“The farmland we have secured is about 130,000 acres.”
“One hundred and thirty thousand Akron? How many households can be supported with that amount?”
“It will depend on the type of crops desired and the size of the land, but it will probably be able to accommodate at least a thousand households.”
A thousand households? If you assume that the average household in Vostok has six people, that's more than half the population. The treasurer quickly added, perhaps thinking that I was dissatisfied.
“Once crops start being produced, the trading market will soon become active. Then taxes will be collected normally.”
He muttered as he calculated, scribbling with a quill pen in the notebook he was holding.
“You will be able to recover all of your investment within ten years, so it is a good deal even in the long term.”
“Once the investment is recovered, it can be reinvested in other basic industries.”
I nodded as I added that.
“Good. Please proceed with the land lease without a hitch. Also, don’t forget to include in the contract the condition that the title will be transferred after farming faithfully for ten years.”
“I will do that.”
“How did you figure out the rental fee?”
“It will require some more calculations, but... it won’t exceed 5% of annual production.”
I moved the fork to my other hand and signed the documents the treasurer handed me. The treasurer handed me the documents one by one and said,
“We plan to save the money we receive as rental fees and return it to the farmers who have been producing crops consistently for ten years.”
“Good. You’re accepting applications starting this afternoon, right? You’re selecting the person who will lease the land.”
"Yes."
“Have you prepared all the documents? There must be a lot of people who don’t know how to read.”
“Oh, I have prepared for that problem.”
Jacqueline suddenly interjected.
“I plan to call up the knights who followed as Your Highness’s escort.”
“The Knights Templar?”
"They would have come here and rested, but they have to work even at times like this.”
“Yes. I’ll go out and cheer them on, too.”
“Ahem.”
“...”
“I’m speaking for the first time in five hours.”
“...”
We sat there, staring at the gate. There was not a single person or a single bird flying around. At first, I thought it was because it was so early in the morning.
But by this time, well past lunchtime, the only people left were two people who had barely managed to get the catalogue. This was a little suspicious.
Maybe the advertising was wrong? Why is it unpopular when they rent out land cheaply and provide generous support?
“Jacqueline.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I questioned with narrowed eyes as if I was suspicious.
“Did you put up the promotional materials properly? Did you happen to throw them away somewhere...?”
“No, what kind of a punk do you think I am?”
He added, as if he were amazed.
“As Your Highness commanded, they were posted in all the places where people gather, such as squares, alleys, bars, inns, and even hotels frequented by nobles.”
“Is it because they don’t know how to write that they’re doing that...”
“Servants and knights have been out in the square in shifts for several days, so even those who are illiterate will be able to read the contents of the propaganda material.”
“...”
And yet, there are no people? I had a strong feeling of foreboding, whether it was intuition or something else.
It was clear that something was wrong. I still didn't know what it was. I let out a sigh of relief.
“...Then, I guess we have no choice but to wait a little longer.”
“Right...”
After two full days had passed like that, I was finally able to admit it.
My plan to lease farmland to the landowners and produce commercial crops failed.
And that too, in a very miserable way.
There is no effect without a cause. After racking my brain for several days, I finally came to one conclusion.
My proposal was not an attractive condition for the residents.
They were already people who had tasted the income of tourism. Even if they stayed still, foreign nobles and their servants would come every winter and spend money.
Although it was difficult to accumulate great wealth, there was no room for complaints as taxes and labor intensity were low.
That was the problem. They were extremely satisfied with the status quo.
It would be better if Vostok had its own unique value, whether it be climate or scenery, so that tourists would flock there all year round.. After all, wolves are living creatures.
The biggest problem was that, although things might be okay now, there was no guarantee that population control would continue to work well forever.
For the time being, they would somehow survive, but eventually, within a few years, the estate would go bankrupt.
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
I barely raised my head at Sonya's call.
“I bought all the newspapers you mentioned. And here are the letters that arrived in the mail this morning.”
“Ah... thank you.”
The tray Sonya brought contained several letters and newspapers.
I elegantly pushed aside a few newspapers that were noisily commenting on the war situation in the North, and among the piled-up letters, I found Cesare's.
I carefully peeled off the wax and read the letter he had sent. Sonya, who was standing next to me, asked cautiously.
“Is this good news?”
"Yes?"
“Your expression has improved.”
