Chapter 199： Year-end two

"My lord, this year we have consolidated a total of 13,000 hectares of cultivated land, including 10,000 hectares in Arda and 3,000 hectares in Bairding. Next year we will speed up the progress and plan to continue using two to three years of land Time will complete the integration of the remaining 60,000 hectares in the two places."

In the castle hall, Minister of Agriculture Hansel is reporting the results of his work.

The so-called integration of cultivated land is to piece together small pieces of cultivated land from squires and landlords in various places through replacement and circulation to form a large area of ​​cultivated land, and this large area of ​​cultivated land is only managed by one family.

Or connect small pieces of farmland held by self-cultivating farmers, and the newly established farmers' associations will conduct intensive management and guidance, such as raising funds from each household to carry out some public affairs.

By building large farms one by one in this way, the landlords will be willing to spend money to build large-scale water conservancy and pave roads and bridges on the large tracts of arable land that only belong to them, without worrying that they will be taken advantage of and spend a lot of money. Cheaper neighbors after money.

"so slow?"

When Paul slapped the table, he thought it would be finished in half a year, but he didn't expect it would take several years.

Obviously, the lord is quite dissatisfied with the work progress of the Ministry of Agriculture.

"Uh...Master Graham, please listen to my explanation..."

Hansel began to complain to Paul with an embarrassing face.

"It's not easy to do work in this area! Both landlords and farmers are afraid of suffering a little loss when the land is replaced, but they are obsessed with studying how to take advantage of it. Some landlords and landlords are fighting each other for this. Fighting among farmers, even large-scale fighting between whole villages, these are things we often encounter.”

"Besides, we are short of manpower. We can only carry out land replacement work in one village by one. I hope that we can assign more officers to us in the coming year."

Paul angrily said, "Why are these people so ignorant of the big picture? Isn't it just a few meters of land, a little more or less?"

"Hey, my lord, let alone a few square meters, even a few inches less seems to kill them. Moreover, the quality of cultivated land varies from place to place, which brings great challenges to how to measure it. Difficulties."

"Okay, anyway, try harder and try to finish it for me next year!"

Hansel took out his handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

"This... we will try our best..."

Paul asked again: "How is the promotion of the new farming technology?"

"This is going well. The peasant associations in various places have introduced the crop rotation system to various villages and towns. Landlords have responded that they will start experimenting next year. But the self-cultivating farmers are not very enthusiastic. After all, they have little land and always need to plant some. Edible crops to produce food for the whole family."

"These small households don't have to force it. When the grain production increases and they have the money to buy rations from the market, they will naturally have the courage to experiment."

"Yes, my lord."

Hansel continued to report: "Due to the promotion of harvesters, everyone has leftover manpower to open up new arable land. Next year we estimate that the arable land area will increase by about one-sixth, including Arda and Berding."

Paul nodded with satisfaction: "That's not bad, but the new cultivated land must also follow the model of large farms."

"Naturally, my lord, we will strictly monitor it."

…

After reporting on the most concerned agricultural matters, Paul went on to listen to business, finance, immigration, military and other matters.

On the whole, the situation satisfies him.

Since a series of measures to support business chūtái, a total of 23 factories of various types have been built in Arda and Bairdin, producing cans, paper, porcelain, and salt.

Now the goods from the two places have begun to be sold in the Northwest Territories, and a small amount has even been sold near Jingyao.

Paul believes that after the southward route is fully opened, the trade will grow more rapidly, and without layers of tariffs, the profits will be greater.

When profits rise, more businessmen will be attracted to invest in building factories.

Thanks to the establishment of various private factories and the sales of various new products, the tax revenue of the Government Council reached 23,000 silver coins this year, and the income of the Gleiman family industry reached 25,000 silver coins. Ten thousand silver coins.

After going out for various expenses, there is still a surplus of 10,000 silver coins.

"Spend it! Spend it all! Next year, I hope that the surplus will not exceed two thousand silver coins!"

Paul waved his hands and said words that left everyone in the Government Affairs Council dumbfounded.

"Wealth can only be counted if the coins are allowed to flow, otherwise it can only be a pile of metal lying on the ground and eating ashes!"

"I suddenly came up with an idea. Why don't we invest more money in education next year. There is such a shortage of talents in the territory. It is always good to invest in education."

This idea has been responded to by everyone, especially the female consultant Dias She is very concerned about the affairs of Weiss College.

In terms of immigration, the Government Affairs Council has received a total of 1,563 refugees so far. Most of these people are young men and women in their prime of life, and those who are too old or too young basically cannot survive in the Northwest Gulf.

These people are placed in various newly opened factories.

"There will be more refugees arriving tomorrow."

Hansel said to everyone.

"The fact that the Earl of Arda is recruiting immigrants has spread in all directions, and the refugees will automatically gather here. In addition to the rebel areas in the south, those who were plundered by orcs in the northeast will also come to us. side."

After the members of the Government Affairs Council finished their reports, the military headed by Schroeder began to report on military aspects.

The size of the army has not expanded much, but great progress has been made in weaponry and equipment.

As for the army, with the successful development of the flintlock gun, small batch production has begun, and the first battalion of the army has accepted the task of equipment testing.

The navy is the largest military expenditure. This year, the navy has taken over three new sailing warships. According to Austin's 666 plan, the other three are also under intensive construction.

However, the navy commander is still dissatisfied with this batch of ships. In order to equip them as soon as possible, a lot of wood has not been fully dried, which makes this batch of sailing warships doomed to not have a long service life.

Therefore, he proposed that the construction of the next batch of warships must follow the formal process, and let the wood be fully dried to build a batch of qualified warships.

"Austin, my next plan is to develop private merchant ships, sell them to merchants and go south to do business. But you know, the capacity of the shipyard is limited."

Paul's words made the naval commander extremely depressed.