CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 335: THUNDEROUS SWAMP KINGDOM_2

The geothermal resources of the Thunderous Swamp destined it to be a major granary. The swamp didn’t freeze in winter, which was perfect for getting farmland and breeding grounds ready so that sowing could begin as soon as spring arrived. Yan Xing had once studied the mud of the swamp; it was incredibly fertile. Anything planted would yield a full harvest, and it was possible to harvest twice a year.

Arrangements were made for paddy fields with a yield of over a thousand pounds per acre.

Planning for productive fields was a collaborative effort between the census team and the road survey team. Eternal Domain would also deploy drones for high-altitude scanning. Finally, Chui Chui’s database would use the terrain and environmental conditions to create a unified plan for different planting and breeding projects.

Yan Xing made a promise to all Clan Leaders. He assured them that if they used the seeds provided by Eternal Domain, all their output would be purchased by Eternal Domain, ensuring it wouldn’t end up wasted in the hands of the various tribes.

The Clan Leaders encouraged their people to plant and breed boldly and with peace of mind. They knew that even if there was no yield, Eternal Domain would cover the losses.

To this end, Yan Xing also announced the establishment of the Northern Camp. This camp would be responsible for protecting the farmlands and breeding grounds. Chocobos and Carnivorous Birds were assigned to the Northern Camp to help the tribes drive away and exterminate magical beasts that destroyed crops.

Red Eye was appointed as the commander of the Thunderous Swamp Northern Camp, and the Werewolf Clan Leader, Qiao She, was appointed as his deputy.

The Swamp Tribe were a fishing and hunting people. Within the swamp, anyone willing to exert themselves could always find prey to ensure they had food and warmth. As for farming and breeding... once attacked by magical beasts, it might result in no harvest at all. Therefore, the Swamp Tribe did not engage in agriculture.

At the last meeting in Blood Crown Mountain City, Yan Xing had proposed developing agriculture in the Thunderous Swamp. Some tribes had responded to this proposal. However, only the warring factions attended that meeting; a large number of smaller tribes were not present.

This time, developing agriculture was formally proposed as a guideline for the Thunderous Swamp. This ensured a radiating agricultural development plan centered around Eternal Domain. The Northern Camp was specifically for agricultural security.

While announcing the establishment of the Thunderous Swamp Northern Camp, Yan Xing also announced plans to establish the Eastern Camp of the Thunderous Swamp. This camp would be responsible for road safety in the Thunderous Swamp.

Road construction required a lot of building materials, machinery, and various supplies. During the construction of the Thunderous Main Road, incidents of theft of food, woven bags, and other supplies were common. Previously, the Southern Camp handled these security tasks. With more roads being built, the Southern Camp’s responsibilities increased, and it naturally couldn’t cope with it all. This presented a good opportunity to manage these tasks separately. Therefore, road security and patrolling for thieves were entirely entrusted to the Eastern Camp.

Duan’er’s Southern Camp shifted its focus more towards serving the main forces of Eternal Domain.

Command of the Eastern Camp was given to Green Tail.

Agricultural security and road security often overlapped in their jurisdictions. While no major chaos would ensue, numerous trivial matters would arise. This situation perfectly constrained "King Red Eye" and "King Green Tail" to the Northern Camp and Eastern Camp, respectively.

Yan Xing’s influence over the Lizard Clan was much weaker than his influence over the Werewolves, so the two Lizardman kings had to be managed carefully. The Southern Camp’s functions still covered all areas of the Thunderous Swamp. Normally, the Southern Camp could ignore agricultural and road affairs. However, if Red Eye and Green Tail caused too much trouble, the Southern Camp could intervene at any time.

As for the remaining Western Camp, Yan Xing simply said it would be established later on. This left the Clan Leaders with something to anticipate.

With the logistical system sorted and the Lizardmen properly arranged, what remained was, of course, the issue of military construction.

During the recent agenda, Yan Xing announced the creation of the new Eastern and Northern Camps, in addition to the existing Southern Camp. The three camps would form the military organization of the Thunderous Swamp.

The military system in the Thunderous Swamp would continue to be the conscription system already established by the Southern Camp. All Swamp Tribes were to send members, proportionate to their size, to Blood Crown Mountain City for short-term training. Instructors from Blood Crown Mountain City would then assign soldiers to the three camps based on their abilities.

Eternal Domain would occasionally call up soldiers from the three camps to the Stenchwater Forest training camp for intensive training. Those with outstanding performance in training were promoted to the main forces of Eternal Domain. Those who did not qualify were sent back to the three camps.

The benefits Yan Xing provided to his soldiers were, of course, staggeringly good. From the start of Eternal Domain’s establishment, Yan Xing provided his soldiers with excellent benefits. Living soldiers earned high incomes and enjoyed various military privileges. The families of those who died received pensions and special care.

