Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 517 - 317: The Road and the Return to the City
Chapter 517: Chapter 317: The Road and the Return to the City
On the morning after the festival, mist still lingered over the valley of Mai Lang Territory, with the remnants of bonfires emitting a faint smoke.
Most of the populace was still in slumber, with only a few cleaners occasionally picking up scattered decorations in the plaza, transporting festival utensils, and quietly restoring the square to its original state.
Green was already standing by the road leading to the mountain path, standing straight, awaiting the arrival of the Lord.
Louis sat astride his warhorse, with his sword hanging at his waist, and his cloak gently swaying in the breeze.
His gaze swept over the valley. Though he felt some reluctance to leave this scene of abundance, he had to depart today.
Because he promised Emily he would return to Red Tide City early.
After all, she’s been pregnant for a while, and her father had just passed not long ago, so she needs someone by her side at such a time.
Since the most crucial task of the autumn harvest has been dealt with, the other less important matters of the territory can be set aside to focus on accompanying Emily.
Additionally, based on the Daily Intelligence System notification, the envoy from the Imperial Capital is about to arrive at Red Tide City to convey the contents of the Dragon Throne meeting and a promotion in title.
Therefore, he must return to ensure he shows appropriate attentiveness before the Empire, even though he already knows the general content of the envoy’s message from the Intelligence System.
Of course, before leaving, Louis must personally instruct a few tasks to wrap up the autumn harvest.
He trusts Green, but for an important territory like Mai Lang, it’s better to give a few more instructions than to fix mistakes afterward.
Thus, he summoned Green to his side: “Within three days, you must complete the reward distribution for the top ten villages and towns on the ’Farming Chart.’
Ensure that the allocation maps for private fields are delivered to each village head, and that tools and livestock are distributed according to the list without any omission.
The exemption certificates and citizen children immunity rights must also be registered thoroughly, with notice tablets erected at the village centers to ensure public announcement of rewards and penalties.
Do not delay in distributing the rewards. Everyone must know, I remember every drop of sweat from the laborers.”
Green nodded, the tip of the pen in his recording book slightly glowing.
Louis thought for a moment and continued: “The preparation work for winter must also begin.
Organize the canal repair teams, inspect the spring planting irrigation canals, bone fertilizer pools, and geothermal pipelines, and clear away the silt.
Additionally, the wear and tear of tools and livestock must be clearly calculated, and the supply plans before winter must be arranged early.
The entire autumn harvest process should be documented and transcribed into three copies of the ’Mai Lang Autumn Harvest Document,’
one to be sent to Red Tide Main City’s Agricultural Office, one archived in Mai Lang Territory, and one for future institutional output to replicate the Mai Lang model to other territories.”
Green quietly noted down each instruction, secretly admiring the Lord’s meticulousness.
Louis paused for a moment, his gaze falling on the refugees nearby who were wrapping up:
“For those who joined the refugees after the autumn, there needs to be a separation and allocation. Priority should be given to ensuring that people from successful harvest villages remain in place, and the remaining people can gradually develop a second batch of wasteland.
There’s also the preliminary drafting of personnel lists for winter agricultural training classes, selecting household children willing to switch to artisans or technicians…”
Green took a deep breath, noting down every point with his pen.
These are crucial for the Mai Lang Territory to continue operating even without the Lord present.
Louis patted his shoulder: “Green, these are my requirements. The rest is up to you, and I am assured to leave Mai Lang in your hands.”
Green immediately bowed and responded: “Understood, my Lord. Mai Lang will certainly live up to your expectations.”
Felan meanwhile stood on one side of the valley, holding the reins of his horse, quietly watching Green record and verify each instruction like taking notes.
Although he had never been a civil servant, he’s been by Duke Edmund’s side for years, and has somewhat grasped the logic of administrative operations through what he’s seen and heard.
Seeing Louis giving each instruction in detail.
Grain, tools, straw, supplies, training classes…
Every link was clear and connected.
Truly, the smooth operation here is not coincidental, but due to Lord Louis’s planning and execution.
This young lord is stable yet unpretentious, allocating and explaining perfectly, truly a good lord.
“Let’s go, back to Red Tide City.”
While he was lost in thought, Louis’s voice came from beside him. Felan turned slightly to see Louis already mounted, his cloak gently flowing in the morning breeze.
Felan softly responded, gathering his thoughts, then mounted his horse, following behind Louis.
The journey to Red Tide City still has several days, but Felan felt a slight excitement in his heart.
It’s said that the city is even more majestic and grand, a rare marvel in the Northern Territory.
Having seen Mai Lang, he couldn’t help but feel a hint of anticipation for Red Tide.
……
As the sound of hooves stepped into the mountain bend, suddenly a roar and clatter came from ahead.
The clear sound of hammers breaking rocks, the creaking of wheelbarrows, and the deep rumble of steam blowers intertwined, somewhat disordered yet lively.
Just ahead, a road construction team of several hundred was busy between the valley mouth.
Craftsmen swung hammers, shattering the mountain rocks piece by piece to fill the pits.
Laborers pushed wheelbarrows, transporting rocks and sand back and forth, sweat running down their backs.
Steam blowers roared into operation, their flue boxes huffing hot air, melting the sticky gel and pouring it into the stone crevices, gradually sealing the road surface.
Meanwhile, at a stone table on the side, civil servants were scribbling furiously, recording work hours and material consumption, with accounts neat and clear.
A small flag of the Red Tide Trade Bureau stood before the roadblock, and a notice board hung from the wooden stake.
“This road construction allows exchanging work for food, with accommodation and meals provided, for a duration of half a year.”
