Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 259 Knights' Reform

Leaving Hillco's laboratory filled with bottles and jars, Louis put on his cloak and followed the stone path through the city gates to the knight training grounds outside Red Tide Territory.

What was originally just a simple training ground has now been expanded into several interconnected training camps.

The morning frost had not yet faded, and the air carried the scents of grass, wood, and steel. In the distance, the dull thuds of clashing battle qi could be heard.

Louis stood in the small pavilion on the hill, his gaze sweeping across the entire playground.

"drink--!"

A battle cry ripped through the air as dozens of trainee knights lined up for drills, their red battle aura faintly visible through the gaps in their armor, as intense as burning flames.

They are engaged in daily training exercises such as sprinting in formation, shield wall training, and aura trials.

The Crimson Tide Territory now boasts 1,283 knights.

Among them, there are 173 elite knights.

This number, even in the North, would be enough to make lords in other regions green with envy.

Moreover, the average age of the Crimson Tide Knights is a full cycle younger than that of regular noble knight orders, and they are full of fighting spirit and have improved their martial arts skills.

Most importantly, they are obedient, united, and loyal.

But for Louis, that was far from enough.

Given the current territorial expansion and border defense pressures, the actual combat force capable of covering all areas would need to be several times larger.

After all, this land won't give him a chance to breathe, which is why they need to keep recruiting.

Following the insect plague and snowstorm, a large number of lone riders were stranded in the North.

For this reason, the Red Tide Territory has been actively recruiting:

On the one hand, they actively recruited wandering knights who had been displaced by the insect plague. Many of them had lost their former masters and needed a new one to serve.

Louis's excellent reputation and the knight training system naturally made him the most attractive option.

On the other hand, he also established a special apprenticeship training system to select qualified local children and transform them into apprentice riders.

We will proactively cultivate new grassroots leaders through systematic training and resource allocation.

Some knights who originally came from other territories in the North and had no family yet began to secretly join the Red Tide Knights after learning that they enjoyed generous treatment and a well-established training system.

"Of course, their loyalty... may still need to be tested by time."

Louis was not unaware of this; in fact, he received daily intelligence reports about it.

But he never explicitly exposed the truth, nor did he order a forced repatriation.

He simply said, "Special times call for special measures."

Now is the window of opportunity for post-disaster reconstruction. The situation in the North is chaotic, and people's hearts are unsettled in various regions. More than empty talk of loyalty, the Red Tide needs knights who can carry out orders.

He also has enough skill and a daily intelligence system to ensure that these people "dare not betray" and are even willing to stay in the future.

"The lord of the Red Tide Territory is generous with resources and offers high welfare benefits..."

Such praise is now quietly spreading throughout the North, and new knights are constantly coming to join them.

As Louis walked down the steps of the training field, a familiar figure was already waiting there.

"Lambert." He smiled slightly and raised his hand in greeting.

He was a man with a cold and stern face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's, but when he saw Louis, he revealed a restrained and respectful smile.

He was Lambert, the guardian knight Louis had known since childhood.

He was Louis's personal bodyguard when Louis was young, and now he is the commander-in-chief of the Red Tide Knights Legion, a powerful figure who commands the entire army.

Although most of the time he still chose to stay by Louis's side, serving as his closest bodyguard and lieutenant.

But within the entire Red Tide Legion system, everyone knows that Lambert represents the prestige and ironclad rules of the "First Knight of the Red Tide".

In fact, the dozens of knights who first followed Louis to the North have now been entrusted with important tasks, guarding various key locations, such as training camps or intelligence agencies, each with their own responsibilities.

Their strength is no longer what it used to be.

With Louis's relentless investment of resources, breakthrough potions for fighting spirit, enhanced training systems, and upgraded equipment, almost everyone achieved a leap of two or more levels in their cultivation realm.

This is not only a leap forward for these knights, but also the fulfillment of a vow.

"I will share with you the glory brought by the sun."

This was the promise Louis made to the knights who followed him when he first arrived in the North.

And now he has done it.

It's not just about honors, but also about land, family status, training resources, opportunities for advancement, and even a broader stage.

They were once a group of poor wretches exiled to the North, but now each of them has become an indispensable backbone of the Red Tide system.

Louis and Lambert arrived at a pavilion near the west side of the training field.

