The weather was mild, and so was the sun, not dashing out its scorching rays, which didn't match the timing of the day.
It was an hour after noon.
A soft breeze blew, carrying that earthy scent of rain, the one that made a person feel relaxed.
Tempting the mind into slumber.
However, there was nothing but energetic smiles on the faces of almost everyone.
If they weren't smiling, they were enjoyably focused on the work at hand.
An outsider wouldn't believe that these were the same people who would come to queue up in front of Marcus's estate gates with bowls in hand, waiting desperately to be given food some three weeks ago.
The gloomy air that seemed to follow the people around had given way to a pleasant mood.
Now, whether man or woman, everyone wore proper clothes, so to speak.
The young lord had provided simple garbs for them to wear, even promising to give them more for the winter for free in the future.
This act melted the hearts of everyone, bringing tears to their eyes.
Who didn't fear the cold white face of winter?
You might have been made of stone, but even stone would freeze if winter desired.
Out of joy, men in the crowd fell to their knees to pledge their loyalty to the young lord.
A genuine sincere act of pledging their lives to him.
However, Marcus didn't see it as much. Though he appreciates their current mindset, to him, their lives were already under his control.
If he fails, they too would feel the brunt.
But he said nothing of it.
Over a week ago, Marcus increased the number of people under his payroll. Increasing the total number of people under his employment to 2000.
Most of whom had been sent to join the construction crew.
Since gold from the Avanti Merchant House had arrived, most of it was quickly converted into resources to be used.
While half of the rest was disbursed.
Marcus had used that half to pay his worker's first wage, though it only covered a week's wages, it didn't truly matter to the general public.
Each worker received thirty-seven silver coins.
This many silver coins for just a week's worth of work!?
The crowd was ecstatic.
These were people who were pleased enough with just being given food as payment for their hard work.
Being paid in coins even birthed wild dreams in the hearts of many.
When the news passed around to the rest who were comfortable with just eating free food, those who had avoided Marcus's employment, it stirred a surge of envy in them.
This envy drove some to rush and apply for work, however, what was currently available was a duty that many didn't qualify for: an apprenticeship…
Nonetheless, Marcus's immediate surroundings had changed, both physically and mentally.
This was the state of the southern district of Agard…
…
Standing on a hill that overlooked the farm fields behind his mansion, Marcus didn't know how to feel.
It has been almost a month since they started this endeavor to revitalize the agricultural state of Agard.
Although not enough time had elapsed for him to get proper results, he was starting to think of the worst.
Currently, those fast-growing plants are already showing signs of growth.
Spurts of their growth hung above the soil. Green shoots dotted the soil like scattered emeralds.
However, the same plants showed no progress on the other side of the farm field.
What brought worry to Marcus's heart was the irony in this predicament.
Did the Limestone treatment work or not?
This was hard to gauge at the moment.
With what he was seeing, Marcus could say that it was working and at the same time, the opposite was true.
The farm fields where these spurts could be seen growing were lands where barely anything would grow.
And after the lime treatment, its output changed. Hence the growth.
However, on the other side, there was nothing.
Why?
Surfan and the farmers watched Marcus's expression, trying to figure out what the young man was feeling.
They too had wondered what the limestone treatment would cause in the soil. And when they started to see growth spurts, they were amazed.
Some of them had internally sworn that not even a quarter of what they had planted would grow on these farm lands.
Just because the soil wasn't optimal for farming.
Were they right or wrong?
They couldn't answer.
Marcus's gaze occasionally travelled from one end of the valley to the other side, seemingly trying to figure out what was wrong.
Surfan sighed. "Milord. I think your idea was ingenious, however…" he started.
"However we don't completely understand the use of Limestones in farming, right?" Marcus completed softly without looking at Surfan.
"Yes."
"Then, as the head farmer, is there something that you have noticed, something that could be the reason why one side is growing and the other is not?"
"I have an idea, but I'm not so certain. This is, after all, my first encounter with this lime-soil treatment."
Marcus was a bit surprised. "Oh, let's hear it then." He turned and faced the man.
"Milord, this other extreme of the valley is quite close to the river," Surfan said.
"Hmm, you think that soil closer to salty water would be different from those further away?" Marcus spoke as he weighed the possibility.
It was highly likely so. This was a problem that Marcus didn't pay attention to or consider when they began planting.
"Yes. Every other part of the farm fields seems to be doing well, even more than we were willing to believe." Surfan added and other farmers nodded.
If this were a thing of ego, they wouldn't have agreed.
But these people who weren't natives of Agard have been somewhat privy to what this young lord has been doing over the weeks.
He was genuinely trying to do something good for his land and people.
Unless one is made of stone, if not envy, disregard, or pity, one would be inspired to contribute.
And their contribution would be the biggest when winter came.
In a sense, they too felt the pressure of the task Marcus had given them.
Marcus smiled.
This was how he wanted his workers to be. They should be able to think, identify, and analyze their surroundings.
"What do you think we should do, Surfan?" Marcus asked.
This question stunned the older man. He wasn't expecting to be asked this. The young lord has been the one making all the plans and adjustments since they started working.
"I don't think we should do anything for now. The lands that we have now, if cultivated and supervised properly, should be able to feed three times Agard's population."
Marcus also felt the same.
All they needed was enough to get through the winter without having to rely on outsourcing their food.
Even merchants run out of food to sell during the winter.
"Okay. Good job Surfan. Good work everyone." Marcus smiled and began walking back to the mansion.
The farmers watched him leave with confused looks.
"Surfan, the young lord seems to trust you." Someone said.
"I don't know if I should call it trust rather, but he saw no fault in my suggestion," Surfan replied with a nervous laugh.
Why do I feel the weight on my shoulders increasing? He thought with worry.