This trip’s haul was incredibly rich—not only did we trade for grain, but we also found Doria.

Hmph, with Doria here, domestic affairs won’t trouble me anymore.

She’s a beautiful young lady who’s worked in the central government!

Beautiful girls are crucial.

Finally, no more facing a bunch of guys every day. Phew.

“You seem to be thinking something rather rude, Strategist.”

“Don’t scare me like that, Chining!!!”

“In my heart, the Strategist has never been frightened.”

I get scared daily; I just look calm.

Doria, sitting across from me, kept smiling gently.

Her gaze made my skin crawl a little.

“Doria, will you return to Baha Balm with us?”

“Is Brother Sath there too?”

“He is…”

“Then I’ll stay there. I can’t go back to Tren.”

“Phew, you’ve had it tough.”

“No, or rather… quite fortunate.”

“Fortunate?”

“Mhm.”

“After we return, help me handle state affairs.”

“Okay.”

Hiss, the rhythm’s off.

Too smooth! Way too smooth.

All those prepared words went unused, damn it!

“You trust me that much?”

“Yes. Because you’ve never lied to me.”

“Phew, that puts huge pressure on me.”

She leaned in close.

“Even deception is fine.”

“That won’t do, right?!”

What a terrible development.

I saw excitement in her eyes—why excited? So scary.

“Hah~ Brother Sath’s scent~”

Doria seemed to have awakened some terrifying attribute…

I endured that crushing pressure until the carriage reached Windward Fortress.

“Hehehe, the world’s so beautiful.”

As soon as we arrived, I grabbed my cane and jumped off the carriage.

One ride with Doria brought inexplicable pressure.

On the carriage, her face stayed flushed with excitement, that hazy gaze making my scalp prickle…

Better hurry to see Alto…

I headed straight for Windward Fortress’s castle.

I had Chining settle Doria at my house and find her a place tomorrow.

That’s right—as Strategist, I have my own mansion now!

I spent an hour walking to Windward Fortress.

“Alto, King Altos.”

“Drop the ‘King,’ Sas.”

“Still in that approachable outfit, huh?”

“Not good?”

“It’s fine.”

“Did everything go smoothly?”

“Well, aside from nearly dying, perfectly smooth.”

“Haha, you really had it tough, Sas.”

“No comforting tone at all there.”

“So, have you planned our next step?”

“Don’t just say ‘next step’—I’ve got the step after that ready too!”

A sharp, confident glint flashed in my eyes.

I could already foresee Baha Balm’s rise!

Alto and I sat down.

I began explaining our next plan.

Now, we must open granaries to feed our people.

At first, Alto wanted to distribute grain freely.

I vetoed it firmly.

Human psychology is tricky.

First distribution: gratitude.

Second: fading thanks.

After a few times, entitlement sets in.

Stop then, and gratitude flips to hatred overnight.

So my plan is work relief.

Baha Balm—and the south—suffers from devastating floods.

I need flood control.

Direct blocking like that fool tried won’t work.

I’ll build a dam at the flood source, add a spillway beside it, and dig a diversion channel at the river mouth.

This needs massive labor.

In Baha Balm, I noticed many vagrants—idle hands to harness.

Winter adds more idle commoners with no farm work.

Mobilize them, and progress will be swift.

The real issue? These projects need experts.

I can’t do it myself—but I can find those who can.

I’ve already secured professionals; I just need to manage labor.

Full completion may take four to five years.

But after one year, Baha Balm’s land will heal—food shortages solved.

(This isn’t a Three Gorges mega-project. No machines here, but human strength is mighty.)

Work relief mobilizes the people.

Laborers get official stamped slips.

Slip holders exchange them for grain at designated stores.

No money involved.

Sound familiar?

Good.

These are grain coupons.

A lifesaver for hard times.

I’ll also use slips to circulate Baha Balm’s idle gold coins.

But if my books show a deficit? Disaster.

This runs on government credit.

One breach, and trust shatters—consequences are unthinkable.

No labor shortage worries.

In this hungry age, a full belly makes hard work trivial.

This is Baha Balm’s beginning.

Alto looked dazed after listening.

“I don’t fully grasp it, but you’ve prepared everything, right, Sas?”

“Yes. All set.”

“Then I trust you. Don’t overwork—I fear you’ll faint again.”

“Won’t happen! I’ve snagged a domestic expert, hehehe!”

“Really?!”

Alto was desperate for talent; my news was a godsend.

“Who? Take me to meet them.”

“Hehehe—[The Library of Knowledge: Doria], Alto. A huge surprise.”

“I can’t wait to see this genius with my own eyes.”

Alto smiled.

“You won’t be disappointed… Phew. Probably.”

Remembering Doria’s behavior, I felt unsure.

Well… let’s see first.