In Ark Simulator, why do I always get a tough start?

Chapter 108 The Scissors Gap Between Industry and Agriculture: Burden and Future

Faced with a crisis known only to you, you chose to bear everyone's hatred and stubbornly persist in your course.

The moment your decrees, arguably the most brutal in Kjerag's history, were issued, the entire nation of Kjerag was shaken.

However, whether it's the hostages you've taken in your hands, or the mountain demons of Shelag who are perfectly capable of being subdued by force.

Even the clearly visible signature and seal of the saint on your decrees completely extinguished the last glimmer of hope for resistance among the Sherag people.

Even if everyone in Sherag knows that the Saintess is a puppet you've held hostage.

[But even these Sherag people, who had never seen Yeragand, had had this faith thoroughly ingrained in their very bones due to the long-term rule of the Manjushri.]

They dared not betray their faith, much less leave Shelag.

Because they knew very well that once they broke away from Shelag, Jeragand would no longer protect them.

[This closed-off and ignorant environment meant that even with such brutal policies, not a single Sherag person was willing to leave.]

They can only endure your rule, and the next three very difficult years.

[During these three years of rapid development within this project, you made many plans for Sherag.]

Among these policies, those concerning the reclamation of wasteland, expansion of farmland, expansion of livestock breeding, introduction of foreign technology, and the rapid industrialization of Shelag—policies considered "outrageous" by the people of Shelag—have completely lost their last restraint.

[And your plans to transform Sherag don't stop there.]

[You, who aspire to transform Kjerag into a tourist destination, have undertaken a massive overhaul of Kjerag's infrastructure.]

[The most basic hospitals, schools, and factories go without saying; you're already considering hiring from abroad and bringing in Sherag for these in the future.]

You demanded that all ski slopes in Shelag be paved with cold-resistant, non-slip rock as the most basic roads for tourists and locals.

[If you want to get rich, build roads first. You understand this principle very well.]

Moreover, no tourist would enjoy traveling to a country without proper roads.

[Furthermore, you demanded that cable cars and railway tracks be built for sightseeing in all areas from the foot of Kjerag Mountain to the residential areas.]

These cable cars and railway tracks serve two purposes: firstly, for tourists; and secondly, they can be readily used for industrial purposes, expediting the transport of supplies and even military equipment.

[You also ordered a huge investment to be made in Kjerag to create tourist attractions that are incredibly unique and novel to people from other countries.]

[Examples include skiing, ice skating, ice sculpture competitions, and roller coasters that glide down from the top of the sacred mountain.]

In your plans, you'd even be willing to spend a fortune to build a colossal, spectacular Yeragand statue atop the holy mountain, as the premier tourist attraction in Shelag.

Any tourist is welcome to visit and pay homage, but the only way to reach the summit is by traversing the improved "Sky Road."

This not only allows tourists to experience the joy of mountain climbing, but also enables the people of Shelag to set up stalls along the mountain path and sell goods at slightly higher prices.

For you, none of this is taboo.

But a major problem has arisen.

Where did you get the money for such a large-scale project, which practically transformed Shelag from start to finish?

After you nationalized Karan Trade, you did indeed accumulate a great deal of wealth by completely monopolizing the foreign trade industry.

However, this wealth is still insufficient to support your sweeping reforms and transformations.

[Sierra Leone has just opened up to the outside world and is in dire need of development; it's almost impossible to attract much sponsorship from foreigners.]

[Unless Chen Huijie's good friend Swire can persuade her grandfather to fully commit to sponsoring Sherag.]

However, considering Chen Huijie's current relationship with you as ruler and subject... you don't have high hopes for this.

Moreover, if the Sherag were built entirely with the sponsorship of Victorian merchants, these merchants would undoubtedly erode your power, which would be detrimental to your subsequent rule.

You wouldn't believe that a businessman would sponsor you for no reason, without any profit to be gained.

You certainly don't want to see the people of Sherag enslaved by merchants.

However, this also means that if you want to earn the funds to build Shelag, the only option left is to extract money from the people of Shelag.

After careful consideration, you are forced to propose an extremely advanced economic plan for Terra.

The price scissors between industrial and agricultural sectors.

In today's impoverished Shelagri, industry has not yet seen significant development; the only sector that can truly be considered relatively developed is agriculture.

[And this plan involves the government, that is, you, determining the prices of goods in the country.]

[They buy agricultural products from farmers at low prices and then sell them industrial products, which are still scarce in Shelag, to them at relatively high prices.]

All profits generated will be invested in the construction of Shelag.

This economic plan will undoubtedly sacrifice the interests of farmers, who currently constitute the largest population group in Shelag.

This will undoubtedly make the Sherag people hate you even more and want to overthrow your rule even more.

