Chapter 172

172 . Domestic Affairs

Agriculture .

Because of the sandy soil around here, the productivity was lower than in other regions, but it was convenient to introduce the Norfolk four-course system . But instead of the four-field rotation method, a six-field rotation method, which adds each barley and clover cultivations one more time, was introduced .

… However, there’s still plenty of time until we got the results .

For the time being, fertilizer is only available from humus or crushed waste seafood, so it can’t be helped .

However, the production of popcorn kernels, sweet syrups and high-cash crops are on track . Soon, the small prototype boat will begin connecting our port with the naval port of Bozes territory . Then the crops will sell at a high price .

Alright, smooth sailing, no problem!

Next is Forestry .

I wonder how many years until the trees we planted bear fruit… Even though there are still many natural trees in the forest .

However, the game board production and shiitake mushroom cultivation are going well . We also began selling papers to the Royal Capital while researching improvement for our papermaking method . It’s doing well . Also, let’s look for a maple tree so we can start making maple syrup .

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I’m still a bit concerned about the environmental impact from the steelmaking, but for the time being, it can’t start if we can’t find the iron ores . I guess I should start allocating the budget for full-scale explorations…

But it’s uncertain whether there’s a mine in a small territory like this…

If not, there’s still an option to explore Bozes territory and import the ores from there . But considering the transportation costs, it’ll be tough . Since iron ore is heavy and about half of it is just stone… I guess the best option here is iron sand .

Next is Fishing .

Well, it’s going swimmingly .

Since I presented them the new fishing boats with Japanese fishing nets and fishing gear, the catch has surged .

Due to the increased production of salt, a large number of processed products using salt can be made, and coupled with road maintenance, shipments to inland areas and other nearby areas, even to the royal capital, have increased sharply .

Local production of fishing nets and fishing gear has begun, and it would be safe even if I leave them as they are .

Next is the Town .

Visitors from other territories have increased in order to purchase items from the lord’s stores and increased the earnings of the inns, cafeterias, and shops .

Sales of special products such as game boards, syrups, and Himemiko-sama dolls are also strong … tte, what the heck is the last one!! I haven’t heard about this!!!

“The development of the town is more challenging than the village . Apart from some stores, it is not much different from before . Please somehow put a leverage . The difference is too big compared to villages which have good conditions!” (Miriam)

…ah, as expected?

I got scolded by Miriam-san the Chief of staff in domestic affairs .

However, the village is a primary or secondary sector in the same type of industry, so I was able to leverage the production, but the town has various occupations, and the service industry cannot expect a dramatic increase in revenue . Because the local population is limited .

Something that will have a major impact on the secondary and tertiary sector in the town is…

It’s hopeless, in a rural town with a small population, the only source of income is the money dropped by visitors from other territories . And since visitors only come for our specialty items, they spend money on purchasing and shopping, but not on anything else .

Is there a way to generate good income without depending on visitors to spend money on products…

U~n, u~n, u~~n……

“Mitsuha, you don’t have to hold it back, you can just go, you know?” (Colette-chan)

I’m not holding back from going to the restroom!

Besides, it seems like I’m holding back the big one, if you say that when I’m making that sound!

What on earth did you bring up, Colette-chan… .

However, even if the town is to be developed, I do not like the devastating impact, where the security is worsening or that the population is growing rapidly just like in the Bozes territory .

My duty is to protect the people of this territory . Besides, are those who flow from elsewhere to make money included? Is it necessary to take the risks and invest our territorial budget and improve the livelihood of those who would easily abandon this territory once it suffers from disaster or loses its profitability?

… no, it’s not necessary .

I will only protect and improve the lives of the natives, or those who have married to the natives, of this territory . That’s why, I don’t want the territory’s population to expand rapidly due to in-migrants .

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Besides, unauthorized in-migrates from other territories would bring claims from the lord of those migrants . I don’t want to be reproached or asked for compensation or exchange terms because of those who break the rules .

If you’re wondering what I would do then…

Right, it’s business!

No, I’m not talking about selling small quantities of Earth items that we’re doing now . That way, only me and the people involved with the store could make money . And it’s over when I’m gone .

So we need to increase the scale .

And most importantly, the source of the product is not the earth .

Bringing goods from the earth is very easy . But, precisely because it’s easy, there is a constraint that I have imposed on myself .

Don’t hinder the development of this world .

Don’t put over-pressure on the existing industries .

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Don’t bring forth misfortunate people . … However, villains are excluded .

Don’t generate extra problems in case I suddenly disappear .

Don’t make their pleated skirts disheveled .

Don’t make their white sailor collars flutter . (Note: Maria-sama ga miteru reference)

…tte, urusai wa!!

Anyway, what we needed is an [Export source that is a country in this world] .

In that case, there is no need to worry about the technologies brought from another world and how it would affect this world . Since the goods and technologies were already existed in this world . I’ll only use a little innovative way of transport .

Okay okay, it’ll still be within the acceptable limits!!

So that even if I’m gone, there would be no problem . Because by that time, we would be able to replicate the tools and techniques to make something similar on our territory .

Therefore, we should aim at the light industrial goods rather than the primary products such as wheat or meat . Heavy industries, such as, shipbuilding and full-fledged steelmaking, that is not tatara-steel, would have to be left to the government . And coals . If we plan heavy industry in such a small territory, the environment will be destroyed in an instant . In the first place, there are not enough resources and people, so it’s out of the question .

And we also need to invite craftsmen .

For a small territory without enough resources to flourish, we can only rely on technical skills .

And I can also easily import the necessary preprocessed raw materials without worrying about the time and cost of the transportation on top of sourcing the [Craftsmen] .

And, of course, the techniques will be replicated so that they can process the raw material on their own right away .

Alright, this is it! Let’s go with this!

“……finished?” (Colette-chan)

“Eh? What is?” (Mitsuha)

Collet suddenly asked me, but what is it…

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“Delusion time” (Colette-chan)

Urusai wa! Captain-san also told me the same thing in the past!!

No, I’m sorry that everyone was waiting for me because I suddenly became quiet and thinking alone . But I wasn’t dozing off, I was thinking about more than what Miriam-san pointed out!

Alright, let’s prove it right away!

“I will have the townspeople to trade with other countries, and then we process the imported materials and sell the completed products . Someday, we will be able to replace the imported materials with what we can produce in our own territory so that we can make it as a genuine territory product” (Mitsuha)

Yes, the goal is the advanced version of what they called the cottage industry or something like that .

In the past, Japan, whose technology was inferior, relied on similar method as a trump card for acquiring foreign currency .

… it’s sericulture .

Making raw silk from silkworm cocoons and then weave the raw silk .

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In this climate, mulberry silkworm should be fine . And sericulture should be manageable, as long as we have the knowledge, and the sense of respect and affection for the silkworm, even if we’re technologically inferior .

Mulberry leaves can be used to feed the silkworms, in fact it’s also edible for human, its root bark is crude medicine, and it can also be used as wood and papermaking material .

…tte, we can use almost all of its parts, can’t we?

Alright, looks good!

Let’s grow a lot of it, only for sericulture!