Ch.216Budget (2)

“…Huh?”

The Administrative Office, which usually produced answers within days of receiving an order, failed to do so this time. It took an entire month.

Since the task involved surveying domestic infrastructure and determining priorities for reinforcement, it was natural that this project would take considerably longer. In fact, if they had delivered results in just a few days, I would have suspected they were being careless with their work.

“…Huh?”

And the results of the month-long investigation were quite unexpected.

There wasn’t enough money.

Not even close.

Even if we used all the funds raised from selling titles and the existing royal treasury, we couldn’t cover even a quarter of the budget needed for infrastructure construction.

“Public works have always been the quickest path to bankrupting a nation, Your Majesty. You know this well, don’t you?”

“That’s true… but this is still surprising. I hate to say it myself, but we raised a considerable amount from selling titles. To think it would all be gone like this…”

To be honest, I had underestimated the cost.

The combined wealth of the wealthy commoners and nobles had provided me with profits almost comparable to what ten years of factory-based manufacturing had generated.

And now that underestimation is mocking me. As if saying, “You dared to attempt infrastructure development with such a paltry sum?”

“Ahem, Your Majesty. Shouldn’t we refer to them as donations rather than sales proceeds?”

“…Ah, I misspoke. You’re right—it’s surprising that the costs vastly exceed not only the royal treasury but also the generous donations.”

Really, couldn’t he just let it slide when it’s just the two of us?

No, I should maintain proper habits even when no one is watching to avoid mistakes in public. Leclerc is right.

…Anyway, that’s not the important issue here.

“…Well, since we can’t do everything, shouldn’t we start with the most essential projects?”

“According to the report… reservoirs are listed as the highest priority, Your Majesty.”

“Then we’ll start with those.”

The report indicates that roads, ports, bridges, and such are much lower on the priority list.

Ports would be useless without ships to use them, and bridges, though crude, are already installed in most necessary locations. As for roads, many built during the ancient empire era are still in good condition, so we only need to repair damaged sections rather than rebuilding everything.

Above all, in most areas without roads, there was no need to insist on building them. Those places had rivers instead.

‘Areas without roads are concentrated near rivers, but since rivers exist, roads aren’t necessary…’

The purpose of building roads is to facilitate domestic logistics, and rivers can fulfill that role excellently.

No, not just excellently—rivers can handle far more cargo than roads. Even small boats can carry incomparably more goods than wagons.

For this reason, the Administrative Office officials assigned very low priority to road construction in areas with rivers.

And since rivers are widespread throughout the Kingdom of Lotaring, the conclusion was that modern roads would be nice to have but not essential.

“Regarding roads, bridges, ports, and tunnels, the Administrative Office officials have concluded that new construction isn’t necessary, so we should follow their recommendation. I find their conclusion quite convincing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. However, even the budget for building reservoirs exceeds the donations and royal treasury funds.”

“We’ll proceed with construction anyway. It’s not drastically insufficient, so we can make up the difference gradually. Since it’s for the nation’s benefit, we can draw from the national treasury as well.”

The budget is only somewhat exceeded, not overwhelmingly insufficient, so we can certainly proceed with the work.

Sigh, Leclerc is right—public works truly are the fastest path to bankrupting a nation.

But reservoirs are essential for supporting agriculture, the foundation of the nation, so we can’t avoid building them. Even if they’re expensive, people will surely understand.

……….

‘…What is all this?’

This was supposed to be a quiet rural village.

The scene before me is far from quiet.

More workers than villagers are digging with shovels and pickaxes, surrounded by tool storage sheds, makeshift cafeterias, and various other facilities.

Why does Lotaring’s landscape change so dramatically every time I visit?

Did they discover a mine or something? But mines aren’t dug this extensively—

“Hey you, are you here to deliver supplies?”

“Ah, no. I’m just passing through to Dijon for trade.”

“Then why are you standing in the middle of the road? You’re blocking traffic, so move along quickly.”

“Hahaha… I’m sorry, sir.”

