Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 243 Winter is Coming
Louis woke up from his dream, his eyelids not yet fully open, when he first sensed the warm touch beside him.

It's soft, warm, and has a subtle fragrance, mixed with the faint scent of pine wood under the sunlight.

He blinked, slowly turned his head, and saw a familiar strand of long blue hair quietly spread out on the pillow, the slightly disheveled strands rising and falling gently with his breath.

Emily remained motionless in his arms, not even twitching her eyebrows.

Louis blinked silently and sighed helplessly, "Sigh, it's been tough working on this baby-making project."

I vented a little, but business comes first.

He carefully sat up from beside Emily, being careful not to disturb her.

The pale morning light streamed in through the window, and even with the geothermal heating, a cold and austere atmosphere still permeated the air.

Winter has truly arrived, and it's going to be tough, several times tougher than last year.

He grabbed his gloves and robe from the bedside and put them on. When he walked to the brazier, he exhaled a puff of white smoke.

"Let's see how my luck is today." He gently extended his right hand and waved it slightly in the air.

A semi-transparent blue-white light interface then appeared and hovered in front of him, with text rapidly arranging itself on the screen.

[Daily intelligence update complete]

[1: Yesterday's meeting on the Dragon Throne decided to establish the Northern Reconstruction Administration, creating a reconstruction system for the North led by Duke Edmund and overseen by the Imperial Capital.]

[2: The Emperor's sixth son, Asta Augustus, will be the first to venture into the North, setting an example for reconstruction.]

[3: Lava moss, dark red in color, exists at the edges of thermal fissures in the red tide territory. It releases high temperatures and produces little smoke when burned, and can be used for heating.]

Louis stared at the first message, his eyes narrowing slightly before a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"It worked as expected."

His mind flashed back to the letters he had exchanged with his father a few days earlier.

The letter was written in a restrained tone, yet it subtly hinted at the possible outcome of the Dragon Throne Conference.

It seems that everything has now settled down.

The Duke of Edmund's position was preserved.

This was a very significant event for Louis.

The resources and power center in the North were not completely taken over by the capital, but were instead distributed within a system dominated by local nobles.

He is one of the vassals in the North with the largest territory, the largest population, and the strongest military, and thus possesses considerable resources and power.

"Now that the stage is set, I should put on a good performance," he muttered to himself.

Then he shifted his gaze to the second one, somewhat shocked.

The Emperor's sixth son, Asta Augustus, will be the first to venture into the North.

He had very little impression of this sixth prince.

This prince, named Asta Auguste, rarely made high-profile appearances and had no distinguished achievements.

"The emperor sent him north first... Could there be some other purpose behind it? Is it to set an example? Or to exile him? Is it a strategic move to test him, or to hone his skills?"

Louis tapped his fingers lightly, not rushing to a conclusion.

A prince who is sent to the northern border cannot be just a figurehead.

Even if it doesn't represent the main imperial faction, it must have its own purpose, but it might just be an anchor set up by the emperor to restrain other nobles' "vanguard".

He paused for a moment, then chuckled softly to himself, "No matter what the answer is... I still have to deal with him."

However, there's no need to be too anxious; you can just deal with him based on his personality.

He then looked at the third one.

Lava moss.

According to intelligence reports, this is a rare geothermal vegetation that grows on high-temperature fissures. It has high combustion efficiency, is extremely difficult to extinguish, and produces almost no smoke, making it ideal for heating and cooking in bunkers and shelters.

Louis's eyes lit up slightly: "This is a pretty good resource."

A few days ago, Bradley reported a shortage of fuel for winter use and insufficient coal reserves.

However, the fire-backed tortoise cannot maintain the normal operation of all the houses.

Red Tide Territory is fortunate to have natural geothermal energy, but other territories surrounding it suffer from a lack of such energy.

"So it was right next to the geothermal fissure... It's really a case of being blind to one's own strength. Let's send someone to retrieve it later."

Louis shut down the intelligence system, took a deep breath, put on his robe, and walked to the window, opening a crack to let in some fresh air.

The chill outside the window remained biting, and white snow covered the rooftops of Red Tide City.

Then he sat back on the edge of the bed, closed his eyes, and began his daily practice.

First comes the Tidal Breathing Technique, which mobilizes battle qi to circulate orderly within the body, rising and falling like the tides, allowing the body to be filled with power again with each breath.

Then it transitions to the Primal Meditation Technique, allowing the magic to sink deep into the consciousness, operating steadily and regularly, constructing clear layers of spell paths in the mind.

