I built a manor in the Middle Ages

Chapter 233 Medical Research and Initial Market Planning
Time flies, and before we know it, another winter has quietly slipped away.

Luc drove two mules and a donkey back and forth across the Agate River Bridge, patting the railings on both sides with satisfaction and saying, "Well done!"

"Sir, as you instructed, the bridge deck is constructed of two layers of oak, one vertical and one horizontal, supported by four massive piers. Even three cartloads of limestone could not break the bridge deck!"

Hearing old Ek's slightly proud words, Luc smiled and let it go. With this wooden bridge, he would finally no longer have to paddle his raft back and forth across the river.

"The two sides are now connected. The spring harvest is almost over, right? Once we plant the crops, we'll go to the other side. But let's not rush to prepare the new fields; I need to clear out a plot of land first!"

With the document delivered, Beryl returned the Treff Bridge and the tavern to Luc, but the drinks inside had been emptied. As for Tihar village, Luc immediately sent Byrne, who had come to him, directly there to collect his first month's income.

The land of Tihar was divided in two, but most of the population, especially the free farmers, were given to Berry. The church only needed the land and the serfs who would work for them.

Incidentally, the Baldwin family home is hardly a fortress; at best, it's a two-story wooden villa where Byrne and his companion are temporarily residing.

When Duss heard that Luc had regained Tiha Village, she almost cried with joy. She never dreamed that one day she could regain the land where she had grown up.

Luc spent a long time comforting her before stopping the pregnant Duss's crying. She was getting closer to giving birth and had to stay in the church with Hans to protect her.

This silly guy at least listens to the lady of the house.

As for Jean and George, George naturally brought Paul and Andrew back to Telfbridge, while Jean, on the other hand, also acted as their liaison, while keeping an eye on Byrne.

Indeed, although Luc thought Byrne was kind, he still planned to observe him for a while.

What if the taxes aren't collected and the other party runs away with the money?

After all, Tiha Village is quite wealthy.

"Sir, that fellow Berry has actually invited us to a banquet at his castle. Should we go?"

After the livestock were returned, in addition to the goats giving birth, the old sow in heat also gave birth to a litter of piglets. Mary and Little Maiman's mother took great care of them during this time.

“Go, why not go? Knightsburg is mine now, he can’t take it away. Besides, we have to send Clovis back in exchange for our ransom.”

Logically, Clovis should have been released without compensation when Berry reluctantly accepted his fiefdom, but Luc didn't think so.

It's time for me to blackmail Berry a bit!

“You’re right, our goat milk is too unstable, so I’m determined to have that cow!”

Luc stepped across the 400-foot-long wooden bridge to the other side, his gaze passing over the few remaining wild grapevines, and looked with satisfaction at the large open space before him.

The entire valley has flat land only on both sides of the Agate River. Beyond that, it becomes mountainous, suitable only for terraced fields, which are inferior in both irrigation and fertility.

"Except for this open space, the rest will all be turned into farmland!"

With a wave of his hand, Luke simply and directly completed the land planning in front of him.

Actually, Luke had other ideas for building, but he wanted to make farmland as much as possible.

"Sir, what do you plan to build on this land?"

Ryan scanned the vast expanse of land covered in grass. The area Luke had drawn was so large that he wasn't sure what to build there.
Could it be another wooden fortress?
"market."

Luke slowly uttered a single word.

With the bridge built and the legal basis established, the trade route naturally followed.

He not only wants to bring over the Hoffman caravan, but also all the caravans from Old Poons and Maconshire!

Luc didn't have enough people to form a dedicated caravan, so he set up a trading market centered on the south bank to sell his goods.

"The limestone of Old Poons, the goods from the waterways of Maconshire, the purchases from Hoffman's travels, combined with our own pottery, wine, linen, burqas, and grain, I want to turn this place into a small trading post!"

Luc had heard about the situation in the County of Champagne in the north from people like Hofmann-Raoul who had traveled all over the country. He dared not compare himself to them, but in this valley area, he at least wanted to encourage trade.

After all, the only way to make a profit is to sell the estate's goods!

