Pinghu Town, Government Affairs Department, Round Table Conference Room.

“The Lord says that whoever believes in me should have a heart of kindness and mercy. He should give a helping hand to those who are in trouble. He should give a fire to those who are lonely and cold. He should share food with those who are in pain. Brothers and sisters should not be buried as long as they are alive. Orphans, widows and children should not be expelled. Old and weak people should not be expelled.

Disability must not be abandoned..."

Kohler clasped his hands in fists and raised them to the tip of his nose. He half-knelt on the floor with a solemn expression. Sweat dripped down his chin. His knees were sore and weak.

How uncomfortable it is.

The stuffy heat of the conference room and the endless chatter of the pastor made his head dizzy, and he only had one thought in his mind:

"Why isn't it over yet? Why isn't it over yet?"

"...Those who help others, others help them. Those who save others, others save them. This is the way of self-salvation and also the way of dedication... Follow the way of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord will be with you." The pastor made a virtual drawing on his chest.

The Holy Emblem announced the end of the sermon, nodded to the church attendants beside him, and motioned them to open the doors and windows to disperse the smell of sweat in the conference room.

Kohler quickly drew the triangle holy symbol on his chest, stood up and rubbed his sore knees. Suddenly he saw a fat man next to him who was sweating profusely and couldn't stand up for a long time. There was a puddle of water under his feet. He felt inexplicably happy.

This fat man's name is Weiqi, who recently moved from Yehliu City to Pinghu Town. It is said that he was once a well-known businessman in the black market of Waterdeep City. He had more than 200 clerks, more than 20 grocery stores, four hotels, and two taverns.

It can be said that he has great wealth and power. Because his business was too big and he was remembered by others, he had to sell the store in Waterdeep City at a low price. He also took the initiative to pay a large sum of money to the gangsters in Waterdeep City, and then left in despair.

He ran to Yehliu City to seek life.

Business in Yeliu City is indeed easy. As long as there is a shop, anyone can make a fortune. However, in today's Yeliu City, the most difficult thing to get is the shop. I don't know who Wedge left, but he was actually related to Mr. John from Yeliu City.

We struck up a conversation. Not only did Mr. John hand over 6 shops to Weiqi to take care of, he also introduced him to Pinghu Town.

Freedmen merchants also wanted to squeeze into the market of Yeliu City, and the freedmen merchants of Yeliu City all wanted to settle down in Pinghu Town. Everyone knows that for businessmen who buy houses in Pinghu Town, their store business in Yeliu City is regarded as

It's safe. Nowadays, Pinghu Town no longer sells houses, and free merchants don't have to pay any amount of money.

Kohler was one of the first free merchants to buy a house in Pinghu Town, and he deeply understood the benefits of Pinghu Town.

The business in Pinghu Town Market is not as popular as in Yeliu City on weekdays, but every weekend, tens of thousands of migrant workers flock to Pinghu Town Market, open their wallets, eat, drink, have fun, and shop. The market is crowded and crowded, even more so than in Yeliu City.

It seems lively. Although there is no big business for the employees to do, the profits from the retail sale of goods are very high. The water flows slowly and the sand gathers into towers. The total profit is quite astonishing.

The merchants in Pinghu Town transported the bulk commodities received by Randall to the Yeliu City market for sale, and then purchased the commodities from Yeliu City and returned to Pinghu Town for retail sales. Both parties were engaged in childbirth, making money at both ends, and everyone was smiling from ear to ear.

In ten days, it will be the Randall family's annual Midsummer Carnival. Kohler received a notice from the tax officer early in the morning, asking him to rush to the Government Affairs Office in the afternoon to attend a businessman's gathering held by the market director of Pinghu Town to discuss matters during the carnival.

Goods preferential treatment and tax exemption issues.

Not all businessmen are eligible to participate in the discussion gathering held by the Government Affairs Department. The market director of Pinghu Town selected 26 representatives from 274 merchants. Kohler is one of them.

