Chapter 218 ·Easy Barony

At the beginning of May, the end of the plowing month and the arrival of the summer month.

After half a year, the summer hot wind lingers in Barony Draco, the scorching sun shines on the land, and the farmers are sweating in the farmland, and the big drops of sweat fall on the soil, bearing the weight of the farmers. The expectation of a good harvest in the harvest season in a few months also represents their hard work. The cornerstone of a huge empire is laid by pieces of farmland.

Of course, some active farmers do not want to be bound in the farmland, especially many freedmen who have been conscripted to join the war. They have received a large amount of rewards and spoils of war, and a very small number of outstanding performers have been absorbed into the army , became a glorious Baronial soldier, no longer living in poverty, and satisfied basic food and clothing, these freedmen contracted their farmland to others, did notarization in front of the church priest, and received a fixed percentage of grain harvest every year.

They entered the newly built workshops along the York River and became workers and craftsmen with higher pay, better quality of life, and changed their destiny.

Batches of orders poured in like snowflakes, and the workshop was almost non-stop around the clock. Time was tight and tasks were heavy. Many workers started working from 5:00 in the morning until around 11:00 noon. Due to the hot weather, Most of the workshops will stop working and take a short break until the afternoon to resume work. During the break, the workshops will provide refreshment drinks, and some workshops will provide iced fruits and cold food.

The workshop owners are also in order to comply with a new decree promulgated by Baron Draco a week ago, forcing lunch breaks to improve the quality of work.

Lerlen’s high reputation and the absolute control of the barony ensured the smooth implementation of the decree.

Three or four foreign Westland businessmen still resolutely resisted the decree after repeated persuasion. On the same day, two textile workshops and a leather processing workshop under their name were forcibly “moved” by the baronial soldiers, and they closed down. It has the effect of killing one policeman.

Six or seven textile workers are sitting under the thatched hut by the York River to enjoy the cool. A simple earthenware pot is filled with clean water. Each of them holds a large mug, so you can scoop up the water and drink it.

“Phew~ I’m exhausted, if I can have a glass of cold beer from the dwarf tavern, it will be more comfortable.” The worker with a white beard sat down on the ground and let out a long breath: “I have been busy so early in the morning. , there is still a batch of goods that need to be shipped out later, tired!”

“Forget it, old Jeff, your job is the easiest!”

“Hey, you don’t understand this, I’m mainly tired, and I’m much more tired than you guys who are just working hard!”

“Since this is the case, when the work starts, we will switch jobs!”

“Forget it, forget it, I can hold on to my old bones, you guys, I’m still too young!”

“Tch———”

While hiding from the sun under the straw shed, several workers squinted and looked at the port on the other side of the York River. A large sailboat with the pattern of the Overlong Chamber of Commerce was drawn up, and the last few boxes of goods were hoisted by the dwarves. Pulled up, loaded on the board, accompanied by the sound of a trumpet, a few minutes later, under the guidance of the dock workers, the galleon slowly sailed out of the new dock, and sailed along the river towards the forest in the north, leaving A surging white wake.

Watching the back of the sailing ship, a worker clicked his tongue and said, “Have you heard that the river port recruited workers not long ago, and the wages offered were 160 copper coins a day!”

“Really? John, you guys don’t lie to us!”

“Of course it is true, I can swear to the Baron!”

The prestige of Baron Draco is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the workers also believe what he said.

“Ms. Mercy, are you still recruiting?”

“I feel like I missed out on hundreds of gold coins.”

“I really envy them…”

Several textile workers stared at the busy dock workers at the port, wishing they could be one of them. You know, the basic weekly salary of textile workers is only more than two hundred copper coins. Who would not want to live a better life? Yes!

“The construction speed and operational efficiency of the river port are far beyond my imagination. You have done a good job on this, my secretary.” Not far away, on the third-floor rooftop of a pub on the edge of the York River, Lyron, Pittman, Adrian, and Gavin Clinton are sitting together, enjoying the quiet after busy work while enjoying the shade.

