Spring has arrived, and all the inhabitants living within the walls have survived the winter.
Many people received aid from the government and were given potatoes and sweet potatoes for free.
The increase in crop yields was due to a new fertilizer formula, and in December, Gale and Hange successfully produced the first batch of fertilizer.
They produced a potassium sulfate fertilizer that was particularly effective for potatoes and sweet potatoes.
The government mobilized manpower to find potassium salt ore and then reacted it with sulfuric acid derived from sulfur to produce granular potassium sulfate fertilizer step by step.
This process only fully matured in December. Although this fertilizer is harmful to the soil, it significantly increases the yield of potatoes and sweet potatoes in a short period of time.
The potatoes and sweet potatoes that grow are large and can survive the coldest months of December and January.
Also, thanks to the rapid growth of artichokes, the distribution of this little-known vegetable gradually increased.
Temperatures in February rose slightly, and the government, as planned, began distributing steel plows and harrows and constructing waterwheels in all villages in preparation for the spring planting.
Although the cultivated area has decreased, productivity has now increased considerably, and food is no longer a problem. However, after eating your fill, it is time to think about other matters.
On the first day of March, Historia appeared on the streets of the capital, presiding over the first field-cleaning of the new year in her capacity as princess.
She wore a solid gold crown adorned with jewels and a white silk dress, sitting in an open carriage, greeting the crowd gathered in the streets.
She has already grown quite accustomed to this situation; over the past few months, she has appeared in public a few days each month.
People in the midst of disaster need an object of worship, and Historia is perfectly suited for this role, both because of her appearance and her status.
However, she only had the reputation, not the power of a king. After the establishment of the new government, all policies were promoted through parliament.
Gale, despite his young age, was also a member of parliament, but he generally did not attend meetings. Hannes attended in his place as his representative.
His existence was a secret; even within the new government, only a few people knew about him.
In fact, it was he who began promoting Historia.
He deliberately orchestrated Historia's entry into the glass factory and intentionally gave her the opportunity to announce the "glass greenhouse," thereby naturally spreading the news and turning Historia into an "idol" in the hearts of the people.
He had his own reasons for doing so.
The current government concentrates decision-making power in the hands of the Garrison and the Survey Corps.
Although it has managed to win over high-ranking nobles from the previous government, it lacks the energy needed to reform the noble system in the short term. Therefore, the remaining decision-making power is divided among a small group of territorial nobles and wealthy merchants.
As for the Central Military Police, it has been dissolved, and all military police have been reorganized and evenly distributed between the Survey Corps and the Garrison.
Although Gal3 is part of the new government, the main decisions are actually made by the group represented by Pixis and Irwin.
He can only offer suggestions, and whether they are adopted depends on acceptance.
There was no other option. By joining the Survey Corps, he had practically brought his own capital with him. His only asset was the knowledge he had acquired from his dreams.
He was not a member of the Corps and had no soldiers or military forces of his own. Most people simply regarded him as a prodigy child.
This is not what he wants. What he desires is an extremely centralized government, centered on him and capable of executing his orders swiftly. Anything else is unacceptable.
For example, if Gale wanted to build a power plant, he would have to go through many steps.
First, he would have to draw the plans, build a model, and show it to Hange. Once Hange understood the purpose of the power plant, she would ask questions such as, "What is electricity for?"
Gale would have to rely on a series of arguments such as "light bulbs," "wires," and "electric motors" to convince Hange.
Once Hange was convinced, they would have to repeat the effort to get the city council to approve the plan.
Hange, being an engineer, understood things quickly, but it was much more difficult to get the officers, who only knew how to fight, to understand. They could not simply build according to the plans without consulting Gale.
They had to understand the data on consumables, costs, functions, and the potential revenue of the "power plant" once completed before approving the plan.
Even after approval, it is not implemented immediately. Government revenue mainly comes from taxes, and a considerable portion is funded by merchants and wealthy nobles within Wall Rose. If money is to be spent, it is necessary to consult these people.
If Gale wanted to build a "power plant" following the chain of command, from designing the plans to the start of construction, it could take two or three months, or even longer, because he might not be able to contact those people, as they would not understand what "electricity" is.
This is the difficulty Gale is currently facing: his power is not sufficient—far from it.
After gaining power, he managed to arrest all members of his noble family. Although he had money, it was only that, and if he used it, it would be spent very quickly.
It was difficult for others to understand him; they did not know what Paradis Island would face in the future, and it was not just a few Titans.
They had never seen the landscape of "modern society," so when you talk to a person from antiquity about airplanes, submarines, or rockets, they would simply think you are talking nonsense.
Glass greenhouses were still understandable to these people, so the plan was quickly approved and construction moved forward. But building a "power plant" would be much more difficult.
Therefore, Gale must seize power and gain more and more authority.
The government he needs is one that carries out his orders the moment he gives them.
That government should function like this: when the power plant plans are presented in the morning, workers should begin construction in the afternoon, and a completely new power plant should be finished the next day.
Efficiency, efficiency, and more efficiency!
He does not need a government that delays and shirks responsibility; his decisions cannot be questioned, and when he makes a decision, it must be implemented immediately!
That is why, in secret, he boosted Historia's reputation.
Since Historia was with him, she stood on his side.
Historia was someone who could understand him and was willing to build him a "power plant."
On the street, Historia smiled and waved to the crowd, who cheered for her and called her by name.
To Gale, she was like "Princess Diana," deeply loved by the people of the capital and by all those who received subsidies during the winter.
This was exactly what Gale wanted to see.
From August to March of the following year, half a year had passed, and he had been quietly pushing things forward, allowing them to mature slowly.
Around noon, Historia finished her tour and returned to her residence.
She has a private residence in the capital, which originally belonged to the false emperor, and it is quite luxurious.
Gale was waiting for her in the dining room.
When Historia entered, she removed the heavy crown, let out a long sigh, and continued smiling at everyone.
It had not been easy.
Maintaining that smile for so long had made her facial muscles tense, but she could not help smiling again when she saw Gale.
She quickly ran to Gale's side: "Gale, aren't you going to work today?"
"Mmm." Gale patted her on the head. "I'm on vacation today."
Besides Gale, there were other people—Eren, Armin, and Mikasa—who were seated, waiting for their meal.