The Bewilderment of the Sacrificial Second Princess

Chapter 34: Rice and Wheat

I couldn’t rely solely on what I was told by Gauche, so I decided to investigate the matter further by visiting the finance and management departments.

To make up for the one-month lag in normal business operations, they have implemented a three-shift rotation system. However, with the budget being tight and staff taking time off due to health issues, they are also taking more breaks than usual. If the pace continues, fatigue will easily set in.

Although this presents a significant challenge at present, these employees are invaluable. If they can overcome this obstacle, they will become even more trustworthy. This task cannot be delegated to someone else, as it will be a crucial aspect of future operations. The most efficient solution would be to have the General Affairs Department assess and implement it.

Although I was hesitant to take time away from such busy individuals, the matter of Sekisei-shaku was also pressing. It takes time to implement a new system.

By leveraging my marriage to His Highness Auglia, I aim to gradually spread Sekisei-shaku. To accomplish this, I want to quickly establish the system, and I’m considering having Lord Balk receive the title first.

I visited the finance and management departments, which were busier than anticipated, but I was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception I received.

The increased availability of paper and pens has made work more efficient as well, as documents are now neatly organized and easier to read.

Initially, I believed that things had become more relaxed, but even with the new three-shift system in place, taking time off is still easy and taking a day off for health reasons is reportedly well-received.

Previously, it was difficult to keep track of who was responsible for what due to the use of wooden block-based documents. However, now that everything is recorded on paper, everyone follows the same format and even if some people are absent, the work can still continue smoothly as it’s clear from the records what has been sent from the local area.

However, while things appear to be busy, I was shown some documents that detail the production of wheat and rice, as well as the flow of money for exports and domestic consumption.

(Wow…! As Gauche said, the production of wheat hasn’t changed since the allergy outbreak, and in fact, the domestic consumption of rice, which used to be low in value, has increased and the flow of money remains consistent…!)

The value of exports hasn’t increased, but the amount of wheat being exported has dramatically risen. Wheat is a grain that can thrive in the two-furrow system, so even as the number of rice fields grows, the production volume doesn’t decrease.

On the other hand, there are currently no reports of people developing allergies to rice. This could be due to the fact that rice has been a staple food in the culture, causing more people to switch from wheat to rice, which has slightly increased the domestic value of rice and the amount grown.

For the citizens of this nation with grain storage facilities, the worth of rice and wheat is equivalent and their applications differ, which is evident.

Whether you are a farmer or a trader, officials comprehend this concept of balance, which is commendable.

In a marriage or between an employer and employee, both parties must be present for the relationship to function properly. It’s not a hierarchical relationship, but one based on mutual agreement. While the employer may have a higher position, they are not turning into slaves.

Agreements must be made to work, and agreements must be made to end the arrangement. Agreements must be made to enter into marriage, and agreements must be made to divorce.

If the person with the Sekisei-shaku title is involved in all domestic contracts, and if those who are illiterate can also place their trust in this Sekisei-shaku, then it is possible.

“Thank you! I apologize for the inconvenience, I’ll come back to help again in the future.”

I expressed my gratitude and left each department.

Rice and wheat. A balance to measure it. To make the most common thing in this country a symbol.

I’m glad I came to this country. I’m limited in my perspective, so I’m grateful to be in an environment where I can sincerely listen to others.