Leader's Direct-Control First Farm
All the residents of the Leader's Direct-Control First Farm poured everything into organizing the spoils for a full week. To do it as efficiently as possible, they followed Han Seol's blueprint for the underground level 2 warehouse, stacking everything neatly.
As I'd expected, the Reconstruction Government had no ability to pay the reparations demanded by the Allied Forces. The hardliners had already swept up anything of value, so it wasn't surprising. At best, they'd have some food, but honestly, their wilted crops were useless to me. And even if they forced food as reparations, the tens of thousands of Reconstruction citizens wouldn't just sit quietly while it was taken— so they'd probably demand luxuries like booze and cigarettes instead.
Capable, quick-witted people were already abandoning the Reconstruction Government to seek new settlements, and it was effectively entering dissolution. Once things settled, the Odujeong would convene, and naturally, its leaders said they'd come directly to Nakyuan.
For now, we were prioritizing Allied Forces soldiers from the battlefield as patients at the First Hospital. War was over, so it wasn't free— mostly booze and smokes as payment. Honorable soldiers who'd risked their lives deserved discounted rates.
Surprisingly, Seo Su-yeon was taking it all in stride, continuing her presidential duties. Pitiful as her situation was, she'd once lived for the ideal paradise she dreamed of.
I ordered all sorts of entertainment gear, including grills for barbecues: karaoke machines, beam projectors, screens, Blu-ray movie collections, and more. While everyone else grabbed practical recovery items for war damage, I was the only one asking for fun stuff.
I also sifted through Reconstruction citizens with clean records— no criminal history— and invited any interested in coming here for interviews. Ham Seong-hoon said he'd take responsibility for selecting and sending them personally. He was still deeply grateful over the Lee Seong-guk matter.
Resident interviews were simple: issue citizenship first, and if loyalty was under 50%, label them potential traitors and send them back. To filter for those who'd kept their humanity without laws, I excluded anyone with criminal punishments in the Reconstruction records.
I requested a diverse range: doctors, teachers, theater/musical actors, bartenders, chefs, and practical skills like auto mechanics, architects, machinists, carpenters. And if they wanted to migrate, I made sure they understood: "I don't care how big you were in the Reconstruction— the moment you arrive, you're bottom rung. No whining."
Around 100 people. They'd bring family or close friends, so I padded the numbers generously.
With the Allied Forces' victory, the Odujeong's name spread across Seoul, drawing all sorts of factions to Nakyuan. These weren't petty warlords picking fights from nearby— they came to pay respects.
Han Seol and Han Byeol insisted I shouldn't meet them personally to maintain status, so they handled it as my proxies. The warlords volunteered their base locations, citizen counts, everything, pledged loyalty, and left. Not genuine fealty, but formal submission to gain recognition as my vassals— like how minor warlords got nominal titles from the old Korean government.
I warned that rumors of them plundering civilians would end them like the Reconstruction. Some warlord leaders boldly asked to meet "the great Your Excellency of the Odujeong" directly, but the Han sisters scolded them as arrogant, and they apologized and withdrew.
I wondered if that was too harsh, but First Guard Unit and the sisters agreed: a minor warlord demanding the top boss on first visit was presumptuous.
We expanded the outdoor showers outside the barrier to three. I told the visiting warlords to use as much water as they wanted with their men. If they had barrels, fill 'em up.
It was a show of wealth, so necessary.
We cut trade with the Crossroads faction. They got the message— I was beyond their league— bowed toward the observatory, and left. No point anyway; nothing left outside but small luxuries. Kept only Kim Dae-geon's trades.
"Your Excellency!"
"Yeah, good to see you. Send your men to the showers. Im Governor will bring milk— have a cup each."
"Thank you, Your Excellency! We've brought the large tents you ordered!"
Couldn't house all immigrants indoors, so showers in buildings, sleep in tents. Current reconstruction shifted from housing to farm. Delay again, and it'd never end.
"Thanks, good work. How's the immigrant plan?"
"Chairman said unexpectedly many applicants, so it'll take longer. My apologies."
"No issue— better cautious. Thanks, Im Governor."
"Thank you, Governor!"
Kim Dae-geon bowed, receiving a box of milk from Im Jui. Beside him, a nervous man eyed me cautiously.
