Working Prophet

As the lizard people retreated to the edge of the swamp, and under the leadership of Li Yu, they began to cut wood and burn bricks for production, and the green field finally returned to its former tranquility.

On the second day after the lizard people retreated, Teacup Castle also opened its gates, releasing the farmers who had taken refuge in the castle one after another.

Although Alfred tried his best to oppose it, Miss Rabbit still insisted on following those refugees. She wanted to see the losses everywhere with her own eyes.

Among them, the villages near the castle were generally less damaged, because Li Yu had awakened again at that time and was supported by the lizard people.

With his constraints, the lizard people's looting and destruction behaviors have been restrained a lot.

Of course, as bandits living in the swamp, the lizardmen would come out regularly every year to prostitute themselves from the surrounding villages. It was obviously unrealistic to expect their marching discipline to be strict.

Even though Li Yu repeatedly emphasized that he no longer swarmed around the green fields like locusts to burn, kill and plunder, he would still put any good things he encountered along the way into his arms.

Due to the special nature of their living environment, the lizard people have an almost fanatical love for salt and iron tools, and there is basically no trace of these two items left wherever they go.

Seeing that the harvest season was approaching, Ilea couldn't let the farmers work in the fields with bare hands, so she asked Fausto, who was following behind, to write down the matter, and planned to find Yago to allocate it after she returned. A low-interest loan is issued for these people to purchase farm equipment.

However, these peasant households suffered fairly well. In comparison, the areas that were farther away from Teacup Castle and closer to the swamp were the hardest-hit areas.

When Miss Rabbit came there, all she could see was a mess. Three knights had already come to her and cried to her about how their fief and the households there had been mercilessly ravaged by those lizard men.

If it were in the past when the Arias family was not very wealthy, Ilea would probably only be able to comfort them verbally and ask them to work harder and persevere.

After all, she had several villagers that were seriously damaged, but now that she had the money from selling pepper, the girl gritted her teeth and squeezed out another sum of money to provide reconstruction loans to those knights.

The interest is also very low, less than 10% per year, and they are required to pay it back within ten years. This treatment can be said to be very generous, and it is much less conscience than the black-hearted chamber of commerce in Black Rock City.

After spending so much money all at once, I might even have to use the money from selling pepper next time and the next to fill the hole. The girl felt a sense of emptiness in her body and her expression became sluggish.

However, she still steeled herself and looked at several other damaged areas. After this round, she realized one thing, that is, her work during this period was basically in vain.

Not only was it in vain, but it had to be posted upside down.

In addition to direct damage, those lizardmen also destroyed a lot of crops, which will inevitably reduce this summer's harvest compared to previous years. Miss Rabbit is really at a loss this time.

She had already made up her mind. As soon as she returned to the castle, she would tighten her purse strings and call on everyone to live frugally. She would not give any money to anyone who asked her for the next six months.

And that's exactly what she did next.

Only less than five days later, Fausto found her again and reminded, "Miss, is it time for your banquet?"

"Banquet, what kind of banquet?" The girl had completely forgotten about it, and asked in a daze.

"It has been quite some time since you succeeded your father as the new lord of Green Field, but you have not invited other nobles to share this joy and celebrate this sacred and solemn moment together."

"You want me to hold a banquet now?" Ilea frowned, "But those lizards are only leaving soon... I'm afraid it's not the right time."

"My opinion is exactly the opposite of yours. Nowadays, the whole green field is filled with a low and restless mood. It just needs some joy and festive atmosphere to make people forget the previous pain and cheer up again."

Fausto paused, then continued, "According to convention, you should hold a banquet on the day you become lord. However, due to some special reasons, the banquet time can only be postponed. As a result, there was an internal conspiracy in the castle.

"Now that the spy has been caught, there is no reason for you to continue to hold the banquet. Otherwise, not only you, but also the reputation of the Arias family may be affected."

"But we just spent so much money...there shouldn't be much left in the account."

As soon as she heard that she was going to spend money again, Miss Rabbit became vigilant immediately.

Fausto has been working as an advisor to the girl during this period, and has figured out the behavior of the new head of the Arias family. He spoke directly without any nonsense.

"There is no need to spend any extra money. You have allocated sixty gold coins to me before, and I can use this money."

"Yeah, I almost forgot, how much did you spend this money?"

"Seventy percent, but the rest cannot actually be moved, because I have only ordered some of the goods and have not paid for them. In addition, I have to prepare some rewards for the troupes and minstrels."

Fausto knew what Miss Rabbit was thinking, and quickly added.

"That's it." A look of disappointment appeared on the girl's face.

"The money you paid me is not particularly large, and this banquet is of great importance. It will determine the first impression of you by the major families in the Western Region. I hope you can take it seriously."

The old consultant looked serious, "I need to ensure the basic dignity of the Arias family, so it is difficult to continue to reduce it. And if you are really short of money, why don't you sell that item?"

"Which cargo?"

"It's the one in the dungeon. That thing is worth a hundred gold coins." Fausto reminded.

Ilea fell into silence after hearing this.

Fausto advised, "I don't know what you are hesitating about. Logically speaking, after catching that man, his head should be cut off on the spot and sent to Yanxue City. But you just asked people to imprison him." got up.

"Three days have passed and you still haven't ordered his execution. If Marquis Cullen finds out about this, I'm afraid it will cause you new trouble."

"I understand what you said, but I think what he said is not unreasonable. After all, more than nine hundred years have passed since what happened back then, and no one in this land still remembers the Enriquez family.

"Isn't it too harsh to kill a person without hesitation for what happened more than 900 years ago?" the girl said.

"Maybe, but the Figuerola family now rules the Western Territory." The old advisor said, "And every head of the Arias family has sworn allegiance to the Figuerola family, and you are no exception."

"I know, I know, I will eventually execute him, but it will take some time. After all, he and I...were friends once." Ilea waved her hand and said with a tired look.