The autumn harvest in the Village of the Great Tree was still a little way off, but the work in Village Five had already begun.
Massive quantities of crops were being funneled into the large storehouses managed by the village. This was the result of the current year’s labor.
Interestingly, there were no taxes on the harvest in Village Five. This was because the village itself had reclaimed the Village Five Fields, both directly and indirectly. In other words, all of the fields in Village Five belonged to the village itself. I hadn't really given it much thought before, but apparently, that was how things worked.
The village hired people to perform the farm work and grew crops in those fields. The laborers were then paid a harvest-based wage according to the volume they brought in. Initially, we had considered giving the workers a portion of the actual crops, but we eventually decided that paying them a wage was more practical when considering future transactions with merchants.
It was a tall order for an individual to negotiate with professional merchants who were masters of their trade. For their part, the merchants also preferred dealing with Village Five as a single entity; it minimized trouble and made it easier for them to communicate their specific needs for the following year. Consequently, every single crop harvested from the Village Five Fields was delivered directly into the village's possession.
Of course, in many small villages, residents often entrusted their harvest to a representative to trade in bulk, so it wasn't as if we were doing anything revolutionary. Still, the sheer scale of the harvest was staggering. The population difference between the Village of the Great Tree and Village Five was so vast that it was foolish to even compare them, but I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.
"Village Head. The crops aren't just being brought here, you know. We have other storehouses as well. In fact, we’ve run out of space in the warehouses, so the overflow is currently being moved into the Village Council Hall and even your mansion."
Yoko explained this to me with an expression that suggested I should have already known. Yes, I was aware, but it was still a shock. The volume was simply on a different level. The amount stored in the large storehouse right in front of me already far exceeded the total harvest from the Village of the Great Tree.
"It probably has something to do with how the Village Head expanded the Village Five Fields every time he had a spare moment," she added.
Had I really done that much?
"You certainly did."
When she put it like that, I suppose I did recall doing quite a bit of work. Regardless, a large harvest was generally a good thing.
"Actually, that is not necessarily the case," Yoko countered.
Was it not?
"If the harvest matches our projections, there are no issues. However, it is a problem whether it is too large or too small."
I understood why a small harvest was bad, but what was the issue with having too much? Was it that the market price would drop?
"There is that, certainly. But... Village Head, you must remember that some crops keep well, while others do not."
Ah. That made sense. Wheat and barley lasted for a long time, but tomatoes and eggplants did not.
"For the crops that keep, we set aside a certain percentage for stockpiles rather than selling everything. It isn't much of a problem even if those reserves grow."
Stockpiles were essential for famine relief and as a precaution in case of war. However, we had been building up these reserves for several years now without much reason to use them. I remembered a report mentioning that our stored quantities had become quite substantial. So, was the problem that we needed to consume the older stock?
"No, we have uses for those, such as livestock feed."
Then what was the issue?
"The problem lies with the perishable crops."
Yoko continued, "The merchants will buy them even if there is a surplus. They would likely offer a fair price out of consideration for us rather than trying to undercut us. However, these are perishable goods. Even with the Teleportation Gates, our shipping destinations are limited. We cannot afford to impose on the merchants too much."
That was a fair point. So, what were they doing with the excess?
"Self-consumption."
"Pardon?"
"The staff at the Village Five Council Dining Hall and the Security Team are doing their best to eat through it all."
"I... I see."
"They are trying their hardest, but..."
Was it that they couldn't finish it all no matter how much they ate?
"No, the issue is that they have to eat the exact same menu for days on end."
"Oh..."
"It is one thing for me," Yoko said. "I can eat my breakfast and dinner back at the Village of the Great Tree. But for those who stay in Village Five..."
She was likely referring to Hii, Roku, and Nana. Ever since the topic of perishables had come up, the three of them had been casting pleading looks in my direction—or more accurately, they were looking at me as if I were their only hope.
"The members of the Village Council are in the same boat. I cannot say for certain, but work efficiency seems to drop during this period. Even though it is our busiest season."
Well, the only real solution I could offer was to come up with some new recipes.
"That alone would be a massive help. We’re counting on you."
"I-I'll do my best."
As a side note, it seemed they had tried distributing the surplus perishables to a nearby Elf Village as a gesture of goodwill. The elves were reportedly delighted, and for a moment, the administration thought they had found a perfect solution for the future. However, the elves had then sent back return gifts that were even more substantial than what we had given them.
"And those return gifts were also quite perishable... While the change in flavor was appreciated, the staff ended up having to eat those for days on end as well."
I see. That was quite a dilemma.
"I’ll be more deliberate with my planning next time I expand the fields," I promised.
"No, you do not need to change how you do things," Yoko replied. "It is better for the Village Head to act as he pleases rather than overthinking it; your instincts usually lead to better results."
Even if it meant everyone was stuck eating the same thing?
"The experience of eating the same menu day after day will surely prove useful eventually. I am certain of it."
She was certainly being optimistic. Regardless, I needed to hurry up and think of some new dishes.
"Please, we are begging you," Yoko said with a final, hopeful look.