Chapter 131: 131. Recruitment

The day after Feilidun delivered the ransom, Luoning set off to return to Shanlin Town.

He had brought a large group of people when he came, but he only took Maiken back with him.

Although it seemed unlikely that Huitu Village and the Heiling Tribe would have new conflicts in the near future, if war were to break out between Shanlin Town and Sain Territory later on, it would most likely be in this area.

Therefore, leaving the Knights here to live and familiarize themselves with the environment of this area would be very beneficial for future operations.

Over the past few days, although Ruidar had been resting, he had only refrained from using his sword and engaging in combat; he had not stopped his daily administrative duties.

For example, discussing training plans with Maiken, screening and weeding out unqualified militia, directing the construction of watchtowers and several scout camps at the border, and organizing Knight Hunter Squads to sweep Huitu Village and the surrounding Shanlin, etc.

Seeing that the defense here had been arranged in an orderly manner by Ruidar, Luoning was naturally very relieved to leave the front line of Huitu Village to Ruidar.

He could not help but recall that when he first summoned the other party, the other party had said that he was a Commander of the Flame Expeditionary Army.

Looking at it now, although Ruidar's memory was incomplete, his talent as a Commander was already slowly manifesting.

After returning to Shanlin Town, Luoning immediately found the Administrator Wilson and had him coordinate with Maiken to select sixty-four soldiers, who were needed to form a complete Knight Squad.

After handling this matter, the only things left for him to focus on were Iron Smelting and the construction of the Kiln; oh right, and the daily dog training.

Black Tiger was growing very fast; it had only been ten days or so, and its size had already reached thirty centimeters, looking just like a little puppy.

Perhaps because it had been mingling with the few dogs caught in the last few days, when Luoning made a "tsk-tsk-tsk" sound, the little guy ran over happily just like the other dogs, its little tail wagging non-stop.

Sure enough, environment is truly the best way to change a person, no, a dog.

However, Luoning also knew that raising it with dogs could only train obedience; Black Tiger was a Magic Beast after all, so it could not really be treated as a dog, and the necessary targeted training was still required.

Nowadays, Ailin had to prepare lessons every day, and in the evening, she would set aside an hour to instruct Dawei, Beila, and others in reading and writing, so Luoning needed to take on some training tasks.

He planned to take Black Tiger along to wander into the Wushan mountains and hunt some small animals once it grew a bit larger.

The temperature was gradually dropping; after entering December, the daytime temperature would be at most a few degrees, and at night it would drop to zero. According to past experience, Shanlin Town would soon welcome a snowfall.

To survive the winter safely, the farmers had stopped the work of reclaiming wasteland, and most of their time was spent repairing houses to withstand the wind and snow, while also storing enough firewood and wild vegetables for the winter.

In the past, this would be a tense season; the commoners would need to pay money, grain, or labor to the Administrator to purchase the right to cut down trees. For them, every tree obtained came at a certain price.

Some people had none of these three things and could only sneakily pick up some dry branches.

But how could a few dry branches solve the problem? Therefore, every year in the past, people would freeze to death due to the cold.

But it was different now; Luoning had opened up the policy of cutting down trees.

As long as it was within the range he specified, the commoners did not need to pay any price to cut down trees.

This was a huge piece of good news for all the commoners.

Consequently, those with able-bodied men in their families were basically on the mountain at all times, except for sleeping at home at night.

Even if they had to chisel away with stones bit by bit, they would still get one or two trees back before dark.

Although it was hard work, they praised the Lord's policy highly while they labored.

In reality, this was nothing more than a win-win situation.

Luoning used their enthusiasm to increase the speed of clearing road obstacles, accelerating the opening of the roads to the outside world and the three northern villages.

"My Lord, according to your requirements, I have changed the open-style Kiln into a sealed one."

On December 5th, the potter Jim brought a piece of good news: the modification of the Kiln was complete.

Luoning stood with his hands behind his back, examining the two-meter-high kiln chamber from top to bottom and left to right. Although it was only the first version, it already had some resemblance to the shape in his memory.

Moreover, the independent kiln chamber, air ducts, fire channels, and other structures he requested were all complete; it was just that the materials used for construction were a bit lacking, as no firebricks were made.

"Not bad. Now that the materials and the site are ready, we can try firing the first kiln."

Recently, the steps of clay refining, body shaping, and drying had already been completed;

A large batch of feldspar needed for making clear glaze had also been excavated. After washing and grinding, it had now become a powder, and it only needed to be made into a slurry to be applied as glaze.

Luoning was very expectant.

However, it was clear that the results would not be seen today; after glazing, it still needed to dry, and it would take a few more days of preparation.

With the Kiln here mostly ready, the next key point lay in the High Furnace for Iron Smelting.

Construction was also in full swing at the newly built Blacksmith Shop. Luoning had provided simple blueprints for its internal structure, so it was much more targeted to build than the kiln for firing porcelain.

It was just that compared to the kiln, the High Furnace for Iron Smelting needed to be combined with a larger Bellows, and the separation of molten iron and slag at the bottom also required some design; the overall complexity was much higher.

Luoning took the opportunity to inspect the construction of the new Blacksmith Shop. He was quite satisfied with the progress and believed that there should be a significant harvest by the time spring came next year.

