Chapter 43 White Crystal
Life in the manor is actually quite boring, especially Russell, who has passed his freshness period, and begins to miss life on earth infinitely.
"Except for the scenery, there's...almost nothing here." And now Russell is tired of even seeing the scenery at Black-rumped Snake Manor.
A river, two mountains, large tracts of farmland and wasteland, that's all.
"Red-nosed Rudy is not bad. The four potions in the potion farm have entered a healthy cultivation state, and the arrangements for the serfs are also in order." Charles followed Russell on horseback and reported to him on the situation of the manor.
Red-nosed Rudy is a serf technician who has been cultivating potions for the baron for a long time. After being given to Russell by the baron, he currently serves as the director of the potion farm.
"That's good. The scale of fluorescent mushrooms and birch forests must be steadily expanded. Please tell Rudy not to expand blindly."
"Don't worry, sir, I will warn Rudy."
"Where is the manor court?"
"They were all minor disputes. I personally presided over the manor court and coordinated the serfs. There are no disputes now." Charles proudly claimed credit. "Old Hans doesn't understand the art of coordination at all, so he can't be indulgent when treating serfs."
Black-waisted Snake Manor is Russell's territory. Strictly speaking, Russell is the law. All disputes on the territory need to be decided by Russell.
Therefore.
The lord would set up a manor court in his territory and preside over it himself, or let his subordinates preside over it.
"It's best to let the stewards of each village suppress the disputes first. Set up a manor court once a week, and I will go there to judge in person." Russell will not completely hand over the power of the manor court to his subordinates. It is not that he is greedy for power.
But I'm not too worried about Charles's penalty.
Although Charles' knowledge surpassed everyone in the territory, he was too contemptuous of the serfs, which was not a good thing.
"Of course, as you wish." Charles smiled.
Perhaps Eric's promotion to the Phantom Beast Knight had a huge impact on him. Now he is much more attentive to what he does than before.
Unlike in the past, when he seemed to come to Russell to eat and drink, now he felt more involved in the Black-waisted Snake Manor.
Maybe he didn't want to be thrown away by Eric too much, or maybe he was sure that Russell could really accomplish something.
"By the way, sir, do you know that a caravan has arrived in the town this year? The serfs who went to the mill to grind flour said that the town is already crowded with people." Charles suddenly thought of something, "Why don't we also go to the town for a stroll? "
"The caravan has arrived?" Russell became interested.
With the arrival of the warm season, the power of the Snow Demon weakened, trade routes between various places reopened, and caravans gradually became active.
Turning the horse's head, Russell immediately decided: "Let's go to the town for a walk. If possible, invite a group of vendors to sell in the small market of the Black-rumped Snake Manor, so that the serfs will not have to go so far to the town. road."
"My lord, you are so kind."
Taking the knight's retinue and valet with him, Russell hurried to Youguang Town. Compared with the scene when he was shopping two days ago, it was now more than ten times more lively.
One long street and three side streets were all crowded with people.
At least half of the people in the territory came to the town.
"Come on, come on, take a look at the fire ant pills, a specialty of the fire ant swamp. After eating them, you will feel better and your wife will smile happily!"
"Selling smoked rat meat, selling smoked rat meat, authentic Stormrage City smoked rat meat!"
"Qi and blood ointment, three silver coins for one part of qi and blood ointment. It is not a magical medicine, but it is better than a magical medicine. If you want you and your children to breed the seeds of fighting qi, you must not miss the qi and blood ointment!"
"The fantasy beast show is about to start. Audiences who haven't bought tickets yet should go to the big tent beside the Third Cross Street Bridge. The fantasy colored mink will bring you a magical experience!"
"There are more than a dozen gemstones for you to choose from. Welcome to Mo Rui's Gemstone Stall."
"Big wolfdogs, small wolfdogs, big hounds, small hounds, guard dogs, string dogs, you name it. Boss, come over and buy one?"
"Repair umbrellas, repair shoes, repair furniture..."
