How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony-Chapter 54: Building the Clipper (2)

Timber is continuously produced as we clear land for farming, and similarly, Lexan panels and other materials are steadily produced, so building the ships was now just a matter of time.

"Probably within a year? Maybe it will be built much faster than that."

Raleigh asserted. Good. Wait a little longer, and 19th-century sailing ships will export our farm's special 21st-century improved grape gift sets to England.

In the meantime, we'll scout the surroundings with the Nautilus and monitor the Spanish navy's movements, while defending the coast with cast iron cannons imported in large quantities from England.

As long as the Spanish army doesn't invade right away, there's no big problem.

No, even if the Spanish army invades, we won't just meekly submit. We have enough military power.

"Fire!"

Ratatatatat!

I once read a column about why the 19th-century British Empire's army was the most powerful army. It mentioned having a lot of gunpowder based on saltpeter from the Indian Empire.

What's important isn't just the fact that they had a lot of gunpowder.

"Fire again!"

Rattat! Ratatat!

What's important is that having a lot of gunpowder meant they could practice shooting anytime.

It's the same for us. The reason is clear.

Black powder consists of three main ingredients.

Sulfur.

Potassium nitrate.

Charcoal.

All of these come from our farm.

Not only that, but items like iron pipes and copper tubes are also produced endlessly, so we were able to implement a 1 household, 1 musket policy.

That's right. Each household should possess at least a firearm to be truly American.

...Of course, that's not the reason, but first of all, with alligators and wolves appearing more frequently than Edo Period tigers in the area, every household inevitably ended up with a firearm.

After solving the colony's immediate defense problem that way, the time had come.

"Now finally... it's time to return with the grapes."

Walter Raleigh rubs his hands together and shows a meaningful smile.

"That's right, Walter."

Somehow, the same smile forms at the corners of my mouth too.

"But I'm curious. Why did you tell me to bring cork oak bark?"

"...There's a reason for everything."

Wine bottle stoppers.

Finally, with the introduction of cork, the three marvels of long-term wine preservation – sulfites, cork, and glass bottles – will be complete. This means we can now export the wines we've been brewing after aging them for a few years...!

"Yes, Mr. Nemo?"

"...It's for the Lord's precious blood, so please prepare it thoroughly."

"Ah, I understand. I'll do my best."

Wine = the Lord's blood. I didn't lie.

"I'll never forget my experience here! Mr. Nemo, you've been my fountain of inspiration!"

"...That wasn't my intention, but I'm glad you found inspiration."

Shakespeare needs to continue his creative activities, so it's bye-bye now. Anyway, since he's become a follower of Nemo, he'll do his part in England.

The clipper is still far from completion. Raleigh and Shakespeare returned on the same ship they came on from England.

After sending them off, I focused again on shipbuilding and various other tasks.

The most important of these various tasks was... the issue of 'administration'.

==

10,000 people.

In 21st century Japan, this would be a small number, equivalent to just a few apartment complexes, but in ancient times, it's enough to establish a country, and in this era, it's enough to form a small to medium-sized city.

It's fine for the residents of Croatan Island, who number only 200 or 300, but the enormous population living in Chesapeake slowly needed control.

"People are starting to cultivate gardens around their homes."

"Hmm? That's good news. It seems there's enough land."

"No. It's not entirely good news."

"Hmm... could you explain in detail, Mr. Hewet?"

Especially in land distribution.

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"Until now, people have been tilling fields together and sharing, haven't they?"

"Yes. Because there wasn't much cleared land to cultivate."

"That's right. But that won't be the case anymore. It's time for everyone to start coveting land."

Hewet was the first to notice this trend.

"People are gradually planting vegetable seeds they brought from Europe near their homes and dividing the land."

"Hmm..."

"Of course, it's not serious now. But..."

Hewet glanced at the excavator and tiller parked in a corner of my hut as he spoke.

"Well... land clearing that would normally take years has been completed in just a few months, so it's only a matter of time before this issue erupts."

"...Hmm. So when everyone had to share food in a cramped space, they worked together and shared, but now the scale has become large enough for everyone to split up?"

"That's right. I heard from Manteo that even the natives are in a similar situation."

Got it. I understand roughly.

"Then we should divide the land appropriately into parcels and distribute them. My work is going to increase from now on. How should I handle this..."

Is it time for the privatization of commons? As I nodded my head appropriately, Hewet, who looked worried for some reason, started to gauge my reaction. Why?

"Um... there would be no such issue in heaven, but normally in such cases, humans establish a 'government' to mediate conflicts."

"..."

"In other words, Mr. Nemo doesn't need to take on all the work. Yes."

"...I know that."

I forgot. Living too much like a village head, I just got schooled by a 16th-century person about 'This is a [government]. You can make the governance system sophisticated...'

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought Mr. Nemo might not know much about earthly matters..."

"No, that's understandable."

"..."

"..."

How humiliating.

"...Anyway, it's time for Mr. Nemo to form a government."

"I suppose so."

A government.

Dividing land among 10,000 people is not something that can be decided quickly by gathering people for a meeting like we've been doing.

Something more systematic and precise is needed.

"Hmm..."

Like an Excel file... huh?

As I pondered for a while, Hewet blinked his eyes. No, he probably means what's there to think about? Just tell Lord Raleigh and delegate various tasks.

But that wouldn't be 'efficient'.

"...I think I know something. Mr. Hewet, would you come to my room after waiting a bit?"

"What?"

I found the tablet in my bag and called Hewet.

"What is this... object? It's glowing."

Now, it's time to restore the pride of a 21st-century person.

"This is something called a 'computer'."

"Com...puter?"

Ah, you don't know?

"Here, press the left button of this 'mouse'."

Click.

"The picture in this frame is moving! What, what is this...!"

I smiled at Hewet and said.

"Now, this is called a 'click'. And..."

I took the mouse back from Hewet and opened Excel.

"...With this, we're going to create a 'government'."

If I've received it, I'll use it.

Excel is definitely included.