Chapter 92

The Norfolk farming method.

This new agricultural technique, which gained fame through a certain famous work, originated in the 18th century in Norfolk, eastern England. Unlike the three-field system, which divided farmland into winter crops, summer crops, and fallow land, the Norfolk method divided the land into winter crops, clover, summer crops, and turnips.

This not only eliminated the need for fallow land and increased productivity but also allowed for the use of turnips as winter feed for livestock, reducing the need to slaughter animals due to feed shortages. This, in turn, increased the number of livestock, and the increased manure and clover helped restore soil fertility, significantly boosting agricultural productivity.

For Sōma, who had already been considering the expansion of farmland to increase food production since the Battle of Borinis, the introduction of the Norfolk method was a foregone conclusion. This resolve only strengthened after he learned through interviews with local farmers that slash-and-burn agriculture was prevalent in the area.

In a world where even the three-field system was not common, and slash-and-burn agriculture was the norm, the Norfolk method would be a powerful tool.

With this strong conviction, Sōma's first step was to develop new farmland for the Norfolk method. He had the dwarves survey and reshape the irregular fields that had been cultivated haphazardly by farmers into long, rectangular plots.

Once the land was determined, the next step was soil improvement. After burning the overgrown vegetation and plowing the land, it became apparent that the soil, untouched by human hands, was much harder than expected. Since plows and hoes alone were insufficient, pickaxes were used to break up the soil. The broken-up soil was then further crushed and sifted to remove stones and roots.

To this sifted soil, Sōma added ash, charcoal, lime, crushed seashells, bone meal, and leaf mold brought from the mountains before returning it to the fields.

"Hard soil makes it difficult for crops to establish strong roots. If they can establish strong roots, they are less likely to fall over due to wind and can absorb more nutrients... or so I hope."

Sōma's uncertainty was evident.

After all, Sōma was just a high school student, not an agricultural expert. His knowledge was limited to what he had learned from his late grandfather, who had a small garden as a hobby, and what he had read in light novels and manga, which sparked his interest in domestic affairs, leading him to research on the internet.

The ash and lime he used for soil improvement could, if the land was alkaline, make it even more alkaline and unsuitable for cultivation.

Therefore, he planned to start with a few villages, monitor their progress, and expand the method if it proved successful. He also had a contingency plan in case the development failed. Since the city of Borinis no longer had to pay half its tax revenue to the capital, the available tax funds had effectively doubled. Even if the agricultural improvements failed and no crops were harvested, Sōma calculated that he could exempt the village from taxes and provide aid.

"Are the new tools working well? Are there any issues?"

While observing the prisoners and farmers working under the guidance of dwarf craftsmen, Sōma asked a nearby dwarf. The dwarf snorted loudly, as if to say, "There's no problem."

The tools the prisoners and farmers were using were all made by the dwarves at Sōma's request. Before the Battle of Borinis, Sōma had the weapons collected from the city's residents melted down to produce iron tools. Initially, many people, including the dwarves, strongly opposed the idea of melting down valuable weapons to make farming tools.

Iron was a precious material in an era when it could not be mass-produced. Iron coins circulated alongside gold, silver, and copper, indicating that while iron was less valuable than precious metals, it was still considered valuable.

It was natural for people to oppose the melting of iron weapons, especially when a war with Holmea was imminent. However, Sōma convinced them with the following argument:

"This development is for the sake of winning the war. In other words, this is a battle. Do you want me to be a fool who sends people to battle with wooden or stone weapons?"

Based on information from Marclonis, a former Holmea soldier, it would take Holmea at least six months to a year to recover from the Battle of Borinis. Sōma believed that now was the time to invest iron in development.

However, even Sōma did not fully understand the value of iron tools. To a modern Japanese person like Sōma, iron tools were simply more durable and longer-lasting than wooden ones. However, research suggests that iron tools can be up to four times more efficient than wooden ones.

The introduction of iron tools was a significant boost to the development of the plains.

