"… To the north of Yungesandra lies the Riedon Mountains and the Yunsheg Hills, which extend all the way to the sea. There's not much land and arable land there … Egret Lake lies to the south, surrounded by swamps. There's only a narrow corridor in the middle that can be used for farming. The population is not large. According to the census, the total population of the province is 580,000, including the Grand Duke of Vorendor's armed forces and 170,000 immigrants. Among them, there are 147,381 young men who can be deployed … "
"… After more than four months of exploration and investigation, we've discovered three exploitable iron mines in the Riedon Mountains and the Yunsheg Hills. Two of them are top-grade mines. There's one gold mine with medium reserves, estimated to be worth 500,000 gold fords per year. Seven copper mines, all of which are small reserves. In addition, there are 20 valuable mines that can be mined. The largest reserve of mineral material was Bai Kui soil, which was a superior type of clay used to produce white pottery. After research, we believe that we can use Baigui soil to form a large-scale pottery industry, making it a specialty of Yungesandra province … "
"… If we build a dam along the border between Egret Lake and the territory, we can reclaim the swamps of Yungesandra province into tens of millions of acres of fertile land. Not only will the barren Yungesandra province become a major food production province, we can also use the advantage of being close to Egret Lake to develop fishing processing and breeding industries. At the same time, we suggest that the fields near the northwest mountains be planted with flax and fine hemp, developing the textile industry … "
"… Based on the comprehensive investigation and exploration report of Yungesandra province, we've formulated a five-year development plan. We'll need 300,000 to 400,000 workers, and the estimated development fund is 7 million gold fords. We'll use five years to completely transform the infrastructure of Yungesandra province, and complete the preliminary arrangements for the development of various industries … "
On the 16th of December 1785 in the Galinthia Continent calendar, Baron Sederkamp, who was appointed by Laurist to be in charge of the comprehensive investigation and exploration of Yungesandra province, returned to the Grizzlebear City with the Grand Duke of Vorendor. He reported the results of the investigation and the development plan of Yungesandra province to Laurist and the higher-ups of the family.
As Laurist's personal servant when he was young, Serdcamp could be considered a late bloomer. After Laurist returned to the Northlands, he left Laurist's side and became responsible for the development of his family's territory. He was made an honorary baron by Laurist during the New Year celebrations last year. The fact that Sederkamp, who was originally a servant, was able to rise to the ranks of nobles was partly due to Laurist's appreciation of him, and partly due to his hard work.
After being appointed by Laurist as the supervisor in charge of the joint development of the Yungesandra Province, he dutifully led nearly a hundred officials and technical experts of his family to complete a comprehensive survey and exploration of the Yungesandra Province with the cooperation of the Grand Duke of Vorendor. He had lost a lot of weight, and his diligence had won the admiration of the Grand Duke of Vorendor. He was impressed by the number of talents in the Norton Family …
However, the huge development fund of seven million gold fords was also a big burden for the Norton family. Director Spear was adamantly against the joint development of the Yungesandra province by the Norton family and the Flondor family. She thought that if it was two or three million gold fords, the Norton Family could lend it to the Grand Duke of Vorendor. After all, the gold fords were the family's reserves, and they wouldn't produce any gold coins even if they were left in the treasury.
However, seven million gold fords was more than half of the family's reserves, and it was too risky to lend it to the Grand Duke of Vorendor. Currently, the family's reserves were only thirteen million gold fords, and Laurist was preparing to build a large palace complex in the southeastern suburbs of the Furious Bears City to show off the Norton Family's power. Master Siroba was already preparing to survey the terrain and design it. It was estimated that it would cost at least three million gold fords.
Director Spear couldn't imagine the consequences if the family only had three million gold fords left. What if they encountered a natural disaster or an unexpected disaster? For other families, three million gold fords was enough for them to live freely for the rest of their lives. However, for the Norton Family, which occupied the entire Northern Region and had more than two million subjects, three million gold fords was not even enough to fill the gaps between their teeth if they encountered a major disaster. General Manager Spear was already worried sick about Lollister's whimsical decisions. Couldn't he just let the adorable Kinford stay in the family's warehouse? That way, General Manager Spear would be able to sleep more peacefully …
"Your Highness, why did you suddenly decide to build a large palace complex in the southeastern suburbs? Although the situation is peaceful now, it doesn't mean that we can enjoy life to our heart's content … "Fatty Shi, who couldn't hold back his curiosity, came to Laurist to ask him about it.
