Viktor returned home in a daze. Even now, the fragrance of the mint candy still lingered in his mouth.
He was deeply addicted to this nostalgic taste.
After eating the mint candy, he even felt that his mouth was full of sweetness when he spoke. It was like, like kissing a girl. Didn't the bards say that kissing a girl was sweet?
As for what Tang En said, that collecting mint grass could be exchanged for silver coins and mint candy?
Tsk, he didn't believe it. How could there be such a good thing in the world?
It must be a lie!
"I'm back …"
Viktor opened the door and saw his father and mother sitting at the table discussing something in low voices. He didn't pay them any attention and went straight into the house.
"… Do you think the Lord's announcement is true?"
"I don't know, but since it's the Lord's announcement, it should be true …"
"Collecting mint grass can be exchanged for silver coins? What is the Lord thinking? The mint grass mentioned in the announcement is the one growing by the river, right? It's obviously everywhere, so why would he send people to collect it? "
"Who knows? Maybe the Lord has his own plans. Everyone has just escaped from the fear of the bandits. Maybe he wants everyone to have something to do. "
"Whatever, it's good to give it a try. If it can really be exchanged for silver coins, that would be great!"
Viktor suddenly stopped, his face full of surprise: "Dad, mom, are you talking about the Lord's new announcement?"
"Yes, as long as you collect mint grass, you can exchange it for silver coins. There's even the Lord's signature on it. It should be … Eh? Viktor, where are you going? "
"I'm going out for a while!"
Viktor picked up the bag next to him, turned around and ran. He rushed out of the house and went straight to the Emerald River. When he reached the Emerald River, Viktor was stunned.
At the moment, there were already many people collecting mint grass by the Emerald River!
"Brother Viktor!"
Marshall was very happy to see Viktor and raised his hand to shout.
Viktor ran over and Marshall pulled up the bag in his hand to show off: "Brother Viktor, I've already collected a lot. Although I don't know how many kilograms, I'm sure it's enough to exchange for mint candy!"
Viktor took a closer look. The bag in his hand was almost full, and so were the others around him. The peppermint grass that had been densely packed before had decreased by a lot.
Witte was very anxious. If they picked all the peppermint grass, how was he going to earn silver coins!?
Viktor couldn't be bothered to talk to Marshall anymore. He rushed to the side and started gathering the mint grass.
Children born in Ellington would help their families from a young age. They were good at gathering wild vegetables, so gathering peppermint was not a problem for them.
Moreover, under the constraints of Tang En's decree, they did not dare to be too ruthless. Instead, they left behind the roots so that they could harvest them again after a while.
On the riverbank, the people who had nothing to do were now working in full swing. A few vagrants who stayed in Ellington all year round were also busy here, hoping to get some silver coins to buy some bread to fill their stomachs.
Not far away, Tang En observed all this and was very satisfied.
With the motivation to make money, these people had a goal in life. After they got busy, their spirits changed.
"Big brother, can I also gather peppermint grass to earn silver coins to exchange for peppermints?"
Eliya looked excitedly at everyone who was busy there. She was also eager to give it a try.
Tang En wanted to say, "With me taking care of you, you don't need to earn silver coins to eat peppermints." But on second thought, he smiled and said, "Yes, Elijah, if you want to eat peppermints, you have to work hard yourself."
"Okay!"
Elijah nodded fiercely. Then she ran down to gather peppermint grass with her friends.
Tang En smiled.
He didn't want to spoil Elijah too much. There were too many examples of this on Earth. Even if a child was a genius, if they were spoiled too much, it would be difficult for them to grow up in the future.
If he only protected and spoiled Elijah, she would not have the ability to be independent when she encountered difficulties in the future.
What's more, now that her friends were using their own efforts to make money, she could sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor. This invisibly drew a line between her and her friends. Over time, she and her friends would be estranged, which was not a good thing.
Working together and sharing joy could quickly improve the relationship between them. At the same time, it could also allow Elijah to improve her understanding with others, making it easier for them to accept her.
In short, it was a good thing to kill many birds with one stone.
In the evening, according to Tang En's orders, Fiona ordered people to set up a table in front of the Lord's Mansion to buy peppermint grass. Tang En specially made a scale for her to measure the peppermint grass.
Seeing this, the nervous residents of Ellington finally calmed down. Knowing that the Lord really intended to buy peppermint grass, they all smiled happily.
On the other hand, Tang En was shocked when he saw the bags of peppermint grass. He originally thought that these people would be tired of collecting peppermint grass, but he did not expect them to work until now.