The newly arrived caravans were lined up along several streets, with shouts and shouts coming and going. The stalls were filled with a dazzling array of goods, which greatly attracted the enthusiasm of the people.
There was no way to go on horseback, so Russell had to leave the horse outside the town and let James, the knight's retinue, watch.
Then he took Charles and others with him and mingled with the crowd.
"Sir, you really don't have to be so condescending. You can huddle together with these stinky serfs. You can let Tom and the others open the way in front." Charles spoke loudly to cover up the noisy sounds around him.
"Even my father would not choose to disturb the interests of the people on a day like this." Russell was noncommittal about this.
Of course he could reveal his identity as the second son of the baron and ask the people to make way for him.
But there is no need.
He didn't enjoy the pomp and circumstance of preaching in the clear, but the bustling scene gave him a familiar feeling of nostalgia - of course, it would be better if there was less stench around him.
After a while, Russell and his party arrived in front of the gem stall.
"Boss, are these gems produced by dragons?" Russell asked, looking at a variety of gems on the stall.
"Of course, sir." The stall owner was very discerning and could see Russell's distinguished status at a glance. "Take a look at these gems. These are emeralds, which can draw fighting spirit and are an excellent material for inlaying weapons; these are elixirs. Spring stone can speed up wound healing..."
There are more than a dozen kinds of gemstones of different colors.
Russell fell in love with one of the colorless and transparent gemstones: "Is this white crystal?"
"Sir, you are really discerning. This is indeed white crystal, a completely transparent crystal. It is the white crystal dragon specialty of Earl Gravel's family. When we passed by Gravel Collar, we paid a high price to buy such a batch of white crystal. "
Earl Gravelstone is one of the two earls of the Grand Duchy of Shadowflame. He holds a high position and has always been the Grand Duke's confidant.
"What is the effect of white crystal?"
"Purify your soul, sir. After you wear a white crystal, you will be more focused when practicing and meditating on Dou Qi."
"How much do these two pieces cost?" Russell picked two slightly larger white crystals.
"Thirteen gold coins for Cheng Hui, seven gold coins for the big one, and six gold coins for the small one." The stall owner's eyes lit up, and finally a big customer came, "Of course, if you have ice slug beads, you can also Pay with ice beads.”
"It's expensive." Russell shook his head.
"Ah, this is a very fair price. My lord, you are a noble nobleman. You know that dragon's specialties have always been so expensive. After all, only your status is worthy of using it. "
"It's because I'm a noble that I know it's expensive." Russell is not a thin-skinned young man. He would be embarrassed to counter-offer after being flattered. "Seven gold coins and two white crystals, I'll take them if you agree. Even if you don’t agree.”
"Oh my God!" The stall owner put his head in his hands, "Sir, please kill me!"
Seeing the stall owner's exaggerated performance, Russell turned around and left without saying a word: "Teacher Charles, let's go and go somewhere else."
"Ah, don't, don't... Sir, please wait a minute, ten gold coins, ten gold coins, if you only need ten gold coins, take it!" the stall owner shouted quickly.
The crowded serfs and freedmen in the town were not his target customers. Only people like Russell could afford and were willing to buy gems.
Letting anyone go would be a huge loss.
Russell paused, showing a satisfied smile, but quickly calmed down, turned around, and said firmly: "The maximum eight gold coins, this is my bottom line."
"Nine pieces, how about nine pieces!" The stall owner clasped his hands together, as if begging for mercy, "This is top-quality white crystal, with regular shape and transparent interior. It has been gestated in the veins for at least ten years before it can be conceived. Such high quality white crystal!”
Russell continued to insist: "Eight!"
In the end, with the stall owner's expression as if he were mourning for his concubine, the transaction price of eight gold coins was reached.
But when the stall owner quickly wrapped the white crystal and handed it to him as if he was afraid of regretting it, Russell knew that he was still young.
The stall owner earned at least two gold coins with tears in his eyes, or even more!