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

Chapter 279 The Tulip Earl's Thoughts

……

……

"Sir, this is all true."

The chief knight of the Tulip family, Harris, reported earnestly: "If I may be so bold, there is no need for anyone accompanied by two young dragons to impersonate Lord Rhodes."

"What you said is illogical."

"That's impossible!"

Count Tulip firmly rejected the knight's words.

“Harris, you must understand that he went to the wasteland a year ago with only the 150 gold coins I gave him.”

"Tell me, how is he supposed to do all this?"

"This one……"

Chief Knight Harris fell silent, thoughtfully rubbing his chin.

"Perhaps they obtained some legendary inheritance from ancient times and mastered powerful abilities?"

"Harris!"

Count Tulip glared at his chief knight. "I told you, don't let the plots in wizarding fantasy novels influence your judgment in reality!"

"Otherwise, I will forbid you from reading those fantasy novels!"

"Very well, sir."

Harris shrugged helplessly. "But just because I can't imagine a reason doesn't mean it won't happen."

Harris pointed to the letter and said, "It's very detailed, and it tells the story of how Miss Avril met Lord Rhodes, got to know him, and fell in love. That's why she helped the Red Griffin family."

"I think it's perfectly reasonable."

"That's impossible..."

Count Tulip paced aimlessly back and forth, and said to Harris,

"I know my son, absolutely not!"

The count muttered to himself, his voice still filled with shock and disbelief.
"How could someone who was just a trainee knight a year ago possibly kill Susanna, who possesses demonic heritage?"

"These stories sound even more ridiculous than the tales sung by bards!"

Count Tulip spoke firmly, but seeing Harris's expression as if he wanted to refute him, he spoke again.

“There’s no point in arguing like this, Harris.”

Count Tulip asked, "Did you have them send back a portrait?"

"What a coincidence, sir."

Harris smiled knowingly. "I knew you wouldn't believe that I'd already had someone draw a portrait of you beforehand."

"I believe it will be sent back soon."

dong dong dong.

A low knock interrupted Harris.

"My Lord, there's new news from Red Griffin Castle," the guard reported.

"What a coincidence!"

The smile on Harris's face flashed by, replaced by a cold, stern expression, before he turned and opened the door.

The guard quickly bowed respectfully and presented a fine leather tube with both hands.

"Lord Harris, this is what was sent from the front."

"Okay, you can go now."

Harris picked up the leather tube and closed the door expressionlessly.

His facial expression relaxed again.

"Sir, the time has come to witness a miracle."

Harris smiled and placed the leather tube on the table. "I'd bet half a year's salary that this Lord Rhodes is the young master."

Count Tulip glanced at his chief knight, then turned to look at the leather tube.

After a moment of silence, he waved his hand, "You drive."

"As you command, my Count."

Harris picked up the leather tube, opened the lid, pulled out the scroll, and slowly unfurled it.

The portrait depicts a young blond man with a handsome face and a faint smile. He is dressed in a formal suit and has an ornamented short sword at his waist.

The man was holding a silver cup, as if he were talking to someone.

"hey-hey."

Harris smiled and turned the portrait around, showing it to the Earl of Tulip.
"Sir, I won."

Count Tulip looked at the portrait without speaking, only slightly frowning.

Harris asked curiously, "Your son has such abilities, why do you seem unhappy?"

"I never expected this. I thought I had seen through him."

Count Tulip spoke slowly,
"He worked diligently here without ever doing anything outstanding. The only thing that set him apart from others was his love of reading."

“Even though he took the initiative to step forward and bear the bloody decree, I thought he was just like an ordinary person who was tempted by gold coins.”

"Looking back now, I seem to have underestimated him."

"So, are you happy now, or...?" Harris couldn't help but ask.

"No one dislikes their child becoming strong, even if he is an illegitimate child."

Count Tulip glared at Harris. "It's just that all of this is too unexpected."

"The western battlefield is already seeing undead legions straight out of fantasy novels, so what's so strange about that?"

