The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 43

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 43】

 

To be more precise.

 

“There are too many urban residents who are former farmers.”

 

This situation came about because the Former Empress developed fertilizer and spread agricultural methods.

 

The Former Empress, who truly pitied the starving farmers, enacted laws to prevent landlords from mistreating tenant farmers and set upper limits on tenant fees to prevent excessive exploitation.

 

‘But that was the problem.’

 

As technological advances made it possible to efficiently manage vast lands with fewer workers and achieve abundant harvests, landlords stopped offering tenancy.

 

They calculated that it was more efficient to hire a few servants to farm rather than deal with all the complications of tenant farming.

 

The tenant farmers who lost their livelihoods gradually flocked to the cities.

 

The Former Empress implemented policies to teach them literacy and skills to integrate them as urban citizens, but when she died, all support measures were cut off.

 

As a result, the farmers who came to the cities either fell into poverty or were pushed outside the cities to become slash-and-burn farmers.

 

‘So were independent farmers better off? Not really.’

 

They were certainly better off than tenant farmers. At least they could put food on the table.

 

The problem was that while wheat prices plummeted due to excessively abundant harvests, other essential goods either stayed the same price or increased.

 

The value of labor had decreased.

 

In the end, only the wealthy landlords and major merchants who were already rich became even richer.

 

When the situation became like this, everyone blamed the Empress.

 

[How is this any better?]

 

[She said she’d fill our bellies, but it was all lies!]

 

[It’s divine punishment! She went against God’s providence and received retribution!]

 

The Empire had certainly become more prosperous and fewer people starved to death, yet people complained even more loudly.

 

That they had become unhappy because of the Former Empress.

 

However.

 

“Is that really such a bad situation?”

 

While Rianel alone had decided to help the Princess, the other Tax Bureau people were also hovering around pretending not to be interested.

 

Because they had received benefits during that time.

 

“I don’t quite understand what you’re getting at.”

 

Mel replied.

 

Since he too had benefited from the policies implemented by the Former Empress, he didn’t view her negatively.

 

However, he knew that when the Former Empress died and the policies were left hanging, some people ended up in limbo.

 

The Princess said with sparkling eyes.

 

“Anyway, the food shortage problem has been solved… and having surplus food is also an advantage, isn’t it?”

 

“That’s certainly true.”

 

Food was a resource after all.

 

“So I’ve been thinking, how about we develop industries that utilize wheat?”

 

The reason wheat prices fell was because supply was excessively high compared to demand.

 

‘But if we make goods that use wheat, we can solve this problem.’

 

It would be like purchasing the surplus wheat, which would also help adjust wheat prices.

 

Moreover, if industries developed, jobs would be created, which would help with the serious unemployment problem in the cities.

 

‘She’s certainly intelligent for her age.’

 

Even if she was a Princess without real power, royalty was still royalty.

 

Mel was impressed. But he thought that was as far as it went.

 

“So do you have any alternatives in mind?”

 

What could be made from wheat was ultimately limited to ‘food products.’ But food products spoiled easily.

 

Making alcohol would be the best option, but wheat beer spoiled more easily than barley beer and had questionable marketability.

 

Besides, many taverns were already selling it.

 

‘Knowing the problem doesn’t mean you can solve everything.’

 

“This is what I was thinking of.”

 

The Princess held out the object she had been holding.

 

“What is this?”

 

Mel narrowed his eyes at the unfamiliar object.

 

It was a thin, elongated stick, but he couldn’t figure out what it was used for.

 

Rianel said.

 

“These are noodles.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Mel’s expression became strange.

 

“You’re saying that’s noodles?”

 

“To be precise, it’s dried noodles. I understand there are similar foods in some regions of the Southern Region.”

 

Rianel explained briefly.

 

‘Noodle dishes’ did exist in the Imperial Capital, but those were ‘fresh noodles’ made by cutting wheat flour dough into thin, long strips, so the texture and appearance were different from this.

 

“This has gone through a drying process to preserve the noodles for a long time.”

 

The reason the noodles were made thin and slender was because that way they could be dried quickly.

 

In other words, this form could be said to be the perfected form of efficient dried noodles.

 

“Noodle dishes are also simple to cook. You just boil them.”

 

Mel sensed potential in that.

 

“Certainly, for someone like me who finds cooking bothersome, this could be revolutionary.”

 

Moreover, there were many single-person households like Rianel in the Imperial Capital.

 

Then Wilbrin raised her hand.

 

“May I ask one thing this time?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Whole wheat can be stored for 2 or even 3 years as is. Why make it into noodles that have a shorter storage period?”

 

Dried noodles even required drying time, making them even more inefficient.

 

“Well, wheat can’t be eaten as is, and it takes up a lot of space.”

 

To eat wheat anyway, you had to go through the milling process to turn it into flour.

 

Mix that with water to make dough and bake it to make bread, or spread it thin and cut it to make noodles.

