Chapter 182
(Kyle
Calendar Year 509: Age 16)
The Third
Development of Teigoon ③
Translator : PolterGlast
Miseri's awakened mode
continued.
"The discussion
up until now has been, for the most part, about the vessel. From now, I would
like to proceed with sharing and discussing the economic aspect, the future
revenue policy, which will be the sake that fills that vessel.
As you all know, our
domain has always had a large military force in proportion to its population,
and this will become even more pronounced in the future. The current situation
is such that if we leave it as is, there is a possibility we could go bankrupt
in a few years due to the excessive number of soldiers."
She was right.
In the future, we
would have to support 1,250 members of the Frontier Knights branch, 500 to 800
garrison soldiers, and 1,000 longbowmen. Although we would receive support from
His Majesty for the Frontier Knights, relying on that would be a risky
calculation.
Furthermore, we would
also need to maintain a reasonably sized mercenary corps and cover its costs.
If we were to support
2,500 soldiers through normal domain management, the required population would
be around 50,000. Even pushing it, it would be 25,000... Frankly, that's nearly
double our current projection.
No matter how low we make
the salaries, 50,000 gold coins will disappear every year... managing a domain
is truly difficult.
"At present, we
have only three major sources of income other than tax revenue: the weapons
orders that you, Takuhir-sama, have been receiving, mining revenue, and the
profits from the commodity exchange.
The third is the
profit margin from selling daily necessities that Bart-san and Kaul-san
purchase in bulk at a low price at the Teigoon commodity exchange, so it's
something of a trick.
Therefore, we need to
cultivate new industries and establish new pillars of revenue."
This was in line with
what Miseri and I had discussed in the Royal Capital. I wondered what would
come out now that she had awakened. I listened to her continue with a bit of
excitement.
"First, I will
start with the conclusion. We will rent a space in a shop in the Royal Capital
to display and sell specialty products that can only be produced in this
domain.
When I went to the
Royal Capital, I visited various shops, and it is, after all, the capital where
goods sell for the highest price. And fortunately, in the capital, there is the
mansion that you, Takuhir-sama, were granted, so we can use it as a logistics
base."
Ooh! An antenna shop.
Had Miseri been thinking about and researching such things while she was
staying in the capital for our meetings? I was very surprised that she, who did
not know of Japan, had come up with this idea.
"The first
centerpiece will be honey. Many women are already captivated by it, and I
believe this is the result of the beekeeping you started, Takuhir-sama.
Currently, we are
expanding the placement of beehives in various parts of Teigoon, and since this
spring, we have been experimentally expanding around Gaia. We will support this
as one of the industries that even women can participate in, and in the future,
we aim for a tenfold increase in production.
With the cooperation
of Workshop Master Karl, we have also prepared both stacked and single-frame
hives, so we are just one step away from industrialization."
Yeah, it's true,
Yuka-san and Lady Flora are always wanting those little jars of honey. Oh, and
Chrisia too.
"I have a
proposal as well. How about we sell the honey in cute little jars that women
would like? Make its appearance suitable for giving as a gift to a woman.
And, we should sell it
in small quantities normally, and then sell it in large quantities at the shop
in the capital only during a certain period of the year. At that time, for
example... with a catchphrase like:
『During this period, send sweet honey to the one you
love and confess your feelings. 』
Sell it for just a
little cheaper than usual. I think that would expand the customer base all at
once."
"I see! If it
goes well, many of the men in the capital will desperately scramble to buy the
scarce honey. That would create even more buzz, the honey would become known to
more people, and its recognition would improve, right? An interesting strategy
that stimulates the wallets of the men in the capital."
The Commander laughed heartily,
but some of the male participants turned a little pale.
They had imagined a
future where, if such a thing became a trend and took root, they themselves
would be running around trying to get their hands on honey, emptying their own
wallets.
In contrast, the
female participants were greatly pleased, which was a striking difference.
"That plan!
Please, let us adopt it! As soon as this meeting is over, I will gather
volunteers to consider the product commercialization and sales strategy,
including researching the small jars."
Miseri was also very
enthusiastic. I felt like I had just shot myself in the foot, but I decided not
to worry about it. After all, I'm the one selling it.
"Now then,
another centerpiece is to promote the cultivation of sugarcane and to sell
sugar. Recently, sweets made with sugar have become popular in the Royal
Capital, and even expensive items are selling like hotcakes. Therefore, I
believe the demand will continue, and it will become a stable source of
revenue."
"May I be permitted
to report something about sugar for just a moment?"
Raphael, who usually
professed to be an outsider on such topics and did not speak up actively,
raised his hand. I sensed something in his deliberate action.
"Raphael, please
give your report."
