Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 370 Harvest and Voyage

The night fires have been extinguished, and Dawn Harbor has returned to tranquility.

The seawater below the dike smelled of tar and blood, but the roar of war was no longer heard.

The Dawn Fleet returned to port in triumph. All nine warships entered the port in an orderly fashion, none of them sinking. Only two ships sustained minor damage on their sides and required some repairs.

The outcome of this battle will shake the entire North Sea region.

Of the thirty-seven black sailing ships under the Mad King's command, twenty-three have been reduced to ashes, and the rest have been captured by the Dawn Fleet.

The pirates were routed in the night battle, with very few survivors.

Except for a few key leaders who were captured alive and interrogated, the rest were all executed on the spot at sea, and their bodies were scattered with the tide.

The news that none of the Dawn Fleet had sunk swept through Dawn Harbor like a storm, and many citizens spontaneously came out to welcome them.

When the Red Tide flag appeared on the bow of the ship in the fog, the workers and residents on the dock spontaneously cheered.

The cheers surged like a tidal wave, crashing against the pier and stone embankment, making the wooden planks tremble.

"The Dawn is back!"

"Red Tide is invincible!"

"For the North, for the Dawn!"

More people joined in the shouting, their voices rising in waves.

The children jumped around on the dock, waving homemade flags.

The craftsmen, their hands stained with oil, raised their cloth hats and shouted the name of each ship: "Dawn!", "Sunrise!", "Tide!"...

Many workers had seen the flames rise on the sea, and they knew how the Dawn Fleet fought in the night fog.

These ships were all forged by their own hands, so they considered themselves to have participated in this glorious war.

This is also the result of Louis's consistent efforts to cultivate a sense of collective honor among them.

As the ship docked, the resounding crash of the anchor hitting the sea echoed through the harbor, and the battle flag fluttered in the morning breeze.

The artisans and knights of Dawn Harbor flocked to the docks, some inspecting the damage, others unloading the spoils of war; the air was filled with the excitement and busyness of victory.

Louis and Elliott stood side by side atop the embankment.

Looking down at the busy crowd, Elliott felt an indescribable sense of respect.

He already held the young lord in high esteem, and now it was almost like a faith.

He understood that if he were in command of this battle, the Dawn Fleet could win with its strength, but it would not be so easy.

Louis seemed to foresee every enemy ship's location and every shift in wind direction.

That sense of control is almost like predicting the future.

Elliott said softly, "My lord, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I really wouldn't believe that anyone in the world could calculate the battle situation to this extent."

Louis gave him a dismissive glance: "Stop flattering me, Elliott."

The governor of Dawn Harbor smiled and shook his head, but his tone was sincere: "I'm not flattering you. There's no one else in the North as insightful and decisive as you, sir."

Louis thought to himself, "You're talking nonsense. Do you think anyone in this world has a daily intelligence system?"

But he couldn't possibly tell the other person his secret, so he turned his head and changed the subject, asking, "How's the interrogation going?"

Elliott immediately replied, "We've finished questioning him, sir. We're now searching for his treasure locations based on his confession. Quite a few, aren't we? A cunning rabbit has multiple burrows."

And those two pieces of equipment you gave me are really useful; we barely had to say a word, and he explained everything on his own.”

Louis chuckled upon hearing this: "That's good."

…………

The salvage operation lasted for a full half day.

Divers repeatedly descended to the seabed, the ventilation ducts billowing in the waves, as they used iron hooks to pull out the wreckage.

The first batch of salvaged iron boxes weighed several hundred kilograms and were covered with whale blubber seals.

Once pried open, silver coins poured out like a torrent, the sunlight from the dock reflecting off the silvery surface, making it almost impossible to open one's eyes.

Each one is engraved with the emblem of the Ash Guild.

There are even ledgers recording the accounts, clearly stating the amount of aid provided by the guild in Beihai.

In the tidal sand of Baiwan Cave, craftsmen unearthed three wooden barrels, the second of which had a hidden groove in its bottom cover.

After being broken open, the entire barrel of gold bars and blue magic crystals gleamed with a cold light. The gold bars were neatly engraved with the guild's serial number, and the magic crystals sparkled like starlight in the firelight.

One sailor exclaimed, "This one bucket alone could repair three ships!"

On the old fishing boat, Beijiao No. 3, scrolls and nautical charts were piled up to almost fill the entire cabin.

The knight carefully unfolded them; the red-marked route led directly from the Ice Abyss Islands to the unknown seas. This might be the Mad King's most important treasure.

Finally, the core of the Explosive Cannon and several bottles of alchemical oil were salvaged from the wreckage of the Mad King's flagship, the Wave Eater.

