Chapter 10

Conducting a Conference

Now then, three days had gone by in no time, and as promised, Moneda knocked at the gate . With that said, I will now be holding the first conference . First of all, I should reveal my plans in order for them to understand .

“Everyone, thank you for gathering here today . The first meeting will now commence . ”

Although I said that, the people present were those whom I can trust… In other words, the people who went with me during the inspection, Moneda, Sebastian, and Sei as well . Sei is one of the children whom I brought to the house when I was young, and he is now helping Sebastian with the management of the mansion .

“…First of all, I would like to express my ideas . For one month, I have inspected our territory and have confirmed things with Sebastian… Compared to other territories, our territory is abundant . ”

This was really the case . From the Royal City, all the way to our territory has a springtime weather all year long . Thus, the farming industry in the southern part of the territory is prosperous, and since it’s also facing the sea, trade can be conducted . It is not incorrect to call this territory the second capital city of the Kingdom .

“When I went to inspect the territory, my impression of it is… Is similar to a ripe fruit . Although it’s fine to eat it now, if we wait a little longer, it will eventually rot . That’s what I think . ”

I guess they did not expect me to have this kind of impression since they kept blinking their eyes in bewilderment . Especially Sebastian and Sei .

“…The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer . And because the stores lack new commodities, the air has become stagnant . ”

For someone like me, who used to live in a capitalist country such as Japan, I belong to the pro-competitive society faction, so I believe that it can’t be helped for wealth to accumulate to some extent . However, this territory is different . To begin with, it’s impossible to display competitiveness .

For as long as they remain unskillful, there will never be an opportunity for them to climb up .

“If the people living in the territory are not rich, the territory will never become rich . ”

That’s how it works . When the market is limited, it will eventually collapse . In other words, if we do not actively participate in prospering the people, with the current economic flow, our territory will decay .

When I casually looked around, I saw question marks hovering above their heads .

“In other words… To put it simply, I want to create a territory where children will not have to go through the things you have experienced in the past . ”

Looking convinced, everyone nodded their heads in agreement while smiling .

“It is our aspiration to achieve a large goal . It will take a hundred years before the territory will develop to something comparable to our goal, and the first thing we must do is improve the quality of life of the people . Therefore, in order for this to happen, we need to push forward with the reforms . First of all, I would like to utilize the funds the Ducal House presently has to help manage the territory . After that, establish a bank, centralize the government affairs, taxation system reforms, roadway maintenance, compulsory education…”

“…U-umm . What exactly is a bank?”

While I was talking, Sei interrupted me and asked timidly .

“Ah, my apologies . Because I was too absorbed, I got in way over myself . Regarding the bank, it is my intention to let Sebastian, Sei, and also Moneda handle of it . I will talk to you about it in detail a little later . …However, the bank will not be realized unless we first help the people prosper and reform the taxation system here in our territory . ”

“In other words, you want to use the taxes collected from the people to manage the territory, and gather money from elsewhere to maintain the Ducal House?”

“That’s right, Moneda . ”

“Specifically, what are you intending to do?”

“For starters, launch a business . ”

When I said that, the atmosphere of the conference froze momentarily .

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