Chapter 483: Chapter 351: The Soaring Summer Tax
Alakosia stepped forward, opened the wooden box inside the chest, and carefully and respectfully took out an object.
"This is the statue of the Goddess Danu! It was personally carved by Leader Maximus, inspired by the Goddess Danu who visited him repeatedly in his dreams and enlightened him. He entrusted me to bring it to you, Sage, hoping the Goddess’s radiance could also illuminate the Iron Core Tribe!"
Bodamochi took the statue with a mix of respect and skepticism, examining it closely: it was a half-meter tall wooden statue of a woman. Her hair was elegantly arranged in a high bun adorned with a wreath of oak branches, she wore a simple white gown with finely detailed folds that draped naturally like flowing water. Her smooth, pale left hand held a water-filled ceramic jug on her left shoulder, while her right hand extended forward, scattering soil from her palm. Her figure was graceful and upright, noble and elegant, with a serene and compassionate expression. Her deep-set eyes gazed downward mercifully at all living things, and the gentle smile on her lips conveyed a sense of tender care...
The more Bodamochi looked at the statue, the more he felt a profound connection and a sense of holiness...
He hurriedly placed the statue respectfully on his seat, stepped back a few paces, and bowed deeply in reverence.
Observing this, Alakosia continued from the side, "Within the territory of the Nix Tribe, multiple temples dedicated to the Goddess Danu have already been established. Almost all tribesmen visit the temple to pray and deeply revere the Druids who guard the temple..."
Bodamochi gazed intently at the statue, his thoughts in turmoil.
The Druids believe that the natural world harbors countless gods and spirits, but they hold the Holy Stone Sacred Forest in highest esteem. This is not only because gods are unknowable and unimaginable, but also because rocks and forests are tangible realities. They believe that touching and praying before the Holy Stone grants divine protection, and that forests are homes to gods—essentially using the Holy Stone Sacred Forest as a bridge to communicate with the divine.
But now, standing before this exquisitely crafted and solemnly magnificent statue, Bodamochi felt a mysterious impulse: this was the Goddess Danu! We are made in Her likeness because She created us! She is perfect because She is a deity, transcending mortals! Yet She is also loving and compassionate, for She created all things and desires harmony between humanity and nature...
Bodamochi took a deep breath and said with conviction, "It seems I need to make time to travel to the Nix Tribe."
Sphili was taken aback, and asked in surprise, "Sage, are you going to visit the Nix Tribe yourself?!"
Bodamochi looked at him and said resolutely, "Traveling for spiritual learning is an essential practice for us Druids. Shamefully, it has been many years since I last did so. This time, I’ll take the opportunity of our cordial relations with the Nix Tribe to visit their temples dedicated to the Goddess Danu and exchange knowledge with their Druids. The only question now is whether the Nix Tribe will permit my visit?"
This last remark was evidently directed toward Alakosia.
Equally surprised, Alakosia quickly snapped out of it and eagerly responded, "I believe our Leader Maximus would be thrilled to welcome Sage Bodamochi to our tribe!"
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In late September, the golden fields of the Nix Tribe had turned to gray-black soil. The wheat from the village threshing grounds had already been stored in granaries, and households were immersed in the joy of harvest, with laughter and merriment everywhere.
In the main hall of Ophelia’s administrative building, Maximus was listening to the Finance Department Chief Officer Gaius’s report: "...This time, the Finance Department has received ### kilograms of wheat as the summer tax, as well as ### kilograms of flax."
"### kilograms of wheat! This year’s field tax has increased six or seven times compared to last year!" Maximus said with a smile.
"Leader, not only has the number of cultivated fields in our tribe increased significantly this year, but the harvest from those fields has also surpassed last year’s yield, so the tax revenue has exceeded our department’s initial estimates," Gaius said softly. "The Finance Department has already filled grain silos in Snowdonia, Westeni, Ophelia... among other towns, but there’s still a small portion of remaining wheat that has no storage space. We are urgently requesting the construction team to expedite the expansion of granaries."
Maximus was evidently aware of this issue, and he said mildly, "How much of this remaining small portion of wheat are we talking about?"
"Approximately... roughly one-sixth of the wheat remains without proper storage," Gaius replied meekly.
"The Finance Department is supposed to be the department that values accuracy the most! A ’small portion’?" Maximus sneered, his tone sharply critical. "Is this the kind of careless attitude you bring as the Chief Officer? No wonder you failed to accurately estimate wheat field yields and neglected to construct enough silos. Now so much wheat is being left exposed outdoors—what if it rains heavily and the wheat spoils? Will you be the one to compensate for the loss?"
