Farming with Entries: From Lord to Emperor-Chapter 614 - 299: News from the Holy Council (Part 3)
Lawrence nodded repeatedly, chuckled twice, then leaned in closer to Luo De,
"Why are we maintaining so many troops, even surpassing those nearby Counts...?"
Lawrence paused for a moment, then continued to mutter softly,
"These soldiers eat grain all day without generating any income."
In Lawrence’s merchant mindset, any investment must yield returns.
It’s normal for a Lord to maintain an army to strengthen the territory, but right now there seems to be neither war nor any clear threat.
In Lawrence’s view, maintaining thousands of soldiers was truly wasteful.
Luo De heard this question and revealed a mysterious smile.
He did not answer immediately but waved his hand to Vivian.
Vivian understood, picked up a delicate wooden box from the chair next to her, and placed it in front of Lawrence.
"Open it and see, Lawrence."
"Okay, sir."
Lawrence nodded, carefully held the edge of the wooden box, and lifted the lid.
As the box opened, Lawrence’s eyes widened.
In the middle of the box filled with dry grass lay a pair of crystal-clear glass cups, alongside a dozen colorful glass beads and a few glass shards polished like gemstones.
Lawrence’s breath became a little rapid.
As a businessman, he was well aware of the value of these items.
Although glassware is not as precious as crystal and gemstones, it is still pursued by many nobles and merchants!
Some commoners also like to buy small glass ornaments, but due to the Holy Council’s control, the price of glassware has always been high!
Luo De observed Lawrence’s expression and asked,
"How much do you think the items in this box are worth?"
Light flickered in Lawrence’s eyes, he thought for a moment and said: "Taken out of the Northern Territory, at least three hundred Silver Coins, sir!"
"What if I sell them for two hundred Silver Coins?" Luo De asked back.
"Nobles would appreciate your generosity, but the Church would hate you."
Lawrence glanced at the items in the box and said solemnly, "But before that, I’ll do everything I can to stop you."
"Hahaha!"
Luo De couldn’t help but laugh, he reached out and lightly patted Lawrence’s plump face,
"These kinds of things can now be mass-produced in our workshop,"
Luo De’s voice was casual, "You can have as many as you want in the future."
"Sir, you shouldn’t joke about this!"
Lawrence swallowed hard, held his chest, and took another look at the items in the wooden box, "My heart can’t handle this news."
Lawrence knew about the glass workshop in the territory and had seen the glass bottles produced there.
But in Lawrence’s impression, glass was very valuable, and Luo De hadn’t fully handed it over to him, so he didn’t dare ask too much.
Unexpectedly, he heard such shocking news now.
"Then you’d better get ready."
Luo De said seriously, "Because I’m telling the truth, and you’re about to take over the affairs of the glass workshop."
Previously, the glass workshop had just been established, needing much guidance from Luo De, so he hadn’t let Lawrence worry too much.
Now, the craftsmen have gradually mastered techniques, blowing skills have become increasingly skilled, and the quality and inventory of glassware are increasing, Luo De can hardly provide guidance anymore.
In the future, the creation of glass crafts will rely on the efforts of the craftsmen themselves.
"You’ll soon find out, Lawrence, the formula and raw materials for glass are quite simple."
"Oh my, I knew it!"
Lawrence clenched his fist, his voice tinged with regret and excitement,
"I knew you wouldn’t be so foolish as to recruit so many soldiers just to waste our grain!"
"It turns out it’s to protect this precious commodity - glass!"
Lawrence slapped his forehead hard, "I should have realized it sooner!"
"It’s quite normal you didn’t realize,"
Luo De looked at Lawrence, who suddenly understood and couldn’t help but tease,
"After all, your Golden Sand Trading Team saves even on escort costs."
Pfft!
Vivian nearby laughed out loud upon hearing this, causing Lawrence’s old face to flush.
Luo De chuckled and continued,
"Next, you’ll help me create two more caravans to quickly sell these glass products."
"To us, these items are just ordinary commodities, no matter how many there are, they are useless. Trading them for grain and slaves is most crucial."
"No problem, sir!"
Lawrence quickly nodded to acknowledge these arrangements.
He looked down, clearly already calculating in his mind.
"Also, you need to prepare for expansion of the Blacksmith Shop and Bow and Arrow workshop."
Luo De instructed: "Next, I’ll send people to the Razor Plain to establish mines, converting resources into our strength..."
With grain in hand, Luo De felt assured.
This winter, Luo De plans to use Gold Coins to accelerate everything in Black Pine Ridge.
"Lord Rod! Lord Rod!"
Just as Luo De was focused on arranging various tasks for Lawrence, Senda’s resonant voice rang from outside the hall,
"Hahaha! I’ve completed what you asked for!"
