Episode 135 Territory Expansion Plan Part 1 - The Saga of Lioncourt

Winter, in the season when snow piles up, in the middle of the night. I was jolted awake by the bitter liquid surging into my mouth, and I jumped out of bed. "Gweh, ugh." I somehow managed to get away from the bed and vomit the half-digested dinner onto the floor. "Honey! What's wrong?! Someone, get a doctor!" Sumina was startled by my condition and shouted out. "...It's okay, I just felt a bit nauseous... that's all." I tried to calm my labored breathing and spoke to Sumina. "You should rest, I'll go call someone." Sumina swiftly dressed and left the room. Left alone, I collapsed back onto the bed without energy. Lina had also gone to sleep alone, leaving only me in the room. There was a burning discomfort in my chest and throat. ...Clearly, it's getting worse... I stared absentmindedly at the ceiling, feeling a sense of unease. It might not be just gastritis or esophagitis. ...It's alright. There's no need to fuss over a chronic stomach issue... the symptoms are different from that time... I checked the worst-case scenario in my mind and suppressed my fear of death. ...It's alright... this isn't that illness... As I repeatedly reassured myself that "it's alright" and calmed my heart, I heard multiple footsteps approaching. It seemed Sumina had brought someone. ...This isn't good... I came back to my senses and realized I wasn't dressed. First, I quickly put on some pants as the footsteps neared. ...The next day... Seeing my condition last night, Sumina was worried, but when she saw me completely fine in the morning, she seemed a bit relieved. I was actually feeling perfectly fine now. "Are you really okay?" "Yeah, it's winter. I'll be working in the realm's capital, so don't worry about it." During winter, with the snow, there’s not much opportunity to go outside. Today, I was scheduled to discuss some petitions raised by the city council with my uncle Rodrigue. Sumina tried to insist, but I hugged her, saying, "It's okay," to pacify her. Sumina's plump body was tightly packed with flesh even on the back, making it quite a comfortable embrace. Sumina might be what they call a "faithful wife," and I have a strong affection for her. I hold equal love for my other wives... but this feeling is different. "Sumina, shall we think about having another child?" When I whispered in her ear, she laughed shyly, "I'm not at that age anymore." Sumina is 33... soon to be 34. It's still an age where she could bear children, but according to Amoros's perspective, it's already middle-aged. Perhaps there's a sense of embarrassment in actively trying for more children. "Why not? How about now?" "Oh, Rodrigue-sama is waiting for you." Sumina pushed me out of the room. It went according to plan. I promptly joined my guards and headed to Rodrigue's mansion. Recently, even Uncle has aged, and during snowy times, we have him manage his duties from his own residence. My mother Lucienne fell and became in need of care... It would be troubling if something happened to Uncle as well. Rodrigue, being a warrior, might find it offensive to be treated as an old man, but he was surprisingly straightforward, saying "I appreciate it," which was a relief. We walked through the snow-covered roads. In the square of the city, many merchants had set up stalls and were calling out to customers amidst the falling snow. Due to the bad weather, there seemed to be fewer passersby. ...They really have it tough in this cold... I passed through the square without stopping. If things wrap up quickly, it might be nice to buy something to bring back. My bedridden mother, Lucienne, favors seafood... dried fish, salted fish, fish sauce—all of which can now be found easily in the square. What a convenient time we live in. While thinking such thoughts, we arrived at Uncle's mansion. Though slightly old, it had a well-maintained presence that reflected Rodrigue’s personality. Rodrigue had passed on his lands to his heir, Roger, and managed administrative duties from his capital residence. He is effectively the Minister of the Interior, often referred to as the Chancellor. "Thank you for coming, Varian. Today, several city councilors are here as well. Everyone’s already gathered." In Rodrigue's mansion, Uncle himself came to greet me, even though I was a king, he was family... an elder relative. It made me a bit humbled. "I see, I'm sorry for being late." "No need to apologize, we couldn't possibly let the king wait. They merely arrived early." Led by Rodrigue, I proceeded to the drawing room where several familiar gentlemen were lounging comfortably. It seemed the councilors were relaxing in the wide room. There were four councilors, and including me and Uncle, we would be holding a meeting with six people. After we exchanged brief greetings, Rodrigue prompted the senior councilor with a nod, "Let's get started," he said. Encouraged by Rodrigue, I and the councilors took our seats across from each other at the prepared table. The senior councilor cleared his throat dramatically... quite the ostentatious gesture. "Then, allow me to begin... I've already