Chapter 500: Inventory Control (2/2)
“Ah, so you noticed…”
“Huh?”
Perhaps it had been due to the innate intuition of a child, or maybe because Hanna was particularly sharp, but she had realized that this wasn’t the real Jin.
Reiko began to explain the situation to Hanna, who was starting to get nervous.
“Hanna, this is Father’s ‘Substitute Doll’.”
“Huh? A doll?”
“Yes. Just like me.”
“Ah, like Big Sis Reiko…”
Hanna seemed convinced by the explanation. However, she still appeared to be a bit uneasy, and wouldn’t come any closer.
“And where’s the real Big Brother?”
Jin himself answered that.
“I’m in my house, Hanna.”
“Hmm…”
“I have something to discuss with the village chief, so I have to go.”
“Okay, see you later.”
Hanna waved at him and ran off somewhere. Seeing her off, Jin muttered something.
“…Hanna saw right through it, huh?”
(She has spent a lot of time around you, Father.)
“Oh, well.”
After some more walking, they finally arrived at the village chief’s house and knocked on the door. The signboard that read “Milleshan Clinic” was very noticeable.
“Good morning.”
Giebeck himself came to the door and greeted them.
“Good morning, Jin. If you’re here to see Dr. Sally, she’s out on a house call.”
“Oh, no, I’ve actually come to discuss something with you.”
“Hmm? Well, come on in then.”
After being invited inside, Jin faced Giebeck across the table in the living room.
Jin then quickly began to explain the purpose of his visit. Without actually mentioning who they would be selling food to, though.
“Hmm, so there’s a potential buyer for the village’s surplus of food, and you’re thinking about selling, Jin?”
“Yes. Also, this is partly because I want to help the buyers by giving them as much as possible, but I was still wondering how much I could sell in the village’s current situation.”
Jin had Reiko show Giebeck the file they had brought along. After taking it and reading it carefully, he started to share his view.
“Well, last year was a good harvest and the first half of this year was also very good. Spring wheat and other crops are going well in August. So I think there wouldn’t be a problem if you were to sell everything off, leaving only what we need until next year’s harvest season.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. The village is also doing well financially, so we’re in a position where we can buy food to cover shortages in case of an emergency.”
Jin was relieved to hear that.
“Besides, you said that you were trying to ‘help the buyers’. If not for that, I would’ve wanted to keep half of it.”
“Understood, thank you very much. So, in that case…”
Jin decided he would sell 2 tons of wheat, 2 tons of barley, and some legumes.
Since 6 tons of winter wheat and 3 tons of barley had already been distributed to each household, they only needed to have 6 tons of barley and wheat in stock. They had already estimated how much they would harvest in autumn, and Nidou Castle still had a stockpile of nearly 5 tons.
“As for how to transport all that food… Well, I’m sure you can figure something out, Jin.”
“Yes, that’s my specialty.”
His biggest concern had been resolved. Jin then kept on talking with Giebeck to ask a little more about the way of thinking around the village’s food management for a bit.
“Oh, but if it isn’t Jin. Morning.”
Sally had just returned from the home visit.
“Henry is growing up healthy and quickly, and maybe two more babies will be born within a month.”
“That’s great news. Thank you, doctor.”
“Please, I’m not doing anything. By the way, I saw those two people taking a walk a while ago. It looks like they’re getting better.”
“Yes, that’s thanks to you too.”
“Haha, well, let’s go with that then.”
Sally tapped the shoulder of Nurse Gamma, the nurse golem who had been joining her as her assistant.
“This one has come in really handy as well. This village is very nice.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. It’d be great to see you settle down here for good.”
“As for me, I’d like you to stay in this house for as long as you want.”
Both Jin and Giebeck shared their earnest thoughts with Sally.