Chapter 56: Chapter 52: Livestock Breeding Plan
The refugee standing at the front couldn’t help but look back, as a red-haired young man stepped forward.
"Good day, esteemed Lord Baron, I am Orr Twig, from Gray Feather Village."
The young man bowed respectfully, saying cautiously, "My father was once the village chief. After he died, I led everyone here.
We are willing to farm for you, hoping you would take us in and grant us some food."
"Are there any craftsmen among you?"
Luo De scanned the crowd with his gaze.
"Sorry, Lord Baron, there are no craftsmen. You know... Craftsmen often don’t need to flee," Orr explained somewhat bitterly.
Luo De understood this but couldn’t help feeling a little regret.
Without any craftsmen, Luo De didn’t speak further, instead said directly, "I can provide you with food and shelter, but you must work for me like slaves now.
In three years, if you do well, you can live like freemen."
"Thank you for your generosity!"
Orr bowed once more, and the refugees listened and happily followed suit in gratitude.
For these refugees, whose food had run dry, as long as there was food to survive, little else mattered.
Luo De was not stingy, and he had the guards give each person a piece of black bread.
The refugees hadn’t expected to see food so soon, and tears flowed as they knelt to thank Luo De.
"It seems the battle between the Hawk and White Deer is indeed fierce; otherwise, these people wouldn’t be in such a state."
Looking at the refugees’ forlorn appearance, Luo De couldn’t help but sigh; even the slaves he bought were not like this.
Perhaps he could send people to patrol near the southern mountains, maybe they could take in more refugees?
Luo De pondered as he gazed southward, hoping the two nobles would fight even more intensely.
Whether it was truly fierce, Luo De couldn’t see; at this moment, he could only see the southeastern sky filled with large clouds moving this way, trying to swallow the sun.
"Quick, accelerate forward!"
Ignoring others, Luo De spurred his horse towards Frost Leaf Town.
He definitely didn’t want to become a soaked chicken.
...
...
In the early summer of the Northern Wasteland, especially in June and July, thunderstorms were frequent.
These storms often arrived abruptly, catching people unprepared.
The rain didn’t last long, rapidly pouring down within minutes, sometimes tens of minutes, after which the sky would clear up.
Luo De rushed back to Frost Leaf Town first and didn’t get wet, but the refugees experienced a rainfall.
In the past, getting drenched in rain was a minor issue, but in this era, catching a cold could easily cost half one’s life.
Therefore, upon returning to the town, Luo De immediately instructed Lawrence to prepare to receive the refugees, and ordered Martha to make two large pots of ginger soup and light ten bonfires to drive away the cold and keep everyone warm.
Only then did Luo De call Durant over to discuss the matters in the south and his thoughts.
"You’re right, sir,"
Durant nodded in agreement, "That way we can quickly learn of the refugee situation and prevent deserters from gathering and becoming robbers."
True wars rarely end with one side completely annihilating the other; often it’s about disrupting the opponent’s formation, scattering morale, and causing their defeat.
Humans, after all, are not machines; seeing comrades fall one by one into a pool of blood, it’s easy to turn and flee.
Unless it’s a regular army with a strict supervision team following, it’s hard to avoid deserters on the battlefield when disadvantaged.
Deserters often fear the Lord’s punishment, don’t dare stay near their homeland and hence flee into deep forests, or become bandits elsewhere.
"I’ll select two people from the patrol team on the Northern Wasteland and three new recruits to form a new team responsible for patrolling the southern mountains."
"Yes, instruct them to bring any discovered refugees directly back to Frost Leaf Town, but if there are too many deserters, report back first."
Luo De nodded in agreement, thought for a few seconds, and said, "The efficiency of soldiers sending messages is still too low, let’s buy some carrier pigeons."
Unfortunately, Vivian was just one person, traditional communication methods in this world must be used.
Frost Leaf Town had no pigeon craftsmen, to acquire carrier pigeons, one must purchase them in Border City.
Just in time to want to develop livestock farming, Luo De also needed to buy some livestock offspring.
