Pioneer Lord: A Leisurely Imperial Life

Chapter 134 Moving the Academy

Author Zang Tianmin's novel, "The Pioneer Lord: A Leisurely Imperial Life," awaits you on Cola Novels.

Richard dismissed Felix and the other scholars, leaving Wendy behind.

He led her to the study on the second floor.

Susan pushed open the door to the study on the second floor, and Wendy froze on the spot as soon as she stepped inside.

Her small mouth was slightly open, and her eyes were filled with disbelief and shock.

This study lacked the usual cold and solemn atmosphere of a Northern noble's study; instead, it was filled with blooming flowers.

Ice sword orchids that bloom only in winter, sunflowers that bloom only in autumn, purple roses, and pure white lilies.

Completely disregarding the limitations of early summer, the flowers in the study vied for attention, creating a dazzling display.

Wendy forgot all her restraint and strode to the flower stand, her voice full of amazement.

"Richard!"

"How did you do that?"

"I can't believe you can grow so many different kinds of flowers at Chiffon Cottage! I've never seen anything like it at Wolf's Castle!"

The northern region is bitterly cold, so it's understandable to carefully cultivate only one or two types of flowers, but looking at this, there are nearly a dozen kinds!

Richard slammed the study door shut and glared at his sister's best friend with annoyance.

"I am now a baron, the lord of this wasteland. If you call me by my name again, believe me, I'll spank your ass."

Wendy then came to her senses.

She smiled gently.

She picked up the hem of her linen dress, half-squatted down, and performed a proper ladylike curtsy.

"Greetings, Lord Baron Richard."

Before she could get up, Richard reached out and grabbed her ear, the force not strong, but with a hint of reproach.

"After Freya fled to the Demon Spirit Empire, you disappeared for over a year without a trace. I thought you'd died somewhere out of the blue!"

"You didn't even send me a message after you came back, and you even dared to hide in the crowd and act all high and mighty. Suddenly you step forward and pretend to be some kind of caring older sister. What exactly are you trying to do?"

Wendy's ears burned from being pinched, and she cried out in pain, standing on tiptoe and begging for mercy.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"

"I was wrong, I'm sorry!"

"I just wanted to surprise you, but I didn't know you'd be so angry just now. I'll never do it again, please let go!"

Richard released his grip, snorted coldly, walked behind the desk and sat down, staring at her, waiting for her to explain.

Wendy rubbed her reddened ear tips and pouted, looking aggrieved.

"I was scared too!"

"Freya was wanted by the Vatican, so I followed her all the way to the border, but I didn't have the credentials of a senior scholar, so I had no way to get a job at the Universal Library."

"It just so happened that a nobleman on the border hired a tutor to teach his child, so I hid there for a while."

"After I found out I wasn't wanted, I followed the caravan all the way back to the North. I'd only been back at the Mystic Academy for a few days when I came to Chiffon with the Dean..."

Richard looked into her aggrieved eyes, and all the resentment in his heart vanished instantly.

She had actually studied light magic with Freya, but Freya stood out and took on all the responsibilities by herself.

Unlike Freya, who at least shares some of the identity of the Daughter of the Wolf, she is indeed easily injured while wandering alone.

That's exactly what I meant.

No one would even know if he died.

...

Wendy didn't linger in melancholy for long. She quickly went to the desk and stared at Richard with eyes full of admiration.

"Oh, right, Richard!"

"When did you invent this farming technique? I've never heard you mention it before. It's really amazing!"

Done.

She sighed again.

His tone was full of melancholy.

"If you wanted to improve the farmland, why didn't you say so sooner? Freya would definitely have been interested, and that way she wouldn't have gone off to study light magic and gotten into trouble with the Church."

The mention of Freya instantly sombered the atmosphere in the study, especially since it involved Richard's secret.

He coughed lightly.

Deliberately changing the subject.

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. By the way, tell Felix later that the Mystic Academy can optimize and improve my farming techniques."

"I don't care how you experiment or improve it, but let's not talk about it. I don't have the time or energy for that."

Wendy's eyes suddenly lit up!

She stepped forward, grabbed Richard's arm, shook it, and spoke with great excitement.

"Really? Thank you, Richard! I knew you weren't a heartless person. You're the best!"

...

Richard, who had just been given the "friend zone" card, tapped the table and said in a stern voice with a straight face:

"But I have conditions."

"First, the Academy of Mysteries must relocate to Chiffon. Whether scholars or apprentices, they must all become my subjects and may not move without permission."

"Secondly, the Academy of Mysteries must unconditionally accept the employment of Chiffon Castle and work for me, and I will pay them accordingly."

These two conditions effectively sealed the entire Mystic Academy off on Chiffon's land, turning it entirely into Richard's private intellectual force.

Wendy thought for a moment.

He nodded and said:

"The teacher should agree."

Richard was speechless.

What does "should" mean?

"The Academy of Mysteries doesn't have any research achievements to boast about. You should be grateful if your technology is on par with mine."

"Believe it or not, if I were willing to publicly release this technology, even the Universal Library would have to award me the title of Great Sage?"

"Believe it or not, if I were willing to publicly release this technology, even the Universal Library would have to award me the title of Great Sage?"

The Universal Star Library is no ordinary library; it is not only the academic core of the Demon Spirit Royal Family, but also a sacred place that all scholars on the Universal Star Continent yearn for.

Although it's called a museum, it's actually a city, containing several very famous mage towers and alchemy towers, with an extraordinary influence.

Wendy nodded emphatically.

His eyes were full of conviction.

"I believe you!"

"Your technology will absolutely advance the development of human civilization, change the agricultural landscape of the entire Huanxing Continent, and you absolutely deserve the highest honor in academia!"

A stranger's compliment is just that—complaints. Only heartfelt praise from someone close to Richard can truly make him feel good.

"Alright."

Richard waved his hand and began to arrange the next steps.

"Go and tell Felix to take his men back as soon as possible and move all the academy's belongings here."

Wendy nodded in agreement and was about to turn around when Richard called her back.

"etc."

Richard's smile was meaningful.

"Just have your teacher send a few people back to clean up. You're not allowed to leave. You have to stay and help me manage the affairs of the territory, serving as the chief minister of the city hall."

Wendy's eyes widened.

His face was filled with astonishment.

"I?"

"I can't do it. I'm just the daughter of a free citizen. I've never even held an official position, let alone handled territory affairs. I'll mess it up!"

"You should let the teacher do it. With the teacher's wisdom and experience, only he is capable of shouldering this important task!"

She waved her hands repeatedly, looking flustered and as if to say, "I can't do it, don't make things difficult for me."

—Chief Minister of the City Hall!

That is the highest-ranking administrative official in charge of all affairs of the territory, coordinating resources and governing the officials!

If the lord is away, he can act on the lord's authority, making him the second most powerful person after the lord.

In the royal family, this position is also known as the Royal Prime Minister, wielding great power and bearing heavy responsibilities.

This requires more than just talent; it also requires a certain social status or the power of a prominent family, otherwise it will be difficult to gain the respect of the people.

If subordinates or other ministers outwardly comply but inwardly defy, this position is no different from being roasted over a fire.