informed Rodrigue-sama, but we seek Your Majesty's assistance concerning the increase of the impoverished in the realm's capital..." According to the councilor’s explanation, the impoverished citizens have been increasing and forming a slum outside the castle walls. It has started becoming a social issue, and they have turned to me for a solution. It's a given, but the poor live hand-to-mouth, and the slum tends to become a hotbed for crime and disease. Several times I have conducted cleanup operations whenever a slum was formed (as mentioned in Chapter 89) and eradicated them, but this time the numbers are too great, compounded by different circumstances. "Why has the number increased so much? We can clear the slum by force each time, but what's the root cause?" When I asked, the councilors eagerly began to share their opinions. "Due to Your Majesty's policies, the 'Winter Sickness' has decreased, and hence, mortality rates have lowered." "In the first place, the current population exceeds what the realm's capital can accommodate." "Many of them have steady jobs, but there's nowhere for them to live." Listening to everyone’s opinions in quick succession, I nodded in understanding. It seems the population had exceeded the capital’s capacity. The patients with vitamin deficiencies common in winter reduced due to the sauerkraut and salted turnips I promoted. Moreover, with the increase in trade, furs became more accessible, and rocket stoves have started to become popular in affluent households, leading to fewer deaths from freezing. Farming outputs have also risen, likely reducing deaths from starvation. Over the recent years, my governance has started bearing fruit, resulting in fewer deaths during winter. Of course, without statistical data, there’s no precise number, but it's certainly decreased enough for the residents to feel, "There are fewer deaths now." Additionally, the expansion of trade and the emergence of new industries have created new employment opportunities, increasing the number of people with stable jobs. In essence, this is wonderful news... In winter cities, there was an aspect where impoverished individuals, having nowhere to go, would perish in droves, thereby serving as a "population adjustment." For instance, whenever a new child is born in a rural village, the fourth and fifth sons are sent away as "mouths to feed" and travel to the city in search of work. Naturally, going to the city without any connections doesn't magically land them a job. Most of them end up in states close to homelessness, often succumbing to starvation or freezing during the winter. This cycle has broken, and as people flowed into the capital city, they found employment and the population gradually increased. It's good that the population is growing, but the capital is a walled fortress city. There's a limit to the available land for housing, and naturally, people start to set up makeshift homes outside the city walls... hence the formation of a slum. Of course, this happens without permission. Even those with steady jobs are often poor and forced to live outside the walls, and those slums inevitably attract shady characters of unknown backgrounds. You can't destroy it, but you can't ignore it either. It's like an adolescent pimple. "I see. It's hard to evict those who have jobs, but the formation of slums is problematic, isn't it?" "Indeed. These people have jobs because there's employment available. If we evict them all, many shops and craftsmen wouldn't survive." A councilor responded thoughtfully to my words. The councilors looked grave, but to me, it didn't seem like such a serious issue. If there's no space to accommodate them, then we should just create it. "If the capital is too cramped, just tear down the walls. The defense of Lioncourt relies on the western fortress city of Portue and Kocars Castle to the north. The capital doesn't need its defensive function." "No, we can't do that. As you know, Lioncourt has a long history of internal strife. Though things are calm now, it would be disastrous if a rebellion broke out and the capital was seized. We can't let our guard down; the walls are necessary." Rodrigue immediately opposed my suggestion. The councilors nodded in agreement. They must be from a generation familiar with the civil wars. ...Indeed, it might be unwise to eliminate preparations for tomorrow just because the present is peaceful... In times of peace, one must not forget the possibility of turmoil; Rodrigue's reasoning is indeed sound. "Then expansion is the only solution. So, the actual request is for the expansion of the capital city... quite a roundabout way to get there." When my single eye glared at them, the councilors awkwardly averted their gazes. "Come now, let's not get hasty... discussing things in order helps you see the reasoning clearer, doesn't it?" As Rodrigue appeased me, he spread out a map... a map of the areas surrounding the capital. When I sarcastically commented, "You came prepared," Rodrigue casually replied, "It's wisdom that comes with age." From here, it seems we will move on to discussions about the expansion of the capital.