Chapter 350: Huge Harvest

After Aierlong left, the second person to come over was Chahaer.

"My Lord, you have finally returned!"

Chahaer was panting heavily, not knowing where he had run over from.

Luoning looked the man up and down; his former Steward, now the Financial Officer of Wubei Territory, had seen an improvement in his attire.

Although Chahaer's previous clothing was decent, it was far from as luxurious as it was now; the fabric appeared to be made of high-quality wool cloth.

"I haven't seen you for two months, and you look much more spirited."

"Hehe."

Chahaer couldn't help but look at himself, saying helplessly: "There is no other way; going out to run business represents Wubei Territory, so dressing too shabbily would be a loss of face for you."

Luoning signaled for Beila to pour some tea for Chahaer, and only after the latter finished a cup did he say: "My Lord, if you hadn't returned, I would have been worried to death by the funds in the territory!"

"What, is the money spent?"

He had left over a thousand gold coins in the territory when he last left, so it shouldn't have been used up.

"That's not the case, but in the last two months, we have been purchasing supplies and renting storefronts in Muma City, which cost quite a lot."

Chahaer hurriedly explained: "And you might not know yet, but the number of Transcendents in Wubei Territory has reached 24. According to the standards you set, we need to pay nearly 280 gold coins in remuneration every month, plus the expanded number of Servants, Caravans, Village Chiefs, Group Leaders, Assistants..."

Facing such large expenses, Chahaer would think every time he slept about how he would explain the issue of unpaid wages to these people if the Lord did not return in time.

It was easy to talk to people like Village Chiefs and Group Leaders, but he did not have enough confidence in front of those Transcendents.

In fact, Luoning's current spending on territory personnel was indeed large.

After all, besides Wubei Territory, there were Jushi City and Jiliu Island; adding the personnel in these places together, the remuneration alone cost over five hundred gold coins per month.

"I will allocate another three thousand gold coins to you as a reserve fund."

Luoning said: "But you must also manage the territory's fiscal revenue well; you must hurry to establish sales channels for the Ironwood Workshop, Paper-making Workshop, porcelain, cattle and sheep, and fish and shrimp."

"I understand!"

Chahaer reported, "Two batches of Ironwood weapons and equipment have already been sold externally, and the gross profit earned was over five hundred. The other items you mentioned are currently still stabilizing production; it is estimated that there will be results after more than half a year."

"The nobles in Wangdu need over seventy sets of silk dresses; this is their order."

Luoning handed the order to Chahaer, "Later, have someone notify Ziguo Village and have them make them according to the patterns, striving to complete them before June next year. In addition, let—"

"Good, good, I will go and have someone notify them right away!"

Ever since Chahaer became the Financial Officer, he had been particularly sensitive to gold coins. At this moment, looking at the order in his hand worth three or four thousand gold coins, his eyes shone.

The last to come was the Minister of Administration, Wilson; it was said that he was presiding over the reclamation of paddy fields in the fields.

He could tell how much the Lord valued "rice," and in order not to affect next year's spring plowing, he paid special attention to these few experimental fields.

"My Lord, this is the population situation of the territory."

The population register that Wilson was now handing to Luoning was recorded using the new paper produced by Shanlin Town.

When he used this kind of paper, besides feeling that it was convenient, he also didn't feel the heartache of the cost.

If parchment were used to register this information, the money spent would be immeasurable.

Listening to Chahaer's account, such paper would definitely sell well on the market; the Lord was truly a genius.

"During this period, Luogena transported 25,000 people from your father, Earl Wiggins, and 10,000 people from Cuican City. There were also two batches of Slaves transported by Andongni and Free Citizens who came to join on their own; now the population of Wubei Territory has reached over 55,000."

"Not bad!"

Luoning was very satisfied with this population growth.

Wiggins brought him 25,000 people at once; this matter was quite helpful.

However, 55,000 people looked like a lot, but placed on such a large Earldom, it was still too few.

Wilson continued: "These people have been distributed according to your instructions. Now the populations of Shanlin Town, Sanfang Town, Heitu Town, and Zhaoze Town have all exceeded ten thousand."

As soon as Luoning received it, four lines of text appeared before his eyes:

【"Population Prosperity" achievement reached, Attribute Point +300, Energy Essence +600】

【"Population Prosperity" achievement reached, Attribute Point +600, Energy Essence +1200】

【"Gongchengluedi" achievement reached, Attribute Point +400, Energy Essence +800】

【"Gongchengluedi" achievement reached, Attribute Point +600, Energy Essence +1200】

He revealed a joyful smile.

Obtaining 1900 Attribute Points at once was already enough for him to break through and become a Level 7 Transcendent!

Luoning summoned the achievement interface and checked the new content for these two achievements:

【Population Prosperity: The registered population of the territory reaches 100,000, Reward: Attribute Point +1500, Energy Essence +3000】

"Adding the populations of Jushi City, Chishan Town, and Jiliu Island, I wonder if this achievement can be completed?"

He looked at the next achievement:

【Gongchengluedi: Simultaneously possess five towns with a population exceeding ten thousand, Reward: Attribute Point +1000, Energy Essence +2000】

The four towns in Wubei Territory all had populations exceeding ten thousand, and adding Chishan Town and Jushi City, this achievement could be completed.

By then, Luoning's total Energy Essence would rise to a height that should be enough to support Aierlong in becoming a Level 8 Magus.

If he were a Level 8 Magus, the attraction to the outside world would be even greater, and perhaps many Magicians would join Wubei Territory.

"You have done this matter very well!"

Luoning's mood was very good, "Now that the population of Wubei Territory has surged, the temporary residential housing in the territory should be built quickly by the construction team. Besides that, there is another important matter: you must organize manpower to prepare for the construction of the wharf and port."

Wilson's heart stirred, thinking of the visitors from Jianjiao City a while ago.

"Kelami, Zhuweite, and Ximu, the three Knights, are accompanying Baron Hamete and his party to find a location suitable for building a port; now that nearly a month has passed, I don't know if there are any results."

"There should be results very soon."

Luoning instructed: "Before long, Jianjiao City will send a batch of craftsmen and experienced workers over. Once the survey results come out, have people go to the vicinity of the construction site in advance to build residences and stockpile food."

"Your subordinate is already handling it."

Wilson had considered these matters after meeting Baron Hamete; he had already formulated relevant contingency plans and could be considered to have made some advance preparations.

Luoning briefly recounted the details of the cooperation with Jianjiao City, allowing the Minister of Administration to have a baseline understanding.

"Placed in the corridor outside is a new variety of food crop called 'Potato', to be planted in March or April next year. The planting process is similar to wheat, but the growth of potatoes requires loose and highly breathable soil, and moisture must also be maintained."

This batch of potatoes, similar to the rice Luoning had collected previously, existed solely as seeds. Only after one or two years of planting and cultivation would it be possible to promote them on a large scale.

Wilson was still uncertain about the cultivation of rice, and unexpectedly, there was now a brand-new crop, causing him to immediately feel immense pressure; he was terrified of losing the seeds.

However, he had no way to complain to the Lord, as entrusting these matters to him was, after all, a sign of trust.

After some thought, he could only record all the precautions Luoning had mentioned and plan several more experimental fields to sow them separately; one should not put all their eggs in one basket.

After meeting Aierlong, Chahaer, and Wilson, Luoning announced that a Wubei Territory meeting would be held in the fortress hall of Zhaozebao three days later.

This was both a public meeting with the newly joined Transcendental and an opportunity for him to formulate the development plan for the Wubei Territory moving forward.

(End of chapter)