Chapter 198: Forced cultivation of corn grass

"Harpagon is much bolder than Sherlock and more forward-thinking and enterprising. Once Captain Kosto becomes proficient in sailing, I plan to have Harpagon oversee the overseas trade."

In the castle study at night.

Liszt and Butler Carter each had a glass of red wine, savoring it slowly while chatting about the past, present, and future.

Carter's hair had turned grayer, but his spirit was much better than when he first arrived in Flower Town: "Sir, isn't it too soon to start overseas trade?"

"Right now, we're just using the trade channels of Tulip Castle and Beer Castle, and conveniently building our own channel for Flower Town. We aren't rushing to take over these channels," Liszt said with a slight smile. "Flower Town is only temporary. In the near future, I will have my own city or island."

He took a sip of red wine and continued, "I can't always rely on the family's protection. My father might not mind, but Levis and Lytton would certainly have something to say."

"I see that your vision extends far beyond, sir. Please forgive my narrow-mindedness."

"Looking ahead is one aspect; doing well in the present is another. I need you to remind me often, Mr. Carter."

The master and servant complimented each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

After a moment, the topic turned to Flower Soap.

Carter was filled with emotion: "Hearing your conversation with Mr. Harpagon, I was quite surprised. I didn't expect Flower Soap to be so popular and capture such a large market."

"The popularity was expected."

Liszt stated calmly.

In truth, Flower Soap wasn't particularly advanced; its cleaning effect wasn't extraordinary. However, by adding certain substances from pig pancreas and wood ash, it gained a smooth texture, produced more foam, and left the skin feeling tighter. This was enough to outperform ordinary soaps.

After getting used to regular soap, the difference with Flower Soap was significant. Washing with it made one feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

For nobles, this was enough to make them switch from regular soap to Flower Soap.

As for the fact that using Flower Soap could also arouse a husband's interest, only Lady Gaierta knew this; others were likely unaware.

Naturally, under the deliberate promotion by the Flower Caravan, the reputation of Flower Soap began spreading from North Valley City across the entire Coral Island. Especially in Coral City, which was always a trendsetter.

The cost of Flower Soap wasn't low, so it wasn't possible to give every noble a free sample. Harpagon didn't use Sherlock's broad approach but targeted specific individuals.

...

"Miss Sherry, this is a gift from my lord, Baron Liszt, two bars of Flower Soap made in Flower Town. It is more beautiful and fits your stunning beauty and noble demeanor."

"Oh, it's from Brother Liszt, thank you!" Sherry happily accepted the gift and noticed an attached piece of thick parchment.

On the parchment was Liszt's handwritten message.

"Dear little Sherry, I am busy with many affairs in Flower Town and cannot visit you in Coral City. I can only send you two bars of our specialty Flower Soap. May beauty always accompany you. Your brother, Liszt."

...

"Esteemed madam, Harpagon greets you."

"Harpagon, the captain of the Flower Caravan, right? Did Liszt send you?" Lady Penelope received Harpagon.

"Baron Liszt misses you very much. He sent me to deliver two bars of Flower Soap from Flower Town, hoping you will like them," Harpagon said respectfully. "The Baron said if you enjoy them, you can inform the caravan at any time, and Flower Soap will be supplied to you free of charge."

"Specialty Flower Soap? Is it just another type of soap?" Lady Penelope, unlike Sherry, understood everything with a glance. "This boy is getting smarter. No wonder he looks like that woman Melissa. His cunning truly lives up to being Marquis Merlin's grandson."

Harpagon smiled awkwardly, not daring to comment on a noble, especially his lord.

Lady Penelope said, "Alright, I'll accept the gift. If they are really good, I'll speak well of him. At least my old face still knows many people."

"Once again, I greet you. Harpagon takes his leave."

...

Flower Soap was undoubtedly making waves in the soap market.

For Sherlock and Harpagon, this was a big deal, but for Liszt, it was just another way to make money. After guiding his subordinates, he put it aside.

Now, he had a new task.

Just this afternoon, the smoke changed: "Complete the task, reward five rotten bones."

Without guessing, Marcus and the others on Black Horse Island had completed the temporary outpost and housed a hundred serfs.

A new task emerged.

"Task: To raise horse herds, a variety of rich grasses are needed. Black Horse Island is currently unsuitable for growing more grass. Why not cultivate corn grass in Flower Town to enhance the nutrition of the Black Blood horses? Please plant 100 acres of corn grass. Reward: one elf bug."

A task rewarding an elf bug must be completed, as each elf bug is precious.

However, upon reading the task details, Liszt frowned deeply and summoned the steward of Barley Village: "Gill, how many acres of corn grass are currently planted in Barley Village?"

"Reporting to my lord, there are thirty acres of corn grass."

"Can corn grass be planted now and survive the winter?"

"Well..." Gill hesitated. "My lord, Gill has never cared for corn grass during winter and doesn't know if it can survive."

"How much corn grass seed did you harvest?"

"The seeds were all submitted to the administration office, probably several hundred pounds. Most of the corn grass was cut for grazing, with only a small portion reserved for seeds."

Liszt looked outside at the weather. It was nearing late autumn, and the temperature was no longer warm.

Such weather was not suitable for planting crops, but with the smoke task at hand, he couldn't ignore it. Otherwise, it would be hard to ensure the birth of an elf bug. He suspected it would be a corn grass elf bug, but whether it would emerge depended on the progress of the task.

No matter how difficult it was, he had to push through, like herding ducks up a tree.

He immediately instructed, "Start cultivating seventy more acres of land and expand the corngrass fields to one hundred acres, Gill. Do it quickly."

"Yes, my lord. Gill will arrange for everyone to start cultivating the new fields right away."

With that, they began their tasks.

Meanwhile, Liszt took the opportunity to investigate the corngrass fields in Barley Village, constantly using his Magic Eye, trying to find any signs of the birth of a sprite bug.

As long as he found any signs of the sprite bug, even if the mission failed, he was confident he could still bring the sprite bug to life.

Unfortunately, there were no signs of magic. The corngrass fields were filled with ordinary corngrass, without a single special plant among them.

Sighing, he consoled himself, "I hope this weather allows the corngrass to sprout so I can complete my task."

...

The next day, the Flower returned.

Marcus brought him a new piece of news regarding the mission reward.

After dismissing the servants and closing the study door, he said solemnly, "My lord, we discovered the remains of an unknown animal in a valley on the island. Most of the bones were shattered, but five massive bones remained. Each is as thick as a person and half-buried in the rocks underground."