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

 

 

Mutual Benefit

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Some time after the end of winter, when society in the Dariander region had begun to stir once more, Mika traveled to Eltpoli, the capital of the Yutilainen territory.

Accompanying him were his servant and bodyguard Dimitri, as well as Joel, the representative of the new settlers, the taciturn local resident Louis, and Ernest, who had established the Campbell Trading Company in the Valentine territory, along with his employees. The purpose of the visit was to procure necessary items for the future expansion of the territory and to meet with Sandra, the head of the Yutilainen Household.

On the day after arriving in Eltpoli, Mika met with Sandra, his cousin by marriage, in a room of the Yutilainen Castle.

“So, you have crossed the great forest. It may have been a misfortune for those people, but for you, it has proven highly profitable.” (Sandra)

“In the end, that is indeed what occurred. The new settlers are all diligent, and with the addition of earth magic practitioners and skilled artisans, our territory has developed remarkably.” (Mika)

Mika discussed with Sandra the events that had taken place in the Valentine territory in early winter of the previous year.

“To think that the small Valentine territory has two magic art practitioners is indeed fortunate. Construction of houses and reclamation of farmland must have become considerably easier.” (Sandra)

“Yes. Including the party of official merchants who migrated here, the population has increased by more than 20 percent at once. Correspondingly, the expansion of the territory is proceeding even faster than expected. Afterwards, we also hope to increase the population further, and I would ask for your cooperation in that endeavor, Lord Yutilainen.” (Mika)

Sandra nodded immediately at Mika’s words.

“Of course. Some refugees from last year’s conflict with the Mortimer Household have moved here, and the slums of Eltpoli are beginning to feel cramped. In addition, in the villages of the territory, the younger children of farmers seeking to become independent landowners are not few. If you recruit settlers for the Valentine territory, those willing will easily gather. Prepare for their reception on your side and inform me whenever ready.” (Sandra)

“Thank you. If the settlers are gathered by the Yutilainen Household, I can accept them with complete confidence.” (Mika)

“That is truly welcome. Particularly, the urban poor can be a source of disorder, and forcibly removing them would provoke resistance. If a place can be provided for them while reducing their numbers, I am genuinely helpful. Moreover, I hope the Valentine territory grows as quickly and as strongly as possible.” (Sandra)

Sandra paused to sip the tea placed before her and then continued.

“The Valentine Household, the home of my cousin’s marriage and one that has an excellent lord, is now among the most trusted relatives of the Yutilainen Household. Should the situation west of the Eltpoli economic sphere change, your household will not betray us and will act as a wall to protect the Eltpoli economic sphere from the unrest. Territories further west, such as the Colette territory, can be said to be within the Eltpoli economic sphere in principle, but they may not necessarily refrain from hostility.” (Sandra)

“I understand. Indeed, that is correct.” (Mika)

The Eltpoli economic sphere had been a vague concept referring merely to the range influenced economically by the trading city of Eltpoli. The Yutilainen Household had held sway over minor territories within the sphere, though that influence had weakened with distance from Eltpoli.

The Colette territory had lain west of the Valentine territory. By a comfortable walking pace from Eltpoli, it had been about two and a half days’ journey. While it had remained within the influence of the Yutilainen Household, the Colette Household had had many relatives to the west, one of whom had governed a small city as a powerful noble household. Economically, therefore, the Colette Household had not necessarily been dependent on Eltpoli.

Further west, two large noble households, the same that had engaged in the war that had once involved Mika, had held territories. The Colette Household’s relatives had been closer in alignment to one of these powers. Therefore, should unrest have spread across multiple regions in the southeastern Dariander region, the Colette Household and its relatives might have sided with the western noble households, potentially opposing the Yutilainen Household. From Sandra’s perspective, the Colette Household could not have been fully trusted.

In contrast, the Valentine Household had been related by marriage to the Yutilainen Household. As a newly established noble household, it had relied in part on the protection of the Yutilainen Household for its survival. Politically and economically, it had been aligned with the Yutilainen faction. Therefore, in times of crisis, it had been natural that the Valentine Household would have sided with the Yutilainen Household.

As long as the Valentine Household had remained allied with the Yutilainen Household, unrest from the west could have been stopped at the Valentine territory. In this sense, the Valentine territory had served as a western bulwark for the Yutilainen Household.

