I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 175 Chris's Caution
……

……

The vast expanse of white snow turned the wilderness a stark white, with only patches of dark green pine forest dotting the landscape.

The cold wind was like a knife, howling and sweeping across the land, swirling up snowflakes and making it impossible to open one's eyes.

Chris pulled his fur cloak tighter around himself, but still couldn't help shivering.

"Winter in the north is no place for humans to stay."

He cursed under his breath and exhaled a puff of white mist.

Even a knight like him couldn't withstand the conditions near the ice fields.

The task Rhodes gave him was more difficult than he had imagined.

Find the White Claw tribe's territory, capture two Snow Rabbit people, and gather intelligence—it sounds simple, but in reality, it's like walking on thin ice.

But since I've chosen to serve Rhodes, I have to see it through to the end, even if the road ahead is full of frost.

He turned to look at the small, thin snow rabbit beside him, his voice low and deep: "How much further?"

The snow rabbit was named Kyle. She was a guide sent by Rhodes and was fluent in both the alien language and the Imperial language, making her a kind of translator.

Kyle raised a paw and pointed to a ravine between the distant mountains: "Cross over that ravine and you'll reach the territory of the White Claw tribe."

"They'll be moving around the area looking for food, so we should be able to find their trail."

Chris nodded and glanced at the sky.

It's already afternoon, and the sun is starting to set, so we need to hurry.

Kyle turned his head, his azure eyes fixed on Chris, and said in a gentle tone, "Although they betrayed us, it was their leader's fault, and had nothing to do with the other Snow Rabbits."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "I hope you... won't harm their lives."

Most snow rabbit people are honest and have a weak personality.

Chris didn't like hearing such weak words. If Kyle were his soldier, he would have kicked Kyle over right now.

But in reality, Kyle wasn't his soldier; he was merely a craftsman in Frostleaf.

"I'm just capturing them by the tongue; as long as they behave, I won't kill them."

Chris frowned, his tone hard: "But if they resist, they'll definitely suffer."

He waved his hand, signaling Kyle not to continue speaking.

He then turned around and whispered to the soldiers behind him, "The forest ahead of the target. Be aware of your surroundings and keep quiet!"

The soldiers immediately crouched low and moved nimbly in the direction Kyle had indicated.

Chris walked at the front, his sharp, eagle-like eyes scanning the mountains and forests.

Before he had even climbed halfway up the hill, the commotion on the hillside made Chris abruptly stop.

He raised his hand, signaling the line to stop.

As Chris walked through the pine forest, he saw forty or fifty snow hares lying on the ground, their claws digging frantically at the frozen earth.

Beside the snow rabbit people stood several lizardmen wielding long whips.

The whip occasionally lashed against the snow rabbit, making a crisp "snap" sound.

The snow rabbit-man painfully shrank its neck and immediately quickened the movements of its paws.
Chris watched everything calmly.
"The White Claw Tribe...it seems they're not doing well."

A complex emotion welled up within him.

The fate of traitors is never pleasant.

I can be considered a traitor myself.

I wonder how Lord Rhodes will treat me.

Chris clenched his fists, his wife and children flashing through his mind.

No matter what, even if we suffer, we want them to be able to live a peaceful life.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his jumbled thoughts.

He turned around and waved his hand behind him.
"Go back first."

A young soldier climbed forward, lowering his voice and speaking urgently.

"We finally found their location, so... how about we just kill those lizardmen?"

Chris turned his head sharply, his eyes as sharp as knives, his tone cold and hard: "No."

The soldier hesitated for a moment, then tried to argue, "I counted, there are only five lizardmen, we can handle them!"

How do you know there's no ambush in the shadows?

Chris's voice was deep.

"Even if we kill those lizardmen, can you guarantee that the snow hare people will come with us?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the soldier's young face: "If another traitor appears in the White Claw tribe, we'll be in a very difficult situation."

The soldier gritted his teeth.

