Hanover brought up the topic, the high-ranking figures around him began to listen intently.
Even though the stories nobles tell at balls are mostly about bragging about their ancestors' achievements from hundreds of years ago, exaggerating the trivial accomplishments of their grandfathers and fathers, or saying the weather is nice lately so they should build another vacation home...
You have to show interest, listen attentively, and react well to those kinds of stories to properly play the role of a noble.
The reason a new topic—one described as being exceptionally good rather than just the usual mundane drivel—was emerging was that it served as a small breath of fresh air amidst this tiresome luxury.
"My daughter Maria gave birth to a grandson a few days ago, and the hospital where she delivered the baby was truly excellent."
Marquess Salzburg, who had been conversing with him, chimed in.
"Come to think of it, Baroness Bittenwald didn't give birth at her mansion. I heard she delivered at a place called an OB/GYN clinic run by Baron Kreutz..."
"Yes, that's the place. That son-in-law of mine dotes on my daughter so much that, in his greed to have her deliver the baby as safely as possible, he searched for all sorts of herbal medicines and sought out those known for their expertise in childbirth... and then he heard about Baron Kreutz's OB/GYN clinic, where he helps mothers in the slums out of goodwill."
"Surely the Baroness didn't... No, she wouldn't have given birth at the same hospital as the slum dwellers..."
If Baroness Bittenwald, Count Hanover's daughter Maria, had given birth at a hospital that slum dwellers also used?
Then the entire capital would have been in an uproar.
It surely would have reached the ears of Marquess Salzburg, but since no such scandalous talk had been heard, he assumed there had been no disaster of a noble lady giving birth while mixed in with the slum dwellers.
"She gave birth at an OB/GYN clinic that Baron Kreutz specially created for noble ladies. Unless I've lost my mind, how could I entrust my daughter to the same hospital as the slum dwellers?"
"I have made a slip of the tongue."
"It's fine. While it's fairly well known in the capital that Baron Kreutz engages in charity work helping mothers in the slums... this is likely the first you've heard about him opening an OB/GYN clinic targeting nobles."
"So, how was that OB/GYN clinic?"
"I went to see it myself, and the facilities were excellent, and my daughter, who was the patient, was very satisfied. So, I've decided to entrust my mistress's childbirth to that place as well."
As Count Hanover mentioned that his daughter was satisfied, and that after seeing it for himself, he was entrusting his mistress's childbirth there as well...
Everyone slowly began to show interest.
"My daughter is also seven months pregnant now; would there be enough space at that OB/GYN clinic?"
"The place called this OB/GYN clinic has become quite famous among other nobles lately, so I'm afraid there might not be any spots available by the time Count Luther's daughter needs to be admitted..."
Count Hanover was greatly satisfied with the OB/GYN clinic run by Baron Kreutz.
Since he liked everything about it, he had entrusted the childbirth of his adorable mistress—whom he cherished so much he wouldn't feel pain even if he put her in his eyes—or, to exaggerate slightly, even her life, to Baron Kreutz's OB/GYN clinic.
He was satisfied and trusted them, so he was spreading the word for free, but...
Apart from that, there was no law saying he couldn't act like he was doing them a special favor by saying, "It's usually not possible, but I'll make a special exception," while spreading the rumor. Moreover, every single one of these displays of favor leads to political power.
"I will make sure to tell Baron Kreutz to make a spot for her somehow."
"Thank you, Count Hanover."
"Not at all, Count Luther. In return, regarding my son-in-law's next position..."
"He's going to the 1st Royal Cavalry Division as a brigade commander, right? The division commander there is my cousin, Viscount Clover, so I will put in a good word for him."
Just by making a show of favor like this, the military life of Baron Rutenwald, Count Hanover's son-in-law, became much more comfortable.
"That OB/GYN clinic is a place I can guarantee with the name of the House of Hanover. So, please, everyone, make use of it. While childbirth is a blessing from God, it is also a dangerous event... so it would be better to entrust it to a place that is at least a little bit safer."
Thus, Count Hanover kept his promise to Baron Kreutz.
Thanks to this, Baron Kreutz instantly gained immense fame and a fairly solid standing in high society.
**
Time flew by like an arrow.
