No matter how cumbersome, there is always a job that must be done.
　Of course, the same is true for post-war processing.

　That's the way it is with regard to the newly acquired land.

　"Raimondo. I think Trisichellia will be governed as a province.
　..........a province, huh? What's the intent of that?

　I answer Raimondo's question.

　The Adelian peninsula is all connected to each other and is one big economic zone. And the ethnicity... well, there are a few differences between the regions, but it's basically the Adelnians.

　In the south, Cilician colonies are in the majority because of the large number of Cilician cities....
　Many of them have mixed blood with the Adelnians.

　But Trisichelia is different. That one is connected to the Adelian peninsula, but it's a very thin link. In addition, the peoples are quite different. It's a mixture of Trisichelia's natives, Cilician and Pofenian with very few Adelnians living there. So I think it would be better to govern it as a vassal state and see what happens before we incorporate it into the mainland.

　To be clear, the Adelian Peninsula and Trisichelia are different cultural spheres.
　If the two islands were to be forcibly annexed, there is a high possibility that unnecessary friction will occur.

　I see........I understand what you are thinking. And so what exactly is this genus state, and how do you intend to govern it?

　I think for a moment before answering Raimondo's question.

　'....I don't intend to do anything too big. Of course, we'll do things like flood control irrigation and road and bridge construction. Other than that, as a general rule, indirect control using the local ruling class........well, that would be the best way to minimize conflicts. At the very least........

　I grinned.

　'I'm going to make a difference in the treatment of the Cilician, the natives and the Pofenians in that order. In other words, divide and conquer.

　There is a wide variety of ethnic groups in the country.　
　This is one of the hardest aspects to govern, but it also has the great advantage of being less likely to be united and less likely to revolt.

　''Taxes........as far as I'm aware, as far as I've checked, they were 30% during Pofenia's reign, right?
　'Yes, according to the administrative documents, yes.

　The 30% figure is....
　Well, it's not high, but it's not low either.

　'Let's just make it ten percent for now. "Let's keep it at ten percent for now, and no one will complain about it. Let's have a local authority take care of the tax collection.

　Basically, as long as the local elites are supportive of governance, it works.
　They will be able to hold the underclasses at bay.

　"All we need to do now is to get the peasants settled. Two or three on the coast should be enough to establish a stronghold.

　Of course, the colonial cities should be exempted from taxes and treated as if they were home countries.
　Instead, they would be required to perform military service.

　The most difficult part of the Trisichelia campaign was the mountainous areas.
　After all, we had never been able to touch the mountains.

　So we're going to build a solid, extensive military road through the mountains.
　That way we can quell any rebellion that might arise.

　By the way, Your Majesty. Who will be the governor of this genus province?
　Well, you know what I'd like to do is ask you if you could help me. Is that possible?

　I asked Raimondo to be Governor of the Viceroy.
　Raimondo wasn't surprised and asked me why.

　"I accept your command, but why me?
　'Didn't you confiscate the plantations in Trisichellia that were confiscated from the Poffenian nobles and paid them off to the Romalian nobles?　If you want to get a good tax break from them, you've got to be the right person. And if that's the case you're the only person who's qualified.
　I see... so what are the duties of an auditor?
　I'll take over.

　I can take over for the inspector.
　But I can't replace the Governor, who needs to be there in person.

　I have to stay in the country.

　So that's the way it has to be.

　'All right, Your Majesty. Let's give the lords a glare. ...By the way, I would like to make a suggestion to you, if that's all right?
　What's going on?
　'I think there should be a tariff on wheat from Trisichellia, which would flow into Romalia.
　...for the protection of your own farm?
　Yes, I do.

　Currently, much of the land on the Adelnian peninsula is a self-farming thing.
　But ... much of the farmland in Trisichellia is large farms by the nobility.

　The efficiency of large farms using slaves is high, and wheat is cheaper than it would be for free.　
　In addition, Trisichelia is more fertile and has a warmer climate than the Adelunian Peninsula.

　If a large amount of wheat from Trisichelia flowed into the Adelian peninsula, all at once the home-grown farmers would fall.
　Even just the burden of the war has taken a heavy toll on them.

