King-Chapter 1423 - 1: The Capital of a Vanquished Nation

Jade Palace. Even after the Noble Parliament passed its resolutions, Caesar IV’s heart remained uneasy.

The sudden initiation of reforms had certainly caught all sides off guard, but the potential hidden risks were no less significant.

If certain results could not be achieved before the Expeditionary Army returned home, those local factions holding real power might very well align themselves with the Conservative Faction.

"The Papal State’s military operations will conclude next year, leaving us with very little time!

The reform measures have already been issued; the next step will depend on their implementation.

Advancing one measure at a time will be far too slow, and time simply doesn’t permit it. Now we can only divide the work and proceed simultaneously.

The reason I’ve summoned everyone here today is to discuss the specifics of this division of tasks."

This was the solution Caesar IV had arrived at after much deliberation. Entrusting the entirety of the reform effort to one individual was simply too risky.

Should the reforms succeed, that leading minister of reform would essentially become another "Hudson."

One minister wielding overwhelming power was already too much; if one more emerged, his position as the King would truly become a mere rubber stamp.

But dividing the tasks was a different matter altogether.

If the reforms succeeded, it was reform under his royal leadership; if the reforms failed, the blame would rest on those responsible.

Among so many reform initiatives, some results were bound to emerge. As long as he managed the balance well, he would remain invincible.

A classic ploy of kingship, leaving the attendees torn between joy and worry.

Their King’s improved political acumen undoubtedly increased the chances of the reforms’ success; but for them personally, serving under such a leader was far from ideal.

When useful, one was addressed as "My Minister" and "trusted official," but when no longer of value, one was discarded as if worthless.

"Your Majesty, if we are to expand farming areas, the unclaimed lands near Snow Moon Lake are our only option.

They lie on the frontline bordering the Orcs and happen to be within my defensive territory. Assign the agricultural reforms to me!"

Marshal Hudson’s statement stunned everyone.

Clearly, no one had expected this Marshal, who usually avoided involvement in everything, to take the initiative in overseeing reform efforts.

But as they recalled the reasoning Hudson provided, the assembly immediately understood.

Indeed, opening up frontier lands for farming could not be done without the full cooperation of the military stationed there.

This challenging task was one that, aside from Hudson, no one else could feasibly accomplish even if they wished to.

Faced with an inevitable duty, it was better to step forward and claim it proactively.

Compared to other reforms, agricultural reform faced the least internal resistance, as it directly affected no one’s vested interests.

"Very well!"

"Marshal, the critical task of agricultural reform is entrusted to you!"

Caesar IV exclaimed with a face full of joy.

For a feudal dynasty, agriculture was always of paramount importance.

Debts could be postponed, but a shortage of grain meant starvation and death.

Theoretically, the Kingdom could extract enough minerals, forge sufficient weapons, and weave adequate fabrics as long as there was enough grain production...

With all preparations in place, the destruction of the Orc Empire would become straightforward.

At present, the forced pause in warfare seemed due to financial constraints, but at its core, it was a shortage of the Kingdom’s grain production.

After a brief pause, Caesar IV continued: "Marquis Felice, the Government Affairs Department must promptly relocate bankrupt freemen from all regions to Snow Moon Lake.

From now on, any freemen who go bankrupt will also be sent there for resettlement.

Additionally, under the pretext of border defense, conscript 300,000 serfs from across the land and hand them over to Marshal Hudson to assist in the farming effort.

I will issue orders to the Navy Department to transport half of the grain obtained from the Papal State directly to the frontlines.

A portion will be used for the farming efforts, and the remainder will be converted into military grain reserves.

If anything else is lacking, Marshal, you have only to say!"

Clearly, Caesar IV understood as well.

He knew that the Kingdom’s farming decrees would be meaningless to the freemen, who would simply refuse to comply. So he opted for mandatory relocation instead.

To expedite tangible results, he even summoned 300,000 serfs to participate in the farming efforts.

It was too late to plant any autumn crops, but if they worked quickly, they might still manage to sow some spring crops.

Grain for the frontlines was ten times more valuable than grain in the Capital.

Caesar IV’s expectations were modest—if half the garrisoned army’s grain needs could be met by the frontier farming, the agricultural venture would be deemed a success.

"Your Majesty, I must trouble you further!

We have the laborers for farming, and the grain issue is resolved. We can reforge decommissioned weapons into farming tools.

However, normal farming progress is too slow; it would take years to see results. The only way to accelerate the process is through the use of Magic.

Please issue a decree to the Kingdom Magic Academy and the Arcane Academy, instructing them to send professors and senior students to the frontlines for field training."

Hudson made the proposal unflinchingly.

When it came to currying favor and scoring political achievements, he was well-versed.

Since the King could conscript serfs to aid the effort, sending mage students to assist with farming was equally justifiable.

The direct enlistment of experienced Magicians was avoided mainly because they were difficult to command.

Young trainees, however, were a different story; by framing farming as critical to defeating the Orcs, their patriotic fervor could easily be stirred.

Hudson had prior experience in this regard. The rapid development in Snow Moon Territory owed at least half of its success to contributions from Magicians.

Other Noble Lords who engaged in land development often suffered significant losses and faced long periods before recouping their investments.

Snow Moon Territory, on the other hand, saw record-breaking grain yields year after year. It no longer needed aid from the Mountain Domains, all thanks to the tireless "efforts" of the Magicians.

Of course, such "efforts" came at a cost in wages.

Based on the market price of Magic Potions, the Kingdom Government would certainly be unable to afford it, leaving them reliant on unpaid labor instead.

"Very well!"

Caesar IV readily agreed.

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