The First Magic World War

One Aegeus could purchase the equivalent of eighteen or nineteen thousand yuan on Earth, and four Aegeus could buy a BYD Qin PLUS Glory there.

A mere horse carriage, what kind of technology does it involve?

It's just a carriage without horses, not even an engine system.

And it's priced the same as the BYD Qin PLUS Glory?

Most importantly, Charlotte, though he had never owned a horse carriage, often rode public ones and occasionally hitched rides in the Brittany Family's private carriages, so he certainly knew they weren't that expensive!

The carriage broker said with a smile, "Such a fine carriage is hard to come by, sir. Aren't you sure you want to reconsider?"

Charlotte immediately raised his voice and said loudly, "Please get me a different broker!"

This outburst immediately caught many people's attention, and the color in the face of the broker who was serving him turned red as he lowered his voice and said, "I'm sorry, sir! Please allow me to apologize, this carriage can be sold for three Aegeus and eight Fu Er."

Charlotte said coldly, "I don't want to repeat myself!"

The broker's voice dropped even lower as he said, "Actually, just three Aegeus!"

Charlotte shook his head and said, "This is your last chance to make an offer."

For a long time on Earth, those who bought cars often suffered, enduring indifference, disdain, price hikes, and waiting months, yet insistent on buying a specific brand.

Charlotte could not understand this at all. To him, these were all products of industrialization, none possessed epoch-making technology. Why not simply switch to a different model, why demean oneself like a dog?

In this era, horse carriages didn't have much technological content. A carpenter could handle everything from logging to making the carriage. Forests surrounded the cities, wood was practically free, and labor was cheap. The most valuable part of a carriage was actually its decoration.

Even in Strasbourg, not many could afford carriages. Since wooden carriages were extremely durable, often lasting decades or even generations, a new carriage often took months to find a buyer.

The market for used carriages was even smaller, with many preferring to pay a premium for a new one rather than touching a used one. After all, it was something they'd use for decades. Practical pragmatists like Charlotte were rare, and as the one footing the bill, he certainly didn't want to be treated like a fool ripe for the picking.

The carriage broker, gritting his teeth, whispered, "Two Aegeus and eight Fu Er, and I'll throw in lanterns, cushions, and reins!"

Charlotte nodded and asked, "Can you recommend a draft horse as well?"

This time the transaction was much smoother.

Charlotte didn't choose the all-gold, soft-glowing, long-haired, beautiful Argento horse that looked like it belonged in the divine realms, nor the so-called white marble horse, the all-white Bellona, nor the tallest Charles horse. Instead, he picked a two-year-old Brabant horse!

In this world, because horses were too expensive and the cost of maintaining them was high, plus the existence of Supernatural Powers, knights emerged representing advanced combat capabilities, but large-scale cavalry did not. Almost ninety percent of horses were raised as heavy draft horses.

In the Inglima Empire, there was a saying: There are more horses pulling carriages than being ridden.

The Brabant horse was of medium size among draft horses, with average strength but still standing over two pimi in height, far taller than most common horses on Earth.

They were hardworking, not picky about feed, and could manage the occasional missed meal. Although their strength was somewhat lacking, they had high endurance and relatively fast speed. The only flaw was that most Brabant horses had mottled coats—red-brown, brown, chestnut, grey, and black mixed, typical of pinto horses, which made them less attractive and thus priced lower among draft horses.

This two-year-old Brabant draft horse cost Charlotte two Aegeus, and the carriage broker even included one year's worth of feed.

Generally, horses in the Old Continent can live thirty to fifty years, as long as they are well-fed, which is more durable than the "endurance" of a carriage, and they can even serve over three generations of owners.

Charles's selection of carriages and draft horses had already caught people's attention.

A middle-aged woman in her thirties, strong in stature, with a resolute face like a man, dressed in slightly worn but clean clothes, stopped his way and said, "Sir, do you need a coachman?"

"My driving skills are very good, my salary is low, and I can also help with some chores and cleaning."

"I need this job, would you please employ me?"

Charles hesitated slightly, and the middle-aged woman said softly, "The gentleman next to you can vouch for me."

The horse and carriage broker paused and said, "Madam Nancy's skills surpass many male coachmen. Her previous employer was very satisfied with her skills and even offered her a lifetime contract, but he had to sell his personal assets to overcome financial difficulties due to an investment in gold mines in the New Continent, which also led to the termination of her contract with Madam Nancy."

Charlotte asked, "Madam, what is your weekly salary approximately?"

Madam Nancy clenched her teeth and said, "Eighty-five Sheng Ding."

This price was rather high, but Charles did not object and asked with a smile, "Do you accept a short-term trial?"

Madam Nancy quickly answered, "I can."

Silvie Martin's weekly salary is also eighty-five Sheng Ding, but as a graduate of the Behemoth National College and being a highly educated person, it's only natural for her to earn this salary.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

As a coachman, Madam Nancy's high salary suggests only one possibility, she was originally trained as a high-class coachman in a noble family.

Ordinary people wouldn't employ a female coachman, so it's likely that Madam Nancy was also a "designated item" for some noble lady.

Such an expensive coachman is naturally hard to find a new job on the market, considering that not long ago, Charles's weekly salary was only one Fu Er and seventy Sheng Ding. Madam Nancy's weekly salary is nearly half the income of a forty-first class imperial public official.

Charles chose used carriages and affordable draft horses because buying expensive ones would be pointless beyond mere facade and wouldn't enhance comfort.

But the comfort a high-class coachman provides is unmatched by ordinary coachmen, so despite Madam Nancy's slightly high price, he intended to try her out for a week.

After paying all the fees, Charles happily sat in his own carriage, and Madam Nancy put on the coachman's hat, flicked her wrist gently, and drove the Brabant draft horses away from the horse and carriage broker.

Indeed, Madam Nancy's driving skills were exceptional, managing the carriage both quickly and steadily.

Charles, half-reclining in the carriage, surveyed the interior decorations. This prestigious type four-wheeled carriage, likely a custom-made model, was slightly longer than ordinary carriages, definitely exceeding eight pi meters.

The interior was divided into two compartments, front and back. The front, just over six pi meters, was typically the master's compartment, and the back was two pi meters squared, used for servants and luggage storage, featuring a fully enclosed structure unlike the open luggage racks of ordinary carriages.

The master's cabin had high-order alchemy-manufactured, exorbitantly expensive crystal glass windows that made the interior very bright. The broker had said its original price was five Aegeus and three Fu Er, and he likely wasn't lying.

Besides the two rows of facing seats, the original owner whimsically designed a small "study" at the back of the master's cabin. Though cramped, it had a desk, bookshelf, armchair, and even a fixed kerosene lamp slot.

Charles adored this design, but generally, nobles would place a soft bed in this space.

Charles initially intended to go home, but with a slight change of mind, he opened the speaking tube and said, "Madam Nancy, to the University of Georgia."