Don't disturb my farming Chapter 63 Your Real Enemy
The literary man with glasses in Xiao Yun's eyes is named Tim Humphrey.
Although he has a surname, Tim is not a noble... He is actually a servant bought by a minor noble in the Kingdom of Saint Bridge for his son. He left his serf parents when he was less than six years old and learned how to serve his little master.
The more sophisticated aristocratic families treated their servants well. Baron Humphrey's family provided the little servant with a place to live - a compartment cleared out of the attic where miscellaneous items were stored, and also provided him with food and clothing - the old clothes that the young master didn't want, which were more worn out, and the ones that were a bit wasteful for making mops, were given to him, and he had priority in eating the leftover food of the young master.
The latter is very important. The nobles' servants live on their masters' leftovers. If Tim was allowed to compete for food with the adult servants, he would have starved to death...
As the son of a serf, it was a decent and lucky thing for Tim to be a butler for the youngest son of the Humphrey family. The little master had plenty of leftovers, and he grew taller and stronger than his peers of the same class, with a better developed brain. While the little master was playing with toys and reading picture books under the nose of the tutor who was giving the lecture, Tim, who was standing in the corner, slowly learned to recognize words.
Only by eating well and having rich nutrition can the brain develop well. Only when you are not hungry will you have spare energy to learn knowledge in books which is meaningless to filling your stomach. When the little master was urged by Baron Humphrey to take the entrance examination for the aristocratic college, Tim, who was brought into the examination room by the little master, was even able to answer the questions on his behalf.
Sir Humphrey knew how capable his sons were. After his youngest son was admitted to the academy, he was surprised to find that the little servant he bought with two silver coins was actually a rare genius - it was not easy to pass the entrance examination of St. Bridget's academy.
The butler Tim received a reward of ten gold coins from Sir Humphrey. When he helped his young master graduate successfully as a gunner and obtained the position of sheriff of a small town, the generous Sir Humphrey adopted him as his son, making him, the son of a serf, eligible to share the surname of the Humphrey family, and sent him to the Royal College in the Royal City of St. Bridget. Sir Humphrey did not want Tim to stay with his youngest son. A pig could hold the position of sheriff of a small town. If he had ambitions, it would be detrimental to his son. If he could make a name for himself in the Royal College, the glory would also belong to the Humphrey family.
This little servant did not "disappoint" Baron Humphrey's expectations. During his school years, Tim won the favor of the royal family with his excellent grades. The third prince Carlisle even introduced Tim into his own social circle - Tim got a new start in life, and the Humphrey family also received a manor as a royal reward.
Becoming an alchemist requires extensive knowledge and the talent of a spellcaster. Fortunately, Tim was recognized by the Spellcasters Association at the age of thirty and became an upper class in human society. However... compared to other free spellcasters, he was destined to be bound by the Humphrey family name and the Ferdinand royal family in his life. Both were his "benefactors". When they needed him, Tim had to appear where he should be.
That’s how Tim Humphrey ended up on the prairie.
Tim knew that His Highness Carlisle was taking a risk, but he was not qualified to advise him, or even to remind His Highness Carlisle to be cautious, as that would make him look unwilling, and he could not do such an undignified act .
Fortunately... this grassland tribe has a wise... uh, cub, who saw through Carlisle's frivolity at a glance. Although staying on the coastline will increase the cost of trade, it is much better than letting the prince of a country go deep into the dangerous grassland.
"He's too rude." Darren complained in a low voice, "If... in my country, no one would be so disrespectful to me."
Tim glanced at the snow werewolf Languo who was leading the way in front, shook his head slightly, and signaled Darren not to talk about this.
Darren pouted.
Darren, who comes from a middle-class family, is used to keeping a low profile, but he doesn't need to be as cautious as Tim.
Tim once again turned his gaze to the snow werewolf Lang Guo who was leading the way in front. This snow werewolf also looked tall, but thinner than the other snow werewolves. He had a limp on his left foot when he walked, and seemed to be disabled.
This made Tim very curious. How could a disabled snow wolf have a higher status in this grassland tribe? The Ashan and Ayue he had met before were not qualified to participate in the formal talks. What was so special about this snow wolf?
Following Lan Guo out of the tribe, Tim and Darren were suddenly stunned - ten earthen kilns similar to bread ovens were lined up and smoking, surrounded by piles of sand, gravel and soil, and the ground not far away was piled with long blocks; some snow wolves were moving bricks, some were adding water to the piled up sand and gravel, and some were stuffing the sand, gravel and soil mixed with water into... a wooden frame?
Lan Guo, who was leading the way, looked back at the two human guests, nodded slightly, then turned around and strode into the busy crowd, picking up a basket that seemed to be woven with some kind of vines and carrying sand and gravel...
