Great Ambition and Crisis

Chapter 48: Great Ambition and Crisis

Comparing the profitability of planting radishes with planting Oil Fruit trees, the income from radishes falls short in comparison. One season of radishes can fetch eight thousand gold coins, while the total output value of Oil Fruit in a month is 2,700 gold coins.

However, it should not be forgotten that Markey Delphi Trading Company, with its several branches, is able to consume around ten thousand jin (5,000 kg) of radishes every month. Many people in the continent cannot afford a radish for a silver coin per jin. In other words, as long as Zhao Hai plants radishes for five seasons each month, it would be sufficient to meet their consumption. Planting more than that would be unnecessary. It is not feasible to plant other vegetables in the space since the seeds are immediately sucked dry by the space. Moreover, Zhao Hai is unaware of the market demand and prices of these vegetables on the continent. Although vegetables like radishes are popular, they may not have a large demand in places where they are not commonly consumed. Therefore, it is more profitable to plant Oil Fruit trees.

Oil is a necessity for cooking on the continent. Additionally, the byproduct of extracting oil from the fruits is an excellent feed for many Magic Beasts. Commoners, who often engage in physically demanding labor, require more nutrition and prefer fruit oil. The daily consumption of fruit oil on the continent is astronomical, making it a sustainable industry. While the profits may not be as high as radishes, the fruit oil industry is envied by most nobles.

Earning 2,700 gold coins in a month is a staggering number. Even a small duchy would struggle to collect that much in tax revenue. This demonstrates the astonishing purchasing power of gold coins on the continent. One gold coin can be exchanged for ten silver coins, which can further be exchanged for 100 copper coins. With one jin of fruit oil or half a jin of rice costing one copper coin, both rice and oil are inexpensive commodities on the continent. Fruit oil is cheap due to its high output, while rice is cheap because it is primarily consumed by slaves. Even commoners are beginning to consume rice. The living expenses for more than 100 people like Zhao Hai amount to less than 100 gold coins per month, leaving them with a surplus of 2,600 gold coins.

Furthermore, considering the radishes they can purchase for five seasons, even if they cannot sell them for the same high price of eight thousand gold coins per season, they can still fetch 6,000 gold coins. With a total of thirty thousand gold coins from five seasons, Zhao Hai's Space can generate a net profit of thirty thousand and two thousand gold coins every month, which is astonishing.

However, Zhao Hai is not entirely satisfied with this. He sees the wealthy families earning thousands of gold coins per season from radishes and believes that with such an effort, the fruit oil's profit of over 2,000 gold coins in a month is not significant. On the other hand, Green understands Zhao Hai's intentions. Zhao Hai wants to combine crop production and animal husbandry to develop both industries together.

While radishes can provide radish leaves as feed for the Blue Eye Rabbit, Oil Fruit byproducts, particularly the oil residue, are excellent feeds for many other Magic Beasts, including horses and cows. Horses and cows raised on this feed are robust, making it ideal for horse breeding. Although they may not produce high-level Magic Beasts like flame horses, these horses are still strong and popular.

Additionally, the oil residue can be used to feed Water element Magic Beasts and even manage a fishery industry. This additional industry can generate substantial income for them.

With these ideas in mind, Green becomes excited. After considering the potential of these industries, he takes a moment to calm down, deeply inhaling and exhaling before bursting into laughter.

Zhao Hai and the others understand Green's laughter. They know he needs to release his pent-up emotions. After a while, Green regains his composure and approaches Zhao Hai, saying, "Young Master, once we go out, we should immediately deliver the Magic Radishes to the Delphi Trading Company. With the money we earn, we can buy the necessary equipment for extracting oil from the Oil Fruit."

Zhao Hai nods and says, "I'm aware of that. But Grandpa Green, we have a crucial problem that needs to be solved first. It's about the Magic Beasts and Carrion Swamp outside. Even if we make plans, we can't hide in this Space forever. We have to develop our territory. But what do we do if we encounter attacks from those Magic Beasts as soon as we step outside?"

Green contemplates the issue and furrows his brows. He paces back and forth in the room, fully aware that Zhao Hai's concern is valid. Their plans are currently only theoretical, like bubbles in the air that disappear with a gust of wind. If they are immediately attacked by Magic Beasts upon leaving, they won't be able to develop or even ensure their own survival.