Harris shrugged indifferently, bent down, and asked in a low voice with a curious smile:
"Judging from Earl Red Griffin's attitude, he seems to value Lord Rhodes very much, even more than young master Vincent. Perhaps you should consider..."

"Harris, your joke has gone too far!"

Count Tulip slammed his hand on the table!

"I'm sorry, sir, I was wrong!"

Harris stopped smiling, immediately stood up straight, and sincerely bowed his head to admit his mistake, "Please punish me!"

Count Tulip frowned, glaring angrily at Harris.

His chief knight was among the best of all knights in swordsmanship, horsemanship, wisdom, and command ability.

But Harris has a quirky way of thinking and likes to make offensive jokes.

Especially when he's with his lord.

"I'll deduct one month's salary from your paycheck."

Count Tulip said irritably, "Remember, I don't want to hear that again."

"Yes, sir."

Harris responded solemnly.

Count Tulip did not delve into the matter. He leaned back in his chair, looking at the portrait on the table, and frowned in thought.

"Have our people exaggerate these messages tenfold and spread them out, the more outrageous the better."

After a long silence, Count Tulip suddenly ordered, "It's best to exaggerate it to the point that even fantasy novels wouldn't write it like that, so that everyone who hears it will think it's nonsense."

"Okay, sir."

Harris nodded, then his eyes lit up. "You're using this method to protect Lord Rhodes?"

"That child is likely to be envied by others because he can deal with spellcasters who have inherited demonic power."

Count Tulip said leisurely, "It is said that dragon blood is a precious material that can prolong human life. If our Emperor were to find out about this, it would not be a good thing."

Harris nodded. "So you're using even more outrageous rumors to make people disbelieve Lord Rhodes' deeds, thereby covering up the truth?"

"You think you're so smart."

Count Tulip muttered a disdainful curse under his breath, then continued, "And then we'll fabricate another very realistic rumor."

"For example, the dragon's breath is just oil, and the whole thing was orchestrated by Earl Red Griffin."

"The Red Griffin Earl had been disguising himself as a boar to lower Susanna's guard before killing her with a spell scroll."

"This is why Count Red Griffin was able to move around freely after Susanna's death."

"You are truly wise, sir!"

Harris exclaimed in surprise, "When all the exaggerated rumors are circulating everywhere, what you say next is sure to be more convincing!"

"It's really a headache that I have to think about these things for him at my age!"

Count Tulip leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his forehead in pain.

"That child has such great strength, and he was able to heal the Red Griffin Earl, yet he didn't even bother to give me a gift on my birthday. He really has no manners."

"Well... forgive my bluntness, sir, but he probably doesn't even know when you were born."

Harris said in a low voice, "After all, you never invited Lord Rhodes."

"you……"

Count Tulip opened his mouth to refute, but in the end he only sighed.

Harris's statement is untenable.

Even if Rhodes hadn't been invited, news of the Earl of Tulip's first birthday would still have spread throughout the castle during the banquet.

However, the Earl of Tulip could not deny that he had indeed never paid any attention to his son, Rhodes, in the past decade or so.

“The past is the past, but I’m not going to let him off the hook this year.”

Count Tulip waved his hand dismissively and gave the order as impatiently as if shooing away flies.

"Alright, don't waste time, get on with the arrangements."

"Yes, sir."

Harris responded respectfully and immediately turned and left.

"Wait a moment."

Just as Harris was about to open the door, he was suddenly stopped by Earl Tulip.

“Sir, is there anything else you need?” Harris asked, turning around.

"How many wizarding fantasy novels do you still have?"

Count Tulip said leisurely, "Bring it to me later, I'd like to see it too."

……

……

Black Pine Ridge, Frosty Leaf Town.

Towering walls stood tall, and heavy gates opened wide, welcoming its returning owner. However, its owner did not enter through the gates, but instead stepped directly into its heart.

The basic structure of Winterfell Manor has been completed. Avril stood on the steps at the entrance, wearing a light blue dress, the sunlight shining on her golden hair.

