Book 6: Chapter 25
Lucia was right.
‘If human crops can’t grow, we just need to plant elven crops. If we must grow elven crops, then that means elves will be needed to manage the crops. They are the only ones who can exchange it for humanity’s food for a similar price. In this way, we can empower the farmers to earn the money they require…’
‘But what crops do the elves have…? To be honest, I’ve never seen elven plants… The only one I remember is elven berries which were like raisins and apples. There were also the odd hard-tangerines the merchants sold last time.’
‘Oh, there was also that sour berry I was given to help me sober up from the wine. But humans have seeds for that berry too except that they use it to add a sour flavour. It feels like a substitute for lemons. Whatever the case, I don’t think that this sort of crop alone is enough. I want to grow tobacco and cotton.’
It’d be best if we could grow tobacco, cocoa, and coffee beans. Not that we have to have those crops, but definitely those types of crops.
‘Tea won’t do. Humanity is growing tea leaves already, while the elven tea probably won’t suit humans. Not to mention that I’m still not willing to consider it tea. I prefer to call it tree-leaves water.’
‘As someone from the East, I will not allow that crude tree leaf stuff to be called tea!’
Vyvyan gently placed her hand on my head. She held a tool made from goose-feathers in her slender fingers which she used to gently pick my ears. She smiled and said, “Planting…? Truthfully, Mommy isn’t too knowledgeable on the topic.”
“The type that you can sell and is a necessity… I think I’ll target drinks or tobacco… Cotton could work, too.”