"Danny, 3.8 kilograms. Here are three silver coins and eighty copper coins. Please keep it well."
Fiona quickly put away the peppermint grass and then handed the coins to Danny. Danny who received the money excitedly jumped up: "Yeah! That's great! I have money for tonight's drinks! "
Danny's mother, Auntie Sandra, grabbed Danny: "What money for drinks! Give it to me for safekeeping! "
Danny suddenly wanted to cry but had no tears: "Mom! How can you do this! "
"This is for your own good, to save money for you to marry a wife!"
After Auntie Sandra finished speaking, she put the peppermint grass she collected on the scale and looked at Fiona nervously.
"2.4 kilograms. Two silver coins and forty copper coins. Auntie Sandra, please keep it well."
Auntie Sandra suddenly smiled. In just one afternoon, she had earned two silver coins and forty copper coins. This was simply unimaginable when Hogg was in office!
"My Lord is really a good person!"
Auntie Sandra said happily: "But what's the use of the peppermint grass? If my Lord helps us with the money, we will feel bad … "
Fiona smiled and was about to answer when she saw Betty behind Auntie Sandra. Betty smiled and said: "You will know if you look at the side."
Sandra was a little puzzled and stood to the side. Then she saw Betty struggling to put a bag on the scale.
"4.5 kilograms!"
Fiona exclaimed: "Little girl, you are really capable!"
Betty's face suddenly turned red.
"Four silver coins and fifty copper coins, how do you want to exchange it?"
Betty said nervously: "I want to exchange two silver coins for peppermints, is that okay?"
"Yes."
Fiona said with a smile. Then she took out twenty peppermints and handed them to Betty: "Keep it well."
After Betty took the peppermint, she directly put one in her mouth. Her face showed a happy expression, and then she happily left.
"Peppermint?"
Auntie Sandra was confused: "What is that? One is worth ten copper coins! "
Similar questions appeared in many people's minds at the same time. As the exchange continued, several children exchanged for peppermints. Finally, a few adults were curious and exchanged for some peppermints. As a result, they were immediately stunned when they tasted it.
More and more people were convinced by the charm of the peppermints, but most of the people who actually exchanged for peppermints were children. For adults, they had to think more. They could exchange the peppermints for silver coins to subsidize the family.
But children were different. They originally did not have the ability to make money. Now that they had earned money with their own labor, they could freely use the rest of the money except for taking it home. This was of course a good thing.
Tang En hid and quietly observed, especially Elijah. After an afternoon of work, Elijah was now standing in the line, talking and laughing with her friends. The adults next to her seemed to be used to it and did not have any special reaction.
It seemed that the effect was good.
Tang En thought for a moment and walked out.
"My Lord!"
"My Lord!"
A series of voices rang out from outside. At this moment, they were addressing Twain with sincerity.
This made Tang En feel very emotional. It was just a small favor, but it made them support him so much. If, and only if, Ellington became more prosperous, how would they react? Would they be willing to protect Ellington with their lives?
"Everyone, please dispense with the formalities."
Tang En waved his hand, smiled at Elijah, and then said in a clear voice: "Everyone may have some doubts about why I want to buy peppermints."
There was immediately silence, waiting for Tang En's answer.
"Many of you know that peppermints grow by the Emerald River. They grow a lot and have a very special smell. But you don't know that peppermints can be eaten, and its juice is also useful."
Tang En said with a smile: "Yes, Ellington is very poor, but we are not poor. Our land is rich and there are many treasures. As long as you search carefully, you can find very valuable things."
"Peppermints are one of them."
Tang En said loudly: "Let me tell you a piece of good news. Soon, Ellington will build a workshop. I call it the Ellington Confectionery Factory. At that time, as long as you have the heart to work, you will have a job of your own. At the same time, I guarantee that you will earn a lot of gold coins. Everyone will not have to worry about food and clothing, and you will be proud to be a member of Ellington!"
"At the same time, I would like to announce something. The day after tomorrow, all one thousand two hundred and thirty-two farmers in Ellington will receive agricultural subsidies. These subsidies are for you to use when you change your farming tools, so they won't be given to you. But when the time comes, all farmers who receive the subsidies can go to Edgar's blacksmith and receive a set of iron farming tools for free!"
Uproar!
Shock!
Almost everyone couldn't believe their ears!
What did they hear?
The Lord is paying for them to change their iron farming tools!?
Gods above … Is, is this true!?
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