Development Conference III

Victor was very satisfied with the work at the Steelworks, the Machine Factory, and the Arms Factory. Both of the managers were Freemen born in the Golden Sunflower Territory, and Victor knew them well. He was very confident in their work.

"Sam, the newly cultivated land in the territory should be able to plant winter wheat in November, right? Are there any difficulties?"

Sam is the Agricultural Director, formerly the technical supervisor of the agricultural breeding institute in Golden Sunflower Territory. He was personally trained by Victor appointed him as the Agricultural Director because he was diligent and knowledgeable in agricultural technology.

"My lord, rest assured, the 50 square kilometers of farmland for winter wheat rotation has been prepared, and the serfs of each farm have also been arranged. However, they have been temporarily assigned to various parts of the territory to participate in construction. Once the construction in the territory stops after winter, they will return to the farms to prepare for winter wheat planting in November."

"Are the farm tools and livestock ready? Are there enough of them?"

"Please rest assured, sir. The agricultural tools produced in the territory are prioritized for supplying the farms directly under the territory, especially the new seeders, which are already in place. Mr. Adelaide has also allocated the cattle and horses for plowing. They are temporarily kept in various pens due to the shortage of manpower at the farms, and will be delivered to the farms after winter."

"Sam, you've done a great job. How's the cultivation of the medicinal plants you mentioned earlier going? This should be a project you're working on with the Medical Department."

"The progress is uneven, as several of these plants are unique to the Northlands. As for the Bitter Bamboo and Big Leaf Chrysanthemum that were successfully cultivated in the original territory, they are not well adapted to the climate here. We'll have to ask Manager Isaac for details."

"Your Excellency, the Bitter Bamboo leaves used for wound treatment in the territory still have to be imported. However, the cultivation of Artemisia annua, a wound treatment plant unique to the Northlands, is going very smoothly, and we expect to be able to produce enough for ourselves next year. The cultivation of Bone Marrow Grass and Boiling Blood Grass is not going very smoothly, and we can only rely on wild collection to meet the needs of the Medical Department. Fortunately, we have also figured out the cultivation methods for wormwood, which treats malaria, and rush, which can detoxify. We should be able to cultivate them successfully next year."

Victor nodded. These herbs are of great help to medical work. Although a lot of manpower and resources have been invested, it would be worth it if some of them could be successfully cultivated.

"Perfect timing, let me ask you about the current situation at the territory hospital, Isaac."

"Currently, the territory has established clinics in one town and four villages, excluding Wood Fort Town, with 3 doctors and 8 caregivers stationed there. The hospital in Wood Fort Town has retained 16 doctors, 42 interns, and about 100 caregivers. The medical corps of the Logistics Department has only kept a team of 100 people stationed at the Main Camp to treat the wounded and sick soldiers. Since the beginning of this year, the Two Rivers Territory has treated more than 1,000 patients, and the income and expenditure are just balanced."

Victor nodded. After all, the hospital in the Two Rivers Territory was a fully funded institution, and at present it could only treat external injuries and some patients with mild symptoms. Some special and difficult cases were basically abandoned directly, since the Two Rivers Territory's financial resources were also limited.

Victor then asked Sam.

"How is the construction of the irrigation ditches on the newly reclaimed farmland progressing? What is the current schedule?"

"Progress is going well, and we should be about halfway through by now, but we'll have to ask Zarack for the specifics. He happens to be here too."

Zarack is the deputy head of the Agricultural Department is the second largest department in the Two Rivers Territory after the Department of Civil Administration and the Taxation Department. It has one head and two deputy heads. Zarack is in charge of water conservancy facilities, while the other Fam, is responsible for other business and also serves as the Green Field Village.

"The construction of irrigation facilities on the newly reclaimed farmland is progressing smoothly. 26 kilometers of primary irrigation canals have been built, reaching 70% of the target; 84 kilometers of secondary irrigation canals have been built, but the progress is slower, only 54% complete; 71 reservoirs have been built, with 54 still to be completed. However, the irrigation facilities on the designated winter wheat plots have been completed and will not affect the planting of winter wheat. The remaining work should be completed around June next year."

"The progress is still a bit slow. What's the problem, and is there any way to improve it?"

"Sir, the reason is the same as that of the Transport Department. Our cement production is a bit tight. As long as production increases, the progress will be faster. After all, we don't lack labor."

"It seems you have a lot on your plate, Jimmy. Then speed up the cement production expansion. If you need any funding, just contact Weber."

"Who from the Taxation Department came today? Give me a report on the tax work in the territory."

"My lord, it is I, Buffon, today."

"So it's Buffon. Okay, since you're the deputy manager, you can speak for me."

The former Minister of the Taxation Department was executed by Victor for misappropriating tax funds while Victor was away from the territory during last year's battle. His family members were also demoted to serfs and must work for five years before they can be restored to Freemen.

Currently, the Taxation Department has only two deputy ministers, Buffon and Hans. The Taxation Department is also the third largest department in the territory, with more than forty tax officials directly in charge. They are responsible for the agricultural and commercial taxes of Freemen, as well as the annual collection of interest and principal on low-interest loans in the territory. There is also a team of tax officials stationed at various docks to collect commercial taxes from foreign caravans.

"The agricultural tax for this year has not yet been collected, but the commercial tax was collected in June. A total of 300 gold was collected from small merchants and artisans in the territory. The tax team at the dock collected more than 700 gold in July alone. As of now, the territory's tax revenue is 3,100 gold. It is expected that when the agricultural tax is collected at the end of the year, 2,900 gold can be collected in one go, and there will also be 1,800 gold in low-interest loans in the territory."

Victor nodded. The Taxation Department is currently operating very well. Let's observe Buffon and Hans's work for a while longer, and then consider promoting one of them next year.

"Weber, everyone has said their piece. Now, let the Finance Department also give a report on this year's fiscal expenditures and revenues."

"My lord, this year's budget is already over budget, exceeding the budget by gold. We've spent gold just on purchasing serfs, not to mention the gold that will be spent on the upcoming celebration. Fortunately, the territory's finances are currently quite good, and there is still plenty of gold in the treasury."

"I suggest that you sir, the fiscal budget plan for next year can be revised again. According to the previous plan, the fiscal budget for next year is only gold, and I think it will definitely exceed the budget. It would be better to improve it now."

Victor nodded. "Weber, what you mentioned is very necessary. Let me refine the budget further."

"Next, I'd like to hear work reports from the two towns and four villages. Who would like to go first?"

Powell said, "I'll go first. Wood Fort Town is the largest settlement in the territory, so it's only natural that I report first."

In addition to serving as Chief Administrative Officer, Powell also holds the positions of Civil Administration Director and Town Mayor of Wood Fort Town.