Luc needs to accumulate wealth.

Of course, Luc planned to keep things private, like salted fish, and he couldn't let anyone know he owned a salt mine. Luc had already signed a salt trade contract with Hugo, and he would take the coarse salt technology with him when Duss went into labor.

Returning to the north bank, Luke checked the farmland as usual. Although the city had been besieged for half a month, the crops were growing quite well.

Sometimes Luc felt that he might really be protected by God, because so far, he had not encountered any situations that severely affected the harvest, such as drought.

Luc walked back and forth along the grain field, where bags of grain were being transported to the threshing mill. The free farmers of Ward Village had to wait until Luc finished using them.

Those with less land had already made their own flails, imitating Luc's initial practice, and were using them in their own backyards, but people like Robert could only wait patiently.

"Is Brother Lynn settling in well with his accommodations at the church?"

“Sir, now that the weather is getting warmer, I’ve picked out the best sheepskin from the ones you bought for making the blowers for the iron smelting furnace and given it to Brother Lynn. He shouldn’t be cold.”

Lynn followed him back to Knightsburg, where the equally devout monk plunged into the church, spending every day with the overjoyed Peter reciting scriptures.

"Have the dandelion and plantain been delivered?"

"Yes."

Lynn went to Knightsburg for three reasons: to attract pilgrims, to collect taxes, and, at Luke's request, to have him research some medical advancements.

Of the three organizations of the charity, only the Pilgrims' Hospital was one that Luc joined voluntarily. His purpose was simple: to rely on it to find some effective methods for his territory.

At the very least, let's hope that a cold or fever doesn't become a fatal illness.

To this day, there are still some serfs deeply influenced by the barber who occasionally feel unwell and hope that Peter can bleed them, for which they are often reprimanded by Luc.

Hugo's research on herbs naturally influenced Lynn, who was on good terms with him.

"There are still some Dragon Yang Flowers left, let's give them to Brother Lynn."

Luc still remembered the dragon flower seeds he got from Hoffman. He planted some last year, hoping to see what he could grow, but he was dumbfounded when he harvested them.

This thing is just a flower!

Luc couldn't help but grimace. He didn't recognize any of the crops and had no idea what this thing could do until he discovered that it attracted insects to pollinate it more than ordinary wildflowers. So he gave it to Oliver to use for beekeeping.

Just right, bees love dragon's yang flowers, and the two complement each other. Now, if you wait until summer, the pastoral scene of flowers climbing the wooden fence in Oliver's yard is very eye-catching and pleasing to the eye when viewed from a distance.

"Since Brother Lynn is not greedy for money or power, we can rest assured. However, the iron ore and salt mountain must still be kept secret."

Salt Mountain is fine, but Luke plans to disguise the iron ore mine as a charcoal furnace.

Days passed, and as the threshing was completed and the grain was dried, some people were left to watch over the threshing floor to prevent it from being eaten by the awakening birds. Now that there was too much grain, Luc even released several cats he had brought from the monastery to guard it.

The cats were fighting and grooming each other, running around in all directions, which actually scared some birds.

"The market doesn't need too many buildings. Just clear the grass, build a fence around it, and mark out a few designated trading areas!"

Luke stood with his hands on his hips, moving his lips with great enthusiasm.

Now his authority has reached a new level, and the serfs are organized to pull weeds and chop firewood, appearing busy and fulfilled amidst the sky and mountains.

"Hey! You damn cat, what are you doing!"

A serf guarding the grain watched in astonishment as a black cat dug through the wheat, then turned its rear end toward the wheat pit and squatted on it with its eyes closed.

"Get out of here! How dare you poop in the wheat! Get out of the way!"

The serf angrily chased away the frightened black cat. Under the cat's bewildered gaze, he carefully lay down on the ground, checked for any traces of feces or urine, and only then did he breathe a slight sigh of relief.

"Damn it, thank goodness, otherwise the master definitely wouldn't let me guard the wheat grains."

The serfs leisurely returned to the ground and sat down, gazing contentedly at the crowds reclaiming land on the south bank.

(End of this chapter)