I Picked Up the Fallen Earth

Chapter 19 Three-Year Development Plan for the Domain (3)

Jeron had thought about surveying various parts of his domain but decided against it. The class system of this era was absolute. Impulsively stirring things up as a lord could cause disruptions in work, and consequently, delays.

Therefore, he chose restraint. Jeron, along with Sir Kain and Dame Leila, embarked on a hike. Though they hiked without much conversation, neither of them seemed to question the activity.

Sir Kain, who occasionally foamed at the mouth over money-related matters, had been a loyal servant to the Farrow domain for generations, and Dame Leila’s loyalty was a well-known fact throughout the domain.

Despite the many issues with the aristocratic system of this era, its strict hierarchy was, in some ways, more convenient than Earth’s.

Time was not a constraint for Jeron, allowing him to slowly ascend the mountain while tuning into the sounds around him. The rustling wind and the clear air felt refreshing.

Upon realizing mana, even the faintest magical energy seemed to permeate like powdered mint. The entire forest quivered, and birds took flight.

It was the stirring of life upon the earth. The sound of grass brushing against their legs was pleasantly audible. As he hiked, Jeron organized his thoughts.

“If I could bring special crops from Earth…”

So far, he had brought over various flowers and potatoes, but strictly speaking, potatoes were emergency crops and thus ambiguous as specialty products, especially in an era where frying anything was hardly feasible.

The limitations were clear, even with trying to introduce products from ten-thousand-won shops, fancy store items, or anything that could be looted from supermarkets.

It seemed inevitable that he would have to raid the area around middle schools quickly and then turn to the agricultural and industrial complexes.

Lost in such thoughts, he eventually reached the summit. The cool breeze was refreshing. Observing his domain from afar, it no longer looked like the land driven to despair.

The dynamic start of labor was visible. The breath of phytoncides seemed to purify even the stench of dung that had lingered around the domain. After taking a sip of water, Jeron sat on a flat rock and gazed at the drying farmland.

“Do you gentlemen know why we’ve had poor harvests two years in a row?”

“It’s because we’ve had no rain, leading to droughts. Agriculture inevitably requires water, doesn’t it?” was the common analysis from Sir Kain. His thinking was conventional.

Although astute with finances, agriculture was not his forte. It wasn’t the answer Jeron was hoping for. He turned his expectations to Dame Leila.

“And what do you think, Dame?”

“There’s no shortage of water in the domain. For example, even in the severest of droughts, there are no deaths from lack of drinking water, proving this statement. The vast Baitan Lake on the outskirts never dries up, and the people of the domain do not spare efforts to fetch water for drinking. However, to irrigate the entire farmland would require a tremendous amount of labor, leaving the lands far from the lake to inevitably dry up.”

“You’re correct. What’s the solution?”

“As I understand, the irrigation canal planned by you, milord, intends to draw water from Baitan Lake to connect to the domain and farmlands. This would save a vast amount of labor and prevent droughts.”

Applause!

“Excellent!”

Jeron couldn’t help but clap. How had no one thought of such a basic solution before? The sheer scale of labor involved was the reason.

The project of constructing a canal was a major undertaking, and no lord in history had planned or executed a project that could shake the stability of their domain to such an extent.

Listening quietly until now, Sir Kain’s face paled. Sweat streamed down his bald head as if it were possible.

“My, milord. A massive amount of manpower and funds will be consumed! To undertake such a monumental project, we’d need to redirect all slaves currently assigned to the wall construction. Digging up the land, compacting the bottom, laying stones and gravel, and even the process of adjusting the entire canal with a sort of revetment… Considering the stonemasons involved, the cost could be astronomical…”

“Kyung knows exactly how the canal should be constructed?”

“Huh, that’s not the issue here.”

“Sir Kain, there’s no need for the canal to be grand. Start by digging the land and connect it to the farmland for now. It’s not too late. If we can dig the waterway and connect it to the farmland now, we can succeed in farming this year.”

“Hmm… If it’s just about digging the land, it might be possible within a few weeks.”

“Laying the pebbles and organizing the canal can wait until after the harvest.”

“That too requires a tremendous amount of manpower and cost…”

“Enough. This will be the cornerstone that enriches our territory.”

Sir Kain broke out in sweat again. It was anticipated that once the guild began operating normally, massive profits would be generated, but the allocation for the proceeds had already been determined.

Jeron considered it essential, and Dame Leila deeply agreed. Sir Kain was just fretting over the expense. To break free from the wretched cycle of poverty, the very constitution of the territory needed improvement.

This was just the basics.

“The canal will go through the farmland. Moreover, through this canal, we can divide the land sections. Until now, land has been managed in a haphazard manner with unclear ownership. We’ll completely overhaul this. It’s the same with the census. I’m well aware that many have deliberately not registered to avoid taxes. How much of a loss is this?”