But you have no other choice.

[And to prevent the people of Shelag from refusing to sell you their grain, you implemented further control—collective agriculture.]

You have designated several agricultural zones, stipulating that all farmers in Shelag may only cultivate and plant crops within these zones.

[In this process, aside from the seeds and essential grains needed for the farmers' livelihood, all the grain produced must be taken by you.]

You even "thoughtfully" gave these farmers a choice.

You allow farmers to leave the collective farm, but they must leave with nothing and are prohibited from using the machinery or any other agricultural supplies you have provided to the collective farm.

Even the farmland they cultivated with their own hands will be confiscated.

Under your coercive methods, the farmers of Shelag have completely lost any possibility of resistance and are bound to your collective farms simply to survive.

Although you know that this is the only feasible way, and that it will be the true foundation of the nation for the future of Shelag.

Once Sherag has its own industrial system, industry will inevitably support agriculture. With abundant fertilizers and tractors, the farmers' plight will change.

But all of this is the future, and perhaps only you can predict the outcome.

Your theory is far too advanced; no one on this land has ever truly seen anything like it.

[Let alone Ensiodes, Chen Huijie, and Fiona, even if other great talents from the empire came, they would never approve of such a radical strategy of yours.]

Now, your actions have only reinforced the impression of your "brutal rule" among the people of Shelag, and even your own relatives and friends.

The people of Shelag are extremely resentful of your robbery-like "buy low, sell high" policy, and terrifying stories about you have even begun to circulate among them.

Because of your cruelty, some Sherag people say you kill at least ten people every day, using blood as wine and heads as cups, describing you as a blood demon.

Some even spread rumors that your economic plan is nothing more than a way for you to make money for yourself.

There are even rumors claiming that you possess at least three billion francs (Sherlock currency) worth of gold, hidden beneath the Manjusaka Academy.

You don't care about these rumors, and even feel fortunate about this level of public opinion.

Fortunately, you are in a land called Sherag, where the people are kind and honest. As long as the Holy Maiden is in your hands and continues to support you, you will avoid a great deal of bloodshed.

You don't need to eliminate rich peasants and landlords, nor do you need to forcibly confiscate farmers' grain. Even if there is some hoarding, it doesn't warrant a major crackdown.

But these feelings of relief remain confined to you.

[However, to others, your actions remain one of extortion and tyranny, dragging the small nation of Shelag into an even deeper abyss.]

To stop your stubbornness, Enciodes, Encia, your adoptive father, and even Chen Huijie and Fiona have all argued with you more than once.

At first, you patiently explained your theories and plans to them in a personal manner.

But later, you gradually realized that you were talking to a brick wall.

[Or rather, your theory is completely beyond the comprehension of people in this era; they cannot imagine it, nor do they believe you can succeed.]

Ultimately, it all escalated into your increasingly authoritarian rule, where you no longer allowed anyone to question your decisions—including your own siblings.

[You also completely removed Fiona and Chen Huijie from discussions of state affairs, allowing them only to manage military affairs, train new recruits, and expand the army.]

[You will no longer allow anyone to influence your policies, but will resolutely lead Sherag in the direction you have predetermined.] "Bang."

Another thick stack of documents was placed down, and Chen Qi, with his brows furrowed, didn't even have time to catch his breath before turning to the next stack of documents of the same thickness.

Looking at the dense text on the document, Chen Qi quickly extracted the keywords, muttering to himself:

"The railway expansion is progressing smoothly and it looks promising that by early next year, the railway will connect directly to Letania, Vitória and Colombia."

"And the publicity work for Sherag...it seems to be working. Hugh Ruth did a good job."

"The collectivization of farmland is progressing smoothly... The problem of hoarding grain also needs to be addressed... Just leave it to Yucatan."

"And this is... um? Ensiodis handed it over?"

"A list of members who oppose my rule and attempt to install him as the new king?"

Chen Qi was fully focused on handling government affairs, but all his attention was drawn to this list.

However, as he listened to the names listed, a glint of fire and murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and he didn't notice anyone to his side.

Enya and Yela, carrying a tray, quietly approached him.

"...Brother? It's time to eat."

Watching Chen Qi's retreating figure, Enya placed a bowl of steaming soup in the corner of the desk and cautiously spoke:

“Brother, this is cream soup that Yera and I made together.”

"I also brought some potatoes, which taste great with the animal fat."

"...Well, I understand."

However, Chen Qi, whose gaze remained fixed on the list, remained indifferent to his sister's call.

But this time, after exchanging glances, Enya and Yera mustered their courage and whispered softly:

"Your Majesty, you haven't eaten anything all day. Even if you're busy with official duties, you must remember to balance work and rest."

