Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 355 Jon's Happy Days

A week after the Spring Festival, morning exercises had just ended, and the white fog had not yet dissipated, with steam rising from the training ground of the Red Tide Knights Training Camp.

Instructor Bruch stood on the platform, holding a parchment scroll in his hand: "Every year, Lord Louis selects several young knights to join his personal guard. This signifies both trust and a test."

The playground fell silent instantly, with dozens of eyes fixed on the scroll.

As Bruch unfolded the list, he raised his chin with a slight smile: "This year, the chosen ones are... Kosa Coldtooth, Gray Harlow."

At that moment, the air seemed to stand still.

Kosa was stunned at first, frozen in mid-air, and didn't even hear his own name clearly. By the time he came to his senses, his palms were already wet with sweat.

Gray, who was standing next to him, reached out and slapped him so hard he almost fell over: "Did you hear that? We're going into the Royal Guard!"

Applause and cheers erupted on the training field. Their teammates surrounded them, patting them on the shoulder and even excitedly lifting them up and tossing them around in the air a few times.

Although some gazes held envy and jealousy, most of the laughter was heartfelt.

Bruch smiled and shook his head on stage: "Perform well, it's not just an honor, it's a responsibility. Remember, standing next to Lord Louis is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

That night, Gray tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Every now and then, he would throw his pillow at the bed next to him: "Hey, Kosa, can you sleep? I'm already imagining myself riding a warhorse to protect Lord Louis."

"Shut up." Kosa had his back to him, but he didn't close his eyes.

Moonlight streamed into the dormitory through the window. He stared at that pale light, a mix of emotions welling up inside him—pride, excitement, and a touch of unease.

…………

The next morning, they were summoned to the Red Tide City's main fortress to report.

Wel personally received them.

This legendary figure of the Red Tide was among the first batch of knights trained by Louis. He entered the camp at the age of twelve and reached the realm of the extraordinary in just five years. He was a genius among geniuses and was known as the "Shield of the Red Tide".

Kosa and Gray were so nervous in front of him that they could barely breathe.

Will smiled and stepped forward, patting them on the shoulder: "Welcome to the Royal Guard. Don't be too nervous, the adults won't eat you."

He leaned down like an older brother and added in a calm tone, "When you're around an adult, remember two things: obey orders and be steady. Besides that, he's gentler than you think."

Gray couldn't help but grin, and even Kosa relaxed a bit.

They could hardly believe that the legendary figure of the Red Tide was so approachable.

“Let’s go,” Will turned and led the way. “Lord Louis is waiting for you in the conference hall.”

The two followed behind him, their hearts pounding faster than war drums.

They had actually met Louis back in training camp and personally praised their achievements.

But this time was different. This time they would meet Louis alone and become his true bodyguards.

The door to the conference room was gently pushed open, and warm light spilled onto the stone floor.

Louis was discussing the itinerary with Bradley and several council members when he heard footsteps and looked up with a smile.

"Khosa, Gray, right? I remember you."

The two men straightened up and bowed almost simultaneously, their hearts pounding.

Gray's hands were almost clenched into fists, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.

Kosa felt a heat rising in his chest, and his voice almost choked.

They never imagined that the lord they had talked about countless times at night would actually call them by name.

Gray couldn't help but puff out his chest, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Yes, of course!"

Kosa followed closely behind, his voice trembling but extremely firm: "Your subordinate will not fail in your mission!"

Louis looked at the two of them with a smile on his face and said in a calm tone, "Study more and observe more. The future of Red Tide needs young people."

The two replied almost simultaneously, "Yes, sir!"

Watching them leave, Louis smiled gently: "Young people are so nice."

Bradley and several other board members echoed his sentiments, with one laughing and remarking, "I really miss their drive."

Another board member joked, "You look just like you did a few years ago, Will."

Will, pretending to be a senior, commented: "You're full of youthful vigor, but your eyes are still quite firm. That's how young people should be."

Louis chuckled and turned to tease, "Aren't you only sixteen too?"

Will coughed, his expression stiffening slightly, and laughter erupted from the crowd, instantly easing the atmosphere considerably.

As the laughter subsided, Louis composed himself and returned to the main topic, standing with Bradley in front of the unfolded map.

Louis tapped Frost Dragon Territory on the map, his gaze calm: "We all know that at this meeting, the Sixth Prince wants to intervene in Northern affairs under the guise of reconstruction. He wants nominal control, while we want a real strategic framework."

