"What?! 61 Silver Moons plus 36 Bronze Stars, so much?! They just rented some simple farm tools and bought a few packets of seeds!"
Listening to Todd's loud questioning, the Muxi Town businessman who was responsible for negotiating with the creditors wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in embarrassment: "Master Father, there is indeed no need to pay back so much money, but those creditors seem to be.
With the instructions of others, I took advantage of the loopholes in the loan contract and raised the interest rate."
"Instructed?!" Todd, who was getting angry, asked angrily: "Whose instructions were given?"
"The original owners of those farmers."
Todd was stunned.
The businessman continued to explain: "Those farmers were originally attached to the farm owners and nobles, but because of the notice in Muxi Town, they secretly escaped and came here. Those people are dissatisfied with you because of this matter, but they are afraid that the power of the church will not cause trouble. This
This time I just caught an opportunity."
Todd sat back in the chair slumped and waved his hand: "I understand, thank you for your hard work."
The businessman crossed himself, bowed his head and bowed.
A bunch of robbers taking advantage of the situation! Todd cursed a few words in his mind, walked out of the church quickly, and ducked into the laboratory warehouse.
Under the floor of the warehouse, there was a secret compartment, which contained a locked wooden box where he stored his money and belongings. With anticipation, he opened the lock and looked inside, and Todd's heart suddenly went cold.
There is a small half box of coins, which looks like a lot and is quite heavy to hold, but most of them are bronze stars, and occasionally you can see some silver moons.
These are completely insufficient.
Thinking about it now, after handing over the silver refining field to the monastery, a large chunk of his wealth sources were suddenly reduced. Now he only has a negligible amount of stipend distributed by the church every week; and a small amount of money handed over by the residents of Muxi Town.
Get poor taxes.
I just paid a deposit for the production of the "Sutherland Archaea" petri dish some time ago, and now I want to take on the farmers' debts, so I have to find a way to make up for the huge funding gap.
Increase town taxes?
This method will not work. Now all the industries in Muxi Town have just started. Whether they are fishermen, blacksmiths or craftsmen, they are all using money. Raising taxes at this time will, on the one hand, disrupt the practitioners' fund use plans, and on the other hand, it will disrupt the practitioners' fund use plans.
This will also undermine their loyalty and confidence.
Selling glass in stock?
Still not possible, the stock of glass on the market is already small, and it would be too conspicuous if sold without permission. Moreover, the church has a high probability that it knows that it has mastered the manufacturing process. At this time, it is selling crystal holy objects. If the matter is leaked,
It will affect your image as a priest and worsen your relationship with the church. It is really not worth the gain.
Hmm? Is there any way to obtain funds to help farmers tide over the difficulties?
Todd's eyes drifted to the laboratory table and saw a few animal bones that had not yet been crushed in the grinding bowl.
bone?
————————————————
A new notice was posted outside the church, attracting the attention of the people passing by.
It read: In order to celebrate the fifth month since the founding of Muxi Town, Father Todd planned to hold a "tea party" in the square outside the church at noon three days later that all residents could attend.
What is a "tea party"?
The residents looked at each other, confused. But since the priest mentioned the celebration and said that everyone could participate, it wasn't a bad thing.
In the past three days, in the tavern, beside the fields, in the workshops, people in Muxi Town discussed the "Tea Party" the most. Some said it was the Holy Son giving an exhortation speech, and some said it was the Alchemy of the Father.
There are many different blessings from believers, but one thing is the same. The residents are all looking forward to the early arrival of that day.
On the early morning of the day of the announcement, a huge platform was built with wood in the square of Muxi Town, and decorative cloth was hung around the platform.
Some smart people got up early on purpose, prepared dry food for their families, carried small stools, and occupied a good position. Seeing this, other people also called their friends and came to the square early.
As a result, before eleven o'clock, the square was already crowded with people.
A little later, some catechumens from the church, under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people, carried out four large baskets from the church. A good person came closer and saw that they were full of roasted beans.
A 100 ml small corner spoon was placed in the hands of each catechumen. They scooped out a spoonful from a large basket full of fried beans. Regardless of men, women, old or young, and industry levels, everyone took a handful. At first, there were still some people.
I didn’t understand why they were handing out fried beans. It wasn’t until someone put the beans in their mouths and chewed them slowly that everyone realized that they were being distributed as snacks.
After the food was distributed, later some catechumens worked together to carry out two large buckets. When they opened it, they found that one bucket was a light yellow liquid with a delicate fragrance that was still warm; the other bucket was a light green, cold and clear liquid.
, helps to clear fire. Some people recognize that these two
The bucket is a common drink for everyone: barley tea and sage tea. As simple small wooden cups are distributed to everyone's hands, people choose drinks according to their own preferences. The bucket quickly reaches the bottom, and the catechumens lift up the empty cup again.
The bucket went to the church and was refilled.
Alfonso and Huggins sat together. The former held fried beans in one hand and sage tea in the other. He asked his old friend through the iron mask: "What exactly is this 'tea party' about?"
Huggins was also confused, but he was still a little worried and depressed because Todd didn't mention this to him beforehand.
Walton, who was sitting behind the knight, stuffed a bean into his mouth and shouted carelessly: "Should we ask the people in the town to pay back taxes?"
Leslie took the steaming barley tea from Adelina's hand and glanced sideways at the short, fat man: "Didn't he just prick you with a needle? Did he do it with such a grudge?"
Walton glared at the boy and snorted.
In the side entrance room of the church.
Todd rarely put on the full ceremonial robes of the priesthood issued by the church today. From time to time, he adjusted the niche hat on his head and adjusted the sacrificial robes on his body. He felt nervous and uneasy, inexplicably remembering when he taught at a university in his previous life.
The scene of going to a sponsor for the first time to seek funding for scientific research.
Walking slowly to the chapel, Rachel and Karin, dressed in nuns' uniforms, stood under the cross, waiting for him quietly.
"Miss Rachel..."
The woman pinched the cross on her chest with her index finger and thumb, and shook it towards the priest.
Realizing his slip of the tongue, Todd quickly changed his words: "Sister Rachel, thank you for your help. If you didn't lend me the craftsman, I'm afraid the wooden platform wouldn't be as fast..."
"Father, we are all servants of Heavenly Father, and helping you means helping me." Rachel made a sign of the cross on her chest, crossing her fingers in a pious and holy manner.
The woman glanced sideways. She was not used to Karin wearing a nun's uniform. The girl made a sound like she was waking up from a dream, quickly made the sign of the cross, lowered her head, and looked at Todd with smiling eyes.
Seeing her naughty expression, the latter's original serious and nervous expression slowly relaxed and he also laughed.
Four bells rang in the sky above Muxi Town.
"It's time."
Listening to the roar of people in his ears, Todd turned his body towards the church square, pushed hard with both hands, and the door opened in response.