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

 

 

Great Harvest

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By the end of June, when Mika had finally returned to the Valentine territory, the harvest of wheat and rye was largely complete.

It was a result worthy of being called a great harvest. Although Mika alone could not plough the entirety of the farmland and only a portion of the fields had been tilled more deeply than usual, even that limited area showed a visibly greater yield. The introduction of the plough had proven extraordinarily effective.

“Everyone is overjoyed. They are rejoicing that not only do we no longer need to mix acorns or other additives into our bread, but that we can finally eat bread made with real wheat. I must confess that I, too, could not contain my excitement and joined in their merriment.” (Marcel)

As he and Mika made their rounds to inspect the sheaves of harvested grain being dried and the early-harvested batches already being threshed, Marcel spoke with a hint of embarrassment.

“Haha, I am glad the result was good enough to make even you, usually so calm, lose your composure. We shall likely enjoy a similar harvest of barley in autumn, and when that happens, none of you will ever need to worry about your supply of grain again.” (Mika)

“Yes. With only the wheat and rye yields, it already seems sufficient, and if barley is harvested in abundance as well, we will not be able to consume it all, even as porridge or ale. The surplus grain will therefore be sold outside the territory to be converted into coin. None of us could have imagined, a year ago, that we would ever earn a steady income.” (Marcel)

“To be honest, it is going even better than I expected. For the first year of my tenure as lord, this outcome is more than satisfactory.” (Mika)

“You are quite right. It is a truly splendid achievement.” (Marcel)

Mika had determined that the first step toward developing his territory was to ensure that his people could produce enough food not to suffer hunger and to gain a degree of comfort in their lives. He had hoped to overcome this initial hurdle as swiftly as possible, yet he had not expected to see such progress within only a year of assuming lordship over this land.

This was thanks to psychokinesis magic. Even though the territory was small, the improvement it had brought to the village’s agricultural productivity was immense. Mika once more realized that magic was an unparalleled force for an individual to wield.

“Moreover, Mika-sama, by keeping the land tax unchanged, you have greatly blessed us. Thanks to that, we can fully appreciate the benefit of the increased yield.” (Marcel)

“I am glad to hear that. What matters first is that everyone truly feels their lives will improve if they work hard.” (Mika)

In rural communities, taxation was primarily based on land, levied according to the area under cultivation. While the method of payment differed by region, this particular village was obliged to pay its land tax in wheat.

Until now, Marcel and the other villagers had cultivated a portion of their farmland exclusively for the wheat they owed to the Dondando Household, while on the remaining land they grew rye, which was easier to raise, or barley, which could be sown at a different time of year. These grains served as their staple food, yet even that had not been enough. They had needed to gather acorns, wild herbs, and small animals from the forest or fish from the river to make up the shortfall in their sustenance.

Even with the expectation of higher yields beginning this year, Mika had chosen to maintain the same rate of land tax per unit of farmland. Consequently, although the newly cultivated lands meant that total taxes remitted had increased, far more grain now remained in the villagers’ hands. They retained surplus amounts of rye and barley, and even of wheat, to eat or sell as they pleased after fulfilling their tax obligations.

Meanwhile, because the total farmland had expanded, the Valentine Household’s tax revenue still rose significantly, several tens of percent higher than that of the Dondando Household in previous years.

Mika intended to keep the land tax steady until the three-field system was fully established and draught horses introduced so that all fields could be tilled with ploughs. Once that stage was reached, the yield increase would far surpass any future rise in taxes, leaving even more grain in the villagers’ possession. Both the Valentine Household and the people would grow wealthier together.

In this world and in this age, particularly in the rural regions of the Dariander area, farmland was often managed communally by entire villages. This one was no exception. The villagers jointly oversaw the extensive farmland, with each household holding a portion corresponding to the number of its workers.

As a result, disparities in wealth among households were nearly nonexistent. Though individual discretion in agricultural management was limited, everyone functioned as part of one cooperative body, protecting one another and offering aid to any in distress. In essence, all the villagers lived as one large family.

Even in Mika’s previous life, villages had been managed in such a way well into the late Middle Ages, in some cases even into the early modern period. He supposed that in this world as well, such communal management of farmland would endure for centuries.

