Chapter 443
(Kyle Calendar Year
515: Age 22)
New Territory Policies
②
In
the first half of the meeting, policies regarding the development of the former
Kyle Kingdom's territory were shared, and it was arranged that they
would be approved exactly as proposed by each person in charge. Well... it goes
without saying that the progress and the grand scale of it all were far beyond
what I had imagined. Miseri and the others seriously intend to pull it
off, after all.
「Ahem, then the first and half of the
second of the policies Takuhir-sama
mentioned have already been settled. As the one entrusted with the new
territories, I cannot afford to be careless either. I will now report on the
situation of the new territories.」
Saying
so, Raymond himself showed no signs of impatience, but rather seemed
delighted by the active role of his beloved disciple (Miseri). He began
to speak while pointing at a greatly revised map of the Demon Territory
Dukedom displayed on the wall.
Honestly
speaking, the current Demon Territory Dukedom, in terms of land area
alone, has become comparable to the Kyle Kingdom. Before I knew it...
But, of course, the contents haven't caught up at all. To begin with, these
were places that were the outermost frontiers of the Kyle Kingdom and
the Griffonia Empire, and the newly acquired territories of the four
countries can also safely be called their respective outermost frontiers.
Therefore, the number of nobles supporting them and the population are
extremely small compared to the Kingdom. Thinking positively, it's vast land
overflowing with room for development; one could even call it a frontier.
「First, in proceeding with increasing
food production, the most key area in the new territories is the Izumo
district connecting Kusanagi and the former national border. As a
workplace for the refugees accepted even during wartime, cultivation has been
proceeded with on a grand scale here by laborers, primarily prisoners
(currently dispatched laborers), after the expedition. Therefore, the
cultivable land within the area, excluding fallow lands used as pastures, is
mostly already cultivated or underway. However... this is completely
insufficient.」
That
is certainly true. This semicircular land with a radius of twenty kils, named Izumo,
is a place where irrigation canals were run in all directions and development
was initiated from the very beginning of the Demon Territory Dukedom's
establishment. By massively injecting laborers such as refugees and prisoners
over the past few months, large-scale secondary development is underway. It's a
tremendous rough estimate, but converting the entire land to the metric system,
the area of the semicircle is (20km × 20km × π) / 2 = 628 square km. If half of
that is cultivable agricultural land, it's about 300 square km, which is 30,000
ha. Converted by the harvest rate of this world, it seems it's still far from
being able to provide for the increased population.
・Increased military strength,
including those who converted ・Ten thousand dispatched laborers
(former prisoners) ・Immigrants from the Empire
and Kingdom sides
Despite
the population increasing to begin with, the farmlands and villages in the Former
Empire Territory devastated by the
invasion of the four countries are still in the process of reconstruction.
Exactly as Raymond pointed out, this is completely short of the required
amount. Just to support a population that has increased to the point where it's
safe to say it's enormous, we will need cultivated land many times this size.
「As the next stage, it is necessary
to start working on the land that was Former Empire Territory beyond Kusanagi. One, to work on existing
farmlands and raise the harvest rate. One, to newly cultivate large-scale
cultivated lands. We have begun moving with these two points as the axes.」
「Raymond, specifically?」
「I believe we should first solidify
our footing. One measure is to announce policies for existing cultivated lands,
such as providing fertilizers including oyster shells for soil improvement,
installing irrigation canals and arranging support funds, and if necessary,
injecting the military or Mages as support measures. Starting from
villages that raise their hands, we will sequentially expand farmlands and
improve harvest efficiency.」
Yeah,
this is the flow of things we've been doing up to now, starting from Teigoon.
Regarding oyster shells as well, they now continuously come in as trade goods
through the Principality of Fearalt, and trade merchants from the
Margrave of Model in the north are also coming to visit. At this
meeting, as part of that, Virile, the former Viscount of the Uros
Kingdom whom I scouted, has also officially migrated to the Demon
Territory Dukedom, after all.
「Virile, what is the situation regarding
the procurement of oyster shells I requested?」
「Yes, the collection and
commercialization of oyster shells in coastal areas are currently becoming
largely segregated. First, regarding the Principality of Fearalt, they
have received inquiries centered on the western frontier of the Kyle Kingdom
in addition to the Demon Territory Dukedom, and it is expected they will
place their footing there from here on out. If the national border highway
connecting the Principality of Fearalt and the Empire is
developed from here on, it is expected they will expand their sales channels to
the Empire as well.」
Hahaha,
does that mean Brother Darek, who knows about oyster shells, is already
utilizing them in his new territory? The Empire... I spoke about it to
the then Third Prince and Sieghart before, didn't I?
