From Baron to Lord

"What a magical species! What kind of creature is this?"

Sparrow's eyes lit up. The shrewd Finance Minister had long been prepared to give up the tribute from Moore Territory and the surrounding earldoms.

In his opinion, whether or not Allen had solved the source of the problem there, that land was ultimately ruined.

At least, it shouldn't be possible to cultivate crops there for decades.

He didn't expect Allen and Bacchus to give him such a surprise.

"Incredible! The God of War blesses the Duchy of Allen! Even Grand Duke Shack was helpless against this natural disaster, but you, Your Grace, were able to solve it directly! This is the will of God! The great and holy Duke is the true master of this land!"

While Sparrow was marveling at the magic of the earthworms, Oliver behind him had already knelt on the ground, his chubby body pressed tightly to the floor, and his bald head also touching the ground. This was a very high-level etiquette.

Generally speaking, a subject only needs to kneel on one knee to greet the Grand Duke. Oliver's posture of kneeling on both knees with his whole body pressed to the ground is rarely seen, except when worshiping gods, or when a subordinate is so grateful to their superior.

Even Sparrow and Marco had never knelt to Allen so devoutly.

Oliver's sudden kneeling in the hall shocked Bacchus, who was excitedly describing the earthworm problem.

Bacchus had always thought that he was the most devout person under Allen's command.

Now he was starting to doubt himself.

Oliver's actions were a model of bootlicking.

Allen glanced at Oliver, then twitched his lips: "Oliver, don't rub your fat body on my clean floor. Damn it, it's enough for you to focus your mind on finance!"

… … … … Seeking fresh flowers.

Allen's words made Oliver tremble all over. The bald Finance Minister quickly stood up, afraid that Allen would be unhappy and chop off his head.

"Your Grace, I would like to continue observing in Moore Territory for a while. It just so happens that the first snow is melting, and spring is coming. I want to see if the land with earthworms can maintain its fertility after cultivating crops,"

"If the earthworms in the soil can ensure that the fertility of the land remains unchanged or decreases very little, then we should be able to achieve three harvests a year, or even four. If we can have magic technology, then five harvests are not impossible."

Bacchus's love and research for agriculture is unmatched by anyone present.

"So, you're saying we can go directly from two harvests a year to three, or even five?!"

Allen smiled: "Under normal circumstances, land without the Spirit of Nature can only harvest about twice a year. This is only possible by planting crops in different seasons, which is two harvests a year."

But most of the time, it's still one harvest a year. Although this world has the Spirit of Nature, it doesn't have the technology to maintain the fertility of the land. Even if manure is used for irrigation, it's absolutely impossible to ensure that the fertility of the land doesn't decline. Most of the time, one harvest a year and two harvests a year are alternated to maximize the use of the land and prevent it from rapidly losing fertility and becoming barren.

"Are you sure you can achieve three to five harvests a year?"

If a stable harvest of two crops a year can be achieved, it would already be a great success for the Duchy of Allen.

If three harvests a year means that the Duchy of Allen will usher in a bumper harvest today, the wallets of the common people and Allen's treasury will quickly fill up.

If there could be four harvests a year… this would be equivalent to more than doubling the agricultural production level of the Duchy of Allen. In this world dominated by agriculture, the development and growth of agriculture is equivalent to a direct manifestation of economic growth.

The gross output value of the common people will rise linearly, and the Duchy of Allen may quickly become the richest country in the surrounding area. What I'm saying here is only relying on agriculture. Relying on agriculture alone can make it the richest duchy in the surrounding area.

Even Allen couldn't help but be moved and sigh. He didn't expect earthworms to be so powerful.

Originally, he only used earthworms as creatures to make fertilizer.

He didn't expect that earthworms would really give him such a big surprise. This is simply incredible. You must know that even in the world before his transmigration, even if there was something like fertilizer, it would not be possible to have five harvests a year, right?! A few.

