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

Chapter 288 Military Expansion
……

……

three days later.

The afternoon sun bathed the entire town of Frostleaf in a golden glow.

Thunder and Frost flapped their wings as they swept over the town, clearly showing the clean red brick roads and the busy crowds along the roadside.

Frostleaf Town was already used to the two dragons in its territory and was not surprised.

They simply stopped what they were doing, looked up at the sky, and bowed to Lord Rhodes.

This time, Rhodes had a very fruitful harvest, with six iron ore veins of varying sizes, three silver-lead mines, and two copper mines.

This does not include the mineral veins originally discovered in various locations.

If all mineral resources are considered together, the underground wealth of the Northern Wastes can only be described as incredibly rich.

However, most of these mineral veins are hidden deep in the mountains.

If it weren't for the ability to access the entries, coupled with the aerial search by the two giant dragons, Frost and Thunder, probably no one would have been able to discover these hidden treasures.

Developing these mineral veins can be quite difficult.

Mining itself isn't a problem; it can be solved with enough manpower and tools.

But transporting goods outwards would require the assistance of the rocky ridge—at least a mountain road would need to be built that would allow horse-drawn carriages to pass.

Before half a day had passed since Rhodes returned to Frostleaf Town, several supervisors, including Durant, Lawrence, and Hammer, arrived one after another to report on matters.

Rhodes didn't rest either, and called them all into the lord's hall.

Everyone bowed to Rhodes at the same time, expressing their welcome and respect for their lord's return.

Rhodes gestured for them to sit at the long table, and the fox woman poured hot tea for everyone.

The fragrance filled the room, giving the hall a touch of the leisurely atmosphere of aristocratic life.

As his territory continued to grow and expand, Rhodes consciously improved the living standards of himself and his subordinates.

Even if he doesn't particularly care about these material pleasures, he still needs to consider the needs and feelings of his followers.

After all, everyone follows Rhodes so that they can obtain a better life and a bright future.

"Your Excellency, how was your vacation?"

Durant spoke first, "He looks to be in very good spirits."

"An unprecedented feeling of ease and comfort."

A satisfied smile appeared on Rod's face.
"However, it would be more comfortable if we could travel with a chef and servants to serve us."

After saying that, Rhodes smiled and sighed, "It seems that I have also been corrupted by the extravagance of the nobility."

“You are a nobleman, you should enjoy these things.”

Durant said earnestly, "It's just that your life was too simple before."

"Then I will try my best to correct this bad habit in the future."

Rhodes made a joke, then abruptly changed the subject and got to the point.
"Alright, tell me what you need to report."

Rhodes looked at Til and Hammer.

Hamo then stood up and reported on the recent work at the blacksmith's shop.

The blacksmith's plans for forging armor and weapons are directly linked to Durant.

Rhodes only inquired about the details and didn't ask many questions.

Hammer knew what Rod wanted to hear, and after finishing his routine mission report, he quickly said...

"Your alchemical cauldron is complete, and the stirring rod is forged."

Hamo said cautiously, "Master Senda said he would personally explain the specific information to you, but he doesn't have time right now..."

Rod understood Hammer's situation.
"It's alright, let him come again when he has time."

Hammer can only manage ordinary blacksmiths; he can't manage forges with extraordinary abilities.

Hamo nodded in greeting and sat down again.

Till immediately stood up and reported the information about the farm.

The expansion of the farm and the slaughtering were also handled by Thiel and Lawrence; everything else is in the report.

Rhodes, on the other hand, is more interested in Warcraft.

"The monster taming grounds have been completed, as you instructed, in Frostwolf Forest."

Till reported, "For the time being, the beast tamer Seria will be in charge. She was a hunter before and has some experience in combat."

"Lord Wolfhoof is assisting on the other side, and I patrol there every week."

Do you have any other plans?

"No."

Rhodes instructed, "Do everything according to your current plan."

How many monsters are there?

“Excluding the mutated magic rabbit, there are ninety-six magical beasts in total,” Til replied.

The reason for excluding mutated magic rabbits is that they simply have no chance of being trained into an army.

Rhodes was somewhat surprised to hear the number. "So many?"

“We previously discovered a herd of mutated bison, and later found a group of mutated goats in the valley.”

"Including the ones you brought back, there are a total of ninety-six," Till reported.

"Ah."

Rhodes nodded, then asked, "Can those bison and goats be tamed?"

What Rhodes meant was that the mutated bison and goats should be able to understand commands.

"This one……"

Til was a little embarrassed. "Silia and the others are doing their best."

"Well, if it doesn't work, then forget it."

The lowest level of mutated monsters are too low in intelligence, and it's not worth wasting too much energy on them.