By the time the sun rose, the top of the dike was piled high with boxes of spoils.

Gold coins, silver coins, gold bars, magic crystals, contracts, sea charts, ledgers...

The Mad King's life was disassembled into neat iron boxes.

A cold light gleamed beneath the open lid of the box, and the clanging of metal in the sea breeze sounded like the lingering echoes of victory.

The air was thick with the smell of tar and salt, a reminder that this wealth had been salvaged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, each piece stained with the sins of the great pirates.

Not far away, a clerk dressed in a black robe was quickly recording the inventory results.

"1310 gold coins, 44500 silver coins, 80 gold bars, 372 magic crystals, 12 ledgers, 9 contracts, and 7 nautical charts."

He read out each item aloud, while the clerk beside him copied them down quickly.

Elliott was astonished and exclaimed, "The Mad King is really fat, more extravagant than most lords in the North."

Louis smiled and patted the box: "Indeed, one bite and your mouth is full of oil."

He took the copybook from the clerk, flipped through a few pages casually, and glanced at it.

"The most valuable things here are actually the core of the detonating cannon and a few bottles of special alchemical oil," he said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Send them back to Hilko so he can study them and see if he can dig up anything new."

He picked up another nautical chart, spread it on the lid of the box, and lightly touched the red lines on it with his fingertips: "Let's confirm these routes. If they are accurate, they will be of great significance to Dawn Port."

Elliott immediately agreed and instructed the clerk to carry it out.

Louis continued flipping through the pages and found several letters bearing his emblem, including correspondence with the Emerald Bank, business contracts, and several letters with ash seals.

He sneered, "Keep these things. Maybe you'll need them someday."

The clerk immediately collected the letters, carefully put them into a waterproof leather bag, and sealed them with wax.

Louis looked at the neatly stacked boxes and smiled: "Now that the pirate matter is over, it's time to let Dawn truly sail out of the port."

Elliott immediately stood up, his expression serious and excited: "Yes, sir. The Dawn Fleet is ready at any time. All supplies, crew, and loading are ready."

…………

On the fourth day after defeating the pirates, all the ships had been properly repaired, and the Dawn Fleet was ready to set sail again, this time targeting the southeastern province of the empire.

The morning light broke through the thick sea fog, illuminating the Dawn Fleet, which was neatly moored in the harbor.

This massive naval fleet has been waiting in port for several days, and today it is finally about to embark on its first long voyage.

This is not just a simple transportation operation; it symbolizes the independence and rise of the North, and the leap of Dawn Harbor from a remote port to the economic hub of the North.

Countless efforts, decisions, and changes culminated in this day: the Dawn's departure. The Red Tide signifies that its future influence will extend to the empire's coastal cities, especially the Calvin family in the southeastern province.

The pirates' treasure was exceptionally rich, enough to make many lords in the North envious. But for Dawn Harbor, these spoils were merely insignificant byproducts, far less significant than the meaning behind this voyage.

The construction of Dawn Harbor was precisely to break the North's trapped fate.

When winter comes, ice and snow block all land routes, and trade between the North and the South comes to a near standstill.

To transport minerals from the North to the South and goods from the South back to the North, wagons often traveled for months along rugged mountain roads, with round trips sometimes taking as long as a year.

Every food shortage and every disruption to resource supply is like a sharp blade hanging over the North's head.

In this trapped situation, the North had no autonomy and could not break free from the Empire's support. It was always trapped in extreme cold and poverty, and could only exchange the lives of its soldiers for food subsidies.

However, this sea route is the dawn of hope for the North.

Its cost is only one-fifth that of land transport, and it can deliver supplies to the southeastern province of the empire in just two months.

Moreover, the escort by warships makes sea voyages far safer than land voyages, especially for regions like the North that rely on supplies; sea transport is undoubtedly the most reliable mode of transportation.

"Dawn Harbor is not just a port, but the first step for the North from dependence to self-reliance."

Louis stood atop the seawall, looking back at the bustling port, and sighed with emotion.

Preparations for the fleet began several days ago, and they are now making final preparations.

Louis's gaze swept over the busy port workers, then lingered on the supplies being loaded onto the ships.

The main resources are the minerals produced by Duanxing Territory: Qi Vein Stone, Demon Marrow Ore, Flint Marrow Oil, and Burnt Iron.

Each of these precious minerals would be of immense value in the South.

In addition, there were some cheap weapons produced by steam engines, as well as cheap cloth and some monster furs.

These ores and resources have always been the largest source of income for the red tide.

Today, after months of preparation, they will be shipped to the southeastern province of the empire for the first time, bringing unprecedented wealth to the Red Tide and the nobles under its system.

