After his bath, Simon dressed with the help of Joan and Ysabeau.

Returning to his bedchamber, he carefully considered the issue of land reform. Thinking through the night, he formulated a plan. At dawn, he headed straight for the Governor’s Office.

As he reached the entrance, he collided with a middle-aged man wearing a blue robe and a black square headscarf.

Both men steadied themselves, and the man immediately bowed. "My Lord."

Simon looked him over. It was none other than Baldwin, the Chancellor of the domain, whom Joan had mentioned before.

Baldwin had just returned from Ashenford, where he had been inspecting tax accounts. "Why are you here, your highness?"

"This domain belongs to me; I can go wherever I please. Your arrival is timely, as I have matters to discuss with you." Simon said, striding into the Governor’s Office.

According to his predecessor’s memories, this was how he always spoke to Baldwin, so Simon kept up the act.

Baldwin scratched his head. Since the Governor’s Office was established, this was the first time Simon had ever visited.

Even though he had heard about the prince capturing thirty reavers cavalrymen the day before, he still found it hard to believe.

"What does Your Highness wish to discuss?" Baldwin asked as he followed behind.

The Governor’s Office was sparsely furnished, three black desks and chairs, with a few official documents spread across them.

Sitting at the central desk, Simon got straight to the point. "I want to discuss the establishment of a Salt Bureau and the issue of land."

Baldwin was shocked. Thinking he had misheard, he asked again. "Your Highness, what did you just say?"

"I order you to immediately organize the domain’s officials and establish a Salt Bureau in Ashenford and Oakridge. Issue a decree to all six provinces: From today onward, the government encourages commoners to cultivate unused land. Any land they clear will belong to them, tax-free for three years, and their ownership will be hereditary. For those who already own land, taxes will be reduced by 30%."

Simon’s voice was firm and unwavering.

Baldwin was completely stunned. The series of reforms left him utterly speechless.

After regaining his composure, he said hesitantly. "The Salt Bureau and land reclamation are feasible. However, if taxes are reduced, the six provinces may struggle to cover their expenses."

"With a Salt Bureau, we can make up for the lost tax revenue. Moreover, I will find other ways to increase government income." Simon said decisively.

Then he asked. "As for the noble families that have seized land from commoners, what do you think should be done about them?"

Baldwin’s thoughts were in disarray.

In the past, he had always been the one gathering evidence of Simon’s misconduct and scolding him at the Governor’s Office. Then, he would report it to the emperor, who would issue a stern rebuke.

Now, the prince was seriously discussing governance with him? It felt surreal.

Still, when it came to dealing with the noble landowners, Baldwin did not hesitate.

"Your Highness, these local aristocrats are intermarried, deeply entrenched, and have powerful backers in the imperial court. If we forcibly seize their lands, it will cause unrest. Do not forget what happened to Prince Viktor..."

Simon narrowed his eyes.

Prince Viktor was his second imperial uncle, once renowned as a ’Virtuous Prince’ in Eldora.

At the age of thirteen, when he was first granted his domain, his first act was to reclaim illegally occupied land from the nobles.

But within three months, he was accused of treason by court officials.

At the time, Emperor Alaric had just ascended the throne and was wary of Prince Viktor’s popularity. Seizing the opportunity, the emperor dispatched troops to suppress him.

Unaware of the looming conspiracy, Prince Viktor was assassinated by his own guards, who had been bribed by the noble families.

His death left no evidence, and the matter was buried.

By bringing up Prince Viktor, Baldwin was subtly warning Simon not to repeat his mistake.

In the past, Simon had hated Baldwin. But now, discussing governance with him, he realized the Chancellor wasn’t a bad man, just a scholarly idealist.

In this era of low literacy, having someone capable and educated to assist him was invaluable. He intended to make full use of Baldwin’s talents.

"I understand. For now, we will not pursue the noble family’s land. Our priority is encouraging commoners to cultivate new land. You will oversee this effort. Additionally, all labour tax for this year is waived."

"Understood, Your Highness. I will make the arrangements immediately." Baldwin replied, bowing.

When he first arrived in the domain, Baldwin had proposed similar reforms. But at the time, the old Simon had opposed everything, simply for the sake of being difficult.

This had left governance in complete disarray across Brambleford and the other provinces.

Now, inside the Governor’s Office, Simon personally watched as Baldwin wrote the decree and ordered its publication.

Outside the city gates, the new decree was posted for the public to see. Immediately, the townspeople erupted in discussion. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Is this real?" A doubtful commoner asked.

"Would the Governor’s Office issue a fake proclamation? The King has been here for five years; he’s finally showing concern for the people!"

"If it’s true, what are we waiting for? Let’s start clearing land! Whoever claims it first owns it!"

Excitement spread rapidly.

Meanwhile, five couriers on horseback galloped out of the north gate, carrying the decree to the other five provinces.

Standing on the city walls, Lancelot watched the commotion among the townspeople, deep in thought. The King is truly different now.

After leaving the Governor’s Office, Simon did not return to the palace. Instead, he went to the Armory

"My Lord." Military Quartermaster Bjorn greeted him.

With the system at his disposal, Simon needed a place to apply its technological advantages.

And the Armory was the perfect place to start. It was a state-run facility, home to Brambleford’s finest craftsmen.

Simon’s goal was to expand it beyond just weapon-making. He wanted it to become the foundation of industry and mechanical innovation in his domain.

"Quartermaster Bjorn, from today onward, the Armory reports directly to me. You will follow only my orders, no one else’s."

Bjorn panicked, breaking into a cold sweat.

"My Lord! I have failed in my duty, please punish me!"

He assumed Simon was angry about the lack of iron caltrops.

"You misunderstand. I am not here to punish you." Simon said calmly. "I reject the notion that only scholarly pursuits are valuable. Practical craftsmanship is not trivial, on the contrary, it is essential to labour and industry."

Bjorn let out a sigh of relief. "My Lord is wise! I have always believed that better tools could greatly improve agriculture."

"Exactly. That’s why the Armory is crucial. From now on, gather all skilled craftsmen in the city and categorize them by specialty. They will formally join the Armory."

"That can be done... But My Lord, these craftsmen need food. And right now, we..." Bjorn hesitated, clearly concerned about limited resources.