The snow, which had been falling for so many days, must have gotten a bit boring, because it finally stopped today. The sky was no longer gray; a sliver of light seemed to be peeking through the distant horizon.
Gray Fortress also came back to life. Some villagers in Peach Blossom Village were using tools to pry snow off the roofs, and people started clearing the roads.
Eric's house
The fireplace was still burning; this was the first time their family had experienced a warm winter.
Eric's wife, Martha, was cooking by the fireplace.
"Eric, do you know what happened with the decree the lord issued last time?" his wife Martha asked, watching Eric prepare tools to go out and shovel snow.
Now her family has no worries about food or clothing. What worries her most is that she can't read. She can never understand the decrees issued by the lord. If she is present at the time, the steward will read them aloud. But if she is not present, she will have to ask others for everything.
Before Eric could speak, their eldest son, Grey Eric, said:
"The lord said that a new type of copper coin will be issued. In the future, you will need copper coins to eat at the Peace Hotel, and the number of copper coins required for the food at the Peace Hotel will also be determined."
The couple looked at their eldest son with satisfaction. Their son's selection by the housekeeper and his ability to learn from him had made them happy for many days.
It's obvious to everyone that the butler is getting old; he's training the next butler.
However, we can't be careless. Although the housekeeper is old, he should still be able to work for several more years without any problems.
However, the eldest son, Huibai, is also doing well. He learned many characters in a short time after following the housekeeper, and he has been practicing recognizing characters every day at home these days.
There's still that very white piece of paper on the table; it's clearly not an ordinary thing.
Although he may not have fully believed everything he said, he probably knows at least half of it.
Eric nodded to his son and then looked at his wife, Martha.
"That's right, Martha. The lord is minting some copper coins, but these copper coins aren't just for eating at the Peace Hotel; they have many other uses."
As a junior leader in the guard, Eric probably knows more than others.
"Is there any other use for it?" Martha didn't know what else this copper coin could be used for.
The territory was too isolated; most of them didn't know about it, and they used to mainly barter.
"From now on, you might be able to exchange everything with this copper coin. But don't go around telling people about it in the village."
Eric reminded Martha that she shouldn't speak carelessly about anything the lord hadn't yet issued a decree about.
Martha was somewhat surprised by her husband Eric's words. Did that mean everything could be exchanged for copper coins, not just food? This was beyond her imagination; she was more concerned about food.
"Grayish-white, how many copper coins does that black bread cost?"
"Mother, good black bread costs two copper coins, and ordinary bread costs one copper coin."
Well, then she can exchange her copper coins for 20 ordinary black loaves of bread a day! That's enough to eat for several days.
Huh? Martha seems to have suddenly thought of something?
"Eric, if one of our chickens lays an egg, can I exchange the egg for a copper coin, and then use that copper coin to buy black bread or meat?"
Martha seemed to have suddenly had a breakthrough.
"Yes, Martha, just so you know! Don't go around telling everyone," Eric reminded his wife Martha again.
Martha was overjoyed.
"When copper coins are issued in the future, you must save this copper coin."