A sweet smile graced her face, her eyes sparkling as she watched the figure descend from the sky.

As soon as the two baby dragons folded their wings and landed, Avril ran quickly down the steps and threw herself into the arms of the man who was getting off the dragons' backs.

"Honey!"

Avril buried her head in Rod's arms, quietly expressing her longing.

Lawrence, Durant, and Ryan were also there to greet them, but no one said anything; they all waited quietly.

After a long while, Rod helped Avril up and leaned down to kiss her lightly.

Rod smiled. "Alright, let's hug a little longer before it gets dark."

"You've worked hard, darling."

Avril took Rod's arm. "Thank you for curing my father."

"It is my responsibility."

Rhodes pulled his arm out and put it around Avril's slender waist, whispering in her ear, "Besides, only when the Earl recovers from his illness can someone help manage that vast territory."

Avril nodded vigorously in agreement, and the two turned around and walked into the manor together.

"Welcome home."

Lawrence, Durant, and others bowed in greeting.

Rod waved his hand and said with a smile, "You've all worked hard these past few days."

"It is our honor to serve you," everyone said in unison.

Rhodes nodded. "Let's go inside and talk."

"Please."

The crowd made way and followed Rhodes into the lord's hall.

After Rhodes sat down, he gestured for the others to sit down and instructed, "Report on the situation in the territory first."

"Lawrence, is there anything I should be careful about during this period?"

"Everything is normal within the territory, sir."

Lawrence opened the notebook in his hand and cleared his throat.

"Many of the vegetables planted in late spring have already matured, and manpower has been arranged to be ready for harvesting at any time."

“The storage cellars are not enough, so I have asked Sherry to lead people to build new ones.”

"The two mines east of Black Pine Ridge have started operations one after another, and I have assigned another two hundred slaves to them..."

……

Lawrence reported on the affairs of the territory one by one, including farming and animal husbandry, town construction, people's lives, and the territory's resources.

Lawrence essentially gave an overview report on all departments except the military, while other important matters were reported separately by other supervisors.

Rod listened intently with his head down, showing no impatience whatsoever.

"There's only bad news,"

Lawrence sighed. "Prices in the border town have tripled, especially for things we lack, like spices, fabrics, and southern herbs."

"Yes, Biancheng has made his move."

Rhodes nodded. "How's our road to the west going?"

As he spoke, Rod looked at Sherry in the corner.

"My lord, the trade route across the Black Rock Mountains has been initially completed!"

Sherry stood up and reported loudly, "The Rock Ridge has cleared all the obstacles, and the hunting party has also cleared out the wild animals around it."

"The slave caravan is currently leveling some of the road surface, and once the stones are laid, it will be passable."

"Well done."

This news made Rod nod in satisfaction.
"First, let the caravans pass through and open up the road to Longwinter Town and Frost Town, and then let the slaves slowly build the cement road."

"Yes, Lord Lord."

Xue Rui responded respectfully, bowed, and sat down.

At this moment, Renn stood up and reported, "My lord, during the process of clearing the way, the hunting party discovered some traces of magical beasts, and their locations have been marked."

“Traces of magical beasts have also been discovered in the Blade's Edge Mountains to the east. We can take action at any time if you give the order.”

"By the way, White Wolf sent word that the two Earth Spirit Rabbits have basically recovered from their injuries and their strength has also been restored."

"Well, I see."

Rhodes nodded slightly and instructed, "We can capture magical beasts, but try to capture them alive. Luna will arrange paralysis potions for you if needed."

The training of Tier 3 or higher magical beasts for the entry "[Warcraft Grandmaster]" has been completed. The next step is to meet the conditions for the establishment of a magical beast army and the sowing of the Seed of Nature.

Compared to entries like "The Path to Royal Power," this seems easier to achieve.

"Yes, my lord, I will make the arrangements in a moment," Renn replied respectfully.

After giving his instructions, Rhodes waved for Ryan to sit down, then looked at Lawrence.

"By the way, give all the seafood as rewards to the soldiers, craftsmen, and slaves who have performed well these days."

