Battle of the Two Cities: Begins with the Mage

"Come here, freshly baked bread, fluffy and soft, and two pieces are only one trifarian silver coin."

"The vegetables specially provided by the farms outside the city are still stained with dew, so they are cheap and fresh."

"The freshly slaughtered Green Teeth Peak mutton is a special lamb for dragon and poultry. It's delicious and not expensive!"

"Beautiful crafts from Noxus, great variety at a great price!"

"..."

Early in the morning, vendors selling vegetables, raw meat, and cooked food shouted loudly in a specific area, greeting passers-by in a hurry.

It is located at No. 3, Jinsui Street, Xiongdu. There is an open space that is specially divided for daily trading and trading.

Because of its location and the services it provides, the locals call it the "Golden Harvest Market", which is a good name for both buyers and sellers.

At this time, facing the hazy morning sun, Ryan was walking slowly through the shops of the market.

He changed his attire in the past and put on a set of white robes provided by the O'Neill family today, and looked around constantly with inquiry and acceptance.

On the left shoulder of his white robe was embroidered a pattern, which was a badger with three silver lines on its forehead, standing in a human posture, surrounded by golden ears of wheat on both sides.

Among the people passing by, anyone with a little knowledge can recognize that this is the family crest of the Onions family.

Ryan didn't resent the constant stares they cast at him, many of them respectful and eager.

Gilbert O'Neill, eight officials in charge of people's livelihood.

It is undeniable that under its series of means, the life of the Demacians has been maintained at a very high standard.

There is almost no shortage of food, as long as Demacian citizens, even those who do not have a job, will receive a subsidy from the people's livelihood department.

Industrious Demacians disdain to get something for nothing. Although there are difficulties, they will go to the Ministry of People's Livelihood to ask for assistance, but when they become rich one day, they will give it back in full.

Among the people, the Onions family has a high reputation because of the Marquis of Gilbert.

The members of the Onions family are prosperous, but they have been secretly cultivated and told their missions since childhood. Therefore, they are humble and fair, and they are decent nobles, at least on the surface, they maintain the noble character of Demacia.

"Your Excellency, this is one of the big markets in Demacia. The locals call it the 'Golden Harvest Market'. Taxes are administered by the financial department, and grandpa is in charge of governance."

Beside Ryan, a young man dressed as a Demacian nobleman fell behind half a step and explained to him respectfully in a low voice.

The young man's name is Gladstone O'Neill. He is the most outstanding member of the younger generation of the O'Neill family. In the future, he is expected to follow the position of Marquis Gilbert and join the eight officials.

"It can be seen that the management is standardized, and it is very lively." Ryan nodded slightly, looking at the vendors and goods along the street with interest, "Are all transactions here in Trifalli currency?"

After watching for a while, he asked aloud.

There are two kinds of currency in Trifali, gold coins and silver coins, and silver coins are a supplement to gold coins, and the exchange relationship between the two is 1:100.

These coins all use magical anti-counterfeiting methods. The production line designed by Orianna and Victor uses Hex gemstones as an energy source, providing a steady stream of magic power and engraving a magic mark.

Since the introduction of Noxus-backed coins, it took little time for the rest of the world except Ionia to gain popularity.

Trade with Noxus using only gold and silver Trefary coins.

In the absence of any questions from the forces, naturally, in less than a year, everyone agreed with the way of buying and selling new coins.

Gladstone nodded: "There are two trading modes now, both the original silver coins and the Trifary silver coins can be used."

"But because there are all kinds of merchants here, they have business dealings with Noxus themselves, or they have dealings with their families, so they are more inclined to settle with Trefary coins."

After a pause, Gladstone added:

"If you use Demacian silver coins, it's generally more expensive than Trefary coins. There are 'banks' set up by Noxus here, and you can exchange gold, silver or local currency for Trefary coins."

Ryan nodded, and his eyes stayed on a meat stall with the price clearly marked on it.

"Green tooth peak lamb, 10 Trefary silver coins/kg, 100 Demacian silver coins/kg."

In the exchange price given by the bank, 10 Trefary silver coins are roughly equal to 50 Demacian silver coins. Although this price will fluctuate due to various factors, it generally remains within this range.

"For merchants, if you exchange a large amount, 80 Demacian silver coins can be exchanged for 10 Trifarian silver coins. Although you can pay a fee to exchange through Onions and other families, it is not cost-effective to receive Demacian silver coins." Reston stepped forward slightly and added in a low voice.

The subtext in his words made it very clear that the Onions family has always respected the will of the empire and used various means to promote the Trefary coin.

"The Empire will remember your efforts."

Ryan expressed his affirmation in a slow tone. He ignored Gladstone, who was overjoyed, but withdrew his gaze and continued to stare at the butcher shop just a little further away.

The price of 10 Trefary silver coins per kilogram is considered to be the most expensive kind of meat in Demacia.

