Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 497 - 307: Red Tide Integration (2)

Chapter 497: Chapter 307: Red Tide Integration (2)

It is precisely these people who support the pillars of Red Tide’s current rule, leading this new territory and hundreds of thousands of citizens.

After everyone was seated, the meeting officially began.

Bradley, who had been standing solemnly to the side, slowly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and stood at the center of the long table.

“The Red Tide Land Integration Plan has entered its third month today,” Bradley read slowly and steadily.

“A total of twenty-seven areas have been incorporated into the territory, of which nine are strategic locations, all situated at transport routes, mineral veins, and grain production nodes.

Five Evil God worship sites have been sealed, three heretic strongholds have been eradicated, and twelve instances of illegal nobility autonomy have been dismantled, fully integrated into the Red Tide legal framework.

As of yesterday, the new population is approximately sixty-four thousand, with an additional one thousand two hundred hectares of arable land and four hundred eighty hectares of pasture.

Bradley turned to the primary seat, nodding slightly to Louis: “At the lord’s suggestion, the original Red Tide Territory is now officially named ’Red Tide City.’

All exchanged, managed, and cooperatively integrated lands will be incorporated into the Red Tide Territory’s jurisdiction.

Each jurisdiction will establish a resident official, managed jointly by civilian and knight oversight, with an inspection unit directly under Inspector Erin’s command.”

The officials whispered among themselves, having anticipated this but still slightly excited by the preliminary formation of the Red Tide system.

Bradley did not close his booklet but turned to the last page, slightly lowering his voice:

“However, though the integration is complete, subsequent affairs require vigilance.

Nearly a hundred new townships have been added, with clerical staffing still below fifty percent, necessitating the reassignment of Red Tide grassroots officials.

The pressure on civilian supply distribution is high, with some border towns yet to fully establish grain depots and supply stations, requiring early planning for storage construction.

While thirty percent of border outposts have begun construction, additional coordination with the Blacksmith Bureau is needed for ongoing construction.

The Barbarian Race scattered soldiers and remnants of the Snow Vow have not appeared, but there is a possibility they may infiltrate the borders, and the Inspectorate has preliminarily delineated key screening areas.”

Bradley spoke with great calmness, without embellishing the sentiment.

“Though the district of Red Tide has been established, the hearts of the new citizens still need to be cultivated, and the sense of belonging and order in the towns remains unequal.”

He paused, bowing slightly toward the primary seat: “Overall, it is controllable, but requires a multi-pronged approach to be prepared for contingencies.”

The people around the table nodded, and several newly appointed officials quickly made low-recorded notes, exchanging brief opinions.

Bradley took his seat, and on the primary seat, Louis slowly opened his eyes, his voice not loud, yet instantly silenced the room.

“Very well, our Red Tide territory has finally taken shape.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over the newly hung Red Tide map on the wall, “Next, it is time to bring it to life.”

All the officials simultaneously sat up straight, listening intently.

“The most important thing,” Louis said softly, “is roads; to develop, we must first build roads.”

He looked at the Blacksmith Director Mike sitting to the right, and said, “The Blacksmith Bureau is to immediately prepare for the Red Tide main roadway construction. With Red Tide City at its heart, it will connect to Mai Lang, then extend to all integrated lands.”

He pointed to the red line drawn on the map, tapping it twice: “Along the road, every twenty miles, establish ’Defense Outpost + Relay Station nodes,’ for patrol stationed garrisons and merchant travel rest stops, etc.”

“Understood.” Mike promptly stood up, one hand on his chest, speaking in a rough voice:

“My Blacksmith Bureau has prepared fifteen construction teams, including blacksmiths, stonemasons, carpenters, and more. We are willing to open the main line from Red Tide to Mai Lang before the snow melts.

As for the defensive relay station design… I will coordinate with the Defense Bureau and Trade Bureau to determine the placement.”

“Very good.” Louis nodded, “Local residents can be used as labor, rewarding them with merit and money.”

“Yes.” Mike bowed again.

Just as Mike sat down, Lambert, the military commander, stood up: “Regarding border defense, I have drafted a simple and direct plan.”

He walked to the map and lightly pointed out three locations with the short command staff in his hand:

“Establish three internal military regions—Mai Lang, Star Forge, and Red Tide City. These are the core areas of Red Tide, with a permanent Knight Order, and small territories organizing knight teams of about fifty members.”

