Inherit the estate! Then raise monster girls!

"Sniff..."

Seraya doesn't look like aquatic products; she looks more like a dog.

She wrinkled her nose slightly, and without caring about anything else, she started sniffing Su Lan.

From the center of the forehead, the tip of the nose to the chin, and finally the neck.

Her jet-black hair swept across her cheek, making Su Lan feel ticklish.

This confirms it: there's no magic cannon, but there are two airbags.

He was glad he had brushed his teeth and taken a shower that morning.

No, this isn't the time to talk about this!

Seeing that Seraya was going too far, Su Lan couldn't hold back any longer and pressed her forehead, forcefully pushing her away.

"What a strange taste, it's kind of like me..."

Seraya didn't resist. She muttered something, took a half step back, and stared intently into Su Lan's eyes.

"Is this a unique way seafood greets each other? They're really taking themselves for granted!"

Su Lan mentally complained, but on the surface she didn't back down and smiled as she met Seraya's gaze.

After a few seconds of stalemate, Seraya was the first to withdraw her troops.

"Inside are a specific medicine for marine hematuria and a soil-improving agent, half of each. How about that, is that enough?"

She nimbly sat back down in her chair, acting as if nothing had happened.

The incident happened so suddenly that Su Lan couldn't think of a way to deal with it, so she simply pretended that nothing had happened.

"Thank you for your generosity. This is very timely; I was just having this problem."

He pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Seraya.

"Black Reef Fjord will reward every kind guest equally. Your boat has run aground? My place may be small, but we have enough basic carpentry and blacksmithing skills. Repairing your boat is not a problem."

Seraya gave Su Lan a look that said, "You're a smart kid," but without thinking, she rejected the suggestion to repair the ship.

"We don't need to repair the ship. I have men with me. We just need some supplies, at market price."

This deal was actually very profitable.

Not only did I get a box of potions for free, but I also got to sell a lot of materials for free, which greatly improved the territory's economic situation.

But now is not the time to make money.

Su Lan resumed negotiations, and after a moment's thought, said, "Very well, the level of your Free Federation's craftsmen is indeed higher, but..."

He then changed the subject.

"I need to send someone aboard to assess the extent of the damage so that materials and facilities can be arranged as soon as possible, allowing your ship to resume sailing more quickly."

Leaving this place as soon as possible was indeed important to Seraya, and she hesitated.

However, considering that the little ones who had just been rescued in the cabin should not be exposed, Seraya declined again.

"To be honest, the damage to the Storm Swallow did not come from the reef, but from an 'alien' place at sea, carrying the power of pollution, which ordinary craftsmen could hardly do anything about."

Nobles are all afraid of death and cherish their lives very much.

If we bring up foreign lands, the lord will surely back down and won't risk contamination by sending people up there.

Seraya was certain of herself.

Unexpectedly, Su Lan didn't fall for it at all.

It's just pollution, it's not fatal. He's going to die anyway, what's there to be afraid of?

Su Lan shook her head, staring into Seraya's brown pupils, and leaned forward.

"If it's a foreign land, I need to go up and assess it even more, because it concerns the safety of all my people. I don't want to wake up one day to find my territory in ruins."

"Huh?" Seraya was taken aback, exclaiming in surprise without realizing it, then cleared her throat:

"Don't blame me for not warning you, eradicating pollution is extremely expensive for ordinary people, even if you give up your entire territory, it won't be enough."

"If I'm not enough, how can they be?"

Su Lan smiled slightly, stood up, and saw the guest out: "Let's set it for tomorrow. It'll be a pleasure doing business with you."

These were all reasonable requests, and a firm refusal would seem too deliberate. With reservations, Seraya didn't say anything more and could only agree.

"It's been a pleasure doing business with you. See you tomorrow. You're unlike any other noble I've met."

She left a message, got up, and left.

It was inevitable that this strange lord would board the ship, but it wasn't a big problem. All we had to do was find a reason to keep him away from the core area.

With that thought in mind, Seraya quickened her pace.

She needs to go back and give some instructions, and also settle her collection.

……

the other side.

Su Lan summoned the housekeeper.

"Reed, how's the census project I assigned you going?"

"I was just about to report to you," Reed said, briefly recalling:

"The three guards, including Bod, are in town every day, but the progress is much slower than expected. It will take about another week."

Su Lan nodded in understanding.

"Leaving aside ordinary people, what about the registered artisans?"

"As you instructed, we offered a one-year tax exemption, but only three people came."

Three people...

There happened to be three shops in the town: a blacksmith's, a carpenter's, and a leatherworker's.

They probably knew they couldn't avoid it, so they registered.

Su Lan clicked her tongue.

These people, who have some skills, keep them hidden. Are they so afraid of being drafted?

He has absolutely no authority as a lord.

"Back in my hometown, how many copper coins does it cost to hire a craftsman?" Su Lan asked.

"A regular craftsman earns 40 copper coins a day," Reed replied, offering his suggestion.

"You want to help Seraya repair her ship? According to the kingdom's laws, the people are the lord's private property, so you don't actually need to pay copper coins."

Su Lan was sent here as a bargaining chip in a political deal. She retained her title of baron, but had very few gold coins.

This is indeed the best solution at present.

But Su Lan had more to consider.

Black Reef Fjord is a special place of exile for the kingdom, and there's a chance it might be hiding a few professionals.

Those subjects are nominally Su Lan's property, but if he really treats them as free labor, he will probably die mysteriously like the previous lords before long!

At this stage, winning over the hearts and minds of the people is of paramount importance.

"Reed, draft a notice and advertise it at the tavern. Say that a wealthy merchant from Villand needs men to repair ships. Register at the lord's manor and you can start working. As for the pay..."

Su Lan pondered for a moment: "Craftsmen receive 1 silver coin per day, and farmers receive 40 copper coins, paid daily."

"This..." Reed's brows furrowed for the first time:

"Lord Su Lan, if I may be so bold, we only have three gold coins left in the account, and we need to use them to build a guard and clear out monsters. Isn't that a bit...?"

"It was my fault for not being clear. Add a clause to the notice: there may be foreign contamination, and you will be responsible for the consequences."

Su Lan was thinking about something else.

He not only needs to use this opportunity to establish his prestige, but also to select a group of capable people as the foundation for his future team!

As for gold coins...

There isn't any now, but the money will come when we board the ship tomorrow.

He's already got Seria's scales, so they're practically family. He's sure she won't refuse this small request!

Reed wanted to say something more, but seeing the lord's resolute attitude, he didn't dare to persuade him any further.

……

Inside the town's only tavern, the men gathered after a long day's work.

"How was your day?"

"Damn it, didn't catch a single fish, what bad luck! How about you?"

"Stop talking! There's not a soul in sight near the shore. It must be cursed!"

The two clinked glasses and cursed the heavens together when a voice suddenly reached their ears.

"Have you seen the notice at the entrance of the lord's manor? Our new lord is hiring."

Attracted by the loud voice, everyone turned to look at the speaker.

The man wasn't intimidated at all. He put one foot on the chair, picked up his rum, and downed it in one gulp: "Hey, 40 copper coins a day, more than double the pay, that's really generous. I'm thinking of giving it a try!"

"Aaron, that place is polluted! Are you crazy? I'm not going!"

"Life?" Aaron glanced at him dismissively. "What's life compared to money? It's paid daily anyway, as long as he doesn't renege on his debt!"

"I'm afraid you'll earn it but not live to spend it!" the man said, pursing his lips.