“You’re right, sir.”

"Your suggestion isn't wrong, but it's not suitable for the current situation."

Chris's voice softened as he offered a word of comfort.

Chris was very pleased that he had no connections in Frostleaf and that there were soldiers willing to offer their opinions.

Moreover, if it were in the past, Chris would likely have thought the same as the soldiers and charged straight in, so he understands.

However, after being ambushed by Rhodes, Chris learned to be extremely cautious.

He will never make the same mistake again.

Every decision must be carefully considered.

Chris looked up at the darkening sky.

This place is close to the Icefield Mountains, and if there is no fire source at night, people can really freeze to death.

Chris pulled his cloak tighter around himself and whispered, "This time it wasn't a complete loss; at least we figured out the route."

"Tomorrow, take the others to investigate the surrounding area thoroughly before making a decision."

He waved his hand, leading his team to retreat silently, carefully cleaning up their footprints.

……

……

Inside the manor hall.

Some powerful people are in Frostleaf Town.

Some people sat on either side of the long table, while others stood at the back.

"I know that today is the fourth week of the last month of winter, which is the Winter Veil Festival here."

Rhodes's gaze swept over the crowd.

"I have prepared some Winter Veil gifts for everyone. You can pick them up from Lawrence after the meeting."

"Thank you for your generosity!"

Everyone spoke in unison and bowed to Rhodes.

"This is a day for family reunion, so I won't waste any more words."

Rhodes said directly, "Even though the weather will still be very cold after the Winter Veil, we can start preparing for spring planting in advance."

“I have said that we can lease land this year, and I have already set the price.”

"Existing farmland will not be rented out. Instead, we encourage townspeople to cultivate new farmland. The annual rent is 7,200 work points per mu."

As soon as Rod finished speaking, everyone started to make their own plans.

Lawrence was the first to react, and his face lit up with joy.

"My lord, the price you set is excellent!"

Otto sat down next to Lawrence and murmured softly.

"Even if the yield per mu is calculated at 480 jin of rye, after deducting work points, the maximum remaining amount is 120 jin..."

"To support a family, you need at least ten mu of land each year, which is 24,000 work points..."

“But if a woman works for the lord, she can earn more than 14,000 work points a year.”

"The farmers who cultivate the land have accumulated more than 20,000 work points."

"Working for the lord means you don't have to worry about the wear and tear on farm tools, or about yields..."

After thinking for a while, Otto shook his head slightly and looked at Rod.
"My lord, renting land is simply not worthwhile!"

"Shut up!"

Lawrence bumped into Otto, "I didn't ask you to rent land! What do you know!"

Lawrence knew it wasn't worth it, but not everyone is as good at calculating as they are.

Lawrence liked this pricing because it allowed him to recycle unused work points and control the number of work points available outside the company.

Whether it's worth it or not is another matter.

Rod ignored their subtle actions and said expressionlessly, "I'm just giving everyone more choices."

“Everyone can continue to work for me, or they can rent land to cultivate new farmland.”

Rod couldn't go back on his word and ruin his reputation.

Moreover, most of the people in Frostleaf Town are now slaves, with only a small number of townspeople and soldiers possessing work points. Their land rentals do not affect anything.

Of course, Rhodes wouldn't let them starve.

After all, if the townspeople lost money renting the land, they could still become slaves to Rhodes.

"In addition, although everyone is aware of the responsibilities of many people, I would like to make a special point of mentioning them today."

Rod looked at Otto,

"I appoint you as the head of the agricultural department. You will be in charge of farmland reclamation, crop planting, and fertilizer management."

"But as a minister, you cannot lease land. Do you have any objections?"

"No, no, lord!"

Otto quickly replied.

Even if Rod offered to rent it, he wouldn't. The income wouldn't even cover the land he'd be paying out. Only a fool would rent land.