The key issue is that it may ultimately fail, and the sunk costs are too high.

"Yes, my lord."

Thiel nodded in relief.
"I will tell Silya and the others your orders, so that they can focus their energy more on other magical beasts."

"By the way, my lord."

A smile returned to Till's face: "Bammonk's bee farm is ready."

"I believe that it won't be long before you'll be able to enjoy fresh and delicious honey."

"Hopefully."

Rhodes didn't pay much attention.

If you want to ensure sustainable growth, you should leave plenty of honey in the hives in the first year so that the bees can survive the winter properly.

Unless Rhodes can create an exceptionally warm environment in the apiary without disturbing the bees' hibernation.

After Till finished his report, Otto reported on farming.

After Thiel finished his report, Otto, who was in charge of agriculture, then stood up to report on the agricultural situation.

"My lord, the weather has been quite good this year, with plenty of rain."

Otto's voice was filled with joy.

“The work in the fields isn’t too busy right now, so I’ve arranged for some of the farmers to go up the mountain to collect mushrooms and wild fruits.”

"In addition, as you previously instructed, there are some people cultivating saplings in the mountains and forests."

He went on to give a detailed report.

"The remaining farmers are mainly responsible for weeding and pest control in the fields, as well as replanting some vegetables after harvest."

"Ah."

Rhodes responded softly.

Farming is a bit easier this season, allowing for more focused attention and patrols.

It is worth mentioning that Rod had previously taught Auto a lot of traditional agricultural techniques and pest control methods.

For example, lime powder and wood ash can be sprinkled in the fields to control pests, or special straw piles can be made to attract and concentrate pests.

These are not difficult tasks. If Otto still can't arrange things properly, then Rod will have no choice but to whip him.

After Otto finished his report, all the basic daily tasks were completed.

The remaining details and specific data will be compiled into a detailed report by the three fox-woman assistants for Rhodes to review at his leisure.

After the heads of each department finished their reports, everyone in the hall bowed and left.

Durant and Lawrence stayed.

The two are responsible for the two most sensitive and important areas of military and finance, which involve many secrets and require in-depth, separate discussions.

"As you instructed before you set off, we captured a total of 583 prisoners at Eagle Ridge."

Durant, looking very serious, picked up a detailed roster from the table.

"These people have all been assigned to various mines for excavation work, but..."

Durant glanced at Lawrence and continued,
"However, after speaking with Lawrence, I realized that the various mines don't actually need that many workers right now, so I'd like to ask you how we should arrange these surplus personnel?"

“Select all the outstanding young men from the logging camps, quarries, and mines and incorporate them into the army’s reserve force.” Rhodes seemed to have anticipated this situation, and he answered without hesitation.

"Tell them that I am very satisfied with their work performance during this period."

"Therefore I decided to pardon their previous crimes and give them the opportunity to fight for me and make meritorious contributions."

Rhodes paused for a moment, then added,
"But we must be careful not to pardon everyone at once. We must carefully select from those who have been slaves for more than six months and have always performed well."

"We will continue to observe them after they begin training."

"And the jobs they vacated were filled by these newly captured prisoners."

"Understood, sir!"

Durant's eyes lit up instantly, and an excited look appeared on his face.

As the military commander of the territory, the expansion of the army was naturally his primary concern.

More troops mean greater combat power, which in turn means greater strength for the territory.

"My lord, how many men should we expand our army to this time?"

Durant couldn't help but press on, his voice filled with anticipation.

"This time..."

Rhodes was silent for a moment before speaking.

“Aside from the elite Winter Knights, the regular army should have at least a thousand men.”

"They are regular troops."

The total population of the territory has now exceeded eight thousand and continues to grow.

The territory is vast enough that there are plenty of wild animals to hunt in the wild.

The eastern coastline is also constantly expanding, with huge potential for future development, and it has no shortage of food resources.

Aside from lacking a deep family background, Rhodes felt that his own strength was no less than that of an ordinary earl.

The most important thing now is to continue developing the territory's various resources and then convert those resources into population.

Little by little, the snowball effect grows, making the entire territory stronger and stronger.

The military is the most important foundation for ensuring that all of this proceeds smoothly.

Especially with the Falcon Clan and the Cold Blade Clan eyeing them covetously.

"Excellent! An army of a thousand men!"

Durant was so excited he almost jumped out of his chair, but then, sensing something was amiss, he immediately became serious again.

"A thousand people? That many?"

Lawrence gasped in surprise upon hearing the number.

The regular army receives much better treatment than the reserves and militia!

Lawrence swallowed hard, as if he could see a large amount of gold coins flying out of the money bag.

The lord's orders were of course not to be disobeyed, so he could only sigh helplessly and mutter to himself.

