Chapter 40: 40 Quite a Large Expense

Magicians with the Light Attribute truly possess a unique advantage when it comes to winning people over, because a single Healing Spell can produce an immediate, visible effect on those who are injured.

When pain is relieved and treated, who wouldn't feel favorably toward the healer?

Of course, the person Aierlong had just treated was someone Luoning had arranged in advance, disguised as a guard who had been injured in yesterday's battle and had not yet fully recovered.

Following the script Luoning had prepared, this meeting proceeded very successfully, and his positive image as a lord could be considered initially established.

Next, Luoning would have Aierlong serve as a "country village doctor" for a period of time, visiting every household in Shanlin Town to provide aid to those suffering from external injuries.

Although Aierlong would inevitably be sought after by the commoners for this, the magician would loudly proclaim Luoning's benevolence during the treatment process, turning this act of charity into the lord's policy.

Amidst the cheers of the people, Luoning left the pasture.

Next, he left things here to Aierlong and Chahaer; this newly appointed Steward had a preliminary plan to recruit 20 servants.

These 20 servants included 1 personal manservant, 1 personal maid, 4 kitchen staff, 5 for miscellaneous chores, and 9 responsible for animal husbandry.

When Luoning heard this list from Chahaer in the morning, he was shocked—how could a castle need so many people?

But after an analysis by the Steward, he realized that a castle was just like that, and having this many servants was actually considered few.

In the end, he approved this plan.

After this round of recruitment, Luoning did a simple calculation; for servants alone, he would need to pay 21 gold coins a year.

Besides that, his guards and the Transcendental by his side also needed to be paid.

Even though Maiken and Aierlong were summoned by him, they had their own lives; he couldn't expect them to borrow money from him, their lord, just to buy a loaf of bread, could he?

Moreover, as Luoning's right-hand men, giving Maiken and Aierlong reasonable salaries would also help them establish their own prestige.

Combining the salary standards provided by Huoerhuate, Luoning set the daily standards for junior, intermediate, and advanced Knights at 30, 60, and 100 copper coins respectively.

(Tangmu was still in his probationary period, so Luoning only offered 20 copper coins a day, promising that as soon as he passed the probation, his pay would immediately be restored to the same level as Dawei's.)

As for magicians, for this rare and special Transcendental profession, the salary standard had to be much higher than that of knights of the same rank, set at 50, 100, and 500 copper coins per day for junior, intermediate, and advanced levels respectively.

After this calculation, the annual expenditure for guards and the Transcendental under his command would reach 103 gold coins.

Including the confiscated assets of the three knights from Sain Territory, Luoning now had a total of 626 gold coins; if he thought about completing the "first recharge," his savings would only be left with a little over a hundred.

Only enough for one year of labor costs.

As for how to squeeze...

Actually, it is not hard to see that the bulk of this expense lies with the Transcendental and the guards. The latter get two copper coins a day, with no room to squeeze, while the former are not easy to squeeze.

Just imagine, if an advanced knight from outside wanted to defect to Luoning, but upon asking, found out Maiken's salary was only 10 copper coins a day, would that advanced knight still want to defect?

Therefore, what Luoning should consider is how to make money.

He tapped his forehead, feeling troubled.

"First, I should get a comprehensive understanding of the territory's resources; I need to patrol the territory once."

"But before that, I need to recruit an Administrator."

At the thought of an Administrator, Luoning thought of Pulinsite.

If he hadn't killed that guy yesterday, perhaps he could have extracted some useful information from him.

"Damn Pulinsite, damn Sain Territory!"

Clip-clop, clip-clop~

A fast horse galloped over from a distance, attracting Luoning's attention.

When he saw the person's face clearly, he was surprised, "Baobo? Didn't I send him and Masai to deliver a letter? Why are they back?"

His heart skipped a beat; could something have happened on the road?

Maiken shouted: "Baobo, why are you back?"

Baobo arrived in front of Luoning and quickly dismounted.

"My Lord, that Knight Feilidun from Sain Territory has come over with his Attendant?"

Luoning was shaken, his expression changing slightly, "Speak clearly, what is going on?"

Baobo then explained how he had met Feilidun on the road and how the other party had persuaded him and Masai to return.

"My Lord, Masai is currently accompanying Feilidun outside the castle."

Luoning glanced behind him; at this moment, Dawei and Tangmu were maintaining order there, and he only had Maiken by his side.

However, Feilidun had only brought one Attendant Knight, so he shouldn't be here to pick a fight.

If Luoning called for more people to accompany him, it would instead make him look afraid.

"Let's go, let's see what this Feilidun actually wants to do."

Luoning beckoned for Maiken to walk with him, while instructing Baobo: "After you go back, don't deliver the letter with Masai for now; wait for my notification. Also, don't mention this matter to the other guards; keep it confidential."

"Understood, my Lord!" Baobo responded earnestly.

This time, he and Masai had been selected by Maiken to deliver the letter; although they were over eighteen and unlikely to awaken as Transcendental, they could still be put to important use thanks to their quick wits and strong bodies.

Having had the opportunity to perform in front of the lord, they naturally wanted to seize it.

Before long, Luoning quickly returned to the outside of the castle.

From afar, he saw Feilidun and his Attendant standing outside, with Masai and the two guards at the castle gate standing beside them.

"Haha, Sir Feilidun, I didn't expect us to meet again so soon!"

Luoning walked over with a smile, his speech and manner very natural.

Feilidun straightened his expression and saluted Luoning, "Good day, Baron; it is truly presumptuous of me to come and disturb you again."

He did not beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly: "Today I have brought a letter from Lord Leisen, and I wish to discuss a deal with you, the lord of Shanlin Town."

A deal?

Shanlin Town and Sain Territory still have deals?

Luoning's expression remained unchanged as he said with a smile: "Then please, Sir, come into the castle with me and we shall talk."

"I would be happy to."

Feilidun spoke in a calm and unhurried manner, "However, before that, I must ask you, my lord, to forgive me for intercepting your messenger, because I felt that this might affect our cooperation."

Oh?

Luoning's expression shifted; could this deal be related to the Sain Territory embezzling the tax revenue of Shanlin Town?

"These are all minor matters."

Luoning acted as if he did not mind at all, but he knew in his heart that there was a risk of the road leading out of Shanlin Town being cut off by the Sain Territory.

"Let's go, Sir, welcome to my castle."

Feilidun followed along with a smiling face, though he felt differently in his heart.

What did he mean by "my castle"? Many of the buildings in this castle were constructed and repaired by Pulinsite, and before yesterday, he, Feilidun, did not need to wait or report at all to enter this castle.

In less than a day, the place had changed masters.

However, Feilidun believed in Leisen; once the Baron returned from Black Python City, he would likely begin planning how to deal with Luoning.

He believed that sooner or later, Shanlin Town would fall into the hands of the Sain Territory.

And by that time, he, Feilidun, would very likely have a large manor of his own here.

(End of this chapter)