As a Househusband, Fiscal Responsibility Is Imperative (2.4)

As a Househusband, Fiscal Responsibility Is Imperative (2.4)

…

In most Murim-adjacent media, divine pills and rare plants were methods for people to gain power. Years worth of Qi was stored in them, or they had some special property that made reaching the next realm easier or enhanced the effects of reaching that realm. Consuming one is a direct benefit, and they’re rare commodities that command high prices.

Maybe that was how it first was in ancient times in this world, but such was no longer the case.

Methods to grow the plants were researched. Alchemists worked to produce more pills and extract more from the materials that they used. Rarity gave way to innovation, technique, and research over the course of this world’s history. Cultivators are a necessity, and so was ensuring that they were strong; therefore, civilization warped to facilitate their creation.

Cultivators regularly consumed medicines and supplements made by alchemists. Even small sects have at least one. They worked with farmers to cultivate raw materials, and hunters searched for lesser demonic beasts and hunted them. Raw materials came, alchemists refined them, and they were turned into materials needed to forge a powerful cultivator.

Ancient techniques with rare ingredients yielded incredible results and were still used by the elites of powerful clans on the cusp of breakthroughs. Most people, including Seol, consumed supplemental pills to increase Qi, improve their bodies, and more every day with their meals. Seol, being so talented and the heir of such a powerful clan, probably received the finest the Namgoong could afford. Even her meals were carefully chosen and prepared to facilitate her growth.

Even while I lived in a mud hut, I was given whole barrels full of pills to consume with meals that I hunted for or worked for. They weren’t of the same quality as my siblings or even talented individuals of other houses within the Clan, but they were just a given. Martial artist families that are on the rise might have to work with an independent alchemist and be at their mercy, but for the most part an established sect can afford the cost and continuously provide warriors.

Those warriors fight and kill larger demonic beasts, and the sects sell their kills to alchemists.

Money flows in, more pills are bought, more warriors are trained, and more monsters are killed.

The system feeds into itself, humanity slowly advances and improves, and if it only fought against Demonic Beasts, then there would be no problems.

But humans fight one another, wanting more hunting grounds, vying for more power to dominate their rivals, and so wars are fought and waged.

Yeah, whenever I find something to be proud of in this world, it always ends up at the same place.

People going after one another for any reason that they can find messes everything up.

It was just the way of things.

And, unfortunately, I had to deal with that fact.

…

Interlude: The 7th Sword Saint of the Namgoong Clan, Seol

…

After disembarking from the vessel, I beheld the metalworking town, and I was surprised to find it neat and orderly. It had high walls of stone and strong arrays that hid it from the sight of common beasts. The river we traveled upon ran through the town, and many waterwheels were turned by the river as it flowed through the town. I expected a soot-covered hovel with many plumes of ash but instead looked upon what should be the holding of a great sect.

My husband noticed my curiosity.

“Would you like to know more about Liye?” He inquired, and I nodded. The sect’s warriors turned an ear his way, though they properly kept vigilant as we entered. The people within were well-clothed in dyed robes, and many women had accessories that glittered prettily. It was no wonder that my husband instructed me to wear a fine robe and some jewelry as we entered. My normal clothes would’ve been outshone. “It is a town that has stood for almost two centuries on the outskirts. They do this through mining iron and refining it into blocks for sale. Most of their warriors are exiles, wanderers, or those who abandoned their clan. Those who serve as warriors can request a new identity entirely.”

I almost stilled at that statement, while my warriors almost all stopped listening.

The various guards and armed peoples of these lands were all betrayers of sects and clans?

Had we walked into a gilded viper’s nest?

“They have lasted this long by keeping their heads low, and they make sure that their warriors do the same. To invite reprisal is to invite their destruction.” Rui counseled, and I made the decision to lower my guard to our immediate vicinity. With a lowering of my hand towards my guard captain, I had my warriors do the same. Rui perceived this and gave a nod of thanks. I most certainly have earned some affection with that decision. “We will not stay here long. A day and night at most.”

He looked over his shoulder to one of our servants following us for the journey.

“Secure the nearest inn to the gate. Use the funds I have given you. Ensure we all have beds and meals for the evening.” I was startled by his statement, especially as I saw him withdraw his personal funds. That which was meant to be his was being used on our servants and warriors. They looked at him in near-shock but managed to keep calm. Typically, they would get a lesser place, but a whole inn was for us, so they would be cared for as well. “My lady, would you mind meeting with the mayor of this town before we rest?”

“I would not.” I replied evenly. I expected to do so already, but I realized the underlying meaning of his question as he bowed his head in gratitude. He must have noticed my reaction to learning of how this town protected itself; thus, he offered to shoulder the burden of meeting with its officials. The Namgoong’s honor would have remained unsullied at the cost of his own. I was humbled to be so cared for. “Let us meet with the official now. The Namgoong Clan shall be honorable guests.”

A glance towards the captain of my guard netted me a sharp nod in reply.

None of us will show such ill mannerisms again.

…

The mayor of the town was an old, wiry man with silver hair, a wiry build, and trembling hands sporting more than a few scars.

My gaze was noticed.

“Years of smithing take their toll. I also have a constant ring in my skull that never ceases.” The mayor had honored us upon our arrival. My warriors were given a dining room, and we were swiftly met. We were escorted to a secluded garden with a garden pavilion painted in auspicious red and green. The tea that we were given was fragrant, and a whole meal was arrayed before us, sporting roasted waterfowl, beef, pig, and three matching vegetables along with rice and bread. Eight total platters of food. It was auspicious and cultured. Rui served me perfect portions, while I listened to the mayor and repressed my pleased blush. “Those were years well spent if the honored Namgoong Clan has come to make requests of us, however.“

As we planned, I presented the grand gift given to us rather than Rui.

