Chapter 39

Wit returned home in a daze, the fresh minty scent of the mint candy still lingering in his mouth. He had become deeply infatuated with this nostalgic flavor. After eating the mint candy, he even felt that his breath was filled with a sweet aroma, as if he had kissed a girl—didn’t the troubadours say that kissing a girl felt sweet?

As for what Tang said, that collecting mint leaves could be exchanged for silver coins and mint candies?

Ha, he didn’t believe it. How could there be such a good thing in the world? It must be a scam!

“I’m back...”

As soon as Wit pushed open the door, he saw his father and mother sitting at the table, discussing something in low voices. He didn’t pay much attention and was about to head straight to his room.

“...Do you think the lord’s announcement is true?”

“I don’t know, but since it’s from the lord, it should be true...”

“Collecting mint leaves for silver coins? What is the lord thinking? The mint leaves mentioned in the announcement are the ones growing by the river, right? They are everywhere, why would he send people to collect them?”

“Who knows? The lord might have his reasons. Everyone has just escaped from the fear of bandits, and he might want to give them something to do.”

“Well, it’s worth a try. If it really can be exchanged for silver coins, that would be great!”

Wit suddenly stopped, his face filled with surprise and doubt. “Dad, Mom, are you talking about the new announcement from the lord?”

“Yes, just collect mint leaves and you can exchange them for silver coins. It has the lord’s signature, so it should be... Hey, Wit, where are you going?”

“I’m going out!”

Wit picked up the bag beside him and ran out, heading straight for the Emerald River. When he arrived, he was stunned. There were already many people collecting mint leaves by the Emerald River!

“Big Brother Wit!”

Marshall saw Wit and was very excited, raising his hand to call out.

Wit ran over, and Marshall showed off the bag in his hand. “Big Brother Wit, I’ve already collected a lot. I don’t know how many kilograms, but I’m sure I can get mint candies!”

Wit took a closer look and saw that the bag was almost full. The same was true for the others around him; the dense mint leaves had been significantly reduced.

Wit was in a panic. If the mint leaves were all collected by them, how would he earn silver coins!?

Without further ado, Wit rushed over to start collecting mint leaves. Children born in Ellington were used to helping their families with chores, and they were skilled at collecting wild vegetables. Collecting mint leaves was no problem for them.

Moreover, under Tang’s regulations, they didn’t dare to overdo it and left the roots intact, so they could be collected again after a while.

On the riverbank, people who were previously idle were now working enthusiastically. Even some long-term homeless people in Ellington were busy, hoping to exchange for some silver coins to buy bread and fill their stomachs.

Not far away, Tang observed everything, feeling very satisfied. With the motivation to earn money, these people had a goal in life, and their spirits were different after they got busy.

“Big brother, can I also collect mint leaves to earn silver coins and exchange for mint candies?”

Ilia looked excitedly at everyone working and was eager to try.

Tang originally wanted to say that he would take care of her, so she didn’t need to earn silver coins to get mint candies. But he thought again and smiled. “Yes, Ilia, if you want to eat mint candies, you have to work hard.”

“Okay!”

Ilia nodded firmly and ran down to join her friends in collecting mint leaves.

Tang smiled. He didn’t want to spoil Ilia too much. There were too many examples of this on Earth. Even the most talented children, if spoiled, would find it hard to grow up.

If he only protected and spoiled Ilia, she would lack the ability to handle difficulties on her own in the future.

Moreover, if she could sit back and enjoy the fruits of her friends’ labor, it would create a gap between her and her friends, and they would gradually drift apart, which was not a good thing.

By working together and sharing the joy, their friendship would deepen, and Ilia would better understand others through labor, making it easier for everyone to accept her.

In short, this was a win-win situation.

In the evening, Fiona, following Tang’s orders, set up a table in front of the lord’s residence to buy mint leaves. Tang had made a scale specifically for her to weigh the mint leaves.

Seeing this, the residents of Ellington, who had been extremely nervous, finally felt reassured. They knew the lord was really planning to buy mint leaves, and their faces lit up with joy.

