Chapter 74 The Serf of 20 Silver Coins

Some readers have commented that the festive climax was missing. Therefore, allow me to add a few chapters to address this. You can skip this one for now.

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The banquet was a resounding success, and the dessert, ice cream, effectively cooled down the heat from the meal. The entire kitchen's supply of ice had been used for this treat. Liszt expected the count's people to inquire about how Flower Town managed to produce ice, but to his surprise, no one asked—probably because they were accustomed to having ice in Tulip Castle and didn't realize it wasn't common here.

After dinner, the nobles engaged in casual conversation. Liszt entrusted Gort with the task of entertaining them while he retreated to the study with Levis.

"Brother, how many days until the Tulip Fleet returns?"

"Judging by their usual schedule, they should arrive at Coral City's harbor in about a week," Levis said, lighting a cigar. "Are you referring to the slave trade?"

"Yes, for the next Tulip Fleet trading voyage, I hope you could help me acquire a group of agricultural slaves."

"Sure, but what price are you willing to offer?"

"Ten silver coins for a slave?"

"That was the price in the past. Nowadays, there's no significant fighting within the duchy, so slave trading is quite rare and difficult to come by."

"I've heard, though, that the lord of Little Papa Island was killed by pirates, and his territory fell."

"The Sapphire Duke was enraged by this news, and it has spread throughout the duchy, calling for assistance in hunting down these pirates. However, after the pirates destroyed Little Papa Island, they vanished without a trace. Some believe they might not have been pirates at all but rather disguised lords. Great Papa Island is offering a bounty of three hundred gold coins for any information on the pirates."

Levis briefly recounted the reaction to the pirate attack on Little Papa Island and continued, "But aside from that incident, the duchy has been peaceful. For slave trading, we'll need to look further afield, preferably along the border where the Kingdom of Eagles and the Kingdom of Steel Ridge stand off against each other."

"Name your price, and if it's acceptable, I'll agree."

"Twenty silver coins per slave, no less. Otherwise, I won't make a profit." Levis stated his asking price. "Additionally, if the number of slaves is substantial, I'll need the gold coins upfront, or I won't be able to justify it to my father in our accounts."

Lister pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. "A hundred gold coins, paid immediately, in exchange for bringing back five hundred slaves."

"Efficient."

"I have a small request. Among these five hundred slaves, I'd like more young ones, especially female slaves. Additionally, if there are slaves with particular skills, prioritize purchasing them."

"You mean slaves who are blacksmiths, tailors, or tanners? That might be difficult. Artisans are mostly free citizens, and the laws of various countries protect them. It's not easy to trade them like common slaves."

Lister clenched his teeth. "I'll add another twenty gold coins. At least a hundred of the five hundred slaves should be skilled artisans."

"Deal."

With a heavy heart, Lister counted out a hundred and twenty shimmering Nadars for Levis.

Looking at his now-empty purse, Lister felt rather melancholic. He had originally possessed around one hundred and fifty gold coins, but as he paid the wages for the civilians' work, he had spent quite a bit. Now, his purse contained only sixteen gold coins, and it would soon run dry.

Fortunately, the pass through Thorns Ridge was almost completed. Once the trading caravans were established, Flower Town's seafood could be sold in Coral City.

He trusted that the delicious seafood would generate a decent fortune for him.

...

After digesting their meal,

The count's entourage began their return journey, and Liszt presented a gift of oysters and other seafood, a decision made after Carter informed him that the count had brought ample provisions.

Reciprocation is a virtue.

As the convoy left Flower Town, the castle returned to its tranquil state.

Though there were piles of dishes and glasses to clean up, and the small garden outside the castle was trampled by the knights, Carter could easily organize the servants to tidy up gradually without stress. The castle had fifteen servants, more than enough for their needs.

"Teacher Gort, the festival is coming to an end. We need to shift our focus back. The construction of the town must not halt. We should continue expanding the logging and stone-breaking teams, as well as the fence-building crew, striving to open the passage sooner."

Gort, still relishing the experience, replied, "As you wish."

At the banquet, he had felt at ease, engaging in lighthearted conversation with the count—a pleasure he hadn't experienced in years.

In the following days, while overseeing the logging work, Liszt also paid attention to another matter—the training of the captured fruit-stealing monkeys.

Seven of the monkeys, not severely injured, had been captured alive and had since recovered. However, two of them had lame legs, making it unlikely for them to climb trees anymore.

The remaining five were handed over to the town's hunters for training.

With ropes, whips, and fruits employed together, the obstinate fruit-stealing monkeys were soon tamed, obediently climbing trees or entering cages as instructed. "Three female and four male monkeys; by the end of the year, we should have ten fruit-stealing monkeys," Liszt calculated. Monkeys typically gave birth twice a year, but usually only to one offspring at a time.

Satisfied with the increasingly well-behaved monkeys, he said, "Without their interference, this year's fragrant coconuts will be able to ripen. In a month or two, we'll be able to enjoy fresh coconut water." Fragrant coconuts had no seasonal restrictions; they grew year-round except in winter.

"Coral City doesn't seem to sell fragrant coconuts. Perhaps, with some development, this could become another major specialty of Flower Town. Too bad there aren't any Coconut Tree Spirit Bugs here," he mused.

While he envisaged the future of the coconut trees, the hunters had already begun training the monkeys to harvest the fruit. Artificial fruits were tied to branches, and the monkeys were rewarded with peanuts for successfully plucking them. Those who didn't comply were whipped. The monkeys couldn't escape, as they were bound with ropes around their necks; attempting to run would result in a whipping.

"Remember, animals can hold grudges and be temperamental. Don't use the whip unless they're slacking off. If I catch anyone abusing the fruit-stealing monkeys without cause, these whips will be used on you," he emphasized sternly, not wanting a future rebellion from the monkeys that might harm the fruit farmers.

"The lord can rest assured. We won't forget a single word you've instructed us," the part-time hunters promised, elated about their new role as fruit farmers, employing the monkeys to work for them. It was like having knights' horses for farmers.

Had it not been for training, they wouldn't have dared to lay a hand on the monkeys—the fruit-stealing monkeys were invaluable to fruit farmers.

After bidding farewell to the monkeys, he returned to the castle and summoned several merchants from among the new slaves.

"Are you all merchants on Papa Island, like Grandet, Shylock, and Harpagon?" Liszt repeated his question.

"Yes, my lord," they replied in unison.

"Is there a merchant named Polikin on Papa Island?"

Old Grandet answered, "My lord, on this small Papa Island, there are only the three of us who specialize in trading petty goods. I know every person's name in the town, but there is no one by the name of Polikin."

"Very well, I was just curious." Liszt looked at Old Grandet with newfound respect. The man's claim that he knew everyone in the town by name indicated his prominence. "I summoned you today to establish a mercantile caravan for the castle, and I wish for the three of you to take charge of it."