Chapter 1458: Chapter 13, High Trees Catch Much Wind

The efficiency of the Near East Development Bank is still very high. After the cash dividends were credited, the physical dividends were also quickly distributed.

For areas covered by bank services, delivery was made directly to homes, while those farther away had no option but to notify shareholders to send someone to collect them.

These are minor issues. Since there are large dividends to be earned, everyone is happy even if they have to pick them up themselves.

Especially the nobles leading this investment, who couldn’t help but smile broadly. In recent years, the Near East Development Bank has been financing continuously, and they have persevered under pressure by getting onboard.

Even if the Near East Development Bank has been profitable and all its businesses are running well, the lack of tangible returns has still left everyone uneasy.

Now there is no need to worry. The early shareholders not only recovered their investment costs but also made a profit.

Those who joined later didn’t gain as much, due to the high stock price they took over at, but they are also quickly approaching break-even.

Anyway, the dividend amount already exceeds the financing amount. Those who secretly criticized Hudson as a vampire have now shut their mouths.

Good news continuously floods in, with the news of a bumper harvest in the experimental fields spreading overnight throughout the kingdom alongside the spring grain harvest.

The firsthand experience of comparison is the most impactful. The yield discrepancy between using and not using “fertilizer” is very obvious.

From the statistics collected across the region, average yield per acre has increased by about thirty pounds, with some individual areas seeing an increase of up to a hundred pounds.

The less advanced the agricultural technology, the more significant the grain yield increase. The promotion of agricultural technology has also boosted grain production.

Along with joy comes endless regret. Because of inner skepticism, apart from trying it on an experimental acre, it was not widely adopted at all.

A large amount of data was regarded as auspicious signs by various places and reported level by level, making Caesar IV grin broadly.

In the feudal Farming Era, the most important thing was food production. Solving the food problem meant solving eighty percent of social issues.

The remaining twenty percent would also be further concealed with the improvement of productivity.

The increase in grain yield per acre is just the beginning, and it will feed back into various industries.

Catching two handfuls of grain for comparison and finding no major difference, Caesar IV turned to ask the Palace Minister concernedly, “Has anyone been asked to taste test them? Is there any problem with the grains grown using manure?”

The emergence of new things is always subject to skepticism. Even if they appear not much different on the outside, there is still an uncomfortable feeling deep inside.

“Your Majesty, rest assured!

We not only arranged for slaves to taste test them but also asked the best Priest to inspect them, confirming that these grains have no problems.”

Count Mitchell replied heartily.

Only after everything was confirmed did he dare to report the good news to the King. If he didn’t know anything, he would jump out and cause trouble for himself.

“Good, good, good!”

“Issue the order, let the nobles everywhere fully promote the new agricultural technology. In the Royal territory, ninety percent of the land should use the new farming technology!”

Caesar IV immediately decided.

Improving productivity is naturally something not to be missed. However, the feeling of “disgust” in the depths of the heart still cannot be shaken off.

While promoting new technology, Caesar IV also left a backdoor. Grains grown with manure are to be fed to serfs and free citizens; the honorable King wouldn’t eat these grains.

The smooth promotion of experimental fields was partly due to Hudson’s influence and partly due to everyone’s hope for success.

As long as yield can be increased, hygiene is a minor issue. The Noble Lords wouldn’t eat it themselves, so who cares if the serfs’ food is clean or not!

In fact, in these times, food was inherently “not clean but eating it caused no harm.”

Even the Noble Lords’ personal hygiene hasn’t been resolved, let alone the serfs at the bottom.

Generally speaking, the hygiene of Major Nobles is somewhat better. Although they equally dislike bathing, this is an Extraodinary World with many means of personal hygiene.

As long as one is strong enough, even if they stay hidden in the deep forests for eight to ten years, they emerge still as suave.

Everyday life experience of ordinary people is completely inapplicable to them. For instance, Hudson can now achieve “dust-free” attire.

But lower down, it doesn’t work; personal hygiene depends entirely on self-awareness. While it doesn’t emit a terrible odor, it isn’t clean, either.

The more impoverished nobles perform worse in this regard. In this era, judging identity and status by appearance has an accuracy rate of ninety-nine percent.

This lack of cleanliness is not only reflected in personal appearance but also in every aspect of daily life.

Fruits and vegetables are eaten right after being picked; river water is used not only for laundry but also drunk directly when thirsty; if bread falls on the ground, it is picked up and continued to be eaten…

Fortunately, the environment of the Continent of Aslante has not been polluted, and everyone eats organic products with fewer viruses, otherwise, who knows how many tragedies would occur.

Everything has two sides. People growing up in a harsh environment may not necessarily live long, but they surely have a robust digestive system.

“Chewing on coarse grains,” is not just a saying—it’s part of everyone’s life.

“Your Majesty, at this point in time, you actually don’t need to issue any orders; the nobles below will promote it themselves.

During the promotion of new technology, various unexpected situations may occur. The best choice is to let the nobles drive it themselves, lest some fools poorly learn the technology and blame you afterward!”