"If it weren't for Sir's help with our analysis, we would still have been thinking that as long as the war continues, food prices will skyrocket, and the more farmers grow, the better! Now it seems that it is a bit taken for granted. As usual, Countless people ahead are starving to death holding gold, while countless grains are rotting in our hands, and all this is decided by the Zhentarim and Sembian merchants who control a large amount of shipping."
"So, the root cause is transportation. Those evil businessmen use this method to choke our necks, extract profits from us, and enslave us in disguise."
"Not only in terms of transportation, but also in terms of our internal unity. We don't stick together and let those evil businessmen have the final say. Of course, we can only let them squeeze us. Sir's previous proposal was very good. Let's form an agricultural union in the Misty Valley. , let all farmers join in, we can help them find sales channels and sales, at least take some initiative, and ensure that prices are not suppressed to a miserable level."
Although the parliamentary model has many shortcomings such as looseness and low efficiency, it also has the advantage of meritocracy. At least in large rural communities like Misty Valley, where political strife is relatively light, the selection of members is mainly based on merit. The wisdom of several members present All on the horizontal line.
With a little guidance from Gavin, they discovered the crux of the problem.
"Even if we discover the crux of the problem, it will be in vain. Our valley has been completely surrounded by the Zhentarim and Sembia, and most of the seaside is in their hands. In this matter, the Kingdom of Cormyr is on their side. On one side.”
"Yes, Scar Town, the only large port in our valley, was still taken over by others because of Lord Rashan's stupidity, which gave the Zhentarim and the evil merchants of Sembia a perfect excuse. We have worked so hard to cultivate it. The crops still cannot be sold.”
"Even if there is a port, it is useless. Who doesn't know that the evil merchants in Sembia are colluding with the pirates in the Falling Star Sea? Their ships are safe on the Falling Star Sea. Not long after the ships of other merchants leave the port, they will After being targeted by them, no bones were left in the end, and many goods ended up in the hands of Sambian businessmen."
The key to the problem is not difficult to find, but solving the problem is another matter.
They desperately discovered that the Zhentarim, Sembia, and the Kingdom of Cormyr had already formed a double-team on the valley, and they could only allow them to suck blood from them.
It is true that the valley is known as the largest granary in the surrounding area, but very little wealth has actually come into their hands, and most of it has been exploited by evil businessmen using various means.
"This is the second cooperation project I want to talk about, which is to completely control the Asaba River and turn it into an artery connecting our entire valley."
Gavin dropped the second bombshell at the right time, "As long as the water transportation here is fully developed, it will be able to bring Dagger Valley, Shadow Valley, Misty Valley, Deep Forest Valley, Bow Valley, Battle Valley, Taser Valley, The ten valleys of Feather Valley, Plow Valley and Scar Valley are connected together, and they share what they need and move forward and retreat together. Even if the sea sales are controlled by the Zhentarim and Sembia, we can still distribute part of it through land, and we will not be completely led by their noses. .”
"We have heard about your establishment of the Asaba River Management Foundation, but this matter is easier said than done. I believe Sir has seen the violent side of the Asaba River with his own eyes. The two are not the same at all. a river."
“The upper half of the Asaba River is typically low-flowing and slow-flowing. From Ashaban Beach to your Battle Valley, flat-bottomed boats can barely pass through it. When reaching the upper reaches of Ashaban Beach, even larger flat-bottomed boats have difficulty crossing.
When you reach the lower reaches of Yewen Pond, the water flow becomes turbulent and the terrain is undulating. It is very dangerous for small flat-bottomed boats to use there and it is easy to overturn. At most, you can only reach Feather Falls, where the water drop is hundreds of meters, and there is no water at all. The way is directly into the sea.
A river is divided into four parts. How to manage it? "
"Just talking about this dam, how do we build it? Once it is built small, when the rainy season comes, it will directly collapse and submerge, which wastes people and money. But if it is built large, it will not be used for ten months a year, but it will become a hindrance to our daily life. .”
"The most important thing is that this matter requires a huge amount of manpower and material resources. It cannot be completed in one valley. It is difficult to see benefits in a short period of time. It is difficult, it is too difficult."
Regarding Gavin's proposal, the seven members of the Misty Valley councilors could not hide their excitement on their faces, but what they raised with their mouths were all kinds of governance problems.
The Asaba River is the mother river of the valley. Just look at the distribution of the major valleys. This is not a coincidence, but a necessity, because when the immigrants opened up the valley, they came along this river, and even more To be precise, it is connected to the eleven sub-valleys, plus the Moon Valley that has become part of Sambia.
Their lives are greatly affected by this river. Why haven't they thought about managing it and making use of it?
However, the situation of this river is far more complicated than ordinary rivers. It is not only subject to various terrain restrictions, but also affected by climate seasons, which greatly increases the difficulty of management.
"What if I build a dam here to raise the daily water level in the upper reaches of the Asaba River to that of the rainy season?" Gavin didn't waste any time and took out a valley map. In his own territory, Yewen The outlet of the pond clicked a little, throwing out a hypothesis.