Tim & Darren: "..."
The two of them stood blankly at the brick-making site, staring blankly at Lan Guo, who was soon covered in mud...
"Who is that?" Someone noticed the two humans.
"Lan Guo brought it here." The person next to him shook his head.
Everyone who heard this turned their heads to look at Lan Guo, and then went about their own business - no one expected Lan Guo to explain, as this guy wasn't much of a talkative person.
Tim & Darren: "..."
The two humans looked at each other, and saw confusion in each other's expressions. Obviously, no matter the more cautious Tim or the more careful Darren, they couldn't figure out what these snow wolves meant... It should be that the blue fruit with a certain status worked like ordinary people, or maybe the customs of the snow wolf tribe were different, but what about the promise to take them on a tour? !
But letting them go away on their own...that's not possible. Who knows if this Snow Wolf tribe has any taboos? What if they bump into them and cause trouble for the third prince?
So the two of them had to stand there with a look of annoyance on their faces. They couldn't even get closer to see what the snow wolf was busy with. What if this was secret knowledge that outsiders were not allowed to see?
Fortunately, someone soon broke the awkward situation. A snow wolf came running from a distance and waved: "Lan Guo! The land is plowed, come and help fertilize it!"
Lan Guo stood up, glanced at the people in the engineering team, raised his hand and pointed at two people: "You watch over the kiln, everyone else follow me."
The Snow Wolves quickly packed up their tools...
Lan Guo brushed off the mud on his body, walked a few steps, stopped, and turned his head to stare at the two humans.
After a few seconds.
"...Does he mean for us to follow him?" Darren said with a twitch of his mouth.
"It seems so." Tim's mouth twitched.
After a short trot with a dozen or so snow wolves, a large and spectacular field with finely plowed and loose soil appeared before our eyes...
Tim had seen the Humphreys' farm. When he got closer and saw the fields prepared for sowing, he was stunned - he had seen the Humphreys' farm during spring plowing, but the ground plowed by serfs driving oxen was not like this at all. He remembered that the soil in the fields was in lumps, and there were many stones mixed in some places that the supervisors did not notice.
Recalling the farming scenes in his memory, Tim's heart suddenly trembled... He remembered the heart-pounding, numb, tired, and lifeless faces on the farm. Everyone was working with their heads down, their eyes dull, their steps staggering, and their movements slow. No matter how hard the supervisors waved the whip or shouted loudly, they could not make those "lazy bones" move even a little bit faster.
Tim, who was only a teenager at the time, was so frightened by the horrifying scene that he ran back to his little master who was playing in the garden. He remembered that he was horrified to recall the sour words that the servant, who was jealous of his little master's love for him, had said: He is just a serf's son. When the young master no longer likes him, he will have to go back to farming.
From then on, "farming" became the symbol of Tim's nightmare and the most terrifying outcome in his cognition.
After closing his eyes and relaxing, Tim looked at the farming scene of the Snow Wolf Tribe again, and he felt a little better. The Snow Wolf people in the fields were completely different from the zombies he had imagined. These people were healthy and strong. Although they were covered in sweat and dirt, they looked relaxed, and they even had the energy to shout loudly and joke with their fellow tribesmen.
"Where's my rake? I put it here just now."
"Let Xuehua take it away. It's your fault for not cleaning it up."
"Bring some more shovels!"
"Is it because the fertilizer in this truck was not properly watered? Why is it like this?"
"Oh, who is this? You won't even pick up the hoe you left here?"
Lan Guo led the two humans to the edge of the field where they would not be in the way, nodded at them, pointed at the ground to signal them not to run around, and then turned around to help with the fertilization work...
"...Tim, this snow werewolf is simply treating us as a burden?" Darren watched Lan Guo walk away and couldn't help but complain.
"...After all, this is the important spring planting period," was all Tim could say.
"It's too slow to use a pick. If anyone is not hungry, please move and drag the earthworm manure over here!" someone shouted.
"I'll do it." Lan Guo piled the collected hoes on the side of the road and reached out to take off his pants.
Tim & Darren: "..."
"They have to take off their clothes before fighting. Do they go into the battlefield naked?..." Darren wanted to laugh but couldn't. Lan Guo, who was thin and had a disabled left foot, had an amazing body shape after turning into a wolf. He was so agile in running and jumping that you couldn't tell there was something wrong with his legs. This natural fighting form really made it impossible for a greatsword warrior like him to laugh.
"That's why they are shirtless. It's not because they don't care. It's a requirement of their race." Tim didn't think too much about it. It's true that alchemists have combat capabilities, but alchemists are generally protected... Even if they are captured, the identity of an alchemist is a golden sign to save their lives.
