Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 498 This is the real border granary!

King Kadrin's resounding oath instantly propelled the already heated atmosphere in the hall to its peak. The last trace of solemnity in the eyes of the dwarven ministers completely transformed into unwavering determination and fervor—absolute faith in a king who dared to lead his people to a glorious end.

Su Li took a deep breath, her chest filled with this heavy trust and pride.

“Your Majesty Cadlin,” his voice was steady and powerful, “the Black Forest will forever remember the friendship and magnanimity of the Grey Mountain Kingdom. We accept this cooperation agreement! Please provide Hilder with a list of all necessary supporting materials as soon as possible. The Black Forest will do everything in its power to gather them and deliver them to Dragonrock Castle at the fastest speed!”

His gaze was intense as he continued, "I look forward to witnessing the birth of the most magnificent masterpiece of the Dragon Rock Forge. I look forward even more to the day when the armor, which carries the power of the blazing sun and the exquisite skills of the dwarves, can be draped over my sword."

As he spoke, he turned slightly, his gaze falling on Hilde, who stood silently to the side. The female knight felt the lord's gaze, and she also felt the immense power that was about to descend upon her, a power capable of altering the balance of war. She straightened her back, her eyes flashing with a sharp, cold light as sharp as the blade of the legendary longsword in her hand.

“I look forward to the day that armor is completed,” Su Li continued. “At that time, Hilder, clad in armor and wielding a sword, will become a decisive force on the battlefield. With her commanding the army, we can steadily advance westward and southward, clearing away all the evil and filth entrenched in the ruins of the old world. We will spread the boundaries of order and civilization to every corner of the border princely territories.”

He didn't boast of instant conquest, but emphasized "steady and solid progress," yet the goal was already ambitious enough—"A count's territory? Or even a duke's vast domain? This is by no means an unattainable dream. And Grey Mountain Kingdom, our friend, your investment today will surely yield a thousandfold return—a powerful, stable, and steadfast ally who can fight alongside the Mountain Kingdom and completely eliminate all threats in the surrounding area!"

Su Li's vision was entirely grounded in reality; every word was constructed on the foundation of the legendary power they were about to acquire and the solid cooperation between the two sides. This was not merely gratitude, but a solemn promise to his ally for the future.

King Cadlin listened, his serious expression finally transforming into a hearty smile. He extended his strong, calloused hand, marked with burns, and firmly grasped Su Li's hand.

"Good! Excellent!" The king's voice was like a rock striking. "This is the kind of spirit we need! We dwarves invest because we value this tangible future! So, the agreement is hereby reached!"

He shook his clasped hands three times vigorously, a ceremony the dwarves considered the most solemn, a pledge of their skill and honor.

"For the birth of a legend!"

"For the shared future of Hessian and Grey Mountain!"

The voices of the two rulers rang out simultaneously. In the hall, all the dwarves raised their cups in unison, pounding their breastplates or the tables with their fists, creating a thunderous roar, celebrating this historic moment in the dwarves' loudest and most sincere way. The air was thick with the scent of metal, fire, and promise, heavy and intense.

As the agreement was reached, the thunderous cheers and pounding of fists gradually subsided, and the banquet hall was filled with a warm and relaxed atmosphere after achieving a major consensus. The waiters then promptly refilled everyone's glasses with rich ale and wine.

Su Li took a sip of the wine in his glass, feeling the warmth in his throat, then looked at King Kadlin, his tone becoming more pragmatic and concerned as he inquired, "Your Majesty, now that Blacksin Territory and Gray Mountain Kingdom have forged such a deep friendship, besides this magnificent forging project, does your country currently face any other pressing difficulties? Gray Mountain Kingdom's formidable military strength and exquisite craftsmanship are admirable, but just as the best battleaxe needs maintenance, even the strongest fortress requires supplies. If there is anything Blacksin Territory can offer in assistance, please feel free to speak frankly."

Upon hearing this, King Cadlin's thick eyebrows twitched. He set down his wine cup and placed his heavy hand on the table. He did not immediately decline with politeness, but nodded quite frankly—this was precisely the attitude of dwarves towards true allies.