Grandmother suspected that the Heavenly Demon kept the gift a secret so that none of the Unorthodox Sects would suspect it was from him. Our increased power would stop them from infringing upon our lands even better than our trade routes. Joy would stay their hand for mere months, but the strength this new form of meteoric iron brought would freeze them in place.

Allowing the Heavenly Demon to continue gathering strength in the peace.

I was truly grateful that Grandmother was with me, as I would have been unable to see through the Heavenly Demon’s plans.

“This is a new form of meteoric iron. One that requires impressive Qi circulation and manipulation to create, but after its creation it still requires skilled blacksmiths to turn into blades.” The mayor’s gaze was drawn instantly to the small ingot created by Rui. My esteem for the mayor rose as he held out trembling hands for the slight piece of metal. He marveled at it, the shaking of hand fading as he held it in his hand. “I see that its value is obvious to you.”

“This is peerless! I can scarcely believe that it is formed from iron!” The mayor enthused, and his eyes were bright with eagerness. To regain his attention, I placed my cup on the table, infused slightly with Qi. A sharp sound resounded along with a faint thud. The table shuddered, but the cup did not break. “Ah, my apologies, esteemed guests from the Namgoong Clan. My passion nearly took hold of me, despite so many years. Rest assured, I will scour my town for skilled smiths and talented apprentices who can forge this into anything that you desire.”

The mayor bowed and held the medal to me with both hands.

I took it and noted how he had to force himself to be without it.

This was a man worthy of his position and respect. Despite his longing and desire, he kept himself in check and now worked for the sake of others.

After seeing this, I gave Rui a nod to signal that everything was acceptable.

Rui then began to shine where I could not.

…

You’d think securing over ten blacksmiths and their apprentices would cost a lot of money, but being relocated to lands held by the Namgoong to be the first to learn how to turn steel into useful objects gave us a steep discount. Sure, relocating them, setting up their smithies, and getting them housed would cost a pretty penny, but leveraging our assets allowed me to get them by just offering wages.

Half the wages of a warrior of Namgoong for one smith had the smiths competing for positions, and some even trying to bargain down their pay. The common sense of this world stated that five warriors were worth more than ten smiths, but that value formula only considered iron-based equipment as their output.

Steel weapons, armor, and tools were going to become the standard. If they weren’t on wages, then they’d make a killing from the Namgoong and everyone else. Demand would be astronomical, and every single blacksmith would be worth their weight in gold. Entire merchants associations would be born from the coming steel market, if not for the fact it would be under Namgoong control.

Steel was going to be synonymous with the Namgoong. The techniques were going to stay with us for as long as possible, and even if people manage to crack the methods, we’ll own the market by being able to supply it. When the personal equipment category gets filled up, we’ll move into light industry. Steel plows dragged by oxen. Reinforcements for walls composed of steel. Furnaces and the like.

Maybe, if things go well, I’ll be able to live long enough to see the start of heavy industry. Mining operations that use massive drills and steam power, or early lathes and the like. That was going to take decades, but I might get those decades if I played my cards right.

Once the Namgoong had the lead, I just needed to make sure that they didn’t rest on their laurels and kept improving. The start of that was going to be a bunch of people who thought that they’d have high pay, but in truth I was going to be paying them fractions of the profits.

Still, though, I didn’t intend to become a merchant.

The next order of business after establishing our steel production was getting a merchant association under our control to buy and sell it for us.

As we were floating downriver back the way we came with our new charges, I decided to broach that topic to Seol.

Or, at least, that was my intention.

“Hold. There is an incoming foe.” She was as implacable as always and simply gestured towards the morning mist that clung to the river. Since she already had eyes on what was ahead of us, I looked to the nearby cliffs and shores that bordered the river. An imperceptible nod of approval came from the Orthodox faction’s zenith. “Do you sense anything?”

“Nothing, but I will keep an eye on our flanks nonetheless.” Seol dipped her head and rang a bell on her person. It gave a keen sound that resulted in all our warriors assembling on the empty deck. The normal crew of the ship was naturally alarmed by the sudden movement. They feared us, and not one seemingly knew of the approaching threat. “I will speak to the captain.”

“No need. I have sent him an order already.” Seol spoke calmly, and just after that, orders were barked. The sails were hoisted, the ship slowed, and the crew began to make an orderly retreat into the ship proper. The top deck of the ship was prepared for battle. “This is too swift to be a coincidence.”

It took a lot to not groan at the blatant paranoia.

“Ships here typically ferry iron weapons and tools. We requisitioned a boat at a premium. Someone must have watched us depart.” I really, really hoped that I was right and that Seol was wrong. The implication that she was making was clearly that we were either betrayed by the Tang or the sect that we sought help from in their stead. If it was the former, then the Namgoong have just lost an ally. The latter? It meant that I made a mistake that endangered the Namgoong. Neither possibility was good. “They are attempting to take our lives, but I suggest taking prisoners for interrogation.”

Seol looked at me.

I wondered if she thought that it would be better to kill them than let them be interrogated by me.

So, I leveraged the orthodox faction’s principles against her.

“It is cruel to do such things, even to pirates and raiders, but I hope to prevent them from doing any more harm in the future. With knowledge, we can cut off the head of the snake, rather than just pierce a piece it does not need.”

Seol stared at me for a long moment before dipping her head into a nod and focusing on the distance.

I really hoped that whoever was coming was completely random.

If any of these people were affiliated with the Tang or the sect that helped us get upriver, results were going to be disastrous.