"very good,"

Rhodes nodded and called out the names of the others one by one.
"Hamo, you are the head of the forging department, responsible for forging all kinds of ironware,"

"Sherry, you are the head of the Construction Department, responsible for town and territory development,"

“Raine, you are the head of the hunting department and oversee the bow and arrow workshop.”

"Luna, you're the head of the medical department..."

……

Rhodes subdivided and organized all the areas of his territory and assigned them to specific individuals for management.

After further analysis, Rod discovered that many departments did not have supervisors.

For example, positions such as mining supervisor, household registration supervisor, textile supervisor, and public security supervisor.

Many people have multiple roles, like Lawrence.

He was responsible for all aspects of personnel, finance, and taxation himself.

Durant had to manage both military affairs and public order.

No wonder Rhodes never seems to see them. The situation is manageable now, but as the territory grows larger, he'll definitely be overwhelmed.

Therefore, after reading the appointment, Rhodes conveyed a new order: "When you supervisors go back, you must give me a detailed list of personnel in each department."

Rod raised his hand and took out a piece of scrap paper.
"Fill out the form according to what's on this sheet of paper. Start by listing your deputies; there can be a maximum of three."

"Then write down the positions of everyone else, that is, what they do."

After saying that, Rhodes asked, "Did you understand?"

"Understood, my lord!"

All the supervisors responded in unison.

At this moment, the breeding supervisor, Thiel, cautiously stepped forward.

"My lord, what should I do if I can't write...?"

"Find him."

Rhodes pointed to Lawrence, "For anything you don't understand or can't comprehend, ask Lawrence."

Lawrence was highly skilled at both statistics on people and goods.

"Yes, my lord."

Till nodded and bowed before stepping back.

"alright,"

Rhodes's gaze swept over the crowd.

"Go back and rest, everyone. Happy Winter Veil."

Happy Winter Veil, my lord.

The crowd bowed and withdrew one after another.

"Oto, Durant, Lawrence, you three wait a moment."

Rod called out to the three of them, looking first at Otto.
“Gather fifty people; we’ll go plan the new farmland tomorrow.”

Looking at it on a map is one thing, but visiting it in person is another.

Rhodes needed to personally inspect the land to see if it was suitable for growing wheat.

"Okay, you can leave."

"Yes, my lord."

Otto bowed and withdrew.

Only Durant and Lawrence remained in the hall.

"Sit down, we're all family here now."

Rod waved casually, gesturing for the two to sit down.

Then Rhodes said to Vivian beside him,
"Tell Leah it's time to cook. After the water boils, add three bowls of water. Once the third bowl of water boils, you can take it out."

"Ok."

Vivian nodded and went to the door to relay the order.

Rod's gaze fell on Durant and Lawrence.

"I've been in Frostleaf Town for almost a year now, and I haven't really paid much attention to you guys."

Rod's handsome face wore a mature smile.
"On Winter Veil, I'm granting you two wishes. You can tell me what you want."

After he finished speaking, Durant and Lawrence looked at each other in bewilderment.

"It's okay, you can talk about anything."

Rhodes joked, "If all else fails, I'll make a promise to both of you first."

"Your Excellency, your fifty elite troops are almost ready for training."

Durant spoke first, saying, "My wish is that you arrange the promised full-body armor as soon as possible..."

Lawrence then spoke up as well.
"What I was thinking was, could you perhaps raise the price of meat a bit more? They've been exchanging for a lot of meat lately."

After the two expressed their wishes, Rod's smile was tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"Don't mention territory, talk about your life aspirations."

Rod couldn't help but remind him.

This caused the two to fall silent once again.

"Then what I said?"

Durant spoke first again, unfastening his sword.
"I want to replace the Thornbreaker with a longsword like the one made with the Sea-Patterned Magic Iron last time."

Durant smiled somewhat sheepishly and said, "Of course, it needs to be forged by your own hands."

"it is good."

Rhodes nodded. "I agree to that."