But compared to the steppe cattle from Noxus, the price is much lower.

On the board on which the quotation was made was written:

"The Wasteland Sheep, Delicious Lamb from Noxus, 5 Trefary Coins/kg."

This price is not expensive...

Even if Victor's desert transformation project has begun, the desertification around the Immortal Fortress is too serious, and there are traces of magical experiments hidden in the ground, and it will be difficult to improve for a while.

Raising cattle and sheep in this desert is more difficult than raising them in the deserts of Shurima. At least, Shurima still has an oasis to look for.

Even in the immortal fortress, this kind of meat has reached the price of 1 Trefary gold coin/kg because of its rarity and preciousness.

But since the trade with Demacia was opened, most of the wasteland sheep were exported to Demacia at double the price.

When the O'Neill family invited Ryan to dinner yesterday, the steaks and meat soups they prepared came from the wasteland sheep and wasteland cattle.

In fact, the meat of these livestock is not good in taste, and the fat content is low, which makes the meat taste woody and astringent, far less plump than the lush mutton.

But it is strange that the wasteland cattle and sheep are very popular among the nobles of Demacia.

According to their words, the solid meat quality of dry wood is the most authentic taste of cattle and sheep.

In the short period of time that Ryan stopped to observe, he has seen many housekeepers of noble families, handing the stall owner many golden coins, and purchasing a large number of cattle and sheep from Noxus.

Ryan looked back with a smile, and suddenly asked behind him, "What kind of mutton do you like to eat?"

Seeing Ryan asking himself a question, Gladstone immediately became nervous, but when he noticed Ryan's casual attitude, he hesitated for a while, and replied skillfully:

"The two kinds of mutton are similar. I prefer chicken. I like the honey-grilled chicken made by the home cook Gail. You also tasted it at the table last night."

Ryan tapped his chin: "Nice answer."

After he finished speaking, he continued to lift his feet forward.

Gladstone followed behind, his eyebrows wrinkled slightly, but he was even more uneasy in his heart, thinking about whether the answer just now was really appropriate.

Maybe...he should have said that the Wasteland Sheep is better...but...that meat is really bad...

Moving forward, the colors immediately enriched. All kinds of bright colors were so rich that they almost overflowed from the display board. The sweet and fragrant breath continued to pour into the nose, reminiscent of the heat of summer.

The area that sells vegetables and fruits has arrived.

Demacia has fertile soil and plenty of sunshine, which is suitable for the growth of all kinds of melons and fruits.

Demacia undertakes 70% of the fruit and vegetable trade in Runeterra every year, starting from the western seaport, north to Freljord, and south to Shurima.

Veggies were still extremely expensive to ship there, and in Noxus, it was normal for vegetables to be more expensive than meat.

but...

"It turns out that this place is not so depressed, but for more than half a year of trading with Noxus, ordinary people in Xiongdu can no longer afford vegetables." Gladstone introduced at the right time.

"The planting land in Demacia is in the hands of the nobles. When they found that vegetables were the most 'tradeable' trade commodities, they began to send their stocks and freshly picked fruits and vegetables to Noxus."

It is for this reason that the price of local vegetables in Demacia has skyrocketed, and in Noxus, the price of vegetables has continued to fall because of the import source.

In less than half a year, the prices of fruits and vegetables in both countries are approaching the same level.

The average fruit and vegetable price of 30 Trefary silver coins/kg.

In the midst of lamentation and cursing, the people of Demacia had to reluctantly give up those pleasant-looking green cabbage. It is better to go to the tavern for a glass of mellow malt wine if you have the spare money.

But for a Noxian, the price is fair.

Due to the constant trade, Noxus' treasury is extremely full, and under the leadership of Swain, the salaries of those who serve the country have risen one after another.

This phenomenon is naturally a good thing for the people.

But from the point of view of a businessman, it is very unfriendly.

In the face of the state's high-tech, they must pay higher prices to attract the previous labor, which also makes many free traders miserable.

Such drawbacks are also obvious. In the long run, this model is not suitable for industrial development. However, in the future plan formulated by Ryan and Swain, the Noxians are more likely to occupy the strength and technological niche, not Do common, time-consuming, inefficient jobs.

What's more, Noxus is fundamentally different from other countries. This is an empire that advocates strength. The strength of strength is a symbol of a person's ability.

Therefore, in this land, no matter how much gold you have, it doesn't matter. Gold coins can at most improve your quality of life a little, but the most important strength has not fundamentally changed.

After all, there is no such thing as "exchange" between merit points and gold coins.

The source of merit points can only be obtained by serving the country, or by doing meritorious service for the country, and there are many benefits that merit points can be exchanged for. Entry opportunity.

It can be said that compared to gold coins, merit points are of great help to the improvement of personal strength.

Therefore, the merit point is more critical in Noxus, and it is more sought after by the Noxians.

