Chapter 342 - Episode 334: Harvest Season
The summer of the 221st year of the Imperial Calendar, and the 2nd year of the Public Calendar. The Grand Duchy of Arqvist was entering its harvest season, just as it did every year.
During this period, the autumn-sown wheat is harvested, and around the same time, the first potato harvest of the year is also carried out. For the farmers, it is the busiest time of the year.
And the Skinner Trading Company, the official merchant house of the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist, which held the duty of converting the wheat collected as taxes by the Grand Ducal House into cash, was also in the midst of its peak season.
"President, the tax collection from Kilde has arrived at the warehouse. Please handle it."
Philip, the official merchant who was buried in paperwork in the office of the company headquarters, looked up at his subordinate's words.
"Kilde? According to the schedule, wasn't the portion within the capital city of Noeina supposed to be completed first?"
"I heard that the harvest from the farmlands in northwestern Noeina hasn't finished yet. It seems it will be delayed by about a week... Conversely, the harvest in Kilde apparently finished about a week earlier than planned."
"I see. Well then, let's check it."
It was not uncommon for harvest, processing, and the collection of tax portions to shift by a week or two. Since there are many newly reclaimed farmlands in northwestern Noeina since the new immigrants arrived, it was understandable that they would be flustered during their first harvest.
Without mentioning anything further, Philip stood up and went down to the warehouse.
"Hello, Philip-san."
"Kenooze-dono. Thank you for your hard work again this year."
There, he met Kenooze, a rat beastman who was an attendant in charge of agricultural affairs and a subordinate of the Minister of Agriculture, Baronet Edgar Leuschner.
In the conversion of collected wheat into cash, the vassals in charge of agricultural affairs handled the practical work, while Edgar basically managed the tax collection of the largest area, the capital city of Noeina, and performed overall supervision. For other regions—Kilde, Aspida, and various farming villages—Kenooze was often the one in charge of bringing in the tax portions.
"The brought-in portion is as per the estimates I gave you in early spring. Please confirm the quantity and quality."
"Understood. Now then... Hey, you, handle this."
"Yes, sir!"
The work of confirming the wheat was important, but not difficult. The tax portion from Kilde was not that large in volume. With the intent of providing training, Philip entrusted the practical confirmation to the new company member who had just come to call him.
"The population has increased and crop production has risen, so I imagine everyone in charge of agricultural affairs must be very busy."
"Yes, well... to be honest, that's true. Philip-san, this time of year must be even more difficult than usual for you as well."
"Yes. But I suppose this is what one calls a happy scream. Being busy because there are many goods to handle is the greatest pleasure of being a merchant. Besides, it means I am being useful to the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist."
While engaging in idle small talk, the confirmation work ended, and Philip drew up a contract stating that he would pay for the received portion of wheat and handed it to Kenooze.
The actual payment would be delivered from the Skinner Trading Company to the Arqvist house at a later date, and Mrs. Anna Leuschner, the Minister of Internal Affairs, would receive it.
"Well then, until the next time I bring in a tax portion. I look forward to working with you."
"Yes. Thank you for your hard work today."
Philip saw off Kenooze and the farmers pulling empty wagons outside the warehouse.
Then, beside Philip, the new company member who had also come to see them off opened his mouth.
"Even so, why does His Excellency Arqvist put so much effort into domestic agriculture?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
When Philip asked, the company member continued.
"Since it's harvest season, the Skinner Trading Company is handling agricultural products, but normally our job is primarily to mediate trade between the Kingdom of Lordberg and the Kingdom of Lancel. Trade only began last year, but the profits are growing rapidly. They are expected to grow even more in the future. Isn't that right?"
"...Hmm, that is certainly true. Continue."
Philip urged the newcomer to continue the conversation in a tone that seemed amused.
"The Grand Duchy of Arqvist has already begun to prosper enough through commerce and industry for all citizens to be able to eat. It should even be possible to cover all food through imports. Despite that, why does His Excellency Arqvist not shift his focus to such high-profit industries and instead have them produce crops enough to sell to other countries?"
This newcomer was originally the second son of a self-employed farmer and had been receiving education at the Grand Ducal Noeina High School until two years ago. Precisely because he believed himself to be reasonably educated and clever, he likely tried to raise this question. Thinking this, Philip laughed.
"Hmph, you are still young."
"...Meaning?"
To the newcomer who tilted his head, Philip decided to provide guidance as the company president.
"Certainly, if we drastically reduced the scale of agriculture and shifted the main axis to commerce and industry, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist would become wealthy even faster. We could just buy the missing food from neighboring countries. The increasing profits would likely outweigh the cost of food... In times of peace, that would be fine. But what about in times of emergency?"
The newcomer, questioned by Philip, suddenly had a look of realization.
"What if a great crop failure occurs, like three years ago? What if a large-scale war breaks out again and massive amounts of food are used to mobilize troops? Food prices would skyrocket, and distribution would stall. Then what happens?"
"A country that relies on imports for food would, naturally, suffer from food shortages... and be looked down upon by other countries? They might have prices jacked up... or it might even be possible to be threatened with things like 'If you want food, do as we say.'"
"Exactly. You're impressive for realizing that much on your own. It is precisely because a country can produce sufficient food on its own that the nation and noble territories can remain independent. If there is a production volume enough to sell to other countries, it can even be used as a weapon for negotiation in a pinch. Agriculture is the foundation of society, the foundation of all industries. That is why His Excellency Arqvist puts effort into agriculture. Do you understand?"