He had lunch early, took good care of his appearance, put on decent clothes and the latest gentleman's leather shoes, and rushed to the Government Affairs Office with 25 other representatives in advance. They did not expect that Weiqi, a fat businessman who had just joined Pinghu Town not long ago, would also

Here, they never expected that Pastor Dane from Pinghu Town Church would preach to them in the round table conference room.

We agreed to come to discuss matters, but why did we end up listening to the pastor’s preaching?

Dane looked at the 27 embarrassed businessmen and felt strange himself. He preached to believers every day, but he still preached in the lord's government hall for the first time.

Randall understands that there are many novel things, and you have to study hard and think carefully... Dane remembered Pope Clement's admonition, shook his head with a wry smile, cleared his throat and said: "What do you think about the way of self-salvation?"

, is there anything else you don’t understand?”

"I understand, I understand... We must follow the Lord's teachings." The businessmen nodded hurriedly.

The servant of the Government Affairs Office walked into the conference room carrying cool well water and handed it to the businessmen respectively. After the businessmen drank the water to relieve the heat, Pastor Dane said slowly: "Now there is something that will test your piety.

"

The businessmen looked at each other and complained secretly... Master Dane is asking us to donate money?

After drinking a glass of cold water, Kohler's mind became clearer. He was the first to express his position: "Dear Mr. Dane, if you have anything to do, just ask me. As long as I can do it, I will never shirk the responsibility!"

The rest of the people woke up and started talking:

"Yes, yes, yes, as long as it is within our ability, we will never shirk the responsibility."

"I know that all of you here are devout and generous believers, and you donate every month... To build a cathedral in Pinghu Town, among the civilian believers, you have donated the most." Pastor Dane nodded appreciatively, and said thoughtfully:

"There are hundreds of thousands of people in Randall and Phoenix, and some believers are living in hardship. Although the church has a lot of relief, it cannot completely solve their difficulties... They need the self-salvation of all the believers."

Tsk, it’s not about asking for money!

The businessmen exchanged glances with each other, and their eyes focused on Kohler. He took a step forward, bowed deeply, and said sincerely: "I am willing to pay 400 silver soles to help my brothers and sisters tide over the difficulties."

Everyone donated generously, "I am willing to give 400 silver soles to help my brothers and sisters redeem themselves."

"I will pay 380 silver soles..."

"I will pay 360 silver soles."

The fat businessman Weiqi raised his right hand and was the last to say: "I will offer 100..."

Even 100 silver soles had the nerve to shout so loudly...Kohler and others showed disdain.

"100 gold soles!" The fat businessman took a breath and finished his sentence.

100 gold soles? 3600 silver soles! Damn fat man, you are really rich...don't you have two stinkers... Everyone nodded to their new partner in a friendly manner, with hidden disdain in their eyes.

Dane also took another look at the fat businessman, then shook his head and said: "It's not just a matter of money... The Kingdom of Gumbis is fighting against the ferocious fishmen. Not long ago, Randall had 307 brave mercenary soldiers. Unfortunately,

were killed in the battle, and more than 100 people were injured, 27 of whom were left with lifelong disabilities... In addition, the swamp scouts who were responsible for monitoring the Ant-Man army also suffered casualties from time to time. So far, a total of 83 swamp scouts have been disabled, and they have

Some people are even paralyzed for life... Although Viscount Randall gives them pensions, they need someone to take care of them. Their wives, parents, brothers and sisters have to spare their time, stop working, and stay at home to take care of them. Some families only have husband and wife and

With underage children, the wife cannot go out to earn money to support the family, and the pension will eventually run out, making it even more difficult for such a family. There are also some bachelors who have no one to take care of them and can only live in the church's workhouse for a long time..."

Dane paused and continued: "In the future, there will be such unfortunate people, and there will be such families... I hope that everyone here can contribute money and efforts to help these families redeem themselves."

This is indeed not a question of money... it is a question of lots and lots of money. It is a bottomless pit to help the urgent but not the poor!

