Chapter 352: The Great "Bluffer"
Watching them fall into thought, Matthew naturally understood why they felt this way.
After all, the Druidic path was a route humans learned from the elves.
The Path of Nature itself included the elves' "annotations" on the Druidic way.
Simply put, it was similar to how in the real world, Huaxia advocated restrained freedom while abroad it was chaotic and uninhibited freedom.
Historical accumulation, human nature, social structure, and folklore.
All these aspects of human history slowly accumulated.
Forming the core of humanity's collective consciousness and habitual thinking.
Humans in this world, from small tribes, were directly influenced by the elves.
Humans of the past might have treated elves as gods.
The natural evolutionary paths that should have been for humanity were all frozen due to the power dynamics, resulting in a stratified society.
The development of human cultural thought was not even on par with a few decades or centuries in the real world!
Just like a saying from the real world:
"If you want to destroy a nation, destroy its culture first!"
Even though human nations were now widespread and overall power had greatly increased.
The limitations imposed by elven influence were evident in every aspect.
For example, wizards, and also Druids!
The Netheril Empire took a step forward for wizards!
The emergence of Arcanists even surpassed the elves' expectations!
However, power without reverence becomes a frenzied beast.
The core influence received is difficult to change through acquired thought and enlightenment.
The Druid profession, awkwardly placed in the human professional system, precisely embodied this contradiction.
Why did Druids demand that nature and regions remain unchanged?
The reason was simple—such an environment perfectly met the elves' requirements for their living environment.
Elven magical technology could support a complete lifestyle and its power source.
Humans were different!
From initially eating raw meat and drinking blood to slash-and-burn cultivation, humanity gradually developed the rudiments of civilization.
Human development inevitably impacts the surrounding environment.
Humanity, at some point in the future, would realize the negative impact they had on their environment and start to ponder and explore new paths.
If humanity followed the elves' path, it would fundamentally go against human developmental needs.
Talking about ideals is pointless when your stomach is empty!
Matthew did not spell things out more explicitly, as players in his more developed world would see it.
The elves who had fled from other worlds.
The land they occupied.
The transformed and guided living areas.
Didn't that represent their understanding of the Druidic path?
"So, the Druidic path is just a record of methods to use power."
"Just remember, it represents 'power' itself."
"Do whatever aligns with our interests and makes the environment around us better!"
"Anyone labeling people or things is either foolish or malicious!"
"So, there's no need to cling to the path; just delve deeper into understanding power, and you'll naturally grow."
Matthew gave them a long-winded but well-flavored bluff.
While they were contemplating, he took the opportunity to carefully review their research results from the past month.
Besides the new higher-yield wheat and rice varieties.
The Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry, highly valued by Matthew, had completed its initial cultivation phase.
In principle, mulberry trees, which were long-lived magical plants, couldn't be quickly cycled like wheat and rice.
Therefore, using various scientific methods to cultivate them quickly wasn't possible.
However, in the Druid greenhouse, they could simulate the optimal environment for the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry.
Within about ten days, the Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry could complete a year's growth cycle, producing the best fruits and seeds of the current variety.
Then, selecting the best seeds, and utilizing the greenhouse's catalytic abilities, they could cultivate even faster.
What might take 20 years in the outside world.
With the help of the Druid greenhouse and Druid spells like "Plant Cultivation" and "Rapid Growth," the process could be reduced to a month.
This was why Matthew wanted to build a Druid greenhouse.
Druid greenhouse + Druid was equivalent to an Arcanist + Arcane laboratory.
Confirming that their research was effective, Matthew was more than willing to invest funds.
Meeting Elona's complex and thoughtful gaze, Matthew continued with a smile:
"There's about three months left until the construction of the farm settlements."
"Do your best to cultivate the best variety of Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry as the first pilot crop."
"You don't need to worry at all about resources and money."
"We are simply trying to make the most of our time."
Using money to buy time!
Hearing Matthew's words, the previously anxious Elona let out a slight sigh of relief.
Unlike Old Li, Elona lacked confidence; her past as a slave had taught her a harsh lesson.
If you can't create value or benefit, if you're just an expensive burden, you'll be discarded sooner or later.
Because of this mindset, Elona felt uneasy about spending large amounts of funds and resources on magical plant cultivation.
This was work that wouldn't yield immediate profits, which always made her uneasy.
Matthew seemed to notice her concern and patiently explained:
"The first twenty farm settlements will each allocate 20,000 mu of planting area, for a total of about 600,000 Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry trees."
"To cultivate one mature Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry costs around twenty gold coins, totaling about twelve million gold coins."
"Each Eastern Red Leaf Mulberry could achieve fifty percent of its theoretical value."
"In the first year, each tree could produce about 100 jin of Red Leaf Mulberries, valued at about thirty gold coins, totaling eighteen million gold coins."
"Every ten percent increase in theoretical yield would bring at least nine hundred thousand gold coins in benefits, so it's definitely worth it!"
"Furthermore, simply selling the mulberries isn't very attractive; they could be used to brew magical wine, create nutrient solutions, and mix potions, increasing their value even more..."
Nine hundred thousand gold coins in benefits?
A separate reward of five thousand gold coins for me?
That sounds good!!
With Matthew's guidance, Elona completely relaxed and accepted the dizzying generosity.
Meanwhile, Old Li, who overheard, marveled at Matthew's extravagance.
An investment of twelve million gold coins, recouped in the first year with six million gold coins profit.
Just thinking about it was exciting!
Too bad there was no money, no land, and no people...
"But, could we perhaps pull in those old fellows?"
"A five-thousand-gold coin reward is pretty enticing too!"
Old Li's eyes sparkled, not noticing Matthew's smile as he looked at him...