第１５９９堀：人の確保のために (Part2)
Well, it wouldn't be impossible, but it’s hardly the optimal approach.
Out of consideration for both sides, they likely issued a lukewarm permit, which may have resulted in the reduced headcount.
It’s not that either of them is being spiteful.
Personnel is the single most depleted resource in Weed right now.
As Seraria mentioned earlier, the shortage is so severe that, if handled poorly, even the Queen could face resentment from the populace.
In other words, the two who came to poach talent could easily find that resentment directed at them as well.
If that happens, the administration of the port town could become untenable.
"Considering all that, do you think your arrival was the best-case scenario?"
"Who knows? A grand rebellion against me might break out any moment now. You never know until you try."
"…A rebellion against Yuki-sama? Hmm, I can't imagine such a thing."
"Indeed. What exactly would a rebellion against you even look like?"
"Well, I was just using it as a hypothetical. But if it were to happen… perhaps a rebellion against a tyrant who hoards beautiful women?"
If there were a reason, this would be the most plausible one.
After all, I do have beautiful women surrounding me. It’s a fact that I’ve earned my fair share of resentment on that front.
" "Ah…" "
Both of them seemed to grasp what I was getting at, gazing upward in contemplation for a moment.
"Yeah. That’s not happening."
"I agree. It won't happen."
"Come on, surely there’s some trouble regarding my wives and the others."
Since they dismissed it so instantly, I felt compelled to push back. The possibility isn't zero.
They looked at me with deadpan expressions.
"True. Trouble certainly arises. But only from the jealousy of men who can't get any."
"Exactly. We are well aware of that, but if a rebellion were to break out over such a thing, it would be far more likely to stem from other, more pressing grievances."
"Ah… fair point."
Indeed, if the situation were dire enough that my surrounding myself with beautiful women could trigger a rebellion, there would be plenty of other frustrations that would have sparked an uprising long before that.
"Besides, even if you say you’re 'hoarding' beautiful women, most of it is for the sake of work, isn't it?"
"Precisely. It is, in fact, for the sake of work and politics. If we’re going to talk about 'hoarding,' that would technically be Her Majesty."
"That is a fact. Well, if you were forcing yourself upon women who already had husbands or boyfriends by using money or power behind my back, that would be a different story, but…"
"I wouldn't do anything so troublesome. That’s the textbook example of how to invite resentment, and it’s one of the things you absolutely shouldn't do in statecraft."
If you lay a hand on the property or the lives of the people, the nation will inevitably crumble.
After all, trampling on the very populace that forms the foundation of the country is no different than hacking off your own limbs to feed yourself.
"The fact that Yuki-sama can dismiss such things so easily proves there’s no way a rebellion would occur just because you have women around you."
"If anything, you’re the type who fundamentally dislikes that sort of thing, aren't you?"
"Calling them 'women' is a poor way to put it, but romantic entanglements and gender-related issues are always a source of trouble. Above all, the higher one’s position, the more devastating the fallout, so it’s only natural to avoid it."
I can’t let my own libido destroy the Weed I’ve worked so hard to build.
More than anything, I have no desire to live in such a stomach-churning environment.
The tropes often seen in stories—stealing another man's woman or sleeping around—sound terrifying to me. I’d imagine the men would be willing to die just to take me down with them.
"Anyway, putting aside the rebellion against me, are the documents ready?"
"Yes. Here you go. Quar."
Seraria kept her pen moving even while we chatted, and she handed the finished document to Quar for verification.
"…Yes. There are no errors. I will make copies of this and distribute them to the relevant departments. So, let’s see… it would be best to visit them tomorrow, or at the very least, the day after."
"Visiting today would be asking too much, I suppose."
"Indeed. Even with an announcement, things won't be decided immediately today or tomorrow."
Even if I received permission, I couldn't just walk in and expect to recruit people right away.
Each department will need time to report, consult, and narrow down their candidates.
Above all, they need to figure out how to handle the holes left behind by those who depart.
Considering that…
"Would the day after tomorrow be too difficult?"
"Well, it’s a challenge, but it’s not as if dragging it out will solve anything."
"I agree. These things aren't necessarily better if you give them more time. This timeframe is optimal."
With their consensus, I felt satisfied and returned to my office to continue preparations for building the port town.
Gathering people is truly difficult.
Honestly, isn't this one of the greatest challenges even in the modern world?