Published at 21st of November 2020 06:13:28 PM
Chapter 51: 51
The first problems she encountered after Evelyn became Minister of the Finance were unexpected .
“What does that mean . . ”
Another problem had arisen before the Empire’s reply had come .
“The crops affected by endemic diseases?”
That was the time when the world had begun the harvest season . It was only during this season that they could expect the coming harvest . It was the cycle of nature .
“The disease is spreading in the south, and now it seems to have reached the Felice kingdom’s southern farms . ”
“Yeah, the epidemic is attacking wheat and barley crops, but…… there is no record on how to deal with it . ”
Even though Evelyn’s life was far from farming, she knew how important wheat and barley were . It was people’s staple food . So it was a problem that was directly related to the survival of her people .
“Please tell me in details about the crop’s disease . ” Arthur opened his heavy mouth .
“The spread of the disease is rapid, and the cause is unknown . It’s a disaster recorded in ancient books, but the documents only state that after a year or two of the plague was gone, they won’t come back for a while…”
“What if we make a remedy right now?” asked Evelyn .
“It takes time, and it won’t last long . Most importantly, once the stem is eaten a little by the moth, it will quickly spread to the roots and cause it to wither . We won’t be able to harvest at this rate . ” Arthur sighed . It was impossible to against the forces of nature .
“The same thing happened in the early days of my crowning . ”
“Yes, I know that . ”
“At that time, Felice Kingdom was forced to destroy 70% of their agriculture and was very financially shaken . The remaining 30% was saved thanks to a medication that came out late . Can’t we make the medicine faster this time?” asked Arthur .
“I’m doing my best… . ”
“Let’s put that matter first, and don’t spare any effort . ”
“Yes, Your Majesty . ”
The chief bowed his head and stepped back with a depressed face . Evelyn felt a rather tough situation and was lost in thought for a moment .
Of all things, the situation was so bad .
“Father”
“First of all, we’ve got to research it first . Harvest disasters happen often . It’s also happened at the beginning of my reign and the reign of the previous Kings . ”
“I know that because I have learned it . Every time, our Kingdom overcame it by buying food through trade in other products, right?”
“Yes . ”
“If the road is blocked … what’s going to happen?” Evelyn asked her father, curiously .
Arthur was looking at Evelyn with a confused expression .
“Trade routes in the Felice Kingdom have never been blocked . ”
“It is said that this endemic disease has spread from the south . The Kingdoms who are close to us and have exchanges with us will have a more dangerous situation . ”
“Yes, they will……I wish we could help them . ” Evelyn’s lips burned . She might have done something exceptional .
“Most of the Kingdoms in the north … … obey the Empire . ”
It wasn’t strange . In general, the continents were divided into northern and southern territories . The two were separated by a sea and a valley, so it wasn’t easy to interact with each other .
The Kingdom of Felice, however, had the land and the river between the valleys as their territory . So that the Empire and their Kingdom faced each other . So we could say that the wealth of this Kingdom came from the silk trade route connecting the south and the north .
“All the supplies that we send out can only reach the northern lands by going through the ports or land routes that pass through the Empire . ”
That was why the Empire took advantage of these circumstances and was involved in tyranny and exploitation .
“The northern lands are barren and have no natural resources . They have no choice but to depend on supplies from the south . They won’t be able to maintain the noble’s dignity now . ”
All the gold mines and the activities of various craftsmen and traders were located in the south . Culture and entertainment typically started in the south and moved to the north .
In the past, the land in the north was barren, so their main problem was survival .
“But what if they can’t survive?” Evelyn looked at Arthur with fear of eyes .
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“The people in the north are strong . Somehow, they have a history of living . ”
“Then… what if the Empire blocks the route for a while…”
“Evelyn,” Arthur said in a low voice .
“I think I have made a mistake . ”
“No . ,” he said .
“Father… . I’m… . ”
Arthur shook his head, “I know what you want to say . So I’ll ask you as a Finance Minister . Have you done what was necessary for the good and honor of the Kingdom of Felice?”
“······Yes, but at times like this . ”
“The timing is irrelevant . The disaster was not caused by humans . Besides, when I appointed you Minister of Finance, I had already decided to follow all of your decisions . ” Arthur rose from his throne and walked towards Evelyn .
“I am the King . Our Kingdom and I aren’t weak . ”
“But, what if the endemic disease spreads and there is no food, and the Empire sees this opportunity and blocks the trade route?”
