Chapter 12
Alphis is going to town with Uncle Will to buy a horse today. He learned to ride a horse a year ago and has long wanted to ride one alone every time he goes out.
Uncle Will's horse is pulling the cart and can't run too fast, and he has to listen to the creaking noise all the way when he sits in the front, which is really a bit annoying, but he is going to say goodbye to the troubles!
In his previous life, he never imagined that he could buy a few horses. Although they were not as comfortable as cars, Elphis was addicted to the feeling of not being bound by traffic rules and galloping freely on deserted roads and vast grasslands.
It was the first time that Will saw little Al so excited. After knowing him for so many years, he sighed for the first time: He is still a child after all.
After unloading the goods at the tavern, it was time for lunch, so the two naturally had to wait until after lunch before choosing the horses.
Will liked the lively atmosphere in the lobby, so he drank and chatted with others there. Alphis liked quietness, so he went to the backyard.
So much time has passed, and in addition to the siblings Morn and Mona, the tavern has hired four more people, all of whom are poor and honest people that Gray and Morn know.
A nimble aunt was in charge of serving dishes and clearing the table, her mute daughter was lighting several stoves in the kitchen, and two honest uncles had been trained by Moon to be chefs. It was precisely because of these people that Moon was able to take some time to meet Elphis when there were most people around.
"Master Al, this is your shredded pork noodles."
"Thank you for your hard work, Moen."
The brother and sister had already returned the money that Elphis had given Mona for the potion. There was no debt relationship and no indenture signed. They still recognized Elphis as their master, which made those who were forced to accept two subordinates feel helpless.
Elphis didn't know how perfect his image was in the hearts of his brother and sister. From appearance to character to wisdom, he was absolutely flawless.
Following such people, they will have a backbone and will not be afraid no matter what happens in the future!
"Master, Master Sidon in the west of the city has agreed to your proposal to join the tavern and change its name. The fifty-gold joining fee has been paid."
Elphis took the purse and sighed in his heart. He missed mobile payment so much. Paper money would also be fine. It was really inconvenient to handle real cash here.
He never imagined that one day he would find gold too much and too heavy to be acceptable. He was really too proud...
The business of this tavern was booming, so it naturally took away traffic from other taverns. Later, more and more bosses came to buy recipes or to complain, so Elphis proposed the idea of joining the franchise.
"Moen, please stay there for a while and teach our recipes to Boss Sidon. Let Mona go over and do the accounting."
Morn was very motivated, "It is an honor for Mona and I to serve you and accomplish great things!"
"..." Elphis awkwardly stuffed a mouthful of noodles into his mouth. It was just a little money, not a big business. What on earth was this kid fantasizing about?
Mo En's face suddenly turned serious: "Master, is the contract we signed with Mr. Sidon really binding? What if he learns our dishes and stops paying us monthly fees?"
Elphis thought to himself, this is not a legal society, so what kind of constraints can it have?
"Boss Xidon is an honest and kind person. He often agrees to buy on credit. He is also a bully. I don't think he would do such a thing as breaking the bridge. As for buying on credit, you should have banned it in the past."
"Lafei City will allow at most two more franchisees to open stores in four directions of the city. If anyone breaches the contract, we will first cut off the supply of spices to Lisai Town, and then ask the City Lord's Mansion to make a decision on the matter."
It's a pity that he is a good man and doesn't do violence. Otherwise, in this world where the law cannot control the powerful and capitalists, killing the chicken to scare the monkey is also a good way.
Moon and his people have maintained a good relationship with the City Lord's Mansion in recent years. In addition, they pay more and more taxes every year, and the tavern and Lise Town's specialties have attracted more and more travelers and merchants. When they need a little help, I believe that the City Lord's Mansion will still be willing to stand on their side.
Moon nodded and continued, "A few days ago, a traveler from Saint Castor City passed by and mentioned that if we open a store in the royal city, business will definitely be booming. Master, what do you think about this?"
Elphis always felt that this kid's eagerness to try was not like talking about opening a branch, but about attacking a city.
He chuckled, "The royal city? It's still early, no rush. After the business in Rafi City stabilizes, Moon will go to a nearby big city, Art City, and open a restaurant that provides food and lodging."
When he first came into contact with Uncle Gray, Elphis was thinking about just finding an honest man to cooperate with, making some money from dividends, and then being a low-key salted fish, so as not to accidentally offend the powerful and influential people he could not afford to offend or attract the attention of the woman who threw him into the river.
It's not that he's too timid, this face is really eye-catching.
Who knew that this tavern business would develop into a chain store?
Elphis ate his noodles and thought for two seconds about how things could turn out like this - it was all because he was idle and had no school to go to, so he had nothing to do but pursue his career and raise children!
He is still young and not suitable for being out in public to do things. Moon is sixteen years old this year. If he waits for another two or three years and finds a few familiar adults to accompany him along the way, he can be sent out to start a career.
As for himself, he would just be the man behind a group of successful wealthy businessmen.
Elphis did not stay in the tavern for long today. After dinner, he went to a horse farm on the edge of the city with Uncle Will.
They selected and test-rode, and finally chose five horses that were between three and six years old and had relatively docile temperaments.
They were going to teach several young men in the town how to ride horses later, but the horses with fierce tempers might not have the patience to be tamed by strangers one by one.
"Al, I can't let you pay all the 80 gold. I'll split the bill with you."
Will knew that Elphis had made a lot of money in the past few years, but he really didn't expect that the child would calmly hand over a purse containing eighty gold coins to pay for the horse.
The horses were expensive, but he and Al could both make a profit from them, so there was no point in letting a kid pay for it all.
