Simon added, "It's not entirely impossible to bring in more hands. I contacted quite a few slave traders before, and they should bring some people after spring starts."

"We'll leave those uncertain matters aside for now. I'll keep planning based on the manpower we currently have," Maria replied, her head down as she wrote. "Also, in March, we not only need to plant oats and barley, but the winter wheat we planted earlier will begin its regrowth phase and will need another round of fertilizing. This will be a huge workload. If possible, can you speak to the road crew and see if they can stop work temporarily to come...