Two hours later, he slowly opened his eyes.

The sky outside the window was getting a little brighter.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and after completing his cultivation, his mind was clearer than when he had just woken up.

A slight noise came from the other side of the bed, and Emily woke up.

He glanced to the side and saw Emily gently sitting up, her silver-blue hair falling over her shoulders, still sleepy and somewhat languid.

But she moved quickly; just a few breaths later, she sat up, tidied her hair, and got out of bed.

"You woke up really early." She rubbed her eyes, her voice still a little hoarse, but her eyes were clear.

“I’m used to it.” Louis said calmly, standing up and picking up his robe from the side to put it on.

Emily walked to the vanity mirror, sat down, and began to fix her makeup for the day.

Her practiced movements and her still-delicate face, even without makeup, showed that she was already used to this kind of lifestyle.

As she drew her eyebrows, she said, "Today's itinerary has been planned. The month after we set the winter strategy is over, it's time to go out and see if these arrangements have really been implemented."

She glanced at him sideways, her tone lighter: "And while we're at it, shouldn't we let the people see if you, the lord, are still alive?"

Louis smiled slightly, put on his outer robe, buttoned up the collar, and adjusted the buckles on his cuffs.

"very good."

He walked to the window and pushed open the heavy wooden window.

A cold wind was blowing outside, but the sunlight shone through the clouds, illuminating the melting snow on the ground in the distance of Red Tide City and the slowly rising smoke from the chimneys.

After a quick wash, Emily and Louis left the room together. They walked through the corridor and arrived at the small dining room in the side hall of the main building of Red Tide City.

Breakfast was already prepared.

There were no silver platters or jade ornaments, nor exquisite spices or candied fruits. Instead, there were a few slices of rye bread, a pot of hot coarse grain porridge, a small dish of pickled bear meat slices, and some root vegetable stew.

Compared to the grandeur of the former aristocratic mansions, the breakfast before us seemed almost "shabby".

Emily glanced at Louise beside her, said nothing, and silently sat down, taking the wooden bowl offered by the servant.

"The taste really isn't great," Louis said casually, taking a bite of bread, then shrugged. "But we can't afford to be too extravagant right now."

Emily chuckled softly: "Leading by example, is that it?"

Louis didn't reply, but simply scooped up a mouthful of porridge and chewed it slowly, as if he were eating not food, but a heavy responsibility.

He silently thought to himself: What a good lord.

As he said it, he found it somewhat amusing.

In this time of approaching winter and scarce resources, every simple meal is a signal to others. Even the lord eats like this, so you naturally cannot complain.

After breakfast, Louise and Emily changed into light armor and thick cloaks.

The cloak was covered with a thick layer of animal hide, which provided both warmth and flexibility.

Emily wore gloves, her hair was tied up, with only a few strands of blue hair hanging down her neck, making her look neat and capable.

The Royal Guard had been waiting for a long time at the entrance of the main building.

"Set off."

As soon as Louis finished speaking, everyone lined up in response.

Iron boots clattered through the snow, armor plates rustled softly, and a dozen or so well-dressed personal guards followed in formation, clearing the way for their lord as he patrolled the streets.

The most eye-catching of them all was the young man, Weil, riding a horse on the left front side, with a straight posture and full of energy.

He wore a slightly oversized helmet, and the light armor beneath his cloak gleamed in the sunlight. His eyes and brows revealed an undisguised excitement and pride.

For him, traveling with Lord Louis was the highest honor.

He would occasionally glance at Louis, his eyes filled with the barely suppressed reverence and excitement of a small beagle with its tail tucked in.

"You're walking around looking pretty smug." Louis glanced at him, then suddenly became interested. "Tell me, what stage of cultivation are you at now?"

Will immediately turned his head, scratched the back of his head like a student whose name had been called, and gave an embarrassed smile: "I broke through two months ago and am now a mid-level elite knight, sir!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the guards fell silent.

Even Emily raised an eyebrow slightly and couldn't help but glance back at him.

"You're already a mid-level elite knight?" She rarely showed surprise. "You...you're only thirteen, aren't you?" Will puffed out his chest and quickly corrected himself, "I'm already fourteen, sir!"

"A fourteen-year-old mid-level elite knight..." Emily murmured, "There are probably only a handful in the entire empire."

Louis smiled slightly, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing: "He's been training since he was a trainee knight, and it's been less than two years."

Emily exclaimed in surprise, "That's simply genius among geniuses!"