At the same time, Sōma also worked on recreating tools he had seen in modern Japan, producing various implements.

One of these was a one-wheeled handcart.

In this era, even a slight deviation from the main trade routes led to paths that were little more than animal tracks. The land to be developed had no such paths, and transporting materials required crossing the open plains. Using wooden carts, which lacked the robust construction and powerful engines of modern vehicles, often resulted in the carts getting stuck in small depressions or mud, breaking down, and becoming unusable. In many cases, it was faster to carry the materials on the backs of people or animals.

Inspired by the famous story of Zhuge Liang's one-wheeled carts used to transport supplies in difficult terrain during the Three Kingdoms period, Sōma decided to use one-wheeled handcarts to transport materials to the development site.

However, Sōma had only a vague memory of the carts he had seen at construction sites. It was Dovarin's skill that transformed this vague memory into a practical tool.

"Knowing what it's for is enough to get the general shape."

Dovarin, upon seeing the rough sketch Sōma drew based on his vague memory, confidently stated that the shape, though unusual, was highly functional. A dwarf craftsman could easily understand the logic behind the design and fill in any gaps in Sōma's drawing.

True to his word, the dwarf craftsmen were skilled enough to create the advanced tools from Sōma's knowledge.

Even the skilled dwarf craftsmen, however, were overwhelmed by the flood of ideas from Sōma.

---

"Wow! Amazing, Shemul!"

As over a hundred cattle were herded into an enclosure by the Zoan warriors, Sōma exclaimed in awe.

Shemul, slightly exasperated by Sōma's childlike enthusiasm, warned him, "The cattle are excited, so don't get too close to the enclosure."

Despite the warning, Sōma couldn't suppress his curiosity. He had seen cattle before, but he had never had the chance to observe them so closely due to the city's busy schedule.

Upon closer inspection, the cattle in this world were different from what Sōma knew. Their silhouette resembled a gnu, but they had long hair from their heads to their chests and backs, similar to bison. Their large heads contrasted with small, cute eyes.

One of the cattle, noticing Sōma, charged at the thick wooden stakes of the enclosure, startling him and causing him to sit down abruptly.

After a deep sigh, Shemul helped Sōma up and asked, "What do you plan to do with so many cattle?"

"Of course, we'll raise them."

Sōma's intention to raise so many cattle was not just for plowing fields or grinding wheat, or for manure as fertilizer for the Norfolk method. The primary reason was to provide food for the Zoan.

"Zoog asked for cattle as rent for the land."

It made sense, as the Zoan's main diet was meat.

"But what will you feed them?"

In this era, livestock in the Seldias continent were primarily raised through grazing. They were let loose on the grasslands to feed themselves.

However, the cattle gathered by the Zoan were an entire herd. The amount of grass they would consume was enormous. While there would be enough grass during the spring and summer, it would be insufficient during the winter.

Sōma planned to grow turnips as feed, but until the Norfolk method was established, there might be a shortage. He also intended to raise pigs, which would further strain the feed supply.

As Sōma pondered the problem, an image of a farm in Hokkaido came to mind. Inspired by this, he had an idea.

"Right! A silo! Let's build a silo."

A silo is a tower-like storage facility used in Europe and America to store grain and feed.

Excited by this idea, Sōma rushed back to the city of Borinis.

"Dovarin, I want to build a silo."

Finding Dovarin, who was constructing a new furnace near the city, Sōma said this without preamble.

Dovarin, who was working with selected dwarf craftsmen to build a large furnace and crucible, looked at Sōma with a "here we go again" expression.

"What is this 'silo' you speak of?"

Sōma, in an excited tone, explained, "It's a building where you store cut grass!"

"Store grass? I don't understand. Why go through the trouble? Can't you just use a regular barn?"

"It undergoes lactic fermentation, making the grass more palatable and nutritious for the cattle."

Sōma, recalling a TV show where a celebrity helped on a dairy farm in Hokkaido, explained to Dovarin.