“It doesn’t matter . Our ancestors protected this Kingdom long before the trading route was opened . Even if you did the right thing on your behalf, it doesn’t matter . Are you uncertain about your choice?”
“That’s not…” Evelyn said clearly . So far, no one dared to oppose the Empire, but all the contents of Evelyn’s official letter were true .
“You are the one who knows His Majesty . If you thought he was the person who would block the trade route with his power, you wouldn’t dare to write those words . You still have your own judgment on him, don’t you?”
Evelyn still thought of Fabian . She was his wife, but she didn’t know what he was like . But it was clear that he wasn’t a mean person . He was a careless and heartless husband, but he was always wise when it came to public affairs and a gentleman of honor .
“I think my letter wasn’t wrong… . ”
“So what are you worried about? Our kingdom stocks money for a time like this . We’re not an incompetent royal family to starve people a year from endemic diseases . ”
Her wavering, anxious mind sank like a lie . Evelyn had the impression that her father was a great King . Not just that, as Arthur pointed out, his option wasn’t wrong .
“Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty . ” For the first time, Evelyn bowed her head to Arthur as King, not father .
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“Huh… If you know, find out what you should do first . ”
“Yes . ”
There was a strong hope in Evelyn’s face as she lifted her head again .
Fortunately, the Parliament of the Felice Kingdom was competent . According to their respective fields of expertise, they began research to avoid this condition as soon as possible .
Some of them set out to ask the Vatican for help, while others went to the southern lands to make their own counter-measures . Evelyn herself was stuck in her new office for a while without taking part on either side .
“What should I do?”
She never had such anxiety in her life before . When she was a princess, Evelyn dreamed of finding love and beginning a family . After she became the Empress, she had the duty of living as the Imperial family’s mistress, and nobody asked Evelyn anything .
“I have to do what I can . What can I do to help people in this situation?”
Evelyn bit her lips hard . Previously, she had faith in her work, but she couldn’t do it as quickly as she thought when the incident broke out .
If Evelyn was an Empress as she used to be or a Princess, it would have been better to give charity to the people affected by the disaster .
“But right now, that’s not enough . ”
The specific work was always done by Fabian, the Emperor, and his father, Arthur . It was not for Evelyn to participate in Congress, to make decisions, or to issue orders .
“It was me who said that I hated it . ”
Evelyn took a deep breath . She had to do her part if she wanted to be recognized by the world . If she really tried to get out of her husband and father’s shadow, she couldn’t withdraw .
“Okay, think about what comes first, what the most important thing you need . ”
Evelyn recalled the moment when she had taken the most important choices of her life . Evelyn, who had a sad past, changed her future by getting out of the box . Nobility, respect, honor …Stuff like that didn’t really matter at critical moments .
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“We need some food . Chief, tell the Treasury officials to come in . ” As Evelyn set her target, the rest of it became simpler . Evelyn looked at some of her servants and quickly tidy up her hair .
“It’s best to avoid a catastrophe, but I can’t guarantee it . That’s why the Treasury Department should first secure food . ”
“But… . . the other provinces in the south are worse…”
“It’s not in the south . Not even the north . I will send the ship to the east . ”
“What? Princess, there is no wheat or barley in the east . Plus, it’s too much . ”
Evelyn nodded, “That’s why I have to send it now . They also have crops that they use as a staple food . ”
“Of course, but since ancient times, the eastern supplies have been unreasonably costly …”
“Give them whatever they want . We still have a lot of gold . ”
There was no need to think about that .
“If things get worse and we run out of food, can you feed the people with gold? Will you feed your starving family with gold coins?”
When a hungry person came out, then it was too late . That was Evelyn’s simple conclusion .
“As a royal family, I know the history of the Felice Kingdom . My ancestors have always survived these disasters . But it was impossible to stop the victims from coming out every time . ”
Even if the food had been cut off for a month, the Kingdom would have suffered a fatal sacrifice .
“We have to learn from our ancestors, so we shouldn’t repeat those sacrifices . ”
Evelyn’s bold decision was soon accepted by the King, and the merchant ship sailed off eastward, filled with gold coins .
It was an extraordinary effort to prevent famine from falling . Evelyn’s intention was to break the unwritten rule that people always died to a certain extent when the disaster occurred .
“The southern provinces where the endemic disease has already spread will also need our help . ”
Evelyn looked into the distance . She knew in her heart that she couldn’t save anyone .
“I have no choice but to wait if my faith was right . ”