The businessmen's faces turned pale, and they secretly made up their minds. When the pastor left, they would go to Lady Lilia to plead with her, asking her to come forward and ask the pastor to give up such a request to rip people off without paying for their lives.

"Mrs. Lilia and I have already reached an agreement..."

The businessmen are heartbroken...can they stay in Pinghu Town?

"She agrees with you to form a mutual aid group. The purpose of the mutual aid group is to help families in need complete self-salvation."

Dane said with a smile: "The mutual aid association will build a mutual aid home next to the workhouse in each village and farm, specifically to take in the orphans, widows and weak people in Randall's territory, so that their families can regain their lives. Which of you is willing to join the mutual aid association?"

"Me!" The fat businessman Wedge raised his hand again and shouted loudly: "I am willing to pay 400 gold soles to join the mutual aid association!"

"Okay! From now on, you will be the first leader of the Randall Mutual Aid Association." Dane pointed at the fat man and asked kindly: "Believer, what is your name?"

"Dear Pastor, my name is Wedge."

The fat man bowed triumphantly, attracting angry looks from the businessmen.

The atmosphere at the meeting was a little stiff. Pastor Dane coughed dryly, looked around, and said: "Of course, it is unrealistic to ask the key members of the mutual aid association to bear the rescue costs. The food and clothing of the orphans, widows, and the weak are provided by the workhouse, and the mutual aid association is mainly responsible for taking care of them.

Lord Viscount Randall allows the mutual aid association to hire people to take care of the food, clothing, and daily life of the orphans, widows, and the weak. In addition, the mutual aid association can charge a certain monthly fee from the families of the recipients as funds for operating the mutual aid home."

Huh? This can be done!

Kohler's eyes lit up, he raised his hand and shouted: "I will pay 150 gold soles, no! I will pay 240 gold soles to join the mutual aid association!"

The Mutual Aid Association is a non-governmental organization led by the church and approved by the lord. Although joining the Mutual Aid Association will result in a long-term loss of money, it can improve one's social status in Randall Territory!

Others also reacted and shouted:

"I'll pay you 220 gold soles!"

"I'll pay you 240 gold soles!"

"I'll pay 180 gold soles..."

Father Dane nodded with satisfaction, cast a Holy Light spell, and said solemnly: "Those who are pious will be rewarded. May the Lord bless you."

"May the glory of the Supreme Lord last forever!" Everyone half-knelt on the ground and prayed devoutly.

The misty holy light gradually dimmed, and a sweet voice like an oriole sounded outside the door:

"Father Dane, have you finished talking about your matter?"

The charming Lady Lilia walked into the conference room with elegant steps, raised her skirt and saluted Pastor Dane. Her personal bodyguard Marcy bowed in greeting.

"Mrs. Randall, may the Lord guide your path." Pastor Dane drew a false holy symbol on his chest.

"Good day, Mrs. Randall." The businessmen bowed respectfully.

Dane left his position, walked to Lilia's side, and said to the merchants: "Mrs. Lilia has a tax-free business to be handed over to the mutual aid association." He raised his arm and said with his jaw: "Madam, please, I will go first.

Sorry."

Lilia smiled slightly, stepped on her high heels, and walked to the main seat gracefully. She took a black piece of paper from Marcy's hand and said to the businessmen: "This business is called a mutual aid roll. It's actually a

The gambling business... is issued once a week, and the lottery is drawn on weekends... 20% of the total revenue is used as the issuance cost, and 40% is used as the bonus pool..."

Dane led his church attendants to the door, looked back, and found that the businessmen were listening quietly, with respect in their eyes. He couldn't help but think of a famous saying in the church:

No matter how devout a believer is, he still needs to wear clothes and eat!

*********************

Pinghu Castle, Lord's Study Room.

Victor sat behind the table and played with a piece of black paper on which seven numbers were written with a special white dye. He did not expect that the improved paper Randall received had not yet been used for writing.
To be continued...