Chapter 29 Everyone is Taking Advantage of You
"Oh no! What should I do? Coarse wheat prices have gone up again, five copper coins per pound, and fine wheat has risen to seven copper coins per pound. Who can afford to eat at home?"
"Yeah! We haven't even made it to the harvest yet, and we're going to starve."
"Damn those unscrupulous grain merchants, they raise prices at this time every year. Just when Lord Henry came and exempted us from a lot of taxes, those grain merchants added an extra copper coin compared to previous years..."
Vincent's face was solemn as he walked along the road, constantly hearing such voices, making him wish he could slaughter those unscrupulous grain merchants.
These days, he was very busy with the tasks assigned by Henry during the day, and in the evenings, he went to the military camp to teach those fools.
Vincent suddenly thought of the school he had reopened. It had been three days now, and not a single person had come to enroll, which made him start to worry.
Could it be that even Henry couldn't help? But those pieces of paper that could be written on gave him a glimmer of hope, even though he didn't know why those slightly yellowish papers were called white paper.
Lost in thought, Vincent now had to go see Henry to report some urgent matters. Of course, if it was lunchtime, he might be ten times more willing.
For example, what if Henry suddenly invited him to have steak again? Vincent thought of his grandson at home, clamoring for steak, his wife, son, and daughter-in-law looking at him with admiration, making him feel a bit proud.
But now this matter was more urgent; he had to hurry to report to Henry as it concerned the life and death of Eldoria.
Vincent was soon received in Henry's study, it was his first time entering Henry's study.
Breathing heavily, Vincent kept his head down, afraid to look at the things in the study, fearing he might faint.
Luxurious and magnificent were the only words Vincent could use to describe it. Here, he saw many things legendary in books, like the transparent crystal glass, which was said to be a cup only kings had.
"Vincent, have a seat!" Henry put down his cup, pointing to the chair in front of the desk. "What brings you here so early in the morning?"
Vincent respectfully saluted and then sat on the edge of the chair, very nervous to be received in this room full of treasures. It showed Henry's trust in him.
"My Lord, someone found traces of orcs in the western forests." Vincent finished speaking, glancing at Mila sitting at the desk.
Mila, with pastries in her mouth, paused slightly, her tail swishing anxiously.
"Orcs? How many?" Henry became interested. He had been in this world for over a month and had only seen Mila, an orc.
"My Lord, hunters have scouted, and there are about a dozen orcs." Vincent's face was solemn. "I suspect it's the vanguard of the orcs; they will come to plunder when the crops are ripe."
Henry nodded lightly, resting his chin on his hand and tapping the desk with his fingers. "Do you think these orcs, like in previous years, will come to steal wheat?"
"Uh... Eldoria has only had a few orcs come to steal in previous years, but I heard that other cities have been raided by large groups of orcs." Vincent scratched his cheek.
Henry knew Eldoria was relatively remote, and the land was relatively barren, so orcs couldn't plunder much, which is why they rarely came.
Thieves made up of humans and bandits made up of orcs were both threats; they would only steal things for survival.
Many orcs lived in the Azure Peak Range. Before winter arrived, they had to find enough food; otherwise, they would starve to death during the four-month-long winter.
Mila had spent a harsh winter in the Azure Peak Range before. She was a bit absent-minded, thinking of Ellie and wondering if they had gone south by now.
"I understand, I will have people watch for orc traces." Henry nodded, changing the subject, "Have people been attending your evening literacy classes these days?"
"Evening literacy classes?" Vincent was a bit puzzled by this new term, but he quickly realized it referred to his academy. He replied, "My Lord, no one has come to my evening literacy classes."
"Don't worry, someone will go tonight." It was expected by Henry. He pulled out a scroll from a nearby vase and handed it to Vincent, saying, "Post this on the bulletin board."
Vincent knew what the bulletin board was; it was a wooden board erected in the small square, set up by Henry. Henry didn't like to go out and shout; he preferred to post requests on the bulletin board.
Vincent also agreed with Henry's approach of not going out to shout; it was too undignified. Posting requests on the bulletin board and reading them out to everyone gave him a sense of fascination.
Taking the scroll, Vincent slowly unrolled it and, upon seeing the request, widened his eyes and exclaimed, "My Lord, how can this be?"
"Why not? There are still twenty days until the harvest; they are usually idle, right?" Henry said calmly.
Vincent was anxious, "But this is unfair to you, my Lord. Everyone is taking advantage of you."
"The whole of Eldoria is mine. Who can take advantage of me, Vincent?" Henry sounded a bit helpless. "Just do as I ask."