Oh dear, I stopped my wagon without realizing it while I was sightseeing.

In the past, no one would have complained if I stopped my wagon while passing through a quiet rural village like this, but things are different now.

There are many cargo wagons traveling on the road.

It’s only natural to be scolded for stopping in a place like this.

“What are those people doing over there?”

Too curious to just pass by, I pulled my wagon to the side of the road and asked a passing villager.

The villager visibly grimaced, expressing his annoyance, but when I handed him a piece of jerky from my pocket, his attitude quickly changed to friendliness.

Tsk, tsk.

Well, at least he’s honest, unlike me.

“So… you were asking what those people are doing?”

“Yes, it doesn’t concern me directly, but when so many people suddenly gather in a quiet rural village like this, one can’t help but be curious. Did they find a mine or something?”

“A mine? No, not a mine. They’re just building a reservoir.”

That? That’s a reservoir?

“…Isn’t it too large for a reservoir?”

The reservoirs I know aren’t that big. It looks more like they’re creating a lake.

And they’re even erecting some kind of stone pillars at regular intervals up there.

“I found that strange too. The officials who came from the capital said that this place is especially important because it has a waterway leading to the royal capital, so it needs to be built large.”

“If that’s the reason… I can certainly understand.”

It’s a reservoir that supplies water to Dijon, the royal capital, and the surrounding major farmlands.

It does seem excessive, but since reservoirs are built as precautionary measures, even if they’re being overzealous, it’s not a major flaw.

“Wow, though reservoirs are widely known to be necessary, they’re so expensive that most rulers avoid building them. The King of Lotaring must be quite decisive.”

“Right? I think so too. Despite all the nasty rumors going around, from the common people’s perspective, there’s no better ruler.”

“Rumors?”

The farmer suddenly looked around nervously, as if worried someone might overhear, then leaned in close to whisper to me.

“Judging by your accent, you seem to be from the Empire, but surely you’ve heard some of it? That he created a forest of beautiful women, or that he dislikes the taste of commoners’ blood and prefers to drink the blood of nobles because it’s more refined.”

“Ah, yes… those rumors… Yes, I’m familiar with them.”

I thought it would be something new.

He’s talking about the Lotaring king’s usual behavior.

Born as an illegitimate child, becoming a duke, then king, and even consuming Caroling—such a figure’s every move becomes excellent gossip material. Because of this, people around the world know about the King of Lotaring’s actions, even if they’re distorted.

They were mostly actions that could hardly be considered moral… but this case is different.

Using money that could have been spent on luxuries to build reservoirs that other rulers avoid due to cost—for the benefit of the people—is something anyone would consider morally right.

“Hmm, seeing this, it seems that most of the malicious rumors must have been false. Despite being for the capital, building such a large reservoir—doesn’t this prove His Majesty’s moral character?”

“Uh… well… a few might be false, but most of them… probably aren’t…”

The old man tilts his head, scratching it as he speaks.

…Come on, he’s your country’s ruler.

When a foreigner praises your monarch, you should agree, not contradict them.

“…Ahem, well, you’re right.”

The old man, now seemingly embarrassed, finally agrees with my response.

Good grief, how troublesome.

“Building not just one but several such reservoirs in different places requires extraordinary determination. Yes, as you said, most of those rumors must have been false.”

“…Wait, several reservoirs?”

“Oh… didn’t I mention that? The official over there told me that reservoirs like this are being built in other places too.”

…What is this now?

They’re simultaneously building multiple reservoirs when even one strains the budget, administration, and workforce?

No, perhaps only this reservoir is large, and the others are normal or small.

“Are all the reservoirs the same size?”

“I only know what the official told me, but he said they vary by a few tenths at most. Maybe 30% difference at most?”

‘…I need to investigate this further.’

Simultaneously conducting large-scale public works projects that even the Empire in its prime couldn’t manage?

It doesn’t make sense.

If Lotaring’s national power were truly strong enough to handle this, I’d be slack-jawed with admiration. But if there’s something hidden here… I must find out and report it to His Majesty.