CH 73

During his stay in Desinian Territory these days, Maldiz made a detailed and accurate investigation of what Xia Zuoyi said: “Writing the Story of the Gods is to sell clothes and improve people’s cultural literacy”.

He often took Paul in and out of the two cities of Wissas and Fort Comoy. His thoughts were so complicated that they changed almost every day.

But it is undeniable that the long skirts and clothes sold in the Rose Clothing Store are indeed very beautiful and novel. Even in the Saint Airo Empire, he has never seen such styles at all.

In addition to skirts, the shop also sells hats, silk scarves, ladies’ shawls, stockings, shoes… and a wide range of women’s clothing and apparel.

But they don’t sell men’s clothes.

For this reason, Maldiz asked Paul to go in and ask the buddies in the shop, and the answer was that they don’t consider mass production of men’s clothing at the moment.

However, customization can be accepted if they want.

Paul inquired carefully before he understood.

Such customization is like a tailor who especially makes clothes for the nobles. The prices are divided into different grades according to the fabrics used and the patterns sewn.

The low prices can even be enjoyed by some civilians.

The store has also specially made a style album for this purpose, which people can choose from when they want to customize. It’s very convenient.

Paul: “Your Eminence, do we need to stay in Desinian Territory for a few more days?” 

Maldiz looked at him, “Why?”

Paul coughed, “Your Eminence, I-I want to order a complete set of men’s clothing if we’re staying long enough…”

Maldiz was silent, without any expression on his stale face.

Just when Paul couldn’t help feeling nervous, he heard the old cardinal next to him speak, his voice slightly dull.

“Yes. Help me customize one for me by the way.”

Paul was pleasantly surprised, “Yes, Your Eminence.” 

He immediately asked Maldiz what style he wanted.

But what he said wasn’t as comprehensive as when done in person. In the end, the two went into the Rose Clothing Store together.

After deciding on the styles, Maldiz and Paul went to the school near Wissas.

There are currently only two schools in the Desinian Territory, which are built in Wissas and Fort Comoy. The schools are specifically responsible for teaching children to learn to read.

But there are not many teachers, sometimes priests come to teach part-time.

They walked on a clean street, stepping on the asphalt concrete pavement, and there was no mixed smell between their noses. The clean and fresh air made them take a deep breath irresistibly, and their body and mind relaxed completely.

Paul did not dare to speak out.

He feels that the environment in Wissas is better than the royal city of the Saint Airo Empire. Every corner of the city can give him new discoveries and surprises…

If His Eminence Maldiz allows him, he must take a public carriage to the foot of Mount Pal when he returns.

The school is named Wissas No. 1 Elementary School. Soldiers guard the school’s gate to prevent strangers from entering.

They were naturally intercepted by the soldiers and demanded to show proof.

Maldiz took out the certificate issued by Xia Zuoyi—a sentence of approval written on the light red water-grained paper, plus the clearly printed rose and thorns family crest.

After checking the certificate, the soldier respectfully said, “Please come in. Do you need someone to accompany you?”

“No, I just want to go around casually.” Maldiz shook his head.

The soldier stopped talking nonsense and made a sign of invitation.

It also coincided with school recess activities, so many children ran out.

They gathered in twos and threes in the open space. Some turned their heads curiously to look at Maldiz and Paul, who were obviously strangers.

“Excuse me, sir…Are you the new teacher?” A little boy suddenly ran over and asked shyly.

The boy’s name is Dover.

He wore cheap coarse linen clothes, which were obviously civilian clothes.

The other boy who walked slowly behind him was a child of a nobleman, dressed in a fine linen coat and boots.

“No, I’m not.” Maldiz said with a serious face.

Dover took a small step back, his face flushed, “I-I’m sorry, sir. Bishop Grove said that a new teacher will come today…I thought…”

“I’m really sorry to bother you, sir.”

Dover is very polite.

Under Xia Zuoyi’s requirements and the training before entering the school, the school teachers not only teach the students to read and write but also teach them etiquette and code of conduct.