"A dam that can raise the water level of the entire Asaba River by ten meters? Are you sure?" Everyone couldn't help but take a breath of air. This is no longer a matter of the size of the project, but a question of whether it can be successful. How much water pressure must such a barrage bear?
"Don't worry about whether the river dam can be built or not. Let me just say that if there is this dam, would you like to join us in managing it?" Gavin did not reveal that he was planning to move the mountain directly. Because this is a bit too shocking, this kind of borrowing of divine power can just make a fortune in silence, there is no need to publicize it all over the world.
"Join, definitely join. If the water level of the Asaba River can maintain the rainy season, small and medium-sized flat-bottomed boats can travel unimpeded throughout the entire upper reaches. Even some large flat-bottomed boats can sail to Asaba Beach, and the water transportation capacity will be raised dramatically."
"If you really have the ability to do this, the management of the upper reaches of the Asaba River will be much simpler, because we can completely repair the corresponding river embankments before the water level rises, and even manually excavate the areas that are about to be flooded. Trim it to make it easier for ships to navigate.”
"In some places with special terrain, we can completely isolate them and form fish ponds in the river to carry out aquaculture and increase fish catches."
"It's just that some things that originally belonged to the flooded river channel must be completely abandoned."
“Many of the things here are temporary in nature, so it wouldn’t be a pity to give them up.”
"The waterways in the forest have to be cleared and the trees have to be removed."
"This is simple, just ask the druids to activate the plants and bring them to a more suitable place to take root."
Gavin's hypothesis directly excited the seven members of the Misty Valley, because this move directly revitalized the entire upper reaches of the Asaba River. Not only can water transportation become very smooth, it can even develop a series of ancillary industries. .
The rapid water flow caused by the convergence of three rivers in the lower reaches of the Asaba River can also be controlled to a certain extent. During the period when the flow is cut off and water is collected, they will have a considerable gap period to further manage the river channel. It should be widened when it needs to be widened, it should be dug deep when it should be dug, and it should be narrowed down when it should be narrowed. Let it change completely according to human will.
"Sir, can you really build a dam on Yevin Pond?"
"Sir, how sure are you that you can build a dam?"
The possibilities brought about by this were so tempting that they were completely tempted. Now whether Gavin could build a dam became the most critical link.
"This solvent is called cement solvent. It is made from the molted skin of crayfish. After being blended with sediment in a certain proportion, it can become as solid as rock."
Gavin did not answer them, but directly took out a glass bottle the size of a red wine bottle, which was filled with a dark red glue substance. "This kilogram of cement solvent is enough to mix with ten tons of sediment to turn them into building materials." , we have already launched large-scale breeding in the Thun Swamp, and next I will choose a place to breed in the valley. With it, do you think it is still impossible to dam the river? "
There was no way to explain the use of shadow power to drag the blood horn, so Gavin directly put the credit on the cement solvent.
This thing doesn't have any technical content. As long as you can get explosive crayfish, you can breed them even if you have a water basin and fish tank and collect their molted shells.
Gavin plans to bring this out to benefit the people, promote it in the valley, and fully cultivate it. It will become the key to managing the Asaba River, because the most indispensable thing here is sediment.
In large enough quantities, it can work wonders.
“Can’t everyone cultivate this kind of thing?”
"Yes, it is not very difficult to raise explosive crayfish. They can survive even in sewage and shallow bays. They will eat whether it is weeds or fish and shrimp. The only thing you need to worry about is that they are so edible. And it reproduces at an alarming rate and can easily become an invasive species, causing serious impact on local waters, especially fish ponds."
"If this thing is really as magical as Sir said, wouldn't it be a construction artifact that can not only be used to regulate the Asaba River, but can also be used for construction. With so many bottles of cement solvent, you can build a hut by the river."
"This is indeed another use of this solvent. Therefore, even after the Asaba River is treated, these explosive crayfish can continue to be cultured and produced as a unique commodity. I believe that in many places, Everybody can use it.”
"I wonder if we can also breed this kind of explosive crayfish in Misty Valley?"
"If you are willing, when our army comes, we will leave you a carload of Explosive Crayfish seedlings. They have been bred by druids using natural magic. Not only are they larger than ordinary Explosive Crawfish, Three times more often, the shelling frequency is also high, basically once every two to three months.
They are just elementary magic-bred varieties, and further research is still being done in Thun Swamp.
You can try breeding it first to truly feel the effects of this new biological building material.
If you are still interested, we can share the latest research results free of charge. "
"Why is this so embarrassing? We didn't do anything, so we just took it for nothing."
"We are all from the same family in the valley, and cooperation can only lead to win-win results. Only if countless people work together to raise the explosive crayfish, then we will have enough materials to build the river dam. I am willing to use 100 gold coins/kg for this cement solvent. Price recovery, unlimited quantity.”
