Chapter 51 : A Strong Hope

The first problems she encountered after Evelyn became Minister of the Finance were unexpected.

“What does that mean..”

Another problem had arisen before the Empire’s reply had come.

“The crops affected by endemic diseases?”

That was the time when the world had begun the harvest season. It was only during this season that they could expect the coming harvest. It was the cycle of nature.

“The disease is spreading in the south, and now it seems to have reached the Felice kingdom’s southern farms.”

“Yeah, the epidemic is attacking wheat and barley crops, but…… there is no record on how to deal with it.”

Even though Evelyn’s life was far from farming, she knew how important wheat and barley were. It was people’s staple food. So it was a problem that was directly related to the survival of her people.

“Please tell me in details about the crop’s disease.” Arthur opened his heavy mouth.

“The spread of the disease is rapid, and the cause is unknown. It’s a disaster recorded in ancient books, but the documents only state that after a year or two of the plague was gone, they won’t come back for a while…”

“What if we make a remedy right now?” asked Evelyn.

“It takes time, and it won’t last long. Most importantly, once the stem is eaten a little by the moth, it will quickly spread to the roots and cause it to wither. We won’t be able to harvest at this rate.” Arthur sighed. It was impossible to against the forces of nature.

“The same thing happened in the early days of my crowning.”

“Yes, I know that.”

“At that time, Felice Kingdom was forced to destroy 70% of their agriculture and was very financially shaken. The remaining 30% was saved thanks to a medication that came out late. Can’t we make the medicine faster this time?” asked Arthur.

“I’m doing my best….”

“Let’s put that matter first, and don’t spare any effort.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The chief bowed his head and stepped back with a depressed face. Evelyn felt a rather tough situation and was lost in thought for a moment.

Of all things, the situation was so bad.

“Father”

“First of all, we’ve got to research it first. Harvest disasters happen often. It’s also happened at the beginning of my reign and the reign of the previous Kings.”

“I know that because I have learned it. Every time, our Kingdom overcame it by buying food through trade in other products, right?”

“Yes.”

“If the road is blocked … what’s going to happen?” Evelyn asked her father, curiously.

Arthur was looking at Evelyn with a confused expression.
“Trade routes in the Felice Kingdom have never been blocked.”

“It is said that this endemic disease has spread from the south. The Kingdoms who are close to us and have exchanges with us will have a more dangerous situation.”

“Yes, they will……I wish we could help them.” Evelyn’s lips burned. She might have done something exceptional.

“Most of the Kingdoms in the north … … obey the Empire.”

It wasn’t strange. In general, the continents were divided into northern and southern territories. The two were separated by a sea and a valley, so it wasn’t easy to interact with each other.

The Kingdom of Felice, however, had the land and the river between the valleys as their territory. So that the Empire and their Kingdom faced each other. So we could say that the wealth of this Kingdom came from the silk trade route connecting the south and the north.

“All the supplies that we send out can only reach the northern lands by going through the ports or land routes that pass through the Empire.”

That was why the Empire took advantage of these circumstances and was involved in tyranny and exploitation.

“The northern lands are barren and have no natural resources. They have no choice but to depend on supplies from the south. They won’t be able to maintain the noble’s dignity now.”

All the gold mines and the activities of various craftsmen and traders were located in the south. Culture and entertainment typically started in the south and moved to the north.

In the past, the land in the north was barren, so their main problem was survival.

“But what if they can’t survive?” Evelyn looked at Arthur with fear of eyes.

“The people in the north are strong. Somehow, they have a history of living.”

“Then… what if the Empire blocks the route for a while…”

“Evelyn,” Arthur said in a low voice.

“I think I have made a mistake.”

“No.,” he said.

“Father….I’m….”

Arthur shook his head, “I know what you want to say. So I’ll ask you as a Finance Minister. Have you done what was necessary for the good and honor of the Kingdom of Felice?”

“······Yes, but at times like this.”

“The timing is irrelevant. The disaster was not caused by humans. Besides, when I appointed you Minister of Finance, I had already decided to follow all of your decisions. ” Arthur rose from his throne and walked towards Evelyn.

“I am the King. Our Kingdom and I aren’t weak.”

“But, what if the endemic disease spreads and there is no food, and the Empire sees this opportunity and blocks the trade route?”

