Chapter 172: Framework Established
After hearing the explanation from Kingin, I had a meeting with Soleil on the island once again. The participants were Soleil and Kingin. Marlu was out running errands for Naruadeid.
“I’ve confirmed that we have the funds. However, transporting the materials is quite costly,” Soleil said. It was said that a single Spirit Sword could fetch the price of a castle, and some items could be even more expensive.
The price of a castle varies widely, so I don’t quite grasp its comparative value, but it’s definitely a hefty sum. Still, it’s not infinite.
“I’ll add to it later.”
“…”
The gazes from Soleil and Kingin were piercing.
“May I ask how you plan to acquire the funds?”
“Well, for now, I guess I’ll sell the Magic Stones I have? Oh, and if you see any Diamonds, please buy them for Van’s popcorn.”
“If you have enough, shall we sell them here? It would take a month, though.”
Soleil was working through Kingin to establish a trading company in a month. I heard they had already recruited a few people from the dissolved trading company.
“Then I’ll leave it to you. Do deformed Magic Stones sell better if they’re shaped?”
“Of course. It also depends on the color and clarity.”
“Do Jade Back Pain Relievers sell?”
“If they are well-crafted as accessories, yes. The relief from back pain is more of a superstition. If you can provide a sample, I can take orders.”
Here, there’s a superstition that wearing jade around the waist alleviates back pain. I have plenty of Giant Lizard Magic Stones left over from making Chilling Plates, so I might as well sell them.
“Do you think the island’s industry revolves around blue cloth?”
“I’m currently gathering some indigo little by little, but if I start producing cloth, the materials will be immediately exposed, and prices might drop.”
“If we can provide high-quality products from the start, it will become a brand, so there’s no need to worry about imitation driving prices down. Nobles who might become customers are particular about the origin and manufacturer; it’s a matter of pride for them.”
I don’t quite grasp that sentiment, but I feel like I’ve heard something similar before, so perhaps that’s just how the nobles here are.
I also conveyed that I was considering having the islanders grow new vegetables and fruits for sale. We have lanterns and mirrors, but for the time being, I’ll be the only one making those, so it’s debatable whether that counts as part of the island’s industry.
We discussed where to set up a dyeing area, purchasing weaving machines to lend to the residents, and the specifics of the system, including lower wages for dyeing artisans with performance-based pay. It seems they want to establish a production system as soon as the castle construction is completed.
Soleil was decisively eliminating the vague aspects of my plans. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was subtly criticizing my lack of financial planning.
“What will you do about the Spirit’s Branch?”
“Oh, I think the original spot is fine, right in the middle of the square outside the Castle Gate.”
I answered Auro’s question.
“Then where will the Water Basin be?”
“We’ll flow the water from the castle, so we don’t need one.”
I replied to Auro.
“Aren’t you going to install the Water Basin in the bell tower?”
Kiel asked.
“I could, but I don’t have any plans for that at the moment.”
The Spirit’s Branch has a system to circulate water on its grounds, but the water quantity is very limited. Water that has touched the Spirit can be used as a material for recovery potions and is quite valuable.
The Water Basin refers to a dish filled with water set up for the Spirits to play in, and it represents the entire system for drawing up this water.
“Are you going to draw water from the well? That seems impractical.”
Kiel said, looking disgruntled.
Thanks to the bedrock, there’s fresh water beneath the island floating in the sea, and if we dig carefully, we can avoid drinking salty water. However, breaking through the hard bedrock is quite labor-intensive, and drawing water from a deep well every day is no easy task.
This isn’t just a problem for this island; many countries with few rivers rely on deep wells. The Demon Forest has quite a few water sources—actually, it seems that the less populated outskirts have more water, like the marshland temple where Chris’s younger brother went.
Is there something to it? I should look it up later in the Library.
“Well, don’t worry about the water. Just proceed on the assumption that the water will flow according to the plans I provided.”
“Was that for real? I don’t think the Water Basin or well can provide enough water.”
“It’s fine!”
I declared firmly to Kiel, who was looking at me skeptically.
“…Then we’ll continue with the renovations for the residences facing the square as planned.”
“We can install the Water Basin later.”
“Please do.”
Auro and Kiel, seemingly resigned, agreed.
In the square in front of the Castle Gate, the Spirit’s Branch would be in the center, surrounded by a tavern, an inn, a restaurant, and buildings that serve as both shops and residences. I’m still undecided about whether to make the houses on either side of the path leading to the pier into shops, as it would be odd to have so many shops in a place that isn’t a tourist spot.
“What types of taxes will there be?”
“A poll tax for those over fifteen, property tax for homeowners, inheritance tax, alcohol tax, and sales tax for merchants. There’s also a market tax for participating in the city and an entry tax for non-residents. Fees for using my possessions like farmland, waterwheels, and presses, right? What else?”
I asked Soleil, counting on my fingers as I recalled various taxes.
We decided on the types of taxes, collection methods, and general laws, including penalties and fines. It’s a hassle, but once it’s decided, I can leave it all to Soleil, so I’ll do my best.
For now, I’m leaning towards exempting all taxes unrelated to product sales for the next year. The original residents would be confused if suddenly faced with taxes, and it would be best to wait until the new industries and town settle down.
I’ve been told I’m being too lenient with the residents, but I hope they won’t compare my tax approach, which is more about survival than oppression, to the harsh methods elsewhere. Instead, I’ve made the conditions for living on the island or owning a house stricter.
Since anyone other than the current residents will have to move into the houses I built, I’ll have some say in the selection, and I plan to limit the numbers to avoid a situation like Naruadeid’s island, which was just houses and alleys with no visible ground. Only as many as the houses can accommodate!
Though I wonder if anyone will even want to live here.