Gavin Clinton performed very well in this war. He led the elite halberd company to withstand the pressure on the front line many times, boosting morale, and he solved several big horned beasts and a centaur by himself.

During this recovery war, the Draco army that followed Laeren lost about 260 people, of which more than 20 wounded soldiers could return to the team after recuperation, and the rest were either dead or disabled.

In addition to being included in the village and town patrols responsible for public security, disabled soldiers still enjoy preferential treatment. Being wounded to defend the barony is undoubtedly the most respected deed. Well-trained and experienced War veterans are also popular with mercenary regiments.

Some of the wounded veterans with good military exploits were hired by Laeren in accordance with the standards of middle and lower rank officers. They returned to the barracks and were responsible for training recruits, and they shined for the glorious cause of Draco’s army construction.

“My baron, this honor of excellence does not belong to me. It is Mr. Yatru-Ofran.” The baronial affairs officer explained: “During the construction of Port Draco, Mr. They spent a huge amount of gold coins to hire many engineers from Nunn School of Engineering, and when the Overland Chamber of Commerce was recruiting workers, they offered high salaries that people could not refuse, even the salary of the lowest-level palletizing workers would have to be paid. Higher than the average salary in the port of Marienburg.”

“So that’s the case. Mr. Yatru-Ofran really has a heart.” Layron nodded, and took out the dark beer that had just been taken out of the ice cellar, and the bottle was radiating cold air: “With the operation of Drake Port, whether it is The transportation time and transportation cost will be greatly reduced, and the Overland Chamber of Commerce also needs these benefits, and so do we.”

“Yes, the unimpeded flow of the York River and the Hill River has shortened the time for rebuilding Duncan Castle, and the dwarven stonemasons are expected to complete it this autumn.” Officer Pittman nodded, and he said: “My baron, Recently, there has been a large wave of refugees who have migrated into the territory from West Territory. Arranging them in Oak Town and other villages will inevitably cause conflicts with the local residents. Considering that the outer wall and some blocks of Duncan Castle have been completed, I think Relocating these homeless people to Castle Duncan would be an effective solution.”

“These refugees who can’t generate income have no shelter for the time being, and rely on odd jobs for a living. Instead of letting the dark evil corruption spread in their hearts, it is better to move into the northern forest. There is a large waste of land waiting to be reclaimed, and there is an urgent need for labor. And manpower.” Adrian also said.

A human gathering place is on the verge of population saturation. Breaking through from one critical point to the next is bound to be a huge challenge. The population is too large, and it faces severe tests from hygiene to security. For example, Altdorf, the capital of the empire, has What a giant city with a population of one million has to face is slums and mud ponds everywhere. Tens of thousands of people are silted up in each narrow block. Depravity, profanity, and ignorance will lead to corruption spreading everywhere.

“That’s fine, they’ll make the best use of their resources.” Lellen didn’t have a good impression of the refugees.

A group of people who do not have any property and no territory willing to take in. They are self-cultivators who have lost their land, homeless exiles, deserters who have been defeated, bankrupt merchants, and small nobles. They are the most likely to cause chaos. Move these people into The heavily guarded Duncan Castle minimizes ill effects.

“Sir Gavin, how is the formation of the newly recruited army going?” Layron changed the subject and looked at Gavin Clinton who was sitting quietly by the side.

“The young and strong in the collar responded positively, and the progress is very smooth. My lord, the 200 people initially planned to recruit have been trained for a month. After the first batch of training is over, they will be sent to the forest patrol team for half a year. Experience and master the skills of fighting against Beastmen, etc.” Gavin said meticulously: “The second batch of recruitment will start in late May, that is, around Midsummer Festival, and Engineer Benic Sutson will participate in it at that time. Responsible for selecting musketeers and gunners and recruiting excellent soldiers.”

Regarding the process of recruit training, Laylen has no opinion: “The second batch will have more people, and it will reach 300 people. Gavin, I will leave this matter to you.”

“Understood, I must do my best!” Gavin nodded in response.

