Bianca sat in her office, she was given the position of the Queen’s advisor. She just came back from seeing the departure of Lucas and his group to Petersburg. Bianca was told by Lucas of several reforms and things she had to do. Bianca looked through Lucas’ proposal and arranged it according to the utmost importance.
Some of the plans were executed already, the administrative reform and financial reform. When Anastasia ascended to the throne, the reforms were much easier to do. The nobles who were found to have embezzled the money were immediately arrested and their possession was taken by the kingdom.
Ariana was in charge of those reforms and the hard part had passed that she was able to relax a bit. Bianca was lucky to go and took the lesson on leading the Duchy of Lorien back at home when she was little. At that time, her father didn’t want her to take the lesson, but with Lucy begging him, he conceded and allowed Bianca to have lessons together with Lucas and Lucy.
She looked back at Lucas’ proposal to see what they should do next. She wanted to ensure the security of the citizens first, the war had taken a huge toll on the kingdom's economy and one problem that arose from this was the lack of food production. Bianca went through the proposal and found it, Crop Rotation.
Crop rotation was the practice of growing a series of different crops throughout the growing season in the same area of land. The purpose of this practice was to reduce the resilience of one set of nutrients on the land. Norfolk four-course system, known as Four-Field rotation, was a method of agriculture involving crop rotations. Pioneered by a Waasland farmer in the 16th century, this method of agriculture was revolutionary. In the 18th century, a British agriculturist, Charles Townshend, popularised this system. This system became a key development of the British Agricultural Revolution.
The sequences of the four cycles included a fodder crop and grazing crop, allowing livestock to be bred all year round. The modern practice of crop rotation involves using chemical applications to supplement the soil by topdressing the soil using fertilisers and pesticides to control the pest. However, since the practice of aerial topdressing could not be done–because there were no aircraft, Bianca opted for the traditional approach of the Norfolk four-course system, complemented with fertiliser made from animal and agricultural waste.
At the meeting together with Anastasia, Bianca introduced the Norfolk Four-Course System to her.
“With this method, the farmers can keep growing crops for the whole growing season. Improving the production of foods and ensuring the security of the kingdom's food supply.”
“This is a genius idea,” said Anastasia with excitement, “I was right to have you as my advisor here.”
“Some of the credit belongs to Lucas. He was the one who outlined the idea in the proposal and I was expanding it.”
“Really? hahh... Was it wrong to kick him out?”
“Well… Not really. Whether you kick him or not, his plan will still go on.”
“Hah… I should revert my decision.”
“That’s your decision, Anna.”
“Well, what can you tell me about him?”
“Huh? him? well... He is an amazing person. Born as twins, together with his twin sister, he became well-known throughout the country. After the death of her twin sister, he became depressed and only recovered with the help of Princess Sophie, his fiance.”
“So, he was promised?”
“He is, but all of that is irrelevant now. We can’t go back to our home.”
Bianca felt a longing feeling in her heart. Anastasia assured her that she would make her feel at home here.
“Back to the topic, I think we should test this method first, before implementing this on a wider scale,” suggested Anastasia.
“I would like to disagree. We should implement this at once, we are going into a food crisis if we don't do it now. Don’t worry Anastasia, this method works perfectly in our country.”
“Alright if you say so, I’ll implement it now.”
A decree was soon released about farming regulations. The Kingdom sent out messengers and lecturers to villages around the kingdom to teach the farmers how to do Norfolk Four-Course System. Bianca oversees the implementation process, it could take a year to see whether the system works perfectly.
A Noble council was held later, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the matter of the kingdom's infrastructure, namely the road infrastructure. This was another Lucas’ idea, to build infrastructure like this, it would need the support of the nobles who owned the land. The regulation was needed to ensure the uniformity of the road and the responsibility of the maintenance of the road.
Present in the council was Queen Anastasia Romanovia, Duchess Bianca Lorien, Duke August Aruburn, Duke Lambard Rheingold, Marquis Kimi Petrova and Marquis Roznav Angard. It was the meeting between the Queen of Romanovia with the 5 Great Houses of the kingdom.
Duchess Bianca Lorien ruled over the Duchy of Novgorod; Duke August Aruburn ruled over the Duchy of Aruburn; Duke Lambard Rheingold ruled over the Duchy of Rhein; Marquis Kimi Petrova ruled over Margrave of Metrov; Marquis Roznav Angard ruled over Margrave of Uralia.
“Thank you for coming to this meeting. This is the first Council meeting I held after I ascended the throne,” Anastasia opened the meeting with a greeting.
“Congratulations on your coronation, Your Majesty. Rheingold shall serve the kingdom faithfully under your reign,” said Duke Rheingold.
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“Thank you, Duke Rheingold.”
“The House of Angard offers its loyalty to you, Your Majesty,” said Marquis Angard.
“Thank you, Marquis Angard. Now, Duchess Bianca here has a proposal for all of you, Duchess.” Anastasia gave the floor to Bianca.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I have some proposals I’d like to give to the council.”
The first was about the construction of road infrastructure. Bianca had discussed it with Lucas over the call. Bianca proposed to build a paved road between the major cities and the Royal Capital, as well as to the border town. Specifically, the paved road of the Roman Empire–Roman roads.
The ancient Roman civilization at that time had advanced technology and an understanding of road infrastructure. The Roman roads were built by the state to accommodate the movement of army, goods and people, the road was one of the key reasons why the Romans were able to conquer the Mediterranean Coast and Europe. Extensive networks of roads were built, resulting in the propensity of the Empire and even after years after the fall of the Empire and without maintenance, some roads were able to survive the test of time.