“Lord Su Li, you’ve hit the nail on the head.” Kadlin’s voice was deep and direct, without any beating around the bush. “Speaking of difficulties… there is indeed a long-standing problem that has plagued all dwarven fortresses, including our Grey Mountain Kingdom.”

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes serious: "We lack food. The mountains are rich in minerals, but we can't grow enough crops. Most of the fortress's food supply relies on the limited terraced fields in the mountains, which yields are low. We rely on fishing from rivers and underground streams, herding goats in the mountains, and wild animals hunted by our wandering knights. These methods can barely sustain us in peacetime, but once we are besieged, or when we need to support large-scale military operations, our food reserves will become extremely strained."

He paused, then emphasized, "Sufficient food is just as important as sufficient weapons. Soldiers cannot fight on empty stomachs, nor can craftsmen swing their hammers on an empty stomach. A stable supply of food is as important to the kingdom as a new legion."

Su Li listened attentively, nodding occasionally to show his understanding. This perfectly aligned with his understanding of dwarven society and represented a very real and core need.

“I understand, Your Majesty,” Su Li replied, his thoughts clear. “The Black Forest Territory is located on a plain, crisscrossed by rivers, and the land is relatively fertile. Agriculture is one of our basic industries. Perhaps we can establish a long-term trade agreement based on this.”

"Speaking of food, Your Majesty, you may have already heard about it when you entered the city. In addition to our fertile farmland, our Black Forest Territory also has a true treasure trove of abundance—Blue Mirror Lake."

Mentioning Blue Mirror Lake, Su Li's tone carried a hint of pride: "Thanks to some... um... special blessings, the abundance of fishery products in Blue Mirror Lake today far exceeds ordinary people's imagination. It not only fully satisfies the meat needs of our territory, but has also become an important pillar of our trade."

He began to describe in detail, like a shrewd merchant showcasing his most prized possession: "Our catch is diverse and of extremely high quality. There are large quantities of silverfin trout and bluefin trout, with plump and delicious flesh, suitable for daily consumption; there are also the more precious sun catfish, which, with long-term consumption, can slowly enhance the physique and endurance of the consumer, greatly benefiting warriors and craftsmen; there are even a small number of extremely rare ice crystal shrimp, whose flesh contains pure icy energy, which is quite beneficial for a mage's meditation and mental stability."

He then highlighted the part that King Cadlin was most likely to be interested in: "Furthermore, for ease of storage and long-distance transport, we have established a large-scale smoked fish workshop. With the help of dwarven engineers to improve hot and cold smoking techniques, we can produce high-quality smoked fish products in various flavors that can be preserved for months or even half a year. They are rich in flavor and nutritious, making them excellent rations for marching and daily food reserves."

Su Li looked at King Kadlin with a sincere smile: "Since your warriors often fish from underground rivers, they must not be averse to fish. I believe that the fish products of Blue Mirror Lake, especially these easy-to-preserve smoked fish, will be well integrated into the diet of the Gray Mountain people, adding a reliable and delicious reserve to your granaries. We can also include smoked fish in the trade list and regularly and in large quantities transport it to Gray Mountain."

This proposal is undoubtedly very attractive. Food is the foundation, while high-quality meat (fish) that can be stored for a long time is an important nutritional supplement and strategic reserve, which is of great help to improve the morale of the army and the quality of life of the people.

Su Li's move was practically a promise to provide the Gray Mountain Kingdom with a stable, high-quality source of protein, directly addressing one of the core pain points in the Dwarf Kingdom's logistical supply.

As King Kadrin listened to Su Li's suggestions regarding grain and fishing, his deep, mine-like eyes grew brighter and brighter, finally culminating in a heavy, poignant sigh. He slammed his knees, covered in thick armor plates, on the ground, producing a dull thud.

"Lord Su Li, you...you've simply inserted the key precisely into the heaviest lock that has troubled the Gray Mountain Kingdom!" The king's voice was filled with unprecedented excitement and a hint of barely perceptible relief. "What you've mentioned is not just food, but also the future of our dwarf race."

He leaned forward, his tone becoming more candid, no longer like a king addressing an ally, but more like two old friends confiding their troubles: "Outsiders always say we dwarves are stubborn and conservative, that our slow population growth is because we don't want to have more children. Bullshit!" Kadrin couldn't help but swear, then quickly restrained himself, "That's not true at all!"

