Morning.
The sun has not yet risen, and the sky is dawning.
Early spring in the Northern Territory is still chilling.
Durant rested one hand on the wooden basin filled with hot water, letting out a soothing sigh.
After a while, he put the towel into the hot water, ready to wash his face well.
As soon as he looked up, he saw Luo De open the door and come out, his hand holding the towel paused noticeably.
"He got up this early..."
Most noble children start enjoying life after receiving their fief, especially those who were strictly controlled by their families.
For illegitimate children like Luo De, it's even more extravagant, often buying female slaves, servants, and jewelry that they previously lacked.
But Durant didn't expect Luo De not to even sleep in.
He didn't know that it wasn't that Luo De didn't want to sleep, but rather he couldn't fall asleep.
In Tulip Castle, he was forced to get up and work, spurred by the butler daily—hauling water, chopping wood, feeding horses, shoveling manure... constantly thinking about how to escape.
But here, Luo De woke up of his own accord.
Because Black Pine Ridge is Luo De's own fief, handling every matter is a contribution to his own career.
Having finally gained a chance to turn his life around, Luo De wished to seize every moment.
How could he possibly sleep in?
"Good morning, Lord Baron."
Durant stepped forward proactively, bowing respectfully.
Roland nodded slightly to show acknowledgment, asking, "Did they catch anyone last night?"
"As you predicted, the guard reported catching four townsmen trying to escape with property. They're awaiting your disposal." Durant replied.
"Confiscate all property, publicly whip them as an example, and demote them to slaves."
Luo De added, "Have those militias do it."
With paying three-tenths less in taxes comes more responsibility. Luo De planned to assign such resentment-inducing tasks to the militiamen to do.
Only when the militiamen have conflicts with the townsfolk can Luo De confidently utilize these people.
"Yes, Lord Baron."
Durant responded, continuing, "Last night, Gang Le's mercenaries reported that those captured robbers claimed to be villagers from Chaotic Stone Village."
"They're all robbers, no villagers."
Chaotic Stone Village doesn't belong to Black Pine Ridge but to another territory.
But Luo De didn't care what villagers came from Chaotic Stone Village. Robbing merchant convoys on his lands were robbers.
With spring planting approaching fast, Luo De wouldn't let go of a single laborer.
"Go wake up Lawrence for breakfast. There are plenty of tasks today."
Since even the Lord of the manor has risen, no one else has a reason to stay in bed.
Durant roused everyone and gathered those Luo De wanted to meet at the dining table.
The breakfast was prepared by two slaves from Matt's household, and Durant had Matt's wife and daughter first taste it before serving.
Mushroom chicken soup, two fried eggs, plus five slices of toasted black bread.
Only the bread on Luo De's plate was normal white bread, which crunched with grains of sand upon biting.
Apparently, even the food from the town chief's house couldn't compare to what Luo De ate in Tulip Castle.
Though the austere life of the Northern Territory was indeed harsher compared to noble refinement.
Nevertheless, Luo De studied the map carefully last night, and Black Pine Ridge did show potential.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, only one main road led deep into the Northern Territory; the rest were all winding paths.
Frost Leaf Town lay towards the southwestern end of Black Pine Ridge, mostly plains and low hills, with a major river not far to the northeast.
If he guarded against robbers and cleared wild beasts, this could be Luo De's ideal farming land.
Amassing grain is the way to kingship.
Once the land here is developed and a legion established, there would be no more hard times.
Luo De quickly devoured the food, even scraping the soup residue with bread into his mouth.
Then he wiped his mouth, looking towards Lawrence: "Where's the inventory list?"
"It's compiled, three thousand pounds of rye, five hundred pounds of wheat, fifteen hundred pounds of rye seeds, two hundred pounds of wheat seeds, fifty bolts of coarse hemp cloth and one hundred pounds of ordinary spices."
Lawrence spread out a piece of parchment, smiling broadly as he presented it to Luo De, "And some miscellaneous daily items for you to see."
Luo De glanced briefly, asking casually, "What do you carry back if you've brought all these goods here?"
"Ores, furs, herbs, sometimes a bit of smoked meat too."
Lawrence's answer matched Luo De's expectations.
Most of the Northern Wasteland is still in a primal state, accustomed to bartering. Currency lacks substantial value and is hard to circulate.
"How much can you earn with these three wagons of goods for a round trip?"
Lawrence chuckled twice, discreetly extending a hand towards Luo De.
Four fingers, indicating forty gold coins.
That much?
Luo De's face remained calm, though he was inwardly shocked.
A single trip by Lawrence was nearly equivalent to some ordinary baron lords' two-month tax revenue!
Considering the ordinary baron lord's land under the Empire is typically only a quarter of Black Pine Ridge in size, with annual incomes merely between two hundred to five hundred gold coins!
It seems organizing a caravan is necessary!
Of course, Luo De currently lacks the means; the grain and seeds must remain for self-sufficiency.
Only after hunting and mining could there be resources to establish a caravan.
Luo De's focus was still on his territory.
"With such great profit, you ought to hire a more formidable guard team."
If it were Gang Le's mercenary team, those robbers would have long been driven away.
"Expenses are hefty too, Lord Baron. Everything requires gold coins!" Lawrence replied with a face full of bitterness.
Luo De was dismissive, turning to Durant: "Store all the goods well, and keep watch over them."
Then he instructed Lawrence: "Today, continue collecting taxes for me, and compile information on the town's population, professions, family connections, et cetera. I'll give you only three days."
Do these things well, and I'll reduce a bit of your ransom fee."
"Yes, esteemed Lord Baron."
Lawrence agreed readily.
Even without Luo De's latter words, Lawrence was gladly willing to do it.
Yesterday evening while collecting taxes at a wealthy farmer's home, Lawrence experienced an unprecedented thrill.
No commodity exchange was needed; he only had to wave his hand to take whatever he wanted, and those wealthy farmers didn't dare utter a single complaint.
Though the acquired items did not belong to him, the exhilarating feeling from the process was addicting.
Then Luo De instructed Durant: "Find someone skilled at drawing to draft a layout of the town, marking every household."
"Have the idle residents in town start working, cutting and hauling lumber back, the place needs proper refurbishing."
The dream of a castle was too far, yet a Lord Manor should exist.
"Also, thoroughly inspect the fence surrounding the town and carefully repair any damaged areas."
"And check whether there's a blacksmith shop in town, arrange for Hammer to enter, and assign him a female assistant meanwhile."
Durant nodded frequently, jotting down all Luo De's instructions on a wooden board with charcoal.
He was now Luo De's most trusted individual, overwhelmed by the surging tide of trivial matters large and small.
Yet Durant felt no annoyance, relishing this feeling instead.
The feeling of being relied upon once more.
"What are we doing today, noble sir?"
Once Luo De arranged everything, Gang Le, squatting on a bench, asked.
"Take your axe and come with me, ensuring my safety."
Luo De stood up,
"Now let's find a shrewd wealthy farmer to guide us to see the fields in Frost Leaf Town."