In fact, Rhodes would have preferred to give Durant a manor, but he simply doesn't have the resources to build those things right now, so it's just wishful thinking.

"Thank you for your generosity."

Durant stood up and bowed in thanks.

Rhodes turned his gaze to Lawrence.
"What about you?"

“They stole my brother Oris.”

Lawrence said very bluntly.

"This can't be done."

Rod couldn't help but laugh and wave his hand, his refusal being very decisive.

It's not that Rhodes has become kinder; it's just that Oris has been staying in the border town and hasn't been trading. Rhodes can't exactly lead his men to rob the border town, can he?
"Let's find another one, even if it means killing your brother."

Rod said calmly.

"It's not that bad." Lawrence quickly shook his head.

Lawrence fell silent again, head bowed in thought.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Then please send me two more assistants. I'm too busy right now."

"it is good."

Rhodes waved to Vivian, who then walked out of the hall.

A moment later, he entered with two girls dressed in linen dresses.

“Eloi and Clementine, they both did very well in the literacy class,”

Rhodes pointed to the two girls and said, "They will be your help in the future, not only in your work, but also in your life."

Two young girls, with sweet smiles, tugged at the hem of their skirts and gave Lawrence a slight bow.

"Lord Lawrence, it's a pleasure to serve you."

After saying that, the two girls walked behind Lawrence and massaged his shoulders and back.

The two girls weren't exactly stunning beauties, and couldn't compare to Avril Lavigne or Vivian.

But he also exuded youthful energy, which made Lawrence blush.

"Master, this..."

"Don't worry, I will take care of their food and clothing. You don't need to worry about it."

Rod said generously.

"You've misunderstood, sir, that's not what I meant..."

"As long as you don't like men, it's fine."

Rhodes looked at Lawrence warily.

“Of course not, sir!” Lawrence hurriedly explained.

"That's no problem."

Rhodes advised, "Leave some traces for your family."

"Yes, sir."

Lawrence responded with his head down.

Just then, Leah knocked on the door and came in. "Sir, your lunch is ready."

"Then bring them all out while they're hot," Rod ordered.

"Yes."

Lia hurried out to deliver the message, and soon she came up with her maid carrying four wooden trays, which she placed on the table.

"Master, this is..."

Lawrence looked at the crescent-shaped, bulging white flour food on the table and asked.

"dumpling,"

Rhodes gave it his new name, which was related to the North: "Or you can call it Snowbag."

"It's a pity we don't have glutinous rice, otherwise we could let you try some glutinous rice balls."

Both of these foods were things Rhode often ate during winter festivals in his previous life, and he liked them very much.

The Winter Veil festival in the Northern Wastes is a tradition of eating cured meat and stew of three animals, which Rhodes doesn't like.

He missed the festive foods of the past and personally taught his servants how to make dumplings.

"This is venison filling, mushroom filling, and wild leek filling."

Rod smiled and introduced them one by one.

"Come on, have a taste."

"Yes, sir."

Lawrence and Durant immediately scooped up the dumplings with spoons and put them in their mouths.

Because it was so hot, Lawrence started making slurping noises, while Durant took two bites and swallowed them.

"Mmm, it's so smooth and soft!"

Durant nodded and praised, "It tastes completely different from a pie, but it feels like it's missing something..."

"this."

Rod broke off a clove of garlic and placed it in front of everyone.

Durant and Lawrence were puzzled, but they still followed Rod's advice, broke off a clove of garlic, and ate a bite of garlic after finishing their dumplings.

"Ok!"

Durant's eyes lit up, "This tastes different again!"

"Just eat it."

Rod smiled, wanting to say that the taste would be even more different if there was vinegar.

But they wouldn't understand even if I told them they hadn't tasted it.

Rod waved for Vivian to sit down, then picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

The four began to eat quietly.

Just as they were halfway through their meal, a guard suddenly came in to report.

"My lord, new news has arrived from the north."

(End of this chapter)