His voice lowered, carrying a heavy sense of reality: "Which parent doesn't want a house full of children and grandchildren? Which clan doesn't yearn for a large and prosperous population? But the problem is... we can't afford it!"

King Kadrin extended his thick fingers, his voice trembling with emotion: "The miners risk their lives every day in the dark, sunless tunnels, just to earn a meager amount of food to barely survive. The older generation could endure eating black bread mixed with gravel and drinking weak ale, but what about newborn dwarf babies? To feed them that too? No father or mother could bring themselves to do that!"

He described the plight of dwarf families: "Without enough food, mothers don't have enough milk, and infants can hardly grow up healthily. The boys are at the age when they eat the most, and the rations are not enough to fill their stomachs, let alone help them grow, practice martial arts, and learn skills! It's not that we don't want to have children, it's that we dare not have too many! To give birth to them and watch them go hungry is more painful than being cut by a knife!"

Then, his tone suddenly changed, filled with hope, and he looked intently at Su Li: "But, Lord Su Li, you have proven that this can be changed! You just asked me what difficulties we still faced, and that is the deepest difficulty, and you, and your Black Forest Territory, have already begun to help us solve it without us even realizing it!"

King Kadrin's voice became more enthusiastic: "Do you know why I was able to bring two full-strength legions this time? It's not just to demonstrate our military strength, but also because our Gray Mountain Kingdom has indeed seen a population increase in the past two years!"

He held up two fingers, his tone filled with unbelievable joy: "Over five hundred more little ones, either crying for food or running around everywhere! This year alone, the number of newborns is almost 20% higher than in previous years!" He emphasized, "And among these, more than three hundred little ones are from the Redbeard Clan and the Grayrock Clan!" King Kadlin's gaze returned to Su Li, filled with deep gratitude. "It's precisely because these two clans have the closest ties and the most frequent trade relations with your Black Forest Territory! They've exchanged ores and handicrafts for large quantities of grain, smoked meat, and those delicious smoked fish you just mentioned! (The King was unaware that the smoked fish came from Lake Leiflin)"

"With full bellies and surplus food at home, the miners, having emerged from the dangerous mines, no longer needed to drag their weary bodies to the underground rivers to try their luck at catching fish, or risk attacks from wild beasts and greenskins to hunt. They had more time and energy to spend at home with their families..." King Kadlin revealed a rare smile, tinged with a hint of irony yet utterly sincere, "...and then, naturally, a new member was added to the family. Raising two children no longer seemed such an insurmountable burden for a couple."

He added solemnly once again, "Of course, this is also inseparable from your help in reclaiming a portion of their homeland in the Frostfang Mountains. The new mineral veins and living space gave them hope and confidence, while your food transformed that hope into a tangible cradle and bread. Both are indispensable. Lord Su Li, you have made invaluable contributions to the population growth of the Redbeard and Grayrock clans, and I must thank you again!"

King Kadrin's eyes gleamed with genuine hope for the future: "Therefore, the long-term trade in food and fish that you proposed has far more significance than simply filling our stomachs. It means more dwarven families will dare to raise offspring, it means the population of the Grey Mountain Kingdom can grow steadily, it means we will have more warriors, more artisans, and more scholars! It means... the hope of revival!"

This gratitude was far deeper and more sincere than the gratitude shown for gold and silver. Su Li's assistance touched upon the most fundamental cornerstone of a civilization's continuation—its population.

What King Cadlin saw was a broad road to prosperity for his people, slowly unfolding before him with the help of his allies.

Hearing King Kadlin's delight at the demographic dividend brought by grain trade, Su Li was also quite encouraged. He seized the opportunity to make what he considered a logical suggestion: "Your Majesty, since stable trade routes are so important to both of us, and this road to Gray Mountain is fraught with various threats..."

Su Li's gaze sharpened, revealing the pioneering spirit typical of trailblazers. "Perhaps we could consider a joint military operation, concentrating our forces to conduct a large-scale purge of the Greenskins and Beastmen lairs entrenched near the main trade routes? This would open up and secure a relatively safe corridor, thus ensuring better future transport of food and supplies."