"The other day, I
was drinking with some traders at a tavern. They got drunk and let their
tongues slip, but apparently, that man from the Empire is involved in the sugar
trade.
He's supposedly
selling large quantities of sugar to merchants at the border and making a
considerable profit. There are also rumors that he's using the sale of sugar as
bait to control the merchants and is obtaining various kinds of information.
Personally, I can't
help but think that the Kyle Kingdom was played by him in the prisoner
exchange... am I overthinking it?"
"Just as I
thought. I think Raphael's speculation is correct.
It's highly likely
that he is the one who engineered this popularity of sugar and is pulling the
strings behind the scenes. Margrave Hastburg also mentioned it, but the
movements of the Empire’s army during this rebellion were too suspicious.
The fact that the
First Prince appeared at the border at just the right time, and the personal
letter exchanged between them and the rebel army, were suspicious, but there
were other points that didn't sit right with me.
The most mysterious
thing for us was that the First Prince's army did not move from the border. If
they had broken the truce at that time and invaded again, it's highly likely we
would have been checkmated.
I believe that the
Third Prince's faction, no, that man, interfered for political reasons, and
that the First Prince did not fail to move, but was unable to move.
Raphael, the movements
of Viscount Kämpfer are to be a top priority issue from now on. Please continue
your investigation. From what you've just said, it's highly likely that various
information is also being leaked from the merchants who come and go from
Teigoon.
Miseri, to counter
this even a little, I want you to promote the cultivation of sugarcane,
increase the production of sugar, and advance the research into sugar products.
And in particular, pay
close attention to the movements of the merchants involved with sugar, and if
necessary, we'll feed them disinformation."
"Understood.
Regarding sugar, I will elevate it from an economic commodity to a strategic
one and handle it accordingly."
"Yes, please
proceed in that direction. Now, please continue your report."
"Yes, as another
specialty product, the third pillar is soap. We also established a production
system for this during the plague response, but we are now working on
improvements for more high-end, scented soaps. In this country, all high-end
soaps are expensive imports. If we can mass-produce this, I believe it will become
a pillar of our product line."
"Yes, a method of
mixing in the essence of fragrant flowers or essential oils, right? I think
this is also a good strategy targeting women, so please, do proceed with
it."
"Thank you.
Lastly, this is also something you developed as a countermeasure against the
plague, Takuhir-sama, but it is disinfectant.
We have already
received an offer from the church in the Royal Capital to be the exclusive
seller of it as 'holy water,' and we are in a bit of a bind. We cannot afford
to offend the church, but it's clear that they will profit greatly from
it..."
"That's right, I
think we should draw a firm line there. We can sell a predetermined amount to
the church, but we will not hand over the sales rights or the manufacturing method.
You have my permission
to clearly convey this to the church as the intention of the Demon Territory
Count. Let's not hesitate to use our position in times like these.
Bart, Kaul, I don't
think you've been out for procurement for a while, but will it be possible to
continue purchasing oyster shells on a stable basis?"
"Yes, it's
something that's eaten on a daily basis in the coastal countries, so it's
reasonably possible to obtain. What's more, for them, their garbage becomes a
product."
"Then, once
things have settled down, I'll have you go on a procurement trip."
The two of them nodded
with smiles. For them, the merchant journeys that broadened their horizons were
apparently very enjoyable and rewarding.
"And just one
more point. Until the system is in place and the supply is stable, I would like
to sell honey, sugar, the improved soap, and the disinfectant exclusively to
high-end restaurants in the Royal Capital.
Takuhir-sama, is there
any place you could introduce us to?"
"..."
Yeah, even though I've
been in the capital for a long time, I've never been to such a place. And I
have absolutely no connections.
"Well, I don't
have any connections right now, but I know someone who might, so I'll ask. If
you have samples to wholesale to the restaurants, I'd like to take them with me
on my way back. Also, for the gift-sized honey jars, I'd like to gauge the
reaction of the noble ladies through Yuka-san, so if you can manage it, please
prepare those as well."
The old fox probably
knows a place like that. Well, he's the only person in the Royal Capital I can
ask about such things.
"Understood. To
the female participants who are interested, if you would like, we will hold a
review meeting after this conference, so please give us your time."
"Also, about the
preparations for the supreme tournament..."
"As for that, all
preparations are underway. Please rest assured."
"And the
arrangements for the harvest festival..."
"Yes, that is
also perfect. Please leave it to me. I will bring you a document with the
schedule and detailed contents later."
"..."
You know, Miseri and
all the other women have completely switched into honey mode. Reading the room,
I ended the meeting.
That day, the women
apparently gathered and discussed product commercialization and sales strategy
until late at night. I had dinner with the remaining men and went to sleep,
trembling with fear at the strength of their passion.
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