“Of course, the Yutilainen Household will offer all assistance possible to protect the Valentine territory in times of need, but it is even better if the Valentine Household strengthens itself independently. The current scale of the territory limits its defensive capacity.” (Sandra)

“We shall also endeavor to acquire sufficient strength to act as a western bulwark within the Eltpoli economic sphere. In that regard, I have something I wish to show you.” (Mika)

Mika turned his gaze to Dimitri, who stood behind him. Dimitri understood his master’s intention, retrieved a small jar, and handed it to Mika.

“Ah, are you going to show me something interesting again?” (Sandra)

“Yes, I believe you will find it quite intriguing. This is sugar produced in our territory.” (Mika)

Sandra’s eyes widened in surprise at Mika’s words. At first skeptical, she took a small pinch of sugar from the jar and tasted it, finally believing that sugar had indeed been produced in the Valentine territory.

“I see, this is certainly sugar. But you will not reveal the raw material or the method of production, I presume?” (Sandra)

“Yes. Unfortunately, the method of producing this sugar is a precious asset of the Valentine Household.” (Mika)

Sandra smiled as she spoke, and Mika returned her smile with a faint grin.

“However, from this autumn onward, when full-scale production begins, I intend to entrust the distribution of this sugar entirely to the Yutilainen Household. Through our official merchant guild, it will be sold exclusively to the Yutilainen Household. If we can establish a relationship that brings great profit to both households, I shall be most grateful.” (Mika)

“I see. That is an excellent plan. It will be a mutually beneficial agreement for both the Yutilainen and Valentine Households.” (Sandra)

If the Valentine Household had handled production and the Yutilainen Household had handled distribution, both households would have profited. The Valentine Household would then have been more than a relative of the Yutilainen Household. It would have been an economic ally providing significant benefit. This would have allowed the Valentine territory to receive greater support for its development and, in times of need, ensured protection from the Yutilainen Household.

 

Should the Yutilainen Household have betrayed its familial trust and attempted to seize the Valentine sugar industry, the Valentine Household could have used the sugar as a gift to other powers, potentially even the western noble houses. The Yutilainen Household would then have lost both the profits of sugar distribution and the western bulwark provided by the Valentine territory.

It had been imperative for the Yutilainen Household to prevent the western bulwark from falling into another power’s hands. Therefore, Mika could reasonably have expected Sandra’s sincere cooperation. As long as the Valentine Household provided profits and the Yutilainen Household offered protection and support, the alliance between the two houses would have been secured not only by blood but also by concrete benefit.Sandra appeared to understand Mika’s intentions. The fact that she referred to it as a “mutually beneficial agreement” rather than focusing solely on economic gain demonstrates this awareness.

“If sugar is distributed in large quantities all at once, the market price could collapse. People noticing a sudden increase in supply might investigate its origin and reach our territory. Considering the scale of our territory, producing a large quantity initially will also be difficult. It would be wiser to increase distribution gradually from next year.” (Mika)

“Indeed, that is prudent. By increasing distribution gradually, other territories will notice the rising quantity only later. Even if they do, they will likely think it is simply an increase in sugar imported from the south. Should someone suspect sugar is produced in the Dariander region and come to the Valentine territory, by then the territory will be far more developed. With our support, the sugar industry can be protected.” (Sandra)

“Precisely what I was thinking. Therefore, initial sugar production will be small from your perspective, yet it should still yield considerable profit. Our wholesale price will be kept low, ensuring your household’s profit remains significant. Even selling sugar at such a low price, given our current territorial scale, the Valentine Household will still gain a substantial income.” (Mika)

The profits derived from sugar had depended on the trading city of Eltpoli and its distribution network. Offering the Yutilainen Household the majority of the profit would have encouraged Sandra to think, “It had been better to leave production to the Valentine Household and simply receive the finished product than to attempt to take the sugar industry and incur various losses.” Furthermore, profits too large for the Valentine territory to utilize had been better transferred to the Yutilainen Household for protection and support.

Sandra seemed convinced by Mika’s reasoning.

“That is indeed welcome. Let us proceed with the trade in that manner. You truly are wise.” (Sandra)

“Am I?” (Mika)

Sandra’s slightly abrupt praise left Mika with a somewhat puzzled expression.

“You are skilled at obtaining your own benefit while offering sufficient profit to others and fostering cooperation. Having a cousin-in-law as astute as you is indeed fortunate.” (Sandra)

“I am honored. I shall continue to strive to remain a good relative to the Yutilainen Household.” (Mika)

Mika smiled in response, feeling a slight warmth from the unreserved praise.

 

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