Now that I think about it, I don't know when I last laughed. My mind has been so complicated lately, so I guess I unintentionally worried the people around me. It was embarrassing.
I smiled at Sonya.
“Yes. That’s good news. I think someone will arrive from the capital soon.”
“Then I need to prepare a clean room!”
Sonya said enthusiastically.
“Would you do that? The letter was sent... three days ago, so if I calculate it, it should arrive this evening.”
“Yes. I’ll get it ready right away.”
“Oh, and Sonya. How are you feeling?”
“I feel a lot better after applying the medicine you prescribed last time. I don’t itch anymore.”
It was a brave answer. However, the palace doctor said that the medicine was only a temporary measure. There would come a point when she would no longer listen. No one knew when that would be.
I held Sonya's small hand tightly.
“I will find a cure, somehow.”
“Hey. Thank you for just saying that.”
Sonya smiled shyly. I couldn't help but hug her tightly.
Late that night, the carriage carrying Cesare arrived. He looked around at us who had come out to greet him and said just one thing.
“More than anything, I want to eat something first.”
An hour later, Cesare came up to the reception room, his face looking somewhat relieved from a hearty meal.
I waited patiently while he leaned back in his armchair, holding a cup of warm tea.
“It’s nice to see you after a long time.”
“Me too. Any news from the capital?”
“Any other news?”
He was taken aback by my question. I could have tried to convey my point in a polite way, but my patience was running thin after my recent failures.
I asked Cesare directly, so he couldn't evade.
“Regarding Lady Veronica. I heard she’s having a very successful third competition.”
“That’s what they said. Your Highness, if you’ve read the recent newspapers, you’ll know what I mean.”
“I’ve been busy lately...”
As I began to make excuses, Cesare's eyes narrowed.
Yes. To be honest, it was only relatively recently that I started to have the courage to read the newspapers. Before that, every newspaper I read was full of stories about the unstable situation in the North and the sacrifices of soldiers.
If by any chance, if by any chance, on the casualty list... I cut off the ominous thoughts that followed.
And he made up some excuse.
“...The newspapers often exaggerate. From your perspective, what was the capital’s reaction like?”
“Well, it’s an enthusiastic response. This will be the first fair hosted by the Princess in the North.”
I opened the Poste Brum this morning, and there it was, the most influential weekly in the empire, with a front page devoted to the exhibition Veronica was hosting.
How groundbreaking an idea that is, and how it would be a welcome addition to the technology-hungry North.
I answered, trying to remain objective.
“The word ‘enthusiastic’ is an understatement. The level of the craft associations exhibiting, the participating stores... it was absolutely incredible.”
In comparison, the situation in Vostok was described only briefly in a couple of lines. Cesare spoke comfortingly.
“Geographically, isn’t Valsen closer to the center of the north than Vostok?”
“Geographically, yes.”
“Your Highness, you may be indifferent, but that is not a small difference. Just a few centuries ago, there was a fairly large market, so it would have been much easier to gather friendly nobles and merchants.”
“...That’s nothing more than an excuse for a loser.”
I blurted out. It was frustrating, but it was the truth. Hiding behind excuses doesn't solve anything.
“From that perspective, I could say I had the advantage because I’m a northerner. All other conditions were honestly the same.”
“It wasn’t exactly the same. The Princess had Ashbital Island.”
“...”
“I heard that among the nobles who participated in the fair, they would give invitations to Ashbital Island to high-value sponsors.”
“Ashbital Island.”
“At least, that would have been a very important factor in determining whether this expo would be successful or not.”
That statement... could not be refuted. Ashvital was the ultimate summer resort.
As the holiday season approached, the aristocrats were very sensitive about where they would spend the season, with whom, and which resort gatherings they would be invited to, because that determined their 'position' in society.
Considering that, Lady Veronica may have had an advantage over me.
But if you think about it, that was all.
Even if I had started with Ashvital Island, I wouldn't have easily come up with the Expo.
For example, there was a decent wolf hunting ground in Vostok. If I had subdued the lord a little sooner, I might have been able to use that to attract other investors.
But I couldn't, and Lady Veronica did.
I tried to raise the middle class, and Lady Veronica created the conditions for the outside middle class to flow in.
It was a triumph of clever ideas, just like Lady Veronica's, from start to finish.
