Chapter 1267 One Real

Chapter 1267 One Real

The church bells rang, and the landowners were reluctantly escorted into the church by newly armed Spanish soldiers.

The military and political officials of the Austrian Empire and the local priests in the church were very enthusiastic, and even prepared a welcoming banquet for them.

Most of the landowners looked ugly, and most of them couldn't eat much, but no one forced this.

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come here. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I would like to express my highest respect to you."

The Austrian imperial official raised his wine glass, and the surrounding Spanish landowners and gentry had no choice but to raise their wine glasses and said, even if they didn't want to.

"Thank you, it's an honor for us."

However, there were very few people who responded, and even those who responded, their voices were weak.

Austrian officials had little reaction to this, but local priests and bishops in Catalonia were already sweating.

Father Anthony snapped.

"Do you know? Your decision today will affect the future of the entire Catalonia and even the entire Spain!"

However, some people obviously didn't understand the situation and would choke.

"I've never even been out of town in my life! Catalonia? Spain? I'm so unfamiliar!"

"Yes! Why should we care about other people's affairs? Natural disasters and wars are so frequent, and we can't even support ourselves, why should we care about other people's lives and lives!

Father, why don't you persuade God to show mercy and stop fighting? "

"Yes! Father, please!"

There was a cry of mourning for a while. These landowners and gentry were already familiar with the road. It was just a dream to want them to bleed.

Father Anthony was speechless, and the local bishop had nothing to do. Fortunately, the officials of the Austrian Empire have long been accustomed to this, and they are still afraid that these people will not take action.

"We called you here today to discuss a business deal with you. If possible, we hope you will sell us some excess land."

Spain is now full of wasteland, and the price of these wastelands is very low. One fanega (Fanega, Aragonese dialect, approximately equal to 9.6 acres) of land is usually only worth half a real to one real silver coin.

One real is equal to 0.8 florins. Franz has already prepared enough money. As long as they are willing to sell, Franz can buy as much as they want.

However, upon hearing about the purchase, the Catalonian landowners and gentry had an ominous premonition. Their trust in the government and the royal family was almost zero.

After all, the army has many more guns than they do, so even if they are deceived, they can only endure it.

But some people still had the courage to ask.

"How much is the Austrian Empire willing to pay for it?"

Officials of the Austrian Empire were well prepared.

"Each fane adds 1 real silver coin to the wasteland."

"One real!?"

The landowners and gentry couldn't help but secretly rejoice. They had a large amount of wasteland in their hands, which they had plundered with the help of the church. These lands had no cost in the first place and had little value during the war.

Normally no one would be willing to buy it for half a real, but now it is definitely a profit to be able to sell it all to the Austrians for one real per fanega.

But not everyone is satisfied with this business. The real big landowners look down on this small amount of money. Although Spain has long since declined, these family insights are still there.

They are also the backbone of these landowners. They don't speak, and the small landowners dare not say anything no matter how excited they are.

"Hello, dear bishops and lords. I am Elora from Reus. I think it is inappropriate for you to use wasteland to describe our land in Spain.

We in Spain do not have real wasteland, it is just that it has been abandoned because of the war. I hope you can buy our land at normal prices. "

"What nonsense are you talking about? How come the land covered with weeds is not wasteland? The price of one acre of cultivated land is ten times the price of one acre of wasteland!"

An official who had surrendered to the Austrian Empire said "righteously". The ten-fold price difference immediately caused the landowners in the church to exclaim and immediately echoed.

"Yes! Sir, you can't rob it openly! Those lands were saved by our ancestors who scrimped on food and clothing!"

The church suddenly burst into tears like a mourning hall, but the Austrian officials remained expressionless.

As soon as the price difference of ten times came out, no one wanted to sell their land anymore. Even if someone was willing to sell it now, would the Austrian Empire still have the face to accept it?

At this time, Elora had already shown a smile of victory. They were still the masters of this land. No matter the dynasties changed or the seasons changed, only the power in their hands remained unchanged.

But what surprised him was that the bishop of Catalonia was looking at them with pity, as if looking at a group of dying people.

The officials of the Austrian Empire rose again.

"I was ordered by the Emperor of the Austrian Empire to purchase wasteland, and only wasteland. If you have wasteland that you are willing to sell, then the deal will be made at the previous price.

We will never force you if you don't want to. "

This official of the Austrian Empire wears a pair of glasses, looks gentle and weak, speaks kindly and gently, and is not threatening.

However, these words are still somewhat useful. Some people are willing to sell their wasteland. After all, these things are really useless.

And they didn't think anyone was willing to pay ten times the price to buy the land, or that some people really needed money for emergency, or that some people were moved by the idea of ​​saving Spain.

In fact, on the way here, the local clergy had already persuaded them, and talked about a lot of truths, but as the saying goes, kindness cannot command the army, and justice cannot raise money, only a very small number of people were really moved by the clergy's words.

The amount of wasteland purchased by the Austrian Empire was very limited, but the payment was extremely generous. Boxes were opened one after another, and they were all filled with gold and silver.

Some people regretted seeing the real gold and silver, which was completely understandable to the Austrian officials. Until no one in the church was willing to sell the wasteland, the gold and silver in those boxes was only reduced by one third.

"The Emperor of the Austrian Empire is so stingy. He has so much money, but he is only willing to pay such a small amount. With such little ability, what can he do to save people? He should go to the brothel to save fallen women!"

"Haha!"

"Haha!"

"If you ask me, how many people can the land they bought now feed? And how can there be only land without food?

If you ask me, the money will be ours sooner or later!"

"That's right! That's right! Anyway, we have land and food. When those poor guys are hungry and make trouble, the Austrians will definitely spend money to buy from us.

By then, it won't be ten times, we will want thirty times! Not fifty times!"

"Haha! We're rich! It turns out that the money of poor people and idiots is the easiest to make!"

A group of landlords in Catalonia are discussing their bright future. Although their voices are very low, it is still very noisy in the church.