Darren reluctantly nodded in agreement, looking at the Snow Wolf people busy in the fields. Most of the adult Snow Wolf people were the same size as him, which made Darren, who was used to having the advantage of size, quite uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Darren realized something was wrong. He frowned and recalled the three trips he had taken to the Snow Wolf Tribe. A look of horror gradually appeared on his face...
"Darren?"
"Uh...Tim, have you noticed that the rooms in the Snow Wolf tribe are empty and there is no one there?" Darren said hurriedly.
"They are busy with spring plowing." Tim was puzzled. Why did Darren's IQ suddenly drop?
"No, I mean, they all came out to work and didn't stay in the tribe to rest..." Darren turned his head stiffly and looked at his companions, "We saw dozens of snow wolves on the way in, right?"
"so?"
Darren swallowed his saliva. "Didn't you notice? They are all... shirtless, all males, and the only one wearing clothes is Ayun. Don't the Snow Wolf Tribe have women?"
“……”Tim’s eyes also widened.
Darren's forehead was covered with sweat. "Besides, Yumi is indeed the most beautiful woman in the royal city, but... all the snow werewolves we met seemed unable to see her beauty... Could it be that all of these snow werewolves are--"
It's not uncommon for nobles to dislike women, and Darren is one of them.
“……”Tim was dumbfounded.
Carlisle was also dumbfounded.
Xiao Yun took him to visit the Snow Wolf tribe's warehouse, using the full warehouse of grain, soybeans and alfalfa to prove that the tribe had strong survival capital. He then took him to see the endless open-air sheepfold, letting him see that the trading capital possessed by a tribe of only a hundred people should not be underestimated - there was no currency in circulation on the grassland, and cattle and sheep were hard currency.
At the same time, it also demonstrates the Snow Wolf Tribe's sincerity in doing business. Customers who are willing to negotiate prices with you and can afford to pay are high-quality customers!
Next, Xiao Yun asked him to meet with the human exiles taken in by the tribe...
Still in the activity room, Carlisle's worldview was shaky as he looked at his compatriots who were sitting upright and exposing his identity.
Putting aside his identity being exposed, Carlisle had already prepared himself to be sold out by his teammates, which was within an acceptable range. But when he learned that this Snow Wolf tribe had indeed taken in a human and had raised him for many years and done a good job of raising him, Carlisle felt that something was wrong - wasn't it said that the cat tribe was the most friendly to humans on the grassland, while the tiger tribe, snow wolf tribe, and minotaur tribe were all quite cold!
It’s true that the Snow Wolf Tribe has never attacked humans, but they are not really a race as friendly as good neighbors!
"I met His Highness Carlisle in a federal city at a Viscountess's party. Of course, I was just lucky enough to get a ticket to the party, and His Highness Carlisle was the VIP at the Viscountess's table." Sal said in a humble but not very humble manner, or even a little rude, "Ayun, His Highness Carlisle is a prominent figure in the Southern Kingdom. Even in the royal family, it is rare for someone to receive the baptism of the sacred blessing."
...Is the prince a bad guy? The big guy we hold on to, Ayun, is a big devil that even green dragons have to bow to, no, a devil king-level figure!
Thrall has finally got such an opportunity to demonstrate his own value and make his presence felt. If he doesn't serve Ayun well, is he going to flatter you, a slutty prince from a poor southern country?
Xiao Yun's smile remained unchanged, his expression calm, and he nodded to the prince whose identity was exposed: "So you are a member of the royal family. I am sorry for the rudeness."
Carlisle: "..." This is the first time that His Royal Highness has seen such an insincere apology.
Xiao Yun had anticipated Carlisle's identity, and now that he knew he was a prince of some kind, he didn't feel anything strange. It wasn't like Thrall hadn't introduced the structure of the human kingdom before, and the small kingdoms in the south, whose populations added up to millions, were nothing to be shocked about. A prince who ranked low in the succession order seemed to have an even lower status than the prince of a prefecture-level city mayor. Why would he be so terrified in front of the prince of a prefecture-level city mayor? Goodbye!
Xiao Yun apologized casually to show his respect for the royal family. He sighed and said in disapproval, "My clan is very sincere in doing business, but His Royal Highness has concealed a lot from us... This is not good. We hope to open a new trade route on the grassland just like His Royal Highness. I feel sorry for His Royal Highness's current behavior."
…Carlisle had a thousand six-legged lizards running wildly in his heart. You are a teenager, and you are speaking in the tone of an old man complaining about the ignorance of young people. Don’t you find it inappropriate!
"This is indeed not my intention. I really have many unspeakable reasons." Carlisle slowed down his tone stiffly.