I bit my lip.
“One hundred and thirty thousand Akron? How many households can be supported with that amount?”
“It will depend on the type of crops desired and the size of the land, but it will probably be able to accommodate at least a thousand households.”
A thousand households? If you assume that the average household in Vostok has six people, that's more than half the population. The treasurer quickly added, perhaps thinking that I was dissatisfied.
“Once crops start being produced, the trading market will soon become active. Then taxes will be collected normally.”
He muttered as he calculated, scribbling with a quill pen in the notebook he was holding.
“You will be able to recover all of your investment within ten years, so it is a good deal even in the long term.”
“Once the investment is recovered, it can be reinvested in other basic industries.”
I nodded as I added that.
“Good. Please proceed with the land lease without a hitch. Also, don’t forget to include in the contract the condition that the title will be transferred after farming faithfully for ten years.”
“I will do that.”
“How did you figure out the rental fee?”
“It will require some more calculations, but... it won’t exceed 5% of annual production.”
I moved the fork to my other hand and signed the documents the treasurer handed me. The treasurer handed me the documents one by one and said,
“We plan to save the money we receive as rental fees and return it to the farmers who have been producing crops consistently for ten years.”
“Good. You’re accepting applications starting this afternoon, right? You’re selecting the person who will lease the land.”
"Yes."
“Have you prepared all the documents? There must be a lot of people who don’t know how to read.”
“Oh, I have prepared for that problem.”
Jacqueline suddenly interjected.
“I plan to call up the knights who followed as Your Highness’s escort.”
“The Knights Templar?”
"They would have come here and rested, but they have to work even at times like this.”
“Yes. I’ll go out and cheer them on, too.”
***
“Ahem.”
“...”
“I’m speaking for the first time in five hours.”
“...”
We sat there, staring at the gate. There was not a single person or a single bird flying around. At first, I thought it was because it was so early in the morning.
But by this time, well past lunchtime, the only people left were two people who had barely managed to get the catalogue. This was a little suspicious.
Maybe the advertising was wrong? Why is it unpopular when they rent out land cheaply and provide generous support?
“Jacqueline.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I questioned with narrowed eyes as if I was suspicious.
“Did you put up the promotional materials properly? Did you happen to throw them away somewhere...?”
“No, what kind of a punk do you think I am?”
He added, as if he were amazed.
“As Your Highness commanded, they were posted in all the places where people gather, such as squares, alleys, bars, inns, and even hotels frequented by nobles.”
“Is it because they don’t know how to write that they’re doing that...”
“Servants and knights have been out in the square in shifts for several days, so even those who are illiterate will be able to read the contents of the propaganda material.”
“...”
And yet, there are no people? I had a strong feeling of foreboding, whether it was intuition or something else.
It was clear that something was wrong. I still didn't know what it was. I let out a sigh of relief.
“...Then, I guess we have no choice but to wait a little longer.”
“Right...”
***
After two full days had passed like that, I was finally able to admit it.
My plan to lease farmland to the landowners and produce commercial crops failed.
And that too, in a very miserable way.
There is no effect without a cause. After racking my brain for several days, I finally came to one conclusion.
My proposal was not an attractive condition for the residents.
They were already people who had tasted the income of tourism. Even if they stayed still, foreign nobles and their servants would come every winter and spend money.
Although it was difficult to accumulate great wealth, there was no room for complaints as taxes and labor intensity were low.
That was the problem. They were extremely satisfied with the status quo.
It would be better if Vostok had its own unique value, whether it be climate or scenery, so that tourists would flock there all year round.. After all, wolves are living creatures.
The biggest problem was that, although things might be okay now, there was no guarantee that population control would continue to work well forever.
For the time being, they would somehow survive, but eventually, within a few years, the estate would go bankrupt.
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
I barely raised my head at Sonya's call.
“I bought all the newspapers you mentioned. And here are the letters that arrived in the mail this morning.”
“Ah... thank you.”
The tray Sonya brought contained several letters and newspapers.
I elegantly pushed aside a few newspapers that were noisily commenting on the war situation in the North, and among the piled-up letters, I found Cesare's.
I carefully peeled off the wax and read the letter he had sent. Sonya, who was standing next to me, asked cautiously.
“Is this good news?”
"Yes?"
“Your expression has improved.”
