Chapter 29: All Gain, No Harm

After returning to his territory, Farra immediately reviewed everyone’s work situation, particularly spot-checking the team that Harper, who was in charge, had organized.

“Organize and hand over all of this month’s action records, and I will have someone verify them. If there is a single error…”

Seeing Harper tense up instantly, Farra smiled and spoke gently, “Rest assured, I know you cannot get everyone to work with such precision. If there is a single mistake, the person responsible will be dragged to the gallows in the square and hanged; you will not be harmed.”

“Y-yes…!”

Although Farra spoke in a gentle tone, Harper did not feel the slightest warmth. Instead, he felt a deep chill throughout his body.

When subordinates failed to carry out their duties properly, Farra did not punish the leaders; instead, he severely punished the subordinates directly responsible. If they harbored resentment, would they blame Farra? No, because they dared not. Yet they vented all their fear at Harper in the form of anger.

You deserve this position.

Why shouldn’t I?

You cannot manage your subordinates properly.

Then why not get someone else to handle it?

Farra, however, did not state this explicitly. Yet anyone with half a brain would think exactly that.

“All right, you may go. Once the verification results are in, I will look for you again.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Harper turned and left, not fully relaxing until he had walked out of Farra’s mansion. He always became extremely nervous whenever he spent time with Farra.

Over time, more and more people in the territory came to hold Farra in the highest esteem. Whenever he executed someone, everyone’s first reaction was, “Another damned one!” Harper had observed the crowd’s attitudes each time Farra carried out an execution during this period.

Because he observed thoroughly, he felt even more terrified.

It wasn’t about whether any actual error had been discovered. It wouldn’t matter even if none were found.

Harper knew that Farra could execute any one of them under the same accusation. This would not earn him the reputation of a “tyrannical lord”; on the contrary, it would further enhance his standing among the people. Deeply aware of this phenomenon’s implications, Harper felt increasing pressure each time he saw Farra.

After returning, he immediately questioned everyone under his command. “You’d better conduct a self-inspection to see if there are any omissions. Otherwise, I won’t dare to plead to Lord Jago on your behalf!” Upon hearing this, his subordinates’ expressions tensed, and they hurriedly replied, “Yes, I’ll go back and conduct a self-inspection immediately!”

Once Harper’s team was busy, Farra picked up the letter that had been lying on the desk and began to read it. It was the reply letter that Kone had sent. It basically agreed to Farra’s request, although it negotiated the price slightly. After reading it, Farra spread out the paper and began writing his final reply, directly cutting the original price of 200 copper coins by a quarter to 150. Then, after confirming the other transaction details, he had Mana send out the letter.

Having dealt with these matters, Farra began handling his territory’s internal affairs. Compared to the thrill of hunting in the forests, going to the hall to handle affairs was undoubtedly less interesting. Farra had already finalized the general development direction; what remained were specific details requiring his daily confirmation.

On the livestock farm, all the animals had completed a full breeding cycle. Starting with the second cycle, even the cattle with the longest pregnancy periods began to experience explosive population growth. In the chicken coop, the number of chickens had exploded, as had ducks and geese. The keepers suggested that the farm could no longer expand horizontally; at that rate, no amount of land would suffice, and clearing new plots required considerable manpower. They proposed constructing vertical farms… two- or three-story structures to minimize land use.

After hearing Mas’s report, Farra said, “In the future, if there is a similar proposal, coordinate directly with Reis. Have him consult the craftsmen to determine feasibility; if feasible, proceed with construction and just let me know. Allocate the construction funds to the craftsmen directly.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“For professional matters, remember to consult professionals. Ask the craftsmen about construction, the keepers about breeding, and the farmers about cultivation. If they find it feasible, then report to me for approval. Do you understand?”

“Understood, Lord!”

Rapid increases in production and storage capacity forced updates to processes and storage methods. The workers on the front lines could detect issues far better than Farra. He simply did not have that experiential knowledge… but it was enough that someone knew.

“Mas, go have someone listen to the workers’ feedback. Ask how the breeding process can be streamlined, then take all suggestions and discuss them with the craftsmen. If feasible, organize them into a report for me. Once adopted, the proposer will receive five jin of wheat as a reward.”

“I understand, Lord!”

“As for record-keeping, leave it to Harper and have him assign people.”

The literate group under Harper was now specifically responsible for recording and submitting written reports to Farra. His office efficiency finally improved, though he did not desire such speed… it made him feel like some 007 office drone. Even so, Farra made time for meetings and personally assigned his requirements, rather than delegating. The authority to reissue commands was not suitable for delegation; some privileges were exclusive to retainers. Until he found more suitable retainers, Farra handled things personally.

After finishing internal matters, Farra returned to his mansion and had a maid warm a cup of fresh milk. He sat at his desk and pulled out the notebook from the shelf. Orchestrating an entire territory’s development alone was far more troublesome than fighting.

“…Relying solely on grain and livestock cannot fully support the territory’s economy. I still need to set aside a separate area for cash crops, but given the soil fertility, I must have enough Resource points.”

“Currently, all Resource points are tied up in wheat and barley; there are none to spare.”

“To obtain enough Resource points, I can only…” War was the only option. One hundred heads in exchange for one Resource point. Farra needed at least nine Resource points to carve out a garden for various spices. At quadruple output, those expensive spices could generate substantial income in a year.

Alternatively, he could declare war on livestock… yet after quick calculations, he realized one hundred people were far less valuable than his hundred chickens and ducks. Chickens could be sold and lay eggs beforehand. He had stocked eggs for sale. Even if not sold, eggs could replace wheat as rewards. The same applied to chickens. Humans could not serve that purpose.

Farra leaned back and finally made a rational decision:

‘I will declare war on those minor lords. The slain heads can be exchanged for Resource points; plundered wealth will fill my treasury; the villages in their territory can be moved here to boost my population and serve me; and the real battles will train my soldiers… all gain and no harm.’