Laurist smiled bitterly. This was the limitation of the times. Fatty Shi was an outstanding and famous figure in the Andinac Kingdom's noble circle. Even the second prince envied the Norton Family for having such a chief administrative officer and chief knight. However, Fatty Shi also didn't realize the economic crisis hidden under the peaceful situation.
In the past few years, although Laurist had led the family's armed forces to fight in the four central duchies for two years, the development of the family's territory didn't stop. Ever since the population of the Northern Region reached more than two million, the lack of manpower was alleviated. The family's territory was thriving, and the economy was developing rapidly. But the premise was that the family's large-scale development of the Northern Region had increased the demand. Currently, the overall development of the Northern Region was either completed or nearing the end stage. Without these large-scale development projects, the flourishing production scene of the family's territory would be hit hard by the cold winter.
"Have you seen Director Spear's financial report and Baron Barlek's report on the development of the family's mines?" Laurist asked.
Without Manager Hansk's objections and obstructions, Old Man Barlek, who was in charge of the development of the family's mines, was finally conferred the title of Baron by Laurist for more than ten years of conscientious service to the family. He went from being a foreman in charge of the family's small copper mine to a noble of the territory. This was also a very inspiring example.
"Yes, I have. This year, the family's financial income is good. The income reserve increased by two million gold coins. This is the first time our family has achieved such a high net profit. I've also seen Baron Barlek's report. Last year and this year, the number of mines in the Northern Region increased by more than 1,300. Most of them were invested by the honorary nobles and businessmen who transferred to our family. These investments almost doubled our family's income from industrial and commercial taxes last year. Now, the development of the business in our territory is going well. This year's income is expected to reach a new high … "Fatty Shi had a good memory, and he knew all the key figures clearly.
Laurist shook his head, picked up another document from the desk, and handed it to Fatty Shi. "Take a look at this. I asked Howard to send someone to investigate."
Fatty Shi took it and saw that it was a report on all the factories and mines in the territory of the Walebell Intelligence and Investigation Bureau. The investigation was very simple, and that was the inventory of the products in the factories and mines.
Opening the file, Fatty Shi read aloud, "Forty percent, thirty-eight percent, thirty-two percent, forty-one percent..."
"Your Highness, this is …" Fatty Shi seemed to have thought of something, and looked up at Laurist.
Laurist picked up the fruit wine on the table, poured himself a glass, and gestured for Fatty Shi to help himself. "These two years, the economic development of our family's territory has been very strong, mainly because of these factors. First, Duke Fisabro has given Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce orders of two million gold coins for two years in a row. These goods are all produced by our family's mines. Second, Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce has received permission from Duke Fisabro to enter the Northeastern Prairie and trade with the Barbarian tribes. Two years ago, they sold goods worth one million gold coins, and this year, they sold goods worth two million gold coins.
The third factor is our family's internal needs. The four hundred thousand refugees who migrated from the central region have settled down and have some savings. They need to buy some daily necessities and consumables for their families and loved ones. Also, Head Coldan is in charge of the renovation and construction of the transportation facilities in the Northern Lands. The nearly seventy thousand mountain barbarian laborers also need large amounts of meat, ale, and other daily necessities.
These three factors have caused the various mines in our family's territory to enter a period of non-stop production and expansion. At the same time, more people are optimistic about the development of this area, and have invested in the production of daily necessities and processing plants. This is the real reason why our family's territory seems to be flourishing this year. "
Laurist finished the fruit wine in the golden glass in one gulp. "Remember what I told you before? Most of the merchants are people who chase after profits but lack foresight. Nobles like these are actually merchants. They covet the peaceful living environment in the North and the profits from the large production orders. They invest in all kinds of factories, mines, and workshops in our family's territory.
