After delivering the rune weapons to Rhodes, Gudlans finally felt better. At least, the dwarf would not feel that he owed Rhodes anything. Then, in the following trade activities, he could trade with the black people normally.
Hammerburg is doing business.
Lord Thorgard has handed over the trading rights of ice peppers to the Thunder Ax Caravan, and Goodlands also hopes to obtain a steady stream of profits through this trade route. Its value even surpasses the cloth and ceramics trade with the empire. Ancient times
Drance thought that maybe in just two months, the profits from the ice pepper trade would be enough to create a rune weapon.
"Remember to write to me when you return to your territory. Dulong City welcomes you to come again at any time."
Goodland's etiquette is very thoughtful.
Rhodes also nodded and said that he would definitely do it. If Dulong City is in crisis in the future, he will definitely rush to help. No matter how far or difficult it is, Black Hammer Castle will send troops. The oath is so important and sacred to the dwarves. Rhodes
You know that once you say something, you cannot go back on it. When dealing with dwarves, you must abide by one rule - keep your oath.
Although the current strength of Black Hammer Castle cannot be compared with Dulong City, in the future, who knows the future...
Rhodes nodded and they said goodbye at the gate of Dulong City. The place was still as solemn and solemn as when they first came, full of ancient and vicissitudes of charm. Unknowingly, Rhodes had already spent a week here.
.
Butcher Bogul was not idle during this period. He used the spoils obtained from the two battles with Rhodes to exchange for a large amount of drinks in Dulong City and purchased two brand new axes for himself.
.Although it is not as valuable as the thunder in Rhodes' hands, it can be considered to be of excellent quality. At least, it cannot be made with the craftsmanship of Mrs. Kislev. According to the current level of Kislev's craftsmen, what can be built is almost
Whiteboard, no attribute bonus.
…
It will be another week before we return to Blackhammer Castle.
When Rhodes and his party arrived at Blackhammer Castle after a long journey, everything here had changed again. The cement wall surrounding the town had been completely closed, potatoes had been planted on a large scale, and a beacon tower outside the city had been built.
The foundations of the monasteries dedicated to the goddess Sarak and the bear god Esun have been laid. Esun's monastery is relatively large, while Sarlac's monastery is smaller.
"Lord, you are finally back."
As soon as he entered the door, Muros greeted him eagerly. He had many things to report to Rhodes. A lot of things happened during the time he left the castle, and it was no longer up to him, the butler, to decide on his own.
"According to your instructions, the foundation of Salak Monastery has begun. Those priestesses are willing to stay, provided they agree to let them preach here."
"Okay. Sarak is not an evil god. There is no harm in letting the suffering people believe in her. What else?"
"Also, it seems that there are more and more civilians who believe in Esun recently."
"Isn't this a good thing?"
Rhodes said that the attendant closed the door and consciously stood outside the door to wait. When discussing important matters in the castle, Rhodes was usually alone with Muros. As Rhodes' attendant, this has become a habit.
"Well, that's a good thing..."
"Anything else?"
"Also... we have some problems with our income and expenditure."
As Muros said, he took down the heavy accounting book from the bookshelf and began to read——
income:
Ore income 330 gold crown,
Fur income 143 gold crown.
Log income is 88 gold crowns,
Finished wood earns 55 gold crowns.
Trade Tax 22 Golden Crown
Poll tax 23 gold crown
"This is the total income of Blackhammer Castle this quarter, a total of 661 gold crowns, Lord."
Rhodes took the account book and took a brief look at it. He found that in the second quarter's income, the ore and fur income was almost unchanged. This is normal. The mine has not been expanded, so the mining income cannot increase significantly. The fur income should have increased.
Yes, because the second quarter is a short summer, the types and numbers of animals in the forest are at their highest. However, due to the constant fighting, the Norscans were taken out to fight, which led to a reduction in hunting activities and a natural reduction in fur income.
The two are neutralized, leaving the fur income basically unchanged.
What has increased is timber income. Due to the opening of timber processing plants in towns, the situation of only relying on the export of logs to obtain income has changed. After processing, the price of finished timber has tripled, which has greatly increased the income from timber resources.
.
What makes Rhodes happy is the substantial increase in tax revenue. Due to the construction of the city wall and the increase in jobs, the number of civilians coming to Blackhammer Castle to make a living continues to increase. With the increase in population, various trades have prospered.
, at least, there are more people buying food, and the extra 33 gold crowns are tax revenue. Although it is not much, you can see the shadow of the rapid development of the town.
"not bad."
After reading it, Rhodes picked up the wine glass on the table and poured himself a full bottle of wine.
"Don't worry, Lord, the following is the expenditure..."
Muros said and turned to the next page.
The account book bound with papyrus clearly says...
Actual expenditures of Blackhammer Castle in the second quarter:
City wall construction 323 gold crown,
Road construction 125 gold crown.
Miner's salary 169 gold crown,
Imported flour 50 gold crown.
Soldier salary 122 gold crown,
Other expenses 23 gold crown.
A total of 812 gold crowns.
Details were recorded under each expenditure, but out of trust, Rhodes did not look through those detailed accounts. Besides, he had been away from Blackhammer Castle for a long time, and he might not be able to find anything if he really checked. The management of the castle
, Muros knows much better than himself.
"Lord, our income cannot keep up with our expenditure. The expenditure of Blackhammer Castle this year is very huge, and I have already used the reserve fund to advance the payment in advance. If this continues, we will go bankrupt before the end of the year..."
Muros said worriedly.
After saying that, Rhodes held the account book again and flipped it back to read it again.
He said that although he was not good at accounting, he was more than capable of managing the medieval castle. After looking at it for a while, Rhodes saw the problem.
"Muros, come, take a look at this balance sheet. In fact, we don't need to worry at all. The income continues to grow steadily, and the ice pepper trade will be introduced next. The income from this commodity will far exceed that of timber.
and fur business. As for expenditures, the second quarter was indeed larger. But the main expenditure was actually on the construction of the city wall. This cost us a lot of manpower and material resources, but it was a one-time expenditure. Now that the city wall has been built, the third quarter and the next
In the long winter to come, we will no longer have this expenditure. In other words, in the next quarter, this expenditure item, which accounts for a large share, will be directly deducted and will no longer exist. If there is still expenditure on the city wall, then it will be in the future
The damage to the city wall caused by the siege of the beastmen or other forces requires repairs. Calculate how much money we have left after deducting the construction of the city wall?"
Muros was about to take out the abacus (1) to calculate, but Rhodes blurted out——
"489 Golden Crown."
Muros was stunned. He didn't understand how Rhodes calculated the results in a short time. In his memory, his lord seemed to have no mathematical training...
Before Muros could react, Rhodes continued his analysis——
"Grain imports can also be reduced in the future. We can already grow potatoes independently. They will become our main food for the winter. I also plan to export the excess to Dulong City. Therefore, flour expenditure will also be reduced next quarter.
.”
"However, two expenditures will increase. The castle has increased guards, and accordingly, the total salary of the soldiers will also increase. In the next three quarters, a batch of dwarf firearms will be imported, and this part of the expenditure will also increase."
Rhodes frowned as he spoke. Obviously, the small Black Hammer Castle is not enough to support a truly large-scale army. It still needs more people and stronger productivity.
(1) Source: An abacus is a device used to perform arithmetic calculations. It is a frame equipped with rods on which balls, beads or metal disks can slide. This tool was brought to old times by Sinian merchants
world, and now businessmen all over the world are using it.