Chapter 26 A big business of 2,000 gold coins a year

"I suspect you've lost your mind, asking for such an extravagant price." Levis raised his voice to express his dissatisfaction.

"Easy, brother."

"Fine, I'll listen quietly. What reason could you possibly have to convince me to agree to this absurd condition? Liszt, my dear brother, you should know that the Black Tulip is crucial to the Tulip Family, but it's not indispensable. We already have three varieties of Tulip potions."

"I am well aware of that, and I also know that the magic contained within the Black Tulip is superior to the other three varieties, making it suitable to be the backbone of our family."

Potions are both miraculous and troublesome – they can only propagate with the cultivation of elves. Without elf cultivation, their offspring will gradually lose their magic, degenerating into ordinary plants.

But this doesn't diminish their value.

Potion-making, crafting magical equipment, practicing magic and battle aura all rely on potions. The Knights Academy on Coral Island even has a specialized course in potion studies dedicated to researching magic potions. When an Earth Knight hits a stagnant phase in their cultivation, they must rely on potions to strengthen themselves and strive to become a Sky Knight.

Every Sky Knight is like a walking pharmacy, having consumed countless potions to attain high-level battle aura.

Without the support of the family's Tulip potions, Lee William probably wouldn't have advanced so easily, becoming one of the few Sky Knights in the Sapphire Grand Duchy.

That's why Liszt was well aware of the immense value of potions – his talented brother, this exceptional Earth Knight, would not let the Black Tulip slip through his fingers.

Pausing for a moment, Liszt said nonchalantly, "I have poor talent, so becoming a Sky Knight is a distant dream. But you, brother, possess the same remarkable talent as Father did in his youth. With the Black Tulip providing a steady supply of magic potions, your journey to becoming a Sky Knight will be much smoother."

He glanced at Li Weiwei and continued, "The same applies to you, sister. I believe that becoming a Sky Knight is a far better investment than a thousand gold coins, don't you think? Sincerely, I hope both you and brother can ascend to the rank of Sky Knight. The Tulip Family needs your strength. As for me, I only wish to earn some money to improve our living conditions."

At the mention of Sky Knights, Levi's breathing quickened slightly.

He had become an Earth Knight at the age of thirteen and was now twenty-one. Everyone believed he could follow in their father's footsteps and become another Sky Knight of the Tulip Family. However, he knew firsthand the vast chasm between Earth and Sky Knights – even with the family's full resources, he might not make it.

Moreover, there was his younger brother, Lytton Tulip, who possessed equally exceptional talent.

Lytton's maternal family was a minor noble clan, insignificant by comparison. But it couldn't be denied that his mother, the current Countess, wielded considerable influence behind closed doors. A significant portion of the Tulip Castle's resources were allocated to Lytton – a fact that caused Levi's heart to ache and fueled resentment towards his father.

Shouldn't the family focus all its efforts on grooming him to become a Sky Knight? Why waste resources?

Squinting slightly, he said sternly, "Liszt, if you truly support me, you wouldn't propose such harsh terms."

"Well then, let me put it differently. I'll only collaborate with brother and sister on the business of the Black Tulip. I'm sure Father won't mind just one magic herb." Liszt's implication was clear: by avoiding Tulip Castle, they would also avoid Lytton, and the future production of the Black Tulip would be shared solely among the three siblings.

Lytton, their half-brother, was quite arrogant and held Liszt in contempt, often giving him the cold shoulder.

Liszt didn't hesitate at all to take advantage of the situation.

Levis pondered for a moment and asked, "Li Weiwei will be involved too?"

"I hadn't planned on it, but since Liszt has invited me, why not?" Li Weiwei's talent might not match Levis', but she also had aspirations to become a Sky Knight. "Don't forget, I have an elf too."

"Alright then,

let's discuss the division of profits." ...

After several rounds of negotiation and compromise, the trio successfully reached an agreement.

Once the black tulips yield their seeds, they will be cultivated near Coral City with the aid of the Tulip Grand Elf. When the new batch of seeds is harvested, they will be widely planted in Coral City, Falcon Town, and Flower Town.

For the first three years, all the black tulip magical potions will be handled by Levis, while Liszt will receive profit shares based on market prices —— a three-way split in Coral City and a two-way split in Falcon Town.

After three years, the black tulips in Falcon Town will no longer be managed by Levis; Li Weiwei will take charge and provide Liszt with a 25% share.

A decade later, Liszt will cease to collect his share of the profits.

"At present, the annual profit from the Golden Tulip Magic Potion in Tulip Castle is roughly around five thousand gold coins. The Black Tulip should surpass this figure, perhaps reaching seven thousand gold coins. If so, my yearly share would amount to about two thousand gold coins, which is far more beneficial than a one-time payment of a thousand gold coins."

After signing the formal agreement, Liszt pondered.

Initially, he had been content with a two percent profit share, but Levi took advantage of his youth and ignorance, planning to buy out his rights for a mere thousand gold coins. In retaliation, Liszt raised his demand to three percent.

Even close siblings kept their finances separate, and Liszt did not consider them blood relatives - apart from their shared blood, they had no connection.

With the agreement settled, an unspoken understanding seemed to have grown between the trio.

Outside the castle, farmers were still busy tilling the land.

"How about it? Do you plan to cultivate crops all around the castle? Wheat or barley?" Li Weiwei stood by the window, gazing into the distance.

"I'm planting alfalfa, preparing to raise horses here."

Levi approached, "Raising horses? Are you planning to establish your own knight order?"

"I hope to form a small knight squad. The magical beasts in Thorns Ridge pose a significant threat. Every winter, people fall prey to them. Our little town doesn't even have anyone skilled in battle... Brother, could I have a word with you privately?" A thought suddenly occurred to Liszt.

The two entered a separate quiet chamber.

"Why the secrecy?"

"I recall that when I was young, Coral Island didn't have many inhabitants. They were all brought in by Father's fleet from other islands, right?"

"Indeed, when Father was granted the title of Earl, there were only a few thousand natives on Coral Island. The population was imported through trade. Otherwise, how do you think ninety percent of the people here became our family's serfs?"

"Has it ever crossed your mind to continue trading in people?"

"Continue trading in people?" Levis studied Liszt carefully. "Can Flower Town support even more people? I doubt this declining town can even sustain you and me, let alone others. Or are you planning to sell them somewhere else?"

Human trafficking wasn't a reputable business, but it was necessary for nobles who sought to expand their territories.

Most nobles were involved in the trade to some extent.

"Flower Town is indeed tiny, so I plan to develop Thorns Ridge. That would require a large workforce. With the production of Black Tulips, I believe we can sustain ourselves for a while. By then, Flower Town will have grown significantly, at least not falling behind Sister's Falcon Town," Liszt said, blending truth with fiction.

The strategy of stockpiling resources, fortifying defenses, and delaying claiming power was something he kept in mind.