Transmigrated with a Demon-Refining Pot: Hehehe, Refine in an instant

A week later, the reconstruction of Heimaitun was nearing completion.

The newly built brick wall is half a foot higher than the original one.

Ron stood at the entrance of the village, watching the crowds coming and going, and nodded.

Perrin reported from the side, "Sir, it will be all finished in three more days. We'll withdraw the workers from the other villages so as not to delay the farm work."

"Okay," Ron replied, turning to walk back.

On the way, Perrin brought up the saltworks again:

"The salt mine has already reached its maximum production capacity. If we expand further, we won't have enough manpower."

Ron didn't reply, he just waved his hand. Perrin wisely kept quiet.

The territory's development is now on track. To achieve rapid growth, unless a rich mine is discovered, there's no way to increase gold coins, and Ron can't think of a good solution.

"Sir, we've spotted someone loitering around the salt mine again," Gray said.

"This time it wasn't just one or two, it was seven or eight, dressed in mottled clothes, like mercenaries."

Ron's heart skipped a beat: "Did they catch anyone this time?"

"No, he just wandered around the edge of the woods for a while and then left," Gray said.

"Should we send a knight to follow and investigate?"

Ron thought for a moment: "No need. The knights shouldn't split up. Just have the patrols keep a close eye on things."

Gray responded and was about to leave when Hart hurriedly came in from outside.

"Sir, Green Lake has brought people."

The man who arrived was a middle-aged man in his forties who introduced himself as Baron Austin's steward. He brought two cartloads of goods, saying that Baron Austin had heard of the disaster in the Reach and wanted to send some gifts as a gesture of sympathy.

Ron had the things put away and invited the steward to sit down and have some tea.

"Baron Austin is very kind," Ron said.

"It's such a small matter, why did the manager have to make the trip?"

The steward smiled and said, "The Baron said that since our two families are neighbors and neither of us gets along well with Linshui County, we should visit each other more often."

He paused, then lowered his voice:

"My lord, there is another matter I have come to discuss. The Baron asked me to remind you that recently, some people from Linshui Territory have been moving around among several surrounding lords, spreading some news about the salt mines in River Bend Territory."

Ron's expression remained unchanged: "Oh? What did you say?"

"Your salt mine has a considerable output and good quality, earning you several thousand gold coins every year."

"Damn, no wonder there have been so many spies in the territory these past few days."

The steward looked at him:

"The Baron said that if such words get out, someone will definitely have ulterior motives, so he told you to be careful."

If you, sir, are unable to handle this, we are neighbors, and you can ask Green Lake for help if you encounter any difficulties.

Ron nodded. "Please thank Baron Austin for me."

After the steward left, Ron's face was ashen.

Boris Johnson's move was indeed quite cunning. He didn't show himself, but instead had those around him test the waters.

They were afraid that if they let the knights take action, Boris would seize the opportunity; if they didn't, the surrounding lords would swarm them like hounds.

I've really set myself up for a tough problem!

Boris, you have already chosen your own path to death.

Ron was in a bad mood and decided to continue to "give extra food" to his knights, while Raun increased the dosage even more.

Green Lake Territory may have been interested, but they simply lacked the strength. If they were to ask Green Lake Territory for help, the salt mines would have to give up some profits, and nobles don't have the virtue of being willing to help others.

Just as Ron lay down at night, he heard hurried footsteps outside.

"Sir! Something's happened at the saltworks!"

Ron flipped himself up, grabbed his sword, and charged out.

When they arrived at the salt field, torches had already illuminated the surroundings. Several corpses lay on the ground, and guards were cleaning up the mess.

Gray approached and said, "Sir, seven or eight men sneaked over, trying to set fire to the place. The guards discovered them, a fight broke out, three died, and four or five escaped."

"We've also suffered significant losses. We lost four guards, more than a dozen serfs, and a lot of tools were destroyed. The saltworks will have to shut down for a while."

Ron glanced at the corpses on the ground. They were all dressed in variegated clothes, their faces covered with black cloths, making it impossible to identify them.

"Did you catch him alive?"

Gray shook his head: "No, they ran too fast. These people are skilled; they've all been trained."

Ron didn't speak. He walked to a corpse, squatted down, and examined it. The clothes were ordinary coarse cloth, and the identity was unidentifiable.

