King
Chapter 1258 - 1258 219 Undercurrents Strike

1258: Chapter 219: Undercurrents Strike 1258: Chapter 219: Undercurrents Strike Labor shortage is not a problem unique to Snow Moon Territory; almost all Lords in the Kingdom’s North Border and the Near East Region are facing the dilemma of insufficient population.

The larger the territory, the greater the labor gap.

Even well-established Nobles cannot muster enough workforce.

As of now, the immigration work from the Mountain Domain has come to a complete halt.

Inevitably, there is simply no surplus population.

Labor shortages in the Alpha Kingdom are not only due to the insufficient population base but also to wartime factors.

Before Hudson ascended to power, the Kingdom suffered a series of defeats, with cumulative losses of soldiers exceeding one million.

Although no major defeats have occurred since then, war still results in casualties.

Even victorious battles incur losses.

Wars have caused substantial losses of the young and strong, leading directly to an imbalance in the Kingdom’s population structure.

Even the Southeastern Province, which was relatively less impacted, has experienced a dismal population growth rate in recent years.

After the great Plain War, the War Faction within the Kingdom suggested: striking while the Orc Empire is severely weakened.

The proposal was immediately rejected by the Kingdom due to the scarcity of government funds and domestic realities being a significant factor.

Three hundred years of “Exhausting Soldiers and Wars,” and the regime has been able to continue.

In this regard, the Alpha Kingdom has extensive experience and knows what to do at which times.

In their efforts to increase the population, Kingdom Aristocrats are breaking their backs.

One look at the market price of Human slaves, and it’s evident that everyone is making an effort.

In this regard, Hudson has the most say, being absolutely the most generous Lord with slave purchases.

This is evident from the population numbers in his territory.

In just a few short years following the war, the combined population of the Mountain Domain + Snow Moon Territory surged from two million to two and a half million, something that natural birth rates could not achieve.

It’s not that more couldn’t be purchased, but rather that the market supply is limited, and it’s not always possible to buy when you want to.

At first, Different Races captured Humans within controlled areas to sell as slaves.

After years of turmoil, the survivors have been nearly wiped out.

At this moment, the only option for increasing the population, besides encouraging childbirth, is no longer viable.

Sadly, humans are not crops; no matter how much you stimulate them, it’s impossible to quickly turn them into a labor force.

If Hudson hadn’t been driven to desperation, he wouldn’t have come up with the idea of hiring Magicians for labor.

Although they seem to be doing quite well, the investment is still loss-making on paper.

The revenue generated from the land doesn’t necessitate paying the high wages of the Magicians.

If it weren’t for the need to nourish the soil, it’s likely that the upper echelons within the territory would have vehemently opposed this.

After all, the natural environment of the plains cannot compare to the fertile fields of the Southeastern Province.

Even with Snow Moon Lake and several rivers ensuring an abundant water supply within the territory, there are still a multitude of challenges to developing agricultural production.

Aside from a few areas, the soil depth of most plains simply does not support long-term agricultural production.

If erosion were to occur, it wouldn’t take many decades for the plains to turn into desert wasteland.

What technological means can resolve, magic can too, transforming sand into soil.

The only issue is the cost, which requires a large number of Magicians to participate.

From a long-term development perspective, these initial investments are certainly worthwhile.

As long as financial resources permit, Hudson will persist regardless of the losses.

Of the Magicians currently employed in Snow Moon Territory, nearly seventy percent are striving for this grand goal.

Unless something unforeseen occurs, this substantial task will keep them busy for the next ten millennia.

If Snow Moon Territory can continue to expand, then this work will be part of their lifetime series.

…

Under the veil of night, a group of dark shadows swings continuously across the silent grassland, resembling ghosts from hell.

“Master, we have fully investigated the mission you assigned.

The Inherited Land was secretly opened two months ago; the current apparent inheritance of the Sanctuary is actually a trap!”

After hearing the report of the shadow, the ethereal creature laughed eerily and said in a hoarse voice, “What is real may seem fake, and the fake may seem real.

I had not anticipated that after so many years, these single-minded Orcs would also learn to use dark intrigue.

To play the game of fishing requires cooperation.

The Kingdom of Elf has just been warned by the Elf Race, so they’re unlikely to join the fray right now.

You all be careful lately.

The blood sacrifice of the frontier days, although deliberately blamed on the Human Race, might not fool everyone.

Ghoul one, from now on, you can disregard the issue of the Inherited Land.

The legacy I have bestowed upon you can likewise break through the Sanctuary; there’s no need to pick up what’s left from the Beast God many millennia ago!”

While his words seem dismissive, his true desires are quite the opposite.

How could he possibly not covet the legacy left by the Beast God?

But the ethereal creature knows himself well; recklessly going to a place closely watched by the various Orc Races has a 99% chance of exposure.

The taste of being utterly defeated is unpleasant; instead of rashly seeking thrills, it’s better to prepare covertly in the shadows.

“Master, we’ve encountered some difficulties with our infiltration in the Alpha Kingdom.

Merchants traveling to the great plains have low status and find it hard to access the power core there.