New chapter of May Our Village be Happy is out (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Diplomacy and Gifts

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

While continuing the clearing of the forest, the hunting, and the tending of farmland, the month of May passed peacefully, and the beginning of June arrived. Mika made use of a cylindrical device delivered by Earnest as a component, and with the assistance of Dimitri, completed the construction of a new farming implement which was a threshing machine.

This device consisted of fixing the cylindrical component sideways between two walls and attaching a handle resembling the pedal of a bicycle to the axis of the cylinder. When the handle was turned the cylinder rotated, and when the ears of wheat were brought near, the arched wires aligned along the cylinder’s surface would catch the grains and scrape them off, thereby achieving threshing.

“Then, I shall try using it. Dimitri, begin.” (Mika)

“Understood.” (Dimitri)

The occasion was the public unveiling of the threshing machine, to which the principal commoners had been summoned. When Mika gave the order Dimitri nodded and began turning the handle. In accordance the central cylinder spun round and round, gradually increasing in speed. Mika brought a sheaf of wheat ears close.

The wheat ears, reaped somewhat earlier than the true harvest season and dried for the trial, brushed against the rotating section, and with a brisk buzzing sound the grains fell upon the cloth spread beneath the machine. In scarcely more than a few tens of seconds, one sheaf’s worth, the bundle Mika held, was completely threshed.

“In this fashion, it is a tool with which threshing may be done far more efficiently than before. What do you think?” (Mika)

The response of the commoners was dramatic.

“A-a-amazing! This is so much easier than striking it dozens of times with a stick!” (Jeremy)

“Compared to the old method it is far less tiring, and the time required for threshing is greatly reduced!” (Bianca)

Jeremy, whose arm injury from battle had now completely healed, spoke excitedly, while beside him Bianca declared happily. The other commoners also spoke amongst themselves with eager voices.

In the Dariander region, the general method of threshing was exceedingly simple. One placed the wheat ears upon a wide cloth and struck them near the tips with a long stick. By this method threshing could indeed be accomplished, but it consumed much time and the repeated swinging of the long stick was exhausting.

Threshing, which had never been an easy labor, would become all the more arduous as agricultural reforms increased harvest yields. Thus Mika, making use of knowledge from a previous life, constructed the threshing machine to reduce the burden.

With this device the efficiency of threshing would increase manyfold. The commoners would be able to thresh far more wheat in far less time than before.

“Indeed, this is a truly groundbreaking invention. I see, the grains are scraped away by catching the tips of the ears upon the wires. That such a farming implement was devised by yourself, as expected of Lord Mika.” (Marcel)

“…Ahaha, thank you.” (Mika)

To Marcel’s admiration Mika answered after a brief pause, smiling.

In his previous life the threshing machine had been invented only when the era advanced to modern times. To have constructed it in this world, so much resembling the earlier medieval era, left him with no choice but to present it as his own idea, though it was unfair to the inventor of his former world.

Thus, when unveiling the device Mika spoke of it as “a new farming implement I devised”.

“Since the days I dwelt in my family home, I had wished to make threshing easier for the commoners. I once created a hand-held implement shaped like a comb with the same principle and lent it to them, and it was rather well-received. Now, as I have become a lord and possess far more wealth than when I was in my family home, I thought I would develop a more elaborate implement. I am glad it turned out to perform as I had hoped.” (Mika)

This explanation contained no falsehood. Mika had once recalled a threshing machine, far more efficient than the old methods, and created a much simpler version, a threshing comb, which had indeed proven useful when given to the commoners of his family’s territory.

That threshing comb was likely still in mass use within the Carossa territory. Yet it was precisely because he had developed such useful implements that, as an overly capable bastard son, he had been distrusted and coldly treated by his half-brother.

In his previous life the threshing machine was usually foot-operated. Lacking confidence in replicating such mechanics, Mika opted instead for the simpler hand-crank model, which nonetheless produced an efficiency incomparable with old methods.

“By using this, not only can wheat be threshed quickly and easily, but because the task requires no great strength, even children may work with efficiency equal to adults, and even the two who carry injuries from war will be able to labor alongside everyone else.” (Mika)

In the battle against the Howellz Household’s forces, five men had been gravely wounded. Owing to magic potion that strengthened vitality, all survived, yet one had lost an arm, and another, struck in the leg by a spear, limped ever after. These two were fated to live with permanent injuries. Unable to work in agriculture as before, Mika had instead assigned them new roles. They would oversee the watermill and the communal oven, which had previously been managed by nephews of the former lord and thereafter by commoners in turn.

Thus, entrusted with significant responsibilities, the two could live without being a burden upon the territory’s society, and with this threshing machine they could yet participate in threshing, that central but onerous labor of agriculture. They would not be alienated from farming nor from their community.

“You thought so far ahead. How very compassionate.” (Marcel)

“The unity and peace of the commoners are among the things I must protect as their lord. Now then, before the true season of harvest and threshing begins, I must use this to pursue diplomacy.” (Mika)

Thus, Mika smiled faintly.

 

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After two months, the rumor entrusted to Earnest had spread fully. The Valentine territory, though nearly the weakest of territories, was known now to be strongly defended, thanks to its lord who was a psychokinesis magic user, and its well-trained commoners. The fact that Mika had survived war and defended his land, and the fact that more lords now recognized him thanks to Lorenz Melders, meant Mika’s status as a lord had become firmer than ever.