However, to Su Li's surprise, King Kadrin shook his head almost instantly and resolutely, the moment Su Li finished speaking. The old king, who had just been immersed in joy and gratitude, suddenly turned as solemn and serious as a mountain rock.

“No, Lord Su Li. I must refuse this offer.” Kadlin’s voice was deep and forceful, leaving no room for negotiation.

He noticed a flicker of surprise in Su Li's eyes, then sighed, leaned forward, and spoke in a tone like that of a wise elder instructing a talented but somewhat young junior:
"Lord Su Li, I understand how you and the Black Forest Territory feel right now. You've just acquired a powerful legendary knight, your army's morale is high, and your territory is thriving. You're full of ambition and eager to spread order and light to more places. I admire this spirit."

But then he changed the subject, his eyes becoming incredibly deep, even carrying a hint of warning: "However, you must understand that the world we live in is far more dangerous and complex than you imagine. It's like a branch of an ancient mine; you never know whether the next powerful dig will unearth a precious mineral deposit or a rift leading to a terrifying abyss, releasing a torrent that destroys everything."

King Kadrin tapped the table with his thick fingers, emphasizing his point: "Unless you possess the immense national strength, massive army, and profound strategic depth of an empire, never lightly launch a 'holy expedition' aimed at completely wiping out a region! Even the empire is extremely cautious in launching such expeditions, only resorting to them when it has suffered repeated heavy blows, its internal balance has been broken, or a major opportunity has arisen that forces it to fight."

He explained in detail, his tone somber: “Why? Because in most areas, a dangerous balance has often formed. Monsters are there, which is certainly a threat, but as long as they don’t launch large-scale attacks, it’s also a kind of ‘stability.’ If we wipe out a greenskin camp, it might allow another, more powerful beastman tribe to expand; if we eliminate a nest of beastmen, it might disturb the undead sleeping in ancient tombs… or, it might attract something even worse.”

Then, he mentioned the unique "nature" of the Greenskins that Su Li might not yet fully understand:
"Especially the greenskins! You think clearing them out reduces the threat? No!" A hint of disgust and fear of those chaotic creatures flashed in King Kadrin's eyes. "For the greenskins, war is not a disaster, but the meaning of their existence and their greatest pleasure! The more lively the fighting and the more you kill, the more the news will spread, and more greenskin tribes scattered all over the place who think, 'There's a fight going on here, let's fight the second brother, waaagh! How exciting!' will come to join this 'grand carnival' in their eyes!"

He painted a terrifying picture: "Your initial clearing operation may not only fail to eliminate the threat, but will also act like a magnet, attracting all the scattered greenskin warbands in the vast area, eventually converging into a terrifying WAAAGH!! wave far exceeding expectations and out of control! At that time, we will not be facing a few scattered monster tribes, but a green madness that devours everything! One of the lessons our Gray Mountain Kingdom has learned over thousands of years with countless bloodshed is: do not easily ignite the greenskin powder keg that you cannot control!"

King Kadrin concluded, his tone softening but remaining firm: "Therefore, Lord Suli, maintaining the security of trade routes is essential. We can strengthen patrols, dispatch elite squads for escorts, and even build fortified outposts at key passes. However, large-scale expeditions aimed at completely eradicating a region… unless absolutely necessary, a matter of life and death, I strongly suggest maintaining the status quo and not actively disrupting the dangerous but established 'ecology' of that region. Stability is the key to the long-term survival of forces like ours, which are not behemoths like the Empire."

These words were like ice water poured over his head, instantly calming Su Li's feverish mind. He realized that his understanding of the cruelty and complexity of this dark world was still far from sufficient.

King Cadlin's refusal was not out of cowardice, but stemmed from the painful yet precious wisdom of survival gained over thousands of years at the cost of countless dwarves' blood.

In fact, Su Li already knew a little about this. This dark and hopeless world was full of hidden dangers that could destroy it. For example, Black Forest Territory had the remains of a necromancer dragon comparable to a Saint Knight, sealed in Saint Leonard Shallow Bay, and Blue Mirror Territory had this sealed chaotic rift.

