Chapter 37: The Second Management Planning Conference

January 3rd, 1155 of the Red Moon Calendar, Agrik.

"Colleagues, this year's Second Territorial Management Planning Conference is hosted by myself, Grand Superintendent of the Internal Affairs Bureau, Lap, Grand Superintendent of the Shadow Intelligence Bureau, Vilna, and Grand Superintendent of the Security Bureau, Lady Tali. Next, we invite the Finance and Trade Department to briefly describe the territory's input and expenditure situation."

"Hello everyone, I am Glenk, Head of the Audit Division under the leadership of Morey, the Finance and Trade Superintendent of the Internal Affairs Bureau (Grey Dwarf). I will briefly describe the territory's financial situation over the past ten years. First is financial revenue: under the wise leadership of Grand Duke Sakavi, the total financial revenue over the ten years was 2.485 million gold coins. The total expenditure for the ten years was 1.88 million gold coins, with a financial surplus of 605,000 gold coins.

Last year's total revenue was 412,000 gold coins, expenditure was 298,000 gold coins, and the surplus was 144,000 gold coins. Compared to ten years ago, the annual total revenue increased by 385%, and the annual total expenditure increased by 282%. Among them, trade revenue totaled 220,000 gold coins, and tax revenue was 172,000 gold coins. In terms of expenditure, military expenditure was 120,000 gold coins, basic construction expenditure was 95,000 gold coins, and education and administrative expenditure was 83,000 gold coins."

Lap: "Thank you very much for the brief description, Superintendent Glenk. Next, we invite the Internal Affairs Department to introduce the population growth situation from the first statistics to the present."

"Colleagues, I am Lut, Head of the Household Registration Division under the leadership of Rubidu, the Head of the Internal Affairs Department (Minotaur). Since the last population census was seventeen years ago, the data does not have reference significance. I will briefly describe the current population ratio and quantity.

According to the results of last year's census, the total population is 2.02 million. Ogres remain in first place with a population of 610,000, accounting for 30%. Ranking second are Lizardmen, with rapid population growth, currently at 404,000, accounting for 21%. Next are Murlocs, whose ranking has declined slightly, with a total population stable at 404,000, accounting for 20%. Next are Kobolds, with a total population of 161,600, accounting for 8% of the total population. Goblins' ranking and population are not much different from Kobolds.

Below are the minority populations, among which Minotaurs rank first with a number of 110,000, accounting for 5% of the total population, followed by Harpies with a total population of 80,800, accounting for 4%, Grey Dwarves with a population of 40,400, accounting for 2%, Bog-men with 20,200, accounting for 1%. Deep Gnomes and Drow, because only a small number settle on the surface, are few in number, accounting for 0.7% and 0.3% respectively."

Lap: "Thank you very much to the colleagues of the Household Registration Division for providing the population statistics report. Next, we invite the Trade and Culture Department to briefly describe the talent cultivation situation in our Grand Duke's territory over the years. I think this should be what everyone is most concerned about, because I often receive reports of insufficient manpower."

"Then, I, Ogma, the Superintendent of the Trade and Culture Department (Wood Elf), will explain the achievements in the academic field to everyone. First is the issue of grassroots management personnel that everyone is most concerned about. In the past ten years, the Grassroots Management Academy has graduated a total of 50,000 students, and from now on, about 5,000 students will graduate every year to join grassroots management work.

In terms of the military, the Grassroots Officer Academy has graduated a total of 20,000 students, the Command Management Academy has graduated a total of 1,000 students, and the Magic Academy has graduated 300 students, with 600 students currently enrolled.

There is one point I must emphasize: after this conference, the Wood Elf instructors, including myself, will all withdraw from the Grand Duke's territory. I am very worried about whether the students can take on the teaching work, and I hope Grand Superintendent Lap will make preparations in advance."

