The Lord’s Will

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Since the presentation of the Flying Shuttle Loom and the Jenny Spinning Machine at the October release event, many in the textile industry have expressed interest in purchasing these machines.

Under Paul's direction, the machinery factory announced that the Jenny Spinning Machine still had some unresolved technical issues and would be temporarily unavailable for sale, which greatly disappointed many factory owners.

However, the Flying Shuttle Loom was released as scheduled, and the Alden Town Machinery Factory received a large number of orders. Driven by demand, the factory expanded, started hiring new apprentices, and prepared for mass production of the Flying Shuttle Loom.

In addition to the Flying Shuttle Loom, agricultural machinery such as cotton gin, threshers, straw cutters, root cutters, and grinding machines also received a warm reception, and production plans for these machines were also underway.

The sales of new machinery brought Paul a considerable fortune. Although Paul actively separated the public and private funds, the Alden Town Machinery Factory, being a property of the Grayman family rather than under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Council, had its income enter Paul's private treasury.

However, like other privately-owned factories, the machinery factory also had to pay taxes, and this money went into the Administrative Council's public treasury. Many found this difficult to understand. In their view, the entire territory belonged to the Grayman family, and the Administrative Council's role was to manage the territory on behalf of the lord, with Paul being the ultimate authority over the public treasury. Therefore, paying taxes from the Grayman family's machinery factory to the Administrative Council seemed akin to transferring money from one hand to the other.

Despite the doubts raised by many, Paul insisted on maintaining this procedure. Moreover, in compliance with other laws, all Grayman family enterprises, including the machinery factory, were treated the same as other private factories and workshops.

Another matter that pleased Paul was the development of maritime trade. With the continuous construction of civilian sailing ships, the proportion of goods transported by sea in exports was increasing, meaning that the amount of money skimmed off by land-based checkpoints on goods heading south was decreasing.

To further develop maritime trade, the Administrative Council invested heavily in acquiring a shipyard under the Earldom of Pryce Parker. This shipyard was located at a natural harbor. The Frand Harbor Shipyard sent a large number of management and technical personnel to take over and renovate the shipyard, train the old craftsmen, and prepare to produce new-type ships suited to Alden's needs.

Expanding the internal demand in the Northwest Bay region was also part of Paul's and the Administrative Council's plans. Since Paul proposed the "Customs Union" plan to the newly ascended Duke Henry Fraule in Sente City, he had been promoting the plan to other lords. Over the past few months, major lords had been frequently exchanging letters, discussing the so-called "Customs Union," and weighing the pros and cons for themselves.

While external agreement on the plan was still pending, internal dissent emerged. Abolishing tariffs was a significant matter. According to ancient tradition, Paul and Malon jointly summoned the nobility and prominent figures from Alden, Byerldine, and the newly integrated Emden regions. Lower nobles, large landowners, and influential merchants and factory owners gathered in Alden Town. Paul sought their opinions on the proposed Customs Union and explained that its purpose was to reduce or even eliminate tariffs between the Northwest Bay territories, thereby removing trade barriers and forming a tightly-knit trade and economic region.

Paul initially thought this was merely a procedural step, expecting that these individuals would support the lord's decision unconditionally. However, he encountered strong resistance.

Merchants and factory owners were very supportive of the plan, as it would greatly reduce their costs for importing goods and raw materials. If other territories also implemented similar policies, their costs for selling goods to other territories would decrease.

Opposition came from landowners or landlords, whose land produced the goods and raw materials needed by merchants and factory owners. For example, grains for food and brewing, cotton and wool for textiles, etc. If tariffs were lowered or abolished, merchants and factory owners from other regions would have more choices, which would significantly reduce the competitiveness of their produce and severely impact their income.

Blocking a person's income was akin to killing their parents. In the past, although landowners had grievances about Paul's repeated implementation of crop rotation systems, land consolidation, and property audits, they generally cooperated, as many measures were beneficial in the long run. However, on the issue of tariffs, they showed strong opposition and unprecedented unity.

The lower nobility of Byerldine and Emden, based on their respective territories or personal industries, either supported or opposed the plan.

Paul realized that tariffs were not merely a means for lords to collect revenue but also a protection of the promises made to supporters within the territories. In an era where agriculture dominated, the landowners were the lords' biggest reliance. The lords issued policies, including tariffs, to protect the interests of landowners, and in return, the landowners supported the lord's power and prestige, providing funds and manpower and sending their best family members to serve in the lord's army as attendants and officers—there were no other options for the lords but to appoint these noble's offspring rather than illiterate peasants or serfs.

Many landowners in Byerldine and Emden held knightly status, once an important part of the military force in their territories. Although Alden did not have real knights, the new military officers were mostly from landowner families, as they were literate from the start.

Due to the strong opposition, Paul had to announce that the matter would be discussed further. The opponents breathed a sigh of relief and, after touring the new developments in Alden Town, gradually left. Although they could see that the earl was a bit unwilling.

The first thing Paul did after the meeting was to discuss military rewards with Chief of Staff Schroeder. Many officers who performed excellently in the Usurper War needed promotions, and many soldiers who fought bravely needed rewards.

"I have no objections to your proposal."

Paul marked a large check on the proposal Schroeder handed him with a quill pen and signed his name.

"However, this will leave many positions for junior officers vacant, correct?"

"Yes, my lord," Schroeder replied. "The plan is to fill these positions with battle-hardened veterans and students from Grayman Academy."

"Hmm, good. However…" Paul said, staring into the old knight's eyes, "regarding the background of the new officers… you need to control the proportion well."

Schroeder gave the lord a reassuring look. "Lord Grayman, I will control it well."

The lord had discussed this issue with him long ago, and he knew the purpose behind it. Originally, it was intended to take several years to gradually turn things around, but the earl seemed a bit impatient.

The earl's words echoed in the room.

"Schroeder, I need the General Staff… no, my personal will to be able to directly influence positions at the platoon level."

(End of the Chapter)

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