Chapter 15: Stonefall’s Harvesting Problem

After the two said their piece, the Grimoire on Ryan’s lap suddenly hummed.

'Based on the current predicament of Stonefall Village, you now have two new quests, Master Ryan,' the Grimoire said.

‘Why thank you, Builder.’ Ryan thought as he carefully turned the page to check its contents.

— — — — — — —

< New Quest: Let Them Eat! >

The village of Stonefall has a population of 100 people. Several times during the winter season, they experience a shortage of food that’s nearly close to a famine.

Task: Resolve their issues and ensure that each one of them has enough food to eat to last them throughout winter. One person needs to eat at least one loaf of bread on a daily basis.

Deadline: Upcoming Winter

Rewards: 500 Grimoire Points

<New Quest: Beyond Bare Necessities >

The village of Stonefall is small and only has the most bare necessities to ensure the survival of its people. Things like a Potions Shop, Adventurer’s Guild and other shops available in more advanced towns and cities are not available.

Task: Establish at least one new shop currently unavailable in Stonefall Village.

Deadline: Upcoming Winter

Rewards: 500 Grimoire Points

— — — — — — —

When Ryan finished reading, he glanced up to see the grandfather and son pair still speaking with each other.

“… Of course everyone needs to be a Farmer, Tom! We’ve discussed this already several times.” Old Man Albert sighed at his grandson and then bowed his head to Ryan. “Forgive his rash nature, Master Ryan. He gets so many big ideas when it’s clear that our current problems need to be fixed first before we can even think of such things.”

“No, it’s fine. He’s my aide, so I value his feedback as well,” Ryan said with a smile.

Tom looked at him with surprise. “You do?”

“Of course I do,” Ryan said with a grin. “It’s also good to look forward to the future, is it not? Isn’t that what I promised this village?”

Tom couldn’t help but feel happy from being acknowledged by the new Master of the Village.

‘This Ryan is recognizing the things that I’m having difficulties with. Grandfather always says that I complain too much and that we should try our best to survive with what we have. At last, someone understands my opinions. Even if he doesn’t get to solve them that quickly, at least he sees it, which is something beyond grandfather does,’ Tom thought.

“The relationship between you and your aide ‘Tom’ has improved!” Grimoire announced.

Ryan blinked at the sudden announcement but then cleared his throat and smiled. “Well, the first thing we need to resolve is the harvesting problem? Your grandfather does have a point. Before we can think of anything else, we need to solve that issue first. Can you explain to me what seems to be the reason why we need everyone to be farmers?”

“The reason for that is simple, Master Ryan. The total amount of land we have is 1600 acres, and as my grandson said, our main crop is barley. We grow it every spring season. In fact, we have finished harvesting just before your arrival, Master Ryan,” Old Man Albert explained.

“That’s a lot of acres of land for one hundred people here in the village,” Ryan said.

“Well, with our lands not being as fertile as other areas, each acre of land would only yield 5 bushels of barley, sometimes even less,” Old Man Albert said with a weary look on his face. “We need to give a portion of our harvest to the church and, of course, to the lord of the land as well. It is essential that we grow as much as we can to have enough for ourselves, our livestock, and our contribution as well.”

Ryan nodded. “Of course, the usual tithes to the church is 10% of the total harvest and 50% to the lord of the land.”

“That is correct, Master Ryan.”

‘If we multiply the total acres with a yield of maybe 4-5 bushel per acre, then it means that the villages can grow about 6,400 to 8000 bushels in a year. That’s a lot for one hundred people to grow. There are children and elderly here too, so not everyone can work as extensively.’ Ryan thought.

“Do you people have any oxen to take care of the plowing?”

“We have a total of ten oxen, Master Ryan. The rest of the plowing is done through each and everyone’s contribution, hence why we actually need everyone to help with the farming and other related tasks,” Old Man Albert said.

“From what I know, a single ox can typically cover at least an acre a day. The plowing season lasts for at least two months, and if you want to cover all 1600 acres, it means that you need to cover at least 27 acres in a day. Your 10 oxen can take care of 10 acres, but each oxen needs at least 2 people with them, so that’s already twenty people less, leaving the rest to take care of the other 17 acres manually,” Ryan said.

Old Master Albert, Tom, and even the Grimoire couldn’t help but stare at Ryan in absolute surprise.

“You… you know all of this, Master Ryan?”

“Was that a guess? That’s approximately the exact number of people that do work on the field with the oxen.”

“How are you so good at mathematics? Did you learn all of this while studying under your tutors?”

Joan, who stood at the side of the room, couldn’t help but smile proudly at Ryan.

“Master Ryan has always been good with the classes he took, especially when it comes to economics and other subjects related to taking care of a kingdom.”

“Haha, come now, Joan. Don’t say that. I actually end up sleeping most of the time and get scolded by the teachers. My brothers often paint my face while I’m asleep too.”

“But they say that you answer each question expertly, still,” Joan said.

“Does this mean that Master Ryan is a genius?” Tom’s eyes widened. Once again, his impression of Master Ryan shifted once more. This time, he looked at the man with a look of admiration.

“Genius is a bit too much,” Ryan said with a carefree smile. ‘I don’t want to be referred to as a genius! If word gets around, people will treat me with much expectations. I won’t be able to do things unexpectedly anymore because everyone will be looking forward to me doing incredible things. I still want the element of surprise.’