Having said that, making money is always better than living a tight life. While pursuing strength, you must also ensure the matching of material life.

By then, not only fruits and vegetables, but the entire Runeterra will be the supply ground for all aspects of Noxus.

Looking at the Demacians who were in a hurry and kept coming and going, Ryan suddenly turned sideways and asked:

"How do you guarantee the lives of the Demacians in the future?"

In the planning of the Empire, a dynamic and positive Demacia is needed.

"Demacian." Gladstone had a headache. "We have always persuaded the nobles not to use reckless exploitation methods, but the benefits given by the empire are too high, and there are too many new things that can be bought."

In short, in the face of temptation from Noxus, the nobles focus on immediate interests rather than long-term plans.

"I don't want to hear that." Ryan shook his head slightly.

If O'Neill only has this level, he doesn't mind changing a group of people.

"We need time...when Ms. Laxana takes over, everything will be resolved." Gladstone felt cramped.

Onions is not a big family, it is difficult to have better means to face those bigger nobles.

Ryan withdrew his gaze without changing his expression, and didn't say much. Instead, he walked forward with Gladstone and entered the bank officially run by Noxus.

This is a towering and unusual black stone building, except that the entrance hall is used for currency exchange, and the upper floor is the place for living and accommodation.

And the people who can eat and live here will only be the mission of Noxus to Demacia.

Walking up the spiral staircase, you can see several little wizards coming and going from time to time. They wear small wizard robes and try to be solemn and mature for their age.

Their pace was about to move, trying their best to suppress the idea of ​​running, and their whole body exuded an unconcealed vitality.

Knowledge is more important than magic, and that's what Ryan taught his apprentices, and that's what future mages of Noxus would embrace.

"Squeak-"

As Ryan pushed open the door of a room, the sound of the discussion inside stopped abruptly, and dozens of pairs of eyes looked out the door.

"Teacher!? You are here!"

With a surprise on her face, Seraphine manipulated the stage and jumped to Ryan, giving him a warmer hug than Shurima's thorn fruit, with an undisguised look of joy that was as big as the neighbors. girl.

Such an image is rare. The current Seraphine is no longer the majestic look she once had in the Castle of Dawn. In front of the teacher, she will always be the most loyal little fan girl with bright eyes.

"The Shurima thing is over, I just came to check your homework." Ryan smiled slightly.

His eyes swept across the rest of the room.

From the expressionless Rael, the confused to ecstatic Ziben, and... well, the jealous Annie clutching the bear.

"Huh... Xiao Sa, calm down, calm down..." Seraphine patted her chest and calmed down her excited mind as quickly as possible. She quickly turned around, raised one arm, and introduced with a very respectful expression. :

"This is my teacher, as you think, the most honorable person in the empire."

Rael nodded seriously, with fighting intent and pursuit in his eyes. Obviously in her eyes, Ryan is the target she wants to chase and surpass.

Annie was a little different. She hugged the bear cub in her arms, buried her chin in its dark brown fur, exposed a pair of big blue eyes and looked at Ryan, timidly said: "Well, sister Seraphine's Hello, teacher!"

She had heard of Teacher Seraphine's reputation, but she didn't care. It was only because Seraphine respected that she felt that she had to show respect.

Ryan gave the little girl a friendly nod, now it was Ziben's turn.

He had already stood up, as if he had installed a spring, and gave Ryan a military salute respectfully, with a longing tone in his voice:

"I have seen your majesty! My father Bo Xue once accepted your advice. He often talks about this matter. He thinks it is the luckiest thing in his life."

"You will be as good as your father." Ryan nodded slightly.

When the Meredith Chamber of Commerce was established, Bo Xue helped him a little, and they also sat together and talked about business.

For the cause of the empire, Ziben's father was the most exemplary of the businessmen.

After the Trifali Council came to power, Bersue donated 30% of the Chamber of Commerce to the Trifaris Council. This was also a move that allowed Bersue's Chamber of Commerce to dominate the Immortal Fortress.

"Your Majesty, who is behind you?"

Ziben saw a young man standing behind him~www.readwn.com~ and saw that Seraphine obviously wanted to say a lot, so she simply asked her doubts bluntly.

"The next heir to the Onions family, you can have a chat with him. Seraphine told me some of your thoughts, which are very helpful to the empire. Onions can give you a stage."

After Ryan said it lightly, he saw Ziben stick it up eagerly, put his arms around Gladstone's shoulders, and pulled him out the door with the kindness of a long-time friend, and the parents chatted briefly.

Annie saw the look from Seraphine, and the corners of her lips curved down with some reluctance, but she still did not refuse. She rolled her eyes and said to Rael next to her:

"Magic competition, come or not!"

"it is good!"

Rael replied succinctly and followed Annie out the door.

After everyone left the house, Seraphine's expression became serious:

"Teacher, that book...is it a seduction scroll?"