Other lords only discussed honor with their soldiers on a spiritual level, while skimping on material support. Yan Xing, however, first discussed honor with his soldiers on a material level.

This material investment earned Eternal Domain soldiers immense respect and envy within the territory; their sense of honor blossomed naturally, without any need for slogans. Moreover, to save on pensions, Yan Xing was willing to invest in the soldiers’ equipment.

A set of metal armor was standard issue for each conscript. The main force was even better equipped: each soldier had a combat uniform and a Tactical Vest fitted with Magical Protective Plates. They used cannons and bombers for long-range attacks, rifles for medium-range, and for close-quarters combat, Werewolf Warriors wielded Bulletproof Shields and firefighting axes.

Yan Xing truly cherished his soldiers, taking great care of them. Of course, this care was only in terms of weapons, equipment, and material support. When it came to soldier training, he showed no mercy.

After repeated military training exercises and improvements, Stenchwater Forest had become a comprehensive training base. Yan Xing even introduced a training regimen copied from the real world to the Stenchwater Forest training base. Soldiers entering the training camp had to complete all listed subjects. Those who qualified stayed in the main force. Those who didn’t were sent to the Southern Camp.

Eternal Domain’s ordinary soldiers possessed fierce firepower, strong defense, and high combat proficiency. Their sense of honor was through the roof. Blessed with Yan Xing’s hero talent, "Will of the People," they even dared to charge three Werewolves at Heize City at close range and fire rocket launchers.

Consequently, when Yan Xing described the benefits for Eternal Domain’s main force soldiers at the meeting, many Clan Leaders wished they could renounce their positions and enlist in Eternal Domain to serve Lord Yan Xing.

Indeed, many Clan Leaders lived lives far less comfortable than even a low-ranking soldier in Eternal Domain.

The successful issuance of Eternal Domain Grain Tickets provided Yan Xing the financial means to maintain such high benefits for the army. He also believed that a qualified soldier’s value on the battlefield far exceeded the cost of their upkeep. These excellent benefits ensured that all Clan Leaders agreed to Eternal Domain’s recruitment proposal without objection.

After these four important agenda items were smoothly approved, the rest of the meeting dealt with more trivial matters. These included establishing various functional departments and appointing officials; creating the Swamp Court and discussing law formulation; determining how to set up the Thunderous Swamp Bank and plan financial strategies; and addressing diplomatic and commercial activities.

...

These were matters beyond the comprehension of the Swamp Tribe Clan Leaders, most of whom had never ventured outside the swamp. Since they didn’t understand, they couldn’t offer opinions. Essentially, officials from Eternal Domain delivered their speeches one after another in a cursory manner.

The Thunderous Swamp council was currently just a figurehead. For a long time to come, Eternal Domain would need to serve as its brain and central nervous system.

The meeting lasted from morning until evening. The Swamp Tribe Clan Leaders, and even the council members, were free to sleep during the meeting. As the sole executive officer of the Thunderous Swamp, Yan Xing diligently presided over the day’s meeting.

That evening, Yan Xing dragged his exhausted body back to his room in the Lord’s Mansion. Soon after, Arlanda came to see him. Yan Xing had grown accustomed to official matters demanding his attention at all hours. He hadn’t taken a break in the real world for a long time.

"Have a seat..." With his maid’s assistance, Yan Xing removed his ceremonial attire. Uncaring of Arlanda’s presence, he changed into loose pajamas and then invited Arlanda to sit by the fireplace.

Arlanda bowed to Yan Xing, took a seat, and said, "My apologies, My Lord. I know I shouldn’t disturb you at this hour."

The maid brought in a tray with his dinner.

Yan Xing took two slices of bread, layered them with fried ham, eggs, lettuce, and salad, then pressed the sandwich together. He took a large bite and said, "You know you shouldn’t disturb me, so your coming now must mean it’s important. Go on, speak. I’ll eat my dinner. You should have something too."

"No, thank you, My Lord. I’ll leave once I have your guidance. You should rest early; you have another meeting to preside over tomorrow." Arlanda then recounted his meeting with Prince Elrado to Yan Xing.

Chewing on his homemade sandwich, Yan Xing considered for a moment before replying to Arlanda, "I’ve always considered the Elves friends and have wanted to make Eternal Domain and Snowland true allies.

"Prince Elrado is right. Having a special channel for communication before leaders make critical decisions concerning allies is essential.

"After all, what is said publicly isn’t always what one truly means to express.

"When Prince Elrado returns to Snowland, he and I won’t be able to discuss everything directly.

"Your role in this will be crucial.

"Take this situation, for example. He wants to buy weapons. If I were to refuse him directly, it would undoubtedly embarrass him."