　'I see, I see. Let's put a tariff on the wheat of the Adelian peninsula so that it will be competitively priced.

　At the same time....
　I'd have to encourage farmers on the Adelian peninsula to switch from wheat to commodity crops.

　Commodity crops could be grapes or olives, hemp or flax...
　Well, let's make good use of the 5,000 tarrant of compensation money.

　Edmond and I were talking about the future.

　'Your Majesty, Your Majesty!　It's urgent news!
　'Ial!　My God, don't scream so loud.

　Suddenly, Ial comes in with a loud voice.
　I can't help but shake my body with a jolt.
　After scolding Ial for his embarrassment, I ask him, "So, what happened?

　"So what happened?
　We have reports of a mercenary rebellion in Pofenia!

　According to Ial....
　Apparently, Azul Hanno was reluctant to pay the mercenaries their salaries.

　You couldn't have won, though!
　So, I'm getting paid half of what I'm being paid!

　It seems to be a target theory.

　Well yeah, I don't know what you mean.
　A promise is a promise...

　How large is the rebellion?
　Over 50,000, as far as I know.

　Fifty thousand!
　That's great and it's going to destroy Pofenia, isn't it?

　However.....
　This is our chance.

　'Hey, Raimondo. I don't have a problem with you deciding that Pofenia is in so much trouble that she can't pay her mercenaries........?
　Yeah I'm pretty sure you're right.

　Raimondo grinned, knowing what I was thinking.
　Pofenia is a country with a mercenary system.
　If it can't pay its mercenaries, if it can't pay their salaries, then it can be judged that it no longer has most of its power left to organize an army.

　In addition, they would have to hire mercenaries to put down the mercenaries who started that rebellion.

　In other words........

　'Call Bartolo and Alexios!　I'm going to be a firebrand!

　I smiled.







　''Oh no, His Majesty the King is a bit of a man...''

　Alexios seemed to be enjoying himself as he said this.
　Alexios is on an island west of the Adelunian Peninsula.
　It is the island of Corus.

　This island is a Pofenia colony, but.....
　Currently, Pophenia is busy holding back the mercenary rebellion.

　Taking advantage of the opportunity, Almus had given Alexios ten thousand men and a hundred ships to order Alexios to sortie.
　As Almus had read, there wasn't even a proper defensive force on the island of Corus.

　'Well, now, did General Bartolo say it successfully?




　Hmmm... not much to go on.

　Bartolo smiled inappropriately.
　Currently, Bartolo is on an island called Sandal Island ... an island on the west side of the Adelunian peninsula.

　Naturally, this island is also a colony of Pofenia.
　But..................

　Nevertheless, Sandals Island is a larger area than Corus Island...
　It was also an economically important island, so it had a garrison army of about two thousand.

　But Bartolo led an army of ten thousand troops and a hundred warships.
　Ten thousand to two thousand........
　None of the generals would be able to defeat Bartolo with this troop gap.

　Therefore, 2,000 troops easily surrendered to Bartolo.

　''After the sweep, shall we retreat with some of our defensive forces? .... not as much as we have in Pofenia, but we don't have the luxury of time either.


　And so....
　Romalia had taken two islands from Pofenia without any sacrifice and without paying any price.

　And..........
　The taking of Sandal Island was of great significance to Almus, who was in debt.

　　



　''Your Majesty, this is the spoils of war.
　'Oh!　Great ... I've heard about it ... but ... what did you think of it, actually, having seen it?
　I've conducted some questionnaires and it looks like you can do a lot of digging.

　Bartolo offers me the loot he brought back from Sandal Island and the rest of the world.
　I smile.
　I smile too.

　Bartolo looted Sandal Island.....
　Silver ornaments and bars.

　Yes, Sandal Island is the island where silver is calculated.

　"Now we can finally be self-sufficient in silver within the country. We'll have gold, silver, and copper.

　Finally, we're on the verge of paying off our debt.
　Where there is a God to throw away, there is a God to pick up.

　We'll find a way to make it work.