CHAPTER 214: CHAPTER 162: BREEDING LORD

There are plenty of salted fish in the territory, but Luo De doesn’t want everyone to eat stale goods, so he opened the trade for these fresh catches.

Even though the price is a bit high, no one would frown at this extra expense during the cold winter.

Especially the townsfolk of Frost Leaf Town, many of whom have moved beyond mere subsistence and started to seek fresh and delicious food.

Of course, Luo De couldn’t possibly join the winter fishing every day.

In fact, after tasting the first mandarin fish, Luo De returned to the manor in the afternoon to attend to his own matters.

Once the weather warms, construction of the city walls must begin, and Luo De needs to design some simple tools, staying in the workshop and meditating occasionally when tired.

By relying on basic devices and principles like gears, levers, and pulleys, to create simple hoisting towers, material transport carts, and pile drivers.

These things are relatively easy to design but can significantly improve work efficiency.

Luo De quickly drew the blueprints for the carpenters to craft.

As Luo De was busy, Durant’s footsteps echoed from the hall.

"Come in."

Even before Durant could knock, Luo De anticipated and gave his permission.

"Lord Baron, there’s news from the southeast."

Durant bowed and reported, "It’s brought by Gang Le."

"Hmm, then go ahead."

Luo De responded without lifting his head.

"Sir, this time Gang Le wrote a letter."

"Oh?"

Luo De raised his head in slight surprise.

Gang Le usually wouldn’t bother to send information separately.

Most of the information is brought back by those who return with goods and report the latest affairs along the way.

Gang Le doesn’t favor this form of written communication.

Performing tasks himself, Luo De did not assign him a scribe; he dislikes writing without cause.

Gang Le considers his large hands unsuitable for holding a pen.

This time, he personally wrote a letter, indicating something important to report.

Luo De immediately stopped his work, took the letter, and read it carefully.

The writing was so ugly that Luo De frowned.

But the content was quite intriguing to Luo De.

Durant, knowing Gang Le’s temperament, nervously watched Luo De.

He looked eagerly at Luo De, wanting to speak several times but holding back.

As Luo De just put down the letter, Durant couldn’t help but ask, "Lord Baron, is there any special news?"

"Nothing particularly special,"

Luo De said slowly, "It’s just that the situation in Eagle Territory is more complex than we imagined, and the trouble Harun has brought to Zane is greater than expected."

"Gang Le reported that they captured a Knight."

"That Knight was also involved in an incident, assassinated by his own squire."

"What?"

Durant widened his eyes and asked, "What happened? A newly recruited squire?"

Knight’s squires have very close relations with knights, not merely servants, but also students and confidants in many cases of this era.

Durant’s squire in the Earl’s Domain still frequently visited him after his injury.

Even though Durant’s squire became a formal knight leading the army, he remained respectful and without arrogance when seeing Durant again.

"No, it’s due to other reasons, and Gang Le didn’t elaborate because of the letter,"

Luo De said, "But that Knight named Frank revealed that many knights from the Hawk Territory didn’t pledge loyalty to Zane due to rumors of a usurper."

"Frank himself included, which led to his squire’s assassination attempt."

"It seems Harun is not completely disadvantaged, and perhaps a war is inevitable," Luo De speculated.

"Was it incited by Zane?" Durant asked.

Luo De nodded.

"Perfect!"

Durant exclaimed with joy, "Does that mean you might have another knight under your command?"

"No."

Luo De gently shook his head, "That Frank is not what you think."

"Frank hasn’t betrayed the Hawk Clan; on the contrary, his stance is firm, only shaken by the rumors regarding the current successor."

"He believes the previous Hawk Count was a usurper, hence he supports Baron Harun more."

"Ah, this..."

Durant was at a loss and hesitantly asked, "Did Gang Le mention if he has family?"

Luo De smiled.

He knew Durant had started to get crafty, trying to replicate the previous affair with Chris.

"No."

Luo De shook his head again, calmly explaining,

"His wife passed away during childbirth, and the child didn’t survive either."

"Otherwise, Frank wouldn’t face fearlessly."

"Then he is no different from ordinary labor force."

Durant sighed.

Durant was likewise busy, with military training, territory patrols, security management all demanding attention, leaving him overwhelmed.

He wished there were someone to help.

"There’s a difference; he’s older than you."

Luo De said with a chuckle.

"Then he’s even less useful than ordinary labor force."

Durant displayed a wry smile, "Lord Baron, your mindset is admirable."

"It’s not about having a good mindset, but that Frank has a better future."

Luo De reminded with a smile, "Look from another perspective; this person has no value to us but is an extremely valuable asset to Baron Harun."

Durant paused, a hint of enlightenment flashing in his mind: "You mean... to sell Frank to Baron Harun?"

Luo De nodded slightly, exhaling a long breath, and sighed,

"It’s just a matter of whether Baron Harun can pay the price."

Durant pondered over Luo De’s words, then spoke after a moment, "He can surely afford it."

A baron purchasing a knight can undoubtedly pay the price.

Durant understood that Luo De implied whether Baron Harun was willing to pay a significant price.