Upon hearing this, Will straightened his back even more, and the blush on his face was almost impossible to conceal.

“It seems that in a few days, your level will surpass mine.” Louis said with a smile, his tone devoid of any jealousy, but rather like an elder brother encouraging his younger brother.

Upon hearing this, Will's face immediately fell, and he hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no, no, sir... then I'll cultivate a little slower, and catch up with you after you break through first."

This silly answer amused everyone, and a burst of laughter immediately filled the group.

"You silly boy," an older knight said with a smile and a shake of his head. "The reason we adults are respected is not because of our battle qi level."

“That’s right.” Louis nodded with a smile. “If you really want to repay me, don’t think about waiting for me. Becoming stronger as soon as possible is the greatest gift you can give me.”

Will paused for a moment, then nodded emphatically, the longing in his eyes becoming even more resolute.

He whispered, "I will, sir. I will not let you down."

The procession slowly trudged across the snow, which was thick and made a dull, compacting sound when they stepped on it.

The snow on both sides of the street had long since frozen over, but as soon as Louis appeared, the air seemed to soften and become less biting.

One by one, the residents of Red Tide City stopped what they were doing and came out of their wooden houses, stalls, street corners, and sheds, some standing still, some running, some kneeling, and some shouting.

"It's the lord! It's Lord Louis!"

Some people were so excited that they almost rushed forward, but were carefully stopped by the guards. They still knelt on the snow with their hands clasped together and tears in their eyes.

"My son survived his illness, and they say it was the doctor you transferred... Sir, I... I really don't know how to thank you..."

A woman, weeping, raised her coarse cloth scarf high in the air, as if to give up all that she had.

Louis frowned slightly, but did not flinch. He simply reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, pressing the scarf back down.

"Living well is the best reward for me," he said, his voice low but carrying great weight.

Emily walked beside him without much surprise; she had experienced these scenes several times before.

And as Louis's wife, she received the same respect.

She knew that the Red Tide people's respect for Louis was not based on noble lineage or rituals.

They don't worship nobles; they believe in Louis Calvin.

Emily looked at the old farmers, craftsmen, hunters, and children with gentle eyes.

Looking into their eyes as they gazed at Louis, there was no fear, only respect, reliance, and a sense of security that came from the heart.

“In their hearts, you are no longer just an aristocrat, but a kind of faith,” she said softly, without letting Louis hear her.

Will stood almost ramrod straight, as if worried he wasn't worthy to stand next to Louis. His eyes shone, but he couldn't help but grin.

Surrounded by the respectful gazes of the people along the way, Louis and his entourage arrived at their first destination for the day: a semi-underground communal housing construction site located outside a residential area.

This area used to be a forest, but it has now been leveled and neatly arranged.

Rows of new house foundations are scattered in a staggered manner, with mud walls and wooden beams taking shape, like new life growing out of the snow.

These semi-basement houses are very practical in their construction.

About one-third of them are submerged in the permafrost, cleverly utilizing the ground temperature for insulation.

The frame was supported by round logs, and the walls were made of interwoven willow branches, then repeatedly coated and compacted with a mixture of grass and mud. The final windproof cloth had not yet been added, but it was already clear that this was a good dwelling that could withstand the harsh winter.

“We originally planned to build forty pilot buildings first.” Mike, wearing a cloak, stood by a shed, holding blueprints and giving Louis a brief report, his eyes full of enthusiasm. “Now, in less than a month, we’ve already completed half of the project.”

Not far away, beside a steaming boiler, dozens of craftsmen and locals were working in an orderly fashion: sawing wood, transporting mud, weaving willow branches, and applying paint. Everything was done in an efficient manner.

On the construction site, people are divided into groups of twenty, led by experienced craftsmen, which not only ensures high efficiency but also good order.

This was precisely the "work-for-work" policy promoted by Louis: the homeless could stay, the strong could work, and those who were willing to sweat could exchange for food and shelter.

“No one is worried about being kicked out anymore,” Mike said firmly. “Sir, that’s more powerful than any speech.”

Upon hearing that the lord had arrived in person, the entire construction site felt as if a pot of hot water had been poured over it, and everyone worked with even more energy.

"Quickly, collect that pile of ashes from the roof!"

"Lend me a hoe, if the adults see we're not working fast enough..."

The workers, though covered in sweat, wore smiles, as if they had never been so energetic before.

Louis looked around, nodded, and suddenly walked to a pit where the foundation was still being dug. Without saying much, he simply took a shovel, rolled up his sleeves, bent down, and dug into the frozen soil.

