Would this open the option for merchant and spy classes, opening and housing stores/trading posts, connecting travel towns you have a merchant in to the main city shop/representative? Probably classes that require high authority and give high chances of your underling fleeing.
Seems like it could work into the story, or have traveling merchant as a occupation where they travel back and forth between cities. Restocking as often as the trip takes, and maybe making a small profit or lowering good costs everywhere if they are cheaper here or there.
Could have an abduction event or two, or work like like the crafting system but generate gold.
Having a spy or two could open up events/quests you can follow up on, maybe unlock a random dungeon to rescue someone procedural for factions points, or inform you of a village having a bandit problem you can clear out.