Chapter 282: The Rise of Agriculture, The Idea of Forming a Chamber of Commerce (2)

"Yes, Your Grace, I can guarantee this."

Bacchus's expression was very firm. As long as he was sure that earthworms had the ability to guarantee the fertility of the land, then with his understanding and mastery of agricultural knowledge, as long as he planned the time segments well, he would be able to achieve four harvests a year even without magic or the Spirit of Nature.

Allen looked at the Minister of Agriculture with a firm and confident expression, and a satisfied look appeared in his eyes.

"Very good, Bacchus, you've done a good job. I allow you to continue observing in Moore Territory. Report to me immediately if there is any progress. Bacchus, don't let me down," Allen said with a smile.

"Bacchus will definitely not let you down, Your Grace!"

Bacchus said with his head held high. This Minister of Agriculture had finally found his future and direction in the Duchy of Allen. "Ding! Triggered side quest: The Rise of Agriculture! "847"

"The Rise of Agriculture: This land was once rich and fertile, but it has not been well utilized and protected. Now, as the lord, you have mastered beneficial magical creatures. Use them to achieve the rise of agriculture and complete the achievement of at least four harvests a year."

"Quest Reward: Experience Points * 300000, Ancient Blueprint."

Allen didn't expect that he would trigger a side quest again. He glanced at it roughly and felt more and more happy. Since the system had already issued the quest, then that meant that at least four harvests a year could be completed.

Allen only恍惚 for a moment before he came back to his senses. After all, he was in front of his ministers now. As a monarch, he should keep his attention focused at this time.

Listening to Bacchus's words, Allen smiled.

"Very good, that's the kind of momentum I want. Hey, Oliver, you should learn from him, don't always do useless things," Allen said to Oliver, who was standing next to Bacchus. "I understand, Your Grace," Oliver quickly nodded in agreement.

"Marco, send a team of twenty wolf cavalry to escort and protect Bacchus later," Allen said to Marco, who was standing on the steps in front of the throne.

As the Guardian Knight, Marco was the only person currently on the steps in front of Allen's throne, and also the person closest to Allen. "I understand, Your Grace, I will arrange it later."

Allen nodded, and Bacchus also finished his business and retreated to the side.

“Your Grace, it's late winter and early spring now. The winter snow is melting, and merchants from all over have begun to move around. I've already discussed and planned with Miss Anna.”

“During the winter, the duchy is mostly covered in heavy snow, and coupled with the scarcity of food, wild beasts often roam the wilderness.”

“This has led to many places not having trade for a month or two.”

“We can take this opportunity to establish our own merchant fleet in the Allen Duchy, to trade with other duchies. Also, I believe that if the duchy has its own merchant fleet and merchant guild, it will have a positive impact on the duchy's economic development.”

Sparrow immediately spoke, this was a question he had been pondering for a long time; he had thought about this issue before.

Sparrow had studied many merchant guilds, many merchant fleets, and the economic composition of the duchy, and so on.

In fact, although Sparrow was just a small official in an earldom, born into a declining noble family, without systematic study of business knowledge,

it is undeniable that this guy is really talented. Relying on his own observation and learning, he managed to become an official in the earldom. Later, he was fortunate enough to follow Allen, and it was like a fish in water, having the opportunity to display his talents and abilities.

At the same time, with Allen as a backer, he directly came into contact with the large merchant guilds in the kingdom. During that time, his growth was very rapid.

Until now, Sparrow has completely become a capable finance minister who can assist the Grand Duke.

“Oh?”

“Sparrow, tell me about it.”

Allen's interest was slightly piqued.

“It's like this, Your Grace, now that it's early spring, there aren't many merchant fleets active. If we can establish our own merchant guild at this time, then we can gain a certain advantage.”

“Also, I've thought about it. If we want to truly become wealthy, we should change our business development model.”

“Previously, we cooperated with the Roland Merchant Guild. Although we were very weak at that time and urgently needed a large amount of gold coins to develop the territory, and doing so at that time was also the best choice.”

