Making Money (3)

"So this is that new variant of wheat that you managed to grow? Looks rather good... quite fat, bountiful, filled with promise. I wonder if the Empire's geniuses could do something with this... breed it with other types of wheat for some better crops? Either way, you know as well as I do that flour is a staple and a well paying product. We can never have enough flour, not ever. So, by the pound, I think we can manage to hit a nice, flat 10 Silvers per pound, or 1 Gold per every ten pounds.

As for the potatoes and corn, they look about normal, and they also have a good place in anybodies kitchen; if you want to sell the corn on its own, a single bucket of corn is around 5 Silvers, and a pound of potatoes is around 5 Silvers as well. Corn flour is the same as normal flour. Sound good?"

Beau lounged at the table and sipped her water quietly, staring at me not as my 'Aunt', but instead as a member of the Government and a Supplier, which made me smile wryly as I quickly reviewed everything I could remember from the Academy.

Processed goods always sold more than unprocessed goods, and that was for a few reasons; on its own, corn could go bad in a week or two even when kept cold and in proper storage, but cornmeal could last for multiple weeks if not months in proper storage, giving it a longer time to be sold and making it easier to sell.

It also had more uses than plain corn, which was what made it so lucrative to sell flour of any kind, since people always wanted bread, pastries, breading, crusts, thickeners and so much more.

So it being worth quite a bit more per pound made sense, but was 10 really the best the Government could do..?

I thought the average price was... no, I suppose this was about right, actually; I think I recall needing to spend around that much to get enough flour for myself back in the Academy, so I looked at Beau and nodded, which made her turn towards Clara next.

"For when you do eventually start producing milk, it will be sold by the gallon for 60 Silvers, but that is subject to change should your milk's taste be found lacking or be found to be better than normal. When you begin to produce milk, understand that your actions daily affect the quantity and quality, so remember that out of everyone here, you are the one entitled to reduced workloads. If Hildegarde ever pushes you or forces you into something, it should be reported upon my next visit."

Clara's eyes widened as she stared at Beau in shock, and my wry smile returned as I remained quiet, knowing that this was something she had to say directly to the Cowkin for many different reasons; letting the Demi Human's know that they did indeed have rights and were not to be abused and made into slaves was a part of her job, and it was my job to not treat her like an animal.

Taking a deep breath, Beau sighed before smiling at her as she said "I know Hildegarde enough to confidently say she never would, but I have to let you know that, Clara. You see - and no offense to anyone else here - you are far more valuable than most Demi Human's and Human's ever could dream of being. As such... well..."

Waving her hands around, Beau gave her a wry smile before turning back to me as she added "I do hope you don't let down my trust, Hildegarde... you remind me too much of your old lady, what with how you treat Demi Human's. Even with the laws being passed many decades ago, some people are still idiots, and I gotta hope you don't become one... But, I am confident in that, I really am. And uh..."

Her smile turned genuine as she pointedly stared at my pregnant belly, which made me blush as I unconsciously rested my hands on it and stroked it, and I tried to ignore how almost everyone at the table smiled at me as I did that, especially Crima; the Wolfkin responsible for my pregnancy was grinning ear to ear as she stroked her own belly, the memories of our nights spent entwined together rushing back into my mind at the sight of that grin.

"Yeah~! Anyways, there is a list I have here that has general pricing models for how your crops might do should you dip your toes into different things, and it also has the prices for their seeds per pouch as well. As a warning though, remember that you cannot hold Supplier's liable for any bad harvests or if these seeds do not take to the soil you plant them in. Additionally, I have a list of available eggs for sale, the services of a Blacksmith, Tailor, Leatherworker, Lumberer, and other professions if you need them, and of course... the current market of goods that your nearby peers are selling to their peers first before letting them hit the open market."

Beau placed a few papers on the table and grinned at me as she slid two forwards first - the professions and the Rancher Only list - which made me raise my brow as I began to skim over them, wondering what made my Aunt emphasize these lists.

"Harriet... Wait! Harriet Blukine?! She actually started her business?"

"Yup~! Surprised you actually remember her since she stopped working for the Ranch when you were still a starry eyed brat~! Harriet got her Tailor business up and running, and she's also hitched~! Has two kids of her own as well as a nice - and I mean a NICE~ - Butterflykin stud to help her business too~! And help her around the house, if you know what I mean~!"

Giggling to herself, Beau winked at me before once more staring at my pregnant belly, before she gestured to the other list and watched me with glee as my eyes went wide once more as I browsed the available goods.