Meeting my gaze, he clasped hands, knelt: "Your Excellency! I prayed daily for your victory!"
"A cult leader praying... Tae-woo."
"Yes, Your Excellency! You called?"
"Originally planned to use you to hide this place... but now it's too famous. No need for you anymore."
"Y-Your Excellency! What do you mean?!"
Park Tae-woo's eyes filled with terror— the fake 'Your Excellency'.
"Not killing you. No more pretending to be me. That's why I called. Seeing you often, you grew on me... Come report once a month from now."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
"The missionaries doing well?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Using the desperate... devilish bastard."
Park Tae-woo hung his head.
"Everyone, applause!"
"Your Excellency! Congratulations!"
All residents applauded, eyes on me. That morning, Kim Dae-geon's subordinate reported Ham Seong-hoon finished selecting immigrants: 157 due to job matches. More than expected, but fine— they'd bring families.
But the cheers weren't for immigrants. Finally, reconstruction of the First Southeast Sector building behind the livestock pens in First East Sector was complete. Today, the long-awaited farm launched.
Cheers lasted nearly a minute until Han Seol raised a hand. They stopped, bowed to me.
Gazing at the finished building, I shouted with eager voice: "Farm!"
Housing debt turned to farm.
"Hm."
Two-story concrete structure like the livestock pens. Interior probably similar. Executives and I entered first.
Too many residents now— over 100— for all to fit.
The door creaked open.
"Your Excellency... this is incredible!"
Veterans of the pens weren't shocked, but all gawked in awe.
Like pens, ten massive vending machines lined both walls— five each.
Executives nodded to me; I approached the first.
Potatoes depicted; basket held ten 20kg sacks.
"Whoa... heavy."
Lifted one— hefty— set it down quick. Back read 20kg.
System like pens: one pack per 48 hours. Machine showed 10/10.
"Alright, check what each machine produces and report."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
"Your Excellency! Sweet potatoes."
"Your Excellency! Soybeans."
"Your Excellency! Corn!"
"Master, rice."
Jackpot. Overwhelmingly better than pens in some ways. Meat was luxury then and now; for feeding masses, farm's cost-performance crushed it.
First floor: potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, rice, wheat, soybeans, carrots, radishes, lotus roots, taro.
Healthy, high-calorie staples. And not packs like livestock— 20kg sacks. Huge.
"Your Excellency, store all in the vault first?"
"Yeah, please. Then up to second floor."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
To start regeneration ASAP, we stacked sacks in the central vault. All machines hit 0/10, with 0% below.
First floor this good? Second floor anticipation soared. Pens' second had milk, butter; farm's probably cash crops, not famine staples.
"Whoa! No way... this comes from here?"
Second floor: five machines, rest vault space. Bigger deal than first, arguably.
As predicted, pricier crops illustrated.
Trembling, I lifted the first basket's small sack. Pricey stuff: 5kg.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for you."
I murmured wistfully at the sack. Peppers. That irreplaceable red chili for Korean food— inside this bag. Already smelled its spicy tang.
Peppers just start. Beside: sesame, pine nuts, walnuts.
"Never bought pine nuts before... looks like I will now."
Grabbed a sack, tore open, popped a handful in.
"Your Excellency. Taste alright?"
"Yeah, worthy of 'king of nuts.' Try some."
Never bought 'em, but knew top-tier ingredient.
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
"Grateful for this honor, Your Excellency!"
Executives savored handfuls, faces ecstatic. Worth it.
"Master, so delicious..."
"Right? Should send some to Odujeong kids to tease 'em."
Sesame: cheat key sprinkling for flavor boost. Walnuts: portable nutrition.
At the last machine, I muttered: "Sell this, might fetch more than pine nuts."
Lifted the hefty 5kg glass jar from the basket. Golden honey gleamed inside.
In a world sans beekeepers, regular honey supply.
Turning, executives gaped at the luminous jar.
Something I'd pondered— time to do it.
"Victory celebration party tonight. Bring out meat, veggies— plenty for all. Tents, awnings... let's party proper."
"Your Excellency! Hooray!"
"Your Excellency! Hooray!"
"Hooray!"
"Your Excellency! I'll announce to the subjects— er, residents: 'Proclamation of New Order Establishment and Report on External Hostile Forces Annihilation' tonight!"
"Just say party..."