“It doesn’t matter. Our ancestors protected this Kingdom long before the trading route was opened. Even if you did the right thing on your behalf, it doesn’t matter. Are you uncertain about your choice?”

“That’s not…” Evelyn said clearly. So far, no one dared to oppose the Empire, but all the contents of Evelyn’s official letter were true.

“You are the one who knows His Majesty. If you thought he was the person who would block the trade route with his power, you wouldn’t dare to write those words. You still have your own judgment on him, don’t you?”

Evelyn still thought of Fabian. She was his wife, but she didn’t know what he was like. But it was clear that he wasn’t a mean person. He was a careless and heartless husband, but he was always wise when it came to public affairs and a gentleman of honor.

“I think my letter wasn’t wrong….”

“So what are you worried about? Our kingdom stocks money for a time like this. We’re not an incompetent royal family to starve people a year from endemic diseases.”

Her wavering, anxious mind sank like a lie. Evelyn had the impression that her father was a great King. Not just that, as Arthur pointed out, his option wasn’t wrong.

“Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty.” For the first time, Evelyn bowed her head to Arthur as King, not father.

“Huh… If you know, find out what you should do first.”

“Yes.”

There was a strong hope in Evelyn’s face as she lifted her head again.

 

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Fortunately, the Parliament of the Felice Kingdom was competent. According to their respective fields of expertise, they began research to avoid this condition as soon as possible.

Some of them set out to ask the Vatican for help, while others went to the southern lands to make their own counter-measures. Evelyn herself was stuck in her new office for a while without taking part on either side.

“What should I do?”

She never had such anxiety in her life before. When she was a princess, Evelyn dreamed of finding love and beginning a family. After she became the Empress, she had the duty of living as the Imperial family’s mistress, and nobody asked Evelyn anything.

“I have to do what I can. What can I do to help people in this situation?”

Evelyn bit her lips hard. Previously, she had faith in her work, but she couldn’t do it as quickly as she thought when the incident broke out.

If Evelyn was an Empress as she used to be or a Princess, it would have been better to give charity to the people affected by the disaster.

“But right now, that’s not enough.”

The specific work was always done by Fabian, the Emperor, and his father, Arthur. It was not for Evelyn to participate in Congress, to make decisions, or to issue orders.

“It was me who said that I hated it.”

Evelyn took a deep breath. She had to do her part if she wanted to be recognized by the world. If she really tried to get out of her husband and father’s shadow, she couldn’t withdraw.

“Okay, think about what comes first, what the most important thing you need.”

Evelyn recalled the moment when she had taken the most important choices of her life. Evelyn, who had a sad past, changed her future by getting out of the box. Nobility, respect, honor …Stuff like that didn’t really matter at critical moments.

“We need some food. Chief, tell the Treasury officials to come in.” As Evelyn set her target, the rest of it became simpler. Evelyn looked at some of her servants and quickly tidy up her hair.

“It’s best to avoid a catastrophe, but I can’t guarantee it. That’s why the Treasury Department should first secure food.”

“But…..the other provinces in the south are worse…”

“It’s not in the south. Not even the north. I will send the ship to the east.”

“What? Princess, there is no wheat or barley in the east. Plus, it’s too much.”

Evelyn nodded, “That’s why I have to send it now. They also have crops that they use as a staple food.”

“Of course, but since ancient times, the eastern supplies have been unreasonably costly …”

“Give them whatever they want. We still have a lot of gold.”

There was no need to think about that.

“If things get worse and we run out of food, can you feed the people with gold? Will you feed your starving family with gold coins?”

When a hungry person came out, then it was too late. That was Evelyn’s simple conclusion.

“As a royal family, I know the history of the Felice Kingdom. My ancestors have always survived these disasters. But it was impossible to stop the victims from coming out every time.”

Even if the food had been cut off for a month, the Kingdom would have suffered a fatal sacrifice.

“We have to learn from our ancestors, so we shouldn’t repeat those sacrifices.”

Evelyn’s bold decision was soon accepted by the King, and the merchant ship sailed off eastward, filled with gold coins.

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It was an extraordinary effort to prevent famine from falling. Evelyn’s intention was to break the unwritten rule that people always died to a certain extent when the disaster occurred.

“The southern provinces where the endemic disease has already spread will also need our help.”

Evelyn looked into the distance. She knew in her heart that she couldn’t save anyone.

“I have no choice but to wait if my faith was right.”