However, Green has no immediate solution to the problem. He sighs helplessly and sits at the table, his lofty ambitions dissipating into thin air.

Zhao Hai also finds himself unable to come up with a solution. The five Great Forbidden Lands on the continent are notoriously dangerous, and no one can confidently claim to conquer them. Even though many experts have attempted to do so over the years, the five Great Forbidden Lands remain unconquered, which speaks volumes about their formidable nature.

After pondering the issue for a while, Green gives a deep sigh, his enthusiasm diminishing. He and Merine had initially thought that the Buda Family would slowly decline and eventually wither away. It was this mindset that prompted them to convert all their money into commodities. Although Zhao Hai managed to turn the situation around later on, Green was deeply worried during that time. Without a stable source of income, the Buda Family was in a vulnerable position.

However, everything changed when they discovered this Space. Green's worries vanished in an instant. He felt like his life, once shrouded in darkness, suddenly witnessed the emergence of a radiant sun, dispelling all his anxieties.

Zhao Hai and the others do not interrupt Green. They understand that he needs to vent his emotions and allow him this moment of joy.

After a while, Green calms down and approaches Zhao Hai, saying, "Young Master, once we go out, we should immediately deliver the Magic Radishes to the Delphi Trading Company. With the money we earn, we can buy the necessary equipment for extracting oil from the Oil Fruit."

Zhao Hai nods and responds, "I understand that. But Grandpa Green, we have a critical issue that needs to be resolved first. It concerns the situation outside."

Green falls silent, deep in thought. He knows the gravity of Zhao Hai's words. All their plans are mere fantasies as long as they remain within the confines of this Space. They cannot hide here forever, and they must face the challenges outside. If they are immediately attacked by Magic Beasts, they won't have the chance to develop their territory or even ensure their own safety.

However, finding a solution to this problem is not easy. Green contemplates the matter but cannot come up with a viable plan. He lets out a sigh of frustration and sits at the table, his grand aspirations dissipating.

Zhao Hai is also unable to provide an immediate solution. The five Great Forbidden Lands on the continent pose a significant threat, and it is difficult to devise a foolproof plan. Although they have discussed avoiding Carrion Swamp, the mere presence of Magic Beasts outside makes them deeply worried. With their current limited strength, they won't be able to accomplish anything, let alone ensure their safety.

While Green appears dispirited, Zhao Hai decides to gather more information about the situation outside. He turns his attention to the holographic screens in the room, scanning them carefully. As he examines the screens, he notices something that makes him recoil in shock—green dots on the screens.

Zhao Hai stands up and approaches the screens, closely observing the green dots. Green and the others notice Zhao Hai's reaction and follow his gaze. Zhao Hai doesn't immediately check the situation outside the castle but rather focuses on the screens displaying green dots.

There are only a few green dots on the screens, but it's undeniable that they have just appeared since the previous ones disappeared two days ago.

Merine and the others fixate their gazes on the screens, intrigued by the peculiar phenomenon. Meg can't help but ask, "How did these things appear?"

Green responds solemnly, "There's nothing surprising about it. When I came from Black Wasteland to the castle, I encountered many Magic Beasts and Undead Creatures roaming in the area. If I hadn't hurried back, these creatures would have followed me."

Zhao Hai nods and selects one of the screens. The view on the screen switches to the courtyard of the fortress, where the majority of the green dots are concentrated. The scene on the screen reveals more than ten Undead Creatures.

To Zhao Hai's surprise, the screen displays not Magic Beasts but Undead Creatures. This is consistent with what he noticed a few days ago—the last to appear on the screens were also these Undead Creatures. He is curious about the reason behind this.

Examining the screen closely, Zhao Hai confirms his observation: Undead Creatures are indeed the most recent beings to appear on the screens. He can't help but ask, "Grandpa Green, why are there only Undead Creatures here? A few days ago, I noticed the same thing. Why is that?"

Green remains silent for a moment before responding, "There's nothing strange about it, Young Master. Undead Creatures have an insatiable craving for the flesh and blood of living beings. They can sense the presence of living creatures in many places, even when others, like Magic Beasts, cannot."

Zhao Hai nods and walks into the courtyard, where more Undead Creatures are wandering around. These Undead Creatures resemble alligator fishes, measuring over ten meters in length. Only their skeletal remains are left, exuding a faint green light. They move cautiously, displaying a sense of vigilance.