Chapter 83

Today, there will be two updates. I'll post another one at eight.

Currently, the main industries in our country are paper and salt.

Recently, we have added garnet, which we just acquired.

Thanks to these three, the country's finances are thriving.

However, money is always needed.

Irrigation, capital construction, and road works are about to begin.

We also need funds for iron tool production and the popularization of horses and cattle.

Moreover, I want to introduce a monetary economy to the country as soon as possible. For that, we need more industries.

Paper, iron, and garnet are produced by the state, which monopolizes the production methods.

This increases the state's income, but it doesn't make the people wealthy.

Paper isn't used by our citizens, and garnet is only bought by a few landowners.

While earning foreign currency is important, expanding domestic demand is also crucial.

We need products that the common people in King Rosais' country can afford to buy occasionally.

For now, I've roughly thought about promoting the production of alcoholic beverages like whiskey, vodka, and grappa.

If we switch from the current batch distillation apparatus to a continuous distillation apparatus, mass production of distilled spirits will be possible.

I only understand the basic mechanism of a continuous distillation apparatus, but I'll leave it to the craftsmen.

I'm sure they can come up with something that works. As long as it doesn't perform worse than the current distillation apparatus, it's fine. We can improve it over a few years.

Wine is already produced in almost every rural area.

All we need to do is properly age the wine before exporting it.

However, it might take at least three years before we can seriously export it.

Grappa can be properly aged in about six months, so we can produce it actively.

Since we can reuse the pomace that we used to discard, the profit margin will be high.

I don't recommend beer.

For some reason, the Adelnyans and Kirisians don't seem to like beer.

Originally, wine for Adelnyans is something to be diluted with water.

They consider beer, which is drunk without dilution, to be barbaric.

Moreover, barley is mainly used as animal feed and is not very popular.

That's probably why they don't like beer.

Vodka is made from barley, but I think it will be fine.

Vodka can be diluted with water, and it's not something you drink excessively.

Well, there are some people who drink it excessively, but that's another story.

Next, I recommend the cultivation of flax and hemp.

The problem I'm struggling with is what to do about hemp.

"What should we do about hemp?"

I asked Yuria and Tera.

As is well known, hemp can be used to make drugs.

If we recommend its cultivation, some people will inevitably grow it for recreational use.

It's extremely difficult to regulate.

In King Rosais' country, many villages already cultivate hemp, so we haven't banned it.

Banning it would take away people's livelihoods and make it difficult to meet the domestic fiber demand.

However, hemp is a drug.

I often hear that "hemp is less toxic than tobacco," but since I've never tried either (of course I haven't), I think both are unnecessary.

If it doesn't become popular, it's better that it doesn't.

It will worsen public safety and increase medical costs.

It can also become a source of funding for anti-social organizations.

At this stage, if we can extinguish the spark of popularity, we can do so.

Once it becomes a habit, it will be impossible to stop.

On the other hand, clothes can be made from hemp.

Recently, we've been getting a lot of wool from the Equus tribe, so the demand is being met.

However, if we unify the Adelnyan Peninsula, the demand is likely to exceed the supply.

We are promoting the use of distilled spirits for disinfection through the sorcerers, so the number of deaths from puerperal fever is decreasing.

The three-field system is also gradually spreading, so food production will increase significantly.

This will lead to an expansion in the demand for clothing in the future.

Should we make hemp a state monopoly to avoid the popularity of drugs?

Or should we recommend its cultivation to meet the demand for clothing?

"Let's make it a state monopoly. For fibers, we can recommend the cultivation of flax instead. Unnecessary things should be avoided. Drugs that make people stupid should be regulated."

Tera was the first to give her opinion.

Flax is a very common fiber in the West.

My clothes are made of flax.

It's softer than hemp and feels better on the skin.

Well, flax is indeed sufficient. We might not need to recommend hemp.

"Hmm, I think we can recommend it. Flax can't be grown in the same field repeatedly, but hemp can be rotated and mass-produced. Besides, won't hemp still come in even if we regulate it? The Kirisians are pretty high, you know."

Now that I think about it, the Kirisians had a lot of hemp addicts...

If they come into the country, it will naturally spread.

"Kirisians: 'This is really fun!' Adelnyans: 'Really? Let's try it!!'"

Kirisians, stop turning innocent Adelnyans to the dark side.

"If we want to ban the use of drugs, we need to ban trade with other countries. Otherwise, it might be better to be open about it."

Hmm, what should I do?

"Let's put the recommendation on hold for now. We'll just recommend the cultivation of flax. The state will not be involved in the cultivation of hemp. If the demand increases and the supply is insufficient, we'll recommend it then."

In the end, we went with a compromise.

"By the way, Almus, you recommend the production of cattle, pigs, and horses, but not sheep. Why is that?"

"Because the Equus tribe raises sheep. We want to avoid trade friction. The military power of the Equus tribe is formidable."

The reason there has never been a military conflict between the Equus tribe and King Rosais' country is thanks to the Alva Mountains.

