“These clothes are amazing. Are they really just 1 silver coin each?”
In the square, in front of a row of clothes racks, a middle-aged woman asked in disbelief.
She had her eye on a cotton coat. It looked a bit worn but wasn’t torn and was very thick.
To this middle-aged woman, such a coat was something she had never seen before. Although the style seemed a bit odd, this oddness strangely appealed to her.
The style wasn’t the most important thing.
In this world’s winter, many people would freeze to death. For ordinary people, nothing was more important than warmth.
Therefore, the thickness of the coat was what truly impressed the middle-aged woman. It was not only thick but also quite soft. Such a cotton coat was simply perfect.
Her heart was filled with unprecedented excitement.
And amid her excitement, she couldn’t help but be a bit incredulous that such a good-quality coat was only 1 silver coin!
“Do you have a resident certificate?”
A staff member in charge of sales asked after hearing the middle-aged woman.
“Yes, I do. My family has always lived here.”
The middle-aged woman quickly produced her resident certificate.
Seeing it, the staff member said, “With a resident certificate, you can buy the coat for 1 silver coin each. You can buy two pieces for each family member, but you can’t buy more. Also, you can’t buy a second piece for yourself until everyone in your family has one.”
Fred had detailed Richard’s instructions to account for the practical situation.
This was to prevent some people from buying two pieces for themselves before buying for the elderly in their family. Though they are few, such people do exist.
“Really just 1 silver coin? That’s wonderful!”
The middle-aged woman’s face showed extreme excitement.
She was indeed one of the original residents of Richard’s territory, having lived there for generations. And, naturally, she was also impoverished for generations.
The earnings from a year of hard work barely covered her family’s food, let alone buying clothes, which might take years or even over a decade to afford.
Clothes were handed down from grandparents to parents and then to the next generation, which were heavily patched.
But since Richard became the lord, there had been a lot of construction and employment opportunities for both men and women, with the territory’s people receiving wages and meals.
This made the residents very happy.
The middle-aged woman and her family of three worked for Richard, cherishing the opportunity and working diligently every day to avoid being fired for not working hard enough.
As a result, over the past few months, the family had accumulated some assets. They weren’t wealthy, but they had some spare money.
She had originally planned to save up to buy winter clothes.
However, winter clothing was generally very expensive. She worried that a few months’ savings wouldn’t be enough and had planned to buy slightly thinner clothes and add some scraps or crushed dry wood to keep warm.
Who would have thought that the lord would release so many clothes!
And such good-quality clothes!
The middle-aged woman was overjoyed!
In fact, others around her were equally thrilled!
“The lord is so good to us!”
After her surprise, the middle-aged woman began to cry as she continued selecting clothes.
The tears being shed were not out of sadness. They were more like tears of joy and emotion!
And it wasn’t just the middle-aged woman. Nearby, many other residents were also moved to tears as they selected clothes.
【Oh my god, actors, are you so moved that you cry?】
【Touched by the scene in another world?】
When the old clothes started being sold, Richard had a camera set up to automatically film the square, capturing many people moved to tears.
This quickly stirred up some controversy in the live chat.
【I don’t think they’re just pretending for the anchor; the anchor isn’t even here.】
【Yeah, don’t judge from our perspective. In that environment, these old clothes released by the anchor really could save many lives.】
【Exactly, I think their emotions are genuine.】
【It’s a pity the anchor doesn’t pay attention to us; otherwise, we could each send a few unwanted clothes or shoes.】
【Yeah…】
【It’s really touching to see people in another world still struggling to live while I’m just wasting time. Sigh, it’s time for a change.】
【Come on, I guarantee you’ll stay the same in a few days~】
【Life is hard!】
【Hard? It’s just me being bored with collecting tens of millions in rent each month. What are you even talking about?】
【Wow, it sounds like you’re just daydreaming. Why don’t you donate 100 super rockets to the anchor and we’ll believe you.】
【Fine, I’ll donate!】
[Ten Building Prince] sent 666 super rockets! Comment: Here’s a month’s rent. Keep it up!
【Awesome!】
【It seems you can’t mess around in the anchor’s chat; there are really rich people here~】
【Looking up to the big shots!】
【…】
In the live chat, most viewers believed the residents’ emotions were genuine.
There were also viewers who challenged a real wealthy person, resulting in Richard receiving a significant donation.
“The lord is so generous.”
“Yes, such good clothes for just 2 silver coins, and for residents, only 1 silver coin. Father, you should learn some useful skills… yes, skills, to become a resident as soon as possible.”
“Hmm!”
“We’re also trying to become residents. I heard it’s easier for those who can read. After work, we should frequently visit the library and not be stingy with buying newspapers, as they teach reading.”
“That’s great! With these clothes, we won’t have to worry about winter anymore.”
“…”
The square was crowded with people.
But today, only residents could select clothes. Non-residents could only watch from the outside.
Of course, there were so many clothes that the residents couldn’t buy them all. Some non-residents watched the residents selecting clothes, each showing envious expressions.
In Richard’s territory, registered residents enjoyed much better treatment than non-residents. But once you became a resident, the restrictions were significantly greater.
