Lord of Rot

”Houses are built to be lived in,” Leech said. ”Let’s add a temporary rule: anyone who wants to transfer ownership of a house must go through the procedures at the city hall.”

”Buying a house to live in is perfectly fine, of course. I can even tolerate people cleverly exploiting minor loopholes in the rules. However, we must crack down on house flipping... Property transfers will be heavily taxed.”

He would ensure that everyone could live in a new house. As long as you were willing to work in Porcupine Territory, you could definitely afford one.

But that was in the future. For now, housing was scarce, and it was inevitable that some people would get clever and try to profit at Leech’s expense.

For example, some might buy multiple houses, raise the prices, and sell them to craftsmen with money to spare.

The simplest method was to make sure buyers and sellers discovered that not only would they fail to make a profit this way, but they would actually lose money.

Porcupine Territory would also collect a housing tax. The tax wasn’t high, but if someone were to marry off their child at just a few years old just to secure a house, they’d first have to ask themselves if they were willing to pay double or even triple the housing tax.

Everyone could see it clearly: at the current construction speed, it would take less than a year for Porcupine Territory to have another batch of new houses built.

However, he couldn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. It was perfectly reasonable for wealthy individuals to buy a house in advance for a child who was getting married, or to reserve one for a friend who wanted to settle in Porcupine Territory.

There were all sorts of situations, so the rules couldn’t be completely rigid. For those who genuinely needed housing, not reselling posed no problem. For those looking to make a quick buck, the high cost of reselling would make them give up.

Leech’s goal wasn’t to build and sell houses, but to increase the happiness and loyalty of his residents, making them more willing to strive for a better future.

After chatting a little longer, Qiao came running over.

”My Lord, a strange merchant caravan has arrived outside!”

”A large caravan?” Leech asked. ”Where are they from?”

Leech much preferred making money off the rich than extracting meager profits from his own people through internal consumption.

”They’re from East Port. The merchant leading them says his name is Deni. He said he came specifically to deliver a thank-you gift for your previous help.”

”Deni.”

They had parted ways in Burning City, and the man had already managed to deal with his cargo so quickly.

’It was a huge deal worth 3,000 Jinri. Deni must have made a hefty profit from it. A pity I couldn’t take on such a large order myself; I could only do him a favor.’

Deni arriving with a large caravan meant he still remembered that favor. It would make doing business in the future much easier.

”Was there some kind of problem?” Leech asked, noticing Qiao’s awkward expression.

”Yes, My Lord,” Qiao nodded. ”Claude’s caravan has also arrived, and he’s gotten into an argument with Deni.”

Leech said immediately, ”Then let’s go have a look. We can’t let them get into a fight.”

’If they really started fighting, I wonder if Claude would die of exhaustion from his own fat first, or if Deni would be crushed to death under it.’

After Leech left, Gelan immediately finalized the housing allocation work.

There was no time like the present, and the apprentices under him had long been eager to buy their new homes.

Even though the sun was high in the sky, no one complained. Everyone wanted to get the work done quickly so they could move into their new houses.

Their speed even exceeded Leech’s expectations. Their efficiency was probably comparable to people on Earth lining up for free eggs.

When Leech rode up on his horse, he saw a fat man and a thin man arguing on the road.

They were shouting so fiercely that spittle flew everywhere, covering each other’s faces. It was a mutual shower of insults.

Like a pair of sprinklers.

”Haha! Claude, Deni, my two friends!”

Leech dismounted. ”You two seem to be getting along so well! But why not come rest in Porcupine Territory first? I think it would be easier to foster your connection over a beer.”

Seeing Leech arrive, they finally called a temporary truce.

”Good day, My Lord.” Claude looked even fatter than the last time Leech had seen him.

After bowing, he straightened up and pointed furiously at Deni beside him. ”Getting along? I have no connection with this sour, sharp-tongued bastard! My Lord, he’s a famous vampire in the East Gorge! If you let him into Porcupine Territory, he’ll suck away all your wealth! You should banish him immediately!”

Deni, the target of the accusation, was also displeased. He first bowed to Leech. ”Good day, My Lord. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Then he pointed at Claude. Being tall with long arms, his finger nearly poked Claude in his fat face. ”My Lord, you shouldn’t do business with this idiot. His appetite is as big as a wild boar’s! He’ll not only devour your wealth but also leave a pile of stinking dung behind when he leaves! For the good of your territory, you should stab him in the ass with a long spear and drive him into the river!”

”What did you say!” Claude rolled up his sleeves.

But Deni, relying on his thinner and more agile frame, flapped his hands about, ready to land a punch on Claude at any moment.

Leech was witnessing firsthand a business rivalry between two merchants from the East Gorge.

A fake business war: poaching employees, price wars, intercepting deals, even assassination.

A real business war: insulting your rival in front of the lord and rolling up your sleeves for a fistfight.

Leech said, his head aching, ”Can someone pull them apart?”

Hearing this, men from their respective caravans quickly stepped forward and restrained their bosses.

’They hadn’t dared to before, but now that a nobleman had spoken, their bosses probably wouldn’t give them trouble for it later.’

”Trust me,” Leech said to the two of them. ”Porcupine Territory welcomes all friends, and we won’t let any friend leave empty-handed.”

Hearing this, both men breathed a sigh of relief.

They were afraid Leech would be a ”player,” abandoning one for the other. As long as he shared the love, they could coexist peacefully. Of course, given the chance, each still wanted Leech all to himself.

Leech ordered someone to ride ahead to prepare drinks. Then he mounted his own horse and proceeded slowly toward Porcupine Castle with the two merchants, who had also mounted up.

However, Claude had some difficulty mounting his horse. Someone had to support his rear from behind, hoisting him up with their shoulder.

This action immediately drew a hearty laugh from Deni.

The two of them immediately launched into another round of vulgar insults.

Leech had to intervene once again.

They passed along the main road and through the residential area.

”Every time I come to Porcupine Territory, I’m amazed,” Claude remarked with a sigh. ”The houses sprout from the ground as fast as grass. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d never believe this was all built in just a few short months.”

Leech smiled. ”The people of Porcupine Territory are hardworking. Diligence can create any miracle.”

”And your wisdom,” Deni added, not to be outdone in the flattery department. ”This is my first time in Porcupine Territory, but I’ve never seen ground this level, not even in East Port.”

Claude, at their side, chuckled to himself. ’This level of bootlicking is far inferior to mine.’

’I already flattered him when I first arrived. Flattery is all about timing. The first person to do it, as long as they do it well and properly kiss the lord’s ass, reaps the greatest rewards.’

’Anyone who comes after is just a copycat.’