Farming requires experience and a certain "talent." This "talent" is unrelated to magic, as evidenced by Luo De’s encounters in his past life.
It’s no exaggeration; some people can keep anything alive—turn scrawny wild cats picked up from outside into plump ones.
While others seem to kill whatever they care for—even hardy succulents couldn’t survive under their care.
Luo De needed to find such a person responsible for farming.
"Durant, do you remember the widow Avril introduced to you?"
The shift in Luo De’s conversation surprised Durant.
He hesitated and said, "Her name is Tyr."
"Your memory is good."
Luo De smiled, "Go and bring Tyr over."
...
...
When Durant went to find Tyr, Tyr was busy taking care of a mother rabbit that had just finished giving birth and was preparing to expand the rabbit shed.
Thanks to her meticulous care, five rabbits had grown to eleven, not counting the three little ones that had just been born.
"It’s a pleasure to see you again, Sir Durant."
Seeing the handsome and composed Durant the knight come looking for her, Tyr was very pleased.
Since last seeing Durant at the manor, Tyr had always hoped this knight would come looking for her.
Even though he was missing a hand, it didn’t diminish the charm he exuded in the slightest.
Durant appeared rather detached; he merely nodded slightly and relayed Luo De’s summons.
And then brought the somewhat bewildered Tyr to the manor.
"Good day, honorable Lord."
Tyr greeted respectfully, waiting for Luo De’s instructions.
Luo De didn’t mince words, straightforwardly said, "I know your livestock and poultry at home are well cared for. Have you learned any knowledge or experience in breeding from anyone?"
"No, Lord, no one has taught me these things." Tyr replied.
"Do you have any secret tips?"
"Secret tips?"
Tyr lowered her head in thought and, after a long silence, replied, "Sorry Lord, I don’t know what secret tips, I just feel happy seeing them grow and multiply."
"I remember their habits, what they love to eat, what causes diarrhea after eating, what their personalities are like."
"Lord, you see, animals are just like humans; each one has a unique personality."
"..."
Before Luo De could reply, Tyr began her ramblings about her breeding insights.
She didn’t have modern knowledge, but Luo De could tell she was very familiar with the animals she raised.
This is a natural breeding saint physique.
"Alright, Tyr, I want to raise some livestock and poultry; I know you’re good at it, so I want to hire you to take charge."
Luo De looked at Tyr and said, "The work points are the same as Otto’s."
Initially, Tyr was a bit hesitant, but upon hearing about the work points, her face lit up with joy, "No problem, Lord!"
Tyr didn’t know exactly how many work points Otto had, but she’d heard Otto frequently swapped for meat!
"Okay, you’ll start with raising rabbits."
Luo De instructed, "I’ll have the hunting team catch some wild rabbits for you to keep, specifics, and location are up to you."
"Whatever you need, go see Lawrence arrange it, I’ve already informed him beforehand."
Though Tyr had previously excelled in raising her own, the numbers were small; whether she could be responsible for the territory’s farming required some practical experience.
"Yes, my Lord."
Tyr replied enthusiastically, then quickly added, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll go prepare!"
"On a personal note,"
Luo De glanced at Durant beside him, asking, "What’s your impression of Knight Durant?"
Tyr blushed slightly, glanced at Durant, and replied, "Handsome and composed, strong and reliable, seems like a very capable man."
Hearing such praise, Luo De was instantly excited,
"Good, I’ll provide you with additional supplies each month to enlist you as..."
"Sir!"
Durant stepped forward anxiously, "I apologize for interrupting you, Sir, I looked for Stella yesterday."
Durant’s voice became almost inaudible at the end, but Luo De barely made out the words.
Indeed, only by compelling can one make a choice.
Luo De cleared his throat, replied, "No worries, Tyr, go back and prepare."
"Alright."
Tyr bowed and left looking slightly disappointed.
Once the hall was empty, Luo De looked at Durant eager to hear the gossip details but was interrupted by a guard who suddenly rushed in.
"Lord Baron, the carpenter’s daughter reports your watermill is completed."