Chapter 639

Leaving Winterfell, Zhang Cheng took his old butler Andrew to Eagle Castle.

However, when revisiting the old place, Andrew looked at the dilapidated city walls and the traces of battle left behind, and immediately knelt on the ground.

Because he should have died with his count back then, but he had betrayed his master.

Looking at the tearful Andrew, Zhang Cheng patted his shoulder and said: "We will be here to make Count Count Celingen stand up again!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Andrew also hurriedly said: "You are right, Count!"

But just after Zhang Cheng and the others arrived, the surrounding commoners also received the news and rushed over one after another.

Watching the surging crowd below, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but shout loudly: "Count Count Celingen has returned! I will continue the glory of my ancestors and lead you to restore our glory..."

Following Zhang Cheng's words, the commoners below began to cheer one after another.

And among them, many village representatives offered their remaining food to express their loyalty to the Count Count Celingen family.

Watching this scene, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but fall silent.

Because the Count Count Celingen of today had truly been trampled into the mud, losing everything.

But Zhang Cheng was not worried, because what he was best at was "starting from scratch"!

Half a month later, five or six carriages arrived at the Count Count Celingen family territory under the cover of darkness.

The abandoned Eagle Castle was also gradually recovering its former appearance under the repairs of the villagers.

Although it still looked very bad, this was already considered quite good.

Looking at Roose Bolton before him, Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "Welcome, Roose!"

"I am also glad to see you, Luo Sai!"

Shaking hands and embracing, Zhang Cheng looked at him and said: "It seems Count Bolton has accepted my proposal!"

"In this situation, we should unite even more; after all, Count Count Celingen still has the love of the commoners!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Roose Bolton smiled.

"What about the things I need?"

Asking Roose Bolton, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but speak.

"They are all in the carriages: one hundred thousand gold dragons, and various craftsmen; however, these must be repaid!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng earnestly, Roose Bolton didn't understand why his father would agree to such a thing, but thinking of the situation of the Count Count Celingen family, he didn't object; after all, Zhang Cheng wouldn't default on the debt, right?

Zhang Cheng: Default? I never intended to pay it back!

Roose Bolton:...

"Thank you for your help, the Count Count Celingen family will definitely keep it in mind!"

Patting Roose Bolton's shoulder, Zhang Cheng thanked him earnestly.

Because if the Bolton family hadn't helped, he would have had to find a way to go to Braavos on the other side of the sea to plunder.

As for the nine independent city-states of free trade, Zhang Cheng didn't buy it at all; because he was so poor that he had to resort to plundering, and you still provoked him? Wasn't that just delivering yourself to death?

Develop first, then find a way to borrow money from the Iron Bank; if you can't borrow it, then rob them. This was Zhang Cheng's strategy.

Anyway, paying back the money was impossible; he had never had such an idea in his life!

Zhang Cheng: Guess why I borrowed money to buy cannons?

Iron Bank: Another one!

Federal Reserve:...

The spring breeze blew from the coast. Standing in the wheat field, Zhang Cheng was staring into the distance.

Coming to Zhang Cheng's side, Andrew said: "Lord Count, the craftsmen have begun to make equipment. According to your blueprints, the commoners are very happy because this will speed up the harvest!"

"How many commoners do we have in total?"

Looking at Andrew beside him, Zhang Cheng spoke up.

"According to the calculations of the new maester, our Count Count Celingen family only has a total of sixty thousand commoners..."

Just as Andrew finished speaking, Zhang Cheng began to calculate.

Because even excluding the elderly, women, and children, he could only conscript at most two thousand people! And this included the middle-aged and elderly around forty years old!

As for why forty was considered middle-aged and elderly, it was because being able to live to that age here was already truly impressive!

"Conscript them, and launch a war against Skagos Island next spring!"

Raising his head, Zhang Cheng said this after a long silence.

Hearing this, Andrew said in astonishment: "You want revenge?"

"That's right, the existence of the barbarians will always threaten the safety of Count Count Celingen, and besides, I also need population to supplement the labor force!"

Revealing a calm expression, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but speak.

As a person from the Far East, Zhang Cheng certainly understood what population represented; it not only represented war potential but also tax revenue and military power!

In the absence of being able to awaken Krieg soon, Zhang Cheng had to find a new way out, which was the barbarians on Skagos Island.

As for the wildlings beyond the Wall, Zhang Cheng was a bit out of reach; after all, he didn't have ships!

Following the order for conscription, the entire Count Count Celingen family territory became lively.

Because no one wanted to live in poverty anymore, and those conscripted actually received one silver stag per month and three meals a day; this was simply a stroke of luck from heaven!

Watching the people who came for the opportunity, Zhang Cheng also tried his best to select them.

However, in the initial stage, Zhang Cheng only recruited able-bodied men between eighteen and thirty; after all, the equipment produced by the craftsmen could initially alleviate the labor shortage, but it was not a long-term solution; he needed more slaves!

And if one wanted to obtain slaves, there were currently two ways: one was war with the barbarians, and the other was purchasing them in Slaver's Bay in Essos.

But this obviously didn't fit Zhang Cheng's ideas; he planned to carry out plundering directly after summoning Krieg.

With rain and dew evenly distributed, he wouldn't let anyone off!

And under the appeal of the powerful silver stags, five hundred soldiers were quickly recruited.

Zhang Cheng's daily task now was to lead them in training and constantly strengthen the management of the territory.

(Content matches source)

After half a year of repairs, Eagle Castle was also gradually restored.

When the flags fluttered in the wind, the commoners in the territory became even more proud.

Because they were no longer people without the protection of a count!

But on this day, Zhang Cheng suddenly received news from the countryside that bandits were plundering in his village and had snatched away many women and food.

Hearing this news, Zhang Cheng was dumbfounded; because he was already this poor, yet someone was still targeting him. It was truly like singing "Mass" before the ancestors of the Three Pure Ones—seeking death!

Riding a horse, Zhang Cheng led more than ten cavalrymen to rush to the scene, but it was already night.

When Zhang Cheng arrived, seeing the villagers collecting the bodies of the dead, the anger in his heart grew even stronger.

Because Zhang Mou had been around for so long, this was the first time he had been outputted right in the face!

"Chase them down, no matter who they are, I will make them pay the price!"

Speaking coldly, cold light filled Zhang Cheng's eyes.

"Giddy-up!"

Following the sound of galloping, Zhang Cheng had no idea that he would encounter the most absurd thing tonight.

Chasing all the way in the direction pointed out by the villagers, Zhang Cheng's eyes gradually narrowed, tracking the scent.

And carrying captives, the bandits couldn't run fast at all; they were caught up with early the next morning.

However, after entering the forest, Zhang Cheng felt an inexplicable chill permeating the air.

Drawing the Zixing from his waist, Zhang Cheng waved his hand, signaling the cavalry to dismount, and then crept forward.

But after arriving at a tribe located deep in the mountains, Zhang Cheng's eyes turned red, because his villagers were being sacrificed to a so-called god!

"I'm going to kill you!"

Roaring in anger, Zhang Cheng held Zixing and charged up.

Because he was already dying to snatch people, and now someone was playing this game with him; it was simply like the professional mage Liu Haizhu "casting spells" on him face-to-face!

(End of chapter)