The Great Mercator System

Chapter 2: The Art of Influence

Simeon De Long quickly learned that in this world, intelligence and wit were just as valuable as noble blood. He was born without status, without wealth, and without any clear path to power. But he did have something no one else did—memories of a past life, a life spent understanding human behavior, negotiation, and survival in a cutthroat corporate world.

If he couldn’t rely on birthright, he would rely on people.

At a young age, he realized that adults underestimated children. He used this to his advantage, playing the role of the obedient, intelligent, but unassuming fourth son. He observed everything: the way his father struggled to keep the estate afloat, the way the merchants dictated trade agreements, and how the nobles manipulated their words to gain favors.

The first lesson he learned was that people were predictable. Everyone had desires, fears, and habits they followed without realizing it. His father, Earl Bryan De Long, wanted to maintain the dignity of their house. His mother, Fiona, sought peace within the family. His brothers longed for their father’s approval, while the servants simply wanted to keep their jobs in a declining estate.

Simeon took advantage of this knowledge, learning how to speak to each person in a way that resonated with their motivations.

With the servants, he made himself approachable, asking about their lives, their worries, and their frustrations. He made them feel valued, slipping in small suggestions that made them more efficient. By doing so, he ensured they would see him as an ally, someone worth listening to despite his young age.

With his siblings, he played a careful game of reinforcement. He complimented George’s leadership, Bryan II’s sense of duty, and Victor’s swordsmanship, making them believe that their talents were necessary for the future of the De Long family. By subtly framing conversations, he steered them away from seeing him as competition and instead as a useful supporter.

His mother was the easiest to influence. She worried constantly about the family’s finances, so he reassured her with simple, logical suggestions on how to cut costs without sacrificing their image. A more modest banquet here, a change in fabric suppliers there—small changes that, over time, made a difference.