Chapter 98 Banquet

The price of liquor is relatively low. Although the poor cannot drink it often, soldiers, mercenaries, butchers, hunters and other people with higher incomes can drink half a pound of liquor every day at this price.

As the sales of liquor increased, it gradually exceeded that of steel.

By December, the sales of liquor had reached 460 gold coins, and the net profit exceeded 300 gold coins.

In order to open up the market and expand sales, Richard set a low price for liquor. Mrs. Ola established a chain of taverns in Black River Fort based on the original tavern of her second uncle Powell.

In just one or two months, the Harland family opened six taverns in Black River Fort.

With the increase of industries in Black River Fort, more people can be arranged, and the tavern staff can also work part-time as spies to gather intelligence.

With the increase of industries, the influence of the Harland family on Black River Fort will also increase.

After the winery went into production, the income of the Harland territory increased a lot, and Richard was able to withdraw some funds to replace the debts.

Uncle Soros and Lady Aura's brother Landmasar both received the loan repayments from William a few months later.

Before the Goddess' Birthday in 3256 in Dawn, Richard counted the three territories controlled by the Harland family, with a population of more than 20,000 and 2,000 orc slaves in the territory.

The territory earns more than 500 gold coins net profit every month from the trade of steel and liquor.

Add in some income from food and grazing, and it is already very considerable.

The annual cash income is slightly worse than that of the baronies in the south. After all, the south has been developed for hundreds of years, and there are a large number of people in the noble territories. Relying on agricultural planting, tens of thousands of gold coins can be obtained every year.

Compared with the baronies that have been successfully developed in the northern region, the income of the Harland territory is slightly higher. If compared with the barons who have just been granted territories, there is no comparison at all.

In addition, William and Lady Aura also have industries in Black River Castle. The income from taverns and rents adds up to a profit of 50 gold coins every month starting this year.

The daily expenses of the Harland family are basically paid by the cash in the hands of Mrs. Ola.

The Harland family controls three baronies, and the three baronies have trained seven infantry squadrons. The number of regular troops exceeds one thousand. The combat effectiveness of the army is stronger than that of the southern viscounts, but not as good as that of the viscounts in the northern region.

After hunting the wyvern, Richard asked his second uncle Powell to take people to the Duke of Jonathan and send a letter to Duke Jonathan.

The Duke of Jonathan's family has been purchasing dragon marrow fluid from nobles all year round.

After receiving the letter from the Harland territory, Stareno, the sixth son of Duke Jonathan, came to Black River Castle with a large group of people including butlers, appraisers, and guards to trade dragon marrow fluid with the Harland family.

Duke Jonathan's son came to Black River Castle. Spencer Allen, the municipal officer of Black River Castle, did not dare to neglect him and held a grand banquet to welcome Stareno.

In the lives of nobles, banquets are very common.

Many nobles have a competitive spirit and are willing to spend money on banquets.

The cost of a banquet held by a great noble can often reach hundreds of gold coins, and in extreme cases, thousands of gold coins may be spent.

Anyway, Richard doesn't like socializing very much. He is a first-generation military noble and has not fully integrated into the aristocratic circle. His life is relatively simple.

The first-generation military nobles are not well-known in the aristocratic circle, and are often labeled as barbaric, rude, and strong.

However, the royal family often pays more attention to the first-generation nobles.

These fresh blood in the aristocratic society are more like the backbone of a kingdom. Nolan's Grant family often values ​​the first-generation military nobles.

Richard and Sophia are both hereditary barons. Both of them received invitations and came to the welcoming banquet.

The banquet was decorated magnificently, with colorful carpets covering the auditorium and new silk tablecloths covering the tables.

The table was filled with exquisite food, and the more expensive red wine was also available for guests to taste.

Crystal clear glass cups were used as wine utensils, and there were also dancers performing shows.

The huge candles were lit, illuminating the banquet as bright as day.

In the middle of the auditorium, a colorful magic lamp was lit, consuming precious magic crystal resources.

The overall layout makes people feel luxurious and restrained at first glance.

Richard didn't like to attend banquets very much. He exchanged a few words with the nobles of Black River County and sat alone on the side. His father William was socializing with others and seemed to be having a good time.

Although the Harland family has been a hereditary noble for a short time, it is very strong in strength. Richard himself has made many military achievements and is already a heavyweight noble in Black River County, serving as a commander in a combat direction.

At his status, whether he can socialize is actually not very important.

After all, the foundation of the Harland family is military exploits.

Stareno, the son of Duke Jonathan, is tall and elegant, which is very in line with the aesthetics of the nobility.

More than a dozen noble ladies came up and kept showing their courtesy. It seems that they have taken a fancy to the Duke's son and want to marry into Jonathan's court.

Even though there was a big difference in status and it was impossible for her to become the wife of a duke, being a maid of a great noble was better than being the wife of a small noble.

Seeing that Stareno had no intention of talking to the Harland family, Richard stood up, left the auditorium immediately, and returned to his home in Black River Castle.

In the sky, the silver moon was hazy, and a few floating clouds were floating in the deep blue sky.

I hadn't lived in Black River Castle for several years, but my room was still cleaned spotlessly by the servants.

In the past few years since William was conferred the title of hereditary baron, there has been almost no change in the Black River Castle.

The only change is that there are more servants.

Mrs. Ola's children are already eight or nine years old, and they are at the age of playing, running around in the yard.

Seeing Richard come back, she became a little restrained, as if she didn't recognize her brother.

After being conferred the title of hereditary noble, Richard left Black River Castle and hasn't been back for almost four years.

After a few years at Grant Knight Academy, Richard only stayed at home for more than ten days.

To the brothers and sisters, Richard was like a stranger.

In their young memories, there was no picture of Richard, the fourth brother.

On the contrary, Ron and Barron's children were slightly younger than them, and they were their little friends. The uncle and nephew were more like family.

Mrs. Ola liked banquets very much, and she and William had not returned yet.

In the past few years, she has been reluctant to go to the desolate William Castle. William has mentioned it several times, and Mrs. Ola always said that it is safer to stay in Black River Castle.

It seems that she is greedy for the prosperity of Black River Castle and is unwilling to live in William Castle.

After staying in a prosperous place for a long time, it is very inconvenient and difficult to adapt to life in a military castle like Fort William.

Wendy, on the other hand, has moved the family library to the Baronial Mansion of Fort William, and lives with her second uncle Powell and his family.

Uncle Bernie still lives with William. Bernie's eldest child, Don, is already 18 years old and has not graduated from Grant Knight Academy.

In recent years, the Haaland family has a very tight financial chain and no extra money to provide tutors for the children. Compared with hiring tutors, going to the Knight Academy can save a lot of money.

George, the most courageous of Mrs. Ola's three children, stared at Richard and asked in confusion: "Who are you and why are you here?"

Richard was about to speak when a tall and very beautiful woman opened Wendy's door and asked in some confusion: "Is it Master Richard?"

There was a strange woman living in Wendy's room, which confused Richard. Before he could speak, a familiar voice came.

"Is Richard back?"

The person who spoke also walked out of Wendy's room. It was Bielsa, the wife of Uncle Bernie.

Bielsa has been married to Bernie for almost 20 years. Although they have rarely met in recent years, they are still very familiar with Richard.

"Where is Uncle San? Didn't he come back today?"

"I don't know which wild woman's house he went to fool around with. I don't want to care about his affairs."