Chapter 96 Rich and Poor
It is naturally not convenient to put kitchen utensils and sauces in the bedroom. This arrangement is just right, and Jiangyou is very satisfied.
She took the key, opened the door, walked inside, and was dazzled by the magnificent house. "Wow, this is too luxurious!"
The bedroom itself is also a large suite, with white wall panels plated with gold edges. Outside is the living room, and the super large four-poster bed in the inner room is almost integrated with the house itself. The white gauze curtains flutter in the wind, vaguely revealing the terrace behind.
Jiangyou ran to the terrace and leaned out to look around. From here, he could see most of the courtyard downstairs. Sunflowers, hydrangeas, lavender, and other colorful flowers were scattered in the courtyard in an orderly manner, which was refreshing at first glance.
"Wow!" Jiang You exclaimed, "This place is so beautiful!"
There was a small door in the bedroom, which revealed a huge bathroom. Besides a full set of modern plumbing and drainage facilities, there was also a large bathtub. Seeing this, Jiang You's eyes sparked again. She couldn't help but glance at Andrei and said, "Speaking of which, I really don't understand whether your family is rich or poor."
Andrei laughed softly again. Jiang You found that he really liked to hear Andrei's laughter, which was pleasant, soothing, and had a sense of freedom and relaxation.
"Actually, considering my parents' status and the income from their territory, our family is one of the wealthiest in the capital," Andrei said. "But as I said before, when discussing a family's wealth, we can't just look at income; we also have to consider spending."
Jiangyou nodded and gestured to Andre to continue speaking with great interest.
So the two of them sat down together on a bench on the terrace, and Andre continued, "My father is a collateral relative of the king, and was also appointed a general, commanding the army for His Majesty the King. However, due to the frequent natural disasters in recent years, His Majesty the King has almost emptied the entire treasury in order to provide disaster relief.
"The army is the primary source of disaster relief, and to stabilize the borders and quell minor rebellions by the German nobles, they need to be deployed almost every other day. And whenever the army is deployed, it requires substantial pay and adequate rations... I should explain here that the soldiers of the Duchy of Huntington don't serve year-round. When not called upon, they return home to farm or become hired knights and thugs. During these times, His Majesty the King doesn't need to pay them wages or provide them with rations."
"I see!"
"However, the treasury is so empty that it can't even pay the soldiers, not to mention the grain in the granaries has long since become rations for the victims of the drought. But my father was a very loyal general. He knew that if the army lacked money and food, mutiny and rebellion would occur. So, every time His Majesty wanted to mobilize the army, my parents would advance the money and food... It's a huge sum of money, and for now, all we get in return is an IOU from His Majesty."
"ah?!"
Andre smiled and said, "In fact, it's not just our family. The same situation also applies to Big Brother Winston. The Shadow Army's money comes from the assets accumulated by the previous generation and the current Earl of Modo."
"From a certain perspective, His Majesty the King is really amazing as he can make so many of his subordinates spend money on him!" Jiang You couldn't help but sigh.
"Indeed." Andre nodded. "He is a great king, Your Majesty. The Delman royal family left behind a devastated country, and King Mebri has gradually transformed this broken country into the prosperous state it is today over the past twenty years... Although there are still many problems to be solved, the common people can feel that life is gradually getting better."
A sudden warmth surged in Jiangyou's heart, and she suddenly remembered those national entrepreneurs in the war years who spent all their wealth to make the country a better place. She always felt that the image of the Andre family in her eyes was gradually becoming taller.
"This can actually be considered an investment," Andrei rubbed Jiangyou's smooth skull. "His Majesty the King isn't completely appreciative of our contributions. He grants us rewards from time to time, like this luxurious mansion. Although it's difficult for us to liquidate it right now, based on its asset value alone, it's enough to cover three years of military pay and rations. And a luxurious mansion in this location isn't something you can buy with just money."
"In other words, you used cash as an investment in exchange for rewards such as real estate, power and status from His Majesty the King. Due to the reduction in working capital, life will be tight from time to time, but as long as you can liquidate some of your assets, you can immediately breathe a sigh of relief." Jiang You quickly understood everything.
"That's right." Andre looked at her approvingly. "Since we never know when natural disasters or wars might strike, we usually try to save as much money as possible to prepare for emergencies. When I left home, I also refused the financial support my parents offered me. Part of the reason was that I was arguing with my father, but the other half was that I didn't want to cause them more trouble...either financially or emotionally.
"I have the ability and confidence to earn enough money for Jericho and I to live on, so they don't have to worry about me anymore. And although my father is a stubborn old man who cares about face, he actually has a very good relationship with my mother. Honestly, I envy the relationship they have had for so many years.
"I don't want a small matter like me taking the money my mother gave me to cause a quarrel between them. My father is a man who often speaks without thinking and gets angry. If they quarrel because of me, my mother, who supports me financially, will probably be blamed by him. Of course, they have lived together for so many years, so they naturally know each other's personalities and ways of doing things very well, so they may not care about such a small quarrel.
"But even if I know intellectually that the other person is just speaking impulsively and hot-bloodedly, who wouldn't be hurt and heartbroken when hearing harsh words from a loved one? I don't want to see my parents quarreling over my decision. Perhaps this is just a little selfish of mine." Andre smiled. "To protect the relationship they've had for so many years, I can endure poverty. Anyway, I've lived in a military camp since I was a child, so I'm used to being frugal and don't have many material desires.
"Aside from the necessary upkeep of my horse, armor, and weapons, my actual expenses aren't that high. Even though I eat a lot, I'm not picky about food; whatever fills my stomach is enough. However... all this might change once I get my fiefdom," Andre said. "Little Bone, are you willing to join me in running Eston West City?"
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