The Romans built their roads with the shortest route possible between the cities, towns or villages. It was said they preferred to engineer a solution when there was an obstacle instead of circumventing the obstacle. The Romans proved a good infrastructure brought prosperity and safety to the Empire.
Bianca explained to the council about the Roman road, or as she called it, Romanovia road. The path where the road would be built was excavated until it reached the bedrock or the firmest ground and then the road was built with a solid foundation of layered earth, rubble, gravel and stones. The surface of the road was built with a flat surface paved stone.
“... And that’s the road I proposed to be built on the kingdom between the major cities.”
“I’m sorry Duchess, but why do we have to do it now? The current roads are more than capable to accommodate the traffic of our populace,” said Marquis Petrova.
“I agree that the dirt roads we have right now are capable of accommodating our needs. But, with these roads, I can assure you it will be more beneficial to us. Our army can easily move and we will be able to send reinforcement to the borders quickly. Not only that, with the paved roads, people will not be having a hard time when they are travelling during the rainy season.”
“I understand it, Duchess. However, why do we have to pay for the road and pay maintenance money to the Kingdom? We can just do maintenance ourselves, for the roads in our territory.”
The nobles nodded in agreement.
“These roads are important to the kingdom’s lifeline. I believe it is the kingdom’s responsibility to maintain the roads. We, nobles, should pay the kingdom for road maintenance, why? These roads will be beneficial to our territory as well, the economy of our territory will rise because of the ease of access to the Royal Capital and major cities.”
Duke Rheingold raised his hand and Bianca nodded at him, acknowledging his request to speak. “Are these roads only exclusive for the kingdom’s use or can we build it ourselves?”
“If you wish to build it for your territory, you can. However, I have another alternative to the paved roads. Gravel roads, as the name implies, the surface was made of gravel instead of paved stone. It would be much easier, cheaper and efficient to build for smaller traffic between cities and villages.”
“I see, I would consider it. Thank you, Duchess.”
“Duchess, if I may ask,” said Duke Aruburn, “With this scale of construction, how are you going to get labour forces from?”
“Obviously, we need stonemasons to work on the stones, but the majority of the work can be done with the help of the military. The digging, the construction and the transportation of material.”
“Are you saying to have the knights and soldiers working on these projects?”
“Yes, It is the duty of the military to serve the citizens. In my country, our military is active in helping the citizens directly, especially when there are disasters. The military would be sent to build and repair the infrastructure in the affected area. That is the role of the military, to protect and to serve.”
“I think it would be a great idea for the military to help with the construction. It would help their training and reduce the kingdom’s spending on the labour force,” said Anastasia.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Duke Aruburn nodded. “I understand, I didn’t think of that.”
The road construction project was welcomed by the other nobles. All of them agreed to contribute to the project. It was an easy proposal for Bianca, the benefits to the nobles’ territory outweigh the burden given to them. Anastasia looked at Bianca and gave her a slight smile from her emotionless face. Anastasia had been observing Bianca negotiating with the nobles. Anastasia was amazed at her skill and how she was able to convince and articulate her thoughts on them perfectly.
Bianca’s confidence and posture when dealing with the questions from the nobles amazed Anastasia. She thought as if Bianca was born to lead a country. Bianca's skill in leadership was nurtured and taught by the House of Lorien’s tutor and education system, the best in the Galactic Imperium.
“Your idea was amazing, Duchess,” praised Marquis Petrova.
Bianca smiled. “The credit isn’t mine alone, my cousin, Lucas, contributed greatly to the proposal.”
“Ah, Lord Lucas, too bad he was banished from the Royal Capital.” Marquis Petrova peeked a glance at Anastasia to see her reaction. The marquis did not agree at Anastasia’s decision to banish Lucas from the Royal Capital.
Anastasia spoke, “Talking about him, I have decided to withdraw my decree on the banishment of Lucas from the Royal Capital.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is a wise decision,” said Duke Aruburn. He and Marquis Petrova looked happy when they heard that.
“But, that doesn’t mean he will be coming back here soon,” explained Bianca, “I have sent Lucas to be my representative in Petersburg and take care of the matter there. Unless there is an emergency, he won’t be coming here.”
“Of course, Duchess,” replied Duke Aruburn.
“Now, let’s continue onto the next subject. I planned to reform the military of this kingdom.”
“And how are you going to do it, Your Majesty?” asked Marquis.
With a straight, emotionless face and quick tone, Anastasia said, “By reducing the nobles’ power.”
“What!?”
“You can’t be serious, Your Majesty!”
The nobles, as expected, protested her decision to reduce the power of the nobles. The power of the nobles from her father's reign was huge. The Noble’s Council was made to give the nobles a say on the matter of the kingdom, essentially limiting the Monarch’s power and becoming the place to take down each other. Anastasia wanted to revoke their voting power on the Noble’s Council and wanted absolute rule over the Kingdom.
Bianca knew about her plan and, at first, was sceptical about it. But, after Bianca discussed it with Lucas, he told her to support Anastasia. Lucas said with Anastasia having absolute power it would make all their plans easier to be done and implemented. There was truth in his word, Anastasia trusted Bianca more than anyone and pretty much had Anastasia under her control. But, as expected, all the great houses were in disagreement.