"The cafeteria will also serve seafood as an extra meal, so that they can consume it all as soon as possible."

"what?"

Lawrence looked at Rhodes in surprise, and said with some heartache, "Sir, are we not going to sell it?"

Everyone was quite surprised and looked at Rhodes, waiting for his reply.

"We'll sell them again after this one."

Rod smiled and said, "Believe me, this is a very important matter."

The "Tide-Born Body" attribute will be unlocked soon, and the shipbuilding craftsmen and slaves have been prepared for a long time. We can't be stingy now.

"Very well, sir."

Lawrence sighed reluctantly, "It's up to you."

"Alright, don't worry about temporary gains or losses."

Rhodes patted Lawrence's chubby shoulder. "Hurry up and make the arrangements. There's still a lot to do."

"Yes, sir."

Lawrence stood up, bowed respectfully, and then withdrew to make the arrangements.

The others also got up and left one after another.

Soon, only Durant remained in the Lord's Hall.

“My Lord, not only have prices risen in the border town, but they have also set up many checkpoints around the area, even on difficult mountain roads.”

Durant reported earnestly, "They're obviously targeting us."

"This Lady Rose is quite capable of commanding a considerable amount of power."

Rod tapped the table lightly. "Since she wants to play, let's play along."

"Although the empire does not allow civil war now, it should be fine to suppress bandits."

"what do you mean……"

Durant looked at Rod with curiosity.

“Form a fully armed caravan and wander around the border towns and mountains whenever you have free time.”

Rod said calmly, "If anyone causes trouble, we'll deal with them under the pretext of eliminating bandits."

"We have no intention of targeting any lord; we are only here to wipe out the bandits. We don't need to worry about anything else."

“If it was Marquis Hanren who ordered our caravan to be prohibited from passing, then they started the fight first.”

Rod smiled and said, "If a fight breaks out, it won't be our responsibility."

After listening to Rod's words, Durant nodded thoughtfully.

There are no clear boundaries in matters between nobles, as long as they don't arrogantly defy the imperial orders.

Although Rhodes's arrangement was somewhat far-fetched, it did have some merit.

The northern wilderness was already short of supplies, and the border town blocked trade routes while prices were skyrocketing, which was tantamount to openly provoking war.

—This is the true order to trample on the empire.

Based on this, Rhodes' counterattack will inevitably gain the understanding and sympathy of many nobles.

"However, this is not the most important thing right now."

Rod changed the subject and instructed, "The most important thing now is for you to organize a team to be ready to enter the Falcon family's territory at any time and to meet our caravan."

"what?"

Durant was somewhat surprised. "The Falcon family's territory... Under what name do we operate?"

"The Red Griffin Family, Miss Avril's personal guard, to assist caravans under the protection of the Red Griffin Family."

Rhodes then waved to Vivian.

Vivian stepped forward and placed the neatly folded gold flag in front of Durant.

A red griffin was prominently embroidered on it.

"We'll use this flag then, if the other side dares to obstruct us."

Rhodes smiled broadly. "The Red Griffin family doesn't mind having another piece of land in the North."

Durant looked at his lord's confident expression and couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

Looking down at the red griffin flag again, he suddenly realized something.

The Baron would not normally say such a thing unless his strength has increased significantly.

And now the answer is self-evident.

Durant didn't say much, just nodded vigorously in response.
"Yes, Your Excellency, I know what to do."

After saying that, Durant put away the flag, stood up, and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll go and make arrangements."

Rhodes nodded. "Okay, I'll read through all the reports first. I'll give you more instructions if needed."

Durant bowed and turned to leave.

After everyone left, Rhodes didn't rush to look at the department reports. Instead, he took out everything he had obtained from the Red Griffin's treasure vault.

However, when he was about to share it with Avril, she first took out a small, thick-walled bowl about the size of a palm.

"Ok?"

Rhodes stared at the small bowl engraved with runes and exclaimed in surprise:
"The magic catalytic crucible is finished?"

(End of this chapter)