CH 23

Prolonged Rainfall

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

Spring of the year 382 of the royal calendar. A thick cloud covered almost the entire area of Rynegard. This gray cloud, rare in a season of clear skies, was the beginning of all the commotion.

After a few days of cloud cover, large drops of rain begin to fall on the heads of those who have been unable to feel the spring weather. Initially they welcomed the rain. It was self-evident that rain would clear the clouds. The sun was finally shining, and the sun was clearing up its face, but a few moments later, it was raining on its face as well.

The clouds showed no sign of clearing after a few days. On the contrary, the rain intensified and poured down on Rynegard. It was only after ten days of rain that the clouds finally thinned and the sun began to shine.

◆

「I am here to report the damage!」

After the long rain stopped, the vassals who had been rushed to various places returned to the study room in the estate. Father was almost dizzy on his feet as he receives reports from his territory, but he keeps nodding his head with a calm expression on his face.

「Father.」

「Ahh, I’m sorry to say that we’re in a bad situation. I can’t believe they almost got the wheat field before harvest…」

After they left the room, I looked back at Father, who was sitting at his office desk, a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

「We must take immediate action to address this problem. Fortunately, harvesting of beans and turnips had already taken place, so they could be used as food in an emergency. If we release some of our stockpile, we will be able to provide enough food for the territory.」

「That’s good for the territory. But…」

「Yes. Other territories that were export destinations are unknown. Therefore——」

「Which means there could be a lot of buying going on in large quantities.」

「Yes.」

Although Clanetta’s reserves were plentiful thanks to the results of the agrarian reform, it was not possible to send all of them to other territories. This prolonged rainfall have also devastated the fields, making this year’s harvest uncertain.

「Even so, if each territory were to receive its fair share, it would be possible to make ends meet. But if we leave it to merchants who are motivated by profit, there will be people who will starve.」

「The price controls in our territory and offerings from merchants must be enforced.」

「Yes. In addition to that, there must be a prohibition on taking large quantities out of the territory and notification to other territories.」

「What will we tell them?」

「We will offer them the appropriate price, starting with the most damaged territories, and ask them to report the status of their territories.」

「There still one concern remains.」

Father nodded at my suggestion, but held up the index finger of his right hand and muttered.

「Certainly if it is declared accurately, distribution will be ensured. However, there will be those who will lie in order to give priority to their own territories.」

「No doubt, there will be those who think so. Therefore, in addition to nailing down the false allegations to the jurisdiction to be dealt with later, it is necessary for us to send out our own investigations.」

「The『ears』must be used.」

I respond with a smile to my perceptive Father. The『ear』is the collective name for the clandestine『ears』of Clanetta, those who normally mingle with the city life and tell of its lifestyle and the injustices of officials and other people. They are sent to each territory to investigate in secret, and by comparing them with the declarations, they detect falsehoods. Father approved my idea and immediately sent instructions to the ears.

◆

A few days after the news was made both inside and outside the territory. While I was in my study preparing to support other territories, Claude, who had been entrusted with negotiating with the merchants of Amyn, came back.

「Princess. The offering of stockpiled food from merchants in Amyn.」

「Good work. Claude, did the people listen to you?」

「Some were reluctant to buy up at the standard price, but I guess that’s what merchants are for. It seems that everyone chose to continue doing business here. We also give them a small profit by paying them a commission for selling the food they buy on our behalf. I doubt there are many who would hold a grudge against the Clanetta family for this.」

He reports so and bows his head toward me as I sit at my desk. The way he bowed to me as he sat at his desk was so dignified that it gave no hint that he was a former vagrant. Perhaps noticing the deeply moved gaze, Claude raised his dark blue head.

「Princess? What’s the matter?」

「No, you did a great job. Thank you.」

Claude’s quick negotiations stabilized sales in the territory and the people were spared panic. They will not allow support to other territories unless they receive a sufficient supply of food. The work done to eliminate this concern was unobtrusive, but extraordinary.

「For the sake of the princess.」

Claude replies emphatically, his gray eyes narrowing happily. He was the second oldest of my direct subjects after Emily, and his hard work and loyalty to Clanetta made him heavily used at a young age to the point where he was entrusted with a corner of the city’s management. The emaciated body he had when he was protected has now grown to a robust stature, but the integrity in his eyes has not changed one iota.

「Now we are almost ready for support. We will begin as soon as the messengers and ears we sent to the various territories return. We’ll be busy for a while.」

「Understood. I have already reinforced the axles of the wagons in preparation for long-distance transportation.」

「Is that so, I had forgotten about that. If you notice anything else, please do. You can use my name if you do.」

「At your will!」

Satisfied with the attention to detail of the chief minister, I continued with the work Father had entrusted to me.

A few weeks later, however, news arrived with information from around the country, causing us distress once again.