18. Dilemma

Tristan's eyebrows knitted together, and he studied the prime minister, whose face radiated happiness. Meanwhile, his mind was busy thinking about the merchant, who was planning to build an inn after he bought the farmers' plantation lands.

There was nothing wrong with the merchant's aim. He created a luxurious inn that only accepted rich people.

The kingdom could impose substantial taxes on the inn. Aside from that, the merchant clearly needed numerous employees. That way, he could create job openings in a variety of fields.

People who reside near the inn could apply for work there. They would earn money to support themselves and their families.

Those 20 farmers or their children could also work at the inn if they wanted, but would the merchant accept them, or would he hate them?

The merchant must have known the news about the 20 farmers who complained about their problems to the king, hoping that their king would side with them, and then they could go to their gardens and rice fields with a feeling of peace.

"The merchant will buy the farmer's plantation lands at a high price. With the money from the sale, the farmers can buy plantation land or rice fields in other villages if they don't want to leave their jobs as farmers," said the prime minister. His words made perfect sense.

I don't see why they are so adamant. They even came to your palace to express their discontent with your thinking," the prime minister said, shaking his head. "Your opinion is not wrong. They are the ones who are wrong."

Tristan didn't expect the prime minister to have the same thoughts as him.

"If they were dissatisfied with your opinion, why would they come to the palace to see you? Why don't they fight for themselves to defend their plantation lands?" The prime minister showed an annoyed face that perfectly represented Tristan's feelings.

"The merchant didn't come to their house with money to force the farmers to sell their plantation lands!" The prime minister said it more and more passionately. He even hit her thigh.

"Those farmers should be able to solve their own problems and not need to ask for your help. They seem to think you have a lot of free time to think about their problems." The prime minister looked at his king with a look of pity, as if he could understand his king's feelings.

"You're absolutely right." Tristan nodded. "I don't understand why they came to my palace to express that they disagree with my decision."

Tristan's hands were clenched tightly, and his jaw tightened. "I'm just giving my opinion about the problems they're facing, I'm not forcing them to follow my words. If they don't want to sell their plantation lands, what they need to do is ignore the merchant."

The prime minister nodded with a serious face. "They are stupid. They were not grateful that their king had taken his precious time to read their scroll paper and think about their problems."

The prime minister's words were so true. Tristan was happy that someone was willing to try to understand his feelings.

Tristan no longer wanted to care about the farmers who had given him bad luck for two days, even though he got the penalty because of his stupidity.

"I will always be by your side, Your Majesty. You will find me as someone who will never betray you." The prime minister lowered his head as he placed his hands on his chest, showing his sincerity.

However, Tristan would never believe the prime minister or everyone else.

His previous life had taught Tristan that his mother was the only one he could trust, would not hurt him, and would not betray him.

***

Tristan was taking a break after he read dozens of scroll papers from his people and had lunch. He sat in the garden to the right of his palace, which was burned down during his coronation ceremony.

The garden has been repaired, its appearance cannot be made as it was before. The four burning trees made the park hot.

The four trees resemble bald men. Poor them; they lost their hair and had to wait a long time for the four trees to become shady again.

Tristan didn't know if, in his previous life, someone had discovered a tool or method to replace fallen trees with shady trees.

Even if the tools were found, Tristan wouldn't be able to create them. This world was not yet modern, and he would struggle to make advanced equipment that required machine power.

His head spun as he pondered what kind of modern tool he should create first in this world. Advanced equipment that could capture everyone's attention and motivate them to try making and using it.

"A useful tool to help with everyday work." Tristan muttered. Only one thing came to mind. "Cell phone. Of course, cell phones are very useful."

Tristan misses his cell phone, internet and games. During his 10 years in prison, he did not use a cell phone.

He and the other prisoners are great people who could survive without cell phones.

"I should be proud of myself." Tristan nodded.

"Your Majesty." Leonardo had tried not to surprise his king. He was not to blame.

Tristan was the one who was wrong. He shouldn't have thought of anything weird, but he did enjoy comparing his previous life with this world, which obviously required hundreds or thousands of years to become modern.

"What's wrong, Leonardo?" Tristan patted the empty side next to him, gesturing for his half-brother to sit down.

He knew what he was doing was very different from Tristan Madigan. Look at Leonardo's face, which shows how surprised he was.

"I wanted to ask why you didn't try to help the farmers," said Leonardo. He tried to hide his nervousness. It was his first time sitting next to his brother!

Tristan secretly took a deep breath. He thought he could put the farmers out of his mind.

"Why do you want me to help them?" Tristan raised his eyebrows, accompanied by a gaze focused on his younger brother.

Leonardo swallowed his saliva. The king's gaze made him feel that he was being bullied. He calmed himself by saying that his older brother indeed had a terrifying gaze, like a wild animal staring at its prey.

"The farmers' plantation lands are situated atop a hill in the western region of the kingdom. All types of plants and trees thrive there. They can produce enough wheat, vegetables, and fruit to supply 30% of the market demand. This resulted in our kingdom never importing vegetables or fruit from other kingdoms," explained Leonardo.

A second later, his eyes widened and he lowered his head. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I talk too much. You certainly already know about that."

Tristan was stunned. Leonardo was wrong, Tristan had no idea. He didn't find out any deeper information about the farmers, and his two knights didn't seem to know either.

Tristan actually wanted to thank his younger half-brother, thanks to Leonardo, he knew why the twenty farmers insisted on not wanting to sell their plantation lands to the merchant.

Tristan felt guilty towards the farmers, then he remembered the special task from the system. Because he didn't ignore the farmers, he got a penalty.

Then a memory he had forgotten appeared in his mind. When the system first gave him his first task, he congratulated Tristan.

"Tyrant system." Tristan muttered. He had found the answer to why the system gave him the task of ignoring the farmers.

He just realized that. He was really stupid.

"You have to consider importing vegetables and fruits if the farmers sell their plantation lands to the merchant," said Leonardo, putting Tristan in another dilemma.