Chapter 6: He Was A Genius? (1)
Chapter 6: He Was A Genius? (1)
Once Marcus made a decision, he chose to act on it immediately.
Leaving Danae behind, he went straight to find his father, Crassus.
Crassus greeted Marcus with a slightly surprised expression, likely not expecting his son to come.
"It’s surprising to see you seek me out first. You've been quiet for the past few days. Did something happen?"
"Not at all. If there was an issue, Septimus would have reported it already."
"Well, knowing that, doesn’t explain why you're here. What’s on your mind?"
Marcus gave a bitter smile at Crassus’s suspicious look.
“I came to make a request.”
“Before that, I need to ask: why did you bring that Thracian girl with you?”
"About that... I’ve been considering what to do with her. For now, I intend to provide her with professional education."
“You’re going to give a female slave professional education, not just basic schooling?” Crassus raised an eyebrow, reclining on a long chair. In Rome, women typically received only elementary education, primarily focused on literacy. Higher education was rare, especially for female slaves.
Crassus’s confusion was understandable.
“There will come a time when she might be useful.”
“I don’t see how a female slave will be of much help... but if you want to proceed with this, do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, leaving aside the matter of the slave, what do you need from me? I’ll listen if it’s a minor request.”
Crassus’s praise for Marcus being quiet and trouble-free indicated his low expectations. Marcus could see how minimal Crassus’s regard for him was.
'It’s the old Marcus’s fault. However, the impact of this will be significant.'
If Marcus had been a commendable individual, he would have had to do more to earn praise. Conversely, if Crassus had low expectations, even modest achievements would appear impressive.
Taking a deep breath, Marcus presented his main request. "I want to observe and learn about the family business. Please allow me."
“What? You want to learn about the business?” Crassus’s eyes widened at the unexpected request.
In Rome, twelve-year-olds began secondary education. Marcus, despite his reluctance, had studied under a notable teacher. At seventeen, Roman citizens were expected to wear the toga, signifying their coming of age. A boy who hadn’t undergone the coming-of-age ceremony or served in the military was considered at an age where he should focus on learning.
For the children of the upper classes, even after completing studies in language, arithmetic, and geometry, there was still much to learn, including rhetoric, oratory, and philosophy.
Asking for something additional when there was so much to do could be seen as shirking one's duties.
Crassus asked bluntly, "Do you hate studying that much?"
"It's not that," Marcus replied. "Of course, I will be dedicated to my current education. But I also want to learn about the family business."
"Why? The freed slaves handle the work, and as a member of the family, shouldn’t you be focusing on the Senate?"
"Yes, I will."
The Senate originally had 300 seats, but Sulla’s reforms expanded it to 600. Those who advanced through the ranks of treasurer, procurator, judicial officer, and consul, and passed the inspectorate, became senators. These positions were unpaid and were considered honorable careers in Rome. Young people from prestigious families often went directly to the Senate after passing inspections.
In Rome, bribing voters was common practice, as there was no organization like the National Election Commission. While consul and judicial officer roles were not easily won through bribery, a treasurer’s position, with twenty members, could be secured with sufficient money.
Marcus, without family support, would struggle to be elected even as treasurer. It was generally accepted that future senators should not be involved in commerce at an early age.
“To protect and grow the family’s wealth, one must understand commerce. Freed slaves handle the details, but the person in charge needs to be knowledgeable to oversee the business.”
“Hm…”
Marcus's point was something Crassus had considered. His second son, Publius, was so detached from the family that it was said he was too refined for commerce. While respected and loved, he lacked the practical acumen needed for business, which might result in a decrease in family wealth under his watch.
“So you believe you are different?”
“I know I don’t have the same ability as you. That’s why I want to learn the business now.”
Crassus, previously reclining, straightened up. His intense gaze pierced Marcus, creating a chilling atmosphere. Despite this, Marcus maintained his composure.
Crassus's shift in demeanor from a father to a stern manager reflected his role as the head of the Crassus family, at the pinnacle of Roman wealth.
Crassus's cold voice cut through the tension, “You’ve caused trouble since you were a child. Why should I believe that you’re any different now?”
Without a convincing answer, the negotiation could fall apart.
Marcus licked his dry lips and took a deep breath. “To be honest, I lacked the confidence to meet your expectations right away. Compared to Publius, my shortcomings were evident.”
