Weekly chapters (2/2)
Another developement chapter.
Enjoy~
Translator: Raizu
Editor: Shirayuki
Land Development, Beekeeping and Parliament Officials
Returning back to a time after training with Sigurd.
Ares was standing on a hill overlooking the Schwarzer Territory.
[Ares-sama really likes this place, isn't he? Milord always visited this place when going back from training.]
[I can see Romaria and the villages surrounding it from here. This view makes me happy.]
Saying that, Ares narrowed his eyes.
[The street is filled with lights and the smoke rising from the fireplace of each home….ah, that light and those smoke, I felt that people's happiness is condensed within each of them.]
As they saw, warm light started to emit from each houses and smoke began to climb up the chimneys.
After seeing the scenery, Sigurd put what crossed his mind at that moment to words.
[The field is spreading. What was previously wasteland had been well-maintained.]
[George and Rodman have worked really hard, it seems. Thanks to them taking care of domestic affairs, the territory has grown quite prosperous.]
[To be able to get along with Rodman…..I think even George himself is amazed. That guy has a hard time opening up to others after all. His work speed is definitely number one though.]
Saying so, Sigurd looked embarrassed. It seemed that he himself didn't quite get along with George.
[George is an interesting fellow too, you know. He is the best friend of that Shion of all people. If looking at his hidden aspects….I think Sigurd will change his impression…]
Ares said so to Sigurd.
[Let's go visit George. I think we'll see something interesting this time around.]
And so, Ares proceeded with the hardly convinced Sigurd in tow.
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While passing through the cultivated fields and well-maintained road, anyone would be able to sense George's amazing capability.
George was recruited by the Schwarzer Territory about 3 years ago.
He's a tall, but rather skinny man. In contrast to his beautiful blond hair, wrinkles seem to be always adorned his forehead. His eyes shone a strong will and intelligence. Truly a marvelous man.
Shion was the one who brought him here from the Royal Capital.
Soon after arriving, he's given the full responsibility of the parliament.
He first set to work on the family register and reforming agriculture. About the agricultural reform, the first step is to cultivate the wasteland.
Schwarzer Territory had a lot of wasteland. This is mainly because there is no big river coursing on the territory. To counter that, they redirected some of the water supply to nearby rural villages in order to cultivate those wasteland.
In addition to that, he appointed a man named Rodman who is well-versed in agriculture.
That man is an agricultural expert. What kind of man who proceeded to become a professor in the subject of agriculture at the Royal Academy as soon as he graduated? Of course such a man will receive a lot of offers. He's also a former classmate of both George and Shion.
Using his knowledge, he worked as an official at his hometown, but was fired because he dismayed the aristocrat he served. George managed to persuade him, no, it's almost like he intimidated him to join the Schwarzers.
George, knowing that one should go to the specialist for best result, let Rodman take full responsibility for revitalizing the agriculture.
This is the result. And this year they're even entering the second phase of the revitalizing plan, by applying double-cropping method to further enhance the self sufficiency rate for food.
With the food supply stabilizing, George currently focused on commerce.
[The power of money can exceed swords. Now that the groundwork has been done, we can start developing the city in full scale.]
That's what George said.
Firstly, abolish the tax for shops. A rule will be created so that anyone can trade.
Also, by developing the Blue Sky Market, he's encouraging the trading with money.
Originally, barter is the most used trading method in the rural areas. However, this caused people who do not know the price value of an item to be deceived by unscrupulous merchants.
By educating them about『money』, as well as activating the market at the same time, it will improve their quality of life…..it's the kind of policy that uses two to obtain three.
Also, he would buy the excess crops throughout the territory and redistribute them to other places, which pleases many as the unused crops won't be wasted.
About those crops he bought, it's surprising to hear that he actually sells them to other territories, even the imperial capital, to make even more money.
His policy also considers that arranging streets in the territory as an important matter.
[Currently, there are many jobless artisans and craftsmen at the capital. It'll be a good idea to hire them.]
[All of them have some of the best skills. Architecture, Sculpting…..let's adopt the empire's advanced technology to further develop our own territory.]
[Especially infrastructure……Let's put the maintenance of roads as top priority. Goods will arrive faster if the roads are well maintained.]
A lot of craftsmen…..first class in ability, but unable to work due to various circumstances, were hired to do the job as much as they can. They would also instructed disciples to improve human resources.
The results were showing very quickly. Now the infrastructures in Schwarzer Territory, including Romaria, has progressed by leaps and bounds. Many places are now connected by cobblestone roads.
Sculptures were carved in many buildings in Romaria. Those are mostly the works of the disciples as a means of practice.
Those whose skills are recognized by their master is allowed to freely work on public spaces, and as a result, Romaria is now lined with sculptures, making an artistic townscape.
Working on commerce development then architecture and art, there seems to be no end to what he's working on.
[Even George, who is like that, has a secret that no one else knows.]
Saying that, Ares arrived at a beekeeping yard.
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[This is the place where we rear honey bees so that honey could be harvested steadily.]
[In other words, it's honey fields?]
[Yeah, you can say it that way. It can become Schwarzer Territory's special product, I guess.]
That said, Ares walked toward the back of the beekeeping yard.
[But, there is someone who is quite obsessed with this….]
[Director. Here is your one barrel of honey.]
Over there, standing before Ares, was the one who is better known as the [Razor], who is none other than George.
[Oya? Ares-sama and Sigurd-dono here of all places. That surprised me.]
[You don't seem surprised though…]
After laughing at that remark, Ares talked to George.
[How is it? This year's honey production? Is it acceptable to be sold at the capital?]
[We've come to the point where there is stable supply. If we are to sell this at the capital, we'll still manage somehow even if there is a large demand. The honey is of a very good quality because we are near the Forest of Evil. Most probably, it's the habitat of the Arkadia
Continent honeybee.]
George stroke the barrel, as unlikely as that is, as if he's in love with it.
[Well, George. That barrel…]
Sigurd asked George with a low voice.
[It's honey.]
[Such a large amount of honey, what are you going to use it for…]
[I'll consume it of course.]
[Ha?]
[This won't even last a month actually.]
Looking at the stunned Sigurd, Ares laughed.
[Even if he's like that, George actually has a sweet tooth. Surprising, isn't it?]
(No, is that really can still be considered a sweet tooth?)
While Sigurd thought so, George excused himself to Ares and rolled the honey barrel home.
…..all that without even a slight change of expression.