It is autumn now, the grass is dried up, so burning should be easy. After burning, we can dig up and remove those rocks and tree roots, and the burnt field should be usable. I carefully looked at that piece of hill; it's quite gentle and the soil is thick. Whether for building houses or farming, it would be excellent."
Capito, who had also followed Maximus to inspect, interjected, "There are some trees on that hill. It would be a pity to burn them all. Why not cut them down first and then burn? We can use those trees for building houses, making boats... Our supply camp has a dozen frame saws, so cutting trees would be faster."
"As long as there are enough people, cutting the trees first would also work," Volenus responded straightforwardly, as if he believed Maximus wouldn't object.
Maximus smiled, "Volenus, your method of using fire to clear the land is a good one. In the future, you will be in charge of developing that hill, but—"