Rough shouts and the sounds of goods being moved came from the ship. Heavy wooden crates were being carried onto the ship, and the sailors' faces were covered in sweat, but each of them moved with unusual steadiness.

"Hurry up, guys! Bring those food crates up! We have to get going today, no time to dawdle!"

A bearded sailor shouted at the young sailor beside him, his tone rough and full of urgent efficiency.

"Got it, Smith! Stop yelling, help out!" The young sailor quickly jumped onto the deck and began to move the heavy crates into the cabin with the others.

On the other side, several sailors were inspecting the ship's main guns. "Fill the secondary guns with gunpowder, make sure the main guns are aimed accurately, and adjust the gunners' positions to the best."

Everyone understood that this was not just a transportation operation, but represented their future.

With everything ready, the atmosphere at the port grew increasingly tense and exciting.

The air was filled with the salty sea breeze and the sweltering atmosphere. The pier was packed with people, almost making the entire Dawn Harbor pier impassable.

These workers, who had personally participated in the construction of the ships, proudly watched the vessels about to set sail.

Many of them had polished the keel of the Dawn, forged the rivets on the deck, and carried heavy barrels of fuel.

Now they will witness their own ships sailing out of the northern waters for the first time.

Sunlight streamed down from the sea, illuminating excited and proud faces.

"Quiet! Quiet! Lord Louis is about to speak!" Elliott shouted.

The port fell silent instantly, and everyone turned their attention to the top of the breakwater.

Louis stood on the highest wooden platform, the sea breeze ruffling his cloak, overlooking the entire harbor.

Behind them, the Red Tide flag on the bow of the Dawn ship was fluttering in the wind.

He was silent for a moment, then his voice, amplified by magic, echoed clearly throughout the harbor:
"Gentlemen of Dawn Harbor!"

The crowd was silent; even the sound of the waves seemed to have subsided.

"From the first wooden hut at dawn to this port today, it has taken us more than two years. This is a miracle you created single-handedly."

This time, the ships from Dawn Harbor will sail to the southeastern provinces of the Empire, bringing goods from the north to every port.

We no longer rely on charity, no longer wait for relief. With our goods, our craftsmanship, our blood and sweat, we forge our own sea routes, bringing hope to the North.

He smiled slightly, his voice softening: "This is the first sea route in the North, and also a journey for the Red Tide. May all the crew members return safely."

The crowd went wild.

Applause and cheers erupted like a tidal wave.

Long live the dawn!

Long live the Red Tide!

"For the North!"

Some people waved hats, some held up flags, and the boys climbed up wooden crates and cranes, waving frantically.

Many artisans had tears in their eyes; they were not only cheering for their lord, but also proud of their work.

Elliott stood on the bridge of the Dawn, took a deep breath, and raised his right hand. "All personnel, weigh anchor and prepare to set sail!"

The anchor chain tightened, and the sound of gears roared below the deck.

As the heavy anchor lifted off the seabed, the harbor bells rang out simultaneously.

Nine resounding chimes echoed through the bay, long and solemn.

Then, military music began to play.

The resounding sound of the brass pipes pierced the air, and the melody of "Song of the North" echoed in the sea breeze.

"For frost and fire, for the people of the North..."

That's a song from the North; most people can hum a few lines.

The sailors on deck and the dockworkers sang in unison, their voices rough yet unified, accompanied by drumbeats and horns.

The Dawn slowly weighed anchor, its mast towering high, its sails billowing in the wind like unfolded white wings.

Following closely behind were the Dawn and Tide, as the fleet slowly sailed out of the port.

"Attention! Maintain formation!"

"Wind is favorable on port, raise the sail another foot!"

The sounds of commands, orders, and the roar of the waves mingled together.

For many sailors, it was their first long voyage. Their faces were filled with excitement and nervousness as they gripped the ropes, sweat dripping from their foreheads.

Someone chuckled softly and said, "The weather is really nice today."

Another young sailor grinned: "Don't get too excited, or you'll be yelling for your mother when the waves come crashing in."

A burst of rough laughter erupted on the deck, the laughter masking the slight fear in their hearts.

The captain walked among them and patted a new sailor on the shoulder. “Relax, kid. You are the first sailors trained by the Red Tide. Every step you take today will be written into the annals of the North.”

The young man paused for a moment, then straightened his back and nodded emphatically.

Just as the fleet was slowly sailing away, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth in the sky above the port.

Alchemical flames shot into the sky, exploding into a huge crimson ring of fire high in the air, then turning into countless golden shards of light that scattered across the sea, illuminating the sails of the entire fleet.

"Look, it's fireworks!" a sailor exclaimed.

The sun-shaped flames reflected a golden path on the sea, leading straight south.

(End of this chapter)