Banished Prince Charming

Chapter 34 - Have Coins But Where To Spend Them?!.

After breakfast, the miners decided to take their leave and proceed back to their respective towns to inform their families of the good news that they were finally accepted to be a part of GraceHaven. They had packed their loaves of bread for their journey and based on their journey, 15 loaves of bread were given away with 3 kegs of ale, some jerkies and dried fish.

I felt that the provisions would be enough for them to last throughout their journey. This time I decided to hire some workers for the construction of a windmill and a sawmill. "There are some changes to the discussion that we had last night. Inform Marcel that we require a windmill for both the grains and a sawmill as well. Materials and manpower included."

"We decided to up the building process so our present men would be able to concentrate on their current tasks and not burdened by other jobs they would definitely not within their capacity. Inform the builders that they have an option to bring their families to relocate, but is pretty sure that they would be happy where they are right now. Just bring up the offer to them, though."

"By the way, how many mines are you currently working on?" I asked and was greeted with a very positive answer that I was looking for. There were a few mines and each mine would still yield for many years to come.

I concluded what I need to convey and the miners nodded kn apprehension and took their leave. Our current pioneers were able to handle the tasks at hand proficiently. However, adding manpower would make it redundant and I am not sure the builders would change their minds into changing their professions.

With that, the miners bade their farewell to the new families and began to pull their wagons behind them. if only they have the means to own a horse, their lengthy trip and workload would be much shortened and productive.

Before the new families proceed to their tasks, I managed to inscribe their records, just like what I had taken down for the rest of the pioneers. This records cones under the population census marked by a stack of the remaining records and bounded with a twine.

=*=

Over the course of the following days, Crystal had busied herself to make her cheese, this enhancing our palate even further with cheese bread that was either stuffed or were line and baked together on the surface with either seasoned game meats or plain by itself.

Gwen had completed another dozen set of hunting bows and she reported that we now have more than 3 dozen of them that could be sold to the merchants.

Woven mats had been slowly mass-produced when the ladies all grouped together and learnt the basic art of weaving. They produced the standard 2' by 5', 5' by 5' and 10' by 10' for sale while they also made 6' by 8' for the village.

Within 14 days, the new houses had been fully constructed and the men led by Ben started to make arrangements for a large storage shed for the ores and coal. A few additional sheds had been erected alongside the one that was initially constructed to store the brooms and woven mats. The sheds were then filled with individual products so the pioneers would be able to monitor the stock level.

The same goes for the kegs of ale, grains, flour, seeds and other perishables. These products were separated and properly stored and liked with shelves that were constructed using bamboo strips, that was much sturdier than using reeds.

The number of red jungle fowls had increased due to successful capture and domestication process and with successful incubation, tiny chicks that were splashed with black and brown feathers were soon pattering around the grounds as it followed its mother and scratched and pecked at the ground for food.

A few hens were adventurous enough to fly over the enclosure to look for their own food near the moist riverbanks but Frank, who had fashioned a bamboo device and when it was struck several times, these hens would scamper back and return to their newly upgraded roosting barn that was 7' high and as long as 25' and 8' in breadth.

This was the actual barn that was designed for fowls that could easily house more than 4 dozen since the roost was made up of many shelves liked with hay.

The citizens of GraceHaven had assembled in the courtyard after their dinner while waiting for the cream corn soup with shreds of wild mushrooms and baked bread for late supper. It had been a practice ever since the arrival of the new families since it would balance up the meals to compensate for a light dinner.

"Good morn citizens. I have an urgent announcement to make. Everyone realised that your meals and the clothes on your back had been properly taken care. Furthermore, I wished to discuss the future development of GraceHaven."

"I would abolish the monthly taxes from now on as you come directly under the welfare and benefits of GraceHaven. I decided to abolish the taxes since there won't be any wages to pay any of you. Any of you who agrees please remain seated while those who oppose, please stand up and state your mind."

The new families were having a heated debate and discussion before the Ashworth family stood up and voice his mind. "Why are you going back on your words? We should be properly paid for the work done these past weeks. Are you trying to so-called rule with an iron fist and make everyone cower under your so-called directions?"

"We should be compensated for our blood, sweat and tears. This is utter horse shit to me. Labouring without pay and being seen worse than slaves." Burns finally stood up and voiced his sentiments too.

Even though it may sound very harsh, but it's the reality. A coin would make the world go round, hence it shapes. Furthermore, its a form of status and also gives one a sense of security in their troubled minds.

"Ahem... Would the pioneers point out the use of a silver coin I have right here in my hand now?" I pointed out to the masses so that it would not always me speaking my mind all the time. This was an open discussion and everyone was allowed to voice their minds.