Louis sat in a chair in the pavilion, an unfinished manual spread out in his hand.

Lambert remained standing upright; he did not sit down, but left a half-cold barley tea on the stone table.

In the distance, the sound of knights charging in formation on the training field could be heard from afar.

Louis glanced at the crowd and then spoke softly, “1283 people. It sounds like a lot at first glance. But Lambert, we all know that this number is already starting to strain our current territory.”

Lambert didn't rush to answer, but pondered for a moment as usual before replying in a low voice: "Especially since the main force is concentrated in Red Tide City."

Other territories are short-staffed, and if this continues... the gaps will widen further.

He paused, then added, "The knight system, with orders personally approved by the lord, is only suitable for small teams. We are no longer the old Red Tide with only a few dozen people."

Louis looked at the manual in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if he had finally heard those words.

The manual was slapped onto the stone table with a clatter, and a slender finger pressed down on one corner: "Therefore, the Crimson Tide Knights must be reformed. We must establish a complete legion system."

The main force remains stationed at Red Tide, maintaining the existing battle group structure.

He drew a circle on the paper and labeled it the main group of the Red Tide.

He then marked three points on the three sides of the page: "In addition, three sub-groups will be established in the east, north, and west, respectively stationed in Mailang and other new important territories. Each sub-group will have three to five hundred people, and the specific allocation will be flexible according to the size of the region."

“Finally, there’s the special task force.” He drew several intersecting arrow icons at the bottom of the page.

"They can be called special names like the Flame Breath Group or the Crimson Frost Group. They are composed of 30 to 50 elite knights and specialize in missions such as surprise attacks, scouts, and tactical experiments. More than three groups can be formed to supplement the elite combat force."

Lambert listened silently, his gaze fixed on the paper, without rushing to offer his opinion.

Lambert spoke slowly only after Louis finished speaking: "The idea of ​​the special task force... has a clear division of responsibilities, which is good. However, I suggest that this type of combat group should not be assigned to a local division."

Louis smiled, as if waiting for him to say those words. He flicked his finger and drew a line on the paper: "Then I will personally manage it."

Louis didn't stop writing; his fingertip traced another line on the parchment, and he continued in a calm tone: "Next, we will establish a Red Tide War Merit Ranking."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the array of knights still training outside the pavilion, his expression as steady as a mountain.

"They need to know that every battle, every drop of blood and sweat, must be rewarded with something."

He tapped his knuckles on the stone table, calmly listing the items: "Battle merits are linked to the number of enemies wounded, coordination rate, and mission completion rate. It's not about who shouts the loudest, it's about who actually draws the sword."

To get promoted, you need to achieve a certain number of merits and pass the assessment. The truly tough ones won't be overlooked.

Those with high combat merits and seniority can participate in a 'joint military-political review' once a quarter, where they can propose motions and supervise the process.

As he spoke, his tone suddenly lowered, yet became increasingly forceful: "No longer just about obeying orders and charging forward, but about being able to propose solutions and set goals. Even a knight should have his own judgment."

Those who ultimately achieve strategic merit can be granted the title of "garrison commander," becoming independent garrison leaders and enjoying quasi-noble status.

The pavilion was completely silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Lambert raised an eyebrow, looking at the draft with a complicated expression: "This system... will make many people envious. But it will also... drive people to fight desperately."

“That’s exactly right.” Louis looked at him and smiled faintly. “If a system can’t motivate people to improve, then it’s better not to have one at all.”

The recorder, who had been writing furiously in sync with Louis's speech, finally paused for a moment, his fingers trembled slightly, and his pen left an extra ink mark on the parchment.

He glanced up at Louis, who remained calm and spoke in a measured tone.

It was as if the incentive policies that had just been proposed, which were enough to make any knightly order's blood boil, were nothing more than ordinary weather forecasts.

"...However, I haven't finished yet."

Louis's tone suddenly softened, and he tapped his fingertips lightly on another column of the manuscript.

"Battle merits can be used for promotions and also to exchange for resources."

He held up three fingers, his tone calm yet tinged with ambition: "First, an advancement potion, used for breaking through qi bottlenecks and repairing qi meridians. Second, exclusive weaponry; I will have the blacksmith team specially craft iconic weapons and armor, customizing glory for true heroes."

