"Thank you for your warm welcome."
Azel nodded with a polite smile. Although his attitude was normal, the response given by the residents was just the opposite.
"Really kind and very dignified. As expected of Prince Azazel!"
"Long live, Prince Azazel!"
"Long live, Prince Azazel!"
"... "
Hearing the cheers, Azel looked over with a suspicious expression. If it was just one time, he would have forgiven it. As for the second time, they actually looked suspicious. It seemed the villagers were hiding something.
Meanwhile, the village chief seeing the silent Azel hurriedly said, "Prince Azazel must be tired after the trip. How about taking a rest in my humble hut?"
"Okay." Azel answered briefly.
After walking for a while, they entered the biggest red brick house in the village. The architecture looks simple but comfortable. Plus the fresh air because of the many trees around, really makes people feel relaxed.
Without further ado, the head of the village immediately invited Azel and his entourage to a large room. There was a long table lined up and lots of chairs. Not only that, many local dishes are available on the table. Since it was already noon, they were welcomed for lunch.
Tasting the local cuisine, Azel silently nodded. As a foodie, he loves being able to enjoy many different kinds of dishes, especially this kind of signature dish.
'Maybe next time I should go around the Empire and try some of the local specialties?'
Azel thought while enjoying his food. After lunch, the knights and coachmen rested. While Azel and Camellia were in the living room enjoying a cup of tea. Of course to protect Prince's face, Camellia didn't dare to sit and stood behind Azel's chair.
After sipping the hot tea while enjoying the aroma, Azel glanced at the village head who was sitting across the table. The man looked nervous as he looked at him. The village head's wife didn't appear as they were currently discussing important matters. It was a matter of farming as well as seasonal taxes.
"If there's something you wanted to talk about, just say it. There's no need to hold back." Azel said casually.
"P-Prince Azazel...actually...actually the farmers are in trouble."
"Trouble?"
"As you heard before, the previous autumn the harvest wasn't very good. This spring, we fear the situation will be worse. So..."
"No need to hesitate, just say it."
"We… we want Prince Azazel to lower the taxes. I-If it continues like this, the farmers won't be able to survive," the village chief said in a nervous tone.
"Hmmm?" Azel raised his eyebrows.
"How much tax was set by the former Marquis?"
"That…" The village head looked doubtful. "That's 60%, Prince."
Hearing the middle-aged man's words made Azel who was enjoying tea almost choke.
'Shit! Isn't that too much?'
Azel cursed inwardly. But when thinking about medieval history in his previous life, the young man felt that the situation was somewhat natural. Even if it was 60% of the yield, in the Empire this could be considered less severe. While most nobles collect 50%, the ruthless ones can decide 70-75%.
After thinking about it for a long time, Azel felt that 25% was plenty. But because he was a little greedy, the young man asked, "How about 30%?"
Hearing Azel's words, the village chief shivered. In his opinion, the cold voice of the young man in front of him left him in a life and death choice. 30% tax? It must be a joke! After agreeing, he must be removed and replaced with a new one.
"You are too generous, Prince. If I may... 50% of the crop. A tax equal to 50% of the crop is enough." The village head said that. Even though it was still difficult, at least they could still live with such an outcome.
Azel stared at the village head with a blank expression.
'Isn't he stupid? I proposed 30% and he chose 50%? Don't they want more profits?'
After pondering, Azel finally made up his mind. At this moment, a 30% crop tax seemed unreasonable, so he could only increase it. Not that he wanted to but the young man was also not a hypocrite to refuse such benefits.
"40% tax, that's the final decision!" said Azel firmly. With a smile on his face, the young man continued, "Of course, I'll also try to solve the problems that interfere with the harvest."
The village chief immediately stood up and prostrated not far from Azel. While sobbing, the middle-aged man exclaimed, "Thank you very much for your kindness, sir! Even if gratitude isn't enough, the farmers will definitely work harder to make the harvest even better!"
"Stand up," Azel said in a relaxed tone.
After getting up, the village chief who had a red face and was excited respectfully asked, "May this servant leave for a moment, sir?"
"Go," Azel said curtly.
The village head immediately went to see his wife and started talking about something. When the village chief returned to the living room, his wife came out of the house. Seems to be spreading the word about the new taxes. Seeing that, Azel could only smile.
The villagers who flattered him must have a reason. Even though he felt a little used, Azel didn't mind at all. After all, he still received a lot of profit. He also felt a bit sorry for the villagers. The farmers looked so skinny, they looked like they were really short of food.
'As a good leader who wants to live a leisurely life, how can I starve the people? What if they go crazy and start a coup? Wouldn't that be even more troublesome?'
Azel was satisfied. Apart from receiving a lot of affection from the villagers, he made quite a profit.
But there is still a problem, and that is solving the agricultural problem. If he could expand his field, the 40% amount might be more than the previous 60% harvest amount. In other words, big profits!
"So what's the problem interfering with the harvest?" asked Azel who saw the head of the village sitting back on the chair across the table.
According to Azel, although their way of farming is still a bit old-fashioned, there's no serious problem. The method of planting and irrigation is still quite good. So only one thing remains. Must be a pest problem.
"It's a pest problem, my lord." The village head said respectfully, even a little embarrassed. Feeling useless in front of his kind master.
"What pests often attack?"
"There are some, my lord. However, the worst and most detrimental... must be the rats and grasshoppers!" said the village head, gritting his teeth.
"Hmmm..." Azel looked thoughtful.
'Rats and grasshoppers, huh?'
Thinking of the two creatures, Azel also agreed. Historically, locusts could be considered a plague because they could not be controlled. The abundance of locusts caused crop failure, causing hunger and death everywhere. Things that look simple, but can be dangerous.
As for the rats, Azel's eyes narrowed at the thought. If his guess was correct, he had the solution.
Azel thought about going around the village and farm first before deciding on anything. Apart from solving the pest problem, he had to prepare for agricultural development. Seeing the village chief, the young man smiled.
"Village head, how about taking me for a walk around the farm?"
****