Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 664 - 384: Achievements of the Red Tide System (Part 2)

The scribes swiftly swapped their papers, quill pens dropping back into action.

"Part one, Desolate Mist Plain Zone, fourteen territories."

Bradley highlighted the pale-shaded region on the map, the first one enveloped by the Red Tide Grain Store network: "It was once the most destitute corner of the Northern Territory.

Yet, it became the pioneer in overhauling the grain store setup, now ranking as the Northern Territory's second grain hub behind Mai Lang."

Bradley tapped the page lightly: "Three factors drove the merger: first, spring planting relies completely on Red Tide seeds, Ice Claw, and geothermal greenhouses;

second, the account book approach and grain store distribution are executed most rigorously. Third, disaster relief afterward fostered deep dependence among locals on Red Tide."

In the stepped seating, a young official fresh from inspecting Spike Wind Village dipped his head slightly.

He recalled how, over a year back, villagers eyed the unknown Red Tide officers with suspicion.

Some dreaded heavy taxes post-grain store takeover and chose to skulk in the forests.

However, with the arrival of initial grain sacks and greenhouses, opposition melted away before the promise of sustenance and shelter.

He pictured those kids the first time they queued at the geothermal greenhouse for morning porridge, tiny hands numb and red, gazes sparkling with hope.

This was Red Tide's method of earning loyalty, one careful step at a time.

Bradley pressed on: "Encompassing Gray Wheat Hill, Spike Wind Territory, White Mane Territory, Old Loine Territory, plus fourteen more."

He halted briefly: "Early spring trials in the Desolate Mist Zone confirm Mai Lang’s model works—centralized production oversight boosts yields by fifty percent over the outdated ways."

Here, Agricultural Department Director Mike advanced half a pace, tension evident, to supplement: "The Agricultural Department offers an extra update."

Louis lifted his hand, urging him onward.

Mike, illiterate but versed in the figures by heart, delivered numbers of staggering impact: "Across the Northern Territory, seventy-six major new grain stores built this year fall under Red Tide’s uniform oversight. All stock inflows and outflows adhere to the Red Tide Account Book, with local lords in mere auxiliary roles.

Spring sowing seed allocation... This year, Red Tide orchestrates it entirely. Seeds, geothermal greenhouse supplies, and irrigation schedules get doled out per Red Tide’s blueprint. Independent territorial distributions have sharply declined."

Bradley approved with a nod, directing scribes to flag this as crucial, then appended: "The setup now forms a three-level chain: Red Tide grain stores down to town stores to village outlets."

A few Grain Department officials wore traces of smug satisfaction; this marked their triumph from a year traversing the Northern Territory.

Wrapping up the grain-output territories, Bradley flipped to the subsequent page: "Second part, New Mining Belt Zone, thirteen territories strong."

Mining Department Director Valentine boomed in a gravelly, assured voice: "These represent the initial semi-industrial districts, modeled after Forge Star by the Red Tide Mining Department."

Bradley listed: "Black Coal Canyon, Furnace Smoke Valley, Hammer Sound Town, Red Sand Slope, North Mine Field, and kin.

Three integration drivers: steam pumps halted mine floods, rail lines secured haulage, and the Mining Department’s bulk ore buys bankrupted the old mine barons."

An official from the New Mining Belt exhaled in relief.

He recollected the miners’ hopeless stares amid flooded shafts, and the thrill when the pioneer steam pump roared alive—workers orbiting it like it was some beast. Truly, innovation reshapes destinies.

Bradley went on: "All mines now track via Red Tide Account Book; Craftsman Department erected three benchmark smelters..."

Louis nodded approvingly, motioning Bradley ahead.

Bradley turned the page: "Third part, Red Tide Warehouse Management Area. Frost Tooth Castle, Cold Cry Town, Black Peak Outpost, Falling Pine Lake Village Group... nineteen territories in total.

This zone bore the winter catastrophe’s worst brunt, boasting peak reliance; numerous lords bolted post-disaster. Red Tide’s takeover morphed it into a warehouse hub for vital reserves like grains and ores."

Trade Bureau Director Desland chimed in: "These double as upcoming railway towns."

Bradley agreed: "Craftsman Department sent tech experts to mend bridges and paths; Defense Department planted three frontier outposts; Inspection Department tests blanket oversight."

He tacked on: "Two insurgent old nobles got fitting resolutions. Their troops and aides shifted into Red Tide ranks."

Inspectorate members smirked knowingly—they grasped the nuance of "fitting resolutions."

"These zones operate under direct Red Tide rule in practice. Local station chiefs’ words outweigh faded lords’ decrees."

These remarks straightened several young officials’ postures.

Villagers initially pushed back upon takeover, yet Red Tide’s station chief arriving with inaugural grain wagons crumbled defiance like frost-laden boughs snapping.

Bradley reached for the next tome: "Fourth part, Southern Line of the Harbor Bay, eight territories. Breaking Wave Bay, Old Shipyard Zone, Sea Breeze Castle, Stone Coast Village, and so forth."

Desland advanced: "All primed for the new port."

Bradley confirmed: "New port construction advances, Port Affairs Office plants its banner, maritime levies and fishing schedules fall to Red Tide—gearing for full Port Affairs control."

He noted further: "Work-for-food initiatives sparked strong compliance in Harbor Bay folk."

Bradley wrapped the briefing: "Remaining zones serve as supply relays, frontier stations, or refinement hubs. Not wholly absorbed, yet semi-woven into the Red Tide framework.

Louis absorbed it all in silence, etching each detail in mind.

At last, he nodded to proceed to the following report.

Inspectorate Director Erin stood crisply, agile and precise.

Gripping a black-leather ledger roll, she strode to the long table’s head and bowed faintly: "Lord, here’s the Inspection Department’s yearly disciplinary summary."