Investing is a good thing, but they only chase after two huge purchase orders, which will turn a good thing into a bad thing. Looking at this investigation report, you can see that most of the mines and factories these merchants have built in the Northern Lands are industries that our family's territory already owns. If these production units in the same industry do not have a market that can sell the goods they produce, it will only bring about vicious competition and price cuts. When they produce too many goods and can't sell them, the result will be bankruptcy and we will have to clean up their mess. "
Fatty Shi already understood the meaning of Laurist's words. "Your Highness, is there a problem with the purchase orders of the Fisablun Family and Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce?"
Laurist nodded. "The Fisablun Family's purchase orders of nearly two million gold coins every year for the past two years are actually a show of goodwill to our family. I've told you before that they don't need so many daily necessities and supplies at all. It's just that most of them are sold to the Barbarian Grass Tribe. And after two years of trading with the Barbarian Grass Tribe, the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce has also confirmed the amount of goods they purchase from our family's production units.
Everything has a limit. Just like the Fisablun Family and the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce, there is also a limit to the volume of their trade with the Barbarian Grass Tribe. Although there are many Barbarian Grass Tribe, most of them are very poor. Whether they buy the daily necessities and supplies from the Fisablun Family or the goods brought over by the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce, there is a consumption limit and a limit. If they exceed this limit, they can't spend.
A few days ago, Duke Fisablun gave me a clear answer. This year, they are prepared to purchase less than a million gold coins from our family. And Duke Kenneth also confirmed the purchase order for the Northeastern Prairie to trade with the Barbarian Grass Tribe next year, which is only 1.2 million gold coins.
That's why I asked Schwald to investigate those factories and mines that are desperately producing and borrowing money to expand. When they find out that they can't sell the goods they produce, they are finished. This will have a very bad impact on our Northern Lands. Looking at the map, we will find that the only markets we can sell our goods are in the few provinces around the Northern Lands. It's not that we can't open a market in other places, but those places can't afford to buy our goods. "
"I think I understand what Your Highness means. Building that palace complex in the southeast of Raging Bear City is to pull in the internal demand of the family's territory …" Fatty Shi said thoughtfully.
"No, that is only a very small aspect." Laurist smiled. "In January next year, I will announce the purchase order from the Fisablun Family and the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce. I believe this news will cause a large number of factories and mines in the family's territory to fall into chaos. If they can't sell the goods they produce, they will go bankrupt and close down. That's why your task next year is to be responsible for the reorganization and support of these factories and mines in the family's territory.
Reorganization means that only two or three production units in the same industry are needed. The purchase order will be given to them to produce, so that they can form a competitive relationship with each other to ensure quality and product progress.
And support means providing financial support to the new production units in the family's territory that haven't been established yet, encouraging them to develop and grow. Currently, the family's situation isn't tense, and there are no enemies around. This is a rare period of peaceful development. That's why the family's territory has to eliminate the outdated production units and encourage the establishment of new production units.
For example, the palace complex that I'm planning to build will have to be built with higher-grade materials. Now is not the war-torn Northern Lands. Peaceful and peaceful life will gradually improve people's enjoyment of life. That's why if we set up some high-end production units for daily necessities and consumables in advance, we will always have the upper hand in the market and reap huge profits.
Also, I've decided to invest in the territory of the Grand Duke of Flondor and develop the Yungesandra province together with them to cultivate a market. Think about it, after the development of the Yungesandra province is completed in five years, there will be an additional sales market for our products in the family's territory. Money has to be circulated in the market to be useful, and it's not safe to store it in the family's warehouse like Spear suggested … "
On the 4th of February, 1786, the Norton Family and the Flondor Family signed an agreement to jointly develop the Yungesandra province. The Norton Family would provide the Flondor Family with seven million gold fords development funds within five years. They would also send an advisory team led by Baron Sederkamp to assist the Flondor Family in implementing the territory's development plan. Five years later, the Flondor Family would repay the Norton Family the development investment. The repayment would be two million gold fords a year for five years, and the total repayment would be ten million gold fords.
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