Third, the land deed—not a temporary encampment deed, but a privately owned deed for military settlements. Once it's fortified, it can be retained.

As he said this, he looked up at the sky, his eyes burning with a fierce light.

"I don't want the relationship with the knights to be just a regular contractual one. I want the knights to truly have a sense of belonging, hope, and a legacy to carry on."

Even Lambert finally couldn't help but speak up, as if muttering to himself, "...Red Tide will become a holy land for knights sooner or later."

Louis seemed not to hear, and then added the next point:
“Besides the incentive of combat merit points, we can’t neglect our living conditions…” He flipped to the next page, his tone returning to its usual calm, “Write down this part.”

He looked at the recorder, who immediately stood at attention, picked up his pen again, and copied down the words Louis had written on the sketch:
Residence rights: Official knights and above can apply to live in the "Red Tide Barracks". It has everything: a private meditation room, a bathroom, hot water... It's not a military camp, it's home.

Food support: Three basic rations per day plus high-calorie monster meat, with additional battle-ready meals to boost and restore combat power during battles.

Medical system: Free treatment for injuries, post-battle physiotherapy, and Qi regulation after breakthroughs, all integrated and cost-free.

Family Policy: Families of those with outstanding achievements may relocate to the Red Tide Special Zone and enjoy priority access to compulsory education, primary school places, and shops in their territory.

Veterans resettlement: Those who were not killed or wounded in combat can apply to be transferred to positions such as "instructor", "agricultural defense chief" or "canal protection officer" to ensure that they are not abandoned or forgotten.

……

A gentle breeze blew in from outside the pavilion, carrying the sounds of swords clashing across the training ground beside the corridor.

Lambert took a deep breath and chuckled softly: "...These things have always existed in the Red Tide, but they've always been unspoken rules."

"Now we're going to write it into the Knight's Code?" The recorder swallowed hard.

“That’s right.” Louis said firmly. “Before, I gave it to them; now it’s a written system.”

"From now on, this list of benefits will serve as the Red Tide Army's recruitment order. Active knights will feel more at ease when they see it, and knights from outlying territories will be tempted when they see it."

Louis put away the manuscript and smiled slightly. "Lambert, the Red Tide Territory no longer relies on slogans or sentiments."

The Red Tide regime uses systems to cultivate its people, honors to secure their loyalty, and benefits to satiate their devotion.

Lambert watched as Louis eloquently explained the plan, but an indescribable emotion welled up inside him.

He remembered that boy who used to secretly imitate the movements at the swordplay arena, and who would get up on his own after falling down, gritting his teeth and not making a sound.

Now this child can draft military systems, decentralization, incentives, and rewards word by word, and speaks of the Thousand Knights Order with ease, surpassing even the generals of the capital.

He said he wanted his followers to share in the glory, and now those knights who were among the first to follow him have all been promoted, acquired land, and given commanders. Even he himself... has become the commander-in-chief of the Crimson Tide Legion.

Lambert lowered his eyes and said nothing.

He could have stayed in the Southern Territory, with his family, continuing to be a praised high-ranking knight, instead of enduring snow and eating salted meat in this godforsaken place. But he was simply unwilling to accept it.

He wanted to gamble on his future, on a future that was almost impossible, to see if this young master could defy fate and truly lead an army of his own.

As a result, he did it.

A surge of intense emotion welled up inside Lambert, which he suppressed, only clenching his fist almost imperceptibly.

The wind blew past the edges of the draft paper in the pavilion. He glanced down at the articles and suddenly felt that the figure of the viscount from the North was more reliable than any honor.

…………

After leaving the training ground, Louis returned to the administrative office of Red Tide Castle.

The familiar thick wooden door was gently pushed open, and a rich aroma of pine and paper filled the air.

The fireplace inside was still burning, leaving a lingering warmth in the air. He took off his cloak and hung it aside, then casually beckoned a servant to summon Bradley.

A moment later, the old housekeeper walked in steadily, carrying the spring plowing plan that he had just sorted out from the archives.

“Sit down, Bradley.” Louis rubbed his temples and placed a stack of newly revised blueprints on the table. “We should talk about the Red Tide Territory’s transformation plan.”

Bradley nodded, his gaze steadily fixed on the sketches.

