System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 891 - 274: The Summer Harvest Begins (10,000)_6

Though facing a formidable number of troops, their opponents could not entirely equip all soldiers with armor, unlike his own forces. Even the archers, who rained down arrows from afar, were clad in partial armor. Such a large contingent of armored soldiers was simply unattainable for a lord lacking substantial economic power and resources, a fact that became his distinct advantage in conflicts with other lords! Provided no exceptionally powerful cultivators appeared, the sheer number of armored troops could decisively sway the outcome of a war. Superior equipment, without question, dramatically amplified an army's combat effectiveness! Yet, when contrasted with the Great Lords... they could effortlessly muster a battalion, their troop numbers easily overwhelming him! It was similar to last year, when Lawrence commanded over three thousand fully equipped Sword and Shield Corps soldiers... Despite his territory's incredibly rapid development, an unbridgeable chasm remained between him and those influential Great Lords! The generational wealth and influence accumulated by a family were naturally incomparable to his territory, which had only flourished for a little over a year. Nevertheless, he remained unhurried. The Karedi Empire’s internal struggle for imperial authority had consumed nearly everyone's attention. Any nobility or Great Lord possessing a modicum of power was actively plotting to exploit the imperial power vacuum, aiming to seize substantial gains from others. His territory, situated in a remote region, did not even draw the slightest notice from those powerful Great Lords! Compared to the daily, arduous task of mining salt, processing it into fine salt, and then enduring lengthy land and water transports that often took one to two months before fetching a good price, how could that possibly compare to the swiftness of directly seizing a port, an economic hub, and levying taxes? The most crucial factor was that any merchants desiring entry into the port or city would be compelled to remit the requisite taxes. Otherwise, even the most valuable commodities could not be traded and thus would never transform into goods, failing to achieve their rightful worth! In essence, the more precarious the Karedi Empire's situation became, the more time he gained to continue his development! He could even, by exploiting the ongoing conflict, extract greater benefits from the territories of surrounding lords. Of course, for the present moment, this remained merely a fleeting thought. He would not engage in any perilous ventures for meager profits. Absolute safety was the paramount prerequisite for all endeavors! Take Morgan Town, for instance; if a lord were to dispatch troops with the intent of capturing it, and the invading force vastly outnumbered his own, he would unhesitatingly order the immediate redeployment of both troops and farmers from the Manor Castle. Even if the crops in Morgan Town’s fields had fully matured, he would not hesitate! Reviewing the developmental progress within his territory, Lynn experienced a sense of relief. The most immediate priorities were the harvest of barley and vegetables throughout the territory, and awaiting Boer’s engagement of Free People to commence the harvesting operations in Morgan Town. As for other matters, they could be gradually produced and manufactured as time permitted. Lynn exhaled a plume of hot air and proceeded towards the private chamber situated in the distance. Kuisi had already conveyed the message earlier: the hot water for his soak had been prepared. He had spent the entire day immersed in overseeing the territory, organizing the townsfolk, and participating in the barley harvest. His clothes were thoroughly drenched in sweat, and his body exuded a strong, pungent odor, faintly layered with a white residue; the tell-tale sign of excessive perspiration and subsequent salt drying. Following a refreshing soak and a massage administered by Janet in the private chamber, Lynn retired to his bedroom and drifted into a comfortable sleep. ... Meanwhile, on the other side, under the cloak of night, columns of figures traversed the gravel paths, guided by the flickering torchlight. They bore simple bundles strapped to their backs and carried various implements, which could serve for labor or, if necessary, as defensive weapons. This precaution stemmed from information heard in Kakasong City: Morgan Town had a notorious reputation for being plagued by bandits, causing immense suffering to surrounding manors and villages. At this moment, an urgent command echoed from behind them. "Everyone, pick up the pace! We must reach Morgan Town before dawn!" "Rest assured, Master Boer is a registered merchant within Kakasong City." "Furthermore, having been engaged in commerce for such a considerable duration, he would certainly not deceive you." Listening to the guard’s assurances from behind, the group of Free People continued to harbor a sense of unease. Setting aside any potential ill intentions from Master Boer, a merchant by profession, if they were to encounter bandits tonight, they would possess no means of escape! Even with their farm tools and implements, being untrained and having never taken a life, how could they possibly stand against seasoned bandits? Fortunately, Boer had nearly fifty guards equipped with chainmail armor at his disposal.

As long as they didn’t run into a large-scale bandit group, these fifty guards alone were sufficient to frighten away common brigands.

At the head of the procession,

horse-drawn carts filled to the brim with goods made their way forward.

Boer, mounted on his steed, cast a glance behind him at the contingent of Free People following.

Their faces, etched with discontent, were illuminated by the torchlight, and their murmurs reached his ears.

After surveying the assembled group, Boer turned his attention back to the Guard Captain who rode beside him.

He inquired, "Has the headcount for this group of Free People been confirmed?"

"Are there any cases of them being bound by contractual obligations to other Noble Lords or having been re-hired?"

The Guard Captain quickly nodded upon hearing the query, "Master Boer, this has already been thoroughly investigated."

"They are all bona fide Free People, currently awaiting the summer harvest to secure suitable employment."

"Upon learning of the employment terms you presented, yielding ten pounds in payment for every hundred pounds harvested,"

"these five hundred Free People readily accepted the labor contract."

Boer nodded, a look of approval on his face. "Excellent work."

"However, this small number of Free People is far from adequate!"

"Master Lynn requires a considerable labor force to manage the entirety of the harvest in Morgan Town."

Boer mused for a moment before continuing his thoughts aloud,

"At the very least... we will need over two thousand individuals!"