Berserk, Total War: Second Son of Nobles

When Min Caier heard this, he was a little bit unbelieving, as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over his head.

He originally thought that the mine was at least following the most basic rules, but he didn't expect that these miners didn't even have a contract and were all illegal workers who "begged to work" as Fugger said.

"In the beginning, they were the ones who begged me to find me and let me work for them."

Fugger crossed his legs, and the cuffs of his silk shirt slipped down, revealing a gold bracelet on his wrist.

"Some of them are even fugitives. You have to know that they are all wanted criminals in the country. If they are sent back to the manor, they will probably be half dead."

As he spoke, he rubbed his thumb over his bracelet, his eyes drifting towards the family crest on the corner of the ceiling.

"But I am kindhearted. Seeing how pitiful they were, I accepted them all."

Min Caier noticed that there was always a faint sneer on the corner of his mouth when he spoke, and that smile was like a mask carved on his face.

"Even the miners who owed me money, I was merciful and allowed them to work to pay off their debts."

Fugger suddenly leaned forward.

"Isn't this good? It's better than throwing them to the manor owner. Those noble lords won't be as kind as I am."

He knocked on the table, and the silver sugar bowl on the coffee table made a small trembling sound.

The sound of birds singing could be heard outside the window. A few starlings were pecking at grapes on the balcony, forming a strange contrast with the stagnant atmosphere in the room. Walden saw that Minzer's clenched fists were trembling slightly on his knees, and his knuckles were turning white due to the force.

"Oh, it's because the parish school is really in a bad state recently."

Walden interrupted in time, with a deliberately relaxed tone in his voice.

"Most of the students don't have the money to pay tuition. Their parents are short of money. As you know, the bishop in the city won't allocate funds to us. If more students drop out, we will have no money and will have to farm on our own."

He took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Dark sweat stains had already appeared on the back of his linen shirt.

Fugger's expression eased a little. He picked up the silver teacup and took a sip, leaving a circle of dark red lip marks on the rim of the cup.

"In that case, as a businessman, I can give you some advice."

"The parish school can lower the tuition fees, and then expand the enrollment. Fifty people can still attend classes, or even a hundred people can still attend classes. With small profits but quick turnover, we can always make some money."

"Secondly, doesn't it say that indulgences can be sold?"

Fugger pulled out an indulgence from his sleeve, with complicated cursive characters printed on it?

"Why don't you get one of these? This piece of paper cost me twenty ducats in Padua."

He said as he shook the indulgence.

"How about this, I'll go to the printing factory in the city to print it, and you guys will be responsible for selling it, and we'll split the profits 50-50..."

The setting sun stretched their shadows very long. Walden and Minzer walked side by side on the way back to the town. The wild daisies on both sides of the road swayed gently in the twilight, and the dew-covered grass leaves occasionally stuck to the soles of their leather shoes.

"Minzer, I think what Fugger said is very right."

Walden suddenly spoke, with some hesitation in his voice.

"You can sell an indulgence for any price you want. Since the bishop in the city can sell it to citizens and wealthy businessmen, why can't we sell it to the country folk?"

His tone became softer and softer, as if he was talking to himself.

Min Caier stopped suddenly, and the heel of his boot hit the gravel road heavily, splashing a few sparks.

He turned to face Walden, and the afterglow of the setting sun cut his face into fragments of light and dark.

"Ask yourself,"

His voice was low but every word was as powerful as a hammer.

“Can that pile of scraps of paper really help the townspeople? Will their lives get better after they buy it?”

"Isn't this because you have no money?"

Walden tried to defend himself, his voice trembling with guilt.

"Who would do such a thing if they have money?"

"But even so!"

Min Caier suddenly raised his voice, startling a group of crows perched on the treetops.

They flapped their wings and flew over their heads, leaving behind a harsh noise in the twilight.

"Our situation is better than those miners. We have houses and land, no debts, and a relatively stable income."

His chest heaved violently, and the hem of his robe rustled in the night wind.

“Are we going to sell the last of our conscience to the devil just for some extra money?”

Walden was getting a little anxious at this point, and he said loudly:

"So what you're saying is that those bishops and archbishops who bought indulgences sold their souls to the devil, right?"

"Is not it!"

Min Caier punched the cracked trunk of the ash tree, causing a few dead leaves to fall.

"I'm telling you! Those noble bishops and various wealthy businessmen above are all demons who suck the blood of the people!"

Oh my god, you are so bold to say that.

Walden waved his hands quickly, looked around to make sure no one heard him, and lowered his voice:

"Alright, alright, why don't you just stop selling indulgences?"

His breathing became rapid and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Then expand the enrollment of parish schools and reduce tuition fees. That should be fine."

Meanwhile, in Fugger's manor, the fire was crackling in the fireplace.

The butler stood hunched over the oak desk, his quill moving across the parchment.

"Go to the city and ask the bishop where this Minzer came from."

Fugger was holding the newly signed loan shark contract, with fresh ink stains still on the edge of the parchment.

The cry of a night owl was heard outside the window, startling the mastiff that was gnawing on a bone in the yard.

Recent events have made Fugger feel very uneasy - rumors of a major reshuffle of domestic forces have spread like a plague, soldiers captured by Helderland have gathered together to become bandits after escaping, and some soldiers have even instigated a mutiny in the barracks, shouting stupid things like "A war with Midland will only sacrifice the lower classes".

Although he didn't think an ordinary clergyman could cause any trouble, he still gave a warning in the end:

"By the way, call a few people to keep an eye on Min Caier and report to me if anything happens."

The next morning, before the morning mist had dissipated, Minzer walked to the parish school as usual.

When he turned the corner, he caught a glimpse of three furtive figures out of the corner of his eye - they were wearing sloppy leather jackets, with short knives on their waists, and their boot heels deliberately made clicking sounds when they walked. The town was so small that he knew all the people who lived nearby, but this was the first time he had seen these ruffians.

After the bell rang, Min Caier deliberately went to the back alley to observe.

The three thugs were squatting and wandering nearby. When they saw him coming out of the alley, they immediately followed him, but always kept a distance from him.

Min Caier knew without guessing that it was Fugger's doing. Although the other party did not hurt him, Min Caier still felt a little angry about being followed like this.

Suddenly Min Caier had an idea and changed his route to head out of the town.

After walking about two or three miles, a camp surrounded by wooden fences appeared in Minzer's sight, and the flag of the Black Watch Mercenary Group fluttered in the sunset.

Min Caier rushed to the door in two steps and came to the guard at the door.

"Hello."

He gasped:

"There are robbers following me."