Chapter 130: 130. The Defection Plan

Huitu Village.

After Luoning resolved the matter regarding Baron Leisen, he did not rush back to Shanlin Town.

In addition to discussing and finalizing the training plan with Ruidar, Maiken, and others, he also took the time to inspect the Kaolin Mine.

Over the past month or so, Ruidar had already led men to conduct a rough survey, basically determining that the length of this vein was about twenty li, and the width about six li.

As for the thickness, because it was not easy to survey, he simply had people dig a seven or eight-meter deep pit downward; since Kaolin could still be collected at the bottom, it indicated that the thickness of this vein was at least seven or eight meters.

Such reserves were considered very large, at least enough for a small workshop like Huitu Village to mine for over a hundred years, and it might not even be exhausted then.

Now, not far from the mine, the masons and carpenters of Huitu Village had already built several houses, and there was a river nearby; they were just waiting for Luoning's porcelain firing method to be finalized before they could officially begin work.

Before starting, there was still some preparatory work to be done, such as preparing dry firewood and making charcoal with high combustion temperatures for later use; among these, the most important task was building the kiln.

However, the construction style of this kiln had not yet been finalized and required experimentation.

Currently, Shanlin Town already had a potter named Jim, who knew how to build kilns for firing pottery.

But this type of kiln was relatively open, which was completely different from the sealed kiln required for firing porcelain.

Under the guidance provided by Luoning, Jim had already begun to work on modifying the open kiln; he believed that with his experience combined with Luoning's technical guidance, it should not be difficult to build a mini experimental sealed kiln.

"My Lord, Knight Feilidun from Sain Territory has arrived."

Tangmu ran over to report, "He says he has brought the ransom and medical expenses, and wants to take Fenlisi and the others away today."

"It has only been four days since Baron Leisen sent the money; it seems he is indeed a man of his word."

Luoning said with a smile, "Since the money is here, release the people who should be released. Let Aierlong go and receive him; I won't go over."

In the last few days, Luoning had arranged for people to send food and drink to Fenlisi and the others, but it was impossible for their condition to have recovered very well.

If Baron Leisen had come a few days later, I am afraid this group of people would not necessarily have recovered even after one or two months back home.

This was not Luoning abusing prisoners; it was mainly because the other party were Advanced Knights. If they ate and drank well and recovered their strength and condition, Luoning would have to send capable people to guard them.

"Also, have Maiken finalize the recruitment of guards with Ruidar as soon as possible; we are returning to Shanlin Town."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Tangmu rode away.

Swamp Town, Baron Leisen's castle.

Ever since the Baron returned from outside, the servants in the castle felt as if a dark cloud was hanging over them, oppressive and suffocating.

"Crack!"

A cup shattered on the floor, making the manservants and maids waiting outside the door tremble.

This was the umpteenth cup the Baron had smashed in recent days.

Not only that, a few days ago, a sweeping servant had spilled a basin of water out of sheer terror, and Baron Leisen had the guards drag the servant to the square to be hanged.

There was also a maid who, because she spilled water on his wound while serving him during a bath, was dragged out by the guards and whipped; although she did not die on the spot, the horrific wounds could not be properly treated, and with the winter being extremely cold, the maid was likely not going to make it.

Therefore, for the past two days, everyone in Zhaozebao had been living in fear, terrified that one wrong move would provoke the Baron's anger and cost them their lives.

Leisen sat back on a soft sofa made of some unknown leather; every time he thought of the scene that day, the anger and humiliation in his heart almost overflowed.

It was one thing that the opportunity to occupy the savage tribe had been snatched away by Luoning, but he never expected that he would lead the team himself only to return in defeat. Four days had passed, and the injury on his right shoulder had still not fully healed.

The daily pain was telling him he had failed, constantly reminding him that he had lost face in front of his subordinates, and deepening his anger toward Luoning.

At this moment, he recalled the scene where Ruidar's longsword was held against his neck; he had not experienced the feeling of death for many years.

Every time he thought of it, his face turned livid, as if a fire were burning in his chest. He clenched his left fist, his veins bulging.

"Luoning!"

He muttered through gritted teeth; if tone could kill, he would have already killed Luoning thousands of times.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside.

"My Lord, I have returned." Feilidun appeared outside.

Leisen took a deep breath and restrained the anger on his face slightly, "Come in."

Feilidun walked in, and seeing the shards of the cup on the floor, he carefully walked around them.

He comforted him, "My Lord, a temporary victory or defeat does not mean anything. Regarding Shanlin Town, we have an absolute advantage. As long as the timing is right, we will definitely be able to capture and kill Luoning."

"Of course, I am very certain of this."

Leisen did not show the irritability he had toward servants in front of this follower who had been with him for many years, "If there is another time, I have the confidence to defeat that Ruidar."

"I believe in your strength!"

Feilidun said, "I have also followed your instructions and let Qiaofuli approach Ruidar whenever he has the chance, to convey your goodwill to him."

Leisen nodded, "I hope this Ruidar will not disappoint my expectations; following me is his correct choice."

His hatred was only directed at Luoning; conversely, regarding Ruidar, his first thought after the anger was to recruit the other party for his own use.

Therefore, this time when he sent Feilidun to deliver the ransom, he gave an order to Qiaofuli—

To have the latter get closer to Ruidar and promise him warhorses, beauties, servants, manors, money, and so on, in an attempt to turn him.

"The conditions you offered are very generous, and Ruidar has not been following Luoning for long; the two of them certainly have not established a deep bond of master and servant. The possibility of him being tempted is high."

Feilidun analyzed, "Luoning will at most be a second Weijinsi in the future. It would be fine if he had the right of inheritance, but now that he has lost it, any sensible person knows that following such a lord has no future."

"If Ruidar is smart enough, he will know that only by following a lord like you can he achieve great things in the future."

Hearing his subordinate say this, Leisen felt a bit better.

He picked up a letter from the side and handed it to Feilidun, "You go to Zilei Territory yourself and deliver this letter to Viscount Taini."

Zilei Territory was located within the territory of Earl Haide, and its master, Viscount Taini, was loyal to Earl Aosen.

Not only that, Taini's daughter, Dannika—who was as famous for her beauty as Daianni was in her youth and was also an Advanced Mage—had married Balindun, who was the son of Earl Aosen.

Feilidun respectfully took the letter, "My Lord, are you planning to?"

"It depends on how Viscount Taini chooses; I am only making a proposal."

"I understand!"

Feilidun placed the letter into his breast pocket and tucked it away, "Then, my lord, I shall set off this afternoon."

"Mm, go and return quickly."

Leisen waved his hand, "I hope you can bring back good news for me."

Feilidun bowed and quickly withdrew.

"Luoning, oh Luoning, you have only yourself to blame for having such a large appetite."

Leisen narrowed his eyes, "Even if you wanted to cede the management rights of these three savage tribes to me now, I would not let you off easily."

(End of chapter)