Mika had no intention of forcibly altering what was, for the present society, the optimal system. When agricultural methods, technology, commerce, and the social framework that supported them all advanced further, this world’s rural communities would naturally follow the same historical progression as those of his previous life. Adapting to such changes would be the responsibility of his descendants generations hence.

“I only wish we had prepared more threshing machines before the harvest began.” (Mika)

“No, for handling this year’s increased yield, having even one machine is quite sufficient. Until now we have always threshed by striking the sheaves with sticks, so with both methods together there will be no difficulty.” (Marcel)

Although they had confirmed that the threshing machine worked properly, the core cylindrical component required iron and could not be produced within the Valentine territory alone. Another order had been placed with a workshop in Eltpoli, but it was unlikely to be completed in time for the current harvest season. Therefore, during this summer’s threshing, the machine would be used to its full capacity while the villagers simultaneously employed the traditional method of striking the grain heads with sticks.

The harvest season was always a busy time for rural folk, but it was equally a season of joy, especially so when blessed with such unprecedented abundance. As Mika conducted his inspection while listening to Marcel’s explanations, the villagers worked cheerfully and energetically, their laughter echoing amidst the sound of threshing.

 

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When the threshing was finished and the wheat owed as land tax had been delivered to the lord’s estate in July, the wedding of Dimitri and Bianca was held. Since there was no temple within the Valentine territory, a priest was invited from the neighboring Fontanier territory to conduct the ceremony, solemnly declaring before the god that Dimitri and Bianca were now husband and wife.

After the brief and simple rite, a great feast was held in the village square to celebrate their union.

“Haha! Look at this! Bread made entirely of wheat!” (Villager)

“Even for a wedding feast, to think we can eat bread made from pure wheat, it feels like a dream!” (Villager)

“Come now, Dimitri-san, drink all you like. There is plenty of ale. Once the autumn barley is harvested, we will be able to brew as much ale as we please.” (Villager)

“All right, keep it coming.” (Dimitri)

“That is the spirit. Here, have another.” (Villager)

As they feasted upon the blessings of the great harvest, the villagers rejoiced in high spirits. Dimitri, one of the day’s central figures, was surrounded by men urging him to drink. True to his robust appearance, he handled his liquor well, downing each cup of ale as though it were water.

“You look truly beautiful, Bianca.” (Villager)

“How wonderful. You have found a strong, honest, and kind man, just as you always wished.” (Villager)

“You will be living at the lord’s mansion now, will you not? I am so envious.” (Villager)

Meanwhile, Bianca stood among a circle of young women, smiling shyly under their congratulations. She wore the shared white veil that belonged to all the women of the village, a necklace adorned with silver at its center, and a fine cloak, the marks of a bride on her wedding day.

By marrying Dimitri, the attendant of Mika, Bianca too became a retainer of the Valentine Household. She would live in the lord’s residence with her husband, assisting Helga in managing household affairs. When the elderly Helga eventually retired, Bianca would inherit her duties.

“Bianca, allow me once more to congratulate you on your marriage.” (Mika)

Approaching as her conversation with the women came to a close, Mika addressed her with warm sincerity.

“Mika-sama, thank you so very much for arranging such a wonderful celebration for us.” (Bianca)

“It is quite all right. This is for my loyal attendant and the woman who will be his wife. Dimitri has served the Valentine Household with utmost devotion. Even though he hides it from me, I know there must be times when he feels fatigue or worry. Your presence will surely be his greatest support. From now on, please stand beside him as his true companion and mutual understanding.” (Mika)

“I understand. I will make sure that Dimitri-san and I become a good husband and wife.” (Bianca)

Mika spoke earnestly, and Bianca straightened her expression and nodded firmly.

“Mika-sama, everyone is greatly looking forward to your own wedding as well. When your lady arrives, the mansion will surely become much livelier.” (Bianca)

Bianca’s gentle smile returned as she spoke.

News of Mika’s engagement to a young lady of the Hewitt Household had spread swiftly throughout the territory. The people had all been astonished and overjoyed, celebrating as though it were their own affair.

“Haha, thank you. I too cannot wait to welcome her to this village. It will still be some time before that day comes, however.” (Mika)

He sighed softly, his thoughts turning to that beloved woman, yearning for the day they could finally be together.

 

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