Chapter 77 Milk tea getting better and better

In terms of caravan operations, Liszt had no intention of leaving it to the townsfolk to organize spontaneously. He planned on establishing a specialized castle-owned trading caravan. Without the drive or innovation for reform, he had no intention of creating a free trade system. Instead, he would follow the common practice among nobles and manage his territory.

Old Grandet was elected as the caravan leader.

Harpagon and Shylock offered their assistance on the side.

"Your current business scope is limited to seafood only. I hope that starting from Coral City, Flower Town's seafood will gradually be available for sale in all cities," Liszt said.

"As you wish, Lord," they replied.

"Then tell me, how do you plan on selling the seafood? It's something new, and most people have never tasted it before. They're bound to be wary of it," Liszt pointed out.

After some thought, Old Grandet replied, "My lord, we can promote it along the streets, saying that the Earl himself sang high praises for the seafood. Surely, there will be countless subjects eager to try what the Earl commends." This was a classic example of leveraging a celebrity endorsement, not creative but effective.

Shylock added to Old Grandet's suggestion, "We can also establish contact with the kitchens of most noble households, offering them some free seafood to sample."

"Coral City has a large population of freemen, who could potentially be buyers too. We can set up stalls on the streets and offer free steamed seafood for passing freemen to taste. Before long, everyone in Coral City will know about the delight of seafood," Harpagon proposed.

Liszt approved of both ideas, "It seems you already have a comprehensive approach to business. Once the road to Thorns Ridge is cleared, you may commence trading."

After a moment of hesitation, Grandet said, "My Lord, we don't have any carriages. How are we supposed to transport the seafood to Coral City?"

"I'll buy a few carriages as soon as the road is cleared," Liszt mused. There were still sixteen gold coins in the castle, and a carriage with a cargo compartment usually cost one gold coin.

He could afford six carriages, but no more, for he didn't have enough horses to pull them.

After sending off the three men, Liszt sighed softly.

He had initially thought that the gold coins in the castle would suffice, but now he realized that they were far from enough. Two hundred gold coins had already been spent on the five hundred slaves. To expand the town to a population of five thousand, he would need another six hundred gold coins, and to reach a population of ten thousand, he would need nearly two thousand gold coins.

"Should I sell the Red Blood Sword to Levis or Captain Mickey? They might not be able to afford it if I ask too much, but I think they can manage a price of a thousand gold coins, right?"

However, as he touched the warm magic power of the Red Blood Sword hanging at his waist, he found himself unable to make such a decision.

This was a gem weapon.

It was made from gems produced by dragons, symbolizing power.

Moreover, its attributes matched his own battle aura. Even if he became a Sky Knight in the future, this Red Blood Sword would still be worthy of him.

"It can only develop gradually. I hope that with the compost farming this year, Flower Town will have a bountiful harvest. Coupled with the elven insects I brought and those that have spontaneously emerged, the taxes for the next quarter should exceed fifteen gold coins, right?" The taxes for this quarter had already been submitted to the castle.

After Isaiah's meticulous calculation, the various crops and handicrafts collected in the spring quarter were worth about seven gold coins.

In previous years, the spring taxes typically amounted to around three gold coins.

Winter hardly had any taxes, while summer brought in around four gold coins, and autumn around seven. The annual total rarely exceeded fifteen gold coins.

With the elven insects this year and the compost farming, plus the seafood catch, Liszt was confident that the summer taxes would reach last year's annual level.

By autumn, the taxes would certainly be higher, and surpassing Li Weiwei's Falcon Town was not out of the question.

"Sir, your milk tea is ready," said Butler Carter as he entered the study with a cup of freshly brewed milk tea. Drinking a cup of milk tea before bed was a habit of Liszt's. "Thank you."

Taking the milk tea, Liszt, who was slightly thirsty, began drinking it immediately, finishing half of the perfectly warm tea in one go.

Licking the bit of milk tea foam on his lips, he hesitated slightly. "Mr. Carter, was today's milk tea still prepared by Mrs. Mosen?"

"Yes, my lord, was there an issue with the milk tea today?" Carter grew slightly nervous.

Lister shook his head. "There's no problem with the brewing, but I feel that Mrs. Mo Sen's skills have improved. The milk tea is getting better and better."

"I will convey your compliments to Mrs. Mo Sen. I'm sure she'll be delighted."

...

On the first day of July, the afternoon sun was sluggish, and the clouds occasionally hid the sun like a mischievous child covering their playmate's eyes.

The weather wasn't too hot, and there was still a breeze blowing.

Lister, who had been inspecting the logging work, stood on the other side of Thorns Ridge with a handsome and charming smile. He solemnly announced, "All the trees within a hundred meters of the road have been cut down. The logging team has carried out my instructions well. As the lord, I offer my respect."

Respect was just words.

The commoners still had work to do. "With the road through Thorns Ridge cleared, Flower Town will be connected to the outside world. No longer will we be confined to a corner of Coral Island; anyone can venture out and explore. However, for added road safety, we must continue building the fence."

Pausing, he continued, "Therefore, the original logging team will not be disbanded temporarily. They will immediately begin constructing the fence, isolating the forests on both sides of Thorns Ridge."

The timber needed for the fence was sourced locally, with abundant logs lying untended on the ground.

Prime quality wood was transported to the castle for storage, while the slightly inferior timber was utilized for constructing dwellings in Oyster Village. The next grade was designated for the fence, and the remaining scraps were taken by the common folk for fueling their hearths.

The completion of the road was a moment worthy of celebration. Liszt gathered Gort, Marcus, Isaiah, and Blair to discuss their upcoming tasks.

First on the agenda was the matter of the merchant convoy. Upon acquiring carts, they would commence selling seafood immediately. Next came procurement; Liszt planned to spend his last ten gold coins on acquiring a shortage of food, including hops for brewing beer. Lastly, they would advertise to the merchants of Coral Island that Flower Town was now open for free passage.

The castle's caravans, tasked with the major transactions entrusted by Liszt, generally did not involve much trade with common folk.

When foreign caravans entered Flower Town, they would enliven the atmosphere, bringing wealth and the circulation of goods to the small town.

"Lastly, there's one more thing to take note of. Flower Town will welcome freemen with reduced taxes to settle here. This message must be spread across all cities," said Liszt, now eagerly awaiting an increase in population. The taxes mattered little to him; the development of his territory took precedence.

The group busied themselves with diligently recording Liszt's instructions.

Marcus interjected, "My lord, I intend to take a day off to bring my family to live in Flower Town."

Upon hearing this, Isaiah sighed deeply. "My foolish son, I'm afraid he wouldn't want to come to Flower Town. He's grown too accustomed to his debauchery in Coral City."

Blair, on the other hand, chuckled. "Then I might as well bring my family over too. Life here may be a bit monotonous, but the air is fresh and sweet."

Gort smiled awkwardly. "Lister, I'd like to bring my family as well, but... Frya is pregnant, and I can't handle it properly."

Lister spoke seriously. "Master Gort, while having a mistress is a common vice among nobles, it's still immoral. I won't advise you to stop immediately, especially since Frya is with child. So, in Flower Town, treat Frya as your wife."

After a moment of contemplation, he added, "Her child, if it's a boy, I hope he can become my squire in the future."

"Gentleman, your generosity shames me. Gort is willing to serve you!" Gort stood up and walked to Lister, giving him a solemn bow.

It was the same gesture of loyalty Marcus had shown earlier, a genuine act of following.