He shifted his focus, drawing out two bold lines.

“Next, establish five external patrol knight teams, fifty men each team, equipped for reconnaissance, harassment, messaging, disengagement, etc.

Equip them with light armor and fast horses, alternating day and night, changing every five days, patrolling along the Red Tide territory border.

Though the Northern Territory poses no major threat, remnants of the Barbarian Race haven’t been completely wiped out, and the Empire’s Northern Army frequently tests the boundaries under the guise of patrol.

We do not seek to repel all enemies, but at the very least, we must be aware of their arrival and be prepared.”

“Approved, execute.” Louis nodded slightly, “You may immediately allocate a legion to participate in the establishment of outposts and patrol knight team formation.

If still no war after the season, arrange for monthly practical exercises, for defense and training.”

Lambert bowed: “As you command.”

The military proposal concluded, the meeting continued to advance, with all the gears of the Red Tide governance machine gradually set into motion, aided by Louis’ nods and approvals, item after item of practical deployments quickly ratified.

For instance, the arrangements of the Trade Bureau.

Trade Bureau Director Desland, a lean and shrewd middle-aged man, brought concise and effective plans.

Proposes setting up “relay posts and trade stations” at each pass and transport key point, managing passage and operating bases.

Deploy skilled personnel to inspect smugglers and maintain caravan order.

Also establish a bulletin board mechanism to relay local information back to the main city promptly, allowing civilians to access policies and intelligence quickly.

Besides this, the Trade Bureau encourages setting up simple markets around the relay stations.

Markets are free to open but must be registered, both stimulating popularity and facilitating supervision.

Louis nodded in support.

After all, a smooth commercial route is the true precondition for a territory to thrive.

Meanwhile, the Agricultural Bureau’s deployment is more practical.

Under the leadership of Director Mike, agricultural officials have begun planning to replicate and promote the “Mai Lang experience” to other new territories.

Such as the rotational farming system, wet and dry alternate planting methods, district management of field canals, and household performance evaluation system…

Previously only present within Mai Lang, these mechanisms now serve as models to be transplanted to newly incorporated lands.

Especially Zachariah’s old territory, classified as the primary target for transformation, with plans to trial “greenhouse farming” to address current food issues.

Finally, there is the Inspectorate.

Erin, carrying a stack of documents, sat quietly at the end of the conference table, only standing up to report when Louis called her.

The Inspectorate will formally establish an anti-corruption group.

Personally selected by Erin, composed of honest and capable inspectors, prioritizing patrol among new integrated territories’ grain officials, warehouse stewards, and administrative officers.

Holding monthly inspection briefings, reporting typical cases, both punishing violations and establishing norms and prestige.

Additionally, Erin suggested setting up a partial civilian representative system.

Trialing the Red Tide Town Council prototype in select new towns, recruiting civilian representatives to participate in governance, as preparation for future semi-autonomous mechanisms.

This suggestion received Louis’ approval, as it can attract talent and pre-screen potential risk individuals, killing two birds with one stone.

And so, the meeting in the Red Tide Council Hall finally began to wind down.

Louis slowly rose, his robe lightly brushing against the map of Red Tide Territory behind him.

“The larger the territory, the harder it is to govern.” His voice was light, yet it echoed in the hearts of everyone present.

“In the past, we only needed to guard one city, a few villages, keep an eye on the granaries, and watch over the barracks to maintain order, but now?

Louis raised his hand, pointing to that large map, his fingertip sweeping past the land encircled by a bright red border.

That is their victory’s result, and a weighty responsibility.

“Twenty-seven newly acquired lands, sixty thousand additional people, hundreds of small paths, numerous unregistered farmland and remnants of old systems’ officials, in which lies the hearts of the people as well as decay, this cannot be overseen by one person.

Therefore, going forward, each of us, whether in military, construction, agriculture, commerce, or inspection, must extend our duties into areas we previously never touched.

Some say Red Tide has won victory.”

He paused for a moment, his tone suddenly rising: “No, we’ve only just taken the first step; the real challenges lie ahead!”

May you not relax, not underestimate, not become complacent. Otherwise, this land we’ve claimed with sweat and blood may soon be forfeited.”

Around the long table, silence prevailed.

Then Bradley was the first to bow: “I will remember.”

“I will remember!”

Lambert, Erin, Mike, the Trade Bureau Director, agricultural officials… all stood up, responding in unison.