“However, I don't think we need to rely too much on the Roland Merchant Guild anymore. After all, the Roland Merchant Guild is still a merchant guild of the kingdom. Although we received a lot of help from them before, we no longer need to continue this cooperative relationship now……”

Sparrow said calmly: “Of course, we can continue our previous cooperation, but in the future, we can try to open up our own commercial channels.”

“This is the best development. I have already discussed it with Miss Anna. The Roland Merchant Guild has no objections to this, and they are still willing to cooperate with the merchant guild we will form in the future.”

Sparrow's words made Allen think a little.

Indeed, with his current size, if he continues to cooperate with the Roland Merchant Guild as before, it's not that he's suffering a loss, but that it's not suitable.

By cooperating with the Roland Merchant Guild, Allen can easily open up commercial channels and earn a large amount of gold coins very easily.

But the relationship here is that Allen is a commodity provider, or rather, a creator of ideas.

Admittedly, his commodities and ideas are first-class, but he is only an individual with a creative mind.

Leaving the Roland Merchant Guild, perhaps he would get rich, but he would not be able to obtain the huge gold coin income that he would get from cooperating with the Roland Merchant Guild.

Moreover, Allen would need to spend time, energy, and gold coins to build relationships and build his own commercial network.

In a word, leaving the Roland Merchant Guild would cause Allen's economic system to plummet.

Although he and the King of Norton Kingdom seem to have a good relationship now.

1.7 But who knows what will happen in the future?

If Allen and the Norton Kingdom have a falling out, then the other party only needs one order, and his own economic system will collapse. How can this be allowed?

Allen understood this and immediately nodded: “Not bad, Sparrow, you are right, I support your idea, but have you thought about the establishment of the merchant guild and the merchant fleet?” Allen said to Sparrow.

Sparrow smiled: “Your Grace, I have been thinking about this issue all this time, and I already have a rough idea.” “If you have an idea, then go ahead and do it, Sparrow.” Allen nodded and agreed to Sparrow's proposal.

“Yes, Your Grace, I will not let you down.”

Sparrow said respectfully. After speaking, this shrewd and capable finance minister also retreated to the side.

Chapter 283 Mission: King of Aluke, Civilians Who Fear War (3)

“Ding, triggered side quest: Establish a Merchant Guild.”

“Establish a Merchant Guild: As a lord, after becoming a Grand Duke, you have discovered the problems within the duchy. An economy dependent on others is ultimately a phantom bubble, easily shattered. As a lord, you should take action immediately to establish your own merchant guild and begin your commercial journey.”

“Mission Reward: Experience Points * 300000, Mysterious Manual.”

Unsurprisingly, another mission was triggered. Allen was very satisfied with this. He could solve the problems in his territory and get rewards. This was simply too good.

The only thing that made Allen curious was what the Mysterious Manual that the system mentioned was. The previous mission, 'The Rise of Agriculture', rewarded an ancient blueprint.

The recent system rewards seem to be things that Allen can't figure out.

However, based on the principle that system products are all high-quality choices,

Allen still had great expectations.

The Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance had already spoken.

The remaining people also began to step forward one by one to communicate with Allen.

The official in charge of animal husbandry told Allen that the Allen Duchy's pastures were all located on a plain in the southeast, which had very high-quality pasture.

But there were also some drawbacks.

That was that it was too close to the Aluke Forest.

Beastmen and magical beasts often ran out of it, and cattle, sheep, and other creatures often became food for those guys.

In the era of the Shack Duchy, the method they adopted was military suppression.

Every year, they would suppress them about two to three times.

They would severely and bloodily suppress those beastmen and magical beasts who attacked cattle and sheep.

However, because the Aluke Forest was very vast, the Shack Duchy's army would only clear the outer creatures, so all along, those beastmen and magical beasts would still occasionally run out to hunt.

After all, compared to the other magical beasts in the Aluke Forest, the cattle and sheep on the nearby plains were obviously more delicious and easier to hunt.