“Uh…. Hahaha.”

Land and population surveys. These are the most fundamental tasks in managing a territory or nation. Without these two precedents, the leakage of money would be substantial.

The current state of the territory was raw. A proper census alone would increase the population by five thousand. The same goes for the land. By conducting a thorough survey, collecting proper taxes, and reclaiming unjustly benefited lands.

“There will be considerable resistance.”

“We are currently in the midst of reform. What reform can we talk about without having the basics in place? What’s our slogan?”

“‘Let’s live well.'”

“To live well, the basics need to be established.”

“The basics. That’s a very good point, but it means the nobles might drop dead.”

Jeron shrugged. The death of nobles was but a minor consolation. Jeron laid out various policies on the spot. These included matters concerning roads, placing watchtowers at strategic points, and improving sanitation by eliminating all the waste in the territory.

As he listened, Sir Kain’s face grew increasingly pale, yet Jeron never stopped speaking.

***

A development office for the territory was established, and a building previously used by the Second Knight Division was repaired. Back when the family was in its heyday, there were as many as twenty knights in the territory, not to mention the existence of a Second Knight Division.

This building was a symbol of immense wealth and power. While it had been used as a warehouse, with the launch of the territory development office, the building had found its purpose once more.

So far, there were only two staff members. They were documenting the discussions they had heard while accompanied by the lord today. The lord had made up his mind and issued commands, so it was time to delve into the details.

Sir Kain was already developing a headache.

“If we proceed with all the projects at once, the territory will be bankrupt within two years.”

“The guild will be established soon, and in the long run, it seems like a means to escape poverty.”

“Does Dame Leila support the lord?”

“We knights simply follow the orders given by our lord.”

“Do you think it will be effective?”

“If you put it that way… Yes, I think it’s a brilliant strategy.”

“A brilliant strategy, indeed!”A great transformation was on the horizon for the estate. “With the lord at the helm, I believe this generation will see a revitalization of the land, perhaps even progress towards prosperity.”

“Ha, prosperity? Isn’t that a bit of a stretch?”

“Not only in management, but your military insight is also remarkable, milord. I have no doubt significant military advancements are in our future as well.”

“Your faith is truly astounding.”

“Do you not share this faith, sir?”

“Faith?”

Sir Kain glanced down at the stack of documents before him. This wasn’t a matter of faith. Who didn’t know that with the right foundation, the estate would flourish? The real issue was that such endeavors would drain the estate’s resources.

He was worried about bankruptcy.

“As the steward, my job isn’t to plan based on faith but to ensure we do not go bankrupt.”

“The financial concerns should be resolved soon.”

“How so?”

“Well, even without immediate trade rights, commerce is still possible. I’m not sure of the origin of the various items you’ve displayed, milord, but if such goods continue to surface, we should be able to withstand the financial pressures.”

“Such unwavering faith.”

Sir Kain, pragmatic as ever, contrasted sharply with Dame Leila’s pure loyalty. Pushing the documents aside, Sir Kain stood, stretching his stiff back.

“Ah, the pains of aging. My body aches from this overwhelming workload.”

“Let’s go, sir. My brother must have arrived at the castle by now.”

Dark circles had taken residence under Sir Kain’s eyes, the workload having doubled. Despite his complaints, anticipation bubbled within him.

***

Evening approached. Due to his compulsive belief that dinners should be spent with family, Jeron had to finish his daily tasks and visit the lakefront villa where his parents were staying.

He aimed to settle all matters before dinner, especially today when the golden key was recharged, bringing a sense of excitement mixed with the emotional weight of walking a world obliterated, alone.

The thought was paradoxical, yet the desire to return, despite the dangers, felt like going home. Arriving at the lord’s reception room, which was being decorated with items brought from Earth, Jeron noted how Earth’s trash became treasures here. Cheap yet seemingly valuable items filled the room, repurposed as a storeroom of sorts.

Inside, Becken Carvain, chief of the Carvain Trading Company and Leila’s brother, was enraptured by the paintings, particularly “Starry Night” by Van Gogh.

The walls adorned with Mona Lisa, The Tree of Life, and The Gleaners were personal favorites from Jeron’s time on Earth, chosen purely out of personal taste.

Before entering, Jeron overheard Becken’s conversation with Leila, marveling at the potential value of these “remarkable” paintings, believed to be worth fortunes if auctioned.

Jeron’s heart swelled. Until now, he hadn’t considered the financial potential of commonplace paintings from Earth, having viewed them as cheap reproductions.

However, in this world, Earth’s imitations were transforming into invaluable masterpieces.

‘Could art also turn into profit?’