Chapter 290: Chapter 141.2 Greenhouses
I have big plans for my "nest", but we must not forget that the ancestral nest does not end with a house, we still need to work with the surrounding land. But the construction is far from finished, so it will have to wait.
— That's very brave. — The director interrupted my thoughts and put the papers on the table. — From what I can see, your project will require serious financial investment. So I have a few questions for you, Mr. Hoshino.
— Of course, that's why I'm here, to discuss it thoroughly. — The notebook is closed and hidden in the inside pocket of the robe I wear instead of my lab coat.
— I offered earlier to move your business closer to Hogwarts, but you refused. What made you change your mind? — The probing, penetrating gaze in this man's performance makes him respectful.
— You're wrong about the details, Headmaster. I want to build a house and farm there, and there is an ancient source of magic in the area. Not only can wizards and wizards live here comfortably, but also various magical animals and rare plants. Hogwarts itself is an iconic place, a place of attention and the intersection of many interests. Sooner or later, someone would have suggested the same thing I was suggesting anyway, so what's the problem?
— That's not exactly what I asked. — Dumbledore frowned slightly, which didn't confuse me at all.
— I understand your concern for the school and the children, but I'm not planning anything evil or devious. My logic is simple: it's easier to grow magical plants on magical land with a powerful spring, especially since you can hire people from Hogsmeade, or even students, to look after the greenhouses.
— I suppose so. — The headmaster nodded, keeping his eyes on me. — However, your project requires a lot of money to start, and it won't be profitable right away.
— I understand that, that's why the project includes the partial reconstruction of some destroyed greenhouses under new conditions, which will significantly increase the financial efficiency of the whole project.
— Yes, that's what I was wondering. — The director pulled out one of the sheets and glanced at the lines. — What does "Organization of Cultivation of Unique Endemics" mean? — Again that curious look.
— Everywhere in the world there are unique places where unique animals live or endemic plants grow. These animals, plants, and insects can only live in a certain area, and only there. The magical world is no different in this regard, so everything is exactly the same. Britain has many unique swamps and marshes, including magical ones, where unique plants and mushrooms grow that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, allowing you to regulate their price on the market at will. — I am silent, because a smart person will realize how profitable it is, and the director simply cannot not know about the local magical endemics.
— To create such delicate and specific conditions requires a long and expensive work of a master artificer.
— I happen to be a personal apprentice of a French master, his name is Jacques Francis Boisselier. Besides, I don't let myself be interrupted. — I've learned something in my homeland that allows me to solve this problem.
— All right, let's consider that done. — Dumbledore put the sheet aside for the others. — What is the benefit to the school of having outsiders and private businesses on its grounds?
— There are a lot of possibilities, really. — I shrug, looking bored. — For the rental of the greenhouses themselves and some of the currently empty Hogwarts buildings needed to store and process the grown produce, payment can be made either in cash after the sale, or in a pre-arranged percentage of the harvest.
— Hmmm... — I was studied with a strange look for a few seconds. — In deals like this, clear numbers are set.
— You're right. — I nodded in agreement. — But I'd have to pay a lot of taxes to the Ministry, which will never make concessions. I'd have to give up about a quarter of my income, but I have to pay the school, right? If I'm paying Hogwarts so much that I'm not making any profit, what's the point of me organizing all this? I'm going to invest a lot of money, start a business, but I won't even be able to get back what I invested if I don't make a profit from the income and have to pay huge bills. Therefore, it is more profitable for me to agree on the percentage of the harvest, because there are crop failures, diseases, and various accidents. The simple logic of profit. — I shrug again.
— I know that the school supplies raw materials for potions to St. Mungo's, and in return receives some finished potions and rare imported ingredients for the hospital wing. If we come to an agreement, the school's supply would not only increase in volume, but also in scope. I had also thought of planting a greenhouse with tropical fruit trees and shrubs to expand the school's menu.
But that would require specialists in working with expanded space, which I don't have access to. — Of course, but the headmaster should also show off, he has to show off, not only by giving permission, but also by lending a helping hand — what a good man! Yes, and with a percentage of the harvest to the director will open the widest field of fraud, even with the banal smuggling somewhere abroad "surplus, which is not".
But I'm stupid, I don't understand it, and out of ignorance I put everything in strong and knowledgeable hands. And of course I will never know if his subordinates are careful to steal only a little at a time. Otherwise, it could be wrapped up at any time.
— Very interesting. — The headmaster smiled slightly. — I have heard the students' requests to expand the menu, but the budget does not allow it, so the children still have to make do with the same pumpkin juice. But, let's say, grape or apple juice, I think it might cheer the students up. — Dumbledore spoke, a little dreamily. — Or fresh apple jam, pudding... ....
— Apples, I think we'll be done with that by next year. — The sweet lover's understanding smile was met with the same. — But I was thinking of something like bananas, oranges, grapefruits, papayas or mangos....