NOVEL WEB Chapter 25: New Orders
In royal office of Prince Harsha,
In the quiet majesty of Mandore's royal palace, the soft morning light filtered through the tall, arched windows of Harsha's office. Intricate carvings adorned the sandstone walls, depicting scenes of ancient battles and bountiful harvests. The faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, mingling with the fragrance of freshly brewed herbal tea. Seated behind a polished teakwood desk, Harsha, now a man in his youth, exuded an aura of calm authority.
He gestured for his attendants to bring in Arjuna, Rudra, and Dhruv. The three men entered with practiced strides, their expressions resolute. Each bore the marks of their expertise—Arjuna, the agricultural visionary, with calloused hands and sun-kissed skin; Rudra, the master architect, carrying a small leather-bound journal of sketches; and Dhruv, the strategist and merchant, his eyes sharp with intellect.
Harsha's gaze settled on Arjuna first. "Arjuna," he began, his voice steady yet commanding, "tell me of the task I entrusted to you two years ago regarding the implementation of the four-crop rotation system. How fare the farmers of Mandore?"
Arjuna stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Yuvraj," he said, addressing Harsha with the title reserved for crown princes, "the system is now fully adopted across the Mandore region. The farmers have been trained in alternating crops—grains, oilseeds, pulses, and textiles. This has not only improved soil fertility but also increased yields by 25%. Furthermore, with the addition of watermills, we've accelerated the conversion of grains into flour, ensuring surplus production."
Harsha's eyes lit up with satisfaction. "What crops do we produce now?" he inquired.
"For grains: rice, wheat, barley, and millet. For oilseeds: sesame. Pulses include various beans. Textiles: cotton and hemp. Additionally, we've cultivated sugarcane, tamarind, coconut, plantains, jackfruit, sandalwood, black pepper, and cinnamon," Arjuna replied with pride.
Harsha nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Excellent work, Arjuna. After the upcoming tournament, I wish to expand this system to every village in Rajputana. Once that is accomplished, we'll extend it to the entire empire. Begin preparations to train more farmers for this endeavor."
"Yes, Yuvraj," Arjuna affirmed.
Harsha continued, his tone thoughtful. "Arjuna, I have an additional task for you. During this time, you will work with the royal kitchen to train more cooks. From my childhood, I have spent time crafting and perfecting dishes, creating recipes that are both innovative and delightful. I want these dishes to become a hallmark of our hospitality. Guests from across the empire and neighboring kingdoms should leave Mandore not only amazed by our progress but also enchanted by our culinary expertise."
Arjuna tilted his head in surprise but quickly nodded. "Yuvraj, it will be my honor. With the royal chefs' expertise and guidance, we will create a system to train cooks and elevate the reputation of Rajputana's cuisine."
Harsha turned to Dhruv with a smile. "Dhruv, you will assist Arjuna in this endeavor. Oversee the logistics—ensure that the ingredients required for these dishes are procured in abundance. I also want you to identify opportunities to transform these culinary creations into a business venture. Imagine traders returning to their regions with spices, recipes, and techniques unique to Mandore. This will open a new avenue for trade and strengthen our economic ties."
Dhruv nodded, his mind already working through the details. "I will ensure that every kitchen, market, and trader is ready to make this vision a reality, Yuvraj. Our culinary prowess will speak as loudly as our advancements in governance and agriculture."
Turning his attention to Dhruv, Harsha's tone grew contemplative. "Dhruv, your work in expanding trade has been commendable. However, I have a new task for you. You are to establish a grand marketplace near the stadium we're constructing. I'll provide a list of trading goods to prioritize. Additionally, create a ledger system for tracking transactions. Collaborate with Mahadevi , i will help her ,to produce bound blank notebooks and religious text for merchants—crafted at the paper mill using our new printing press."
Dhruv nodded, his mind already working through logistics. "It shall be done, Yuvraj. I'll have the market operational within two months."
Satisfied, Harsha addressed Rudra. "Rudra, the watermills are a cornerstone of our progress. Scout new locations across Rajputana to build additional mills. These mills will serve not only to grind grain but also to cut timber, shape metals, produce textiles, and refine paper. I want every province equipped with this technology." but first we do in Rajputana and self guarding it's secrecy.
Rudra, ever the perfectionist, opened his journal to a detailed sketch of a watermill. "I will ensure that the mills are strategically located to maximize their utility, Yuvraj. We'll also train local workers to maintain and operate them efficiently."
Harsha's expression softened as he concluded, "You three are the pillars of this empire's growth. Your efforts will not only strengthen our economy but also secure our people's trust and prosperity. Together, we shall transform Rajputana into a beacon of innovation and stability."
The men bowed deeply, their resolve renewed by Harsha's vision.
As the room emptied, Harsha turned to the large map adorning his office wall. He traced his fingers across the regions of his empire, his mind brimming with strategies and possibilities. A soft smile graced his lips—this was only the beginning of his dream to rebuild a united and flourishing Bharatvarsha.
End of Chapter .
to be continued ...