Chapter 99: Undersold Resources
Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was the end of June.
The rice in Black Forest Island’s paddies had begun to turn yellow. In another ten days to half a month, the harvest season would arrive.
While the farmers prepared for the harvest, they also actively planned their cultivation for the latter half of the year.
If they were to continue with a late rice crop, they would need to prepare seeds in advance, rushing to harvest and then immediately replant.
If they considered crop rotation, they would also have to decide what crops to plant.
The Agricultural Officer, Haien, also grew busy.
Duane now controlled a vast area of farmland, and ensuring a full harvest required a sufficient labor force.
Haien allocated manpower while also using his expertise in planting to provide guidance to the island’s farmers.
During this time, the General Affairs Consultant, Julian, and the steward, Ralph, finally completed the inventory and seizure of all assets belonging to the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association.
If Monbodt was a major landowner on Black Forest Island, then Bard and Daniels were super-landowners.
The farmland in their possession exceeded 1,300 acres!
To put that in perspective, the total farmland of Broken Wave Bay, Forest Village, and Hutou Village combined was just over 3,100 acres. The two of them alone held nearly half of it.
After what remained was further exploited by Uleir and his ilk, the farmers were left with almost no land of their own.
After eliminating the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association, Duane confiscated some of the land belonging to Gaius and others, while also distributing some of the land he now controlled.
First, he allocated some land to Julian, Ralph, and others, generally in plots of five to eight acres.
This was a reward and benefit for his early followers and officials.
Additionally, he granted a good deal of land to the Guards who fought bravely and to several outstanding members of the Militia, totaling over fifty acres.
As for the rest, it was all claimed by the Lord.
Although the ownership of the land had changed, Duane wanted to ensure there were no major disruptions to the farmers’ lives. To that end, he ordered that the land continue to be cultivated by the same farmers for the time being. Any future changes in tenancy would be implemented gradually.
Therefore, the change in power on Black Forest Island did not have a major impact on the farmers.
At least, not as much as the Lord’s reduction of their land rent.
Lately, the farmers looked at the golden fields and knew it was a season of bountiful harvest.
When they also thought of the Lord’s tax reduction policy, they couldn’t help but look forward to a better life in the future.
After all, for most of them, so-called rights and status didn’t matter. They only cared about how much grain they could get and whether they could eat their fill.
The new Lord seemed capable of helping them achieve this wish.
And so, without realizing it, they had begun to support Duane in their hearts.
"My Lord, there is a matter that requires your instruction."
Having received his reward, Julian had become even more respectful.
He had followed Duane out of loyalty to Lord Carter, but also with the hope of securing a better future for himself. The two motivations did not conflict.
Now, it seemed his choice, which had felt like a bit of a gamble, had been the right one.
Duane stopped his brush. On the paper was a building in a Chinese style.
Over the past period, he had drawn all sorts of pavilions and terraces, hoping to transform Black Forest Island into a place that felt familiar to him.
"What is it? Go ahead."
"Dr. Ronald has treated the 126 slaves that were imprisoned by Daniels. Fewer than forty of them have fully recovered; the rest are all ill to varying degrees."
Julian briefly described the group’s overall situation.
"Of these people, 23 have already returned home, leaving 65 who are homeless."
What he wanted to ask was how this group should be settled.
Duane pondered for a moment before asking, "Of these 65 people, how many can support themselves... I mean, how many are capable of working?"
"About twenty-four or twenty-five, I’d say."
Duane said, "Then provide them with some supplies and housing. Rent some land out for them to farm, or arrange work for them. Let them earn their own keep through labor."
Julian nodded. This was a very appropriate arrangement for the twenty-odd people who were able to work.
"I don’t know how to handle the rest."
Julian was troubled. "Among them are a dozen or so children under the age of five. Their development is stunted, and they appear dazed and slow. There are also six adults who are mentally unstable and have completely lost their ability to work."
After being penned up like animals by Daniels, even a normal person could become witless.
Out of more than a hundred people, only six had gone completely mad. To be honest, that number was already quite low.
Julian looked at the young Baron.
If it were any other noble, they probably wouldn’t even ask about these people, and he could have suggested simply ignoring them.
But he knew Duane was not that kind of noble.
However, supporting these people would undoubtedly add to the Lord’s Mansion’s expenses.
For a moment, he didn’t know what the best course of action was.
Duane was silent for a long while before he spoke slowly.
"For these children, we need to provide an environment for them to survive and raise them to adulthood."
No matter the quality of the environment we can provide, we must at least ensure they survive.
"As for those who have gone mad, we cannot abandon them either."
Julian said, "The children can be raised and might one day work for you, my Lord. But those who are mad will likely never contribute anything until the day they die."
"No, no, no. This isn’t about expecting a return from them."
Duane shook his head in disagreement. "I’ve said it before: I want to build Black Forest Island into a relatively healthy society. And a healthy society would never abandon the old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled to fend for themselves."
"Alright, then..."
Julian bowed. "Your benevolence once again fills me with the utmost admiration! I will discuss a method with Ralph for taking care of this group."
This world did not yet have concepts like sanatoriums or nursing homes, so Duane offered a suggestion of his own.
"You can establish a ’convalescent home’ to specifically take in and care for these people, giving them a stable living environment."
"At the same time, you can publicize this effort. There are bound to be some kind-hearted people on the island who will become volunteers and care for them without pay after hearing about it. This will also help alleviate the pressure of being short-staffed."
The conditions on Black Forest Island weren’t great, but that didn’t mean there were no kind souls to be found.
And even if there were none now, once the living conditions improved in the future, such people would certainly appear.
Duane’s actions might seem a bit idealistic right now, but it was like planting a seed of ’compassion’ that would one day sprout.
Ralph, who had been listening from the side, couldn’t help but sigh. "I imagine only you, my Lord, would be willing to spend money on something like this."
Duane shook his head. "In reality, it won’t cost much. Besides, with a little guidance, these children can do a lot for us when they grow up."
"As for those who are mad, who’s to say their conditions won’t improve once their living environment gets better?"
Ralph nodded. "You have a point, my Lord."
Most nobles selected useful people from among the descendants of their servants or other familiar individuals, as this existing relationship made them more trustworthy.
The Brian Clan had shallow roots, and Duane’s posting to the remote Black Forest Island put him at an even greater disadvantage.
If these children from the convalescent home were raised well, they could indeed become more trustworthy people in the future.
The three of them discussed the matter of the convalescent home for a while longer before settling on a concrete implementation plan.
Next, Julian reported on three other resources: oak trees, well salt, and the iron mine.
Of these, Duane was most concerned about the iron mine.
The Iron Mine was located in the Hot Spring Mountain Range. On a typical day, over 120 miners worked there, producing nearly 500,000 pounds of iron ore annually.
In previous years, the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association sold an average of about 330,000 pounds of iron ore to the Starfall Islands each year, for a net income of 150 Gold Coins.
Upon hearing this, Duane’s brow furrowed slightly.
On the open market, iron ore sold for between 5 and 15 Copper Coins per pound.
Only ore of very poor quality would sell for the lowest price.
According to Julian’s report, the quality of Black Forest Island’s iron ore wasn’t that bad, yet they were selling it externally for 5 Copper Coins per pound.
"Bard and Daniels were practically giving the resources away!"
Duane was displeased. "Those merchants from the Starfall Islands must have made a fortune off Black Forest Island!"
Julian couldn’t help but agree. "By my estimate, the iron ore here could be priced at around 10 Copper Coins per pound. The people from the Starfall Islands really have been making a killing!"
Duane clicked his tongue and said sarcastically, "Bard and Daniels really knew how to do business!"