System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 965 - 287: Want Them to Survive? (10,000 Words) Part 2

The territory bordered the Aladia River, you see.

A slight chill was carried on the breeze that swept past.

With a mere thought, Lynn accessed the system interface and scanned its contents briefly.

The current temperature had already climbed to twenty-eight degrees Celsius.

It was projected to reach thirty degrees within a few days!

Such sweltering heat would be a devastating blow to the townsfolk toiling away in manual labor!

Lynn’s gaze shifted to a nearby guard, and he issued a command.

"Inform Steward Kuisi to instruct the foremen overseeing the various industrial workshops to monitor the workers' conditions closely and ensure they hydrate and cool down promptly."

"Furthermore, beginning tomorrow, the working hours for townsfolk engaged in outdoor labor will be temporarily adjusted. They will work from six in the morning until noon, and then again from four in the afternoon until seven."

"During the break in between, allow the townsfolk to rest and avoid the peak heat."

Without any external means for rapid cooling in place,

Lynn could only resort to modifying the working hours.

This was to prevent the widespread occurrence of heatstroke among the townsfolk.

Upon hearing the order, the guard responded immediately.

He then entered the town to relay the Lord’s directives.

As the guard departed, Lynn’s attention turned towards the area beyond the territory’s boundaries.

Over a field of barley stubble, which had been scorched previously,

two individuals on horseback were seen galloping towards the Lord’s Square under the blazing sun.

Accompanied by the sounds of horses reining in, the galloping steeds let out sharp neighs.

After a series of hoofbeats, the horses gradually came to a halt.

Lynn could finally discern the faces of the riders.

Boer and Earl, both clad in merchant attire, dismounted swiftly and proceeded directly toward him.

Stopping a few meters in front of Lynn, Boer and Earl paused.

Bowing respectfully, they greeted him, "Master Lynn."

Lynn inquired, "Why the haste? Is something the matter?"

Both Earl and Boer,

displayed marked urgency and visible tension in both their expressions and movements.

The most significant observation was,

that Boer had arrived at his territory alone on this occasion.

There was no sign of the usual long caravans laden with goods trailing behind him!

Responding to Lynn’s question, Earl spoke first.

"Sir, please allow Merchant Boer to explain the situation to you."

Lynn acknowledged this, shifting his gaze to Boer Hansen, who stood nearby.

"Mr. Boer, please inform me of what has transpired."

Although Boer maintained a semblance of calm at that moment,

Lynn could clearly perceive,

a distinct undercurrent of apprehension and outright fear lingering deep within his eyes.

Even when Boer had faced the Iron Blood Bandit Corps, Lynn hadn't witnessed such a look on his face.

After composing himself and regulating his breathing, Boer bowed once more as a sign of respect.

He then began, "Master Lynn, something terrible... something truly terrible has occurred!"

"Viscount Jon Zack of Kakasong City has discovered that I was recruiting Free People for you at the city’s talent market."

"He even dispatched a contingent of soldiers to apprehend me within the city walls."

"Had I not been vigilant and fled Kakasong immediately,"

"I would undoubtedly be captured and languishing in his prison by now."

Lynn’s brow furrowed instantly.

Prior to enlisting Boer’s help in recruiting Free People in Kakasong City,

he had indeed considered the possibility of such an eventuality.

However,

he hadn’t anticipated it would unfold so swiftly!

Boer had merely recruited six hundred Free People for him.

And yet, this had somehow alerted Viscount Jon Zack sufficiently to prompt immediate action?

In the subsequent moment,

Lynn dismissed this line of thought.

The Free People residing in Kakasong City possessed the freedom to move within the region.

Moreover, when compared to the total population of Kakasong City, which numbered in the tens of thousands, a mere six hundred Free People represented an insignificant number.

Outside the confines of Kakasong City, numerous farmlands owned by various Noble Lords required the labor of Free People for planting and cultivation.

Even a large-scale, temporary departure of Free People from the city would likely go unnoticed.

With this realization, Lynn’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Jon Zack’s intention was to capture Boer to halt the recruitment of Free People, but that was only a partial objective.

The primary aim was to extract information about Lynn and his territory from Boer.

This was because,

aside from occasional visitors like merchants Grayson and Alan,

Boer was the individual who frequented the territory most consistently.

Beyond this reason, Lynn could not conceive of any other!

First, he dispatched spies into Morgan Town to gather intelligence,

and now, he was attempting to seize Boer, with whom he conducted regular trade. It was evident.

Jon Zack was employing various means to probe for information about him.

Observing Boer’s slightly apprehensive demeanor, Lynn offered a reassuring smile and acknowledged,

"Mr. Boer, you’ve certainly been through a ordeal."

Sensing the warmth in Lynn’s tone, Boer visibly relaxed a little, "Master Lynn, your words are too kind."

"The reason Boer fled immediately,"

"beyond the desire to evade torture by Jon Zuck and withstand interrogations that might reveal information about your territory, Master Lynn..."

"was also to ensure the preservation of my own life."

Lynn nodded, casting an appreciative glance in Boer's direction.

This was precisely why he consistently preferred conducting business with Boer.

When faced with predicaments, Boer never concealed anything from him.