The Lord is Addicted in Infrastructure

The Castle of Designia sits alone on a low cliff by the sea.

Xia Zuoyi's bedroom is connected to the study room, which is the largest sea view room in the castle.

When the weather is fine, you can open the window to see the clear sky, groups of seabirds flying low and hunting, and the calm sea surface with silver sparkle.

It is undoubtedly a kind of enjoyment to read a book by the window or familiarize yourself with the big and small affairs in the castle.

Therefore, Xia Zuoyi asked Judit to bring chairs, set up a small round table, fragrant flowers, and a pot of water with lemon slices.

In the Western Continent, the main drinks are wine and water, no tea or coffee.

And lemon is used as a cheap condiment, and the method of soaking it in water has never been heard.

After Judit tried to stop her, but compromised, and finally agreed - Xia Zuoyi finally got his wish and drank the lemonade.

really not easy.

The weather by the sea is always cloudy and unpredictable.

It rained heavily in the morning, but before noon, the sun was warm and the sky was blue.

Xia Zuoyi put away the financial statement that the old accountant handed over yesterday, and couldn't help sighing.

The main source of wealth for the nobles is the taxation in the territory.

The old Earl Matt Designia had deliberately raised taxes in order to be able to study alchemy all the time, and the amount of money received was considerable.

But the cost of alchemy is too high, and the old earl's daily behavior is extravagant and wasteful, and he is never frugal.

As a result, the financial statement in Xia Zuoyi's hands was already facing a serious deficit crisis.

——There was the sound of wings flapping in my ear.

Two seabirds landed on the window sill together, combed each other's feathers, and flew away immediately after a short pause.

Xia Zuoyi withdrew his gaze and looked at Judit who was quietly standing beside him: "Do you know Wissas?"

"Master Earl, I have lived in Wissus since I was a child, so I naturally understand it."

"In that case, take me out for a walk, Judit."

"Yes."

Judith walked in front of Xia Zuoyi, said a word of impoliteness, stretched out his hands and gently lifted Xia Zuoyi's arms away from the chair, which was tall and wide for him.

"........."

Xia Zuoyi tried her best to maintain her inner peace, and her expression was as calm as possible.

Get used to it, get used to it.

He's only six years old, and he's still a baby.

The town of Wissus is one kilometer away from the coastline, and it is also far away from the Castle of Designia.

Xia Zuoyi asked the coachman to park the carriage on the main road that was about to enter the town.

He could already see countless low-rise houses not far away, crowds of peddlers, and a road mixed with sewage, mud, and feces...

Perhaps it was because of the rain that had just rained in the morning, not only did the air smell more "fresh", but there was almost no clean place to step down on the road.

"Lord Earl, shall we not go in?" Seeing the little Earl just standing on the carriage and staring at the ground, the coachman mustered up his courage to ask.

Xia Zuoyi: "You wait here."

The emblem of Designia is engraved on the carriage, which is too conspicuous.

"Judit, Kelly, let's... go in."

For the first time, this "walking" was extremely difficult for him.

"Do you need me to hold you? Lord Earl." Judit said.

Xia Zuoyi paused, then silently stretched out her two arms: "Please, Judit."

A smile flashed in Judit's eyes: "This is what I should do, my lord."

He carried Xia Zuoyi into the town, and Kelly followed behind.

The town is still lively.

Most of the stalls selling on both sides place the goods directly on the ground or stones.

A few people who know cleanliness will tear a piece of linen to spread it, and a more upscale one is to place a wooden table in front of the store entrance.

The so-called store door is to tidy up the place where you live and use it to stack goods, which is simple and messy.

Xia Zuoyi looked around.

The most sold items in the market are cheap vegetables such as black bread, rye wine, dried beans and onions, and there are also some utensils, accessories and other objects.

After walking halfway through the market, I saw two stalls selling pork. The strong smell of pork could be smelled from a long distance away.

I live by the sea but I haven't seen any stalls selling fish.

Because in the Western Continent, the price of fish is higher than that of pork, and only nobles can afford it.

The cost of fishing boats is not cheap, and the weather on the sea can change as soon as it is said, and there may be strong winds and waves in the next moment.

On top of that, not many people would eat the fish because of its disgusting fishy smell.

