Chapter 75

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, so that's what it was about."

"What else?"

"It's nothing... Don't worry, Your Highness, I'll take care of it."

Ryan was startled, thinking that Caslathdi was going to check his bank account. There wasn't much money in the treasury, and it couldn't withstand an investigation.

However, he still had ways to issue the pension.

Moreover, the compensation should indeed be paid; otherwise, public morale will waver, and recruiting new soldiers later will likely become much more difficult.

The common people aren't stupid. They want to join the army because they can get food, but they're sent to their deaths. They talk about honor and the empire, but they're just lowly laborers. What honor do they have?

Why not give us some real money?

"Your Highness, do you have any money on you?" Ryan asked.

Although Caslathdi was puzzled, she still said, "If we pool our resources, we can still come up with four or five hundred gold coins."

That's one thousand gold coins.

"Huh? What do you want to do?"

"Give out money," Ryan laughed. "I'll hold a fundraising event later, and invite all the nobles and wealthy merchants in the city. Her Highness the Princess just needs to show up and put in a thousand gold coins in front of everyone. This money will be used to pay pensions, but I reckon there will be some left over. The extra money will be used to build up the city's defense forces."

Caslathdi blinked, momentarily confused. Using donated money to distribute pensions? Were they really willing? Besides, where would she get a thousand gold coins?

"Your money will be returned to you in due time, and we will keep the money of those nobles."

"Ah."

Caslathdi understood.

She was at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.

"Ryan, you're a genius."

The common people's money was returned in full, while the nobles' money was split 30/70. Although Caslathdi was not considered a commoner, she was not actually wealthy as Princess.

If we're talking about wealth, those nobles and rich merchants are the richest!

As long as Caslathdi takes the lead, even if the nobles are unwilling, they will still pay money in order to curry favor with the Princess.

Moreover, the more Caslathdi pays, the more they get; conservatively speaking, they should be able to collect several thousand gold coins this time.

Don't let Berman City's small size fool you; it has plenty of wealthy businessmen. Take Jack's family, for example; they're in the mining business, they're practically living off mines.

With the border in chaos, goods like ores, medicinal herbs, and food are in high demand. Ores are used to make weapons and equipment, so there's never a worry about them not selling.

Wealthy businessmen have their own desires. Although they have money, they lack power, and they must seize every opportunity to squeeze into the circle of the elite.

After leaving the castle, Ryan quickly began planning a banquet under the guise of fundraising. "Hmm, a banquet, you want to attend? Come on, let me treat you to the most expensive meal ever!"

As long as Caslathdi's name is engraved, Ryan won't have to worry about people not coming.

Not coming would be disrespectful to the Princess. I've already sent out invitations, how dare you not come?

On the other side.

Shortly after the Princess's rescue operation concluded, in the distant headquarters of Gate of Janus, on a dark and desolate grassland, a blood moon hung high in the sky, shadows roamed the earth, and an ominous atmosphere permeated the air.

Swish!

Lin Qi's figure appeared on the hillside. She looked around and then hurried in one direction.

Her profile page prominently displayed the message: "[Lin Qi. lv30]"

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