Chapter 19 The Changyao Family of Red Crab Island

The milk produced by the dairy farm was one of the few luxuries in Flower Town. Originally, the milk from the dairy farm was processed into powdered milk and submitted to Count Coral Island as taxes every three months.

After Liszt arrived, the milk was delivered to the castle daily.

There were ten cows in total.

Among them, three calves under two years old had not started producing milk yet; two elderly cows could no longer produce milk; a male cow was also unable to produce milk; leaving only four adult female cows that could yield some milk daily. Whether due to poor breed or inadequate diet, their milk production was rather low.

"The Big Flower is at her peak milk production stage and can yield 20 kilograms of fresh milk with three milkings a day. Little Flower is in the off-season and can only give us 4 kilograms a day. Big Black is also in the off-season, producing 5 kilograms per day. As for Big Yellow, she's currently dry," said the supervisor, an elderly man who, despite not being very old, already had a hunched back, making him appear much older.

Liszt approached one of the cows, and it was very docile, slowly grazing on grass.

"Are you going to keep raising the cows that can't produce milk?"

"We need to ensure all the female cows are impregnated, so we have to keep them. Milk Flower, Milk Black, and Milk Yellow are still young and won't be able to conceive until next year. Old Flower and Old Black are too old; we've already informed Lord and are awaiting his approval to slaughter them for meat," the supervisor replied respectfully.

Milk Flower, Milk Black, and Milk Yellow were the names of the young cows.

Little Flower and Little Black referred to the newly matured cows.

Big Flower, Big Black, and Big Yellow are the names of our mature dairy cows.

Old Flower and Old Black are the names of our elderly dairy cows.

Strong is the name of our bull.

Lord Liszt recalled that recently, Steward Carter mentioned to him that there were two old dairy cows on the farm that could be slaughtered for meat anytime. Dairy cows that no longer produce milk are considered a waste of resources since they consume food without providing any return; usually, they would be slaughtered promptly. It sounds ruthless, but these cows have spent their lives producing milk, only to contribute their flesh in old age.

Since the castle hasn't hosted any grand banquets lately, and we still have enough meat, the two aged cows continue to graze on the farm.

"Is the current pasture sufficient for the cows?"

"Yes, my lord. We only have ten dairy cows, but we have 150 acres of grassland."

"Steward, how much grassland do you think is needed to sustain ten cows?"

"In response to Lord Liszt, one dairy cow requires ten acres of grassland. However, we often take them to graze in the wild, so eight acres would suffice for each cow."

"Eight acres per cow, meaning 80 acres for ten cows. Therefore, Teacher Gort, please start by removing the clover from 70 acres and replace it with alfalfa."

"No problem, leave it to me," Gort assured, pounding his chest.

Liszt's efficient approach to the census project had instilled a sense of urgency in Gort, significantly improving his work ethic. He could see that Liszt was not an ostentatious and pleasure-seeking noble but one who focused on tangible accomplishments. If Gort wished to gain influence, he would need to adapt his own style.

...

A call to Hiddleston.

Inspecting the peanut weevils.

Two days swiftly passed, and on the third day, rain fell from the heavens.

Spring was at its peak, and summer had yet to arrive. Rain was as precious as oil, and the agricultural efforts in every hamlet were in full swing. Alfalfa seeds had been sown, and millet fields were being delimited from the wilderness, ready for cultivation. The thorn bushes were still a work in progress; they would have to wait until Marcus returned to venture into Thorns Ridge.

On the fourth day,

After lunch within the castle, Carter, the steward, hurriedly entered the study. "My lord, Mr. Marcus has returned and is awaiting your audience outside the castle."

"Ask him to come in at once."

"Baron, greetings from Marcus!" The weary Marcus arrived with the two intermediate-level Aura Secret Manuals that Liszt had been anticipating.

One was the familiar "Flame Wave," and the other was the "Fire Dragon Thrust" obtained from Tulip Castle.

After accepting the manuals, Liszt inquired, "Teacher Marcus, how did my letters to the Earl and Baron fare? What was their response?"

"Here are the replies from both the Earl and the Baron, along with ten Nadars exchanged from the sale of the Blight Hound pelts."

"Please take a seat, Teacher Marcus. I'll read the letters first."

He started with the reply from the Earl of Coral Island. Due to the limited space on the thick parchment, the letter was brief. Lee William Tulip responded to Liszt, informing him that he would soon send someone to assimilate the Black Tulips and discuss their sale. He also agreed to purchase a batch of urgently needed supplies as an advance payment for the transaction.

The second letter was from the Baroness of Hawk Town. Li Weiwei congratulated Liszt on his discovery of the new tulip variety and mentioned that she would join the Earl to acquire the right to assimilate by exchanging goods.

Both responses were formal and polite, lacking any warmth of familial affection. After Liszt's mother, the Earl's first wife, passed away, the bond between the three siblings, who had lacked maternal love, gradually weakened. The Earl, due to Liszt's appearance, had shifted from hope to disappointment, further estranging their relationship.

"Still, I prefer this subtle affection. Too much intimacy would be unbearable for me." Liszt felt a twinge of emotion after finishing the letter.

Putting it down, he said gently, "Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Marcus. Did you come across anything interesting during your journey?"

"Coral Island remained peaceful as usual, and no wars broke out in the Grand Duchy. However, there is one thing that might or might not qualify as new information—it concerns your maternal family."

"My maternal family?"

Liszt almost forgot that his mother came from an esteemed background. He asked, "What happened at Castle Longtaro?"

"The lord of Castle Longtaro, the Marquis of Red Crab Island, has resigned from his position as the admiral of the royal fleet due to an illness. He's returned to Red Crab Island. His Excellency the Earl is planning to send someone to visit him. Perhaps the envoy will discuss this matter with Lord Baron when they come to present the black tulips."

"Perhaps." Liszt delved into his predecessor's memories, recollecting Castle Longtaro.

The Sapphire Grand Duchy was an archipelago nation with numerous islands, each inhabited by various nobles. Among them, a large island called Red Crab Island belonged to the Longtaro family. The lord of the island, who was also the hereditary Marquis of Red Crab Island—Merlin Longtaro—was Liszt's maternal grandfather.

The Longtaro surname originated from the Longtaro Greater Elf they possessed.

Residing in the Longtaro Castle, a grand and magnificent fortress-palace towering on the mountaintop, far larger and more opulent than the Tulip Castle. Marquis Merlin had an heir, Messirow, and two daughters, Melinda and Melissa.

Melissa Longtaro was Liszt's mother.

Back when Lee William Tulip was still a Viscount, Marquis Merlin recognized his exceptional qualities and married his third daughter, Melissa, to the Tulip family. Together, they bore three children: Levis, Li Weiwei, and Liszt. Up until now, Liszt would visit Longtaro Castle annually to celebrate his grandfather's birthday.

However, since Lee William remarried to a new Countess, the relationship between the Longtaro and Tulip families gradually cooled off.

Nonetheless, Marquis Merlin remained Liszt's maternal grandfather.

When a grandfather falls ill, it is only proper for the younger generation to pay their respects.