37 Money Talks

"And you're sure this will work?" Vernon asked. His massive arms were crossed over his broad chest and his head was slightly bowed. I don't know why I hadn't noticed before, but there were a few feathers tied to his right horn that dangled over his head. Had that always been there…?

I nodded.

"Yes. In my world, it was proven to not only work but actually begin to heal the environment. These methods I've described return life and vigor to the very soil, itself…which is the source of all agricultural life. Jack?"

He perked up, his large ears flipping up off his back and fanning toward me. With how wide they could be, he reminded me of a jackrabbit. I smiled a little.

"You should take Isabella under your wing, so to speak. Work with her to develop the methods I've described, and if necessary, let us open up more land for farming. She knows about what I've described, as well. Teach these methods to the others and make this a permanent change."

He nodded excitedly, smiling widely.

"You can count on me, Princess!" he said, giving a thumb's up. For an old man, he was still spry and quite adorable. The opposite of Fredrick.

Gharret chuckled as well. There was a glint of pride in his eye as he cleared his throat.

"All in favor?" he demanded. His voice was incredibly booming compared to mine and with everything that happened, it was a drastic change to my ears.

Everyone raised their hands…except Fredrick.

I cleared my throat and he jumped to stare at me…then I smiled.

Shaking, he put his hand up just a little, looking away in shame.

Hmph. I win.

"All opposed?" he asked once more and everyone dropped their hands. He chuckled and stomped his heel twice on the dais so that the sound echoed and boomed throughout the room. "Motion passed."

He bobbed his head briefly, smiling a little before he looked back to me.

"Weren't there other things you wished to discuss, my dear?" he asked. At that, he brought my hand up to his mouth, kissing my knuckles lightly. I blushed, then coughed and cleared my throat.

"Yes, actually." I turned my head to look back at the group and they appeared receptive to whatever I may have in mind. Even Fredrick was curious.

"Paper and linen. Both would be advantageous to the growth and advancement of not only the village but the country this village resides in. They could also potentially bring wealth, and…"

I trailed off when I realized that I'd lost them. Frowning, I sat back in my seat a little before I glanced to Gharret, who looked just as confused.

"Okay, where did I lose you? I just started…"

He smiled a little, then cleared his throat. "Ah…let's see…" He rubbed his chin a little before Caroline spoke up.

"We don't know what either of those things is or how they could be a benefit to our village…and if by wealth, you mean salt, goods, or females…" She shrugged and they all laughed a little nervously.

Well, damn. Of course. They don't have a currency system yet. They're all still just bartering.

"Shit," I grumbled, stealing my hand back from Gharret to rub both my temples. "I hadn't thought that you haven't developed currency yet…" Again, I was met with confused looks before I shook my head and waved them off. I couldn't help but grow a little frustrated.

"How the hell have you developed countries and borders and no monetary system yet?!" I snapped. I hadn't meant to sound so rude or abrasive, but many flinched and glanced at each other.

I…realize that it's about as effective as yelling at a dog for having fur…it would only cause confusion and hurt. So I sighed and rubbed my face.

"I apologize. That wasn't directed toward anyone in particular…"

There was a bit of silence where Gharret looked to me, frowning as he rest his hand on my forearm again. He was really being the sweet, loving, doting husband that I'd always dreamed about. Plus he was sexy as hell, so it worked.

But still…

With a swallow, I looked back to the others and nodded.

"Well. It's fine. We can still make paper and linen."

As I started in on my explanation of what both actually were, I couldn't help but wonder how in the world they were going to come up with a currency system, or if that burden would fall to me. More importantly, how were we going to secure a source of metals to use when they had barely entered the bronze age? I hadn't even really seen much metal to be had, save for some cooking implements which should have come way later…

But Bai Qingqing had quite an influence on this world, despite everything…