Lap: "Thank you very much to the Wood Elves, including Ogma, for their contributions to the Grand Duke's territory. We will always remember your help. Regarding the teaching problem you are worried about, I think we should trust the students. Aren't everyone here today once those toddlers who were just learning to walk?"

Ogma: "Superintendent, you are right. We should have confidence in the students and allow them the tolerance to make mistakes."

Lap: "Next, we invite the Resources Department to explain the various outputs of the past ten years."

"Next, I, Brag, the Head of the Resources Department, will briefly describe the total resource production of the past ten years. Salt production: 5,500 tons; iron ingots: 1,000 tons; copper ingots: 800 tons; tin: 240 tons; silver ingots: 1 ton; coal: 【missing value】 tons; grain: 【missing value】 tons.

In terms of weapons: 40,000 sets of scale armor, 200,000 sets of leather armor, 80,000 helmets, 200,000 shields, 50,000 composite bows/heavy hand crossbows in total, 1 million crossbow bolts/arrows, 80,000 short swords, 30,000 warrior swords, 100,000 military great axes. The weapons for city defense and security forces are basically equipped, but for the army, apart from the main weapons, everything else is lacking."

Lap: "The basic situation has been introduced. Now we enter the proposal submission stage. Anyone who thinks something needs to be adjusted can raise it at any time. Alright, Superintendent Dusa of the Tribunal (Grey Dwarf), please speak."

Dusha Heishi: "Colleagues, there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Over the past ten years, lawlessness and corruption have emerged one after another in certain departments. In the past, our management system was not perfect, and pursuing efficiency was understandable. Now that we are not lacking in management talent, we should purge these parasites."

I propose to establish an Inspection Division under Superintendent Tali's Security Bureau. While playing a supervisory role, it should also be as little corrupted or co-opted as possible. At the same time, it should also supervise the Security Bureau. We must know that the Security Bureau holds the violent law enforcement department and must be supervised."

"Superintendent Dusa's suggestion is very good. Does anyone have different opinions? If not, I will send Superintendent Dusa's proposal to the Grand Duke for signature and implementation."

Hawk Night-Spear (Gnoll): "Everyone, I have a small opinion on the proposal just now. When I was managing the Construction Department, I often encountered a problem: the people under me were all promoted by one person, and many of them are actually incompetent, but I can't replace them because that would lead to no one cooperating with my work.

Since Superintendent Dusa mentioned the need to inspect corruption, how can we ensure that the inspection personnel are definitely qualified? Is it just because they are Grey Dwarves? I think we need a department responsible for personnel appointment and assessment. Only after this department can operate can we establish a regulatory department."

Lap: "Dusa, what do you think about this?"

Dusa: "I strongly agree with this resolution."

Tali: "Everyone, in the past ten years, I have encountered many problems that require negotiation with various forces, and there will be more such things in the future. I think it is necessary to establish a department specifically engaged in external force negotiation under the Trade and Culture Department."

Lap: "This is indeed a problem. In fact, our Trade and Culture Department needs to be reorganized; it is no longer suitable for the current environment."

Vilna: "Lap, I remember you once engaged in herbal processing and sales. I noticed that there are a large number of magical plants, animals, and ores in our territory. Can you spare some manpower to form a department specifically engaged in the manufacture of magical products? You know, the magical product area of Agrik only buys the inscribed weapons of Grey Dwarves."

Lap: "This is a bit difficult because the number of Bog-men in the territory who are good at pharmacy is too small. Although Lizardmen can cultivate them, their tasks are too heavy. However, I think it is necessary for us to start taking action."

Salute Giant-Stone (Minotaur): "Everyone, in the past ten years, we have perfected the construction of the water and town defense system, but this system is too dependent on Lizardmen. If the enemy uses some tactics targeting Lizardmen, we will be very passive. Therefore, I suggest adding Gnolls, Goblins, and Harpies to the entire defense system to perfect it.