For example, if a resident went to another lord’s territory, they would be restricted, and even wages earned working elsewhere had to be partially handed over to their own lord.
Currently, nearly half of the Northeast region’s people had come to Richard’s territory. Those who hadn’t come, except for the elderly and children, were basically the subjects of other nobles.
Of course, the situation was special now. Some nobles turned a blind eye to their residents coming to Richard’s territory, which resulted in a significant influx of people.
Seeing that Richard’s residents were selecting clothes at lower prices, all non-residents were quite envious. With soldiers maintaining order, the square was crowded but orderly.
Non-residents watched enviously while discussing in low voices. But no one thought Richard’s rules were wrong.
In fact, 2 silver coins still seemed quite cheap to non-residents.
Both residents and non-residents felt Richard was incredibly generous, providing them with benefits and helping them through the winter!
So, for a time, everyone in the territory who saw these clothes praised his generosity and kindness!
Of course, residents were even more loyal to Richard. Non-residents were determined to become residents quickly, not only for better treatment but also to repay Richard’s kindness to them.
“Count Richard, you must sell me some of these clothes!”
The commotion in the square had naturally not escaped the notice of the nobles.
Count Zane was also in Florencia City these days.
As the nominal governor of the Northeast Province, he spent at least half of each month in Florencia City, making him quite the hands-on governor.
Of course, even though nobles had many territories, even a governor couldn’t manage a noble’s private domain.
In a vast and sparsely populated province like the Northeast Province, there are not many matters to manage. When Count Zanelearned about the matter of clothes, he sought out Richard the next day, hoping to buy a batch of them.
From Count Zane’s perspective, those clothes seemed quite good. Some of them were even of better quality than the winter cotton clothes worn by nobles.
The only downside was the lack of exquisite embroidery. If those clothes were selected and adorned with some elegant embroidery, they would likely be well received by the nobles.
Of course, Count Zanewas also considering his own residents, planning to buy some to distribute among them and then have them repay for the clothes over time. His residents were not as well-off as those in Richard’s territory.
As for non-residents… most had already left, having moved to Richard’s territory.
In fact, not only Count Zane came, but nobles living in Florencia City also came. One by one, they begged Richard to sell them some old clothes.
Richard did not refuse.
“There are still clothes available, but they won’t arrive for some time. These clothes are a benefit for my residents. If you want to buy, you’ll have to wait until next month; after all, winter hasn’t arrived yet.”
Richard told Count Zaneand the other nobles.
Upon hearing his words, the nobles felt a bit disappointed, as they could not buy them immediately.
However, Richard’s mention of next month gave them a specific timeframe and hope.
“Your status might make those clothes seem a bit modest. I’ve prepared some other clothes for you.” Richard added.
Immediately, whether it was Count Zane or the other nobles, their eyes lit up with anticipation.
The nobles who survived the uprising in the Northeast Province were not foolish.
Although they enjoyed various delicacies in Florencia City and spent lavishly, they also seized business opportunities, setting up trade caravans to buy goods from Florencia City and sell them in the southern regions or other provinces, making quite a bit of money.
So, they eagerly awaited Richard’s new and interesting items.
Firstly, they could enjoy them themselves. Secondly, they could sell them elsewhere.
For instance, bicycles had recently become a favorite among these nobles. After learning to ride them in a few days, they joyfully rode around everywhere. Now, hearing that Richard had other clothes, they were all excited.
【Ha ha, they look like lambs waiting to be slaughtered!】
【A major slaughterhouse scene.】
【Suddenly, I feel a bit sorry for these nobles. They work hard for their money, only to give it all to the anchor.】
【Feel sorry for them? They’re getting things in return, aren’t they?】
【The anchor is so awesome that the nobles have all become his employees!】
The new day’s live stream had just begun, and viewers were amused once again by the expressions on the nobles’ faces.
In Florencia City, amid the nobles’ eager gazes, another world’s winter essential, the down jacket, made its grand appearance.
Richard presented a black long down jacket. The style wasn’t avant-garde and was actually rather conservative by another world’s standards. However, this style looked quite elegant and dignified.
As soon as they saw the down jacket, the nobles in the room showed curious expressions.
“Count Richard, what kind of clothes are these?” Count Zaneasked curiously.
“Try them on.” Richard said.
It was already autumn, and Count Zane was still wearing a woolen vest. At Richard’s invitation, he took off the vest and put on the down jacket.
The moment he put it on, Count Zane felt… quite hot!
Yes, it felt hot now, but in winter, such clothing would undoubtedly be very warm.
“Come, look in the mirror.”
Richard then led Count Zane to a mirror-lined wall.
This mirror wall had long been the envy of many nobles.
Richard’s mirrors were quite expensive, with larger ones costing more. These nobles had spent quite a few gold coins to buy mirrors that could reflect their entire bodies.
But Richard had quite a few mirror walls in his reception room alone, which made these nobles envious.
In front of the mirror, Count Zane saw his own reflection. Wearing the black down jacket, he looked unexpectedly dignified.
Moreover, he felt… he seemed to appear much younger!