Thus, even if Mika left his village for other territories, it was unlikely any other lord would move against him during his absence. Accordingly, in the few weeks between the wheat harvest and the beginning of threshing, Mika resolved to embark upon his first diplomatic visits as a lord. Victory in war was precisely the time to be most cautious. Now that disdain from surrounding lords was unlikely, suspicion might take its place. So, Mika went forth to demonstrate his intent to bring no turmoil and to live harmoniously with his neighbors.

First, he visited the northern, western, and eastern neighbors, beginning with the north, the Melders territory, whose lord Lorenz had often assisted him. The Melders territory, having seized a village from the Howellz Household, numbered some 600 people, with 400 hundred in its main settlement. Compared with Mika’s village, it was notably more developed. The communal oven and watermill were grander, and within the village were a blacksmith’s workshop, an inn doubling as a tavern, and even a general store.

Lorenz, now truly a friend, welcomed Mika warmly, personally guiding him through the village, and introduced him to the commoners as “the hero who repelled the forces of the Howellz Household”. Mika brought the threshing machine as a gift of demonstration, explaining its structure and use. Lorenz was delighted by the useful knowledge offered as a gift.

After exchanging courtesies and receiving fruit wine in return, Mika returned to Valentine. The next day he set forth westward, to the Collette territory. This village of two hundred resembled Mika’s in size and stage of development.

“Oh? That you devised this yourself is most impressive. Yet is it truly well to reveal the structure and use of such a convenient implement merely as a gift?” (Douglas)

Douglas, who was head of Collette Household, welcomed Mika to his hall and, turning the handle of the threshing machine with interest, asked this. Mika smiled and nodded.

“Yes! I had long intended to pay respects to our western neighbor Collette, but as a newly appointed lord I could not easily leave my territory, and so my visit was much delayed. I would be glad if you would accept the knowledge of this machine as both apology and token of friendship.” (Mika)

“I see. Such commendable thought, I am impressed. In that case, I shall gladly accept it.” (Douglas)

Douglas stroked his beard and spoke with admiration.

“By the way, may I have this one?” (Douglas)

“I beg your pardon, but that I cannot. At present this is the sole device within my territory.” (Mika)

“Hahaha, I jest. A farming tool made with iron parts cannot be easily reproduced in your Valentine territory, unlike my own family, so I would not take it.” (Douglas)

Mika smiled wryly, and Douglas laughed in amusement.

Collette had no blacksmith either, but Douglas had many relatives among western lords who did. Thus, he could readily procure the wires and axis necessary to produce such a device.

“Since I ought not only to receive, I shall send you home with smoked meats of my own making. One should say it is nothing much, but in truth, it is rather fine.” (Douglas)

Douglas seemed to be skilled at smoking meat, and his relatives praised his craft.

“I look forward to it! Thank you, Lord Collette!” (Mika)

Mika answered cheerfully, and after receiving venison and river fish smoked by Douglas, he departed. When tasted after returning, it proved truly delicious.

 

—

 

Next, he visited the Fontanier territory to the east. Of 500 hundred people, 300 hundred lived in the main village, as developed as the Melders territory.

“…A gift both as apology for the late greeting and as proof of friendship, you say? Is that truly the only reason you reveal this threshing machine? Have you no other intent?” (Pierre)

Within his small fortress of earthen walls, wooden gate, and watchtower, Pierre of Fontanier Household received Mika, and, hearing the explanation of the threshing machine, questioned him with suspicion.

“…As expected of the prudent Lord Fontanier. Very well, I shall also tell you my true intent.” (Mika)

Perceiving from his words and manner that Pierre was cautious by nature, Mika spoke thus.

“Though my Valentine territory repelled invasion once, it is yet a fragile land, easily overthrown. Thus, the surest safeguard of its peace is to maintain friendship with its neighbors, and for those neighbors themselves to endure and prosper.

If Fontanier, by adopting this threshing machine, strengthens its agriculture, then it becomes a stronger neighbor, and that in turn benefits my territory. For it reduces the chance that my eastern neighbor be overthrown and replaced by a hostile lord. I wish for a strong and reliable friend to remain beside me, and to that end I do not begrudge lending assistance.” (Mika)

“So, you mean to foster my territory as a bulwark. I see. In that case, I am satisfied. I thank you for your candor.” (Pierre)

Pierre, reassured, spoke thus.

He clearly preferred frank reasoning to ornamented speech, and Mika resolved to remember this for future diplomacy.

“For my part, I regard your Valentine territory, guarded by a strong psychokinesis magic user, as a western bulwark of my own land. I too wish us to remain neighbors who share mutual profit.” (Pierre)

“Yes. May we respect one another’s interests and achieve coexistence and mutual prosperity, Lord Fontanier.” (Mika)

Pierre smiled in his somewhat nervous way, and Mika responded cheerfully.

From Pierre he received herbs cultivated in his territory and turned homeward. On the road, Mika looked back at his attendant Dimitri.

“With this, I have visited all our neighboring territories. Next is the Yutilainen territory.” (Mika)

East of Valentine, beyond Fontanier and three small territories, lay Yutilainen. Its capital, Eltpoli, was the central city of the region and the base of Mika’s merchant, Earnest. Mika wished to visit Yutilainen, to meet the merchants and artisans he had employed through Earnest, and to greet the influential Lord Yutilainen, the foremost noble of the region. He was certain there would be much profit in visiting the city as a newcomer to the region.

“I have never seen a great city, so I am excited.” (Dimitri)

“I too have little experience visiting cities with thousands of residents, so I am greatly looking forward to it. There are many I wish to meet, many things I wish to buy. We must make it a meaningful visit.” (Mika)

So, Mika smiled softly.

 

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