For the common people, the business of selling fish is not worthwhile.

Xia Zuoyi kept what she observed in her heart.

Not far away, a young man with brown hair and brown eyes, handsome appearance, and clean and tidy clothes, although old, kept going back and forth between three or four booths around.

He usually goes by when the stall owner is selling or has sold out, and stands quietly aside the rest of the time.

Xia Zuoyi was puzzled: "What is he doing?"

"I'll go over and ask, my lord."

Before Xia Zuoyi could react, Judit had already handed him over to Kelly to continue to hold him, and then went to one of the stalls where the teenagers went back and forth.

Kelly is shorter than Judith but stronger, with strong arms, holding him firmly.

But because she was a woman, Xia Zuoyi became uncomfortable, twisted her body slightly and said, "Put me down, Kelly, I'm too heavy."

"You are not heavy at all, you are too light, you should eat more."

Kelly couldn't help thinking of the little Earl's appetite, which seemed to have decreased a lot since he recovered from his illness.

"You're all skinny!"

Xia Zuoyi casually glanced at her slightly bulging belly, chubby arms and legs... She didn't comment on Kelly's true concern.

Not long after, Judit came back.

"The boy's name is Gibran Quino."

"I heard from the stall owner that he is good at mathematics, and he will help them to check whether the price is wrong when they sell things, so as to earn tips to support myself and my brother."

"How much money does he make?"

"A copper coin."

Judit couldn't help but say a few more words: "Most people in the market know him, and only the stall owners with good business will ask him to help confirm. Three or four are the most cases, and it is not necessary every time. he."

Besides, the market in Wissus only happens once every ten days.

Gibran Quino can earn a limited number of copper coins.

There are three currencies in circulation in the Western Continent—gold, silver, and copper.

One gold coin is equal to one hundred silver coins, and one silver coin is equal to one hundred copper coins.

Usually, one silver coin is enough for a month's life and expenses of an ordinary commoner's family.

Xia Zuoyi looked at the boy, and happened to meet his brown eyes.

After a while, the young man looked away expressionlessly, saw a stall owner waving, and walked over quickly.

Xia Zuoyi also looked back: "What's inside?"

They are now on the outskirts of town.

Judith: "Taverns, clothing stores, shoe stores..."

Xia Zuoyi didn't plan to watch it anymore.

"Let's go back."

"Yes, Lord Earl." Judit said softly.

Gibran Kino couldn't help turning his head to look at the back of them leaving, especially the child who was held in his arms, who was white and tender, and looked like a commoner who couldn't raise him.

What's more, the fabrics and shoes for making clothes are not cheap.

He remembered the pair of caramel-like beautiful and sweet eyes that he had just met, he couldn't help but clicked his tongue, and muttered: "...Little nobleman."

For Xia Zuoyi, getting acquainted with Desinia and Wissas is the first step in how to bring Paar Mountain into the territory.

Mount Paar is not currently part of any territory.

In the second step, how would he request the king of Gadayat to obtain the land through the king's gift.

In the third step, after acquiring Paar Mountain, given the current situation of Wissus's lack of population, insufficient cavalry, poverty and backwardness, how can he keep it from being taken away by other lords after digging out the natural bitumen mine.

No matter where it is, a mineral lode is undoubtedly precious and rare.

The coachman waved his whip and drove the carriage back to the castle.

Judit and Kelly sat in the carriage, watching the little count rubbing his eyes on the bumpy road, he seemed to be sleepy, and after a while, he yawned and leaned on Judit's arm to close his eyes and rest .

Oh, so cute.

Kelly couldn't help covering her chest, and couldn't bear to look away at the little Earl, seeing his long and curly eyelashes, his rosy, fair and chubby face, and his slightly pursed lips because of the pressure on his arm.

Omg.

Kelly praised the earl to the Creator God for his cuteness.

Too deadly.

【Ding. 】

Xia Zuoyi saw that the prestige value on the upper right of the system interface increased again, from 11 points to 12 points—from zero breakthrough to double digits, all of which were contributed by the servants in the castle, and they undoubtedly contributed the most.

He clicks on the white building icon.

A little stickman appeared pulling the search box——[Almighty Library provides you with professional books, please enter the title or content of the book. 】

Xia Zuoyi: "Salt in the sea."

