Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 95: Multiple preparations
Although the Calvin Chamber of Commerce's grain procurement is progressing very well.

In a few days, batches of carriages will arrive from the south, carrying heavy sacks of grain into the Red Tide Territory.

But Louis knew very well that relying solely on buying grain was far from reliable.

This is ultimately just a stopgap measure.

Winter in the North is merciless; relying solely on external support is not enough to truly survive it.

What if the snow line rises early, supplies are disrupted, and the enemy takes advantage of the situation to invade...

There are too many variables, so he dares not place all his hopes on "outside".

"We need to plan ahead and prepare for multiple scenarios."

A few days later, he proposed two emergency plans that could increase food supplies within the Red Tide Territory to some extent.

The first item is to utilize the geothermal hot spring areas within the Red Tide territory to construct a "small greenhouse" system.

Although Red Tide Territory is located in the icy north, it has several rare hot spring areas.

It is shrouded in mist all year round, and even the snow on the ground melts away completely in winter. The ground temperature can even stay above zero degrees Celsius in winter.

To others, these might just be a few "strange hot water pits".

But in Louis's eyes, this was the most valuable farming resource in the entire territory.

He stood in front of a map covered in dense writing, then drew several circles on it, placing the small greenhouse next to these hot springs.

After a detailed design process, he entrusted the project to agricultural official Mick.

"Mobilize manpower and use local materials to build a few first."

Mick's eyes widened, though he had no idea why Louis was doing this, or whether it would work.

But he didn't object at all; he just emphasized that he always obeyed Louis's words completely.

Louis's design for the small greenhouse is not complicated.

The arched frame was supported by thick timber, covered with animal hides and thick linen, and then sealed tightly with mud.

Hot spring water is introduced into the shed through pipes, forming a circulating hot air corridor.

It can keep the temperature inside the greenhouse above the crop growth line without the need for a stove.

Therefore, even when it's snowing heavily outside, the shed remains warm and cozy.

Of course, what you plant is also crucial.

"We don't seek high output, we only seek speed." Louis's requirement was extremely clear.

After careful selection at the seed bank, the following three crops were chosen for the first planting:

Quick lettuce can be harvested in just twenty days. Although it has a bland taste, it grows quickly and is filling, making it the first choice for ordinary people's staple food.

Winter radishes have a slightly longer maturation period, but they are advantageous due to their high yield and long shelf life. They are suitable for making soup, pickling, and porridge, and are also quite nutritious.

Earthworm grass is used for both medicinal and edible purposes. Its thick rhizome can be used not only as medicine, but also cooked with mixed grains into a pot of warming porridge, which is especially important for children and the elderly.

So at Louis's command, the craftsmen began to build the structure by the hot springs, following the blueprints he had drawn.

A few days later, the first batch of greenhouses in the hot spring area were completed.

Several low shacks stand quietly in the rising steam, in the geothermal area next to the hot spring.

The wooden frame was sturdy, and the roof was covered with animal hides and burlap, which blocked the cool breeze of early autumn.

The hot spring water flows slowly along the drainage channel, bringing warmth from the ground into the shed.

Louis lifted the tarpaulin and leaned down for a look.

Rows of lettuce seedlings had already quietly sprouted from the soil, their tender green shoots glistening with moisture, exuding a vibrant life force amidst the grayish-brown earth. When Mick saw Louis coming to inspect, he jogged over, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

"My lord! It's sprouted! It really has sprouted! Your method is truly effective!"

He was so excited that his whole body was trembling, like a child seeing his seeds sprout for the first time.

Louis nodded: "We can continue building."

He spoke calmly, as if the outcome was entirely expected.

"Yes!" Mick nodded repeatedly. "I'll arrange manpower immediately, and plant as many greenhouses as we can!"

Will, who had come along, knew little about farming, but when he saw green shoots emerging from the soil, he couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise.

"W-Can it really be planted like this? Even though it hasn't snowed yet, isn't the ground already cold?"

“The hot spring water is down there.” Louis turned and glanced at him. “As long as the land is covered up, the heat won’t escape, and the ground will be warm enough to grow crops.”

Is it even possible to do that?
Wel opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing, only looking at his lord with burning eyes.

The great sun warms the earth, enabling it to grow crops.

Louis noticed his gaze and smiled slightly: "Let's go, let's go check out the fishing."

Walking from the greenhouse to the dock, the temperature was slightly cool, but the wind was light, and moisture lingered on the ground, carrying a faint smell of mud and fish in the air.

Early autumn, before the river freezes over, is the last season for fish to migrate.

Today, the fishing industry in the Red Tide Territory is quite developed.

Rows of wooden stakes were erected on the dock, and several newly built large ships were moored nearby, their canvas still bearing the marks of fresh cutting.

On the water, a whole fleet of fishing boats is working in an orderly fashion.

More than a dozen fishing boats formed a circle, their nets slowly sinking underwater, their oars cutting through the water and creating large splashes.

The fishermen on the boats cooperated seamlessly.

While paddling to drive the fish, they simultaneously tightened the net. The thick rope twisted in the water, making a whimpering sound, like the mouth of some wild beast slowly closing.

Suddenly! The water burst open!
Schools of silvery-white fish were tossed high into the air, shimmering alluringly in the sunlight!

"The fish is here!!"

"Close the net! Close the net!!"

The fishermen shouted in unison, and the movements on the boat suddenly became rapid and orderly.

The water was boiling, shimmering with silver light, as a heavy net was pulled up, causing the boat to tilt slightly.

Louis was mesmerized by the sight of the harvest.

Just then, a familiar voice came from the direction of the dock: "Sir! You've arrived! You didn't even let us know."

Luke ran over with a big smile on his face, his expression a mixture of pride and flattery.

"This first net today will catch at least two thousand fish!" he said, gesturing with his hands to show the size of the fish, his eyes shining. "This fish migration is a huge success!"

Louis looked at the face that was so excited it was almost splitting into a grin, and simply nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Luke."

"It's all thanks to the adults' excellent arrangements!" Luke immediately straightened his back, his tone full of pride. "If you hadn't had us change the mesh size in advance, we wouldn't have been able to catch so many! Now we won't have to worry about food and drink all winter."

"Stop flattering me, let's get down to business."

Luke grinned dryly and immediately straightened up: "Yes, yes! If you have any orders, sir! I will complete them perfectly!"

“Hmm.” Louis looked at the still unfrozen river in the distance. “Today I want you to take some people and try to establish a batch of simple winter fishing grounds.”

(End of this chapter)