Dover is a civilian. He cherishes the opportunity to study in school very much.

Because of his inherent weakness, Dover had little strength. He even struggles to lift a bucket full of water. As an older brother, he was not as strong as his younger brother.

Except for some housework, the rest, including farming, can’t help his parents.

Later, the establishment of the school in Wissas was completed, and the lord personally recruited students. The children of nobles, civilians, and slaves could register within the specified time.

However, there are age restrictions, and the number of students enrolled is also controlled within a certain range. After enrollment, the tuition is free, but you still need to pay book fees and the cost of going to the canteen.

Civilians or slaves with family difficulties can apply for subsidies, which means that the cost of books and meals will be waived by half.

However, it’s a pity that even after the establishment of the school, the decision of the lord to recruit students in person and vigorously implement preferential policies did not bring a large number of people to the school registration.

This is completely different from the situation when signing up for conscription.

The first is the age gap. Enrolling in the conscription is a fourteen-year-old adult. The benefits of conscription can be seen immediately, while the school enrolls at the age of six. What knowledge does a group of children learn?

In the eyes of most people, it’s better to let them stay at home to help with the work instead of spending money to let their children go to class to learn literacy.

In this way, they can earn more money.

People who have this idea are mostly civilians and slaves.

With their current thinking, they don’t think about long-term plans. The most important thing for them is to live a good life at the moment.

In this era, six-year-old children can already help do a lot of things. It seems unnecessary for them to spend money to let a child study.

The nobles have the money to invite private tutors to teach their children individually. Since this can be done, why go to school…

Therefore, the initial effect of establishing a school was worse than expected. Not many people brought their children to enroll.

School is the first step in culture.

However, it is this first step that is the most difficult to cross. The change in thinking is more difficult than the change in behavior.

Dover wants to go to school. He thinks that becoming a learned person is useful for the future, otherwise, why would the lord build a school?

The lord must have thought of this.

He wants to study, and when he grows up, he’ll take examinations for mayors and officials…

But when Dover finally plucked up the courage to explain his thoughts to his family, he was first met with strong opposition from them.

His father thought that how could civilians and nobles get along in a school? He would surely be bullied and looked down upon.

His mother was also worried about this.

What’s more, even if only half of the book fees and canteen fees need to be paid, it will be a great burden for their family after a month or half a year. His younger brothers are still young and need his care…

Dover was initially persuaded by his family.

The registration time for the first year of school was missed, he didn’t go. Compared with the number of people participating in the recruitment at that time, the enrollment of the school was pitifully small. It was clear that there were many school-age children in Wissas…

The next year, Dover couldn’t help but muster the courage to bring it up again.

He said in a feeble voice at the time, “I am not afraid of being bullied or looked down upon… I-I went out to inquire. The school has only five days of class and two days of rest, and the class time is very short.”

“I can come back early to help you and mother. As long as… as long as I can read and learn, I will be able to make a lot of money when I go out to find a job in the future…” 

Most importantly, a friend he used to know changed a lot because of school… He was envious.

Dover doesn’t want to miss this chance to enroll again.

He tried his best to fight for himself.

The next year, the original intention of the school was gradually recognized by people. Dover’s parents finally agreed with him to go to school.

Considering the children’s age, there are not many courses in the school. Only literacy, basic arithmetic, etiquette and morality, and territorial laws and regulations.

Maldiz took advantage of Dover’s mistake and began to talk to him. Now he knew a lot about the school.

Just before class, Maldiz saw the little boy dressed as an aristocrat behind Dover holding his hand and running away, and said impatiently, “You’re so talkative. If we’re late, I’ll kick your ass.”

Dover giggled, and the two gradually disappeared around the corner, holding hands.

Grove had been watching from the side for a long time. At this time, he came over and saluted with his right hand on his chest, “Your Eminence, Archbishop…”

He somewhat heard about the people from the Holy Church.

Today, he came to school to teach. Unexpectedly, a priest came to him and said that the two excellencies first went to the church to pray to the God of Creation, and then came to the school. It is estimated that they wanted to visit.

