I built a manor in the Middle Ages

Chapter 236 Commercial Taxes
"Xu~"

The sound of hooves pounding on the crisp green grass, Old Pons reined in his horse, shielding his eyes from the sliver of light filtering through the leaves, and squinted at the faint black dots ahead.

"Knight's Castle should be just ahead."

As Old Pons spoke, his beard swayed slightly. "Hmph, I can't wait to see what's so special about this new pilgrimage site. I've heard that even that saint from Cluny is a monk here."

"I've heard from wandering poets that this place is protected by God, but I don't know if it's true or not."

Old Pons's squire smiled and said, "Sir Luke is indeed capable. Did you notice the Saint Hilarion Church of Light and Sound when we arrived? He built it using our limestone. I heard he also joined the Charitable Brotherhood of Cluny."

"Ha, of course!" Old Pons' withered face flushed red, whether from pride in participating in the church's construction or from meeting Luc, he cracked his whip and said, "Let's go, we need to get to Knight's Castle before noon!"

……

"Luc is quite capable. This guy actually managed to defeat Berry!"

David smacked his lips as he looked at the pilgrims in the distance, who were strung together like ants.

They all came to Knight's Castle in the northern mountains because of its reputation.

"Since old Baldwin's death, Berry's power has increased greatly. Although I despise him, I have no choice but to obey his orders for fear of being punished. As a result, Luke did what I had always wanted to do but dared not do."

"I thought he was just a contractor, but it turns out he has a fortress in the mountains."

"And he also became acquainted with Count Macon without being punished at all."

David rubbed his deep-set eyes, thinking that perhaps he could form an ally with him.
……

"Hey, I heard the Holy Knights are hosting a market?"

"Yes, Master, shall we go take a look?"

"Of course, wherever there are customers, there we are."

A caravan owner drove his mule train deep into the mountains.

At the same time, a caravan from Macon, carrying wine and escorted by a large number of soldiers, was also traveling on the road.

Luke, who was in Knightsburg, was of course unaware of all this, and even if he had, he wouldn't have been too surprised, because he had already completed the market.

"Send two people to guard the Agate Bridge. Let those who have come from afar stay on the south bank. No one is allowed to cross the north bank without my orders."

"Understood, sir!"

"In addition, instruct little Maiman to quickly build a huge cross, then paint it golden yellow with ochre, and erect it in the sunniest spot in the field."

With the market about to open, it's the perfect opportunity for Luke to show off his military might, or rather, to control the market, he needs a certain level of deterrence.

Luc brought out all four sets of chainmail (including Clovina's set) and had the textile factory rush to make several more stag cloaks, along with other cloaks with different patterns.

Luc had carefully considered the goods available at the market.

Now, with an increasing number of technical personnel, I'm keen to integrate them systematically.

After a long process of selection and reorganization, Luc actually managed to summarize several closed-loop industries: firstly, there are linked industries such as wool, flax, beeswax, turnip, nettle, and black nightshade.

The sheep gave birth to several lambs in winter, and the flock will grow larger and larger in the future.

Wool and flax are used for textiles; sheep manure can be composted and used for turnips, which are then fed to sheep; beeswax is used for resist dyeing and pattern making; black nightshade flowers are used to increase bee populations; nettles are used for dyeing; and rapeseed oil is used to smooth wool.
Secondly, there are beverages, which include not only existing beverages, but also future grafted cider, wine, and mead.

Luc focuses on a specific type of spirit, selling its malt spirits to ordinary people in Telfbridge or devout believers like Old Pons. Its cider and maple spirits target the mid-range market, such as the Marquis de Macon.

Luc planned to sell or donate the wine and mead he produced to the church.

Finally, there are miscellaneous items such as insect repellent, pine resin charcoal, and olive oil.

Charcoal can actually be refined into tar, but Luke doesn't plan to sell it for the time being; he has other uses for it.

With his mill monopoly plan with the church and his status as a contractor, Luc was looking forward to the gradual implementation of these grand business plans!

After checking again to ensure everything was correct, the first group of people finally appeared on the southern mountain road.

Old Pons' hearty laughter drifted over from afar, and Luc went to greet him, giving him a warm hug.

“My dear friend, I never imagined your castle was so magnificent. No wonder you were able to defeat your greedy lord.”

The first thing Old Pons saw was the castle in the distance, his eyes almost overflowing with admiration. He placed the stone in the southwest corner, and the two of them sat by the bridge, drinking mountain tea.

"This wine is a bit weak," Old Pons said, putting down his teacup with displeasure.

"I came here to deliver stones and buy wine, but after seeing your fief, I suddenly thought of hiring you to build a church or a watermill for my territory. Would you be willing?"

"What a coincidence, this is exactly what I wanted."

"But you'll have to wait a bit. I also need to renovate the church in my territory and organize a professional construction team."

"Furthermore, to be honest, I have an agreement with the Church of Cluny regarding the watermill. If you want to build a watermill, you need to share 10% of the profits with us."

“No problem,” Old Pons readily agreed.

After a while, David, the Macon caravan, and a few scattered pilgrims gradually arrived.

Ryan and the others stood in a row, leaning on their swords, looking extremely majestic in the sunlight. The cross erected in the lush field made the pilgrims gasp. Several trembling old men tumbled and crawled to the riverbank and frantically kowtowed to the field, which made Ryan feel dazed.

Are all these guys Peter?
David looked at Knightsburg with a complicated expression, while the Macon caravan rested in the market, and there were no nobles among them.

"I heard you're going to Berry's party? As a friend, I advise you not to go."

David gently pulled Luc aside and whispered in his ear.

"Don't worry, I'll be prepared. Besides, I have important business to attend to in Fort Cooper."

Under David's questioning gaze, Luc did not explain much. After settling everyone in, he instructed Kohler and the others, who had been waiting for a long time, to move the dazzling array of goods into the market.

Kohler was right; Luc introduced a new policy among these artisans: the more they sold, the more commission they would receive.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Luke cleared his throat, preparing to introduce the products one by one, when suddenly the sound of mule bells came from afar again.

Luke suddenly turned around and met the eyes of the caravan leader who had just arrived.

"You're the Holy Knight Luke?!"

The caravan leader's face suddenly fell. This guy was the Holy Knight?!
"Are you here to trade at the market too?"

Luc looked at the caravan leader for a while, then suddenly burst out laughing.

Ezra.
Hey, we've got our first business tax payment!
(End of this chapter)