Flowering and Fruiting

The midday sun streamed through the curtains and fell across the desk. Nearby, a gramophone played soothing music.

"I have good news. Want to hear it?"

As Frederick fretted over what lay ahead, Psyche appeared in his office, bringing news more wonderful than any music.

"You really are my savior!" Frederick sighed. "Just like..."

For a while, he couldn't think of a comparison.

"Just like what?" Psyche asked, watching him with interest.

Frederick thought for a long time before finally saying, "Like Golden Fertilizer!"

He felt that the old lady was the most important catalyst at his side, able to bring out all the potential around her—just as wheat could absorb nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from two meters below the ground.

When Psyche was born, that meme had already fallen out of fashion. It took her a moment to understand, and then she said, "I get the feeling that's not a compliment."

"Drell brought the containers over. They're at the port."

Frederick's eyes lit up, and he sprang out from behind his desk.

The work ahead depended on transportation. If they could improve its efficiency, they could solve a great many problems.

The Grand Duke's office immediately arranged a carriage, and soon they arrived at the warehouse district by the docks outside the city.

The stench of the river mingled with the smells of lumber, hemp rope, and all kinds of cargo. Trash swirled between the ships. Frederick turned and asked Vanessa to take note of it, as he planned to launch a river cleanup campaign.

The docks were bustling, but operations seemed to be running smoothly. The group made their way to the warehouses.

Drell had already received word. After a convoy carrying Eastern spices passed by, he hurried over. He greeted them and said, "Boss, the containers from