He paused, his fingertips tracing the lines. "The grain routes, the ledgers, the regulations—we already have them. The test of loyalty will proceed as planned: voting, categorization, and demarcation. Who truly submits and who is merely feigning allegiance will be crystal clear then."

Bradley smiled slightly: "Perfect, we need a scene like this to test the loyalty of each leader. If we all proceed according to the previous plan, it will be clear who is truly on our side."

Louis nodded, his tone flat: "The grain routes and ledgers are in our hands, so his so-called special envoy title is obviously meaningless."

The meeting proceedings are under our control; if the Sixth Prince wishes to participate, he can only operate within our framework.

Bradley replied, "This is just a confirmation of the results."

“Hmm.” Louis smiled slightly, then changed the subject. “In addition, there’s no need to choose a demonstration city anymore; it will be Frostspear City. Building a new Frostspear City based on that city will not only serve as a window to showcase the Red Tide system, but also fulfill my promise to Duke Edmund.”

Bradley said in a low voice, “This is the most suitable choice, sir. The location is good, the transportation is convenient, and it is symbolic enough.”

Louis put away the map, his tone calm: "We don't need to worry about saving face, we just need results. Once the North operates according to the rules of the Red Tide, his little bit of prestige will naturally be completely wiped out."

…………

After being summoned by Louis that day, Kosa and Gray left the main castle without any special missions and continued training as usual.

Occasionally, he would accompany Louis to some places inside and outside the city on small-scale escort missions, but there were no thrilling or exciting tasks.

Three or four days later, they received orders to undertake a large-scale mission, which was of extraordinary significance.

Louis will travel to Frostdragon Territory to attend the Northern Reconstruction Conference, a gathering of all the prominent lords of the North and representatives of the Red Tide Council.

The journey is expected to last 15 to 17 days. He will depart from Red Tide, pass through various territories in the North, and then enter Frost Dragon Territory.

Louis naturally decided to inspect the various territories along the way to examine the results of the Red Tide regime's implementation, and they would witness it all firsthand.

They quickly realized the special nature of this mission.

At dawn, the snow in Red Tide City had not yet melted. The main street was swept clean, and the cold light reflected on the stone bricks, like a mirror laid out for the lord.

Louis's massive carriage slowly drove out of the main castle. The carriage was adorned with the Red Tide emblem, and the heavy armor reflected a cold light. A banner with a sun pattern hung at the front, a symbol of his rule.

Eight magnificent steeds, their hooves thundering like drums, pulled the carriage like a slowly advancing iron fortress.

To his left and right were the extraordinary knights led by Lambert, and behind them was the massive Crimson Tide Knights.

More than three hundred knights were divided into five columns, their cloaks and armor shimmering in the morning light, their lances standing tall like a forest, forming an indestructible steel torrent on both sides of the street.

Every knight has undergone rigorous Red Tide training, and their physical fitness, tactics, and aura control are all above that of elite knights.

Rumor has it that no one in the North dares to stand in the way of the Red Tide cavalry.

Political officials, clerks, attendants, supply wagons, and guard cavalry unfolded in sequence, with musketeers and crossbowmen patrolling and providing cover on both flanks.

The entire team consisted of over five hundred people, with a well-organized structure, yet they moved like a sophisticated war machine, with everything proceeding in perfect order.

As the procession passed through the main street, residents were already waiting on both sides, praying quietly or shouting loudly.

Craftsmen removed their hats in respect, children waved red tide flags, and shouts of "Long live the Red Tide!" echoed through the streets.

Kosa, riding at the back of the procession, experienced this imposing aura up close for the first time.

The wind swept in from ahead, carrying the scent of iron and fire. He gazed at the carriage, which resembled an iron fortress, and felt nothing but awe and fervor.

"This is... the power of the Lord of the North."

Grey, riding beside him, couldn't help but turn back and laugh, "From now on, we'll also be knights standing beside Lord Louis, won't we?"

Kosa didn't speak, but instinctively tightened his grip on the reins.

…………

On a clear morning at Silver Ridge Hill, the snow line still clung to the mountain hollows, and the wind whistled low through the cracks in the mineral veins.

Jon Have pulled on the reins, and the horse snorted at the top of the hill.

He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the light and looked down the mountainside. The veins of silver and iron ore resembled fish bones lurking in the earth, stretching long across the forest.