Even when I was living my life as a politician, if I lived too busily, I would get confused about whether today was Monday or Tuesday...
Now, I was also living so busily that I couldn't even keep my head straight because so many noble ladies were flocking to the OB/GYN clinic.
At least 15 people a day, and on the days when the most people came, nearly 40 people would show up.
'This must all be because the Empire allows polygamy.'
Thanks to that, shortly after opening, I was able to generate income that was more than four times the taxes collected from our Kreuz Barony.
"Baron Kreutz."
"Yes, Count Hanover."
"Has my favor been of help to you?"
"Thanks to your Excellency spreading the word far and wide, noble ladies are flocking here like a tidal wave. Thanks to that, I've been able to generate a large income."
"I have also gained quite a bit of profit in exchange for introducing your OB/GYN clinic, so it is fine."
Before those who came on Count Hanover's recommendation arrived, the Count had instructed me to make sure to say, "I really had a hard time making a spot for you," and to act like I was doing them a favor.
To them, I would say that people were flocking to the OB/GYN clinic as if I were creating imaginary customers, but because Count Hanover had introduced them, I had gone out of my way to make a spot.
Thanks to that, the Count must have been able to gain quite a significant political advantage as well.
Because it is common for every single one of these seemingly trivial things to become a political debt to the other party.
"This is just a small token of my appreciation, but..."
I very politely handed the Count a check for the amount of 5,000 gold coins.
Upon seeing the amount written there, the Count smiled as if pleased and nodded.
Then he immediately tucked it into his pocket.
"For a young fellow these days, you know the importance of give-and-take well."
"If one receives a favor in any form, one must know how to repay it. This may not be a large sum of money to your Excellency, but I hope you will accept it as a token of my sincerity."
In the 21st century, politicians do not exchange bribes in visible forms.
However, before that, they did exchange them in visible forms, and I had learned the techniques and secrets of that era from senior politicians.
According to them, when you receive something, or even if you haven't, the best way to show that you are on their side is to bring an appropriate amount of cash.
The guy who said that eventually got dragged off to prison for taking bribes, though...
'He was a guy who rose to the position of supreme council member of the party just with the talent of offering bribes, so that one aspect of his social maneuvering was worth learning.'
And in this era I've reincarnated into, that kind of social maneuvering is as naturally necessary as breathing.
"The carriage has arrived, your Excellency."
The Count and I began to prepare to get off the carriage.
I checked to make sure there were no issues with my attire and brushed off the dust once.
"I will give you one more gift, since you know the duties one must keep as a person well. When I call you at the banquet, make sure to come out on time."
After saying that, as we stepped out of the carriage, Count Hanover introduced me to the nobles who had gathered around him.
"This young noble here is Baron Kreutz, who runs the OB/GYN clinic. Even if it's a bit peculiar that a Baron would think to open an OB/GYN clinic, he is a diligent young man who does his best in whatever task he takes on."
Because of that one introduction, I would be left with the impression of being a "diligent noble" and a "capable young man" to the nobles here.
And if you succeed in making a good first impression, you've effectively already won more than half the battle in politics.
Of course, that gentleman wouldn't be showing me this favor without expecting something in return.
He must be thinking of buying me, a young and capable noble, at a low point.
Even if the Empire is currently mired in luxury and hedonism, and it seems like the best time for nobles to live, if you secure a capable young noble, you can stand in an advantageous position in political fights or whatever else.
"I am Baron Mikhail von Kreutz. I look forward to your favor."
Everyone looked at me and showed me friendly smiles.
Now is the best timing to sell our territory's weapons.
"In our Kreuz territory, we produce weapons and armor. I can confidently say that they are affordable yet of high quality."
It's not particularly wrong for a noble to introduce their territory's specialty products.
It's the same thing as saying our territory is famous for grapes, so the wine is delicious, right?
"Since they are also being supplied to his Highness the Northern Grand Duke, if anyone is interested, please let me know, and I will do my best to serve you."
After saying that, I separated from Count Hanover and began to converse with the surrounding nobles.
Back when I had just possessed this body, I was just a mere Baron who only knew how to indulge in luxury, so I didn't receive much attention at gatherings...
But now, people have started to gather, albeit little by little, where I am.
This is influence and power.