Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 20

Chapter 20 – The Start of the Negotiation.

The atmosphere was filled with heavy silence.

The sound of the firewood bursting into flame reverberated together with the sound of the continuously falling rain.

After changing his clothes and warming up for a while, Eiji looked at the man attentively.

– My name is Franko. My job involves territory managing and tax collection.
– It’s Eiji, I do forging.

Somehow, being fixedly glared at by this guy gives off a bad feeling.

Being observed by that guy’s eyes, which seemed to see through to one’s soul, Eiji could feel the difficulty in dealing with him.

Eiji could feel pressure coming.
Next to him, while the tribal chief was sipping hot water, she sent Franko an eye signal, so as to begin the conversation.

– I have several questions to ask you; therefore I’d like to have you answer me. It’s true that you’re making use of the iron which hasn’t been use until now, yes?

– So you’re telling me that the metal, which has been infamously called ‘the garbage metal’, became useful?

– I wonder what forced you to think of it that way.

– You don’t know?

Eiji spoke about his personal history.

He told him how he was picked by Tanya, and how he strived in order to become a member of this village.

Eiji thought that it would be only natural for him to apply iron in the present time where only bronze was used.

While listening to Eiji’s answer, Franko nodded with sounds indicating that he understood.

– Then let’s follow your story. It seems that this iron has a fine sharpness, but quickly it becomes rusty, as well as not being too durable, don’t you think?

– Are the prospects of improving methods visible?
– It’s still at the stage of experimentation, or something of this sort.

Eiji didn’t intend to answer in detail; nevertheless, he didn’t consider himself to be a skillful liar [1]

He thought that it would be better to answer with the necessary minimum, just to the extent of not ignoring that person.
Franko continued to speak without holding any bad feelings toward Eiji, and dropped words which gave an impact.

– I see. But doesn’t it seem like you’ve been making great efforts with other things? Judging from what I checked, in addition to goods, such as: hammer, iron pot, kitchen knives, needles, and fasteners, there seem to be other tools like: upgraded plows and hoes, bearings and axles used in bullock carts, a tree cutting tool called a saw, a tool used to shave the tree – a plane, a seed sowing implement, tools which use the power of the so-called water mill, a trap used for hunting animals, a human powered cart, ofuro, and soap…. All of these are correct, right?

This man…!

– Yes…

– At first, when I asked the villagers, they were rather reluctant, but once I requested them to tell me with honesty, I was able to draw comfortable answers.

It would be fine to consider all of this items as exposed due to making them available to the public.

There’s a chance that he will even grasp those.

Eiji felt chills running up his spine, thinking about his fearsome information gathering ability.

He probably must have had some sort of method to get the information out the people.

Perhaps, it reeks of him trying to intimidate with raising or exacting taxes – he thought.

Indeed, an incredibly capable person.

Eiji could sense his mouth rattling and drying.

And while being aware that his expression became tense, he couldn’t stop it.

– It’s fine not to be that stiff. I’m not saying anything that would mean taking away from you, or devour from you.

– Is that so…? Well, I thought you’d say that. It can’t be helped.

Saying that, Franko smiled lonesomely.

Eiji believed that this guy actually understood his duty well.

And more than that, he tends to work thoroughly.

That appearance of his piled up with Eiji’s, who worked as a blacksmith.

On the other hand, for Franko to do his best, it was enough to please specific people, and to throw someone into misfortune.

Certainly, there was no way for the side which takes and for the side which had things taken to be compatible, so he didn’t appear to be a likeable character. Nevertheless, you had to admit he possessed way of working and abilities.

– Then, let’s ascertain your discharge of duty. Including the previously mentioned developments, Eiji-san managed to produce 50 points within 3 months of time. Not to mention, during that time, once the charcoal ran out, he had to interrupt his work in order to gather lumber. Indeed, that’s some fearsome mobilization power.

– Despite that, the majority of the works were yours. If we simply 4-fold that, your production ability would reach 200 points per year.

At that time, Franko cut his words short.

One could feel the strong attitude coming from him, which said ‘I’ll not allow any place for excuses.’

– …I’d like you to achieve 100 out of these 200 points.
– That’s harsh, isn’t it? At this rate we won’t be able to burn using our stoves during the winter.

– Oh. Why is that?
– It’s because other people use firewood as well.

During the winter, no matter which household it is, each needs to kindle fire in order to get warmth.
If so, then Felippe’s job will be at the limit due to the amount of work.

Back in the olden days, blacksmiths used to store firewood when it became winter, and used them for the work once it turned warm.

– I see….

Indeed, after seeing such a situation, he would compromise.

Nevertheless, there was some sort of trick.

Wouldn’t that mean higher taxes?

But, if the taxes are low, then the village would develop thanks to flow of trade products through and throughout the village.

Having only half of the tax collected while doing the same work would be considered a blessing.

That wasn’t the sole reason for his worry, however.
Could it be that the reason why Franko wasn’t coercive in his negotiations was because he wasn’t able to measure the exact value of Eiji’s inventions?

Perhaps, with such reason, it would be possible to reduce the tax ratio – he thought.

And can they fight for equal opportunities?

While Eiji couldn’t think of any ideas, the hand of a savior was outstretched.
That was tribal chief who was sitting next to him silently without giving off any sign.

– Franko, I have a small suggestion coming from me, however…

Translators and reference notes:

[1]: the meaning was ‘skilfull speaker’ in Japanese, but somehow ‘skilfull liar’,which was suggested by Ace, matched better. I can’t tell whether it is what the author meant, but just bear it in your mind.

Chapter end