「The Margrave of Model is the
same; currently the Demon Territory Dukedom is their main client, but
they seem to be receiving inquiries from within the Kyle Kingdom,
especially from the eastern frontier, so they will likely shift to making
transactions there their core focus from here on.」
Yeah,
civil officials from Margrave Hamish's place had been coming for
training for a long time, and they know the example in Teigoon, after
all. Especially regarding the new territories of the former Istoria Imperial
Kingdom, they said, 『If we don't work on it, we can only
cultivate limited agricultural crops,』 after all. Are they trying to get
serious and start moving?
「Huh? In that case, aren't we in
trouble?」
「Please rest assured. I am extending
my hands to the Uros Kingdom side and the various countries of the Piette
Merchant Confederation. The 『segregation』
I mentioned earlier is in that sense. So please do not worry. From here on out,
the Demon Territory Dukedom will be able to buy up the largest amount of
oyster shells at the lowest prices.」
Hahaha,
is this his 『souvenir』?
Moreover, after coordinating with various quarters and even managing the
traffic control of sales channels.
「Thank you, exactly as expected. I
will prepare a place for you to fully wield your abilities from here on, so I'm
relying on you.」
In
terms of agricultural policy, there are also the other things we've done in the
Teigoon area, such as injecting the military during harvest time or
injecting Earth Mages for plowing. If the numerous support measures Raymond
mentioned are announced, we can also aim for the stability of public sentiment
from the perspective of domestic affairs.
「The other measure is to advance
cultivation projects to establish about ten large-scale cultivated lands in the
basin of the river on this side, in the former Empire territory beyond the checkpoint in Kusanagi.
In the future, these will become major cultivated lands managed by
soldier-farmers equally with Izumo. The initial stage of development
will be brute-force work borrowing the power of Mages, but we intend to
push it forward all at once as an urgent task. Since there are other pressing
matters, we will make agricultural land development up to here the first stage.」
Hahaha,
this enormous project is the first stage, huh. If we convert the energy we've
been injecting into national defense up until now into domestic affairs all at
once, I feel like we can do it.
「If you could grant your sanction on
the basic policies regarding agricultural lands, may I next move on to the
report on construction projects?」
「Yeah, regarding all of that, I want
to approve Raymond's basic policies. I think it will be a tough project,
but I will continue to entrust the management to you, so I want you to wield
your skills as you please.」
When
I said that, Raymond nodded with a smile. To put it badly, it might
sound like I'm dumping the whole thing on him, but conversely, relying on him
and giving him full authority is something joyful for him.
「Thank you very much. Then next,
regarding the construction projects to be promoted by the Demon Territory
Dukedom, we have planned as follows. This is the overview.」
Saying
so, Raymond also began distributing the documents he had prepared.
New
Territory Construction Project Plan
- Organizational Structure
To implement construction projects
in parallel with agricultural land development, a National Land Development
Bureau managing and overseeing the development status of various regions will
be established as a subordinate organization of the Lord of Internal Affairs,
and Elan will be assigned as its Bureau Chief, granted authority
equivalent to a Minister position. The following administrators will be placed
in this organization to manage subordinate overseeing officers.
·
Bureau Chief (Overall Oversight and Managing New Territory
Development): Elan
·
Deputy Bureau Chief (Mainly Managing Former Territory
Development): Mary
·
Same as above (Mainly Managing New Territory Development): Sasha
·
Urban Development Administrator (Managing New Territory
Development): Karleen
·
Same as above (Managing Former Territory Development): Laila
·
Agricultural Land Development Administrator (Managing
Agricultural Land Development): Astor
·
Development Project Transport Administrator (Managing
Construction Transport): Kaul
The National Land Development Bureau
shall, in peacetime, have ten Earth Mages, ten Water Mages, and
two Space-Time Mages uniquely held by the Demon Territory Dukedom
other than the above individuals under its control, and be able to direct and
operate them.
Since Balt, a Space-Time
Mage, and Masrur, an Earth Mage, have separate orders, they
are not included in the National Land Development Bureau. In addition, all Earth
Mages, Water Mages, and Space-Time Mages constantly secured
from the academy and elsewhere will also be under this command.
- Means of Implementation for
Development
The Mages engaged in the
development of various regions shall be adjusted in allocation each time
through consultation between the Bureau Chief and Deputy Bureau Chiefs of the
National Land Development Bureau. Similarly, the following laborers shall be
placed under their command. Dispatched Laborers: 10,000 (Dispatch period is
three years) New Territory Laborers: 20,000 (Scale will change depending on
development status) Former Territory Laborers: 4,000 (Already secured through
local employment)
- Implementation Items (Omitted
for former territories)
Agricultural Land Development
・ New Cultivated Land Development (Former
Empire Territory)
・ Support for Existing Farming
Villages (Former Empire Territory)
Urban Development
・ Izumo District Area Construction Projects
・ Redevelopment of the Outer Wall
enclosing the Izumo Area
・ Outer Wall Construction Project for
the Planned Demon Territory Revival Site
・ Highway Infrastructure Project for
Bilateral National Borders
Whoa,
it's super jam-packed. I knew about the establishment of the National Land
Development Bureau because I was consulted beforehand, but the number of
laborers is also extraordinary. Funds... will we be okay?