"More palatable? I still don't understand. Explain in more detail."

Sōma picked up a stick and began drawing on the ground.

"Imagine a tall tower with an entrance at the top. You pack the cut grass from the top, and people step on it to compress it."

"Step on it from the top? The walls will need to be very strong."

The weight of people stepping on the grass would create significant pressure from the inside, potentially causing the tower to burst if the walls were not strong enough.

"Maybe it would be better to dig a pit instead of building a tower?"

Dovarin, deep in thought, suggested.

"No, digging would be too much work. A semi-underground structure, with the lower half underground, might be better."

As Dovarin muttered to himself, he looked up to see Sōma with sparkling eyes.

"Can you do it?"

Sōma's image of dwarves was that of mythical creatures who crafted legendary weapons and treasures. In light novels and manga, dwarves were often depicted as a race with unparalleled craftsmanship, creating masterpieces.

The dwarves of the Seldias continent were no different, excelling in craftsmanship.

Thus, Sōma subconsciously believed, "Dwarves can make anything!" When he looked at Dovarin with admiration, Dovarin, confident in his skills, could not refuse.

"Well... I think we can manage..."

"Really?! Thank you so much!"

Sōma grabbed Dovarin's hands and shook them up and down, repeating his gratitude. Before Dovarin could react, Sōma left with a light step.

Left alone, Dovarin slumped in disappointment. He returned to the workshop with a heavy heart and gathered the craftsmen, informing them of Sōma's request to build a silo. As expected, the craftsmen immediately protested.

"Shame on you, Dovarin!"

"Even with Sōma's favor, we have our limits!"

"His requests never end!"

"We need to complete the furnace and crucible, and we don't have enough hands!"

"Let us talk to him directly."

The craftsmen, shoulders squared, marched to Sōma.

However, they returned shortly, shoulders slumped.

"Well, how did it go?"

Dovarin, already suspecting the outcome, asked for revenge.

The craftsmen, looking uncomfortable, said in unison, "Sōma is a terrifying person."

"He unconsciously uses people to exhaustion."

"But this is a serious situation."

Just then, a weary-looking Mishena stumbled in.

"Dovarin, it's perfect timing. Can you gather about twenty people at the warehouse later?"

Dovarin, already short on hands, asked, "Why?"

Mishena, clearly troubled, replied absentmindedly, "Sōma ordered that the alcohol in the warehouse be prioritized for the dwarf craftsmen. I need help moving the barrels."

Mishena then muttered, "Unexpected expenses..." and left. The craftsmen huddled together.

"Sōma is a terrifying person."

"He unconsciously uses people to exhaustion."

"But this is a serious situation."

Though their words were the same, their faces were relaxed.

Suddenly, Sōma burst in, startling the craftsmen who were celebrating the prospect of alcohol.

"Hey, Dovarin! I want to build a windmill. It can grind grain and pump water for irrigation, even without a river. The structure is..."

"Sōma, this is too much..."

Dovarin, trying to refuse, found himself unable to do so in the face of Sōma's hopeful eyes.

"Fine, I'll listen to your explanation."

A chorus of sighs echoed behind him.

Later, Dovarin would say:

"Never have I been so miserable. Sōma kept demanding new things. All the dwarves complained, 'We were better off as slaves.'

"But never have I been so happy. Using all our skills and knowledge to create something new, something we had never seen or heard of before, was a joy I had never experienced as a dwarf craftsman."

The Norfolk method, iron tools, one-wheeled handcarts, silos, and windmills.

These are slightly cliché, and not very interesting on their own. I'm a bit embarrassed to think, "Is this all?"

So, a little preview:

In later generations, the legend of the "Sōma's Prayer Ground," where the Child of Destruction is said to have prayed for the fertility of the plains using animal sacrifices, awaits the arrival of the Second Horn!

And the development (after) will focus on tax systems and other institutions, as well as something Sōma discovered.