Grove: “If Their Excellencies want to know more about this school, I can explain it to you…”

…

When Xia Zuoyi saw Maldiz and Paul back in the castle, he suddenly found that the cardinal’s attitude towards him seemed to have softened a lot.

After dinner, Xia Zuoyi returned to his room to rest, but suddenly heard the flapping of wings from the window, accompanied by the sound of the window being knocked.

He hurried out of bed and opened the window.

Green Dumpling’s huge body immediately squeezed in and affectionately rubbed Xia Zuoyi’s cheek after chirping twice.

Not to mention Boris who’s far away in the Anas Empire. In the middle of the night, he was startled by Green Dumpling who suddenly came to him. Then he saw the letter tied to Green Dumpling’s foot.

It’s too eye-catching during the day, so come at night.

The letter was written by Xia Zuoyi in advance, explaining the cooperation and asking Boris if he knew about Cardinal Maldiz Howard of the Holy Church.

Boris happened to know.

But it will take two days to investigate the full details of the cardinal.

After that, Boris wrote all the information investigated into an envelope and handed it back to Green Dumpling.

After receiving the letter, Green Dumpling flew back without delay.

Xia Zuoyi combed through Green Dumpling’s feathers, “Thank you.”

“Tweet.”

Green Dumpling spreads his wings and enveloped Xia Zuoyi, his cyan-gold eyes full of love. After jumping twice, he stretched out his foot to let Xia Zuoyi take down the letter.

The letter recorded the information of Maldiz, his birthplace, his preferences… 

Xia Zuoyi couldn’t help raising an eyebrow after reading it, “This Mr. Cardinal turned out to be of humble birth… No wonder, he likes…”

As a civilian, he can sit in the position of cardinal of the Holy See… Maldiz’s means and strength are indeed good.

Maldiz’s father accidentally rescued a nobleman, who in return specially allowed Maldiz’s father to make a request.

And this appeal is that he hopes his son Maldiz can follow the noble’s son to learn.

It was precisely because of this that Maldiz had the opportunity to enrich his knowledge and become a priest. Later, he came into contact with different classes and finally took the post of cardinal in the Holy See.

Xia Zuoyi remembered that Grove sent someone to report to him about today’s affairs—Maldiz and Paul went to the church first, then stayed in the Rose Clothing Store for a while, and finally went to the school.

Maldiz talked to Grove for a long time at school.

Xia Zuoyi held his chin and thought. It seems that today’s trip to Wissas must have made Maldiz feel a lot of emotion, otherwise, the look in his eyes after returning to the castle would not be so complicated.

Green Dumpling stood on the windowsill with his wings folded.

Xia Zuoyi also supported his body and sat up. At this time, he was leaning on Green Dumpling’s warm body, raised the letter with one hand, and smiled, “Green Dumpling, you know, sometimes grasping a person’s preferences is equivalent to grasping that person’s weaknesses.”

“And with this person’s weaknesses, winning over them will be the easiest thing.”

“Tweet.”

Green Dumpling tilted his head.

His cyan-gold eyes stared at the constantly shaking paper. Finally took a peck when it swayed closer, and broke a hole in the paper.

Xia Zuoyi couldn’t help laughing. He patted him and said, “Don’t be naughty. It’s time to rest. Let’s sleep, Green Dumpling.” 

After he said that, he jumped down from the window edge.

Green Dumpling chirped and flew down to a huge footrest in the room, combing his white and beautiful feathers.

Xia Zuoyi covered his body with the quilt and gradually fell asleep.

The room became quiet.

Early the next morning.

Xia Zuoyi summoned his servants to the vegetable garden to pick all the beets he planted.

Beet is a winter vegetable. It only matures in winter, but the demand conditions for planting are very broad, so it doesn’t need to pay attention. When planted in a greenhouse, it can survive all year round.

Moreover, beetroots are usually harvested around May, there is no problem picking them now.