This world is practically a program built from countless mountains of excrement, and the biggest rule for programmers is: never try to modify a program when it's barely running.

Even deleting a single symbol could cause the entire mess to crash. Even if you rewrite the symbol, it might not make the program work again.

Therefore, the current state of monsters roaming the Gray Mountain region is stable, so we shouldn't easily disrupt it. Otherwise, the monsters might multiply as we kill them, eventually culminating in a massive waaagh.

If such a situation were to actually occur, it would be beyond Su Li's ability to withstand, and perhaps even half of Gray Mountain would be decimated.

After all, in the last waaagh, the province of Suland of the Empire was almost destroyed, and the Empire lost an Elector and countless nobles, knights and commoners.

Su Li asked cautiously, "So we're just going to ignore the monster like this?"

Upon hearing Su Li's question, King Cadlin's face revealed a complex expression, a mixture of helplessness and determination. He slowly shook his head, his heavy hand making a pressing motion in the air.

“Turning a blind eye? No, of course not.” His voice was steady, carrying the wisdom of someone who had weathered many storms. “We are not doing nothing, we have simply chosen a way… well… more in line with the nature of the mountains. We call it the ‘rock penetration’ strategy.”

He picked up his wine glass, but didn't drink. Instead, he gestured with it: "Imagine, Lord Su Li, a single drop of water cannot penetrate rock, but countless drops of water flowing over the years and falling in the same spot can carve a hole in the hardest granite. What we need to do is not to smash the entire mountain with a warhammer, but to grow ourselves continuously and steadfastly, like that flowing water."

“And the key to our own growth is the key you just provided—food.” King Kadrin’s gaze turned fervent again. “With a stable and sufficient food supply, we can feed a larger population. A larger population means we can send out more mining teams to slowly and steadily reclaim and consolidate those old mines and abandoned outposts located on the outskirts of the mountains, which are relatively rich in resources and easy to defend, while ensuring safety.”

He began to outline a more operational blueprint: “Every time we recapture such a stronghold, we will build it into a fortified forward base or mountain village. We will build walls with the strongest stones, set up crossbows, and send families to live there. Let the smoke rise again from those chimneys that have been abandoned for hundreds of years, and let the laughter of dwarf children echo through the valleys once more.”

“These new settlements are like steel nails we drive into the mountains.” Kadrin clenched his fist. “They won’t actively attack the monster lairs, but their very presence is a continuous, silent pressure. Our patrols will expand outwards from these strongholds, clearing out smaller threats and ensuring the safety of supply lines. Our presence will spread slowly but irreversibly, like ink drops in water.”

He compared the two strategies: "Large-scale expeditions are like torrential rain, coming and going quickly, often stirring up unpredictable turbidity and backlash. 'Solid penetration,' on the other hand, is like a mountain stream or quietly growing tree roots, seemingly slow, but possessing the power to change the terrain. We are using settlements, farms, mines, and roads to gradually erode the monsters' living space, rather than directly challenging their rule."

King Kadrin concluded with absolute certainty: “That’s why I value our grain trade with you so much, Lord Suli. It’s not just food; it’s the foundation of colonization, the fuel for expansion, and the guarantee of population growth. Every cartload of grain transported to Gray Mountain could mean one more dwarven chimney rising from the mountains, one more terraced field being reclaimed, one more patrol to defend our homeland. This is the true way we dwarves reclaim our homeland and fight against the darkness—not through a spectacular but potentially destructive explosion, but through persistent and unwavering growth.”

He looked at Su Li, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Therefore, what we need is a stable, long-term supply. As long as the food and supplies from Black Forest Territory can be continuously supplied to the mountains, I assure you, you will see the territory of the Gray Mountain Kingdom expand outwards year by year at a slow but unwavering pace. One day, the road to Black Forest Territory will no longer require crossing a terrifying sea of ​​monsters, but will be protected by a series of dwarven fortresses and villages along the way. That is true security and lasting order."

This explanation thoroughly clarified King Cadlin's strategic thinking. He wasn't cowardly; rather, he chose a more far-sighted approach, more in line with the dwarves' characteristics, to win this war for survival. Suli's food supplies played an irreplaceable and central role in this. This was far more significant than his proposed joint military operation.

(End of this chapter)