The Struggle of a Weak Aristocrat in a Different World Our Domain is Surrounded by Large Aristocrats

C83: Agricultural Issues

“Why is no one coming……”

After that, we immediately went back to the lord’s mansion and held a special meeting of the Viscount family to solve the food problem caused by the Orrards, but there were only two people in the meeting room, me and Yulis.

“Looks like everyone is busy.”

“Well, I guess there’s no point in mourning what isn’t there…….Let’s start the meeting.”

I gave up and opened my mouth to resolve the situation.

“Let me give you an overview first. There is a food problem after the Orrard family withdraws. And it’s urgent to secure workplaces for those who have finished working in construction.”

It’s simply a food problem, isn’t it? After that, it’s just a matter of finding a place for people to work.

“Yulis, what’s the harvest like in our territory now?”

“In the past few years, we’ve been able to produce more food than other territories due to the Norfolk method of farming livestock and potatoes. However, with the success of our bread business, wheat is becoming scarce and we are heavily dependent on imports.”

Norfolk farmers can’t just grow wheat…….Besides, wheat is the most major grain. Without it, we can’t make bread, our staple food.

“Do you have enough seed pods?”

“Yes. We have to import them to secure them.”

I’m glad you’ve secured that part. At any rate, it’s important to increase the production of wheat.

I was satisfied with the results, and started talking about the next topic.

“The next thing is to find workplaces…….Can’t we turn the newcomers to the territory into farmers?”

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

I was curious as to why Yulis was so adamant, so I asked her.

“Why not? If we can get them to cultivate and increase the amount of farmland, we can solve the problem of food, two birds with one stone.”

“In this booming economy, it’s better to work in the city than to be a farmer, because you can get more money. Besides, now that the Orrards are selling food cheaply, it’s harder for farmers to sell their crops and get money.”

It’s true that money is hard to come by for farmers. In this booming economy, when there are so many stores in town and money is hard to come by, why would anyone want to become a farmer?

If that’s the case, wouldn’t farmers rather quit and work in the city?

“Aren’t the farmers unhappy?”

“The potatoes are still selling well right now.”

Yulis said meaningfully.

Now……sooner or later potatoes will be produced in other territories and will be harder to sell. In the end, the farmers will find it difficult to get money until the Orrards leave

What a nasty piece of work they have become. My gut churned with anger at the Orrards, but resentment would not change the situation, so I thought of a solution.

I have come to a conclusion.

“We’ll have to give the farmers money.”

“The Viscount’s family has little money to spend on construction and labor due to the investment from the merchants, and the economy is booming. But for what reason do you give it?”

That’s the problem. If we gave them away for free, we would not be able to show them off. On the other hand, if my family buys it at a high price, and if they perceive it as something they can buy at that price, it will be harder for us to collect food for our troops in case of emergency, so we cannot do that.

“We’ll figure out why later. I’ve come up with a way to increase wheat production, and I’m going to teach you how to do it.”

“You have an idea?”

“Yulis do you have salt, water, wheat seeds, and some kind of leak-proof container……that can be made with magic?”

“What are you going to do with it?”

“You’ll have to wait and see! Get it ready!”

I’ll do what my grandfather used to do in the country!

“It’s in the warehouse.”

Yulis responded to my request with a calm and short answer that missed the mark.

“What? It’s in the warehouse? If so, can you go get it for me?”

“I’m sorry, Master Chris. I’ve heard that the warehouse is inhabited by demons, so I’m afraid to go in there. I’ll wait in the garden first.”

With that Yulis left the room with a graceful gesture. I was left alone and puzzled, then came back to myself.

You just didn’t want to go to the warehouse right?

＊＊＊

“Huh, huh…….Yulis, I’m ready.”

I rummaged through the dusty warehouse for salt and wheat seeds, carried a heavy barrel of water from the well, and finally reported that I was ready.

“I see. Thank you for your hard work, Chris-sama.”

Yulis gave me a word of encouragement, but I didn’t care.

“Let’s get started.”

I said, creating a box made of stone and filling it with water.

“Yulis, what do you think will happen if we put the seeds in here?”

Yulis seemed to be a little miffed; however she didn’t say anything, but turned her head down, put her finger on her peachy lips, and pretended to think.

How nice it is to feel superior to Yulis! \

While I was immersed in such a sense of superiority Yulis suddenly looked up and opened her mouth.

“I see. That’s how you sort out the floating seeds from the sinking seeds. Seeds that sink are more likely to germinate because they are fuller, and therefore better seeds.”

“……”

“You can also vary the amount of salt you put in the water, and the more salt you put in, the easier it is for the seed to float, so a seed that sinks is a good seed.”

“……”

“And since the seeds are selected for their salt content, we can expect less variability and more consistent yields.”

“……”

“What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?”

“No.”

You’re too good, seriously! How can you figure out so much from one question? I’m embarrassed that I felt so superior! I was about to say something but Yulis continued to talk.

“After selecting the seeds, wash off the salt from them, let them dry in the shade, and sterilize them in hot water for about half a day before sowing.”

There are some difficulties in considering the specific gravity of the wheat and low purity salt with low salt production technology, but I don’t think we need to worry about it because it is a problem that time and effort will solve.