Now that I think about it, I don't know when I last laughed. My mind has been so complicated lately, so I guess I unintentionally worried the people around me. It was embarrassing.
I smiled at Sonya.
“Yes. That’s good news. I think someone will arrive from the capital soon.”
“Then I need to prepare a clean room!”
Sonya said enthusiastically.
“Would you do that? The letter was sent... three days ago, so if I calculate it, it should arrive this evening.”
“Yes. I’ll get it ready right away.”
“Oh, and Sonya. How are you feeling?”
“I feel a lot better after applying the medicine you prescribed last time. I don’t itch anymore.”
It was a brave answer. However, the palace doctor said that the medicine was only a temporary measure. There would come a point when she would no longer listen. No one knew when that would be.
I held Sonya's small hand tightly.
“I will find a cure, somehow.”
“Hey. Thank you for just saying that.”
Sonya smiled shyly. I couldn't help but hug her tightly.
***
Late that night, the carriage carrying Cesare arrived. He looked around at us who had come out to greet him and said just one thing.
“More than anything, I want to eat something first.”
An hour later, Cesare came up to the reception room, his face looking somewhat relieved from a hearty meal.
I waited patiently while he leaned back in his armchair, holding a cup of warm tea.
“It’s nice to see you after a long time.”
“Me too. Any news from the capital?”
“Any other news?”
He was taken aback by my question. I could have tried to convey my point in a polite way, but my patience was running thin after my recent failures.
I asked Cesare directly, so he couldn't evade.
“Regarding Lady Veronica. I heard she’s having a very successful third competition.”
“That’s what they said. Your Highness, if you’ve read the recent newspapers, you’ll know what I mean.”
“I’ve been busy lately...”
As I began to make excuses, Cesare's eyes narrowed.
Yes. To be honest, it was only relatively recently that I started to have the courage to read the newspapers. Before that, every newspaper I read was full of stories about the unstable situation in the North and the sacrifices of soldiers.
If by any chance, if by any chance, on the casualty list... I cut off the ominous thoughts that followed.
And he made up some excuse.
“...The newspapers often exaggerate. From your perspective, what was the capital’s reaction like?”
“Well, it’s an enthusiastic response. This will be the first fair hosted by the Princess in the North.”
I opened the Poste Brum this morning, and there it was, the most influential weekly in the empire, with a front page devoted to the exhibition Veronica was hosting.
How groundbreaking an idea that is, and how it would be a welcome addition to the technology-hungry North.
I answered, trying to remain objective.
“The word ‘enthusiastic’ is an understatement. The level of the craft associations exhibiting, the participating stores... it was absolutely incredible.”
In comparison, the situation in Vostok was described only briefly in a couple of lines. Cesare spoke comfortingly.
“Geographically, isn’t Valsen closer to the center of the north than Vostok?”
“Geographically, yes.”
“Your Highness, you may be indifferent, but that is not a small difference. Just a few centuries ago, there was a fairly large market, so it would have been much easier to gather friendly nobles and merchants.”
“...That’s nothing more than an excuse for a loser.”
I blurted out. It was frustrating, but it was the truth. Hiding behind excuses doesn't solve anything.
“From that perspective, I could say I had the advantage because I’m a northerner. All other conditions were honestly the same.”
“It wasn’t exactly the same. The Princess had Ashbital Island.”
“...”
“I heard that among the nobles who participated in the fair, they would give invitations to Ashbital Island to high-value sponsors.”
“Ashbital Island.”
“At least, that would have been a very important factor in determining whether this expo would be successful or not.”
That statement... could not be refuted. Ashvital was the ultimate summer resort.
As the holiday season approached, the aristocrats were very sensitive about where they would spend the season, with whom, and which resort gatherings they would be invited to, because that determined their 'position' in society.
Considering that, Lady Veronica may have had an advantage over me.
But if you think about it, that was all.
Even if I had started with Ashvital Island, I wouldn't have easily come up with the Expo.
For example, there was a decent wolf hunting ground in Vostok. If I had subdued the lord a little sooner, I might have been able to use that to attract other investors.
But I couldn't, and Lady Veronica did.
I tried to raise the middle class, and Lady Veronica created the conditions for the outside middle class to flow in.
It was a triumph of clever ideas, just like Lady Veronica's, from start to finish.
I bit my lip.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment