Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 345 - 345 344 Tobacco Tycoon

Chapter 345: Chapter 344: Tobacco Tycoon Chapter 345: Chapter 344: Tobacco Tycoon “Master, we must continue to expand tobacco cultivation. The cigar factory has run out of tobacco,” Hans reported back to Wuyao Snake Manor.

As the Court Chief of the manor, whose power had been largely undermined by the Chancellor of Records, Charles, he now devoted himself to the cigar factory’s affairs.

Seeing the endless orders at the cigar factory, Hans had completely lost any sense of disappointment.

Now, he only wanted to manage this cash cow well for Russell. He no longer hoped for a greater role in his own life; instead, he hoped that Russell would appreciate all his hard work and give his grandchildren a chance to rise in the future.

His youngest grandson was already attending classes at the town’s Knight Academy with a group of age-appropriate children from the manor, with the tuition fees being covered by Russell.

This was the first batch of knight recruits that Russell was cultivating.

However, due to the limited conditions at Wuyao Snake Manor, they had been sent to the Knight Academy in the town for training. Through a process of survival of the fittest, a group of Armed Knights would eventually be cultivated to return to the manor, and even to the Blackflame Plains, to serve in the Knight Regiment.

Hans pinned all his hopes on his grandson.

“We cannot expand the scale of tobacco planting any further. If we grow more tobacco, there will be less food, which is not conducive to population growth,” Russell denied Hans’ proposal, “However, we can purchase a batch of tobacco from the Tributary River Mouth.”

Russell was not a rigid person.

Although Yu Long cigars held a high status, and the craft’s standards were set very high, it was not necessary to only use local tobacco from Glowing Valley for their production.

Transporting tobacco from outside the region could still be used to make the Yu Long cigars.

Of course.

This only applied to the White Dew Yu Long cigars. For the Cloud Mist and Frost series, he insisted on using the local Magic Power tobacco.

“All right, Master, I will entrust the merchant team from Fluorescent Castle to order tobacco from the Tributary River Mouth,” Hans complied.

“Remember, you must strictly control the craftsmanship. I do not want any flawed goods appearing on the market.”

“Yes, Master. Hans will personally inspect every batch of cigar production to ensure no flaws end up in circulation.”

“Not just that. The Dragon Riding Festival is approaching, and nobles from all over the country will flood into Glowing Valley. There will surely be many who wish to visit the cigar factory. You must prepare well for receiving them in advance.”

While speaking, Russell offered Hans some suggestions.

These generally included renovating the factory building, cleaning up, organizing uniform apparel, and having the female cigar rollers apply makeup to present a pleasant image. In short, it was crucial to make the nobles believe that every cigar they smoked was rolled by the delicate hands of young girls.

Promotion and gimmicks were indeed important.

But the quality of craftsmanship was equally important. Russell also asked Hans to hire a group of experienced smokers, particularly those who were a bit educated, to form a “laboratory” dedicated to researching which flavors of cigars were best to smoke.

How to air-dry the tobacco leaves, how to ferment the tobacco strands… Every advancement in craftsmanship could bring about positive changes.

Only by summarizing these unique techniques

could they completely monopolize the cigar market.

“Additionally, Hans, have the cigar laboratory also research cigarettes… Never mind, let’s not study that for now,” Russell thought for a moment and then dismissed the idea of introducing filtered cigarettes, deciding to fully exploit the profits of cigars first.

In the future, when Blackflame Plains was developed, he would move the cigar factory there.

Then, they would produce a variety of tobacco products—filtered cigarettes, slim cigarettes, flavored snuff, traditional rolled cigarettes, and so on.

“Master,” after finishing talking about the cigar factory, Hans brought up another matter, “Sir Charles mentioned that the Master needs a group of stonemasons to survey the hot springs area in Blackflame Plains for a future castle construction project?”

“Indeed,” Russell inquired, “Do you have any suggestions?”

“Yes, Master,” Hans said obsequiously, “Hans’ son, whom you’ve seen, the tall Hans who often works in the Cigar Courtyard, is very skilled in construction. If you need it, Master, I would like tall Hans to go to Blackflame Plains and assist you.”

“Tall Hans, eh,” Russell remembered the man, who indeed was a fine stonemason, “You speak with Charles and have tall Hans go over there.”

“Thank you, Master. Thank you so much.”

Serving a lord who was about to become a baron, Hans was bound to secure a position as a manor supervisor in the future.

That would place him much higher in status than an ordinary serf or craftsman.

When Hans left, content and satisfied,

Russell shook his head and chuckled. Now, his subordinates were all spirited, taking on more responsibilities without needing his prompting. They were vying for a favorable position in anticipation of the Blackflame Plains development.

Common folk like Hans, particularly those of serf origin, wouldn’t dare dream of attaining the title of a lordship.

What they aspired to was to become a servant by Russell’s side.

After all, the Blackflame Plains were vast, and there were certain to be many manors needing supervisors for management. And there would surely be a town to build, requiring a host of officials to govern it.

At the very least, they could wind up overseeing a mine or factory.

This was far better than farming the land from dawn till dusk.

“I definitely lack people around me at the moment. Fortunately, I have three Phantom Beast Knights for show, or else, as a future baron, I would just be an empty shell… ruling over a Warm Enclave with just over five thousand people.”

Even if the Fluorescent Fungi Family could support him,

The Glowing Valley couldn’t spare people either, with a population just over sixty thousand. They could provide money, but certainly not manpower.

“It doesn’t matter, after the celebration of my dragon-riding festival, some knights should swear fealty to me. Then, I’ll purchase some more serfs…” After pondering over miscellaneous matters for a while, Russell set those thoughts aside and focused on his cultivation.

Rustle rustle!

A group of knights arrived at Wuyao Snake Manor, led by Russell’s elder brother Roland, who looked suave riding his Nightmare Specter Horse.

“Russell.”

“Big brother.”

“I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“I was practicing. I have nothing else to do anyway.”

“Perfect timing, I actually came to seek guidance on swordsmanship.” Roland had been making frequent trips to Wuyao Snake Manor recently.

Ever since being awed by the Four Swords Flow Mystique, he had become completely obsessed with sword techniques. Moreover, after Russell’s advancement to a Flying Dragon Knight, his big brother couldn’t even muster jealousy and genuinely sought guidance from Russell as a teacher.

He dismounted and said with a smile, “Father is preparing for your dragon-riding festival, and he’s not going to the Snowfield for battle service anymore. It’s a good time to train.”

Baron Roman still had two and a half years of battle service to complete.

But such punishment was a mere trifle for the great nobles; even Red Castle wouldn’t be overly strict.

A symbolic few battles in the Snowfield each year, and it would be done.

The Flying Dragon Knights who came to supervise wouldn’t offend Baron Roman over such a small matter—especially when the Fluorescent Fungi Family now had two Flying Dragon Knights, nobody dared to offend Baron Roman lightly.

“Sure.” Russell wouldn’t be stingy with his teaching if his big brother wished to learn.

The two brothers started with the Dual Sword Style, laying a solid foundation in sword techniques for big brother Roland.

Eric, Grove, Katie, and others, hearing the news, also rushed over to participate in Russell’s teachings.

Teaching through learning.

For Russell, during the process of guiding them in their swordsmanship practice, he would occasionally realize an oversight he had previously missed. This allowed his already exquisite swordplay to subtly yet noticeably loosen up.

It seemed.

He was about to reach a new level in his swordsmanship!