"Looks like I'll be bleeding heavily every month from now on."

As for the others present, although they were somewhat surprised by the number, they were not overly surprised.

Even the fox-woman assistant, who was responsible for recording Rhodes's orders, only paused for a moment before continuing to bury herself in writing.

Rod ignored Lawrence's complaints and continued,

"In addition, infrastructure such as quarries, logging sites, and brick factories need to be expanded on a large scale."

"The construction of sentry posts at major transportation routes and border areas should also be put on the agenda one after another."

With the rapid increase in population, it is impossible for everyone to live in Frostleaf Town.

Frostleaf Town will eventually develop into Frostleaf City, but for now, some residents will need to move to the outskirts of the town.

Of course, if the enemy attacks, these scattered residents will have to retreat back to the town.

At the same time, a growing population means that more firewood will be needed for heating in winter.

These daily necessities need to be stockpiled and accumulated in advance.

"Yes, sir, I will arrange for someone to handle it immediately."

Lawrence suppressed his heartache and quickly nodded in agreement.

"By the way, there's one more thing."

Rhodes suddenly changed the subject.
"How are the three craftsmen who were previously assigned to oversee the shipbuilding doing now?"

The northern region lacked skilled craftsmen who could build ships, and with the recent surge in prices of goods in border towns, Rhodes stopped searching the surrounding area.

The three shipbuilding craftsmen were plundered by Rhodes from the territory of the Red Griffin family.

"They were already sent to the Blade's Edge Mountains."

Lawrence immediately reported, "The construction of the first ship should have already begun."

"Ah, very good."

Rhodes nodded in satisfaction and said nothing more.

Rhodes is not building ships for the purpose of grand voyages, but rather to enable them to have basic capabilities for coastal operations.

With these small boats, the territory's fishermen can fish in more distant waters.

Moreover, the roads along the coast are rugged, making it more convenient and faster to transport supplies using small boats.

Lawrence looked at Rhodes and asked cautiously, "If you have nothing else to do, I'll go back to my work now?"

"Well, let's go."

Rhodes waved his hand, not trying to keep Lawrence any longer.

Lawrence bowed, twisted his body, and quickly left with small, quick steps.

"Your Excellency, Gunther may need some support."

After Lawrence left, Durant suddenly spoke up.

"The Night Whisperers reported that there is an army marching in the town east of the Cold Blade family, but the exact number is unknown."

"The army at Falcon Ridge is also gathering; currently, two hundred men have been identified."

Durant was somewhat worried, "Gunner can't handle so many people."

"Yes, we can't take the risk."

Rod nodded thoughtfully.

One's own people cannot be arrested, otherwise there is a risk of being exposed.

"The Madrei team must continue to exist; there is still much we can do in the future."

Rhodes thought for a moment and then commanded, "However, we can't let them be comfortable either."

"You mean..." Durant asked curiously.

There is no specific plan at the moment.

Rhodes instructed Durant:
"Let Gunther behave for two days and hide his tracks so the Falcon family can't find him."

"Once their anti-bandit team has assembled, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine."

Rhodes thought that some guerrilla tactics could be used, but the feasibility of it still needed to be analyzed.

“Yes, Your Excellency,” Durant replied.

"By the way, how's the war in the West going?" Rhodes asked Durant.

"It's going very smoothly; the Empire's army is steadily recapturing lost territory."

Durant reported without hesitation: "The Western Conference doesn't seem to be putting up much resistance."

"Oh?"

Rhodes was somewhat surprised. "The war is going smoothly again? The undead army from before has disappeared?"

"No, it's said that the Dawn Society will step in to assist the Imperial Army."

Durant replied, "Those low-level undead are no match for witches and wizard apprentices."

"This is a good opportunity for the Dawn Society, but unfortunately, our good days are coming to an end."

Rhodes' smile faded, and his expression turned serious.
“The Marquis of Coldblade is likely to come after us when he returns, so we must expedite the military matters.”

"If there are enough qualified people, you can ignore the one thousand limit."

"Understood, Your Excellency!"

Durant nodded emphatically, then hesitated before speaking.
"I didn't finish what I was saying, sir. The Night Whispers Society has also sent back some rumors."

"Knights are going missing one after another on the southwestern front."

"But these were insignificant compared to the victories on the front lines, so the news was suppressed."

"I don't know if these things have anything to do with the undead legion..."

Durant had witnessed the powerful white dragon being resurrected by necromancy, so he was well aware of the terrifying nature of the undead.

"Ok, I know."

Rod nodded thoughtfully.
“I will study that necromancer’s journal with Avril and see if we can find any additional information.”

"But no matter what, we cannot neglect the development of our army, and we must be prepared to face those two great nobles at the same time."

(End of this chapter)