Learning about Paul (Part 2)

"Once I became the sole farm producing peanuts, I started to market them as rare staples that distinguished wealth. Nobles love to feel superior to others, so I was able to sell my peanuts at a price that was unthinkable in the past.

Then one day something unexpected happened, I realized that my peanut yield suddenly returned to the normal 80%. It seemed like my peanuts had mutated into a strain that was not affected by the original peanut disease after many generations of planting the seeds.

With this new boost in crop yield, I was excited to get my Mother the medical help that she needed. She had to suffer at home for a whole year before I was able to take her to get treated. Unfortunately, the news we received was not what I was hoping to hear.

The doctor said that the damage to her nerves was permanent. That no medicine would be able to return her to her original healthy self. The best treatment we found was that if she drinks a stamina potion, she will be pain free for about an hour…"

It seems like this young man was able to create the first business monopoly in this Kingdom all on his own by trying to help his sick mother. He really is a genius…I was quickly interested in getting him on my side. There was one thing I was curious about though.

"It seems like you would have a enough money for it now that you are enjoying the high peanut prices, how come you haven't gotten an advanced water mage to use their healing magic on your mother? That would almost certainly heal her nerve damage…"

Paul's face suddenly filled with rage. "As you know, there is only one advanced water mage in our Kingdom. I begged him to heal my Mother and let him know I would pay any price he set. However, he laughed in my face, saying that he only uses his healing powers on people that are noble by birth. That a lowly commoner like my Mother should just stop struggling and pass away."

Tears were now running down Paul's cheek. His love for his Mother was pure and genuine. I really liked this kid.

I tapped my chin, in a playful manner. "Hmm…actually, my wife became an intermediate water mage without any formal teaching…"

Paul's eyes widened in surprise, "what?!"

A smiled at the glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Just yesterday, she was telling me that she would definitely train hard and become an advanced water mage soon. I think it would realistically take one or two years for her to reach that level…"

Becca chimed in, "I would definitely be willing to heal your Mother once I become an advanced water mage. I have no prejudice between commoners and nobles."

Paul excited asked, "really?!"

I raised one finger. "Hold on one second. If you want use the miracle healing powers of an advanced water mage, you are going to have to give up more than just some peanuts for our daily use."

Becca looked at me with a stern look. She whispered with reproach, "Nick!"

I smiled at her lightly and raised my hand to asked her to give me a second.

On the other hand, Paul quickly kneeled down and exclaimed, "I'll do anything as long as you promise to heal my Mother!"

I sighed, "ok, ok. I'm not going to ask you anything too difficult. Now raise your head."

Paul looked up hesitantly. I explained, "Paul, I think you are to truly an economic genius. The way you manipulated the market to your own gain was revolutionary. People like the other advanced water mage might look down on you because of your upbringing, but I can see your true worth.

That is why I would like you to be the financial advisor for my Duchy. I have plenty of money making business, ideas, and research. However, I struggle with negotiations and long term thinking about the market. That is why I would like you to oversee things for me.

Of course, I will be paying you for your services and you can still maintain your peanut farmer while working for me. Though you might need to delegate the work on your farm since you will have less time.

For the terms of the pay, I could pay you the fair market value for a financial advisor of the Duchy according to James, or since I know you need stamina potions for your Mother, I can make you a deal that we will sell you stamina potions at cost instead of the market price."

Paul's eyes shot open, then he hesitanted before saying, "Duke Harrison…you know giving me a deal of selling stamina potions at cost is a lot more value than the standard pay for a financial advisor, right? A more equivalent deal would have been capping it at maybe 2 stamina potions at cost per week…"

I burst out laughing, "I told you Paul! I am really bad at making deals! Haha"

While I was continuing to laugh, Becca explained. "My husband is too kind hearted and has too little greed for money. All the deals he negotiates help the other party much more than needed."

Paul titled his head, "so, is the original offer still on the table? Or will you adjust it now that I revealed the loppsidednes of the deal?"

I wiped some water coming out of my eyes from laughing. Then I said, returning to a serious tone, "Paul, your Mother is a victim that deserves the best treatment she can currently get. Let this be the last bad deal I make. Work hard to make the Duchy's businesses as profitable as possible without exploitating the people."

Paul shook his head frantically. "Yes, my Lord! I will not let you down!"

As I was smiling at Paul's response, someone started loudly knocking at the door. It seemed pretty urgent, so I called out, "come in!"

Linda emerged from the door while screaming excitedly, "my Lord! my Lord! The dresses are ready! You must see them!"