I Picked Up the Fallen Earth

Chapter 18. Three-Year Development Plan for the Domain (2)

Before diving into the genuine development of his new territory, Jeron summoned Kain and Leila, who could be considered experts in economics.

Their faces were slightly flushed, having just heard about the ambitious three-year development plan for the territory from Jeron. Jeron was quite surprised to find someone among the knights of his territory with Leila’s insight.

Uncovering such talent in this world, and having them serve loyally as a knight, he considered himself extremely fortunate.The desk in the lord’s office wasn’t made of old furniture but was a sleek product from Earth.

Placed upon it was a tea set. It was this very tea set that made Jeron see endless possibilities from Earth. He realized that if marketed well in fancy packaging, it could generate prodigious profits.

As merchants at heart, they instantly recognized the extraordinary nature of the tea set.

“How does it taste?”

“The aroma is astonishing. The blooms engraved on these vessels seem to transcend their confines, enhancing the flavor.”

Kain barely contained his excitement. Known as the tightwad of the territory, Kain was unmatched in frugality; he was considered the epitome of parsimoniousness in his era.

Even this tea set, he estimated, could turn into a significant amount of gold.

“Even the royal family’s tea cups would not compare to this. Moreover, this tea…”

The rich aroma of green tea. The so-called ‘tea bags’ seemed destined to become a lucrative commodity as well. However, Jeron didn’t possess a large quantity of either the tea set or tea bags.

To acquire more such items, he would have to venture into the city. If they could sweep up the goods from a supermarket in Seosan city, it could lay the foundation for their commerce. What about tea bags?

Not limited to green tea, if coffee could be introduced as well, the profit margins promised to be extraordinary. Coffee acts as a booster.

For those unacquainted with caffeine, its stimulating effects could not only boost productivity but also reduce fatigue. It was predicted to have effects several times more potent on the people of this era.

Of course, such ventures were contingent upon their ability to venture into the city.

‘If only there was an easy way to take down the mutants, raiding a supermarket would be a piece of cake,’ he thought.

Until then, simple glassware and various kitchen utensils they had come across in their farming endeavors would serve as luxury goods. Jeron laid the results of their efforts thus far on the table.

Click.

“These are glass dishes and glasses.”

“My, what perfect craftsmanship! Will these make money?”

Leila, sipping her tea quietly, also expressed her admiration. He also displayed cubic zirconia hairpins and decorative items often carried by women.

He had chosen items that were both lightweight and appeared costly. Leila examined the decorative pieces quietly.

“Women will go crazy for these.”

“You think?”

“Though I’ve half given up being a woman since becoming a knight, I still have an eye for this. It will surely be a success.”

Leila was confident. A female knight was still a woman. Having been born into a merchant family, she had an eye for evaluating goods.

Kain asked cautiously, “Lord, may I know why you are showing us these products?”

“We need to establish a merchant guild for our territory.”

“Indeed!”

Kain started getting excited. The territory had been in dire poverty up till now. Although it boasted a substantial land area and population due to its history as a count’s fiefdom, it had shrunken incomparably compared to its heydays.

Since being pushed to the desolate northern lands, breaking free from poverty had seemed impossible, especially with the poor yields due to the ash-gray infertile soil.

Beyond the barrier were barbarians and monsters galore, and with the mountains teeming with beasts, obtaining specialties was not an easy task on this land.

Maintaining a population of 30,000 in that condition required perpetual austerity measures.

“To continue with the principle of maintaining a thousand troops in the domain while also securing forces capable of escorting the merchant caravan is essential. At the very least, we need to be equipped to not be defeated by bandits or monsters.”

“At least a hundred men will be necessary.”

“Indeed.”

“But that’s not all. We need someone experienced and trustworthy for the commerce…”

Sir Kain swallowed his saliva. This was the most challenging part. Regardless of how excellent the merchandise was, if someone incompetent or low in loyalty took charge of the caravan, there was a risk they could take everything and run away.

If they sold goods in various cities and then disappeared, it would lead to a very troublesome situation. Jeron and Sir Kain looked at Lady Reila simultaneously. Her family were merchants, currently operating a trading company.

Despite paying double taxes due to trade rights issues to both the Pelow domain and Count Hanes, they were managing to keep the trade going.

In fact, Jeron had outsourced the sale of goods from the count’s family through the trading company belonging to Reila’s family.

“Could your family’s trading company become a direct affiliate of our domain?”

“That might just be the solution,” Sir Kain nodded vigorously.

Reila was pleased as well.

“The trading company has been facing difficulties lately, so it might be possible.”

“Good. That should resolve the issue with the trading company,” Jeron proceeded with the core plans for the domain’s version of the Saemaul Movement.

The most critical roles in the three-year development plan for the domain were potatoes and various export goods.

‘Seeds and glass products are still needed,’ he thought, as images of a multi-thousand won product flickered before his eyes.

Big-box stores could also serve as sources of high-quality goods. Though canned products might have been looted, there should still be plenty of green tea, barley tea, and balloon-flower root tea left. The map of Seosan naturally formed in Jeron’s mind, a place where numerous trade goods gathered.

