Aililan’s brow furrowed.
Ginea had given her a reminder: one’s attitude toward demons could not be judged simply by “good” or “evil.”
Admittedly, there were scum among the demons, but were there any fewer perverts who preyed on their own kind among humans?
The current attitude of the demons was at least acceptable, and more importantly, she had not yet found a way to exterminate them. Unless the Demon Lands were sunk, demons would always exist.
Ginea waved her hand and sighed. “Do you know why we, the high-level demons, don’t particularly like war?”
“Why?” Aililan asked, puzzled.
“The reason is simple. After every war, a large number of the lowest-level Imps always emerge and become powerful Nightmare entities, thereby challenging us established demons. In the words of you humans, it is the emerging class challenging the old guard.”
“In all these countless years, have you demons never thought about developing your own civilization?”
“It’s hard to develop anything. Take us Succubi, for example. Do you expect a group of people who are naturally lecherous to develop culture? Or do you expect the bloodthirsty Horned Demons to develop a refined society?”
Aililan remained silent.
“Hey.” Ginea’s body suddenly leaned forward, and she licked the corner of her crimson lips. “Human Saintess, what do you think about expanding our trade scale by more than ten times?”
Aililan took a sip of black tea and said calmly, “That wouldn’t bring me any benefits, would it?”
Ginea puffed out her chest, her tone becoming enchanting. “How could there be no benefits? Aren’t you going to build a stronghold at the iron mine? You will certainly be attacked by a large number of Lesser Demons or Horned Demons. We will help you eliminate one low-level demon in exchange for one sheep. What do you think of that proposal?”
Aililan set down her teacup, rolled her eyes, and said half-seriously, “You demons don’t really think I’m greedy for that bit of iron ore, do you?”
Ginea blinked in surprise. “Is that not the case?”
Aililan let out a cold snort and sneered. “You must know that the internal pressure on the Sapiens’ side is immense, and they could explode and march south at any moment. The combat power of low-level demons is similar to that of human soldiers, so the iron mine is just a minor bonus. My true purpose is to train my troops.”
As Aililan finished speaking, Ginea’s red lips parted slightly. After opening and closing them several times, a look of sudden realization flashed in her eyes.
The guesses she and her mother had made were wrong. Even the high-level demons who thought they were taking advantage of the trade seemed to have guessed wrong.
This was not about profit; it was simply because she wanted to train her troops?
Watching Ginea’s reaction, Aililan laughed inwardly.
‘So, why can’t it be both? I want the iron mine, and I also want to train the troops.’
But there was no need to show her true intentions to them.
Ginea straightened her body, her expression becoming unusually serious. “Saintess Aililan, I still have some matters to attend to within my clan, so I will take my leave now.”
This matter had to be discussed with her mother again.
Aililan merely waved her hand, signaling Ginea not to be in such a hurry.
Ginea asked cautiously, “Do you have something else?”
Aililan pondered for a moment before finally saying, “It’s not a big deal. We really don’t have any more cattle or sheep, and their growth cycle is too slow. The herding on the Orcs’ side isn’t something that can be resolved overnight.”
“So, I wonder if you would be interested in chicken, duck, fish, and pork?”
Ginea said happily, “Yes, of course we’re interested! As long as we high-level demons eat well, it’s enough if those below have something to eat so they don’t revolt against us.”
Aililan asked again, “What about grain and fruit?”
Ginea replied lackadaisically, “Sorry, we only like eating meat.”
“Eating meat? That’s quite a feat. As far as I know, your Demon Lands don’t have the conditions for raising livestock or herding, do they?”
“Who would bother raising those things? If we had the time, we Succubi might as well go and find a few more people to have fun with.”
“Then how do you survive?”
“Big demons eat small demons, and small demons eat even smaller demons.”
Aililan thought to herself, ‘Amazing.’
After the two of them discussed things for a while longer, Ginea stood up to leave, her figure disappearing into the snowy night.
Regarding the matter of expanding the trade scale, Aililan had her own thoughts.
The chicken, duck, fish, and pork served another purpose: to create an economy for the people under her rule.
But she also had to guard against the demons.
It could only be said that opportunities and risks existed side by side.
Aililan stood up and walked to the window. Several maids immediately came forward to serve her, draping a woolen cloak over the Saintess and bringing over a charcoal brazier.
“Is Yarandale back yet?”
“Reporting to the Lady Goddess, the Head Maid is staying overnight and won’t be back. If you have any matters, you can instruct us. We are also your most loyal maids.”
“Fine. Go and notify the Finance Chief, Grace. Tell her I want to have a meeting with her tomorrow. If there’s nothing urgent, don’t wander outside the city.”
The maid responded happily, “Alright.”
Aililan looked at the heavy snow outside.
She was thinking about something that might seem unimportant but was actually extremely vital.
Among her ideas regarding commerce and the economy, there were undoubtedly many.
She needed to consider a question: should the government step in to open various types of workshops, similar to the State-owned Workshops, or should they encourage merchants to develop commerce?
Both had their advantages.
The former could concentrate strength to accomplish great things.
The latter would allow merchant capital to flourish.
—
The next day, around 10:00 AM.
Aililan exhaled a breath of cold air and stepped down from the carriage. A Financial Officer immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Lord Grace is already in the Sixth Council Hall, waiting for you for quite some time.”
Aililan nodded. “Mhm.”
When she arrived at the Sixth Council Hall, Aililan discovered that many officials from the finance department were there, thinking the Saintess was about to announce something major.
Aililan scratched her head and said with a hint of apology, “I’m sorry. I didn’t have my maid explain clearly. Today, I only want to discuss some matters with Finance Chief Grace. Whatever you all were doing, go back to doing it.”
Most of the people present were high-ranking figures. Hearing Aililan’s words, they didn’t dare show even a hint of dissatisfaction and hurriedly cleared out the meeting room.
Before long, the room was empty.
The young maids serving them lit the charcoal brazier.
This wretched weather was far too cold. Aililan said to Grace, “You should come over too and get some warmth.”
Grace, who was usually cautious and meticulous, was somewhat surprised and said with pleasant surprise, “Such an honor… can I really?”
Aililan replied, “You can.”
The two of them sat around the brazier for a while.
Grace’s tense expression finally began to relax.
However, Aililan’s next question immediately made her back stiffen again.
“Finance Chief Grace, I have a question I would like to ask. Do you think it is better to build a large number of workshops in the official name, or is it better to support private commercial capital?”
Cold sweat broke out on Grace’s forehead as she wondered whether this was a trick question or an easy one.
After a good while, she finally spoke up with trepidation. “That depends on your goal, Saintess, and how long you intend to stay in Atester.”
Aililan asked, “What do you mean?”
Grace took a deep breath and analyzed, “The official establishment of a large number of workshops yields quick results in the short term. But if there isn’t a powerful person watching over them—and I mean, if you personally are not the primary ruler of Atester—within a few years, powerful and influential people will have a hundred ways to buy a State-owned Workshop for a single gold coin. Do you believe it?”
Aililan smiled.
She acknowledged that this was a predictable outcome.
Bribery, corruption, or embezzlement—this entire system had already been thoroughly dissected in her previous world.
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