Gaius was struck silent, too frightened to defend himself.
Vonenus, emboldened, interjected, "Leader, the Finance Department’s failure to accurately estimate the summer tax yield... partially lies with us at the Agricultural Department!"
Vonenus glanced at the unyielding Maximus and continued apologetically, "Although this year’s favorable weather ensured an excellent crop yield, we initially anticipated a bountiful harvest.
However... with the expansion of the tribe’s territory, the population has grown substantially—from the previous 11,300 households and 47,000 people to over 52,900 households and 194,500 people. The number of fields has similarly surged, from close to 150,000 acres to more than 2.17 million acres. Both population and acreage have multiplied several times, yet the number of personnel in the Labor Department hasn’t increased significantly.
Accurately predicting field yields requires staff to visit towns, villages, and individual fields to carefully observe and calculate accurate data.
But the Finance Department is woefully understaffed. Even just surveying Ophelia’s fields proved difficult, while the wheat fields along the Kupa River had to rely on the few Agricultural Department staff posted there. The wheat field acreage along the Kupa River is substantial, making it impossible for them alone to carry out the extensive evaluation needed. As a result, their focus had to shift mostly to Todleduo, while they relied on last year’s statistics for Snowdonia and Westeni.
This led us to realize post-harvest that the grain yield in these two towns had exceeded estimates. Their average yield per acre reached between 100 to 140 pounds—"
"That’s at least 20 pounds more than last year’s yield!" Maximus exclaimed with some astonishment.
Vonenus felt a small relief and spoke with a bit more confidence, "The Agricultural Department sent personnel to investigate specifically and found that the increase in yield for these two towns’ fields was due to improved farming techniques. Farmers plowed deeper, thoroughly cleared weeds and debris, fertilized adequately, and carefully selected fuller, healthier grains from last year’s harvest for planting..."
"What about Ophelia’s average yield per acre?" Maximus asked with interest.
"Yield here averaged about 100 pounds per acre," Vonenus replied promptly. "That’s 30 to 40 pounds more than their average yield from earlier years. The village chiefs were diligent in teaching agricultural techniques, and the reserve tribe members studied diligently. Moreover, with so much new land obtained, farmers worked extra hard on their fields...
However, there remains a shortage of farming tools, draft oxen, and manure. I believe by next year, with improvements in these areas, the yield per acre can increase even further."
Maximus listened intently and nodded slightly, his expression softening.
Vonenus seized the moment to add, "Leader, while estimating this year’s field harvest, the Agricultural Department also made an error. The northern territories only stabilized completely about a month ago, at which time we were busy investigating Ophelia’s fields and couldn’t spare staff to survey the northern regions. I assumed that after the conflicts, many villages and settlements had suffered damage and believed there wouldn’t be much harvest from their fields. Moreover, I thought it wouldn’t be reasonable to demand taxes from the people in a newly acquired land so quickly.
But in reality, since the Yabod people invaded the northern territory primarily in search of grain, they avoided damaging the fields significantly. Although the northern territory is relatively small, its soil is fertile. Moreover, Chief Officer Sirinos of the northern administration managed to have the tribesmen pay taxes, yielding a surprising volume of grain...
In short, our Agricultural Department’s oversight caused us to underestimate the taxes paid by the tribesmen, leaving the Finance Department unprepared."
Gaius glanced in surprise at the contrite Vonenus, someone he frequently clashed with, who was now standing up for him.
Maximus pondered for a moment before saying sternly, "The personnel shortage isn’t unique to your Agricultural Department; it applies to other departments as well. Last time, you raided the tribal school, recruiting so many students that even Kefisofon complained to me.
This time, don’t even think about expanding your department. Even if I approve, there’s no one available. The tribal school still needs time to train capable individuals. Regardless, you must find a way to manage responsibilities effectively—I don’t want to see the same mistakes happening again!"
"Yes, Leader!" Vonenus and Gaius replied in unison, bowing.
Gaius continued to explain, "Leader, we have obtained the approval of the Ophelia administrative officer, Sicropus, to temporarily store the surplus grain in empty courtyards in East Village, ensuring its safety.
Capito has assigned additional manpower to the construction team, and within a month, two new large granaries will be built near Ophelia. Once completed, there will be more than enough space for storing the remaining grain."