Work Prophet
Chapter 363 - 121 This donation is way too generous!

Chapter 363: Chapter 121 This donation is way too generous!

The first batch of paper and linen sold for a total of eight hundred gold coins, which came just in time; another week and Li Yu’s savings would have run out.

In this period, he had launched over twenty construction projects, big and small, and with the expenditures of missionary work, nearly emptied the coffers of the Double Rest Sect.

However, the impact of these expenditures was quite evident; now, the sect’s territories were bustling with production everywhere.

Moreover, with the paper mill and textile factory commencing operations, the Double Rest Sect finally had its own industry, capable of steady profits and no longer relying solely on Li Yu selling items from another dimension to cover the deficits.

It was a good start; unlike the common belief that missionaries should remain austere and keep away from money, Li Yu always held that the economy was the foundation of everything, including the Church.

Whatever the activity, it required financial backing; only with money in one’s pockets could more be accomplished.

And Li Yu was not the only one holding this view, although on the other side, the means of acquiring money were somewhat unsightly.

There had been rumors that His Majesty the Emperor planned to erect a gigantic bronze statue of the Life Goddess in the central square of the Royal Capital, and to raise funds for its construction, all the nobles of the Empire were to donate money.

Now, these rumors had come true.

An envoy from the Royal Capital had arrived in the western territories about six days ago, bringing the Emperor’s orders that each major family in the west must contribute donations corresponding to the size of their lands.

Upon receiving the order, Ireya had stayed up all night calculating and was so furious she turned green.

The Arias family’s land size ranked well among the western nobles, but aside from its size, it had hardly any advantages.

One-third was occupied by marshland, not to mention they had suffered from raids by the lizard people, and the territory itself had no special produce.

Before Li Yu’s arrival, the girl remembered her family’s annual income being only around a hundred gold coins, and now the envoy from the Royal Capital was demanding two thousand gold lions, an amount the Lady simply could not accept.

If not for the windfall from successfully slaying a dragon, Ireya doubted she would have ever seen such a large sum of money.

The more she thought about it, the angrier Miss Rabbit became; she didn’t eat or sleep, instead ordering her carriage be prepared to head straight to Rock Snow City.

As it turned out, her actions were not the fastest; upon arriving at Rock Snow City, she found that envoys from several families had already gathered, all there to protest the donation.

However, it seemed the envoy from the Royal Capital knew he had incurred public wrath; as soon as he announced the Emperor’s order, he hid inside the Marquis Mansion, ignoring all slander from outside, and refused to show his face again, clearly intending to turtle up.

Yet his good days came to an end with the arrival of the Lady.

This time, the girl brought with her the Holy Artifact of the Double Rest Sect, and upon seeing that the envoy was not leaving the premises, she promptly took out the electronic megaphone.

She turned it up to the highest setting and protested outside the Marquis Mansion, and Miss Rabbit efficiently used the recording feature, allowing the guards to continue holding and looping the playback when she grew tired.

And she went to find a place to eat.

But after only half a day of shouting, the people inside couldn’t hold out anymore; Marquis Kuren himself sent people to invite the young woman inside.

"Sir Ireya, if you have any demands, you can tell me directly; please stop shouting outside," the old Marquis said, appearing somewhat haggard, presumably also troubled by the matter in this period.

The Lady did not mince her words and got straight to the point, "Donating is just absurd. As a follower of the Double Rest Sect, I don’t even acknowledge the so-called Life Goddess. Why should I donate money to build a bronze statue for her?

"Besides, even if I were to donate, isn’t the amount they’re asking for way too much? Two thousand Gold Coins? Even bandits aren’t that ruthless."

"How much do you want to donate then?"

"One hundred, no, fifty Gold Lions, not a single coin more."

"..."

Marquis Kuren had yet to say anything when a voice sounded from behind the girl, "Fifty Gold Lions is too little. As the Dragon Slayer Hero personally appointed by His Majesty, you can’t fail to show the Emperor any respect."

Miss Rabbit turned her head and was initially startled to see who it was, then she sneered, "I was wondering who would be so devoid of conscience, wishing to strip the West dry. It turns out to be you."

Leo responded with a bitter smile, "Do you think I want to take on this thankless task? When the Emperor needs to raise funds, all we, his subjects, can do is carry out his orders. What else could we possibly do?"

"Rebel, then. With so many important figures in the Royal Capital, isn’t there a single one who’s brave enough to tell the Emperor that he’s wrong?" the Lady frowned.

"By now, nearly all the nobles in the Royal Capital are followers of the Life Goddess," Leo reminded her.

"Then let them pay for it themselves, to build a bronze statue for their god."

"In fact, they have indeed contributed, and quite a bit at that. Taking the Imperial Family as an example, they have put forth no less than fifty thousand Gold Coins..."

"Aren’t fifty thousand Gold Coins enough to construct a statue?"

"If it was just the statue being made, then indeed, that amount of money would be sufficient. But the Emperor wishes to build another Sky Temple for the Life Goddess right next to the statue, with a gold dome and gemstone courtyard walls. It’s already half-built... but they’ve run out of money.

"This is why the Emperor is in such a rush to solicit donations."

After hearing this, Ireya found it utterly ridiculous and turned to look at Marquis Kuren, "Surely you wouldn’t pay for such nonsense, right?"

However, Marquis Kuren fell silent upon hearing her words.

Leo interjected, "The Figrola family has already paid their donations in full, totalling thirty thousand Gold Coins, not a coin short, setting an example for the other families of the West."

Then Marquis Kuren spoke again to explain to the Lady, "As for the issue with the Life Goddess, I’ve advised His Majesty several times already, resulting in a very tense relationship between us. Hence, this time, at least outwardly, I cannot go against his decree."

"Fine, if none of you want to say it, then let me." Ireya snorted coldly, "I will convince His Majesty to stop the construction of the statue and temple."

"Your courage is commendable, worthy of the heroine personally named by His Majesty," praised Leo, "But it’s a pity the Emperor won’t listen to you. In fact, this matter is somewhat related to you."

"Related to me, how so?"

"You had previously reported the Winged Men’s plan to invade the Bratis Continent to His Majesty. Afterwards, he consulted with the Green Robed Priest, and not long after, decided to begin constructing the statue and temple as a means to protect the Empire."

"Are you suggesting that the Emperor’s current worldwide fundraiser is actually because of me?"

"Well, not necessarily because of you, but you certainly played a catalyzing role in it."