CHAPTER 545: CHAPTER 524 SALT AND HAM (TWO-IN-ONE)

Since leaving Enrico’s house, Nagomi has noticeably become much more silent than before.

Seching didn’t think much of it, assuming she was overwhelmed by the bustling scene of Joan of Arc Castle.

In Seching’s eyes, not to mention Feiliu Castle, even Joan of Arc Castle was considered a relatively large city.

For the North Mountain People who have long roamed around Langsande County, Joan of Arc Castle might as well be the end of the world.

After changing to a carriage in Sour Melon Town, Seching and others arrived at Joan of Arc Castle in just over a day.

Horn naturally greeted them in person with a few key figures, but to prevent any disturbance, the welcoming ceremony was held in the suburbs.

On the solid road paved with mortar, colorful triangular flags were planted on the roadside, dancing in the autumn wind, and occasionally passing citizens or townsfolk would look on in astonishment.

Seching stepped off the carriage, marveled at the speed of the carriage and road, and looked up to see the temporary door frames at both ends of the road.

Black and red vertical flags hung on both sides of the door frames, while in the middle was a long strip of red cloth with the words "Welcome North County’s Friendly Person Seching Uninots" written in standard white Leia letters.

This ceremony, which seemed crude to Horn, evidently left Seching, who was quite rustic himself, extremely satisfied.

Seeing Seching approach, Horn, dressed in simplified Holy Robe with the complex patterns removed, walked right up to greet him.

"Welcome to Joan of Arc Castle, Mr. Seching, I’ve been wanting to see you for a long time."

"It’s a great honor to meet you, Mr. Horn."

Initially surprised by the age of this farmer leader, Seching then heartily laughed and gave Horn a bear hug.

After a jumbled mess of ceremonies, Seching and Horn went separate ways; Seching’s attendant and daughter were stationed at a designated countryside villa, while Seching himself had detailed talks with Horn at the Holy Arrival Hall.

Seating Count Seching, Horn took out a set of bone china teacups from a cabinet and poured him a cup of black tea.

Despite black tea being the favorite beverage among the middle class, especially the nobles and citizens of the Empire, Seching didn’t like it; he would rather choose a cup of potato root wine.

Out of courtesy, he still took a sip: "Thank you for the black tea... Well then, can we talk about the North labor issues?"

"Of course." Horn crossed his legs, took a sip of his tea, and replied calmly, "Your people can come to Langsande County to work, but I hope to sign a contract with you."

"What contract?" While relieved, Seching grew wary.

In his mind, these high-paying jobs were surely coveted by locals being snatched away by the North Mountain People.

Normally, ordinary lords would likely expel them; firstly, to win the hearts of the locals and secondly, to prevent money from flowing out.

Yet Horn easily agreed, inevitably making him suspect there may be some trap.

"First, legally entering personnel need to register and be issued labor certificates.

Second, illegal entrants and black laborers will be expelled with no rights guaranteed.

Third, when in Rome, you must adhere to Langsande County laws while working there; if violated, we have the right to expel them. In case of crime, both sides will judge together."

"Is that all?" Seching asked after waiting a while.

"That’s all, just these few terms." Horn smiled, adding a little milk to his tea, "North County and Langsande County, we’re all Kush people, one family."

Seching stared at Horn for over ten seconds before letting down his guard, even raising the disliked black tea for a hearty gulp.

He had thought Horn would demand compensation from Seching or impose restrictions on the number of people, yet it was resolved so quickly.

"Now I’m relieved... When will dinner start?" Seching put down his teacup and asked, rubbing his belly.

"No rush, let’s chat about other things first, like North County."

"North County? What do you want to talk about? It’s a harsh place; otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many people coming to Langsande County."

"Haha, what I want to discuss is the solution to North County’s centuries-old poverty."

"Is it ’to prosper, have more children and build more roads’?" This was a slogan Seching saw passing through some Hundred Households District, he said half mockingly and half jokingly.

It’s known that North County’s poverty is an age-old issue unchanging for the North Mountain People.

North County lacks cherished mines and does not have fertile land. There is finally a meadow for grazing, but it has to compete with the neighboring Norn Kingdom.

Yet this less than twenty-year-old young lad dared to boast of offering a solution for North County’s hundreds years of poverty.

Isn’t that saying that generations of wise men from North County were wasting their time?

"Do you know what can bring wealth?"

"Farmland and mines."

"No." Horn shook his head, "It’s labor and exchange."

Seeing Seching’s confused face, Horn knew he hadn’t attended the Saint Father’s Academy learning Eden economics classic.

However, the two would not talk for long, Horn wasn’t prepared to teach Eden economics on the spot but to summarize it simply.

"Seeds held in hands won’t sprout, ores buried in mountains are worthless; it’s cultivation and excavation that generate value, and such acts are labor.

Similarly, grains and iron ingots sitting in warehouses don’t magically turn into money but need exchange, put on the market for sale, then money comes in."