He stood up and said to Gray, "Throw everyone into the sinkhole without making a sound."

Gray was taken aback: "Sir, aren't we going to investigate who sent them?"

"Investigate what?" Ron asked, looking at him.

"These are all possibilities; the key is to solve the problem."

It's just a small salt mine, yet it has attracted so much envy. It seems that everyone in the pioneering area is living in dire straits.

That's how nobles are; they rarely do things that don't bring them any benefit, but if doing something doesn't cause much harm and can ruin other people's good things, then they really enjoy doing it.

Their main selling point is that they can't do anything for you, but they can easily sabotage you, in order to gain profit from it.

Gray fell silent.

Ron turned and walked back.

After taking a few steps, he stopped again: "Withdraw all the people from the salt mine and resume work only after this issue is resolved."

Losing so many people at once is equivalent to the salt mine working for half a month for nothing.

The salt mine was attacked, and the perpetrator is still unknown, but the surrounding lords are all suspects.

He had heard of Baron Raymond of Maolin Ridge. He was a high-ranking knight squire, a former soldier, who had arrived three months earlier than his own family. His territory was so poor that he couldn't even afford to build city walls.

Northeast Stone Creek Ridge, Baron Peter. The third son of the Earl of Red Maple, he arrived a few days later than his own family. He had some money, but it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't have some ambitions; in the pioneering lands, no lord was without money.

Blackstone Ridge, Baron Hosen. An old cripple who has been developing the area for over a decade, he is not close to anyone, but now he is single-mindedly focused on raising the next generation.

And to the south, at Hansong Ridge, both serfs and knights have suffered heavy losses and are barely alive; to the west, at Linshui Territory, they are watching us with predatory eyes.

Green Lake Leader also had his own agenda.

Tiankeng (sinkhole).

Ron collected all the corpses that had been brought in into the Demon Refining Pot.

After recently shrinking the area where the knights operate, the number of monsters harvested has decreased by more than half. Ron's essence is not enough for his subordinates, so it's a good time to replenish it.

This is Ron's first time refining a corpse. He doesn't know how effective it will be. He'll see how his knights do it tomorrow.

Anyway, Ron won't use it for the time being. He'll let his men test the medicine first, and he's also kept a batch for himself.

the next day.

The people from Stone Creek have arrived.

Five people, riding horses and dressed in silk, were led by a young man with slicked-back hair and a chin held high.

"Baron Ron," the man said, bowing perfunctorily.

"I am the steward of Lord Peter of Stonehill, and I have been sent by my master to discuss a major deal with you."

Ron asked him to sit down, but didn't reply.

The man continued, "My master said that your salt mine has a good output, but if you keep it all to yourself, it will easily attract envy. Why don't we invest and make a fortune together?"

You provide the mines, we provide the manpower and trade routes, and we sell them to the principality, splitting the profits 50/50.

Ron almost laughed in anger after hearing this.

Split in half? This isn't investing; it's outright robbery.

He picked up his cup, took a sip of water, and asked slowly, "Is your lord the third or fourth son of the Red Maple Earl's family?"

The man was taken aback, then said smugly, "You're very well-informed. My master is the third young master of the Earl's mansion, with his fief in Shixi Ridge. He has legitimate noble blood and is highly regarded by the Earl."

Ron nodded: "Third Young Master, with so many sons of Earl Red Maple, how much of the family fortune will your lord receive?"

After granting a pioneering noble a position, how much support will be left?

"You've come here begging for food?"

The man's face turned ashen with anger, but he dared not retaliate.

After the people from Stone Creek left, Ron wondered if they were the ones from last night.

Before they could even catch their breath, two more noble families arrived.

They are Maolin Territory and Hansong Territory respectively. It seems there are quite a few people eyeing their salt mines. Their information network is really good.

The two groups had roughly the same goal: to get a share of the profits from the salt mine.

The messengers, especially those brought by Han Song, made Ron laugh.

The messenger said, "Sir, one cannot only think about providing for oneself! One must maintain good relations with one's neighbors in order to prosper peacefully."

In the afternoon, more people came. People from Linshui Territory, Green Lake Territory, and Blackstone Territory all came. Not a single lord from our neighboring territories was left out. What a group of enthusiastic neighbors!

I must get along well with these kind neighbors and treat them with sincerity from now on.