Lyron began to think about his territory.

At present, his territory is very prosperous, and various projects are proceeding in an orderly manner. The trade with the wood elves has brought him a lot of wealth and trade influence, and the dwarf community in the territory has brought him many production workers. , but this is far from enough.

After the **** battle at Duncan Castle, Laeren also realized that although the army he had formed in the past two years was not inferior to the provincial army, it still had obvious flaws. Without a strong army, how could he fight against evil?

The impact of the Marienburg War also radiated to the Barony of Draco. The conflict on the border of the empire has continued until now, and it seems to be reminding Lellen that war is everywhere.

“Baron, the Mercy Church in the town has applied for additional manpower. The number of doctors and nuns is completely insufficient. Compared with the previous year, the number of newborns this year has almost doubled, and the premature death rate is extremely low. It is said that the Barony has been blessed by Ms. Mercy.” Pittman then reported some recent situations in the territory.

“The number of newborns has doubled, thanks to the pastors of the Mercy Church. Their church funds have also been doubled this year, and they should be rewarded and encouraged.” Lailan gave a flat comment: “Don’t forget the mutation of the baby. Phenomena must be strictly checked, the four-cornered Angour appeared because of a pity, we can’t take it lightly when we go, we should kill, we will kill.”

“Yes, my Baron, there is one more thing. Chief Langeni would like to ask you to approve a piece of pasture for the dwarves to use. Our long-bearded friends recently captured a group of bighorn sheep from the forest. The dwarves want to They are trained to be mounts, and they need a pasture for this, he wants to ask if you agree?” The secretary took out a piece of parchment, and then asked.

“Domestic blue sheep as mounts?” Lelun looked surprised.

“seems like it.”

Laeren was confused for a while, he had never heard that dwarves have the ability to tame mounts, and looked at Adrian, who also shook his head, Baron Draco didn’t want to make a decision so easily: “Let’s go to the dwarf community to see See, since they captured blue sheep, they have already domesticated a little bit.”

“Okay, I’ll show you the way, Baron.” Pittman stood up, and not long after, Lailon and the others were on their way in the sun.

After riding for nearly half an hour, the community of dwarves was in sight.

It seems to have expanded a lot. It is an independent community. The dwarves built their residences under the hills. The homes and hearth runes carved on the thick stone gates shimmered. The ancient runes are the core of a dwarf gathering place. , can give every bearded person the courage and tenacity to defend their homeland.

When Lailen came to the dwarf community along the stone road, he found that most of the hills directly below had been hollowed out, and only a small number of mustaches were willing to build houses on the surface. The dwarves used advanced engineering, and they made A huge mechanical device is used to lift the platform, and a deep basement group is dug out for living. The houses along the rock wall are simple in shape, and most of them use solid square-top stones. At the same time, stone columns are used to support the underground space. The decoration is simple, but full of the charm of ancient traditions, and the statues of the three dwarven ancestor gods also stand on the platform in the middle of the community.

On the watchtower on the outer layer of the community, two dwarves standing guard saw Laeren’s arrival, and they saluted happily: “Oh, what an honor, the friend of the dwarves is here!”

“May Granny’s beard grant you wisdom!”

Lai Lun didn’t express too much, he smiled and waved, and at the same time entered the community with ease.

The hydraulic elevator was running smoothly, and it didn’t take long for several people to set foot in this underground world. This was the first time that Officer Pittman came to the dwarf community. They tried their best to keep calm, but they were also curious about everything in the dwarven community.

Many of the dwarves who passed by felt superior to their display of curiosity, but the long-bearded ones did not forget to pay Laeren their respect.

Walking on the suspended stone bridge, looking around at the plowing figures on both sides, Lailon understood, no wonder the dwarves don’t need to import the raw materials for beer production. It turns out that they opened up barley fields underground, using rare fluorite as the light source, basically There is no climate change in the four seasons.

While watching the scene along the way, Lailon noticed the figure walking towards him at the end of the stone bridge, laughing at him.