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As it was the season when the year’s farming began, everyone in the territory was busy.

 

I surveyed the wheat fields in the Marseille domain and checked the preparations for sowing. 

 

Accompanying me to the fields were Administrator Ricardo and the witch Winnie.

 

Ricardo confirmed the instructions I had given.

 

“Lord, so… we must plow the fields deep? And spread powdered bird droppings?”

 

“That’s correct. Ask if there’s anything you don’t understand.”

 

“My apologies. I don’t understand any of it.”

 

I borrowed a hoe from a farmer, turned over the soil, and showed him the dark earth.

 

“Look carefully. You need to plow to this depth for the nutrients going to the crops to rise up. If you plow too shallowly, the nutrients will be much more scarce.”

 

Most of the rural work I learned from my grandfather in my previous life was picked up by watching over his shoulder.

 

But as they say, even a dog that spends three years at a village school learns to hum a tune—I had my own share of various knowledge about farming.

 

“Is that black stuff the nutrients?”

 

Not exactly, but since black soil has a visual impact, I glossed over it vaguely.

 

“You could say that.”

“But why are we spreading the bird droppings?”

 

I scooped up some of the crushed guano powder with my hand to show him.

 

“This powder contains a lot of two of the most important nutrients plants need to grow. I don’t know the specifics myself, but anyway, if you spread this powder, the crops will grow well. I was taught to use it as a base fertilizer.”

 

Even on Earth, the Inca civilization had used guano in farming for a long time. 

 

In modern times, chemical processing of guano creates superior fertilizer, but guano itself can also be crushed and used as fertilizer.

 

Especially seagull guano, which is rich in nitrogen as well as phosphorus, acts as a kind of compound fertilizer.

 

Of course, since it’s clear that using it over many years would negatively impact the soil in some form, I plan to use it in rotation, like crop rotation, by alternating fertilizers.

 

“If the Lord says so, I will trust and proceed.”

 

Because they were blessed by the God of Abundance, my interference in agricultural matters was well received.

 

The farmers plowed the fields deeply and spread the provided guano without much complaint.

 

The sowing date was slightly delayed due to the extra work involved, but since it’s such a warm region, it didn’t have a major impact.

 

“The amount being mined is still small, so we won’t be able to spread it on all the cultivated land. Instruct them to compare the harvest yields between the areas where it was spread and where it wasn’t.”

 

“Yes, my Lord. But how much should we charge for the bird droppings?”

 

“It’s free until the sowing this spring. After that, sell it for money to applicants.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Then, I made a special request to the witch, Winnie.

 

“If these bird droppings are spread directly on the fields, they will definitely accumulate and pollute the soil. You develop a processing method for the droppings that makes them less harmful.”

 

“That’s too vague.”

 

Does she need a hint?

 

“I’ve heard that acid is needed. That’s all I know.”

 

“Producing acid requires a lot of manpower and time.”

 

“Hire an alchemist. Find a way to make it easier, faster, and in larger quantities. I’ll cover the cost.”

 

“So, are you thinking of starting a fertilizer company?”

 

There’s no fertilizer guild.

 

Come to think of it, if the method of making fertilizer becomes known in this situation, the population could explode in other territories with improved productivity.

 

It’s impossible to know what long-term effects it would have on Marseille.

 

Neighboring territories with a surging population might try to vent that strength.

 

As I was pondering this, the witch Winnie quickly noticed and suggested an alternative.

 

“Ultimately, the fertilizer we’re making is created by alchemists, right? Register it as a product of the Alchemist Guild.”

 

“That’s a good idea. Proceed with it immediately.”

 

“…Me? This? Why?”

 

The witch Winnie is currently in the middle of research on creating anti-inflammatory painkillers from the shells of white beetles. She seems too busy and doesn’t want to do it.

 

In times like this, you need to offer a carrot.

 

“I’ll give you 30% of the shares in the fertilizer company.”

 

“I’ll start right away.”

 

A slave to capitalism, she slung a sack of guano over her shoulder and ran off somewhere.

 

That thing’s all rock.

 

She’s really strong. I again gave instructions to Administrator Ricardo.

 

“About the fields for the slaves to cultivate.”

 

“Do you mean the ones near the pioneer village, Comansville?”

 

“Yes. Get seeds for turnips and plant them there. Spread the bird droppings too.”

 

“Huh? I’m sorry, but I don’t understand the reason. Why not plant wheat?”

 

“Because I’m going to make something from the turnips.”

 

We’ve even conducted experiments in Westphalia on cultivating turnips and manufacturing products from them.

 

It is originally a crop that grows in tropical regions, but through experiments, we found that it also grows well in cold regions. Naturally, it can also be cultivated in warm Marseille.

 

“Won’t you make fodder from the cattle turnips?”

 

I chuckled at Administrator Ricardo’s words. He is quite good at his work, but he is a typical bureaucrat trapped in stereotypes.

 

“It’s still a secret. I’ll tell you once we succeed in cultivation and production.”

 

“As the great inventor Lord says so, of course I shall simply follow.”

 

I’ve been hearing the title ‘Great Inventor’ a lot lately.

 

It’s embarrassing because I’m not great at all. It’s just simple knowledge I picked up in my previous life.

 

“Anyway, you take direct charge of the trial cultivation of cattle turnips. It’s important.”

 

“Yes, my lord.”

 

This venture can additionally prevent the over-cultivation of wheat within the territory and also lower the unemployment rate.

 

That is, if we can secure the exclusive rights.

 

Due to the presence of multinational guilds in the northern continent, it is easier to obtain exclusive rights.

 

However, if we don’t secure exclusive rights in the southern continent as well, we will have to play a game of chicken with countries that have large labor forces and vast farmlands.

 

So, a few days later, I gave Diego, who had returned from the Rosso Bank board meeting, another business trip order.

 

“Diego, sorry right after you arrived, but you’ll have to go to the southern continent.”

 

“It must be about the cattle turnip business. Of course, I will depart immediately.”

 

“The crew of the Benedicta must be tired from the voyage. Rest for a few days before setting off.”

 

“But will the King of Berber agree to meet with me?”

 

The place that grows the most turnips in the southern continent is the Berber Kingdom.

 

The current political situation in the southern continent is one where many tribal nations are rampant, and war breaks out constantly.

 

However, even among the many countries of the southern continent, the Berber Kingdom is a centralized state that rules the tribes with strong royal authority.

 

Therefore, if one could just obtain a patent from the king, exclusive production was possible.

 

To obtain that patent, they planned to send Diego to the Berber Kingdom.

 

“You’re good at business, right? Think of it as doing business and give it a try.”

 

“Ugh, I’m not confident about dealing with royalty, even if it’s nobility. Can’t I go with Chief Chloe?”

 

Chloe is busy building the intelligence department.

 

No helping it.

 

“Alright. You two go together.”

 

“Thank you!”

 

Diego grinned. 

 

That country bumpkin needs to get used to the nobles quickly. He’s capable, but requires a lot of hand-holding.