Spring plowing in the village is proceeding vigorously according to Ed's instructions, and the butler Marcus is also supervising the plowing site to ensure that Ed's instructions are carried out accurately.
Meanwhile, Ed was at the long table in the castle completing his " The First Three-Year Plan for Gray Fortress Territory ".
Ed's life is like a book that has already been written; the pages before it can never be opened. The pages after it are full of unknowns, full of curiosity, and full of confusion.
Ed didn't want to be a monk who just went through the motions.
"The most important thing at this stage is definitely solving the food problem. Only when people are well-fed can they have the energy to do other things, increase the population, and allow the territory to develop. In the next stage, we will gradually address sanitation issues and improve the living environment."
Ed hadn't even written a few words when he started feeling a bit of back pain.
"I'm so tired! Adelaide, give me a leg massage."
"Ah! No, get me a glass of water."
Ed ignored his hands frozen in mid-air and quickly changed his mind.
Ed got a little carried away and, despite the harsh conditions, started preparing to enjoy life. Luckily, he pulled back from the brink in time.
Fortunately, Little Maid was either lost in her own world or dreaming of Zhuangzi's butterfly dream; she didn't hear Ed's previous words, only the sound of pouring a glass of water.
"Yes, yes, Master," Little Maid said as she hurriedly took the thing called ' teacup ' from the table and ran to the fireplace to pour hot water.
Adelaide was very interested in this thing called teacup; she had just been thinking about it.
When Uncle Roderick handed this thing to her in the morning, she was a little surprised. This teacup not only had a handle but also a lid, and its round shape was very cute!
Adelaide really wants one.
Uncle Roderick told her that this belonged to the lord, and that the lord had taught him how to make this teacup. He would make many more, and the people of the castle would use them to drink water. Adelaide was very pleased.
Perhaps in the near future, Adelaide will become a tea master, but only if Ed can find tea leaves.
"Master, here's your hot water." Adelaide placed a cup of hot water in front of Ed.
"Thank you," Ed said, adjusting his posture to make himself more comfortable.
Then, with my left hand, I picked up the teacup on the table, and with my right hand, I held the lid and scraped it against the rim of the teacup. Even though there was nothing there, life shouldn't be without a sense of ritual.
Ed took a satisfied sip; the hot water warmed his stomach. This simple act in ordinary life warmed his heart.
After drinking the warm and comforting water, Ed continued with his three-year plan.
"This year's pea harvest should be plentiful, and we can also harvest some more oats, but that won't be enough. The village's livestock are mostly cattle, sheep, and horses, which can't be slaughtered for meat. We'll have to find ways to catch fish in the lake or hunt wild boar in the mountains. However, this requires teamwork and is very dangerous. Our territory has too few people, so we'll have to figure out a solution after spring planting."
Ed was a little tired and put down the parchment. He looked at Adelaide and asked, " How is Andrew? Is he feeling better?"
" Lord Andrew is still very weak, Master. The wise man said he is drinking some herbs."
Ed didn't know what kind of medicine he was taking, or whether it was effective. He also didn't know what illness Andrew had.
Andrew is the only warrior in the territory and the most powerful person in the entire territory. Even the strong Eric is no match for him because Andrew has armor, although it is mostly leather.
"I'm going to go check it out tomorrow."