"Let the hunt begin!"

At a command, the drums thundered from the temporary camp at the foot of the mountain.

A dozen or so knights rode out in a scattered formation, closing in from both flanks. Hunting dogs darted along their predetermined route. A deer was startled, sending snowflakes flying half a person's height. Yorn drew his bow, released his finger, and the arrow whistled through the air, swiftly embedding itself in the deer's shoulder.

"bingo!"

"Your Excellency, your hand is still the steadyest!"

Several young knights rode forward, brandishing their lances and gesturing that they were going to chase after a few more.

The attendant hurriedly stepped forward, took the bow from him, handed him a cloak, and praised him repeatedly, "You hit the bullseye every time, sir!"

One exclamation of praise after another poured over him, dispelling the chill of the morning like a warm current.

Jorn couldn't help but laugh out loud, shoved the bow into the servant's hand, dismounted, and quickly walked to the antlers and pressed down on their antlers.

"We're having extra dishes tonight!" He turned his head, his smile as bright as fire. "Follow me, we can't let the brothers go hungry."

"Long live!"

"Long live Lord Jon!"

The flattery was genuine, and Jon felt comfortable listening to it.

He suddenly untied the money pouch from his waist and scattered a handful of glittering gold coins. The gold rolled around on the snow, and the young knights were so surprised that they almost jumped up.

Hold on tight so you don't fall!

"Thank you, sir!"

"Viscount, you are so generous!"

The crisp metallic clang mingled with laughter, and even the wind seemed a little warmer.

Jon looked at them and couldn't resist grabbing another handful and throwing it out.

A servant cautiously reminded him, "My lord, you've given a bit too much today..."

"More what?" Yorn patted the servant's shoulder forcefully. "The more you earn, the more you get rewarded. Silver Spine isn't short of that."

He turned to look at the mine sheds on the mountainside. They were standardized mine sheds built by the Red Tide craftsmen. Square wooden frames stood on stone foundations, the roofs were covered with snow-proof tiles, and blue smoke billowed from the chimneys.

Further away, a new market street is under renovation, with stone bricks paving the ground and drainage ditches extending straight downstream.

Along the street were warehouses, blacksmith shops, and schools, with Red Tide badges hanging under the eaves.

Two years ago, the barbarian calamity was quelled. At that time, Jon was still guarding his barren old land, with a dirt road, a few dilapidated houses, and the earthen walls crumbling when the wind blew.

Jon could only struggle to survive with his father's help until the Red Tide's documents brought Louis's letter.

“Relocate Baron Harvey’s land to the southern border of Red Tide, near the mines. Red Tide will handle the overall planning, and the accounts will be incorporated into Red Tide.”

Later, everything unfolded as naturally as spring snow melting: the engineering team sent by the Red Tide built the first mine shed on Silver Ridge Hill, and the craftsmen erected pillars one by one and sealed walls side by side.

Furthermore, his family made further moves in the capital and were granted the title of viscount.

Yorn once thought that the glory of the North had to be won with swords and fire, but he watched as the road unfolded itself beneath his feet.

On the first morning after arriving at Silver Ridge, the sunlight reflected off the snow, illuminating the crimson waves on the Red Tide flag.

He stood on the balcony of his new house, holding a cup of hot wine, and watched as ore was mined in the distance, and the people moved about on the ground like a group of diligent beetles.

"The boss carried me to new heights..." Yorn said with a smile to his personal knight.

At first, he was a little uncomfortable.

In the old days, every day there were trivial decisions to be made: who would patrol the mountains, who would guard the grain, which household gave three extra bundles of firewood, and which hunting team stole two badgers.

Since the Red Tide took over, there have been professional clerks in charge of the accounts, mining officials in charge of the mines, chief craftsmen in charge of repairs, and civilians...

At the end of each month, the surplus is automatically credited to the account, and quarterly dividends will be delivered by a designated person.

"What else can I do?" Yorn asked himself for a while.

The answer came quickly: he led his men on a hunting trip to maintain morale.

He attended the banquet as a successful example of the Red Tide system, serving as a demonstration for the skeptical nobles.

He would occasionally visit Louis in Red Tide City, write down minor issues in the system's operation, and tell the boss about them.

But most of the time, he has nothing to do, nor does he need to do anything.

