……
“Your Majesty, this is this week's financial report,” Barov said, putting away the report in his hand, looking excited, “Generally speaking, the growth trend of various data is better than expected, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is a surge. If it were in the past, this would definitely be a miracle!”
“Well, good job,” Roland leaned back in his chair, his expression much calmer than the other party’s. He naturally knew what the old minister meant by “miracle”—ignoring the impact of the Months of Demons, the increase in population and economy actually exceeded the spring and autumn seasons, which should have been the peak seasons, as if the heavy snow outside the window did not exist. For people of this era, this report completely subverts common sense.
After all, when winter comes, people's activities change from accumulation to consumption, like hibernation, and economic performance is usually sluggish. The former Border Town was even abandoned directly, and there were no people left, so how could there be trade or production?
But he knew that the essence of hibernation was just a compromise to the environment. The ability of humans to stand out from thousands of creatures depends on their ability to transform the environment—cement boats that ignore the wind direction and never tire break the barrier of heavy snow, heating systems and medical centers solve people's worries, and factory work is not afraid of wind and snow—when the environmental constraints are gradually widened, this day will come sooner or later.
In addition, the Enthronement Ceremony and the establishment of the new capital are also key to the data increase: people always love to run to lively places, and this has not changed for thousands of years.
Now the wide Chishui River surface has become a bit crowded—the cement boats manufactured in Neverwinter have broken the 500 mark before the new year, and their templates have also developed from the initial flatbed transport ships into various modifications, which can quickly install passenger and commercial layers through reserved slots, and have been favored by many chambers of commerce. The business opportunities for large-scale population migration have even led to the appearance of cement boats in the docks of other cities.
Since the news of the enthronement spread, five or six hundred people have arrived in Neverwinter via the inland river every day. A year ago, Barov thought that 100,000 people was a difficult goal to achieve, but now the total population of the Western Territory is close to 200,000, most of whom are in Neverwinter.
This has also led to the new capital being completely different from other traditional cities—it has neither magnificent city walls nor internal and external urban areas, but is divided by circles of streets, constantly expanding outwards, like a forest composed of buildings.
Because the house styles are similar and lack exquisitely carved and gorgeous buildings, Neverwinter has also been criticized by many people.
However, these words fall into Roland's ears and become another kind of boast.
If it weren’t like this, how could Neverwinter withstand the rapid growth of the population? You must know that 200,000 means the sum of the permanent residents of other cities. If it is necessary to enclose it with city walls and build several exquisite buildings such as cathedrals, bell towers, and palaces, it would probably take decades.
Population is the foundation of industrialization, the guarantee for opening more factories, and the prerequisite for economic prosperity. As for aesthetics, it is not within his consideration at all.
Or rather, in his eyes, rows of steaming chimneys are much more beautiful than magnificent palaces.
And considering the lag in the spread of news, next year's growth should be even more amazing.
“Keep it up, and you will get the reward you deserve.”
“Becoming your Hand of the King is already the best reward—and these changes all come from your wise decisions. I just followed your requirements,” Barov said, stroking his beard proudly.
Roland couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, "Do you have anything else to report?"
“Ah… yes, Your Majesty,” the old butler quickly took out two letters from his arms, “Although these two letters are addressed to the Administrative Office, I think only you can make a decision.”
“Oh?” Roland took the letter. The name of the sender on the first letter was quite familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere, “Kajin Fies?”
“Mr. Kajin is a drama master from the old capital. He once brought a troupe to Neverwinter, wanting to dedicate a new play to your ceremony, but you did not agree at the time,” Barov reminded.
Roland immediately remembered that he first heard this name from the female merchant Margaret. When asked who was the most familiar person in the capital, he blurted out the name of the Magic Hand, which was quite embarrassing. Before the Enthronement Ceremony, officials from the Administrative Office did report this matter to him, and they even brought the script like a treasure, but he glanced at it and rejected the other party's request. Not to mention that the Magic Show starring Logar was a highlight he had been preparing for a long time, but the boring court love story was enough to make people doze off.
“He left this letter before he left. Although I don’t think it’s necessary to bother you with this kind of trivial matter… but he is, after all, a person of great renown. Do you think… perhaps…” Towards the end, the old butler's voice became lower and lower, as if he wanted to say something but stopped.
Roland also heard the unspoken meaning.
The date of the letter was almost a week ago. The fact that it was kept until now before being handed over to him shows the other party’s good intentions—the Fourth Prince has no appreciation for traditional drama, and his previous hasty rejection has deepened this impression. Barov estimated that he was afraid of annoying him, so he delayed it until this time, just to let him glance at the letter written by the drama master.
It can be seen that the old butler has great respect for Kajin Fies.
Or rather, it's not just him. Whether it's Margaret or the Chief Knight, people from the old capital seem to have a good impression of this drama master.
In that case, let's take a look.
Roland shrugged and quickly browsed the letter.
The content was actually an inquiry about the production method of the Magic Show.
Kajin wrote in the letter that he first sought answers from the Star Flower Troupe, but Mei told him that the troupe was only responsible for the performance, and it was the Witch Alliance that truly transformed it into an illusion. The specific method may involve secrets, and she could not answer without authorization. So he wrote another inquiry letter to the Witch Alliance, but it was quickly returned because the castle area does not accept direct letters. Finally, he had to find the Administrative Office again, hoping to ask on his behalf.
The other party’s persistent attitude surprised Roland a little—generally speaking, the more a leader in an industry is, the greater the blow he receives when he is subverted, but Kajin's words were full of desire for the Magic Show, without any sense of frustration.
“I see,” Roland said after a moment of contemplation, “I will reply to this letter myself.”
However, whether it is drama or Magic Show, they are all propaganda tools for Neverwinter. He doesn't have the time or energy to shoot an old-fashioned court love story, so it's better to explain it directly and completely dispel the other party's thoughts.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Barov breathed a sigh of relief.
“What about the other one?” Roland asked while opening the envelope. Since it was sent to the Administrative Office, the old butler should have screened it in advance.
“It was sent by a merchant who calls himself Victor Losa.”
“This time, it’s finally not a trade request for packaging bags and popcorn?” Roland chuckled.
“Yes, what he wants to buy is cotton,” Barov nodded.
“Cotton?” Roland's hand stopped involuntarily, "Neverwinter doesn't produce that."
“So what he wants is customization,” Barov replied, “from Leaf xiaojie of the Witch Alliance.”