Elphis scratched his head pretending to be embarrassed and said, "Uncle Will, I really don't have the patience to raise horses. I'll just pay them and leave the trouble of taking care of them to you in the future, okay?"
Will nodded hesitantly when he saw that Elphis didn't seem to be reluctant to pay so much money. After all, he had been hiring townspeople to feed, wash and clean the horses for a long time, and it all cost money.
As a result, Will felt more and more comfortable working with Elphis. Who doesn't like a partner who has a good temper, can help you make money and is generous?
On the way back, Elphis rode alone on the lead horse, followed by four others, leaving the carriage far behind.
The cold wind was howling, and the young boy was sitting there, but he didn't feel cold. He just felt extremely happy!
Galloping on his horse, Elphis returned to the town much earlier than usual.
The handsome young man riding a horse leisurely on the path soon attracted the attention of passers-by, and the children were even more eager to try it.
Elphis patiently held the children and sat in front of him, playing with them one by one for a while. He promised a few older children of appropriate age that he would start teaching them to ride horses tomorrow, and then everyone dispersed with satisfaction.
After driving the horses to Uncle Will's stable, he calmed down and remembered the people he left behind... Well, Uncle used to travel alone, so he should be used to it.
After feeding hay to the horses that had been running all the way, Elphis went back to rest. He was not used to riding for so long, and his butt and legs were a little sore. He kept going all the way only because of the novelty.
Later, when he went to deliver food to the child, he happened to be stuck in traffic again.
Winster didn't expect his brother to come early today. He didn't have time to hide and could only step back a few steps away from him.
Elphis watched his movements and doubted very much whether this child had been beaten by many people before, otherwise why would he hide when he saw people? Even after he had fed him for such a long time, he still couldn't gain his trust.
"Did you go to town to buy food at noon today?"
Winster shook his head. He didn't want to spend more of his brother's money, nor did he want to bring bad luck to the town. The people here were all people his brother knew...
"I grilled the fish."
The fish was caught in the stream, and the flint was given to him by Elphis.
Elphis didn't know the reason and thought the child was a little shy and autistic.
After chatting with Winster for a while, Elphis went back.
Grandpa Kevin has been saying lately that he is so busy with this and that that he always forgets to thank the God of Light for his protection, and maybe even the Vatican's creed, so the old man has started to ask all kinds of questions again, and Elphis has to go back and read those annoying books he hasn't seen for a few years, so he doesn't have much time to talk to the kids.
The next day, Uncle Will taught several young men how to ride horses, and Alphis fulfilled his promise to teach the older children how to ride horses.
It’s not that he likes taking care of children, but mainly because these young people have learned to read and write from Grandpa Kevin and heard about things in the outside world, so their minds will be more open. Once he teaches them how to ride horses, he can let them go out to do business.
In addition, these children have been listening to Elphis since they were young, so he is not simply playing with the children, but is mainly cultivating them into excellent workers.
The road from the town entrance to the city is wider, so everyone chose to teach there.
He didn't know that after delivering breakfast this morning, Winster secretly escorted him back as usual. A group of children waiting at the church door rushed over when they saw Elphis, and excitedly pulled him to the stable of Master Will's house.
Winster watched the untouchable excitement going farther and farther away. He remained silent for a moment under the shade of the tree, and followed quietly without knowing what was in his mind.
He couldn't hear the conversation because he was far away, but his good eyesight enabled him to clearly see that Brother Al smiled gently and generously to others.
He helped people onto the horses, and then he led the horses from below and led others forward slowly. He even got on the horses and sat behind others, carefully protecting the children in front of him, so that they could get used to the feeling of the horses running...
Winster had a gloomy face, and felt a sour and uncomfortable feeling in his heart - that was the desire and jealousy that came from not being able to get it.
For a moment, he even had the urge to pull those strangers off the horse and occupy all of his brother's attention on their behalf.
Can't these troublemakers just pester the adults around them? Why do they have to wait for their brother to teach them?
They have many choices, but he doesn't. Winster only has this one brother, Al!
The moment this thought came to his mind, Winster was shocked: He is indeed an evil child, greedy and jealous...
Elphis had been teaching for the whole morning, but his patience ran out due to the chattering of the kids, but he didn't show it.
When surrounded by energetic children, Elphis realized how precious Winster's silence was, so he went to deliver lunch early at noon, still on horseback.
Winster, who was feeling a little aggrieved for being excluded from his brother's normal world, of course heard the sound of horse hooves approaching from afar, but this time he did not hide because he really wanted to hear his brother talk to him today.
Elphis tied the horse to a tree outside the cave. He sat on a rock in the cave as usual and chatted idly.
Ask the child if he has any new loose teeth, and remember to tell him when he is about to have a new tooth, so that he can prepare some softer food. Ask him if the bread and steak for lunch was delicious, and ask him how his archery practice went...
The forest was very quiet. It felt nice to be with a child who wouldn't fight for anything and wouldn't ask a hundred thousand questions. Looking at the child's face, which had become chubby from being fed so much, Elphis felt a sense of accomplishment.
After Winster finished eating, Elphis packed up the basket, mounted his horse and prepared to go back.
Before leaving, the young boy glanced at the child standing at the entrance of the cave and looking up at him. His beautiful dark eyes seemed to contain many unfinished words.
I don’t know if it was an illusion, but Elphis actually felt that the child was feeling aggrieved and needed someone to comfort him.
Winster looked up, watching his brother, who looked particularly fair and handsome in the sunshine, reaching out his hand to him. He smiled gently and invited him, "Want to go horseback riding? I'll take you with me."
The child, who had never gotten anything and was therefore very content, stood there in a daze, and his heavy heart suddenly relaxed.
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