[Searching for sea salt drying for you, please wait a moment... Ding, successfully searched "History of Sun Salt Method", "Sea Sun Salt Method and Detailed Illustrations". 】

Xia Zuoyi clicked "Sea Salt Drying Method and Detailed Illustration".

[Reading "Sea Salt Drying Method and Detailed Explanation Chart" requires 20 reputation points to exchange. 】

After the system asked whether to exchange, Xia Zuoyi chose no.

He pursed his lips and slowly opened his eyes.

Judit saw that the little earl who was leaning against him seemed to have slightly puffed up soft cheeks because he had not had a good rest, and the corners of his mouth were drawn down, looking a little depressed and unhappy.

He couldn't help but gently said along Xia Zuoyi's back, "Master Earl, we are almost at the castle."

Xia Zuoyi looked out the car window.

From here, one could already clearly see the bright red flag fluttering in the wind on the castle—the rose of thorns representing the glory of the Designia family.

——The black thorns with countless sharp thorns coiled and surrendered under the gorgeous roses, the rich red and black are entangled with each other, knowing the danger but can't help but be attracted.

The nobles that have been passed down in the country for a long time all have their own family emblems-representing identity, rights and status.

Nobles will engrave their emblems on everything that can show their status.

For example, the badges worn on the body, the flags fluttering in the castle, the carriages going out... Even the armor of the knights are engraved with logos.

After arriving at the castle, Xia Zuoyi went to the study to get a bunch of keys.

"Judit, light the kerosene lamp, and follow me."

"Yes, Lord Count."

The place they are going to is built in the basement of the castle, an underground laboratory specially arranged by the old earl because of his obsession with alchemy.

Layers of stone steps meander down, stepping on it, you can clearly feel the moist water vapor soaking through the stone steps, moss grows in the gaps, and you can smell the faint smell of sea water and the damp and moldy smell under the wall.

At the end, there is a tall iron gate that is locked.

Xia Zuoyi looked at the height of the keyhole, and silently handed the key to Judit.

Judit took it and opened it.

A dusty musty smell came over his face.

No one has been in here since old Earl Matt Designia died.

until today.

Xia Zuoyi decided to carry out her plan after learning about what she needed to know.

According to the foreshadowing before the second step of the plan, he will inherit the legacy of the old earl and become an alchemist, providing an explainable reason for the knowledge and materials needed for future infrastructure construction.

What is alchemy?

——Turn what is not gold into gold, turn a stone into gold.

——The pursuit of pharmaceuticals, hoping to make the panacea "Philosopher's Stone".

In layman's terms, alchemy is a "chemical experiment" that develops towards the two main aspects of metallurgy and medicine.

It's just that under the influence of feudal theology, the ultimate goal of alchemy seems absurd, ridiculous and unrealistic.

But it is undeniable that in the process of continuous exploration, some capable people have also obtained a lot of results through alchemy and have been practically applied in related fields.

This has also led to countless people becoming more and more obsessed with and admiring alchemy, and are proud to be an alchemist.

Alchemy may be called the primitive form of chemistry.

In Xia Zuoyi's view, medieval alchemy is similar to alchemy in ancient China, especially in the pursuit of "elixir of life".

Lighting the kerosene lamp standing still in the underground laboratory, the dark room finally lit up.

There are two long tables in the middle, with strangely shaped equipment and utensils, some scattered manuscripts, animal skins, bones, etc.

Surrounded by iron cabinets, many marked finished products are lined up.

Xia Zuoyi inspected the area and found that many things had deteriorated and moldy due to poor preservation, with green hair growing.

He didn't understand why the old earl built his laboratory underground.

The environment is dark and humid.

If you stay here for a long time, won't your eyes go blind?

Xia Zuoyi shook her head, making up her mind to move the laboratory away.

"Judit, let someone come down and move all the things in the room to the attic, the largest attic."

"Yes, Lord Count."

Xia Zuoyi wanted to obtain Parshan through the king's gift, first of all, he had to make merit or present a "gift" of sufficient weight to the king.

The Kojit Sea is within easy reach and is a huge natural treasure house.

The "gift" he chose was naturally the sea salt method.