"...Ah? Sir, please...please don't...!"

Mike was startled and quickly tried to stop her, but Emily stopped him with a faint smile: "Let him go."

Although it was just a formality, Louis's movements were not exaggerated.

He dug diligently, turning over the soil shovel by shovel, occasionally exchanging a few words with the young and strong men nearby.

Louis's act of personally digging the soil was like a spark that instantly ignited the atmosphere of the entire construction site.

The workers, who were originally a little tired, seemed to have been injected with new energy. Their voices became louder, and they swung their hoes more vigorously.

"We can't fall behind! The adults are already getting started!"

"Quickly, get this frame erected first. After we finish this building, we'll go help the one next door!"

"Hey! Give me another load of mud, and I can plaster two more walls here!"

As they worked, someone laughed and shouted, "Once this house is finished, I'll be the first to move in! I'll definitely tell my children that this is a house I built myself, a house that Lord Louis helped dig!"

Shouts, laughter, and the clanging of wood rose and fell, mingling with the smoke from cooking fires and the warmth in the cold wind, creating a long-lost sense of liveliness and energy.

One burly man even started humming a Northern folk song at the top of his lungs, and carried the wooden beam to the rhythm.

The children on the other side were also infected by the enthusiasm, helping the adults pass tools and arrange ropes, their faces flushed with excitement.

And so, Louis and the others stayed at the construction site and worked alongside them for about ten minutes.

Although it was just a symbolic gesture—shoveling a few shovelfuls of mud and helping to move a few wooden beams.

But the atmosphere had already been ignited, and the workers were working with great enthusiasm, even dispelling some of the cold wind with their energy.

"Let's leave it at that for now, or we'll really be left to build the roof." Louis stood up with a smile and waved to everyone.

"Thank you, sir! Take care, sir!"

"Come visit often!"

Everyone waved goodbye with smiles, their spirits soaring as if they had just won a battle.

Louise, Emily, and their guards turned and left, continuing on to the next checkpoint.

We passed a Fireback Turtle resupply point along the way.

It was an open space with several rows of metal rails. Several enormous fire-backed turtles lay quietly on the rails, their shells shimmering with faint crimson light, as if they might emit heat at any moment.

The knights carefully pushed the nearly fully charged individual into the carriage using a transport carriage with a cold iron frame, preparing to send it to the settlements around the Red Tide.

"This is... a fireback turtle." Emily's eyes flashed with a hint of novelty as she saw this creature up close for the first time.

She had certainly heard of them and knew that they were special resource organisms of the red tide.

It is said to be slow-moving and low-aggression, but it can store a large amount of heat energy, making it a combination of portable heating and boiler.

In the past, this system was not under her management, but rather Bradley was responsible for its specific allocation.

She stepped forward and gently touched the surface of the tortoise shell, which resembled a crust of magma.

"Madam, be careful, it's a little hot!" a knight quickly warned.

Emily quickly withdrew her hand, and indeed felt a wave of heat approaching, her fingertips turning slightly red.

“...It really is alive.” She whispered, her tone filled with surprise and admiration.

Louis stepped forward and explained, “They’re not fully activated, just at room temperature, but their body temperature is frighteningly high. Once loaded, each one can provide a week’s worth of heat.”

Emily nodded gently, then looked at the convoy of vehicles carrying Fireback Turtles as they set off, and couldn't help but ask, "Will this be enough to get everyone through the whole winter?"

Louis smiled slightly, but did not answer immediately.

He glanced at the geothermal area in the distance: "It's still not enough. Fireback turtles lay eggs slowly and have a long breeding cycle, so using them as the main source of heating is ultimately a drop in the ocean."

"What should we do then?" Emily looked at him, her eyes unconsciously revealing some worry.

“We’re already thinking of a solution,” Louis said with a smile as he turned around. “I sent a few knights to investigate the distribution of exotic plants in the lava fissures. Maybe there will be a new way to keep warm. Just wait a couple more days, and we should have some results in a couple of days.”

Emily paused for a moment, then smiled gently.

“You always have a way,” she said in a low voice, almost to herself, “you always find a way… to make life a little better for everyone.”

Louis did not respond, but simply watched the departing tortoise caravan for a while before turning around and gesturing for everyone to continue.

"Let's go, next location," he said calmly. "The pilot planting in the greenhouse should have yielded results by now."

The guards immediately followed, their steps swift and their posture impeccable.

(End of this chapter)