Xiao Yun nodded generously: "I believe that the fact that Your Highness has gone deep into the grassland alone is a sign of your sincerity. However, if we want to form a close alliance of interests, then we'd better be honest with each other so that we can have a deeper understanding of our allies. This will prevent us from misjudging our own strength during the cooperation. What do you think?"
Carlisle's forehead was covered with black lines... This guy actually said it! He said the interest alliance so confidently! Shouldn't he change it to a more euphemistic and decent way of saying it!
Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Yun turned to look at Thrall: "Thrall, how much do you know about the Southern Kingdom?"
Although Sarr was able to mingle in the social circles of the nobility as a citizen and a small merchant family, part of the reason for this was because of his surname and the protection of his wealthy ancestors, he was not stupid. He knew what Sarr really wanted to ask and the purpose of asking this question without Ayun saying it directly, and he immediately started talking:
"I don't know much about other southern kingdoms, but I am more familiar with Saint Bridge, the country of Prince Carlisle Harvey Ferdinand. My father was engaged in the spice business with the south when he was alive. Saint Bridge is located on the southeast coast of the southern tip of the continent. It has a coastline of hundreds of kilometers and two port cities. Every year after the windy season, the port of Saint Bridge will be crowded with merchant ships, most of which belong to the Lamia Merchant Group..."
Pili Baradi gave a brief introduction to Saint Bridge, a small country with a population of ten million and six cities. Then, Thrall wittily introduced the situation of the six southern countries. The human kingdom often grouped the six countries that produced spices together, but in fact, the six southern countries were not really so united. For example, one country had been flirting with the Federation, and one country, although it did not surrender to the Church, allowed the royal family to marry certain priests...
Xiao Yun didn't ask so much detail last time when he asked Sar. Now that he heard it, he could tell a lot... On the surface, the six southern countries were not on either side, but in reality, none of them dared to really draw a line with the Federation or the Church. On the one hand, they endured the pressure from the two major forces, and on the other hand, they had to pinch their noses and happily be exploited by others. After that, they had to wave their handkerchiefs and pinch their throats to shout a few words, "Go slowly, come back soon..."
Small countries sandwiched between big powers are mostly like this. The so-called good at dancing with long sleeves and being smooth in dealing with people are just a cover-up by literary writing. The reason you can stand there is that others don't want to put you in a good position yet, and your value is not enough for the strong to launch an army to conquer you. If you have that value, try it - are those countries in the Middle East really kneeling and licking the big powers? Don't they have the standard of Japan, South Korea, and Canada? Haha.
Looking at the silent prince with a smile, Xiao Yun said unceremoniously: "Prince Carlisle, you are trying to pick chestnuts from the fire. Taking chestnuts out of a blazing fire will not only fill your stomach, but will also burn your hands."
Carlisle's face was very ugly. The other party looked at him as if he was completely seen through. He felt like he was sitting naked in the cold wind. Taking a deep breath, Carlisle could only suppress his royal pride and forced a smile: "Mr. Ayun... why do you say that?"
This is what is meant by "die for face and suffer in life". Xiao Yun didn't think that the prince would deploy his country's troops to the grassland anyway, so he said bluntly: "Let me say something offensive. Your country's idea of opening up trade routes to seek opportunities is correct, but Your Highness thinks that your enemy is only the Lamia Merchant Group backed by the Human Kingdom Federation. This is a mistake of not knowing the enemy well."
"Let me give you a simple example. Your Highness has an aristocratic political enemy in the country. The workers in the spice plantation of this aristocratic enemy launched a rebellion, demanding freedom, welfare, and high technology, and not being exploited and oppressed. Then when the riot in this plantation becomes more and more powerful and attracts the response of the workers on the farms and farms, as a prince of a country, will you stand aside with your hands in your pockets and watch your aristocratic political enemy being humiliated or even killed by the rioting plantation workers, or will you immediately help him to quell the rebellion and suppress the riot?"
Carlisle looked at the other person with his mouth open in horror, completely forgetting the royal etiquette he had maintained for many years.
Even Sal was frightened by the example Xiao Yunju gave, and his body was shaking as he sat.
Xiao Yun sneered. As a native Chinese, he absolutely did not think that the so-called royal family and aristocracy under the feudal power system had any "respectability" to speak of. "It is true that you would like to see your political enemies get into trouble, but if in the process the workers who are supposed to provide wealth for you aristocrats and royal families get out of control, then in order to maintain your privilege of exploitation, you must unite with your political enemies to suppress the workers' riots and eliminate those "troublemakers" who have rebellious hearts."
Xiao Yun leaned forward, approached the dumbfounded Prince Carlisle, and said coldly: "What is the difference between your country and those plantation workers in the eyes of the Federation and the Church?"
