System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 944 - 283: The Spy (10,000) Part 5

"Up until recently, when the harvest season concluded, I resumed their tasks of cultivating the land."

Lynn responded, "Temporarily halt the reclamation of the wasteland."

"I require the allocation of 5,000 townsfolk for labor, in batches!"

"Three thousand townsfolk shall be tasked with burning and clearing the straw stubble from the recently harvested 55,000 acres of barley fields."

"Following that, utilize light plows and iron rakes to break up the soil, leveling the fields while crucially preserving moisture."

"Apply a modest amount of compost to enrich the soil's fertility."

"Finally, sow the entirety of the 55,000 acres with peas!"

The cultivation of peas, unlike barley and wheat, necessitates deep plowing to achieve a bountiful yield.

In comparison, the process will be significantly more manageable.

Wilbur, walking alongside Lynn, nodded in understanding, "Yes, Master Lynn."

Lynn continued, "The remaining 2,000 individuals will attend to the newly reclaimed 50,000 acres of arable land, planting 10,000 acres with black rye grass."

"The remaining 40,000 acres will also be entirely dedicated to planting peas!"

He had also contemplated utilizing the August weather to plant winter wheat across the newly tilled land.

August presents the optimal season for winter wheat cultivation.

However, this notion was swiftly discarded.

Primarily.

The quantity of wheat stored within his castle's warehouse was insufficient to serve as seed for 50,000 acres.

This included winter wheat, which possesses robust cold resistance.

Even if he were to dispatch Boer to procure more from outside the territory, it could not be acquired within a short timeframe.

Furthermore, the current market price of wheat is exceedingly high!

A price of two pence per pound is indeed quite an extravagant cost.

Rather than taxing his mind for a solution, opting to plant peas and black rye grass presented a simpler and more straightforward approach.

The planting of peas serves to enhance soil fertility and refine the soil's structure.

The cultivation of black rye grass can be utilized as fodder for the poultry and livestock within the pasture, and it can also be processed into hay.

Once stored and awaiting the winter months, it can be supplied as essential livestock feed.

It also functions as bedding straw, offering warmth for nesting poultry and livestock!

Upon the maturation and subsequent harvest of the peas and black rye grass, these 105,000 acres of land will become fertile.

The following year, spring wheat or spring barley will be planted!

Through this strategic approach, efficient utilization of arable land will be achieved.

After absorbing Master Lynn's detailed explanation, Wilbur responded once more.

"I shall make the necessary arrangements immediately, in accordance with your instructions, my lord."

Having issued the directives for the upcoming planting endeavors, Lynn signaled for Wilbur to withdraw.

He then proceeded towards the Lord's Square.

Gazing upon the area that was previously blanketed by a layer of golden straw.

At this moment, the space where the straw had been spread out for drying had diminished considerably.

The barley stored in the warehouse represented solely the winter barley cultivated within his domain.

Within Morgan Town.

A substantial expanse of farmland awaited Gavin's leadership, as he guided hired freemen in continuous harvesting operations.

As they employed carts, drawn by draft horses, to transport the harvest back into the territory.

During this interim period.

Boer's frequency of visits to his domain was limited to a mere three occasions.

In other words.

To circumvent attracting undue attention, the number of hired freemen was deliberately kept low.

A full month elapsed.

Boer had only succeeded in hiring 600 freemen for him!

Even when factoring in the fifty farmers he had dispatched with Gavin.

The total aggregate reached merely 650 individuals.

When juxtaposed with the vast agricultural land area exceeding tens of thousands of acres in Morgan Town...

The available laborers were but a trifle, a mere drop in the ocean!

Despite this shortfall.

He remained unwilling to dispatch a considerable contingent of townsfolk from his own territory for external assignments.

Firstly, the safety factor was a major concern!

Should he decide to dispatch one or two thousand farmers to Morgan Town for harvesting purposes,

before even a few days had transpired, a formidable regular army could descend upon Morgan Town.

They could directly conscript the land in Morgan Town along with the farmers he had dispatched.

Such a devastating loss would be unrecoverable for him.

Secondly.

Even if his territory currently possessed an adequate workforce.

These farmers were already occupied with their assigned duties—the planting of peas and rye grass.

Standing in the Lord's Square, after conducting a cursory scan to ascertain the absence of any irregularities.

Lynn resolutely entered the kitchen canteen, intent on further enhancing his [Cooking] skill experience.

[Cooking Experience +1]

[Cooking Experience +1]

[Cooking Experience +1]

...

As he continued to cook and produce sustenance, the experience points steadily accumulated, bit by bit.

While the meat stewed, Lynn focused his mind and accessed the [Heavenly Artifacts] interface.

[Cooking: Level 3 (536/1000)] (+)

Having diligently accumulated experience over this period, his [Cooking] skill's experience value had already surpassed the five-hundred mark!

Reaching Level 4 was now merely a question of time!

As dusk began to settle.

Once again enveloped in a haze of oil smoke, Lynn emerged from the canteen.Although Colin had been tasked with arranging for Ehrelo to manufacture the water wheels and ventilators earlier, it's nearly impossible to finish their production and put them into immediate use. They would simply have to endure the wait as the items were slowly produced. Exiting the canteen, he proceeded to a wooden bench and settled down directly. His gaze drifted into the distance, observing the area beyond the town. Over the fields, which were once abundant with barley, delicate tendrils of gray smoke ascended. They mingled with the atmosphere, carried by the soft breeze. The golden hues of the sunset cascaded down. This lent an air of hazy mystique to the already stunning twilight. Not all of the straw from the fields was transported back to the Lord's Square. A portion had been intentionally left behind, following his directives.