Although this style seemed conservative in another world, it was quite fashionable here. Count Zaneappeared younger and more spirited in the down jacket.
And it was very light. Not at all like the thick and heavy winter cotton clothes they usually wore.
So, Count Zanewas almost instantly taken with it.
The other nobles, seeing Count Zanewearing it, were also intrigued, even though they hadn’t tried it on themselves yet.
Richard observed the nobles’ heights and sizes, then brought out down jackets for each of them to try on.
Soon, all the nobles were dressed in down jackets.
One by one, they went to the mirror wall in the reception room, looked at themselves in the mirror, and felt extremely satisfied.
“These clothes are amazing; they’re so light.”
“Yes, after wearing them for just a short while, I already feel hot. If it’s winter, they will definitely be very cozy.”
“The style is good too; it would be even better with some embroidery.”
“…”
The nobles said one after another.
【Looks like they’ve been hooked.】
【Such down jackets probably cost over a thousand yuan each. The anchor should price them high; at least a hundred times profit!】
【Right, who else but the nobles should be fleeced?】
【…】
In the live chat, viewers began to comment loudly.
Then they saw Count Zane finally take off the down jacket, holding it in his hands with a satisfied look, “Count Richard, how much is this jacket?”
Richard replied, “100 gold coins each.”
Hearing the price, a few nobles flinched.
However, Count Zane, perhaps due to having earned a fair amount recently, didn’t flinch despite finding it expensive.
“100 gold coins is a reasonable price for this.”
Count Zanesaid after some contemplation.
【Indeed, I underestimated the anchor.】
【A thousand-yuan jacket selling for a hundred thousand… The anchor is ruthless.】
【Ha ha, I like it.】
【…】
In the live chat, Richard’s price instantly sparked a lot of discussion.
Count Zane was ready to buy immediately. Moreover, he wasn’t just buying for himself.
“Count Richard, do you have any women’s versions of these jackets? I’d like to buy one for my wife and my daughter as well.” Count Zane asked.
“Of course, we have women’s versions.”
Richard could provide as many as he wanted.
Hearing this, Count Zane immediately had his steward get the money.
Other nobles, upon hearing the price of 100 gold coins each, hesitated briefly, but soon, several wealthy nobles were also reaching for their money.
Among nobles, such hesitation is common when alone, but when gathered together, comparison is inevitable.
Especially since these nobles had recently made quite a bit of money from trade. Some barons who invested heavily in carriages even had more money than viscounts.
With more money, they naturally spent more freely.
Otherwise, an ordinary baron, with an annual income of just over a hundred gold coins, would not spend a hundred coins on a single piece of clothing.
So, these nobles ended up spending a significant portion of their trade earnings. As the viewers had commented, they ended up working for Richard.
Of course, they weren’t getting nothing in return; they would enjoy the practical benefits of the down jackets and the vanity they brought!
On that day, non-residents also began purchasing the old clothes.
Although there was a large quantity of the first batch of old clothes, they were sold out by the next day.
Richard had recouped a significant amount of the gold coins he had spent recently.
Now, his expenses were considerable. He had to spend nearly three hundred gold coins daily.
After all, there were nearly three hundred thousand people in his territory now.
If this were before his transmigration, paying the wages for thirty thousand people a day would be terrifying. With a monthly salary of three thousand, it would be thirty million a day, equivalent to three thousand gold coins.
The salary level in this world is far lower, less than one-tenth of another world.
Even with such high expenses, Richard’s gold coins were still increasing rather than decreasing. He was accumulating more and more gold coins.
The constant arrival of trade caravans contributed a large amount of gold coins.
Now, trade caravans from other provinces had also increased, especially from those not affected by rebel uprisings.
After the first batch of old clothes was sold out, the next batch would take a bit more time to arrive.
Richard wasn’t in a hurry.
After selling this batch of old clothes, Richard’s prestige among the residents of his territory reached an unprecedented level. Whenever he appeared in the city, every resident would bow and pay their respects with genuine admiration.
Everyone’s gaze towards Richard was filled with respect and reverence!
A large number of people threw themselves into their work with exceptional enthusiasm. Many were very ambitious, spending their time after work in the library.
The entire territory was bustling with a fervent and vigorous atmosphere.
After this period of high energy, the construction of Florencia Pass on the plains was finally completed.
The city walls connecting both sides of Florencia Pass were also extended up the mountain, and Richard planned to continue these walls along the border, aiming to build a Great Wall-like structure.
This was a necessary precaution.
Not all demi-humans are like the Minotaurs, Centaurs, or Fox people.
The demi-humans’ world is chaotic. There are too many different races and tribes. Some demi-humans don’t even consider other races of demi-humans to be their kin.
In such circumstances, if Richard wanted to live in harmony with any potential demi-humans moving south or use them for his purposes, these precautionary measures were essential.
Sufficient military strength was necessary to negotiate with them and to maintain control over the demi-humans.
After completing Florencia Pass, Richard had the construction continue.
At the same time, a large town, or rather a marketplace, began to be built behind Florencia Pass, prepared for future trade with the demi-humans.