The Useless 8th Prince

Pest Problems

“Thank you for your warm welcome.”

Ciel nodded while smiling politely. Although the attitude is ordinary, the response given by the residents is just the opposite.

“Truly good and very authoritative. As expected of Prince Luciel!”

“Life, Prince Luciel!”

“Long live, Prince Luciel!”

“…”

Hearing those cheers, Ciel looked on with a suspicious expression. If it was only one time, he would have cursed it. For the second time, they looked suspicious. It seems like the villagers are hiding something.

Meanwhile, the village chief saw a silent Ciel hurriedly say, “Prince Luciel must be tired after the trip. How about resting in my simple hut?”

“Good.” Ciel answered briefly.

After walking for a while, they walked into the largest red brick house in the village. The architecture looks simple but comfortable. Plus the fresh air due to the sheer number of trees around, it really makes one feel relaxed.

Without further ado, the village chief immediately took Ciel and the group into the spacious room. There was a long table and many chairs. Not only that, many local dishes are available on the table. As it was already noon, they were welcomed to lunch.

Sensing the local cuisine, Ciel silently nodded. As a foodie, he was happy to be able to enjoy various types of different dishes, let alone this kind of typical dish.

Maybe next time I should go around the Empire and try a variety of local specialties?

Thought Ciel while enjoying his meal. After lunch, the knights and coachmen rested. While Ciel and Camellia were in the living room while enjoying a cup of tea. Of course to keep the Prince's face, Camellia did not dare to sit and stand behind Ciel's chair.

After sipping a warm tea while enjoying the aroma, Ciel looked at the village chief sitting across the table. The man looked nervous as he looked at her. The village chief's wife did not show up because now they were discussing an important matter. That is a matter of agriculture as well as seasonal taxes.

“If there is anything to talk about, just say it. No need to hold back.” Ciel said casually.

“P-Prince Luciel .. actually ... actually farmers are getting into trouble.”

“Trouble?”

“As you heard before, in the previous autumn the harvest was not very good. This spring, we fear the situation is worse. So ...”

“No need to hesitate, just say.”

“We ... we want Prince Luciel to lower taxes. J-If it continues like this, the farmers can not survive,” said the village head in a nervous tone.

“Hmmm?” Ciel raised his eyebrows. “What is the tax determined by the previous Marquis?”

“It ...” The village head looks doubtful. “That's 60%, Prince.”

Hearing the middle-aged man's words made Ciel who was enjoying tea almost choke.

Damnit damnit! Isn't that too much?

Ciel cursed in his heart. But when thinking about the medieval history in his previous life, the young man felt the situation was somewhat natural. Although it was 60% of the harvest, in this Empire it could be considered not too severe. Although most nobles withdraw 50%, the ruthless can decide 70-75%.

After thinking about it for quite a while, Ciel felt that 25% was already a lot. But because he was a little greedy, the young man asked, “How about 30%?”

“You're too generous, Prince. If possible .. 50% of the crop. Taxes worth 50% of the harvest is enough.” The village chief said that. Although it was still difficult, at least they could still live with such an outcome.

Ciel looked at the village chief with a blank expression.

Isn't he stupid? I propose 30% and he chooses 50%? Don't they want more profit?

After pondering, Ciel finally decided. At this moment, the 30% tax on the crops looked unnatural, so he could only increase it. It was not that he wanted to, but that young man was also not hypocritical to refuse profits.

“Tax 40%, it's already final decision!” ciel said firmly. With a smile on his face, the young man continued, “Of course, I will also try to solve the problems that plague the harvest.”

The village chief stood up and prostrated himself not far from Ciel. Sobbing, the middle-aged man exclaimed, “Thank you very much for your kindness, Sir! Although gratitude alone is not enough, farmers will definitely work harder for the harvest to get better!”

“Stand,” said Ciel in a relaxed tone.

After getting up, the village chief who had a red and excited face respectfully asked, “May this servant leave for a while, Mister?”

“Go,” said Ciel briefly.

The village chief immediately went to see his wife and started talking about something. When the village chief returned to the living room, the wife came out of the house. It seems to be spreading the word about the new tax. Seeing that, Ciel could only smile.

The villagers who flattered him must have had a reason. Despite feeling a little taken advantage of, Ciel did not mind at all. After all, he still received a lot of results. He also felt a little pity for the villagers. The farmers looked so thin, they seemed to be really short of food.

As a good leader and wanting to live casually, how can I starve the people? What if they go crazy and stage a coup? Wouldn't that be getting more troublesome?

Ciel was satisfied. In addition to getting a lot of affection from the villagers, he got a decent profit. But there is still a problem, which is to solve the problem of agriculture. If he could develop the farm, the amount of 40% might be more than the amount of the previous 60% harvest. In other words, a huge advantage!

“So, what is the problem that interferes with the harvest?” asked Ciel who saw the village chief again sitting on the chair across the table.

According to Ciel, although the way they farmed was still rather ancient, there was no serious problem. The way of planting and irrigation is still quite good. So only one thing remains. Must be a pest problem.

“That's a pest problem, Tuanku.” The village chief said respectfully, even a little embarrassed. Feeling useless in front of his kind-hearted master.

“What pests often attack?”

“There are some, My Lord. But the most severe and detrimental .. must be rats and grasshoppers!” said the village chief while gritting his teeth.

“Hmmm ..” Ciel looks brooding.

Rats and grasshoppers, huh?

Thinking of the two creatures, Ciel also agreed. Historically, locusts could be considered a plague because they could not be controlled. The abundance of locusts made crops fail, causing starvation and death everywhere. Things that look simple, but can be dangerous.

As for the mice, Ciel's eyes squinted when thinking about it. If his guess was correct, he had already got his solution.

Ciel thought about going around the village and the farm first before deciding everything. In addition to solving the pest problem, he had to prepare for the development of agriculture. Looking at the village chief, the young man smiled.

“Village chief, how about taking me for a walk around the farm?”

>> Connect.