Three days later, Count Grandet was personally escorted back to his home by Lin Yide.
The two chatted and laughed as if they had been old friends for a long time.
Grandet completely changed his previously stingy nature and donated 500 million Mora in one go, which was equivalent to most of his family fortune.
After Lin Yide left, Count Grandet seemed to lose all support.
He staggered into the living room, then weakly lay down on the floor and cried out loud.
The cries were filled with fear, helplessness, and regret, releasing all the pain and repression he had endured during this period.
Grandet's children rushed over upon hearing the cries. Seeing their father so out of control, they all showed expressions of shock.
They gathered around Grandet anxiously, asking what had happened.
A deep fear showed in Grandet's eyes, his body trembling continuously, as if still immersed in that terrifying memory.
"Devil! He is a devil!"
The children looked at each other, not knowing exactly what their father had experienced, but from his expression and words, they could feel the fear that had penetrated to his bones.
With Count Grandet's experience as a warning, the subsequent "investigation" work became relatively easier.
Nobles who were approached by Lin Yide voluntarily made donations, fearing they would suffer the same fate as Count Grandet.
In just one month, Lin Yide managed to raise nearly 10 billion Mora.
This enormous sum was almost equivalent to the entire five-year fiscal budget of Fontaine.
Originally, his intention was only to raise funds to solve the placement issues of ship owners and crew, but now, faced with this huge amount of money, he began to have new ideas.
Many important sectors in Fontaine had long been monopolized by nobles and big merchants.
This monopoly not only restricted market development but also widened the wealth gap, making it difficult for ordinary people to improve their quality of life.
And this money was enough to break all monopolies.
…
The warm sunlight gently bathed the streets of Fontaine, bringing a touch of warmth and tranquility to the city.
A young man and woman walked side by side.
"Yide, you really are something. Do you know how many nobles have come to me recently to complain about your 'crimes'?" Furina complained to Lin Yide beside her.
"If you find it annoying, you can start charging," Lin Yide joked. "One complaint costs one million Mora. I guarantee no one will come to you then."
Furina glared at him and pretended to be angry. "Always coming up with bad ideas! If I charge, I won't hear the voices of the common people. How can I help them as a deity then?"
"Dummy." Lin Yide gently tapped Furina's head, his eyes showing a hint of affection.
She pouted angrily, "Why do you always call me a dummy? You're the dummy, and a big one at that!"
Lin Yide loved seeing her little pout when she was angry; it was so cute that he couldn't help but want to tease her.
"You don't believe I'm dumb? Then tell me, who usually comes to see you? Have you ever seen a poor commoner?"
Furina thought seriously about the visitors she had received in the past and was surprised to find that almost all of them were nobles and wealthy merchants; she had hardly ever seen a poor commoner.
"Why is that?" she asked in confusion.
Lin Yide asked back calmly, "Would someone who worries about tomorrow's food have the time or energy to chase after celebrities?"
After hearing Lin Yide's words, guilt appeared on Furina's face.
Over the years, she had devoted most of her energy to finding a way to break the prophecy that troubled Fontaine, neglecting the attention and help for the lower-class people.
Just as she wanted to say something, the two had unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the Ship Guild.
So she put her thoughts aside for the moment, planning to discuss them with Lin Yide later.
The Ship Guild was located in a grand three-story Western-style office building, with a dignified receptionist standing at the door.
Led by her, Lin Yide and Furina entered the building.
As soon as they stepped inside, they saw the luxurious decorations, even surpassing those of the Palais Mermonia.
Lin Yide frowned immediately; this visit might not go as smoothly as he had expected.
Soon, the Guild Master of the Ship Guild, Abel, came out to greet them. He was a short and stout middle-aged man with thinning hair and a greasy face, wearing a hypocritical and flattering smile.
"Lady Furina, Baron Yide, your arrival is an honor for our entire Ship Guild."
Lin Yide had no interest in such hypocritical pleasantries and coldly interrupted, "Guild Master Abel, let's get straight to the point."
Abel's face stiffened but quickly returned to normal. He slightly bowed and gestured to invite them, "Of course, of course. Let's discuss in my office."
Then Lin Yide and Furina followed him into his office.
The office was luxuriously decorated yet tasteful, showing the financial strength and status of the Ship Guild.
Furina and Lin Yide comfortably sat on the soft sofa, while Abel sat opposite them.
Lin Yide straightforwardly stated the purpose of their visit: "Guild Master Abel, Lady Furina and I are here mainly to discuss the placement of ship owners and crew affected by the construction of the Fontaine Aquabus."
Upon hearing this, Abel immediately showed a troubled expression. "Our association strongly supports the construction of the Fontaine Aquabus; after all, it is a project beneficial to the country and the people.
At the same time, we are actively providing psychological counseling to the affected ship owners and crew.
However, due to life's pressures, their practical needs must also be properly addressed."
Lin Yide showed impatience at this old fox's pretentiousness. "I don't want to hear empty words. Just tell me your conditions."
Abel was slightly stunned, obviously not expecting Lin Yide to be so direct.
So he dropped the pretense. "I heard that recently some nobles have donated a large sum of Mora to Lady Furina's foundation. Solving the placement issues of these ship owners and crew should be a piece of cake with that."
At this point, a greedy glint flashed in his eyes.
As far as he knew, that donation was an astronomical amount.