Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Arrival

After several days of travel, Louis finally arrived at the Red Tide Territory with his convoy.

However, what met his eyes was a desolate wilderness.

“What a godforsaken place,” a knight from the South muttered as he looked at the scene before him.

Louis didn’t respond. Instead, he dismounted slowly and observed his surroundings.

Barren, dilapidated, lifeless— the entire land was deathly silent, with barely even a sign of weeds, truly a desolate place.

But with his intelligence system, Louis was very sure that this land held great potential, with many resources.

Geothermal, mineral deposits, fishery, and large tracts of land suitable for farming.

If someone is willing to develop it, this place will surely become a land of wealth.

“This place will eventually become the richest territory in the Northern Territory,” Louis murmured softly, as if promising himself.

Without wasting time, Louis began giving expansion orders.

“First, set up temporary tents, then once the living area is confirmed, start building houses. We can start by cutting wood to prepare.”

“Find a water source by the river, ensure everyone has sufficient drinking water and food supplies!”

“Clear a plot of land for a simple training ground; the soldiers must not neglect their training!”

As orders were given, the soldiers and slaves quickly sprang into action.

The sounds of logging and shouts filled the air, echoing across this long-silent land, imparting its first flicker of life.

As the newly appointed Lord of Red Tide Territory, Louis needed to personally confirm the state of this land to draft the ensuing development plans.

Thus, he spent the next few days carefully surveying the entire Red Tide Territory.

When Louis reached the southern part of the territory, he discovered areas where snow had melted, slowly emitting steam.

He hurried forward, crouched down, and felt a trace of warmth with his palm.

“Is it a geothermal vent?!” Louis’s eyes flashed with delight.

The intelligence system had hinted at geothermal resources here, and it turned out to be true.

In an environment like the Northern Territory, geothermal resources are indeed extremely valuable wealth.

If developed properly, not only could it provide warmth for the residents, but it could also facilitate the coming spring planting.

More surprising, he discovered a few hot springs nearby!

Hot springs and the Northern Territory.

These two words together seemed almost unbelievable.

Imagining himself soaking in a hot spring while other Lords shivered in the cold, Louis couldn’t help but smile; the feeling was simply doubly joyful.

So he decided to place his manor near the hot springs.

He then went to the riverside, where the ice had already cracked, and the river water flowed slowly. A few birds rested on the riverbank, occasionally diving into the water to catch small fish that hadn’t yet awakened.

The fish population in the river wasn’t abundant at the moment, but according to the intelligence system’s reports, when spring arrives, this place will become a breeding ground for fish, providing a stable food source for the territory.

Just as he was pondering how to maximize the use of this resource, a squad of scout knights that Louis had sent out hurried back with exciting intelligence.

They discovered abundant mineral deposits deep within the mountains.

“Lord, in the northwest mountains, we discovered a Cold Iron Vein!”

“Moreover, deeper in, we found a mineral emitting a dark red glow, suspected to be Demon Marrow Ore.”

Lambert gasped: “Demon Marrow Ore?! If it’s true, that’s a gold mine!”

“Hmm.” Louis nodded calmly.

He had long known about the existence of this vein through his intelligence system, so he wasn’t too surprised.

The value of Demon Marrow Ore needs no elaboration, but given the current conditions, attempting to mine it is too difficult.

However, as long as this land can develop steadily, this vein will eventually become Red Tide Territory’s most significant asset.

After this round, Louis and his knights felt more confident about this land.

The intelligence system was right; this is indeed a land full of promise.

However, compared to the potential value of this land, the current reality is very harsh.

When they entered the native settlement, they were greeted by a scene of utter ruin.

The stagnant water on the land mixed with decaying mud, filling the air with a damp, rotting odor.

Crude wooden shacks and mud huts stood crookedly, looking as if they could collapse any moment.

Most of the residents were poorly clothed elders, women, and children.

They were thin, wrapped in clothes barely held together by old strips of cloth, clearly inadequate against the cold of the Northern Territory.

“Was there anyone managing this place before?” Louis frowned at the sight.

“The former governor ran off long ago,” an indigenous resident answered.

A few frail children huddled behind a door, their cheeks reddened by the cold, hiding their thin bodies in the shadows, watching Louis’s group.

Their eyes were timid, full of wariness and fear towards strangers.

Seeing this, Louis felt uneasy. Having gone through compulsory education, he couldn’t bear to see children suffering like this.

He dismounted and took some rations from his pocket, walked forward, crouched down, and offered the food, “Take this and eat.”

But the children only stared at him warily; none dared to take it, seemingly afraid it was some kind of trap.

However, the aroma of the rations was extraordinarily tempting in the air, and the children swallowed salivatingly.

“Go ahead and eat,” Louis said softly.

The children finally couldn’t resist, grabbing the food from Louis’s hands, devouring it hungrily, fearing it might disappear the next second.

But Louis soon noticed a little boy who didn’t immediately devour his share as the others did.

Instead, he quietly hid his portion in his worn clothing.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Louis squatted down to ask.

The little boy looked up, his dirty face full of fear.

He replied in a timid voice, “I’m… I’m saving it to eat with mom.”

Louis was taken aback.

He suddenly remembered, in the South, the nobility fed their dogs the best meat.

Yet here, the children had to hide away even a piece of dry food cautiously.

It was absurd.

He suddenly felt a sense of responsibility, the desire to do something for the people on this land.

So Louis looked around at the cold and hungry natives and loudly announced, “All who are willing to work can come to my station. I will provide you with food, shelter, and a chance to survive!”

The natives looked at each other, their eyes full of numbness.

They had suffered too much and no longer believed in anyone, but seeing these children who had just received food, they eventually nodded.

Let’s give it a try; after all, nothing could be worse than their current situation.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep