Chapter 11

Bertine is on her way to a large farm near the capital, aiming for a farmer of the scale known as a wealthy farmer.

As she sways in the carriage and looks around, the scenery in the south is completely different from that of the northern empire. The vast fields stretch out flat and green, and even the rivers flow leisurely. The rivers are as wide as lakes. Trees planted here and there in the vast farmland grow vigorously, their branches and leaves flourishing, providing shade for the tenant farmers who take breaks between their field work.

The people in the south value tradition and work leisurely. To Bertine, it seems that the people of this country are not particularly materialistic. A common saying she often hears is, "If it can be done tomorrow, there's no need to rush today." Perhaps it is thanks to the country's warm climate and nutrient-rich soil that they can live without hunger.

The Centaur Empire, on the other hand, has harsh lands where half the year is like winter in the northernmost regions, and while the climate around the capital is livable, the soil is not particularly fertile.

However, thanks to the imperial people's industrious nature, their strong desire for material and knowledge, the standard of living is high, and culture and arts have flourished. She had thought of the Union as a country of old values and old ways of living.

But that was a judgment based on the values of her own country, and now she has begun to question the empire's methods and appreciate the broad-minded and warm-hearted nature of the people of the Union. What she thought she knew was a vague image created from the limited information that reached the small island's marquis family.

"I hope she will meet with me today."

Bertine got off the carriage at the gate of the large farm and started walking towards the building. This is her third visit to this farm.

Inside the farm house, the wife, in her fifties, called out to her husband.

"Dear, the woman from yesterday is here again."

"Send her away."

No matter how rudely they reject her, the woman, who has an imperial noble's air despite her southern attire, continues to visit Carlos's house daily. Yesterday, his wife, unable to bear it, ended up talking to the woman, and now both his wife and son are in agreement with the woman's arguments, which Carlos finds annoying.

"Dear, I think you should listen to what Ms. Bertine has to say; it makes sense."

"I don't need to!"

He has a long-standing relationship with the middlemen from the Centaur Empire. Therefore, even when they say things like, "I want to see the previous contract; we can make a better deal next time," he doesn't want to damage his relationship with them.

Besides, that woman is from the empire, so why would she do something that would harm the empire? Moreover, the current contract is sufficient for the farm to thrive, which frustrates Carlos.

After a while, there was a knock on the door.

When he replied, "Come in," the woman entered with a smile.

"What are you doing here!"

"My son let me in. I hear you sell wheat for five large silver coins per cart, and you even pay a commission to the middlemen."

Carlos was furious that his wife and son had told her so much.

"That's right. We make enough profit with that. There's no reason for you to interfere."

"But you're losing a lot. The neighboring Sireno farm, after listening to my advice, has decided to sell wheat for eight large silver coins per cart, with no commission."

Carlos's mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Really? He's selling it for that much?"

"Yes. Sixty percent higher than yours. And there's no commission. The job of the middlemen is to profit from the difference when selling in the empire, so why pay them a commission?"

His son, standing behind the woman, looked at his father with a reproachful gaze.

"I've heard that you are a kind landlord who takes good care of your tenant farmers. If you make more money, you can provide them with a better life. Use me. There's no need to be at the mercy of the middlemen and lose out."

"Why are you doing this? I can't understand that."

Some of the force in Carlos's voice had faded. Bertine seized the moment and attacked with a smile.

"I'm not from the empire but from Sanlouan. I got caught up in the politics between my country and this one. To live in this country, I need to earn a thousand large gold coins."

"A thousand... That's impossible!"

"No. I've already revised the contracts, and fifty large gold coins have been saved for this country in just one week. If I keep this up, I can earn a thousand."

Unable to bear it any longer, his son, who had been listening silently, interjected.

"Father, let her see the contract. It's embarrassing to sell our wheat cheaper than others. Our wheat is not inferior to Sireno's."

"Of course not! Our wheat is not inferior to Sireno's."

After saying that, Carlos crossed his arms and thought. Should he really trust this woman?

"Why do you need to pay a thousand large gold coins?"

"The king of Sanlouan sent me here as a bride to avoid paying compensation. But the minister needs money to rebuild the country more than he needs me. So I decided that if I want to live in this country, I should pay the amount that my country is reluctant to pay."

His wife stepped forward.

"Dear, this will help us, the tenant farmers, and this young lady. There's nothing to lose."

"Hmm, Sanlouan. What a cruel country."

"Sanlouan values money as much as life. But I have fallen in love with this country."

Bertine answered with a bright smile.

"Dear."

"Father."

"Ah, fine! I'll show you the contract now."

Thus, Bertine was able to see last year's contract.

"Sure enough. You're being underpaid, and the commission is too high."

"What?"

"If you just accept it, you'll keep getting taken advantage of. When is the middleman coming?"

"In two months."

"Then please have all the points I've noted corrected before signing the contract. I'll rewrite the contract in the official language, so read it carefully. Don't sign the contract until our terms are accepted. If they refuse, I'll go to the empire and find a new middleman who will accept the revised contract. Absolutely."

Watching Bertine calculate the difference, Carlos was stunned to see his profits inflate before his eyes.

"Hey, miss. Can you help other farmers too? There are smaller farms where many people can't read. They make deals by word of mouth. I feel uncomfortable being the only one to benefit from this good deal."

"Of course. It will also allow me to continue living in this country."

Thus, Bertine prevented the country's money from being unfairly transferred to the empire, and through introductions from the farms she helped, she revised the contracts for free. Thanks to Carlos's letter of introduction, in ten days, Bertine reviewed the contracts of twenty-three farms, and eighty-three large gold coins were saved from being wasted.

Finally, the day of the meeting with Cecilio arrived.

Bertine received a message from Cecilio about the time and place of the meeting and had prepared all the negotiation materials the night before. She had also invited the wealthy farmer Carlos to join the meeting to explain the situation.

There was a knock on the door of the small shop, and Bertine and Dorothea stood up simultaneously.