"—How dare you! I don't need you to remind me!"

But what no one expected was that Yela's whisper was met with Chen Qi's suppressed rage and roar.

With a powerful pressure, the entire Manzhu Academy trembled slightly from Chen Qi's roar.

After a long while, Chen Qi, whose mood had gradually calmed down, looked at the two women staring blankly at him and slowly shed his monarchical demeanor.

"...Sorry, Enya and Yera, did I scare you just now?"

“I wasn’t angry at you guys, it’s just… because of some things.”

Enya: "Brother, you've been eating less and less lately, and your temper is getting worse and worse. You're also handling more and more official business every day."

A year later, Enya, who had grown accustomed to being with Chen Qi, the king, was not frightened by her brother. Instead, she asked with concern:
"Brother, what happened? What made you so angry?"

"...Enya, take a look. This was handed to you by your second brother. It's about a secret organization that opposes my rule and plans to support your second brother to overthrow me."

"Take a look for yourself, whose names are on it?"

Enya silently accepted the list, and after scanning it, she quickly found many familiar names on it.

Upon seeing the line that read "Attended the meeting but did not express any opinion," Enya suddenly understood the reason for her brother's indignation.

"Sister Chen, and Sister Fiona too?"

"How could they..."

But the facts were right before her eyes, leaving Enya no choice but to believe them.

However, when Enya turned her gaze to Chen Qi again, she found that her brother had lost his royal majesty and instead revealed an unprecedented...weakness.

Clearly, the "betrayal" by his two friends was a very strong blow to him.

"...Enya, tell me, now that things have come to this, should I choose to persist, or should I step down and give way?"

All of this is exactly what I wanted to see.

But after a year of walking alone, when the exhausted Chen Qi saw these messages, he still couldn't help but feel annoyed and frustrated.

He was devoted to the country, yet no one understood or supported him; in fact, many people secretly plotted to overthrow his rule.

Chen Qi's feelings at this moment can be imagined.

"Should I not care about the lives of the Sherag people? Should I follow the will of the people and be a good emperor in their eyes?"

"Instead of... worrying unnecessarily? Sacrificing present happiness for the sake of the future?"

Chen Qi shook his head with a hint of self-mockery.

"elder brother……"

However, Eun-ah, who was well aware of the weariness her brother was showing, did not know how to comfort him.

After all, even Enya, who had always supported her brother's policies, must have had similar thoughts in her heart.

Although the infrastructure in Shelag has indeed been changing at a visible pace over the past year.

More and more railway tracks and cable cars began to operate smoothly, and the national treasury of Shelag was more abundant than ever before, with a bumper harvest of grain.

But... every time Enya descends the mountain to represent Jeragund and show compassion for the people while explaining the doctrines, she always encounters many poor commoners who ask her for help.

They complained to themselves that they couldn't save any money, and that this year's food was only enough to keep them fed... Did Enya not also question her brother?

Shelag is indeed developing and changing, but at the cost of sucking the blood of the people—is it really worth it?
However, while Enya remained silent, her head maidservant had already responded before she could.

“Your Majesty, I may not understand politics, but I have been serving you for the past year.”

“In my eyes, Your Majesty is like a person without selfish desires. You have devoted everything to Sherag without asking for anything in return.”

As Yela spoke, she gently moved closer to Chen Qi, extending her slender fingers to softly massage the tired king's temples, relieving his fatigue.

"Based on this alone, I firmly believe that you are the greatest king of Shelag."

"I hope you can have some confidence in yourself and in the people of Shelag."

"I think that in the future, they will understand your good intentions."

"Just as His Majesty often says—history will give everyone the fairest evaluation. Isn't that right?"

"……Ah."

Feeling Yela's slightly cool fingers on his face, Chen Qi smiled faintly, but couldn't help but reach out his hand.

However, when Yela felt her hand being grasped by Chen Qi, she was slightly surprised, but instead of dodging, she gently squeezed back.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the vast Manjusang Academy became slightly ambiguous.

Enya, the younger sister and saintess, looked at the harmonious scene before her and didn't know whether she should leave or stay.

But Enya knew that her head maid's words of comfort seemed to have worked.

"...You're right, I shouldn't have cared so much."

"Since I have already decided to die bearing all the sins, I shouldn't care about these gains and losses."

Since you're destined to be despised, why not do all the things that offend people, and then die a spectacular death?

After adjusting his mindset and taking a few deep breaths, Chen Qi regained his composure and calmness as a monarch.

"Yela, hand me the cream soup and potatoes that you and Enya made."

"By the way, after I finish eating, read those government affairs to me, understand?"

Yela replied with a beaming smile:

"Yes, Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)