Tang, on the other hand, was surprised by the large bags they brought. He had thought they would get tired and stop after collecting a little, but they had worked until now.

“Danny, 3.8 kilograms, here are three silver coins and eighty copper coins. Please take them.”

Fiona quickly collected the mint leaves and handed the money to Danny. Danny, excited, jumped up. “Yay! Great! I have money for tonight’s drinks!”

Danny’s mother, Sandra, grabbed him. “What drinks! Give it to me to keep!”

Danny was on the verge of tears. “Mom! How can you do this!”

“This is for your own good, to save money for your future wife.”

Sandra then placed her collected mint leaves on the scale, looking nervously at Fiona.

“2.4 kilograms, two silver coins and forty copper coins. Please take them, Aunt Sandra.”

Sandra’s face lit up with joy. Earning two silver coins and forty copper coins in just one afternoon was unimaginable under Hog’s rule!

“The lord is a good person!”

Sandra said happily, “But what will the lord use the mint leaves for? If the lord loses money helping us, we would feel bad...”

Fiona smiled and was about to answer when she saw Betty behind Sandra. She smiled and said, “You’ll see if you watch.”

Sandra stood to the side, a bit puzzled, and watched as Betty struggled to place a bag on the scale.

“4.5 kilograms!”

Fiona exclaimed, “Little girl, you’re really capable!”

Betty blushed.

“Four silver coins and fifty copper coins. How would you like to exchange them?”

Betty said nervously, “I want to exchange two silver coins for mint candies. Is that okay?”

“Sure.”

Fiona smiled, gave Betty twenty mint candies, and handed them to her along with the silver coins. “Take care.”

Betty put a mint candy in her mouth and her face lit up with happiness. She then left happily.

“Mint candies?”

Sandra was puzzled. “What are those? One is worth ten copper coins!”

Similar questions arose in many people’s minds. As the exchange continued, several children exchanged for mint candies, and a few adults, out of curiosity, also exchanged for some. After tasting them, they were immediately stunned.

More and more people were captivated by the charm of mint candies, but most of the actual exchanges were still made by children. For adults, they had more to consider. Exchanging for silver coins could help with household expenses, which was more important to them.

But for children, it was different. They originally had no way to earn money. Now, with their labor, they could earn money, and they could freely use the part they kept, which was a good thing.

Tang observed quietly from the side, especially Ilia. After a day of work, Ilia stood in the queue, chatting and laughing with her friends. The adults nearby seemed to have gotten used to it and had no special reactions.

It seemed to be working well.

Tang thought for a moment and walked out.

“Lord!”

“Lord!”

Voices rang out, and they were genuinely calling Tang.

This made Tang feel very moved. Just a little kindness had won their support. If, just if, Ellington developed more prosperously, what would their reaction be? Would they be willing to defend Ellington with their lives?

“Everyone, please stand down.”

Tang waved his hand, smiled at Ilia, and said loudly, “Everyone might be wondering why I’m buying mint leaves.”

Immediately, it became silent as everyone waited for Tang’s answer.

“Mint leaves, as many of you know, grow by the Emerald River. They have a special scent, but what you might not know is that mint leaves are edible, and their juice is useful.”

Tang smiled. “Yes, Ellington is poor, but we are not barren. Our land is rich, and there are many treasures. As long as we put our hearts into it, we can find valuable things.”

“Mint leaves are one of them.”

Tang said loudly, “I have good news. Soon, Ellington will establish a workshop, which I call the Ellington Candy Factory. At that time, anyone who is willing to work will have a job, and I promise that you will earn a lot of gold coins, ensuring that everyone is well-fed and proud to be a part of Ellington!”

“Also, I have another announcement. The day after tomorrow, 1,232 households in Ellington will receive agricultural subsidies. These subsidies are for replacing farming tools and will not be given directly to you. However, all households receiving subsidies can go to Edgar’s blacksmith shop to get a set of iron farming tools for free!”

A commotion!

Shock!

Almost no one could believe their ears!

What did they hear?

The lord was paying for them to get iron farming tools!?

By the gods... Is this true!?

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