Gradual Progress

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"Grayman, I advise you to proceed cautiously," Hansel said as he looked over the "Outline for Agricultural Development" in his hands.

Paul had drafted his agricultural plans into an outline and asked Baron Hansel to review it for feedback, demonstrating his goal of doubling food production wasn't just talk. However, Baron Hansel unexpectedly cautioned him.

"Is there something amiss?" Paul inquired.

"Well, everything up to now is great! Large farms, new machinery, breeding superior strains, and this crop rotation system—they're all fantastic. If their effects are as good as you say, you're bound to leave a significant mark in history, solving the perennial food problem that has plagued us since ancient times. Such achievements could even earn you sainthood from the Church," Hansel's eyes gleamed. He had been somewhat uncertain before about whether Grayman could achieve his grand ambitions, but now, looking at this outline, he was almost certain.

Paul was puzzled. "If that's the case, why the caution?"

Baron Hansel turned to the last page again. "You also mentioned freeing the serfs. Without these slaves, who will work the fields? I know these new machines are supposed to save a lot of manual labor, but wouldn't it be better to have both?"

Paul patiently explained, "I've mentioned this before, Hansel!" He addressed the Baron directly by his name.

"I don't intend to stop at just growing crops. I'll develop mining, iron smelting, and other industries. Having so much labor tied up in the fields won't do."

"I understand your ambitious vision. Actually... what concerns me is something else," Hansel intended to advise this young and impulsive Earl carefully, after all, they were collaborators, and he didn't want to be implicated if things went awry.

"You know, some time ago, I spent some time in the neighboring domain of Byerldine. During that time, I heard quite a bit about the previous lord there. Would you be interested in hearing about it?"

"Byerldine?" Paul paused at the mention of that name. Byerldine's current lord, Malon Ganard, was not much older than him. The Ganard family was one of the few in good standing with the Grayman family in the northwest region. Malon had been a childhood playmate of Paul's.

A while ago, when the pirates had not yet been subdued, Chief Steward Ford had sent a plea for help to Byerldine, but Malon had replied that he was unable to assist, as his troops had been requisitioned by the royal commissioner of the domain.

A few years ago, Malon's father, Old Ganard, fell seriously ill and, after recovering, became estranged to everyone, with no recognition of anyone, eventually, the two families gradually stopped visiting each other. Not long after, Old Ganard accidentally fell into the water and drowned, and Paul had gone with his father to offer condolences.

That was the last time he saw this childhood companion, and Malon, still young, inherited his father's title. Afterwards, he retreated into seclusion, reportedly making great efforts under the guidance of his retainers to learn how to be a good lord.

"Why don't you tell me?" he was curious why Hansel mentioned this.

"It's said that the old count's personality changed drastically after he recovered from his illness, becoming distant even from his own son, and doing all sorts of strange things."

Paul knew about the drastic personality change, but hadn't paid much attention to anything else, and asked, "What strange things?"

"Initially, Lord Ganard only advocated for equality for all, proclaiming that all are born free, which suited the Church's taste. The Northern Bishop even planned to bestow him with some honorary title. But then he turned against the Church, stating that there are no gods in this world at all, and denounced priests as manipulative charlatans."

"Well... that's... quite bold." Actually, Paul also wanted to do the same, but he didn't dare to say it out loud yet.

"Before the Church could react, he did even more outrageous things. Not only did he strip the vassal aristocrats within his domain of various privileges, proclaiming equality between nobles and commoners under the law, but he also forced those who owned slaves to convert their slavery into employment."

Paul raised an eyebrow. This uncle of his, Lord Ganard, sure knew how to stir things up.

"Hansel glanced at Paul and continued, 'Then, he announced that every person in his domain would have a piece of land sufficient to sustain themselves. He confiscated all the land in his jurisdiction and redistributed it according to the number of heads in each household. His vassals, vassal aristocrats, and commoners all received the same amount of land.'"

Paul was speechless. This was like a straight out of an alternate world version of Wang Mang. He nervously asked, "And then?"

"Hansel shrugged, 'Then he died. It's said that he slipped and fell into the water while fishing on a boat and drowned. After that, his domain reverted to its former state.'"

In an instant, a series of unfavorable words like conspiracy, coup, and regicide flooded Paul's mind.

Seeing Paul visibly stunned, Baron chuckled, "Lord Grayman, I'm not against your emancipation of serfs. Many of us, including myself, detest the institution of slavery."

His smile gradually froze, a hint of reluctance on his face. "Except for those unfortunate enough to become slaves due to debt or war, most slaves are born into slavery because one or both of their parents were slaves. Hence, they are branded as slaves for life."

"I appreciate a social order with structured classes, but this method of blocking any upward mobility is highly unreasonable."

Hansel, somewhat agitated for reasons unknown, waved his hand as he spoke, "Let the capable rise and the incapable fall; that's what constitutes a fair and reasonable society."

He suddenly realized he was getting carried away, paused briefly, and resumed his previous nonchalant demeanor. "In conclusion, Lord Grayman, I suggest your reforms proceed gradually, allowing time for adaptation among the populace and ensuring you have strong support."

Paul nodded, shaken by the neighboring lord's tale.

"You're right, Hansel. I accept your advice. Also, thank you." He had indeed felt a bit swollen after eradicating pirates, forgetting what kind of world this was.

The Baron's expression remained unchanged. "It's an honor to assist you. I hope to continue our cooperation for a long time. Earl, take care of yourself. By the way, I plan to return south in a few days to initiate the talent recruitment plan we discussed earlier. What are your thoughts?"

Finally, a piece of good news arrived. Paul was delighted. "So, you're ready? I can't wait."

"There's nothing much to prepare. Since you've already begun efforts to increase food production, I can't afford to be idle either. Actually, I can depart tomorrow, but I've heard your friend, Quiller Foster, is also returning south in a few days. I'd like to travel with him. The Foster family wields considerable influence around Angle Bay, and making their acquaintance should be beneficial to us."

Paul clapped his hands. "I've been thinking the same. In fact, I've already discussed it with him, commissioning him to recruit a large number of artisans for Alden. I also plan to initiate long-distance trade with the Angle Bay Alliance."

Hansel increasingly admired this young lord. He suddenly had an idea. "Since emancipating serfs will take some time, I propose another approach to alleviate labor shortages. The south has produced a large number of refugees due to wars and turmoil. Both the kingdom government and local lords are troubled by this. Do you have the confidence and capability to accommodate them?"

Paul was overjoyed. "Yes, absolutely. Bring them all here."

It was indeed the right choice to partner up with this guy.

(End of the Chapter)