Chapter 57: Wealthy and Powerful

  "Name?"

  "Jifan."

  "Where are you from?"

  "Blood Moon City."

  "Do you have aives?"

  "This is my sister. Her name is Jixiang, and she's 9 years old."

  " you read?"

  "I read some."

  "Not bad... This is your assigned room. Make sure to hold on to your room key. If you lose it, e to repce it immediately."

  "Also, do you have any skills? I have plenty of jobs I could introduce to you."

  "Jobs? What kinds of jobs? And what's the pay?"

  "The first type is general bor. The standard rate is 20 copper s per day, but you get two meals and eat as much as you want."

  "If you choose this, I suggest joining the ion team."

  "The recmation team will be awarded a 10% share of ara nd recimed beyond the task's target."

  "The sed type is skilled bor. Pay depends on your skills and specialization. Typically, it's around 1 silver a day."

  "Additionally, if you work tinuously for two years and pay taxes on time, you bee a member of Bay Vilge."

  "You'll be granted 10 acres of nd with perma usage rights, as well as eligibility to purchase a house in the vilge."

  "Lastly, there's the option of applying to bee a reserve soldier."

  "However, this is not avaible to non-professionals or non-residents of Bay Vilge."

  "Here's a task list. You take it with you, think it over, and submit your decision ter."

  "Lastly, wele to Bay Vilge. I hope you enjoy your time here."

  Leon handed Jifan a task list, and as Jifan stood there in a daze, Leon smiled warmly at Jixiang beside him.

  The little girl, not at all shy, returhe smile sweetly, reminding Leon of his own younger sister.

  Walking past the walls, following the road signs, Jifan, his sister, and Tom arrived at the residential area.

  Rows of ly arranged wooden houses lined both sides of the road.

  Though many of the timbers had not yet fully dried and still smelled faintly of resin, the houses provided shelter from the wind and rain, and prote from the scarlet moon.

  Finding their pce by the number on the sign, Jixiang eagerly pushed open the wooden door, skipping inside and exg with delight:

  "Wow! Three rooms! Two beds! And there are bs! New ones!"

  "There are even new clothes! They're a bit big, but I still wear them! Hee-hee..."

  "Six whole ceramic bowls, one big water jar, a table, chairs, and stools! And they're all new!"

  Jixiang ran around joyfully, toug everything, her face glowing with a brilliant smile.

  Jifan sat on one of the new chairs, stroking the smooth tabletop, which olished and splinter-free. A look of disbelief fshed across his face.

  "Are these really newly made? Is Bay Vilge really this wealthy?"

  "Jifan! My goodness! This pce is even nicer and roomier than my house! I have to tell my dad just to make him jealous! Haha!"

  Tom’s loud voice from the neighb house quickly brought Jifan back to reality as he picked up the paper Leon had given him. It clearly read:

  Temporary Residency Permit. Residency period: one month.

  After one month, provide proof of employment and tax payment to renew.

  General bor:

  Daily rate: 20 copper s, includes two meals. Earn more for more work.

  First reendation: Laion.

  Sed reendation: stru crew.

  Third reendation: Produ roles.

  Skilled bor:

  Recruiting specialized farmers, doctors, tanners, livestock handlers, tailors, bcksmiths, chefs, and other skilled workers.

  First reendation:

  Join Bay Vilge and receive housing rewards based on skill level.

  Intermediate skill reward: 50 gold s. Advanced skill reward: 1,000 gold s. Master-level skill reward: 5,000 gold s.

  Sed reendation:

  Join roles matg your skills. Average daily wage: 1 silver . Earn more for more work.

  Professional work:

  First reendation:

  Join Bay Vilge and receive housing rewards based on skill level.

  Sed reendation:

  Join the reserve soldiers. Monthly wage: 20 silver s.

  Third reendation:

  Accept bounty tasks. You will be provided with ons, equipment, maps, resource point information, medical care, and potion purchasing bes.

  Current bounty task: Capture a troll—50 gold s per troll!

  Note: All children under 10 years old receive literacy education in the children’s ter, with three meals provided daily.

  Note: Within Bay Vilge and surrounding areas, no snder, fraud, framing, false accusations, fighting, brawling, theft, robbery, assault, or murder is permitted.

  Any viotors will face execution, impriso, fines, or expulsion!

  After reading through all the information, the only thought in Jifan’s mind was "Wealthy and powerful."

  At the same time, Jifan’s resolve to bee a professional deepened.

  Gng eagerly at Tom, Jifan patted his shoulder and said in a hopeful but uain tone:

  "Let’s not rush to decide—we should see which path has the best potential."

  Tom shrugged indifferently, his usual simple demeanor showing as he expressed his support for whatever decision Jifan made.

  Many of the newly recruited cart-pushers took the same approach as Jifan and Tom.

  Meanwhile, the adventurers, having firmed they would indeed receive their bounties, were already preparing for a.

  In the Lord’s Manor.

  Matthew hahe checklist to Ralph, gng at the visibly curious Adam Smith before speaking softly but with deliberate calm:

  "I’m pleased with the quality of the magical materials, but I’m more ied ialent you’ve brought."

  Adam Smith’s mind clicked. Matthew had said nothing about food, ons, or livestock—this was the test he had expected from a spellcasting lord.

  As the thought passed through his mind, Adam Smith, relying on his impressive memory, faithfully reported the results of this trip:

  "I’ve recruited four intermediate bcksmiths. They all want their own fes."

  "Six intermediate tailors, willing to teach others their craft. Two of them want their own shops..."

  "Two intermediate animal hahey were tribal sves and only cost 10 gold s in total. They’re excellent at raising warhorses..."

  "One advanced animal handler from Farsico—skilled in breeding cattle and pigs and improving their stock. It e 100 gold s to hire him..."

  "Twelve intermediate chefs, mostly of eastern dest. They specialize in cooking a variety of dishes, as well as rge unal meals. Five of them are ied in opening inns..."

  "..."

  As Adam Smith listed each talent, Ralph made notes and found himself increasingly impressed.

  This little mert was quite extraordinary!

  His work, es, and sharp business a were far beyond that of the average mert.

  Iing...

  FAL