“If that’s the case, you should have worked harder.”
“It was painful to see your expectations shift to my younger brother. I hated myself for not being talented enough.”
The well-crafted lie had its effect. Crassus’s cold gaze faltered for a moment, revealing the father behind the stern exterior. No father could remain unmoved by a son who honestly explains the gap in expectations.
“So, are you saying that’s why you turned to drinking and caused trouble from a young age?”
"I wanted to escape from reality. But I've made up my mind. I'll admit what I need to, and accept that I can't be like my brother. Instead, I want to contribute to the family in a different way."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Crassus, not realizing it, had softened his tone.
Deciding that he was close to winning his father’s approval, Marcus focused on maintaining a sincere expression.
“When I woke up a few days ago, completely drunk and passed out, I felt a deep sense of shame.”
"Yes, at your age, you are particularly sensitive and emotional. You must have been through a lot of confusion."
“Even if I seem irresponsible as an older brother, I’ve decided to take a different path and leave the responsibility of succeeding the family to my younger brother.”
"And this other path is business?"
Marcus nodded in agreement.
Crassus looked away and closed his eyes for a moment. An awkward silence settled between them. The few seconds of silence felt agonizing to Marcus. If he failed here, he would have to reconsider his approach.
Crassus finally looked up at Marcus and let out a sigh. “If you’re only observing from the sidelines, there’s no reason not to grant your request. If it turns out you have a talent for commerce, I’ll find a suitable position for you.”
"Thank you! I will do my best not to disappoint you!" Marcus's persuasion had worked.
As Marcus smiled in relief, Crassus added a condition. “If it turns out these are just empty words again, I won’t give you another chance. Is that clear?”
"Yes." Marcus, determined, answered with unwavering resolve. “I understand this is my last chance. I will learn with the determination to succeed.”
"I hope it's not just talk."
Marcus responded with a confident smile. Despite not showing it, Crassus was deeply satisfied with the change he had witnessed in his son over the past few days.
The conversation between father and son ended on a positive note.
**
“So, that’s about all you need to know.”
"It's complicated..."
Marcus began his training in the family business immediately. Septimus, who had been on the job, was now responsible for educating Marcus.
Crassus’s business was truly vast and complex.
Marcus was struck by the scale of the operation, far exceeding modern expectations. The Crassus family's wealth was beyond imagination. According to records, their assets were valued at over 200 trillion won ($160 billion) in modern terms, making them the 8th largest asset holder among historical figures according to Forbes.
Marcus, who had rarely had even 2 million won in his bank account, could hardly comprehend the enormity of this wealth.
"Dispatching specialized slaves to mining, firefighting, plantation management, transportation and wagon production, real estate, shipping, and even training gladiators... is there any field left untouched?"
"That’s correct. We are involved in all profitable businesses in Rome."
"This is like a modern conglomerate."
The Crassus family operated dozens of subsidiaries under the name of freed slaves, each managing tens to hundreds of additional slaves.
Marcus was amazed by the scale and sophistication of the operation, which far exceeded his expectations.
“The Crassus family symbolizes the wealth of Rome.” Septimus's pride was evident as he straightened his shoulders. His pride was a testament to their contribution to amassing such enormous wealth.
“If the scale of the business is this vast, even Father couldn’t possibly oversee every detail, right?”
“Yes, but Master has a keen insight into the nature of business. When he makes major decisions, it's our job to implement them.”
The more Marcus learned, the more the family business resembled Korea’s chaebols, where a strong leader sets the company’s direction and skilled executives handle the details.
'It’s incredible that such a business model existed in ancient times...'
Despite feeling overwhelmed, Marcus wasn’t discouraged. His goal was to set a broad framework for the business and maximize profits; the complex details were secondary.
Marcus’s strategy focused on buying low and selling high. If he could achieve this, he stood to make substantial profits.
Most people struggled with this because they couldn’t predict price fluctuations. Marcus didn’t have that ability either. However, he possessed knowledge that made such predictions less critical.
‘The fluctuations in wheat prices are a historical fact that will occur. This alone could yield huge profits.’
Wheat was the staple food of the Romans. Whenever wheat prices changed, the situation in Rome shifted dramatically.
Historical accounts of Rome often briefly touched on wheat prices because of their significant impact.
In modern times, information is valuable. In ancient times, it was much the same.