Chapter 87 – Internal Affairs of the Northern Empire

The Northern Zeltreich Empire has many challenges.

Employment measures are necessary to suppress the occurrence of bandits and just leaving it to the local lords does not easily lead to improved public safety. Moreover, there were two major types of bandits.

‘If they are people who can no longer make a living in their own country, there are still things that can be done before they turn to banditry…but those who are clearly bandits with the intent of plunder are a different story.’

That’s right. There are those who come from the west to the empire now.

They come all the way here to raid and plunder, and then return after causing havoc. Their scale is small, and they are difficult to capture. What kind of business trip plundering is this? Don’t come here.

Well, preparing for such bandits is the job of the rulers. Until the empire is unified, I plan to continue allocating the budget to military preparations, and we have to steadily work on that. The problem is the employment measures within our own territory.

“Hmmm…”

“Your Highness, what’s troubling you?”

The one who spoke to me as I sat at my desk, glaring at documents, was Theodolf, who stood in front of me.

Now, he has become the lord governing Clostova, replacing Godrick and beside him stood a young woman.

Her name is Almana. She is a civil servant dispatched from the Linzent Territory, and now she is handling secretarial tasks such as managing my schedule.

“…Come to think of it, both of you have worked in large territories for a long time.”

I listen to the two of them again for information about the lords’ alliance over the past few years, especially the economic trends.

I had also heard from Rhoban-san and Karan-san, but I wanted to hear directly from those who were actually in the lords’ alliance.

“Yes…I think it was more chaotic than it is now until about five years ago.”

“From around that time, the lords’ alliance and the empire began to avoid direct confrontations and started observing each other.”

I had heard about that from Karan-san when I was in the imperial capital. Apparently, both sides were financially strained, so they started focusing on rebuilding their own territories.

During that time, the empire progressed with the reorganisation of the knights by Arloston, and in the lords’ alliance, the four powerful lords gained even more influence.

“The lords’ alliance originally had more financial leeway.”

“Ah… that’s why the current emperor tried to impose taxes on some of the major lords.”

Thinking about it, the southern part…the imperial faction was the one lacking resources.

By the way, according to Theodolf, Godrick seemed to be actively trying to establish connections with foreign powers.

He intended to use that power to quickly advance to the imperial capital and even considered usurping the throne.

Come to think of it, I had heard something like that from my master a long time ago.

“That’s… quite ambitious.”

“I’m ashamed of him, despite being my father. He was probably being used by foreign powers due to his greed. Fortunately, other major lords strongly opposed him, so he stopped openly expressing his ambitions.”

The main objective of the lords’ alliance is not to become the new emperor but to have their claims recognized by the emperor. Godrick’s opinions were in opposition to that.

However, that was because the lords’ alliance still had some leeway. If they had been at a disadvantage, they might have considered borrowing the power of foreign forces in the worst-case scenario.

‘…eh?’

I was startled as I thought that far.

Foreign forces…I was thinking of making a preemptive move, especially against the Kingdom of Ferlog but could it be that the empire might also consider teaming up with foreign forces to prepare against the Northern Empire?

‘No, the empire originally had bad relations with other countries. While they might rejoice in the situation of a civil war, they would demand a considerable return to help with unification. It’s hard to imagine the proud central nobles easily making concessions to foreign powers… but still.’

It’s something to be concerned about. And indeed, it would be troublesome for us if they did form an alliance.

Hmm…I’ll need to discuss this later. I’ll bring it up as a topic in the next military council.

“For now, it seems that the lords’ alliance has had some financial leeway and has become more stable over the past few years…”

“Overall, you could say that. However, I think the disparity between territories is still a significant issue.”

That’s right. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any bandits within our own country even now.

“I want to somehow suppress the occurrence of bandits. In the end, many of them turn to banditry because they are struggling to make a living, right? The lords are probably taking measures but I was wondering if there was anything that could be done administratively…”

“In other words, Your Highness wants jobs, employment, and funds, correct?”

“That’s right. Of course, I plan to organise the military through conscription and those with aptitude will be hired as regular soldiers. However, due to financial issues, we can’t hire an unlimited number of applicants, right?”

Applicants will undergo an aptitude test and those who pass will be employed as professional soldiers. Unlike the conscripts, they will receive proper wages.

Furthermore, like the captive soldiers before them, those who survive being placed in dangerous positions will receive appropriate rewards.

Many have actually received such rewards and the rumours have spread, resulting in many wanting to take the aptitude test for soldiers.

However, due to financial constraints, we can’t hire everyone. Some may fall just short and not become soldiers.

Increasing the number of soldiers too much can impact the country’s productivity, so balance is necessary.

If we have surplus manpower, I thought we could start a business that would eventually generate revenue and create jobs.

“This is closely tied to military strength…Certainly, it might be an area where administrative intervention is needed, not just from the lords.”

“Increasing employment to boost productivity, while also developing military strength with future tax revenue in mind… Hmm…”

If it goes well, it would suppress the occurrence of bandits and lead to further strengthening of the Northern Empire.

I’ve been considering this, but preparation, investigation, and coordination among the lords seem quite cumbersome. However, it was Theodolf who spoke up here.

“Vilgard-sama, there’s actually a project I once proposed to my father but was rejected…”

“Hmm?”

“Simply put, it’s a flood control project.”

There are many large rivers across the land, starting with the Teresim River. Cities naturally develop near water sources, so it’s no surprise.

However, rivers can sometimes flood, nourishing the land or ruining fields.

Since ancient times, people have undertaken flood control projects, often at the cost of many lives and over long periods.

“This area used to have flood control projects… but the results take years to materialise and it costs money. Due to the civil war, progress has been stalled for some time.”

“I see…”

Flood control projects are a royal duty. Ideally, the nation should take the lead in directing such projects.

The empire has a long history. Naturally, many rivers have already been worked on. At the same time, there are many areas where work has not yet begun or where plans were halted midway.

“I see…Flood control is directly tied to people’s lives and directly impacts future productivity. It’s a good idea but what about the funding? We do have some confiscated assets from the old Katzbarie…”

The idea itself is not bad. But it requires a significant financial investment and the return on that investment will take a long time.

We also need to thoroughly examine where past projects were undertaken, which areas are still untouched, and where plans have been halted.

At this point, Almana looked at me.

“Clostova originally had vast territories, so the lords likely led such projects themselves. However, if Your Highness initiates this, it could become a project that unites the Northern Empire.”

“Hmm…?”

“Many territories would benefit from flood control. The larger the river, the more territories it crosses. We could have the related lords contribute funds and manpower.”

In other words, transform a project from a single territory’s initiative into a national endeavour, gathering substantial funds and manpower.

Indeed, this would create continuous employment and contribute to improving public safety.

“Of course, larger territories would have more areas needing flood control and could contribute more funds and manpower. However, we cannot ignore the smaller territories, so we would need to coordinate where and how to proceed…”

“True…But it’s too valuable to discard just because of the coordination effort. Theodolf, could you draft a project plan in this direction?”

“Yes! Understood!”

If we proceed seriously, we will need to conduct surveys in various places.

But I don’t need to be deeply involved in every detail… Once it takes shape, I can delegate it to capable individuals.

I had been considering giving soldier candidates partial land rights as a reward and having them cultivate uncultivated land.

However, there were issues with deciding which territories, and coordinating with the involved lords…

Thanks to the many rebellious major lords, there are some lands that I can freely manipulate.

In any case, we have a direction for employment. If Theodolf’s project plan is practical, I’ll let him take charge as the responsible person.