"Yes... I was shallow. Thank you for your guidance."
"Very well. Rejoice that you have grown... Also, please, for the love of everything, do not speak your easy theories outside like you just did. His Excellency Arqvist would likely laugh and forgive you, but I don't know how the vassals would view the Skinner Trading Company."
"T-that's true. I'll be careful."
Nodding with a faint smile at the newcomer whose face had turned pale, Philip returned to his office.
.....
"Mrs. Leuschner. Please confirm these additional ones."
"...I understand. Just stack them there."
"Understood."
Just as she was thinking she might finally be able to finish today's work, Anna replied while suppressing a sigh to the young civil servant who had spoken to her with a new bundle of documents in hand.
What comes after the early summer harvest season is the collection of taxes from the farmers and the procedures for their conversion into cash, as well as the recording work for those. For civil servants like Anna, it can be said to be the busiest time of the year.
What had just been delivered was a list stating the harvest amount and collection amount for each self-employed farming household. She had to check these one household at a time against the harvest estimate list from early spring, and based on that, create official documents regarding this year's wheat tax collection.
"...Sigh."
It wasn't that she had to handle all of this work within today. Or rather, it was impossible to clear it all in a single day. However, considering the future, she couldn't afford not to start on it even a little.
"I'm back."
At that moment, the person who entered the civil servants' office was Christy, who was in a position that could be called Anna's close aide.
"Welcome back... Weren't you scheduled to be at the workshop until tomorrow?"
When Anna asked her, as she served as the administrative manager of the workshop several days a week, a slightly proud smile was returned.
"I've already finished the workshop's work up until tomorrow's portion and came to lend a hand here. Since it's this season, I thought Anna-san must be having a hard time."
"...Christy, you are a savior."
With her expression crumbling from relief and gratitude, Anna slumped over her office desk.
"Fufu, it seems it was quite difficult."
"It is... Because the scale of agriculture expanded due to the increase in immigrants up until last year, the amount of work on this end increased accordingly."
Unlike tenant farmers or serfs, civil servants cannot be increased immediately. Thinking of the future, several new officials had joined, but there was no way first-year newcomers would be immediate assets.
"Then, I'll help with some of this too. There's still a bit of time until evening, so let's make as much progress as possible."
"Yes, that helps. I'm relieved that it looks like I can go home without working overtime."
"I'm glad I could be of use... Once we get through this period, why don't we go to the theater together again? I heard a new romantic play is starting its run."
"Really? Then, let's coordinate our days off and go."
Among the performances of the Grand Ducal Noeina Theater Company, romantic plays in particular are highly popular with women. Anna and Christy were no exception.
"...Well then, for now."
"Yes, shall we clear this away?"
The civil servants were also fighting daily on their respective battlefields for the sake of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist.
.....
"Hello, Edgar-san... or is such a casual way of calling you rude? It's been a long time, Baronet Leuschner-kakka."
"Hahaha, stop that. We're not in a public place, so you don't need to be so formal. Besides, I'm your brother-in-law, for what it's worth."
Edgar, who served as the Minister of Agriculture of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, was currently at home welcoming his wife Anna's older brother—who was his younger brother-in-law—the Retovik merchant Marco.
"You must be tired. For now, please come in. Is the horse wagon at the inn?"
"Yes, I've left the management to my company members. This bag is all I have."
Saying so, Marco held up his own bag.
The Krebel Trading Company, managed by Marco and his mother Eliza, which was also Anna's maiden home. This company, which was originally nothing more than a grocery store for commoners, had now become a large store positioned among the top in Retovik.
By taking sole charge of the import of potatoes, oil, and sugar consumed within the County of Koenitz, they had expanded their business scale year by year, and furthermore, the managers Eliza and Marco had become relatives of the nobility of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist.
They were being watched by the House of Count Koenitz both economically and politically, and it was even said that the day they would be counted as official merchants was near.
As an executive of the Krebel Trading Company, Marco had, for the past few years, personally led a wagon train to visit Noeina for procurement whenever the harvest ended. When he did, he stayed at his sister's couple's house.
Entering Edgar and Anna's house as usual this year, Marco was first greeted by their son, Theodore. Returning the greeting like an uncle, saying he had grown even more than last year or that he seemed like he would become clever in the future, he settled at the living room table for the time being.
"Is Anna still at work?"
"Yes. Since I knew you were coming today, I think she'll be home soon... but once you become the Minister of Internal Affairs, it seems you're inevitably busy during this period."
"Once Edgar-san's work settles down, it's Anna's turn to be busy. It's tough for both of you as a couple."
"It's because we've been entrusted with important roles by His Excellency Arqvist. It can't be helped."
During the height of the harvest, Edgar, the Minister of Agriculture, is busy, and during the period when the processing of tax conversion into cash is carried out, Anna, the head of the administrative side, is chased by work. In the first half of summer, it is quite difficult for the couple to relax together.
"By the way, is Eliza-san doing well?"
"She's almost too energetic. Even though I consider myself a full-fledged adult for now, lately I'm often scolded with things like 'Do you think you can serve as the Koenitz family's official merchant with that attitude?' At this rate, she won't let me take over the succession for a while."
"Hahaha, I see. It's good that she's that energetic. Though it seems you're the one suffering."
Seeing Marco sigh, Edgar gave a faint smile.
After that, until Anna returned, a peaceful time for the brothers-in-law continued, exchanging information on the capital city of Noeina and Retovik respectively, and enjoying idle conversation.