Chapter 106: Stockpiling Provisions
“Rice, wheat…” Lei Wen couldn’t help but fall into thought, then said, “Although the flames of war haven’t spread here for now, we still need to prepare in advance.”
Rice is a new crop not previously present in the territory. The rice it yields can be used to make rice, which is a very important staple food.
If we have rice fields, we can also raise some Pokémon like Seismitoad or Clauncher in them. These Pokémon will eat the common insects in the rice fields, thus achieving ecological symbiosis.
“Give the order to have the farmers and Sandshrew reclaim as much land as possible, and plant all these seeds,” Lei Wen said.
“Yes, Your Highness!” Elif nodded.
Lei Wen then recalled the manorial economic system of this era in his mind.
It can be known from the original owner’s memories that the core of the manorial economy is self-sufficient agricultural production. In other words, most of the production activities within a territory are used to meet the internal needs of the territory, rather than for market trade.
The main production modes include agriculture, livestock farming, and handicrafts.
Due to the lack of chemical fertilizers, modern farming tools, mechanized operations, and the power of Pokémon, the agricultural production efficiency of this era remains very low.
Livestock farming is similar to that in the Middle Ages of the real world, raising some poultry and livestock. Pokémon, in this context, more often act in the status of slaves.
Compared to Pokémon slaves, human slaves have an even lower status.
The scale of handicraft production is even smaller, and most of it is used to meet the internal needs of the territory.
For example, mills for grinding grain into flour,
blacksmith shops for manufacturing and repairing farm tools, horseshoes, and weapons.
The textile industry, primarily carried out by women, for weaving cloth and sewing clothing.
And the brewing industry that produces beer and wine for trade.
The vast majority of these tasks are handled by the farmers within the territory. Five to seven tenths of what they produce is used for self-sufficiency, livestock feed, and the supply of the lord’s manor, with the rest being submitted to the lord.
Lei Wen felt that, for now, some of the more feudal and backward systems should also be modified.
With the help of Pokémon, the productivity within the territory has been greatly improved, and the commoners no longer have to toil in the fields their entire lives as they did before.
Other Pokémon products, such as the honey from Combee, the leaves on top of Cherubi’s head, and the wool from Mareep, can be used to trade with other territories, making this land rich and prosperous as quickly as possible.
With this thought, Lei Wen picked up his pen and wrote down his ideas on the parchment.
He handed it to Elif and said, “I plan to carry out reforms here to expand production as much as possible.”
For instance, all the fields will be distributed to the farmers, and taxes will be collected regularly each year to maintain the operation of the territory.
At the same time, vigorously encourage commoners to raise Pokémon, utilize their products for brewing and textile production, and trade with merchants to promote commercial development.
Elif glanced over it carefully, then his face showed surprise, “Your, Your Highness, this is too bold!”
“Elif, haven’t you realized it yet?” Lei Wen said, “The past systems are no longer suitable for our development.”
“Perhaps you haven’t felt it yet, but sooner or later, monsters will completely change our living habits. At that time, we won’t have to worry about crops not growing well, nor will we worry about barren land, nor will we worry about drought. At that time, no one will starve to death, and farmers will not have to toil in the fields their entire lives.”
“By then, some systems will no longer be applicable. There’s no need to implement them immediately; it’s fine to proceed slowly.”
“Your Highness…” Hearing this, Elif was stunned.
He recalled his experiences in the territory over the past few days.
Perhaps it was because the commoners had personally witnessed the marvels of the monsters, that some commoners even began to actively approach some small, cute, and less dangerous wild monsters.
They imitated Prince Lei Wen and Anna, sharing their food with those monsters, attempting to invite them to live in the territory together.
Such a thing, if it were to happen back in the Royal City, Elif would never have believed it.
But now, it had indeed happened.
Their lives had become better because of the monsters.
Just then, a few footsteps were heard from outside.
Lei Wen looked up and saw Ai Wen and Geralt walking in.
The two bowed, then asked:
“Prince Lei Wen, what business do you have with me?”
“Ai Wen, I need you to go to this village and inquire about a monster,” Lei Wen handed the map he had obtained from Zack to Ai Wen.
Ai Wen looked down and saw the words Kagome Village.
It appeared to be just an ordinary small village located in a border region.
“Kagome Village?” Ai Wen couldn’t help but ask, “Is there anything noteworthy about this village?”
Lei Wen nodded, “Near that village lives an ice monster named Kyurem. I need you to gather information from the locals about it. This matter is very important to us.”
Upon hearing this, Ai Wen’s expression couldn’t help but turn serious.
His Highness had entrusted such an important task to him… His Highness truly valued him!
Ai Wen accepted without hesitation, “Yes, I guarantee to complete the mission!”
Then, Lei Wen turned his gaze to Geralt.
“How is it going?” he asked.
“We have found the habitat of that group of Cranidos monsters, and the Knight Order has begun to try to contact them according to your method,” Geralt reported in a deep voice, “But currently, only two Cranidos are willing to follow us…”
Two gluttonous Cranidos, Lei Wen thought to himself.
“Since the method of luring with food doesn’t work, let’s try another approach,” Lei Wen pondered for a moment, then said, “Tell them that if they are willing to follow you, you will help them grow into powerful monsters.”
“If some Cranidos don’t believe you, you can fight them to prove your strength.”
Some Pokémon, like humans, only recognize strength.
This is also the way most Trainers capture Pokémon in anime, by proving their strength to the Pokémon and gaining their recognition.
Humans in the Pokémon World have special physiques, let alone a group of well-trained knights. Facing underdeveloped and small Cranidos, it should not be a problem.
Geralt understood, he nodded and said, “Yes!”
“You may go now!” Lei Wen said.
“Yes!”
The crowd left one by one. The sky outside had already darkened, and Lei Wen was preparing to go back and rest, as there were new matters to attend to tomorrow.
But as he stepped out, he saw Megan standing timidly nearby.
Lei Wen raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, “Megan? What’s wrong? Did something happen at the pasture again?”
Megan quickly shook her head, “No, no! With the Gyarados around, my brother and I are very safe! It’s just… Your Highness, the Grass Seeds you instructed me to sow in the pasture have all grown out!”
Those Grass Seeds grew rapidly, reaching a considerable height in just half a month.
Hearing this, Lei Wen’s spirits immediately lifted.
He hadn’t forgotten about the Mareep.
With Mareep, the territory could produce wool and process it into various clothing.
But it was already very late. Lei Wen pondered for a moment, then said, “I understand. You can go back now, Megan. I’ll come to see it tomorrow morning.”
“Yes!”
