River was cautious. He would seek the best method as a strategist, but he wouldn’t engage in a low-probability gamble. Taking risks wasn’t his role.

As River remained silent for a long time, Brody spoke up again to supplement his opinion.

“Of course, we’ll also focus on food self-sufficiency. I plan to develop improved varieties that can withstand cold and drought better. But when you think about the cause of the famine… you never know when it will end. If we only grow potatoes in the North, we’ll barely survive from starvation.”

Aidan, who had been quietly listening, interjected.

“The cause of the famine? Is that what you’re avoiding saying?”

“Well, um… rather than saying I know the cause, it’s a natural disaster. Natural disasters are something that can’t be dealt with by human power.”

In fact, Brody seemed to know the cause of the famine.
While learning work from River, let’s make a guess based on the statistical documents he has seen and interpreting geographical information from the maps.

The cold weather and the stable atmosphere due to the invasion of the Hallyu, coupled with the absence of rain.

People in this era might find it difficult to understand, so they had to attribute it to a natural disaster. Anyway, it was, in fact, a natural disaster.

Although it would be nice to cultivate crops by bringing water from other regions through irrigation projects, with the current level of technology, even if Brody intervenes, it would be challenging.

“So, even if the famine continues, we need to make preparations to deal with it.”

Aidan nodded as if agreeing.

“In the end, it will likely be a significant success or a colossal failure. Will you challenge something that could fail dramatically, or will you go for stability?”

“If the famine doesn’t continue, a stable path wouldn’t be bad. But what if it continues? With the food we’ve secured now, we can only last for 1 year? Maybe a maximum of 2 years. We might not starve to death thanks to potatoes, but the North will still be poor. But if the Empire strengthens during this time? What’s the probability of winning the war three years from now?”

Aidan looked at the map and said, “It won’t be easy. Even if it’s the current Emperor… there’s ‘that Princess’ in the Empire now.”

He recalled the Princess.

The scene where she staged a hostage drama on the city walls for the first time and chased Brody in front of Perdan Fortress.

She had both ability and ambition.

If she seizes power in the Empire, the future of the North should not remain the same as it is now.

Aidan nodded, organizing his thoughts.

“Doing what we’ve been doing isn’t even a stable choice. So, there’s only one option.”

Brody smiled faintly at his response.

His attitude, which had been nervous every time he avoided her lately, had gradually turned into a businesslike demeanor, as if conducting a strategy meeting.

Wasn’t this evidence that Brody was treating him as a reliable strategic partner?

A strange thrill enveloped her, as if passing an item in an important meeting, securing a difficult trade deal, or something similar.

River felt the same way. Although he sighed deeply and pinched his forehead, it didn’t seem like he was opposing the idea.

“Alright. I’ve come to about half an understanding of why we should build a fortress. The other half is probably about what trade goods we plan to trade with the South. You seem to have planned this as well; tell me about it.”

River confronted Brody with an air that seemed ready to say, “Let’s see if your planned trade goods are just nonsense after all.”

“Ah, it’s irritating as expected.”

Thinking about what River might say, Brody spoke to Aidan.

Looking at his excellent face, a sense of peace settled in his heart.
“I think we need to go to the execution stage to provide more concrete details.”

However, River intervened again.

“Please tell us roughly about the items.”

Brody, dissatisfied with his persistence, made a displeased expression, clenched his fist, and raised his chin to respond.

It was an attitude as if saying, ‘Fine, I’ll teach you.’

“Well, okay. First, the new medicine. River Chief of Staff knows about this, right?”

“I guess that’s not everything.”

Oh, right, people. Did he entrust the trade goods? There hasn’t been a single proper trade item so far, and there’s no plan for the future either.

It was frustrating, but Brody responded calmly.

“It’s not everything, but if you think about it, it’s nothing special, so I’ll exclude it from the items.”

“……. ”

Anyway, Brody was the one holding the knife now.

The items to be discussed now were things that couldn’t be made without Brody’s intervention, making it even more so.

River, who had been urging him with a twisted posture, eventually closed his mouth.

But it seemed like there was really something urgent on his mind. He looked at Brody with a face that seemed to say, “Ah, this guy is crazy about the North.”

Well, yeah. He must be a crazy person in the North.

Considering how he had been through famine, war, and various hardships for a long time, and the attachment he had developed for the North, River could understand him.

Brody began to explain to the somewhat sulky River again.

“In addition to the new medicine, rare herbs, rare flowers, oh, the flowers are for ornamental purposes. And unique dishes using potatoes, and finally, contraceptives. That’s about it for now.”

Brody counted on his fingers as he spoke.

Since he raised his gaze while recalling, River and Aidan realized a little late that the two men in front of them froze when she folded her fifth finger.

“And there’s something necessary, right? Why are you acting like that, both of you?”

“W-Well… no, it’s not.”

“What do you need?”

Aidan coughed with the tips of his ears turning red.

River seemed calm, but it looked strange for someone who was so nervous just a moment ago.

And Brody quickly understood the reason.

‘Ah, contraceptives.’

Anyway, it would be very awkward for a woman to say such things in public in this era.

But what could they do? This might be the product with the most potential complications.

Contraceptives existing in this era were almost useless. Some methods were even bizarre.

‘Compared to that, I can be proud to say that the contraceptive I made is the best. A contraceptive rate of 99.99%?’

If he had made this medicine in his previous life, it would have been a huge hit.

Now, thanks to Brody’s ‘ability,’ it was possible, but it would have been impossible otherwise.

Anyway, they were just talking about business, but these two men were unbelievably innocent. It was surprising even for River to act like this, let alone Aidan.

‘Well, considering his reaction when I treated him last time, he seems quite inexperienced.’
When Brody smirked, the two men bit their lips tightly, looking at each other, not knowing what to do.

Brody decided to turn a blind eye to the pitiful two and changed the subject as if he didn’t notice.