Chapter 23 – 2. Marginal Reconstruction Period (3)
At noon, a pair of men and women were strolling around the snow-covered outskirts of the city gates.
On the one hand was Orianne Lemoant, the Marquis’s wife. The other was Romuald Dior, a knight who followed her. The two walking side by side, matching their stride, created a thick atmosphere like a good married couple, and were discussing policies for the future of the frozen land.
“The main income of Marquis Baekryeong is mining. Some villages adjacent to the sea called the North Sea catch fish every summer, but it is not industrially meaningful because it is greatly affected by the climate.”
The Lemoang estate was a natural gathering place where plains, mountains, and the sea coexisted. It would have been a good land to prosper in many ways if it had not been for the influence of the northern cold like the dawn of frozen soil.
“Instead, the amount of rare earths buried is staggering. With a bit of exaggeration, it’s irrelevant to say that half of the continental magic items and alchemy materials come from canned metals from our territory.”
Oriane pointed out several places on the horizon near the snowy mountains. The resources buried in the Marquis of Lemoang were so famous throughout Gaul that there was no one who didn’t know about them.
That would be the case, too, because it was a land where all kinds of metal were pouring in so that it would be quick to find something that wasn’t there.
“What you see over there is the first mine. This is where most of the silver is mined. And what you see behind it is the second mine. I’m digging for gold, magic stones, and other minerals. There’s also a third mine, but it’s near a village that can’t be seen from here. The quartz that comes out is also of poor quality.”
“I’ve heard of it to some extent, but it’s amazing. Even though Margrave Command is spread quite widely, it is very strange that so many types of minerals can all be excavated in one area.”
“Her husband’s grandfather even minted silver coins himself. It stopped when it was merged with the kingdom of Gaul. I know that some of the leading merchants on the continent still stock up on our silver coins. Rumors are circulating that the content of Gallic silver coins is gradually being lowered.”
Rom nodded and answered inwardly.
‘That’s true, ma’am.’
The present king of Gaul was carrying out an unreasonable reconstruction policy under the pretext of rebuilding the collapsed legitimacy. Yes, the idea of restoring a country plagued by war is good, but where does all that money come from?
The amount excavated from silver mines in various parts of the kingdom, including Lemoang, is the same every year. However, in the royal family, the purity of silver coins was gradually decreasing over the years. In the near future, the war that was triggered by it will go through again.
‘Of course I can’t tell you yet.’
If history goes as planned, the Marquis will also be caught up in the war and participate in the war. So, if possible, it should be prevented. Due to the nature of the border, the damage Lemoang would suffer from the upcoming war was beyond imagination.
“What does your wife think?”
“Even from my point of view, continental silver coins seem to be deteriorating in quality. Especially in Korea, the degree is more severe. Fortunately, there has been no major backlash in the market yet, but if things continue like this, I think there will be a big explosion no matter what happens in a few years.”
“I think so too.”
“The trigger is probably a temporary boost to prepare for the invasion of the Rus Empire. It’s probably because of the big and small wars that haven’t stopped recently. However, there are also concerns that the royal family may be overdoing it.”
Oriane sighed. Originally, the signal that a country’s economy is collapsing comes from the bottom. The central government seemed to be optimistic about the recent trend, but some borders, like the Marquis of Lemoyn, were keenly accepting this sign.
“Have you prepared any countermeasures?”
“If her husband was alive, he would have kept a stockpile of Rosengart gold coins. At that time, our barn was quite affluent. However, due to the constant threat of his death and the great snowfields, most of them have now been spent on armaments. He entrusted the enlistment to the deputy count, but on second thought, I think it was a mistake.”
“It must have been a lot of cheating.”
“Perhaps…”
Originally, extortion of middle management positions is a long-standing tradition in any country. As the lord’s deputy, there was nothing to say if he lacked the ability to see people, but as Oriane, he did his best. The reason why a barren land like Lemoang was able to prosper for a while was because Gerard Lemoang played a big role.
Being checked by all kinds of nobles, the reign of the Margrave’s wife deserves praise just for filling the vacancy, albeit insufficiently.
“Then, how is the estate’s financial situation now?”
“Not good. I think it can be seen that from the year before last, I went out almost as soon as I collected my taxes. It is difficult to stock up miscellaneous taxes even though the right to collect tax has been granted to several merchants. To be honest, that’s why I invited Sir Dior.”