 

“Just one more thing. The Empire’s food culture is already complete, and bread is cheap and dominates the market. Do you think noodle dishes would be competitive?”

 

“Uh…”

 

The Princess fell silent for a moment.

 

While she was looking at the ceiling and thinking.

 

“Limiting the market to domestic only is an irrational way of thinking.”

 

This time Rianel stepped forward.

 

“Since dried noodles are easy to transport as goods, couldn’t we export them to foreign countries where food problems are urgent?”

 

Oh?

 

‘Come to think of it.’

 

The Empire had vast plains that were advantageous for wheat farming, but many foreign countries were not so fortunate.

 

There were quite a few countries suffering from chronic famine.

 

“Our country can make cheap dried noodles from surplus wheat for export, and foreign countries can solve their famines, so it’s a mutually beneficial trade.”

 

“Plus the Empire’s influence would expand too.”

 

The Princess clapped her hands in admiration.

 

“If trade expands, we’ll be able to make foreign countries into vassal states. If our country cuts off noodle exports, mass starvation would occur. Even if political friction arises, they’d have no choice but to follow our country’s will.”

 

That was the fate of countries that lost food self-sufficiency.

 

“In other words, we could have vassal states without shedding a drop of blood.”

 

“Wow, shi… that’s chilling.”

 

Til, who had been listening, rubbed her arms vigorously, and Mel also looked disgusted.

 

It was even more frightening because Rianel spoke with such a dry attitude.

 

‘It even sounds quite plausible…’

 

Doesn’t that sound realistic?

 

“It could also be utilized as war supplies.”

 

If it was easy to store and simple to cook, there would be countless ways to use it in the field.

 

“Ah….”

 

The Princess’s eyes sparkled.

 

What she had only vaguely thought would be ‘nice,’ Rianel was seriously considering and presenting in directions she hadn’t thought of.

 

‘As expected, I like this person.’

 

She didn’t blindly agree saying it was a good idea, but she also didn’t dismiss it as a child’s foolish thought.

 

She truly listened seriously, as one person to another.

 

Rianel took out scrap paper from the drawer and straightened her posture.

 

“The detailed aspects will require careful examination.”

 

“Good, that’s good. I have plenty of time anyway…!”

 

Their conversation continued through the night.

 

* * *

 

Rianel loved verifying hypotheses and discussing them.

 

Of course, predicting didn’t mean she could know everything.

 

The world was a place full of variables, and unexpected things always happened.

 

Still, the act of sharing stories and envisioning the future together was enjoyable.

 

In that process, they could exchange each other’s knowledge and glimpse each other’s way of thinking.

 

“You mean to employ farmers as factory workers?”

 

“I’ll give them priority. I can’t force them.”

 

“Have you decided on the factory’s location?”

 

“That… I haven’t thought about it yet.”

 

“Then it would be best to consider near the waterway as the top priority.”

 

At that, the Princess slapped her knee.

 

“I know this! Water mill! You’re planning to do milling together, right?”

 

“No. We’ll outsource milling to existing mills. Since this factory is being established with export in mind from the start, I recommend establishing it near the waterway for transportation efficiency. That way we can save on shipping costs.”

 

“I see….”

 

The Princess was smart and even diligent.

 

Rianel looked fondly at the Princess who was carefully taking notes on what she had newly learned.

 

“How will you secure the budget? If you’re planning to request execution funds from the Ministry of Finance—”

 

“I, for now I want to handle it myself.”

 

The Princess spoke with shy but clear determination.

 

“They say the palace budget that the Former Head Maid and the minister embezzled is being confiscated. That alone should be a large sum.”

 

Moreover.

 

“I’d also like to become independent with this opportunity…. If I establish the factory with the Finance Ministry budget, it becomes a state-owned industry.”

 

“Truly admirable.”

 

Rianel let out an exclamation that naturally welled up from her heart.

 

After all the work, she couldn’t let that Emperor bastard’s wealth increase.

 

“Really?”

 

At that, the Princess’s eyes widened.

 

“I, I mean….”

 

For a moment, Rianel wondered if she had crossed a line and became cautious.

 

They had once been sisters-in-law, but now they were meeting for official business. She shouldn’t mix in personal feelings.

 

However.

 

“Then, could you perhaps pat my head?”

 

With expectant eyes flickering right in front of her, she couldn’t ignore it.

 

‘It’s been such a long time….’

 

“….”

 

Pat pat. Once forward, once back. Like that, twice.

 

Though it wasn’t a particularly heartfelt touch, shy dimples bloomed on the Princess’s cheeks.

 

“Be happy.”

 

And then,

 

“I’m disappointed.”

 

Somehow finding out, Asil came and made a fuss.

 

“I thought you only gave me special treatment, but you’re also bestowing your touch upon Her Highness the Princess.”

 

Rianel looked at him with clouded eyes.

 

What complete bullshit.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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