"My Lord!"

On the way back to the castle, Luoning met Wilson, who had rushed back from Qingzhu Village, followed by three newly recruited cavalrymen who were already able to ride horses.

"It's Wilson. How is the situation over there?" Luoning asked.

In the second half of November, Wilson had taken the Village Chiefs and Group Leaders of Shanlin Town to Qingzhu, Ziguo, and Huitu Village.

In Luoning's words, it was called agricultural technology guidance. Wilson needed to take people to teach the current planting plans of Shanlin Town to Selis and the others, so that the planting techniques of these three villages would gradually align with Shanlin Town.

"This trip was mainly to check the winter preparations in these three places."

"Your kindness to the commoners has ensured that they all have enough firewood and food in their homes, so there should be no problem getting through the winter."

"I have also conveyed your orders to the Commander, the Hong Knight, and Village Chief Selis that no one in the territory is allowed to freeze or starve to death due to the cold."

Luoning nodded. Wilson was indeed becoming more and more like a "person in charge," and both his enthusiasm and initiative had improved significantly.

He was just about to offer some praise when he suddenly felt a chill on the tip of his nose, only to find that snowflakes had begun to drift in the air at some unknown time.

"It's snowing!"

This was the first winter since he transmigrated, and the first snow he had seen.

"Everyone has worked hard. Come back to the castle with me."

Meanwhile, outside Huitu Village.

Ruidar brought Babulin, Tangmu, and others to the border to have a year-end showdown with the former leader of the Heiling Tribe, Qiaofuli.

Originally, Ruidar had no interest in this inexplicable challenge, but the other party had been mocking, insulting, and provoking the sentries and scouts for several consecutive days.

In the spirit of teaching his opponent a lesson, he made his move.

Ruidar had originally thought Qiaofuli's strength was average and that he wouldn't last more than a few rounds under his hand, but he discovered that the other party's level was not low at all; he was likely also an Advanced Peak Knight, only one step away from reaching the Bronze level.

However, under Ruidar's intense offensive, Qiaofuli was still quickly defeated by his swift sword.

"Speak, what exactly is the reason you have invited me out for several days in a row?" Ruidar pointed his sword at Qiaofuli, who was lying on the ground.

"Heh, you really are strong!"

Qiaofuli wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: "Baron Leisen asked me to tell you that as long as you are willing to follow him, not only will he not pursue the previous matters, but on the contrary, he will bestow upon you a manor, servants, beauties, mounts, and so on—a hundred times better than your current treatment!"

"Oh?"

Ruidar was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected that the person who had been clamoring for so many days to lure him out was actually doing so to recruit him for Baron Leisen.

Qiaofuli tossed aside the longsword in his hand, sat on the ground just like that, and continued in a lowered voice:

"Luoning is just a small baron trapped in these mountains; it is very difficult for him to get out of here. Moreover, I have heard that his aptitude is very poor, and he will likely only ever be an Advanced Knight in his entire life. Your strength is great and your talent is excellent; following him will only bury your talent."

"Do you really want to be trapped in this forest forever and never get out? Do you not want to shed your status as a commoner and ascend to the nobility?"

He looked at Ruidar earnestly, a sense of cherishing talent revealed in his eyes, "There is no future in following Luoning; at most, he can only appoint you as an Honorary Knight, the lowest of the nobility."

Speaking to this point, Qiaofuli's tone shifted, "But Baron Leisen is different; he has the ability to become the new Viscount of the north of Wushan Territory and has a bright future!"

"With your strength, if you are willing to follow him, you will definitely be able to become a Baron in the future!"

Ruidar brandished the longsword in his hand and slowly sheathed it.

Seeing this scene, Qiaofuli thought his words had moved the other party, "How about it?"

Ruidar, however, smiled, "You only see the trees, but you do not see the forest."

As he spoke, he took two steps forward, closing in on the other party.

"If you are following Leisen for the sake of glory, for the opportunity to get out, and to gamble on a future, I can act as an intermediary and recommend you to my master."

"Huh???"

Qiaofuli's eyes widened, and it took him Along moment to realize that the other party was actually trying to recruit him in return.

He was slightly amused, "Ruidar, what qualifications does Luoning have to be compared with Lord Leisen?"

"Lord Leisen is, at the very least, a Bronze-level Knight, possessing a complete Knight Squad and extensive connections, while your master has nothing!"

Ruidar shrugged his shoulders and did not answer this question.

After all, Luoning's true strength was still a secret to outsiders, and the Transcendental beings of Shanlin Town had already been instructed not to speak of it to the outside world.

"If you have come to recruit me, there is no need to come again in the future. Of course, if you are here to pledge loyalty to my master, then I welcome you at any time."

Ruidar raised his eyes to look at the group of knights behind Qiaofuli, a faint, imperceptible smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He then turned around, with his back to Qiaofuli, and said loudly as he walked away: "Think it over carefully, Qiaofuli. Sometimes, choices are more important than your own strength; Shanlin Town is more suitable for you than Sain Territory!"

Qiaofuli frowned tightly, then gave a disdainful snort and bent down to pick up his longsword.

He would have to be out of his mind to follow a lord with no future.

I have to get up early for the hospital tomorrow, so the noon update should be in the evening.

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(End of this chapter)