Garrison troops used to be managed by regional warlords or state viceroys, which poses a very large security risk. We need to have checks and balances. Moreover, the army currently belongs to the Training Division, but in future plans, we must focus on army construction. Then, the built army needs a specialized department to manage it. I propose to establish a Unified Combat Division, responsible for managing field troops and garrison troops."

Lap: "This proposal is very good. Our military construction in the future indeed needs such a department. Then, Training Division, how many troops can you train in the next ten years?"

Kena-Fen Lord (Drow): "Our Training Division can train three legions. Of course, this is one after another, not at the same time. You know, we also shoulder the military training tasks of the Shadow Intelligence Bureau, the Security Bureau, and the garrison troops. In addition, the Fang Legion, after nearly ten years of transformation, has met all the requirements of an army."

Lap: "Processing and Manufacturing Division, can you meet the equipment needs of three legions?"

Ragno Rock (Grey Dwarf): "If it is fully equipped with scale armor, we cannot manufacture 300,000 sets. You know, the scale armor production process is not easy. Other weapons and equipment can meet the requirements. I suggest equipping with leather armor first, and forming two types: heavy cavalry and light cavalry. This can save a lot of cost and energy. Scale armor maintenance is also a big problem later."

Lap: "I will seriously consider your suggestion. Then, Planting Division, can our grain meet the needs of 450,000 non-productive armed personnel?"

Gugu Black-Mud: "Grand Superintendent, according to last year's Bohe Plain grain production of 78,000 tons, you know, this is the result of the Druids in the Black Forest participating, and cassava cannot be stored for a long time. The Lizardmen and Murlocs of the garrison troops can still eat fish, but the Ogres and Centaurs can only eat grain. If we want to support 450,000 troops, we have to import more grain than in previous years."

Lap: "I remember this land once supported 2 million Orcs. Is there still potential for development? For example, wasteland that exists, canals that can be built."

Gugu: "Yes, there is still considerable potential here. Currently, the Bohe Plain has a total population of 550,000, including 250,000 Lizardmen and 300,000 Ogres. The population is still insufficient, and the water conservancy system is not perfect enough."

"I see. Then, everyone, is there anything else to propose? If not, I will announce the production plan for the next ten years."

Steel Goal: Keep total production stable (annual production of about 1,000-1,100 tons), but increase the proportion of "refined steel" from the current 10% to 40%. Planned output: within ten years, provide 4,000 tons of refined steel for equipment upgrades.

Measures: Build a "Grey Dwarf Crucible Steel Workshop" in Black Iron Town, using Grey Dwarf secret techniques to produce steel for high-end armor, weapon core components, and precision tools.

Agricultural Field: From Satiety to Nutrition and Reserve

Goal: Reduce the planting area of cassava from 90% to 80%, and use the remaining land to plant rye, beans, grapes (for winemaking), and oil crops to improve the dietary structure and economic value.

Strategic Reserve

Goal: Establish a grain reserve that can cope with large-scale siege or famine for three years.

Measures: Expand underground granaries and develop "constant temperature preservation cellars" maintained by magic.

Military Field

Goal: Build a coastal fleet with 30 medium-sized warships (mainly galleys).

Agrik Magic Academy Expansion

Goal: Expand the scale of enrolled students from 600 to 1,500, and establish three major professional colleges: Enchantment, Alchemy, and Construction. Plan to cultivate 300 battle mages, engineers, and pharmacists who can independently perform tasks within ten years.

Plan Overview

First three years (1155-1158): Consolidation and foundation. Complete the feasibility verification of refined steel technology, start the keel laying of the fleet, and expand the academy.

Middle four years (1158-1162): Comprehensive expansion. The fleet begins to take shape, refined steel equipment begins to be equipped for elite troops, and magical products become new export favorites.

Last three years (1162-1165): System formation. Build a navy capable of coastal decisive battles, core troops complete equipment upgrades, and a preliminary magical industrial system is formed in the territory.

Lap: "Everyone, if you have no objections to the plan in your hands, then the meeting is adjourned." ===== CHAPTER 38 =====