As the Villainess Who Was Dumped, I Am Saved by My Childhood Friend from a Noble Family and Spoiled in the Frontier - Chapter 8

I began assisting Lord Franz with his work.

I would go to the government office in the morning, return to the mansion at noon, and work again until evening.

The Margraviate was vast, almost like its own country. Because of that, his duties spanned a wide variety of fields.

“Lord Franz, I’ve finished the statistics on emergency rations and military provisions.”

“Thank you. As expected, Nina, you work quickly. You’re a great help.”

I was put in charge of checking the documents for numerical errors and compiling the statistical data.

At the same time, I was also handling translations for foreign language newspapers.

“By the way, Lord Franz. About this grain here, why is such a large amount being stored?”

“Ah, you mean the millet. That’s because it’s very useful in case of emergencies. We encourage the citizens to cultivate it and even allow them to pay their taxes with it instead of money. We also purchase it separately for emergency reserves.”

“Millet?”

“Yes. It’s a round grain that can be used both as food and feed. It can be stored for about forty years without issue, and since my father’s time, we’ve made it a practice to store it as emergency provisions for the territory.”

“So, it can be used both in times of war and famine!!”

“Exactly. As you know, the Margraviate is the front line if a war breaks out. We’re more likely to face food shortages than anywhere else in the Empire. That’s why we cultivate not just wheat, but also plenty of millet and potatoes. We provide subsidies for it, among other things. Potatoes are easy for anyone to grow and they keep well, too. Potatoes that have passed their storage period are used for brewing alcohol, which contributes to the territory’s income. Alcohol can easily be exported to Wolfsburg, for example.”

“So that’s why there are so few starvation deaths in the Margraviate during famines!”

“Right. It’s difficult to manage, but the citizens understand this use of tax funds and are more willing to cooperate.”

The fact that there are few starvation deaths in the Margraviate during famines is called a miracle in the imperial capital.

So, this is the reality behind the miracle. As expected of an elite lineage where every successive lord has been called a wise ruler.

“Talking about potatoes has made me crave croquettes. Shall we buy some on the way home?”

“Croquettes…?”

It’s an unfamiliar word. It must be a potato dish.

“That’s right, you wouldn’t know about them, Nina. They’re quite a common dish, after all. Well then, let’s have them for lunch!”

“Yes! I’m looking forward to it!!”

There’s so much to learn in this unfamiliar work. It’s tough, but that’s what makes it motivating.

I think, in my life so far, I’m living my most fulfilling days.