I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 82 The Strange Raven

What Rod said was indeed the bottom price he could accept for retail, and such a profit would easily cover all the travel expenses and guard costs for this business trip, and even leave a surplus.

The profit from selling salt will be Manshu's net profit.

The key is that this journey is short, and there is no need to venture deep into the northern wilderness.

That's a huge profit!
Of course, this is just a good guess.

If luck is bad, the new paper may not be accepted by the nobles, and not a single sheet may be sold; it may only be kept for the merchant guild's own use.

This is the risk that businessmen have to take, the price behind wealth.

Menshu knew this well, but he was still willing to try.

Only by taking risks can one potentially reap substantial rewards.

"Your Excellency, whatever goods you require next time, I will do my utmost to serve you!"

Manshu's voice was filled with undisguised enthusiasm.
No matter how many risks there were, they did not diminish his gratitude towards Rhodes.

This baron was truly very good to this businessman, and he would go to great lengths to repay him, both in terms of friendship and profit.

"Stonemasons, blacksmiths, and more slaves, preferably male slaves, the more the better, no limit."

The expansion of Frostleaf Town is progressing rapidly due to a significant increase in manpower and is nearing completion.

It is worth mentioning that some of the young women among the savages, nourished by the abundant and balanced diet in Frostleaf Town, gradually became strong and powerful, and were no less capable than the male slaves in their work.

They may lack strength, but they are still quick and efficient at their work.

Their agility even surpasses that of some meticulous tasks.

This made many male slaves particularly fond of it.

After all, in this era, the criteria for choosing a partner among people from the lower classes are health, ability to work, and fertility; beauty is secondary.

The spiked fences in Frostleaf Town are only temporary; Rhodes will build sturdy walls and even a castle in the future.

Therefore, he wouldn't mind having ten more slaves like the craftsman.

“Your Excellency, forgive my bluntness, but you are truly unlike any other nobleman I have ever encountered.”

Manxiu couldn't help but sigh with a mixture of confusion and admiration in his eyes.

"Oh?"

Rhodes wasn't angry at those words; a teasing smile played on his lips.

"Is it because you're dressed too shabbily?"

Rhodes looked down at his clothes. Although they were clean and tidy, they were indeed much simpler than those of other nobles.

"No, no, no, clothing is hard to define one's status. After all, many merchants dress more like nobles than nobles, but they can never escape the bottom of society."

Manxiu quickly waved his hand and explained, "They are always very polite to other nobles when we first meet them."

But after spending more time with them, you'll find that they consistently look down on us, considering us businessmen to be the lowest of the low and untrustworthy.

Manxiu's smile was tinged with bitterness, and his eyes held a sense of helplessness.

"But being with you... feels quite the opposite. Although you can be very sharp at times, I don't feel any discrimination from you."

“Other nobles love to enjoy themselves. No matter how hard a lord works, he will always ask me to bring him some goods for food, drink and pleasure, as well as beautiful female slaves.”

"Only you desire slaves and iron tools, focusing solely on expanding your territory, without any desire for pleasure."

Manshu spoke with respect.

"Ah? Is there any?"

Rhodes stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "I also want honey and spices."

"Honey and spices can only be considered scarce commodities, not luxuries..."

Manshu looked at Rhodes with a hint of helplessness, "Silver cutlery, silver candlesticks, exquisitely embroidered curtains and sheets..."

We don't have money to waste on that junk.

Rod thought to himself, but only chuckled twice and said nothing more.

Actually, I also want to enjoy myself, and I want fifty beautiful female slaves to serve me in turn.

However, without a stable and powerful territory, Rhodes always felt uneasy.

A lord without power is easily preyed upon.

Perhaps prioritizing farming and development is ingrained in the bones of a transmigrator like myself.

The habit of constantly upgrading and expanding, which he developed in his previous life's games, has now become his instinct.

“Just you wait, Manshu. Once my castle rises, I’ll be just like any other nobleman,” Rhodes said with a smile. “But for now, you still need to get me more slaves, the more the better.”

"Of course, it's up to you."

Manxiu bowed respectfully, his movements fluid and his expression filled with heartfelt reverence.

"Sir, there are some things I need to report to you."

Just as Rod and Mansh were about to discuss the details of the goods, Durant ran over quickly.

Mansh was very perceptive. Before anyone could speak, he took the initiative to say, "Please continue with your work, Your Excellency. I'll go discuss my ideas about the wine with Lawrence."

Rhodes nodded, and Manshu bowed before leaving.

"What happened?"

Rod turned to Durant, his voice calm and deep, his eyes sharp.

“A raven suddenly flew into Sean’s pigeon loft just now; it brought a message.”

Durant presented the letter to Rhodes with both hands.

Rhodes took the letter and unfolded it; the information on it was very brief.
Simon has been executed. Falcon need not worry for now, but be on guard. New paper is useful, so stock up.

After reading it, Rod's gaze deepened, and he handed the letter to Durant.

"It's about Simon, the same thing we were talking about yesterday."

Durant opened the letter and glanced at it, somewhat surprised.

"Where did this information come from? Why would someone leak this information to us?"

“What about the raven?” Rod asked.

"He opened the cage himself, stole two pieces of Sean's jerky, and then flew away."

Durant looked somewhat helpless.

Rhodes nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then suddenly smiled.

"The cunning and knowledgeable raven knows about Simon and our affairs, and even mentioned the new paper, so it's almost certain that it's Lucas."

Given that Luxem might be leading the caravan, Rod felt he might also be a member of the Dawn Society.

It seems they did not disappoint Rod's kindness.

"You're right, it must be them."

Durant breathed a sigh of relief, thought for a moment, and suggested, "We can recruit more reserve militia and teach them the simplest combat skills."

This way, their work won't be delayed, and they can also prepare for defense against the Falcon Lord.

“There are quite a few promising talents among the wild men.”

Durant couldn't help but mention the Savages again, "And now they have a lot of...reverence for you."

Durant clearly changed the last word, but he didn't exaggerate.

He heard with his own ears that before eating, the White Frost Wild Man lowered his head, closed his eyes, and muttered something as if in prayer.

—Thank you for the blessings of the Holy Lord.

They used the common language, and this was the first sentence of the common language they learned.

"How well are they learning the common language?" Rod asked.

"It only contains some simple words."

Durant reported, "This is not the fault of the White Frost Prophet and Lawrence; there are very few savages with a talent for languages."

"Ok, I know."

Rod did not say anything to blame him.

No one can be omnipotent; even with a good physique, one's mind is often not that sharp.

"We'll do as you say. We don't lack weapons right now."

Among the goods brought by Manshu were twenty longswords, thirty round shields, and ten longbows, all of which now belonged to Rhodes.

Rhodes instructed, "Have the White Frost Prophet follow them, pay attention to their fighting methods, and adjust the training methods accordingly. I remember their spear throwing is very accurate."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

After responding, Durant bowed and withdrew to make the arrangements.

(End of this chapter)