Oriane secretly looked at her and confessed. Rome didn’t care as much as he already knew this, but it seemed to be something that bothered her, what if she was offended on her part of her.
“Sir’s skills were the best, but he also couldn’t afford to call other mercenaries.”
“That’s why you took out the gift baby from prison the other day. He didn’t have any funds to mobilize separately for the estate.”
“It’s embarrassing, but it’s true…”
Unfortunately, the financial situation of Marquis Baekryung seemed to be worse than expected. Rom, stroking the beard on his chin, thought for a moment. Unlike now, when he suddenly became a hero, he had no way to know such a thing in his previous life.
It was seldom that a lord who originally ruled a region would reveal his secret economic situation to others. Even if it is a vassal.
“But, madam, it is still essential for the continuation of the Marquis of Lemoang to open trade routes through the great snowfields. With an alliance with Camag approaching, now is an easy time to offer them a partnership. Once we send the first trade delegation back, we won’t have to worry about finances for about half a year.”
“I also believe in Lord Dior’s conviction. But right now I really don’t have any money. I don’t know what it would be like as an individual if it were my gift, but it wouldn’t be of much help to the estate.”
“It’s an item containing precious memories of your wife, so you’d better not touch it.”
Oriane blushed at her without saying a word. Since she already had a crush on her, even such a small consideration touched her with pleasure. That’s why she even thought of pairing this man with her daughter.
“And if it’s okay, can I get involved in the public affairs of the territory?”
“As much as you like. Sir Dior is the one who saved this land. Who would dare to die?”
“Thank you for looking at it like that, but it’s not a good picture for the pompous to see.”
“I don’t think it will be much of a problem. If only you were willing to take my lacking daughter as your bride.”
Rome just smiled. Orianne said she was still trying to push herself and her Lucienne’s marriage to her, although she expected it. She must have been her only daughter who would n’t hurt to put it in her eyes her. From his point of view her, even the unpleasant news was not a topic to discuss now.
“Anyway, it’s not like there’s no way. I have a few tricks, so if you give me a house, I will work for this manor while assisting my wife in her official duties her.”
“Rather, I wanted to ask from this side. Even though it’s unofficial, the only vassals in our estate are now all the wonders. If you have a good idea, please let me know anytime. I will follow your advice and try my best.”
“Thank you.”
Before long, the two of them walked along the wall. It was mid-day, so it was time for lunch. Of course, that didn’t mean we broke up. At this point, when every minute and every second was wasted, we had to discuss Youngji’s future while eating together.
“The sooner the pioneering and initiation of trade routes, the better. I don’t know how long it will take, but considering the financial limitations of the current Marquis Decree, I don’t think it will be that easy.”
“Even more so, I almost started penniless…”
“It can’t be helped. I have no choice but to choose the means and methods. Before that, there are a few more things I want to ask you.”
Oriane nodded her head as if to ask any questions. Her eyes her, shining like pretty jewels, blinked lovingly. It was a gaze that was formed only when it was based on solid trust, such as love or friendship.
“I have heard that even the grandfather of the Marquis Baek made silver coins. Then I wonder if there is still a facility that can mint coins somewhere here.”
“Yes, I know it wasn’t demolished. It’s not that I didn’t manage it.”
“How big do you see it?”
“Um, well. I heard that there was a time when Lemoang silver coins were the most reliable currency on the continent. I haven’t seen it myself, so it’s hard to predict, but I’m sure it’s at least enough to digest the amount of filming in the kingdom?”
That was pretty good news. Rome asked the next question.
“Do you know how many merchants are currently in the border?”
“There are three. The Lucerne Chamber of Commerce, the Brullin Commercial Association, and the Britannia Trading Company.”
“They are unexpectedly large merchants.”
“It has to be. Otherwise, there would be no way to open a branch and do business in this rough area.”
When I heard it, I was right. And thanks to that, in the knight’s head, he was able to come up with two more ways. There were a total of three plans, including the plans I had in mind from the beginning.
“This might be worth a gamble.”
Rom murmured, his eyes shining.
“Are you going to borrow money from the merchant?”
“That is the beginning.”
Oriane swallowed and added his words to her.
“The attitude that you can earn it and pay it back is a typical addict’s mindset,” Said the research results. …”
“It’s not like that.”
“Above, manufacturing counterfeit money is a shortcut to the extreme punishment of genocide…”
“Madam, what the hell do you see me as? …”