「First, because the development
projects are wide-ranging, we will integrate what was previously conducted on
separate axes in the former and new territories. With this, we can organically
utilize the core Mages, and have each person hold new authority.」
That's
right, before I knew it Elan has Minister treatment, and everyone else
has gone up one rank from Overseeing Officer to Administrator. Especially Mary
and Sasha have Deputy treatment, so they are Vice Minister class...
Amazing.
「The same applies to laborers. In the
previous announcement, we had independently secured laborers in the former
territories as well, but the Development Bureau will look after them in terms
of budget. Furthermore, the ten thousand laborers dispatched as post-war
reparations will mainly operate in the new territories. Also, in the Former Empire Territory, we are temporarily
employing those who lost their fields and homes due to the invasion as
laborers, but once a certain degree of development is in sight, we plan to
prepare substitute farmlands as needed, reduce the numbers, and eventually
cover it with only dispatched laborers.」
So
twenty thousand with that... I'm a bit relieved. Because to begin with, the
salaries for twenty thousand laborers alone are enormous, and without savings,
the national treasury would go bankrupt in just a few years.
「By the way, what does urban
development in the Izumo district mean?」
「Yes. To speak honestly, due to its
location, it is impossible for Kusanagi to accept any more residents.
Ultimately, leaving the Royal Castle, Government Office, Garrison Force, the
main stores of major merchants, various warehouses like the Charity Granary,
inns mainly for guests, and designated eateries and workshops, we will relocate
general stores, inns and eateries for territory residents, residential areas,
mass production bases, and everything else outside the city.」
I
see... It means making it a city possessing strictly only governance functions?
And that leads to the urban development of the entire Izumo district?
「We have secured sufficient width for
the highway between Izumo and Termira, and we have deliberately
refrained from agricultural land development along the highway. With this urban
development, we will deploy residential areas for territory residents, general
stores, and related facilities along this highway. In other words, the Izumo
district itself, surrounded by the defensive wall on its outer perimeter, will
become one giant city.」
「!!!」
No...
that's an unbelievably amazing story, you know? Even though it's a semicircle,
I've never heard of a city with a diameter of twenty kils...
「I believe the city of Izumo
encompassing the Principality's capital Kusanagi will be befitting of Takuhir-sama's Royal Castle.」
To
me, who was surprised, Raymond remained in completely normal operation,
though. And that connects to the redevelopment of the outer wall surrounding Izumo
installed for defense, right?
「Similarly, we will proceed with the
construction work agreed upon with our allied nations. First, we will proceed
with the national border infrastructure for the Empire and the Principality
of Fearalt, and once we have prospects for that, we will stretch the outer
wall surrounding the planned Demon Territory revival site. In our estimation, I
think it will be a corresponding scale...」
Right,
regarding this area, we had only discussed it vaguely while still groping in
the dark. I don't have the confidence to state definitively that it can be done
without fail, either.
「The final scale of the planned
revival site is scheduled to be a corresponding thing. From east to west,
starting from the western end of the new territory that existed before, passing
through the north side that newly became the mercenary band's domain, extending
to Count Durul's territory, I think the length will be about thirty
kils. From north to south, starting from the foot of the Empire's side
of the great mountain range separating the new territory and former Kingdom
territory, maybe about five kils south.」
Just
the defensive wall constructed in a 『clamp』
shape toward the great mountain range is an outer wall with a total length of
forty kils, you know. The scale is so large it's almost off-putting, but we
already have the track record of constructing an outer wall of about 63 kils
going around the outer perimeter of Izumo, after all.
「Of course, at first we'll make a
small area, an experimental area of about five kils east-west and five kils
north-south, and see how it goes. Since development costs for this development
only will be paid by the Empire, there being no budget burden is a
saving grace, I suppose.」
Yes,
this is strictly a request from the Empire. As a long-held dream, they
desired the Demon Territory—no, magic stones and monster materials, which can
be called the blessings of the Demon Territory. Sieghart is also
secretly proceeding with acquiring Mages within the Empire, and
it's also for that purpose.