All promises are false, and gold coins are the most real. Only in this way can the cultivation of explosive crayfish be promoted.
After the world saw the true efficacy of the cement solvent, only a few of them were actually handed over to him for recycling at a price of 100 gold coins per kilogram, and most of them were sold on the market at a higher price.
This is no longer simply about developing aquaculture, but innovating the construction industry in Faerûn through this method, and the valley is the pilot.
"Sir has considered every aspect so thoroughly. There is no reason why we should not join. Members, what do you think?"
"I'm in favor of joining."
"I agree."
"I agree too."
"Sir, did you hear it? Everyone approved it. The matter of regulating the Asaba River will be counted among us in the Misty Valley."
The seven members of the Misty Valley did not shy away and voted directly in front of Gavin, and all members approved the proposal.
After all, this is a good thing that will benefit the present and will last forever. If they are really able to assist Gavin in completing this matter, their names will be engraved in the history of the Misty Valley even if they are not engraved in the history of the valley.
"Governing the Asaba River is not something that happens overnight, nor is it a matter for one valley. I will continue to negotiate with other valleys and strive to include them."
Gavin was not surprised by this resolution. “Before the plan enters the implementation stage, I will form a professional team to have a detailed understanding of the entire Asaba River and formulate a detailed management plan. When the plan is launched, there will be Specialized people come to coordinate.”
"Sir is so thoughtful, we are more confident in this matter." Supreme Councilor Harisk said with a smile, "I believe not only me, but everyone here believes that Sir really cares about the valley and is dedicated to the people. You We can now give an answer to the first previous proposal, and we are willing to sign a long-term purchase agreement with the Jazz."
"Then I will give you a benefit. When our army passes through the Misty Valley, I will help you renovate the main road and turn it into an asphalt road with a masonry-like structure."
Gavin would naturally not let go of the opportunity to earn a good reputation for himself. Anyway, building roads was something that was beneficial to everyone, and Misty Valley didn't seem like the kind of person who could spend a lot of gold coins to ask them to build roads.
This kind of good thing is limited to the arrival of the conqueror's army in the land of three rivers. In the future, if other countries and forces want to ask them to build roads, they will need to spend money, unless it is for political needs and other benefit exchanges.
"Thank you Sir."
Although the seven members of the Misty Valley responded with a smile, they did not take it to heart. They had no idea about the asphalt road Gavin mentioned.
"Patriarch, when our army passes through the Misty Valley, they will transport away the five thousand tons of grain I ordered earlier. Is there any problem on your side?" Gavin turned his attention to the priest of the God of the Earth and confirmed again.
In this matter, it can be said that Gavin was extremely cautious, paying in advance and sending someone to keep an eye on it secretly.
It is to prevent accidents from happening, because money touches people's hearts.
With the sudden change in the situation, the price of grain is now changing three times a day. When Gavin ordered it previously, the market price of this grain was around 500,000 yuan, but now it has soared to 1.5 million yuan. It is still pricey but not marketable. How much can he get? How much to digest.
This situation not only tempted countless gangsters, but Gavin was also afraid that Janella and other parties involved would also change their minds temporarily. Although the possibility was slim, this possibility had to be guarded against.
"The sooner you transport it, the better." Janella said with a very headache-like look, "You don't know how much pressure I'm under right now. Businessmen, big and small, who buy food are surrounding the door of the monastery every day. They Fortunately, they were dismissed. At most, they stayed behind closed doors. They did not dare to rush into the sacred place of the Mother Goddess.
The key is that the merchants of the Zhentarim and Sembia are also eyeing this batch of food. They put pressure on me internally and externally every day. The price has been set at 1.8 million for me. Many priests have been bribed by them and come to my door to give it to me. I am doing my job, but if the Mother Goddess's protection is not still there, I am afraid that one day I will no longer be able to keep my position as Patriarch, and I will no longer have the final say on Sir's batch of food.
If Sir had transported this batch of food earlier, there would not have been such a big trouble. "
In her words, Janella didn't mean to go back on the deal, but that didn't mean that others didn't care about the food.
Especially the Zhentarim and Sembian merchants who chase profit like flies chasing odor. If the Golden Sheaf Monastery was not a monastery protected by the Mother Earth, they would not simply try to buy it at a high price. They would do all kinds of things. As a means of doing something, we went into battle early in the morning.
No, to be more precise, the Golden Wheatsheaf Monastery had no chance of hoarding so much food and had been eaten up long ago.
"Why don't I want to." Gavin said with helplessness that could not be concealed in his expression, "I believe the Patriarch knows how huge five thousand tons of grain is, let alone how troublesome transportation is. When it arrives, I have no place to store it, so don’t worry, even if not all of it is transported this time, a large part will be transported, and all the remaining items will be transported within a month."
Even if it is transported by kobolds who do not need to pay remuneration, it is still a hugely expensive project. Those short and weak kobolds are not good at this kind of physical work, and typically do twice the result with half the effort.
(End of chapter)