There was one mega-store that hosted various brands and could meet comprehensive demands, including perfumes, cosmetics, and clothes—S-Mart located on the outskirts of the city center.

It was affiliated with the S Group, a super-large corporation in Korea with many branches worldwide. Although not a department store, it could meet all demands if one could get there, reducing the worry of visiting multiple places.

If S-Mart had what one needed, one needn’t go anywhere else. However, traditionally, big-box stores had been gathering places for survivors, and it was uncertain whether or not they were free of mutants. In such times, reconnaissance was the only answer.

‘After targeting the area, we’ll need to expand the scope of reconnaissance.’

***

Public Notice for Domain Residents:

1. Public works are to be conducted during the lean season.

2. Daily wages will be 1kg of wheat for adult men and 0.7kg of wheat for adult women.

3. Lunch will be provided by the domain, and work hours are from two hours after sunrise until sunset.

4. Work will include repairing the fortification, expanding and repairing roads, and fixing houses.

5. Female workers will assist male workers or be mobilized for cleaning.

Military Recruitment Notice:

1. Physically fit men are being recruited as soldiers.

2. Women who pass the examination can also apply as soldiers.

3. A soldier’s salary will be three gold per month.

4. This is for beginners, with salary and rank increases over time.

5. Bonuses and work allowances are available for those deployed in combat or extra duties.

6. Commuting is possible with three meals a day provided.

7. Recruitment will proceed on a first-come-first-served basis until a thousand recruits are filled.

A great transformation. Numerous residents began to gather in the domain square. It was now the lean season.

Last year and this year’s harvests were ruined, and famine had struck, leaving countless people starving to death in both cities and rural villages alike.

Had Jeron been an ordinary lord, he never would have released the wheat acquired through trade for public work. However, he recognized that a decline in the population of his domain was ultimately a loss for him, and since public works were planned anyway, he initiated them without delay.

The square was filled with tents, swarming with so many applicants that there was hardly any room to step foot. The administrative bureaucrats immediately gathered workers and deployed them to the construction sites.

“It’s all makeshift.”

“We haven’t established a system yet.”

It was complete chaos. Thinking of it as a modern-day labor office would be a mistake. There was no order, and everyone was screaming to go first.

It even required the mobilization of soldiers to maintain some semblance of order. Perhaps feeding them before putting them to work caused even more frenzy.

On one side, soldier recruitment was also taking place. A crowd of scruffy vagabonds had gathered, most of whom, after failing the examination, applied for labor work.

This in itself was a significant change, causing widespread confusion. Jeron, raised in a nation known for rapid processing, LTE-speed work culture, and where the ‘hurry hurry’ mentality of Koreans was ingrained, had expedited the work.

Transposing this ethos to his domain caused considerable turmoil.

“We’ll let the system settle in. From now on, our people in the domain will live by the ‘hurry hurry’ creed. Speed is of essence.”

“That’s profoundly… insightful.”

Kain and Dame Leila were sweating bullets. Some semblance of order was barely maintained amidst shoving, pulling, and shouting—utter chaos. But it was okay.

Today marked the first day of all policies being implemented; it would have been stranger had there been no chaos.

‘Better rushed than delayed.’

Jeron believed not only in importing Earth’s commodities to develop his domain but also in transplanting the culture that had propelled South Korea’s rapid growth.

The mindset of this era’s people needed a change. How could a sluggish, lazy life bring about any change? Though many adverse effects were anticipated, it was far preferable to continuing with a rigid mindset.

Jeron, alongside officials(?) of the domain development agency, visited the farmlands. Today, Dame Leila, not the busy Sir Garcia due to soldier recruitment, assumed the role of deputy.

“The lord is here. Show your respect!”

Her voice was dignified and commanding. Dame Leila, though a knight within the domain, was notoriously formidable in character, to the extent that even her fellow knights hesitated to befriend her due to her ruthlessness.

The domain’s residents knew this as well. Foolish were those who dared to trifled with her beauty, only to lose their hand. The serfs stopped their work and kneeled.

“Verion, come forward.”

“Oh, what an honor it is for this humble one that you remember my name!”

The village chief crawled forward. Covered in mud, the chief bowed deeply before Jeron again.

Thunk.

Jeron placed down a net he had brought from Earth filled with seed potatoes.

“This, this is…”

“This will be the future crop of our domain. Plant it with the eyes facing up. If there are two eyes, it can be split and planted.”

The farmlands had been greatly expanded. As the serfs’ morale improved from being well-fed twice a day, they worked diligently.

Operational issues with serfs were minimal, provided basic rules were observed, contrasting with the time when lords excessively exploited serfs, causing numerous problems.

But Jeron had no such intentions. Serfs were humans too, after all. Though flipping societal conventions entirely wasn’t possible, being recognized as a benevolent lord at the very least was imperative.

The introduction of potatoes, destined to be both a future staple and food source, marked a historic moment in this world. A sudden thought occurred.

‘Will I finally be able to enjoy crispy and savory potato chips?’

The birth of potato chips and French fries, megahit products on Earth, was just beginning on the Karen Continent.