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nChapter 66

nProofreader: xoxomonami

nArtizea picked up a fluffy rabbit fur doll.

nIt has a round body the size of two fists and long ears lined in pink. The eyes are shiny glazed black stone.

nBy itself, it looked just like a real rabbit.

nThe soft, fine fur was swept on her palm. Artizea smiled without knowing it.

n“Cute!”

nThe maids admired.

nThe treasurer Jaden, who brought the rabbit fur doll, sighed with relief.

nIt was only a month ago that Artizea had Jaden do this.

nArtizea checked all the financial books of Evron Grand Duchy. Then she acknowledged that there is no way to deal with the grim situation of the Evron Grand Duchy.

nNo matter what, as Cedric said, human resources were a problem.

nThere were many resources. There were also a number of profitable mines, and projects that could be done by leaning against the vast coniferous forest were also available on the spot.

nBut they couldn’t afford to develop it. All healthy and young men who could be the core of the labor force were enlisted.

nOtherwise, most of them were engaged in agriculture. This is because the man’s strength was needed to plow the frozen ground.

nIt is a difficult place to raise livestock. It was inevitable to use human resources.

nMost of the other industries were women.

nEveryone was working without a hitch. Otherwise, it was difficult for the entire province to survive together.

nIn addition, the same was true of growing mines or other industries.

nThe mainland of the Krates Empire is a fertile land full of vast and productive power. The products in remote areas like Evron Grand Duchy are not competitive.

nThere is even the cost of transportation. In some cases, it was difficult to profit from trade.

nIt is also important to keep in mind that traffic is cut off in winter.

nFor that reason, Evron didn’t even have a merchant guild, let alone the business.

nEven if there was a business that could make money, they couldn’t even invest heavily in it. This is because the food self-sufficiency rate that is still maintained will also fall.

nIf this was not the Evron Grand Duchy, it could have been solved by growing other industries and purchasing food.

nPeople will flock where money goes, so population problems can also be solved.

nBut this is the Evron Grand Duchy. Even if food is purchased, transportation takes time.

nMoreover, the transport route was too limited.

nWhen it was peaceful, it could be resolved by purchasing it from the mainland. But it always had to be thought about when it was impossible.

nIf the imperial family blocks the supply even for a year, they will not be able to withstand it immediately.

nLike the mainland, when food is scarce, it does not have the ability to withstand the next harvest.

nThat reduced population will never grow again.

nTherefore, they had to maintain the current production as much as possible.

nAs a result, they were in a position to put agriculture first, even though they knew what a competitive business it was.

nArtizea turned to the fur and leather business.

nFirst of all, she thought it was important to increase the efficiency of the existing business and make room for finances.

nThe leather business is the main source of income. We have to continue hunting anyway.

nAaron explained.

nIf we do not hunt, wild animals will invade human areas. It can also serve as military training, so the army is doing it in units.

nMost of the leather is handed over to the business as it is.

nYes. I know it’s a bargain price, but I don’t have enough room to figure out the actual market price sold in the mainland and distribute it directly there.

nHave you ever bargained?

nAaron had an embarrassed face.

nIs it so severe?

nEven Artizea didn’t even know the wholesale price of leather, but it was clear from the record that it would be denting.

nShe didn’t rebuke Aaron because Artizea knew it would be anyway.

nAaron is a soldier. He is only in charge of such a business as the manager of the estate due to the circumstances of the Grand Duchy, who has not developed commerce.

nExpecting great skill is too harsh.

nThe same was true of the treasurers. They were sincere and meticulous. They were the ones who did what they had to do without mistakes.

nAll were very loyal. In the past, even a lot of money couldn’t make a traitor.

nInstead, there was no one with outstanding abilities. To be honest, she wondered if there was anyone under Cedric who was so capable.

nPerhaps it is because the Evron Grand Duchy itself is lagging behind the commercial industry.

nAs Artizea knew, the vast majority of talented talents under Cedric were soldiers.

nArtizea took a new piece of paper and wrote the last year’s price, and wrote the new price next to it.

nDo not sell below this. I’m sure they will be crying about the market price or the shipping cost, but don’t listen. If you feel like your heart will be shaken, tell him to come to see me.

nAh, I see.

nSpeaking of the Evron leather, even I, who doesn’t know much about this industry, has heard the name, so let’s bargain with the idea that it doesn’t matter if the deal is cut for about a year or so.

nArtizea said coldly.

nThere’s a problem with only three places at the business and offering the same price. They must be doing something in collusion.

nIf caught, she won’t let it go.