So he gradually learned to let go, and in this way the production line in the mining area became smoother and smoother, and the warehouse statistics became more and more accurate.

Today they're building a market, tomorrow they're paving streets; everything is moving in a positive direction.

“Your Excellency!” A young knight, clutching a handful of gold coins, grinned from ear to ear. “My brothers all say that coming to Silverridge with you is incredibly lucky. They thought they were being exiled to the North, but instead they have meat to eat every day, charcoal in winter, and even bounties every now and then.”

“Exile? Coming to the North does feel like exile,” Yorn laughed, patting his armor. “But if you follow the right person, it’s a joy, just like me. You follow me, I follow him, and we won’t go astray.”

"Yes!"

The knights' laughter echoed in the mountain breeze. Their armor was the standard of the Red Tide Workshop, and their horses were fine steeds selected from the northern foothills, with thick winter coats and running like the wind.

I used to think that coming to the North would be a hardship, but now I realize that I am living a better life than the knights in the South.

Jon led his horse downhill, along the newly built stone steps, to the edge of the mine shed.

The miners were loading boxes of newly forged silver-iron billets onto trucks, while the supervisor checked the weights and stamped the documents.

Each seal bears the mark of the Red Tide, signifying that goods will travel along the Red Tide's route, enter its vault, and be exchanged for gold coins.

"How are things on the books?" Yorn asked.

The clerk opened the ledger, revealing a page filled with dense numbers: "The mine's output this quarter increased by 20% compared to last quarter, and losses were kept below standard. The dividend is estimated to be one level higher than last quarter."

“Good,” Yorn nodded. “Give the miners some hot soup; it’s still cold.”

"As ordered."

He walked to the other end of the shed, where a class was in session at the folk school. The children sat behind wooden tables, writing characters upright.

A simplified set of local rules hangs on the wall, written in neat handwriting: "Do not steal, do not cheat, work your job and get paid your share."

"Your Excellency Viscount!" The children stood up and bowed in unison when they saw him.

"Sit down, sit down. You must remember that you should study not to make fun of others, but to prevent yourself from being made fun of."

The children giggled.

The teacher nodded to him and said in a low voice, "Sir, could we ask for some more books in the spring? We don't have enough."

“I’ll write to Lord Louis later.” Jon thought for a moment, then added, “Get me more picture books to read; I’ve already read the eighth one of those tales of Lord Louis’s heroic deeds.”

He walked out of the school, sunlight falling on his shoulders.

He suddenly remembered the winter three years ago, when he and others huddled in the cellar, listening to the sound of insects rubbing against the ground, and then he saw the young lord in the red cloak risking his life to save him.

He told himself that if he could survive, he would give his life to the young man standing in the flames.

Now he has done it; he has put his territory, his reputation, and even his dignity into the Red Tide.

"Boss..." he said softly into the wind, "I'm not very capable, but I'm good at judging people."

"Viscount!" The same young knight came running again, this time even faster, almost leaping uphill. "Lord Louis is here! Their entourage has entered the South Pass and will reach Silverridge Hill before evening!"

Yorn paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he jumped up like a spring.

"Is the boss coming?"

"Yes!"

"What are you all standing there for? Sound the horn! Everyone pack up what you're doing, move the minecarts to the right, clear the streets! Kitchen, bring out the best meat, open the wine cellar, we're setting up a long table tonight!"

He rattled off a dozen orders in quick succession, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Hang up the Red Tide flag! Call out the school's children's choir!"

The attendants scrambled to their feet and scattered in all directions.

Jon grabbed the servant's cloak and draped it over his shoulders, but then, finding it not presentable enough, he turned to the steward and shouted, "Bring me that black-trimmed red cloak, yes, that one! Yes, one must look presentable when meeting the boss!"

He put on the cape, but buttoned it up backwards.

In his haste, he simply ripped open the heavy button and fastened it back on, while the servant suppressed a laugh.

Yorn glared at him: "What are you laughing at? Laugh again and I'll deduct three days' pay!"

"Yes, yes, no, no, I won't laugh!" The servant's shoulders trembled as he tried to suppress his laughter.

Jon led the horse, practically tumbling and crawling down the slope.

The wind rushed in from the mountain pass, the flags fluttered, and he felt a surge of heat in his heart, like when he was running on the training ground in the capital when he was young.

“The boss is here,” he said to himself. “I must personally greet him at the city gate.”

(End of this chapter)