Chapter 222: You’ll Come With Me
The meeting had highlighted several problems in the domain, but at least the people now had surplus grain and no longer feared starvation.
However, beyond staple foods, they lacked vegetables or other cash crops.
This was his next challenge. Future industries would require raw materials like cotton, silk, and hemp.
Thinking of this, Simon remembered tung oil, a waterproofing agent for ships that was also scarce in his domain. He’d have to purchase it from elsewhere.
"Industrial development is truly difficult." He sighed, gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexity of a complete industrial system.
Unlike his current situation, where he constantly lacked materials or parts.
Back in his chambers, Simon began drafting detailed blueprints, general layouts, concrete structures, steel reinforcement diagrams, and joint designs.
His meticulous approach aimed to establish a foundation for Brambleford’s construction industry. In modern times, his homeland was renowned as a construction powerhouse. He intended to build that reputation now.
After working all day, he finally completed the drawings by evening, though his hands ached from exhaustion.
"My Lord, you haven’t even eaten lunch?"
Joan entered with dinner, frowning when she saw his untouched midday meal.
Simon smiled. "Ah, I forgot."
"You’re so dedicated, but your health matters too." Joan chided gently.
Over the past year, Simon had grown comfortable around the two maids. "Alright, alright. Now you sound just as nagging as Ysabeau."
Joan, once timid around him, had grown bolder, a change Simon appreciated. A silent companion would’ve been dull.
As she picked up the untouched lunch tray, Joan suddenly remembered something. "My Lord, is the loom ready? Ysabeau and I visited the textile workshop. If the looms arrive, we’ll recruit skilled girls from nearby counties to work there."
"That... Might take a few more days. After I return from Ashenford. The Machinery Department hit some snags while building the looms. I’ll need to inspect them myself." Simon said, frustrated.
He’d assigned this task before leaving for Eldora, but without his supervision, the craftsmen, new to loom production, had run into issues.
"You’re going to Ashenford again?" Joan’s expression shifted slightly.
Simon noticed. "Yes. Why?"
"My Lord, before entering the castle, I was from Ashenford. I was sold to Eldora and later chosen by Her Majesty to serve in the castle. It’s been over ten years now."
"You’re from Ashenford?" Simon blinked. "Why didn’t you mention this earlier?"
"You never asked," Joan murmured.
Simon chuckled. "My oversight. Since you’re from Ashenford, what can you tell me about it? Where are your parents? I could take you to visit them during this trip."
At this, Joan’s eyes reddened. "My Lord, my parents were fishermen. They were killed by Latin pirates at sea. I sold myself to buy them coffins. If any family remains, it would be my elder brother. But he swore vengeance and went to sea. I don’t know if he’s alive anymore."
By the end, she was quietly crying.
Every servant girl had a tragic past; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been sold so young.
Simon softened. "Then come with me to Ashenford. You know the area, so you might assist me. And you can revisit your hometown."
"Thank you, Your Highness! I’ll prepare right away." Joan bowed gratefully.
She’d never dared mention this before; servants weren’t supposed to reconnect with family. Only Simon’s kindness had given her the courage.
Watching Joan skip out like an excited deer, Simon shook his head. This trip to Ashenford wouldn’t be simple.
---
Outside Ashenford City, Montey stood gazing at the vast coastline, his brow furrowed.
The endless sea and the salty ocean breeze were the challenges he had faced since becoming the Governor of Ashenford.
With the Salt Transport Office headquartered in Ashenford, his responsibilities were even heavier. Not only did he have to verify and report monthly salt production figures to Brambleford, but he also had to deal with the relentless salt smugglers infiltrating the region.
Among the six cities, Ashenford had the smallest population, only about 100,000 households. Most of these were scattered across counties outside the city, with Ashenford itself housing just 50,000 households, totalling around 100,000 people.
Many of these residents made their living by fishing, as the sea stretched endlessly beyond Ashenford’s walls.
But in recent years, Latin pirates had become increasingly active along the coast, killing many fishermen and forcing others to abandon their trade.
Yet, fishermen accustomed to life on the sea had little interest in farming. As a result, the land redistribution policy had been poorly implemented in Ashenford, especially in a coastal village called Bay Town.
Nestled by the sea, the village had no arable land nearby. The allocated farmland was too far away, so the villagers refused to relocate, continuing to risk fishing in nearby waters. Some even turned to smuggling salt, a capital offence in the Eldorian Empire.
The rise of smugglers meant fewer official salt sales, severely impacting the Salt Transport Office’s revenue, something Montey could not allow.
A native of Ashenford, Montey had originally served as Deputy Governor. But after the local aristocratic families were purged, he, a low-born official with no ties to the elites, was promoted to Governor.
Overnight, his fortunes had soared, and he was deeply grateful to Prince Simon. Determined to prove himself, he threw himself into his duties, leaving no room for negligence.
Thus, the salt smugglers had to be dealt with, for the Prince’s trust.
But after six months of cat-and-mouse, he still hadn’t captured the ringleader, a man named Desmond.
After three days of deliberation, Montey finally resolved to force the smugglers out.
"Governor, we truly don’t know Desmond. Please, let us go!"
The village of Bay Town was now surrounded by hundreds of Ashenford soldiers. All three hundred villagers had been rounded up.
"Nonsense! The records clearly state Desmond is from Bay Town. How can you claim ignorance?" Montey brandished a household register.
He continued coldly. "Word came from Brambleford that His Highness will arrive in Ashenford soon, likely within days. I’ve been lenient until now, but your continued defiance leaves me no choice. You will all be taken in for questioning!"
With a wave of his hand, the soldiers moved to detain the villagers.
Just then, an official galloped over urgently. "Governor Montey, His Highness has arrived!"