Chapter 174 Soro's Request
"Alright, you continue eating. I have some official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave for now," Henry said.
One of today's objectives had been achieved- the agreement on tariffs. Once the Lord's Manor issued the tariff laws, the merchants present would likely be the first to pay. This would set the precedent for other small merchants, who would have no choice but to comply.
With this, Eldoria's tax regulations were nearly complete. With the rest to be gradually added later, such as luxury taxes in the future.
Henry got up, and Ellie, Willow, and Tess followed suit. They couldn't bear to witness the crude manners of the merchants during their meal.
It was said that watching an attractive person eat rudely could still be pleasing to the eye, but when an unattractive person did the same, it was akin to a pig feeding. Unfortunately, these merchants fell into the latter category.
"Wait, Henry, I'd like to discuss something with you," Soro quickly stood up and called out, "It won't take much of your time."
"Come with me," Henry said without stopping, a faint smile playing on his lips. The second objective of the day had fallen into his lap.
Soro's eyes lit up, and he hurried to catch up, leaving a group of merchants looking at each other in confusion. What was going on? However, they had no right to join them. After all, Soro was several levels above them in terms of status.
As Henry and the others left the private room and walked through the corridor, Soro tried to speak several times but ultimately kept his mouth shut.
"Go to a place with me, and then we can talk," Henry said softly.
"Yes!" Soro nodded.
Along the way, Soro was amazed to find that the Garden Eatery was indeed bustling. Considering the taste of the dishes he had just experienced, it was no surprise. He had already decided that he would eat here as long as he stayed in Eldoria.
When they reached the lobby, Soro was truly shocked. Every table on the first floor was occupied, and everyone was excitedly discussing the delicious dishes.
Henry scanned the room, nodded in satisfaction, and sighed, "The true wealth of a Lord is when every commoner can have meat with every meal."
If every commoner could afford meat with every meal, it would mean that each of them earned more than a hundred copper coins a month. At that time, the tax revenue alone could fill Henry's private warehouse, and it would be in gold coins.
Soro was at a loss for words. He didn't know how to respond to such an idealistic statement. The idea of every commoner being able to afford meat with every meal was simply too idealistic.
Even in the Royal City, many commoners went hungry, let alone in this remote region.
"Let's go!" Henry walked out of the Garden Eatery and got on a carriage.
Soro could only sit in the front of the carriage, where the coachman sat. He couldn't enter the carriage. After all, there were three ladies inside, two of whom were female orcs.
The War Wolf Battle Squad escorted the carriage toward the southern part of Eldoria, where the workshop area was located.
On the other hand, Elisa was led by a waiter to a small private room numbered 33. It was a tiny room with only a round table and two chairs, the smallest private room in the Garden Eatery.
"This is our menu. Please have a look and let me know what you'd like," the waiter said, handing over a delicately crafted menu with wooden covers and printed patterns and fonts inside.
"Okay!" Elisa curiously took the menu and read through it, muttering to herself, "Vegetarian dishes, 3 copper coins; stir-fried lean meat, 10 copper coins... Steak, single serving, 20 steel coins..."
The more she read, the more surprised she became. The later items on the menu were all dishes that cost over a hundred copper coins, like a whole roasted lamb, which even required three silver coins. It felt like they were robbing people.
Of course, there were also cheaper options, with the prices on the first few pages being reasonable. Although she hadn't heard of any of the dishes, Elisa decided to give them a try.
"What delicious dishes do you have? I'll have one of each, please." Elisa ordered six dishes in a row, only stopping when she noticed the waiter's astonished look.
"Alright, please wait a moment. I'll serve your dishes shortly," the waiter said politely, and then left.
"Food is so addictive, I want to try them all." Elisa patted her stomach regretfully, knowing she wasn't a big eater like the orcs.
The wait was agonizing. Elisa sat in her chair, fidgeting restlessly, occasionally glancing at the hamburger on the table.
Before long, the door opened, and the waiter entered with the dishes, placing all six dishes on the table.
"Miss, here are your dishes. If you need anything, I'll be outside. Just call out." The waiter smiled lightly and then left, closing the door behind him.
Elisa's stomach growled. She smelled the aroma of the food, making her mouth water.
The tray was equipped with forks and soup spoons, unlike Henry's mischievous act of not providing forks to those merchants.
Elisa looked at the utensils and picked up the fork to start eating. She stuffed her mouth with a large piece of steak, her eyes widening.
She exclaimed, "So delicious, incredibly delicious..." Elisa could swear that this was the best meat she had ever tasted, without the salty, bitter, and fishy taste of other boiled meats.
"Delicious! Wow, this is also very delicious..."
"This soup is also very tasty. How can the food here be so delicious?"
Elisa burped and slumped in her chair, feeling full.
"There's still so much food left, what should I do? Should I throw it away?" Elisa looked at the leftovers on the table, reluctant to waste them. "If I had known, I wouldn't have ordered so much food. What a waste."
As Elisa was in a dilemma, the door was knocked. And the waiter came in, seeing the situation on the table, he smiled slightly, "If you can't finish, we can pack it for you to take away."
"Pack it?" Elisa asked in confusion, "How do I take it away?"
"As long as the guest pays a steel coin, we will provide a takeout box for the guest to pack the food."
"Good!" Elisa's face showed joy. She didn't expect such an option. It was really considerate. She could have the leftovers for dinner.
Soon, the waiter brought a packaging box and put the food into it.
It was at this moment that Elisa finally understood how the utensils were used.