Horses can't easily cross the mountains.

Moreover, the Equus tribe didn't seem very interested in the other side of the mountains.

However, the situation has changed somewhat since we formed an alliance.

The possibility of the Equus tribe invading the wealthy King Rosais' country is quite high.

So, we need to eliminate any potential conflicts. It's better for neighbors to get along.

In this regard, there are no competitors for cattle and pigs.

Cattle can be used for labor and milk production.

Pigs fatten quickly and are ideal for meat production.

We import horses from the Equus tribe...

The horses from the Equus tribe are suitable for military use but not for agricultural work.

We will import military horses from the Equus tribe, but it's better to produce agricultural horses ourselves.

"I prefer river fish to pork."

"I like fruits more than meat."

Being healthy is the most important, but that's why you're so small.

"By the way..."

Yuria lowered her voice.

"You said you plan to unify the Adelnyan Peninsula. Do you have any plans soon?"

She's talking about war.

"Not at the moment. I just became king, so I want to focus more on domestic affairs."

We are currently short of manpower for construction.

If we go to war, we'll have to interrupt it.

"At least until the regular army's training is complete."

"What kind of training is it?"

I called Ron, Rozward, and Gram to ask.

Ron is in charge of the heavy infantry, Rozward the cavalry, and Gram the archers and javelin throwers.

Ron spoke first.

"There is a difference in training levels between the soldiers who were part of the standing army in the As territory and the newly recruited soldiers, but overall, it's going smoothly. I think they will be ready for actual combat in about a month."

So, the heavy infantry is fine.

Next, Gram.

"Archery requires a lot of skill. The new standing army includes former archers and hunters, so their training level is decent. However, it's still far from what I require. They are not used to handling longbows. They are capable of actual combat, though."

So, the archers are also fine.

Finally, Rozward.

"By the way, what about that blonde guy? Is he still a soldier?"

He bought himself out of slavery, I heard.

"He's talking about Vigal. He's been reduced to a pauper by supporting prostitutes, so he's working as a soldier. The same goes for most of the other former slaves. Some want more money or other reasons."

Well, that's good.

It would be bad if the Germans left. It would weaken our forces.

"The difference in training levels between the newly added cavalry and the veterans is too great. It's not even comparable... The only ones who can compete with the Equus tribe are the former German slaves. It's very difficult to deploy them in actual combat."

"Training cavalry is challenging. How about... buying from Eyns... But relying on foreigners isn't good... Try your best. I don't require them to be on the level of the Equus tribe. As long as they can fight properly, that's fine."

It's impossible to beat the Equus tribe.

They are born cavalry.

"Is there a war coming soon?"

Ron asked.

"No, I don't plan to start one for now. However, there is a slight possibility that we might be attacked."

King Rosais' country has rapidly increased its national power.

The population has now exceeded two hundred thousand.

The populations of King Berdibel's country to the south and King Evil's country to the west are about one hundred thousand each.

It wouldn't be surprising if they see us as a threat.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

There is a real danger of being surrounded like Nobunaga.

"That's why the standing army is important. It can be mobilized immediately without the permission of the nobles. I count on you."

"Understood!!"

So, the standing army is in good shape.

We should be safe for a while.

"By the way, when are you getting married?"

When I asked, all three of them blushed and turned away.

They haven't decided yet. Set a date soon.

"Baltro, how is King Domorgal's country?"

Baltro is also gathering intelligence on King Domorgal's country.

I do it too, but since his territory is adjacent, he knows more.

"Why are you asking?"

"If we are surrounded by Domorgal, Evil, Berdibel, and Equus, it would be bad, right?"

The Equus tribe is an ally, so they are unlikely to betray us...

But nothing is certain in this world.

"Right... I don't think Domorgal and Equus have any intention of invading our country. It's not something to worry about. Domorgal doesn't have the resources, and Equus is an ally. The problem is Evil and Berdibel. However, I think we can be at ease about King Evil's country."

Why is that?

"King Evil is a cautious man. He won't act rashly. Since Domorgal and Equus have no intention of invading our country, it's difficult to form a包围圈. King Evil won't move."

However, if Domorgal stabilizes and Equus changes its mind, it could happen.

"What about Berdibel?"

"Well... I'm not sure. The king of that country dislikes the rise of a single country. He supported King Ferm's independence. So, it's quite possible. However, I don't think he will move if the other three countries are not interested."

Hmm... So, there's no problem for now.

"Got it. By the way, what do you think about forming an alliance with the Kirisian cities?"

"Hmm, I think it's a good idea. It won't harm us. Is there a proposal?"

"Yes, from Eyns. He said there's talk about it in Lezard."

So, it's just talk.

Eyns is probably the one who initiated it. He wants to expand his power in Lezard using my strength.

If we form an alliance with Lezard, it will also serve as a check on Berdibel.

"Why don't you go and see?"

"Huh?"

"A honeymoon. Why don't you visit Lezard, Gehenna, and Nemes now?"

That... might be a good idea.