As usual, Jack rose from his seat and looked towards the new families. "First and foremost, I am not siding with anyone here. As you can see, even if our young master gives each one of you a gold coin, that is worth 50 silvers or 5000 coppers, do you see any shops around here? Do you see anyone pays for their meals and our weekly 3 kegs of ale? Do you see anyone pays Kayla for the new red, white and black tunic and breeches that were are wearing right now? You don't, am I right?"

"What's the use of having coins where you can't even buy anything? Your house was built for free, your health and minor scr.a.p.es or injuries were attended to and you have a proper woven mat, pillows and bolsters that you sleep with every night. There's basically no market stall here and even my store does not honour your coins, even it was gold or diamonds, sapphire and rubies."

After saying his piece Jack sat down while the two Ashworth and Burns families remain rooted on the ground. What was relayed by Jack was true since there are no stalls where they could buy their necessities from. The Commerce Minister takes care of all the needs of everyone.

The duo looked stumped and they each responded, "But we need to have coins to buy other products as well, don't we? This village is simple, way too simple to begin with. I don't know, I'm used to having coins so I would be able to purchase what we wanted for the family."

I raised my hands and gestured them to be settled. "I have not finished talking and haven't concluded this discussion. It's true, even if I give you a bundle of coins, where would you go and spend them? The nearest town is 5 days worth of trek. Would you think it is a good idea to travel there just to buy a mug of ale that costs 1c?"

"You would be a laughing stock by the rest of those towners. Hahahaha..." I made light of the situation and the faces of those households slowly relaxed as they jumped the gun too soon before they made their final conclusion.

"As you can see right now, those 2x2 crop fields in front of your homes are growing wheat and corn and by 2 months time, it would be time for harvesting, revitalising the soil and then replanted once again."

I then narrated the process for wheat and was being traded pound for pound of flour. I emphasise that the livestock would need to be fed daily, just like us, human beings.

"Once the 6 intended families settled in, food rations would be given out accordingly. Each household would be entitled 5 pounds of grains and 5 pounds of flour every week and several pouches containing spices and condiments that you require. A basketful of fruits and vegetables would be also be provided weekly."

"I believe that the pioneers had made 8 rocket stoves, some clay pots, bowls and plates as well as bamboo cups, spoons and ladles. You may, however, look for your own firewood at this moment. No cooking shall be allowed inside the house as it would create fire hazard unnecessarily."

"Your family members would have a set of white tunics for your nightwear and a pair of our colours, the white, red and black pair of tunic and breeches. Additional pairs could be requested through Kayla yourself."

"There won't be coins to be used but would be exchanged by using a token. This token represents the portions of supplies given. For example, you would receive 4 tokens for rice, 4 tokens for flour and 4 tokens for fruits and vegetables."

"There would be a handful of tokens to exchange for bread, dried fish, cheese and milk. More tokens would be issued accordingly. It works like a coin but its also a method for me to ensure that you have ample provisions in your home. At the meantime, you would learn to recognise letters thus encourages you to read."

"Do you understand what I mean?" I finally ended my narration and the Burns spoke up and asked, "So this mean these tokens you mentioned are somewhat like coins, am I right?"

"That is true, Mister Burns. Coins only work outside of this village but the value of these tokens are much more than the coins that you would normally get. You would get back all the tokens that you had used and every single token represents your family name, the type of supplies you get and the quantity as well a few days before the end of the month."

"As a Commerce Minister, I would be involved with the trades between the sale of our products and the purchases from the merchants. I would be handling all the actual coins while you would be holding on to the tokens. If you drop a coin, it could be picked up by anyone and used. If anyone drops a token, it would be sent back to the rightful owner."

"By doing so, this relieves the duty of a Finance Minister and Kayla would be involved with other matters as she is also the Health Minister too. She would be advising me what is good and fair to be bought for everyone to enjoy. Do you understand me now?"

"Young Master, please do forgive the Ashworth and Burns families due to being shallow and have no understandings at your true and kind intentions," Ashworth mentioned and then we concluded the conference as we headed to the now 6 dining tables to have our supper which everyone relishes.

=*=

"The idea of using tokens is much better than being paid for coins. A token could get us 5 pounds of grains. A copper could never get even a pound of those."

"Aye, thanks to the heavens above for giving us such a young man to lead us through. In fact, we are much better off compared to our past. We have a stable work, more than sufficient food and moreover, these clothes made by Kayla is perfect." replied Ashworth as he broke a piece of bread and dipped into his cream corned soup.