「Then, including Takuhir-sama's words just now, is it alright to
incorporate this into future plans?」
「Right. Regarding the bilateral
national border infrastructure, it's profitable for us too, so it would be
appreciated if you could proceed with it urgently. If I had to say, that's
about it.」
「Then from me, regarding the final
point on the agenda, I would like to discuss support measures for the two
Margraves departing to new territories, and Marquis Gorman who will
manage things until his son reaches adulthood.」
Receiving
Raymond's words, Chrisia and Yuka bowed their heads and
then straightened their postures. Honestly speaking, at this current point in
time, this part alone cannot be dumped entirely on someone else. To begin with,
Alexis does not possess his own unique soldiers, civil officials, or
vassal corps. Therefore, even if he obtained vast territory, he has to gather
vassals from scratch. In Marquis Gorman's case, even if he dispatches
soldiers and civil officials from his main territory, the new Viscount territory
is large in scale to begin with. When governing it, large-scale replenishment
is necessary, and with 『hastily gathered』 vassals, anxiety is endless. Margrave Falmus is the
same. To begin with, he only held a Baron-scale territory and military
strength. Compared to that time, he has obtained a territory easily over ten
times larger, after all.
「First, regarding competent civil
officials to send to Alexis, I want Raymond to select several as
well. Of course, the person's own wishes are the top priority, but could you
consult regarding treatment, including Chrisia? Regarding soldiers, I
will consider it here too.」
「Thank you for your consideration. I
have received words from my father that he will send 500 soldiers and about 10
officials, but it is still insufficient, and I was feeling anxious.」
「First, I have a request for Claire.
Regarding about a hundred people from the reception desk you trained in Ishtar
and about two hundred from the vigilante corps, after confirming their own
wishes, could you send someone over there to check if they can be sent to Alexis?」
「Yes. Right now, Administrator Camilla
is taking command there in my place, so I will try recruiting through her.」
「Thank you. As soldiers led by Alexis,
I will organize a thousand from those hailing from the Istoria Imperial
Kingdom, and out of the three thousand Special Fire Corps, I want to
entrust one thousand to him as Margrave army. With this, combined with Marquis Solis's
soldiers, it's two thousand five hundred people, and two hundred from the
vigilante corps. With this, can he manage to govern somehow?」
「Yes! If you are even allocating the Special
Fire Corps, by all means!」
I
can't lose to a father considering his younger sister, after all. Once things
settle down, Chrisia will also leave her post attached to the Lord of
Internal Affairs (Raymond) and go to Alexis. The Longbow soldier
prisoners we newly obtained in the three-country expedition total one thousand.
Until now we had entrusted them to Glenn, but as a result, all of them
decided to migrate, and thanks to King Crajyu's consideration, their
families living in the four southern counties are also migrating to the Demon
Territory Dukedom. To begin with, regarding immigrants who were Longbow
soldiers... there were two thousand before the final decisive battle with the Empire,
and three thousand who surrendered on the northern front, making a total of
five thousand. Until now, three thousand of them were in the Special Fire
Corps as full-time soldiers, and two thousand were soldier-farmers.
Therefore, this time, I plan to replenish the number given to Alexis
from soldier-farmers and prisoners from the three-country expedition, and
maintain the fixed number.
「The rest are commander-class human
resources, but I've already obtained Raphael's consent and spoken to Reim
too. Reim will assist Alexis as the captain leading the nine
hundred Istoria Imperial Kingdom soldiers dispatched along with his
former hundred subordinates.」
To
reward Reim, who accomplished infiltration missions all this time, I
decided to promote him as a general.
「Next is military strength support
for Margrave Falmus and Viscount Gorman's territory. Yuka,
have you heard anything?」
「Yes, I hear that for the time being,
until governance stabilizes, my father himself will lead one thousand soldiers
and handle governance. I also asked if I couldn't help, but... 『You are already the Archduke's wife, if so, you
should pour your efforts solely into the great affairs undertaken by the Archduke,
indeed!』 I was scolded loudly...」
「Hahaha, typical of Father-in-law...
As a support measure I can provide, I plan to station the brigade led by Masrur
at the place where the former Count Jark territory, former Vile
Kingdom territory, and former Cain Kingdom territory intersect. Of
course, only until governance stabilizes, though.」
The
brigade led by Masrur is entirely composed of people from the former Empire.
Therefore, if they support from nearby, it should also help Margrave Falmus,
who governs the former Count Jark territory. Of course, I'll increase
the brigade to a scale of three thousand people, and have them exude presence
as a corresponding rapid response force, though.
「That is... an incredibly joyous
thing. I'm sure my father will also be delighted!」
「If that happens, Margrave Falmus
will probably also be delighted. Moreover, if it's stationed at the border, it
will save face for both sides.」
Just
as Raymond says. I hadn't thought that far ahead, but both sides
probably won't feel a sense of indebtedness thinking that soldiers were
dispatched because they were viewed with anxiety.
「Then, regarding civil officials,
let's proceed with new recruitment, and proceed with preparations so we can
recommend several people from here as well. There will likely be other things
to handle as needed, but is it alright to establish the basic policies for
support measures with this?」
At Raymond's words, I nodded grandly. The rest is the contents raised on the agenda... to silently accomplish the basic policies that seem absurd from an outsider's perspective! We began to steer towards domestic affairs all at once.
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