In the afternoon, all the beets were picked and piled up in the open space next to the vegetable garden. There were some tools prepared in advance not far away.

Xia Zuoyi ordered the servants to wash the beets, slice everything thinly and put them in a basin.

Before, he wanted to get the technology of sugar making from beets out as soon as possible but was delayed by writing storybooks and developing the clothing market, so he had to ask Renault to research and make the equipment needed for this first.

Now everything is ready, just waiting for the final result.

It took a lot of time to clean and shred the beets. It was only finished at noon the next day. After that, the juice extraction, purification, evaporation, crystallization, and drying were performed.

Among them, the most important step is to boil the clear sugar liquid in a large pot at a high temperature to make it boil, evaporate the excess water inside, and finally form crystals.

Wait until it dries before draining the excess water. After sieving, you will get white sugar granules.

The process of making sugar from beets lasted for eight or nine days, and even the nearby air began to be filled with a sweet taste.

This taste was blown all the way to the surroundings along with the wind, and finally caught the attention of Maldiz one day.

In fact, from the first day, Maldiz was very curious about what the little lord was tossing about in the garden.

However, Xia Zuoyi had issued an order before. Irrelevant people were not allowed to enter and leave the garden without permission. The meals they usually ate were delivered by special servants.

Everyone on and off the castle obeyed the rules.

As guests, Maldiz and Paul naturally have to respect the orders of the castle owner. Even if they were curious, they did not step into the vegetable garden. They even rarely pass by the vicinity of the vegetable garden.

But that day, he inadvertently walked closer and smelled a sweet scent.

Although it was only a little, Maldiz couldn’t help looking for the source of the taste. After walking for a while, he found that he was approaching the vegetable garden unknowingly.

At this time, the sweet flavor is already very obvious.

Maldiz stopped, very embarrassed.

So after Xia Zuoyi walked out of the garden, he saw the old-fashioned cardinal turning around in a hesitant and troubled manner.

Xia Zuoyi concealed the meaningfully raised corners of his mouth and let out a dry cough.     

Maldiz immediately stopped and his face became more serious. People who didn’t know thought he was dissatisfied with something, “Lord, what are you doing?”

Xia Zuoyi: “It’s hard to reveal for the time being. But I will give you a gift the day after tomorrow, it’s related to what’s inside…”

He left half of his speech for Maldiz to think about.

In the early morning of the day after tomorrow, Maldiz received a wooden box tied with a bow at the door.

He thought that this should be the gift that the little lord said, so he picked it up, turned around, and went back into the room.

Maldiz sat on the sofa, removed the bow, and opened the box—inside is a box of round, flat, irregular, and slightly yellowish things.

A piece of paper lies on it.

Maldiz picked it up and read it out loud, “Lemon candy.”

His eyebrows twitched and his eyes slightly widened. He was silent for a moment, then gently twisted a lemon candy into his mouth—

—”Hm.” 

The sour and sweet taste of the candy made Maldiz squint his eyes, his frowning eyebrows gradually loosened, and the whole person exuded a feeling of relaxation.

Three days later, Maldiz and Paul boarded the carriage with a set of men’s clothing and a box of gifts customized at the Rose Clothing Store.

They are ready to set off to return to the Saint Airo Empire.

Before leaving, Maldiz said to Xia Zuoyi with a complicated expression, “If ‘Stories of the Gods 3’ is written, please send someone to the Holy Church to send a copy…”

“Finally, thank you for your generosity.”

Paul thought of the box of valuable candies, and he took off his hat and bowed his head. He also euphemistically expressed that he also wanted a book.

Xia Zuoyi smiled, making his eyebrows bent, “Sure. I wish you and the archbishop a smooth journey.”

Translator’s Note:

I didn’t expect that some of my exams are pure essays so that’s a bummer. Good thing though that I only have two subjects left that I would finish this Sunday so I would have a week without any modules XD because our deadline of submission would be on 15. I just hope that procrastination won’t rear its ugly head in so I could actually work on translating hahaha.