“These are some of my initial ideas. You can take a look at them first, but…” Louis tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, his tone changing slightly.

"Now is not the time to make any big moves. It is spring planting season, and also the most critical recovery period for the entire Northern Territory. We cannot let our own selfish interests delay the overall situation."

Bradley didn't argue, he just nodded quietly and waited for him to continue.

“So we’ll start with some basic preparations,” Louis said, circling a few places on the map with a red pen. “First, we’ll dismantle those temporary shelters that were set up during the winter disaster to make room for them; then, as planned, we’ll start building the basic city walls around Red Tide City and define the boundaries first.”

Bradley opened the draft plan of the city wall construction, initially glancing at it subconsciously, then his movements suddenly froze.

He silently turned the second and third pages, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper with each page—not out of dissatisfaction, but out of shock.

This size design... is not just for defense, but aims straight for the specifications of a "prosperous city-state".

"...Is this a plan to build a city?" he murmured.

He subconsciously glanced at Louis.

In the past, he might have thought this was just the young lord's wild idea, but the Red Tide's accumulation over the years, the precision of resource allocation, and Louis's ability to push aside barriers in a calm and collected manner are all remarkable.

He suddenly realized that this was not an unattainable fantasy.

If we actually build it according to these blueprints...

Red Tide City will undoubtedly become the most prosperous and stable city in the North.

Bradley put down the blueprints, his tone as steady as ever, yet tinged with a hint of solemnity: "...If this plan proceeds as scheduled, resource allocation will not be a problem."

As he spoke, he added, "You're not building a territory... you're creating a future, a future for the North."

Louis simply smiled, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing a spring outing.

“It’s just a concept,” he said in a calm tone, as if he didn’t want to take things too seriously. “The city hasn’t even started construction yet; we’ve only drawn up a few pages. It’s too early to talk about the future.”

He shrugged slightly, leaned back in his chair, his posture elegant yet exuding a subtle confidence.

Bradley stared at the blueprint, then glanced at the expression on Louis's face.

It was a kind of calm that was hard to describe, neither flamboyant nor passionate, nor deliberately encouraging, yet impossible to ignore.

He suddenly realized that even if it was just a concept on paper, this young man had already taken the whole situation under control and was slowly and steadily turning his ideal into reality.

A strange, indescribable tremor ran through Bradley's heart.

Has this child really come to this?
He lowered his eyes, concealing his emotions, and replied in a deep voice, "I'll make the arrangements right away."

As soon as he finished speaking, the old butler stood up, his expression returning to normal.

But as he walked to the door, in those few short steps, his back suddenly seemed to carry an air of solemnity.

Louis watched him leave, his fingers lightly tapping the table, plans and processes rapidly flipping and piecing together in his mind.

He knew very well that the real Red Tide City was only just beginning.

After finishing several urgent tasks, such as the baseline of the city wall and the demolition of the refuge camp, Louis finally let out a soft breath, closed the file, and rubbed his slightly sore wrist.

"That's all for now."

Dusk was falling outside the castle, and the faint sounds of vendors calling out before closing time could be heard.

The Red Tide Territory remained as orderly as ever, but his next move was to advance further north.

That mine, located deep within the snow-capped peaks, was the next strategic cornerstone in his blueprint, which he had already included in his mind months ago.

Now that spring planting is gradually getting on track, it's time to get started.

When he returned to the bedroom, Emily was already waiting for him by the fireplace.

She wore a pale gold dress with a thin cloak draped over it, sitting upright, but her eyes betrayed her reluctance.

"Leaving tomorrow?" she asked softly.

“Hmm.” Louis walked over, squatted down to straighten her skirt, and took her hand. “I have to go there myself. The terrain there is complicated and the mines are unstable. It won’t work if people just report it.”

Emily didn't say anything, but simply tightened her grip on his hand.

“However,” Louis smiled, his expression softening, “you can come over once spring planting is stable. Then we can continue in a different environment.”

Emily blushed, couldn't help but lightly punch him, and finally rested her forehead on his shoulder.

Louis lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well tonight, I'll leave tomorrow."

And so, in the gentle embrace of the night, the two spent this quiet time before their parting.

By the morning of the following day, the Knights had assembled, and Louis donned his red cloak, mounted his horse, and rode north.

(End of this chapter)