Chapter 48: The Forest Line

　　Driven by the cold necessity of statecraft, Glensnet was a man of dual nature—merciful yet tyrannical. Even his closest courtiers felt the constant flicker between his suspicion and his trust. Yet, this did not diminish his stature; wise men and brave warriors continued to flock to the halls of Hedlim, and there were always those courageous enough to speak truth to his power.　　Upon consolidating his rule, he dedicated himself to restoring stability. Agriculture, the lifeblood of the nation, became the bedrock of all progress. He refined the law, understanding that a sovereign's authority rested not just on the relevance of statutes, but on the iron will of their enforcement. And since the wars of his father’s generation had left many veterans scarred or dead, he focused on conscripting a new generation to replenish the legions.　　While the pursuit of profit by merchants was tolerated, the naked egoism of seeking ill-gotten gains was loathed as a poison to the national soul. Cisaloss had guarded against this decadence, and his son enforced it with even greater fervor. Under their reigns, merchants were forbidden from riding in carriages, and their collars and cuffs had to be trimmed in black to mark their lower social standing. The state struck hard against hoarding and speculation, appointing officials to ensure that commerce served the national will and public order.　　Such tasks required the aid of visionary men. Though Glensnet often claimed the glory for himself, he never lost his reputation for knowing how to find and use the right talent.　　In his final years, Glensnet looked upon his works with satisfaction. He took joy in seeing oxen and horses driven by farmers,