Volume 14 Chapter 9 Yaalan’s Strategy For Increasing National Power
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
*Yaalan’s Perspective
As traveling traders, we roamed the outermost province of the Abraham Empire, selling various goods brought from the True Demon Dukedom.
Surprisingly, even the low-value magic tools excavated from the ruins back home fetched sky-high prices.
The first village we visited seemed like the farthest reaches of the empire, with a low standard of living. But as we moved inland, the population grew, food was more abundant, and there were more affluent people.
Since these items sold for such high prices, we repeatedly used the return gate to gather what were considered mere trinkets within our own land, and then transported and sold them.
We employed persuasive soldiers as horse-drawn traders throughout the province.
Thanks to this, we established a base for the Yaalan Merchant Guild in the first village, and within a month, we had earned tens of thousands of Abraham gold coins.
The purity of these Abraham gold coins was nearly the same as the True Demon Kingdom gold coins, effectively giving us the same financial resources as obtaining True Demon Kingdom gold coins.
We had acquired a valuable financial resource for conducting war.
As the head of the rapidly growing Yaalan Merchant Guild in the outermost province, I was invited to the official’s mansion.
So, I decided to visit with Yuri and Mild in tow.
”It’s an honor to be invited.”
* * *
Upon being led to the reception room in the mansion, I bowed my head to a human man with a round, pig-like face.
This man in front of me was the Governor Bricks, appointed by the emperor to govern the outermost province.
”So you’re the one they say is responsible for the Yaalan Merchant Guild, selling these unusual items? You’re younger than I expected. I thought you’d be older, but perhaps a young leader knows the basics of business after all.”
”Indeed, I am aware. The ABCs of business are well-known to me. I have brought a gift for Governor Bricks, please inspect it.”
When I snapped my fingers, several succubi dressed as the Majin Clan under Yuri entered the room.
Each one was dressed to impress, and Bricks’ nose twitched with interest in an instant.
”Hmph, I see. Suppose I’ll accept this as a gift from Lord Yaalan.”
”Please do. By the way, I have some intriguing information for you, Governor Bricks. Would you care to hear it?”
”What, interesting information? Alright, let’s hear it.”
Bricks was eyeing me with a greedy gaze.
According to information gathered from influential figures in the province, Bricks was plotting a comeback to the central government and was resorting to various means to gather bribes.
So, I decided to give him the bait he was hoping for.
”Thank you. Actually, the Magic Tools we are selling are not from this continent, but items produced from the ruins of the Western Continent.”
”The Western Continent, Lord Yaalan? Such a place exists?”
”Yes, beyond the furthest village, there lies the Western Continent, faintly visible on the horizon.”
”Wait, isn’t that supposed to be a mirage, a mere illusion? I’ve heard no one has crossed to that continent in hundreds of years.”
Despite his fat figure, Bricks, who had served as a minister in the imperial center, was a man of considerable knowledge.
Since Arsella Dorman set up the barrier, travel to and from the continent had become impossible, leading to a significant lack of knowledge about seafaring technology and the history of the Western Continent.
However, as a central bureaucrat, Bricks had some knowledge.
”This time, I have successfully discovered a way to cross to the Western Continent. I wish to borrow your power, Governor Bricks, to cross over and conduct a large-scale excavation and investigation, bringing back many Magic Tools and securing the exclusive sales rights within the Empire. Of course, I will ensure a proper share is given to you, Governor. After all, returning to the central government requires substantial funds, doesn’t it?”
Bricks’s face fell when he heard they’d found a way to cross to the Western Continent.
Then, his brain went into overdrive, calculating how to profit.
”…So, Lord Yaalan, what do you want from me?”
”People and supplies. We need, at most, hundreds of thousands. Build a new Abraham Empire colony on that land with me, and together, Lord Bricks, we’ll monopolize the treasures, yes?”
Bricks frowned at the mention of hundreds of thousands of people.
It was like being told he needed almost the entire population of his province.
But, he knew the Abraham Empire was starting to have too many people after the great war called the Conquest, and the central government was pushing a policy to abandon any residents who might cause a rebellion.
If Bricks agreed to this, and spoke with the governors of neighboring provinces, gathering even tens of thousands of immigrants wouldn’t take long.
If he took those immigrants, along with supplies, into his True Demon Dukedom, and used them as labor in the devastated northeast after the Gelutraut Uprising, his national power would definitely grow several times over.
And, if he used succubi to charm Bricks, who’d gotten a ton of money and returned to the central government, he could draw out as much aid as he wanted from the Abraham Empire.
”People and supplies, huh… Fine. First, we’ll gather about 50 thousand immigrants from the provincial people as the first expedition. I’ll persuade the provincial people and former Soldiers in the neighboring provinces to immigrate, too. We split the profits, right?”
Having finished his calculations, Bricks demanded his reward.
Most of the Magic Tools excavated from the tombs were junk, and the rare ones could be collected for about one silver coin at cost, so if he got people and supplies in exchange for splitting the reward, it was a cheap deal.
”I am grateful for your wise decision. Lord Bricks, you will become a name in the Empire’s history!”
”Lord Yaalan, you’re good with words. We’ll have a reception at my mansion tonight. I’ll have the banquet prepared, so let’s relax and discuss the future.”
I have to admit, even I was a bit surprised how quickly the excavation colony lured in Bricks. Within a week, the first dispatch of 50 thousand was formed without a hitch.
And those immigrants who crossed the Return Gate to Lionrock Fortress were given the task of farming the barren Farmlands in the northeast, without any involvement in the ruins’ excavation.
They handled it like a breeze. Many of these immigrants were subjects of the states, not Empire citizens, who had been suffocating under heavy taxes in Abraham Empire.
As new citizens of the True Demon Dukedom, they were overjoyed to till the land given to them, taxed at a low rate.
Among this group of immigrants were races from the East Continent, conquered by Abraham Empire──elves, dwarves, dark elves, hobbits, and giants.
Villages were built for each race, turning them into communities where they could live.
To avoid fights and make ruling easier, we set up communities and appointed representatives.
That way, supervisors could dish out various instructions.
Ten more batches of immigrants are planned.
Every month, between 30 to 50 thousand will be sent over.
It’s expected that the True Demon Dukedom will see a massive surge in power.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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