nIt wasn’t something to be done right away, so she left it only in memory, and Artizea finished the word.

nNext is the fur.

nAh, yes. This is pretty good. There are so many things that are used domestically, so the processing technology is good.

nThe treasurer in charge answered politely.

nBut it’s not an item that’s sold all year round and it’s a luxury item. If too much is sent out, the price will fall, and the profits will decrease, so we are adjusting the supply.

nWe need to increase demand significantly.

nThe treasurer looked at her with an embarrassed face. If that was possible, no one would have worried.

nLet’s reduce the distribution level. Sir Aaron, I don’t think there are any merchants from Evron working in the capital….

nYes, there should be.

nLook for them. Someone you can trust.

nWhat are we going to do?

nLet’s make stuffed animals and fur ornaments.

nArtizea said so.

nNo matter how hard you try, we can’t lead the trends like fashion, but anything that hasn’t existed before is different. It would be nice if it was a product that could show the luxury of fur to the fullest.

nAt Artizea’s words, the treasurers blinked.

nThe first one to understand was Jaden, a junior treasurer.

nOh, I see. You can make something like a prop or a doll that is light enough to not be strange even if you bring it to a banquet and that looks valuable enough to show off to others, right? Using a lot of fur. Then it will continue to sell in the summer.

nYou’re quick to understand.

nEven if we start with high-end products at first, the trend will eventually go down to the middle class, so the demand for fur leather itself may increase tremendously. Hopefully it will be a great deal. If you think that the Kingdom of Iants is rich even from selling only embroidery fabrics.

nYes.

nBut, Grand Duchess, fur leather is different from the Iants embroidery. No artistry, no monopoly. Fur leather would be produced in the mainland as well.

nOne of the treasurers refuted.

nSo, we should make it while thinking about its beauty and texture, not just a cold weather tool. There’s no place that can supply more quality fur leather than Evron. Even if it is behind in the final production, it is always beneficial if it is trendy. If it’s an ornament, it can also be sold in the South where it doesn’t require cold weather.

nInstead of talking, Jaden exclaimed as if he realized it.

nHopefully you can sell it to the Southern Sea, can’t you? If it’s a trend in the capital social world?

nArtizea clapped twice.

nYou will be responsible for this job.

nYes?! I’m a junior official, are you serious?

n A person who understands what they are trying to do should take over the job.

nArtizea said so.

nThat’s how Jaden became in charge of this.

nIt’s a product to be shown to the social world. Make it any way you like, whether it’s jewelry or precious metal. Give the prototype to your wife and daughter.

nArtizea said so.

nAaron asked anxiously.

nI understand what you mean. But would it be so easy to make it fashionable in the capital city?

nDon’t worry. Whose daughter do you think I am?

nAaron and the treasurers bowed their heads with a sorry face, thinking of Miraila.

nBut at the same time, they also thought that it was possible. Her mother is the Emperor’s mistress, who has dominated the Empire’s social world for over 20 years. There will be plenty of experience in this kind of thing.

nAnd after several failures, these dolls were made in a month.

n“Is the black one fox fur?”

n“Yes, it’s not a black fox, it’s dyed.”

nArtizea lifted the elongated fur. It looked like a doll, but it was enough to wrap it around the neck and use it as a decoration. Even if she put it on her shoulder, it was pretty cool.

n“The pupils are blue crystals.”

n“I told you to use jewelry.”

nHe said that he would give the prototype to his wife and daughter, so it would be nice to have the most expensive one.

nJaden said with a sad face.

n“For my wife, this jewel is expensive enough. How can I satisfy my own selfish desires when you have entrusted me with such an important task?”

n“Is that what you think about or your wife?”

n“My wife told me to say this.”

nJaden confessed with a shameless face.

nArtizea made a small sound and laughed.

n“You have a wise wife, you’ll be successful in the future.

nJaden only scratched his head. Artizea called Aubrey.

n“Aubrey, go get my jewel box.”

nAubrey, who had been standing behind Artizea the entire time, moved.

nArtizea stroked the fox fur in a satisfed mood.

nKnock, knock.

nThen she heard a knocking on the door. The maid ran and opened the door.

nCedric walked in with a plate of cookies and stopped when he saw Jaden.

n“Oh, are you busy?”

n“No. The business is almost over.”

nArtizea turned and said, the big hand gently approached.

n“Ooph.”

nA bite-sized snack came in her mouth.

nInadvertently, the scent of baked apple spread in her mouth as the crunchy outer pie material broke.

nArtizea covered her mouth with her hand, turning red.

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