Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 181 The Majestic Castle and the Spiritual Medicine Farm Take Shape

Avril and Phyllis had already prepared breakfast. They guessed that Su Li might do some morning practice, so they kept the food warm and waited for him to have breakfast together.

Su Li originally wanted to have a quick meal and then go to the meeting, but when he thought about Phyllis still waiting for him, he thought for a moment and decided to have breakfast with Phyllis and the others.

The war in the Surander Province has come to an end, and the local intelligence has finally become clear.

Phyllis is a direct descendant of the Elector. After all, the princess died on the battlefield, and none of her descendants were cowards. They all died fighting for their country.

Perhaps we will never know which son of the princess Phyllis is descended from.

But her status clearly served the interests of the provincial council of nobles. Having finally waited for this opportunity to weaken the dictatorship, the nobles naturally hoped that the successor, the Elector, would be as weak and influential as possible. This would shift the center of power from Averan Palace to the Surander Provincial Council Hall.

To this end, the nobles may even launch a bloody assassination and kill all the heirs with priority.

Su Li even felt that they would definitely launch an assassination attempt. The benefits were too numerous. Not only could they choose a puppet, but they could also establish their authority through assassination. The person they were killing was the heir to the Electorate. In a sense, they were deposing and enthroning the emperor, letting everyone in the Sulande Territory clearly see who was the current master of the Sulande Province.

While Su Li was thinking, Phyllis and Avril had already happily brought the prepared breakfast to the dining table.

In addition to the main dishes such as fragrant baked pies, roast venison, couscous with chicken breast vanilla sauce, cheese shrimp sticks, vanilla mousse cake, seasonal fruit salad, etc., breakfast also includes fragrant fruit tea. The aroma of milk combined with the sweetness of strawberries and the aroma of vanilla is very appetite-stimulating. This is the delicacy that Phyllis started preparing early in the morning.

It can be said that the aristocratic life in Bauhinia Manor alone is as enjoyable as that of the barons within the empire, and it is something that no knights of any kingdom can compare to.

After Su Li sat down, he said to Phyllis, "If I get up late in the future, you can just eat first and don't have to wait for me. Especially since you are pregnant, you should pay more attention to your health."

Phyllis smiled sweetly and said, "But a good mood is also important. Being able to have breakfast with you, Lord, is more joyful than eating any amount of delicious food."

Her current wonderful life is beyond her previous imagination. The political and military pressures are completely shouldered by the lord, and her material and wealth needs are also greatly met. She does not have to worry about anything. She only needs to think about what delicious food to cook every day and practice occasionally.

She also didn't have severe morning sickness during her pregnancy. The knights of the Church of the Goddess of Mercy and Healing said this meant the child's genes came more from the mother than the father. Severe morning sickness meant the child looked more like the father. This wasn't a bad thing; if the child truly resembled the mother, he would be even more handsome or beautiful.

Su Li looked at her and said, "You should be careful recently and don't leave the castle. The war in Sulande is over, and a brutal political struggle is about to begin. You may be involved in a political assassination."

"Huh?" Phyllis's face changed, and she was a little bewildered. She asked, "How...how did I get involved in such a big political whirlpool?"

Su Li put down the lamb chops in his hand, patted her palm, and comforted her: "Don't be afraid, the territory will always be your greatest backing. With our support, you may even inherit the position of Elector."

Phyllis immediately shook her head firmly: "No! I don't want to be an elector. I just want to live happily with you, my lord."

Avril asked worriedly, "What if they force us?"

"Then... then... I will give the position of Elector to you, Lord. With your talents, you will surely be able to manage the entire Surander Province. You are more suited to a bigger stage."

Su Li chuckled and said, "You really trust me!"

Have you never heard of the story about Chong'er being born outside and Shensheng dying inside?

Su Li's greatest strength was his self-awareness. He could thrive outside, farming and hiding, without any problems. But if he were thrown into an unfamiliar powerhouse, without any foundation, and forced to engage in political maneuvers with a group of veterans, he'd likely be completely exploited. Their schemes were so interconnected that even with his intelligence system, Su Li might not be able to keep up.

So Su Li said, "Don't let your imagination run wild. I just want you to be careful recently and don't run around in the castle. Sulande Province is nearly ten thousand miles away from us, and you're not one of the top three heirs, so we don't know if you'll be affected. I'm telling you this just to be on the safe side. After all, you're pregnant now, so don't let anything go wrong."

Avril nodded immediately and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I won't leave the castle or the manor from now on. I won't run around until a new Grand Prince is elected in the province of Surander. The most important thing for me right now is to give birth to the child smoothly."

"Yeah." Su Li stood up and kissed her forehead, saying lovingly, "You and Avril can continue to eat slowly. I'm done and going to a meeting first. Believe me, there will be at least two more Chosen Ones in the territory soon, and they will definitely protect your safety."

He stood up, and Hildesh immediately put down the porcelain bowl, took his sword, left the room, and rushed towards the castle.

Hesse Castle is no longer as cramped as it used to be. After Muradin arrived at Hesse Territory with a thousand dwarf troops, one of his main tasks was to help Su Li build castles and fortresses.

After a series of development and expansion, the castle now has the prototype of a base, and the upper fortress has four enclosures, consisting of multiple sets of adjacent defense facilities of different heights.

For example, at the outermost edge is a city wall that stretches for more than 9 miles, with a vast training ground and development area in the middle. Then, near the castle is a deep ditch that isolates the castle behind a -meter-deep ditch. There is only a stone bridge connecting the castle to the thick city walls and towers of another inner city.

However, after crossing the city gate from this stone bridge and entering the upper level of the castle, it is not yet the main building of Hesse Castle. You have to walk for a long time in this defensive stone corridor before passing the exit. To the west is another enclosed defensive facility, with a direct training ground for servants in the middle, surrounded by various buildings including arsenals, granaries, blacksmith shops, hoof repair houses, armories, guard rooms, etc.

Only by turning right along the stone corridor can you reach the spacious courtyard in front of the main building of the castle. The main building then stands on a higher base, overlooking the enclosed inner and outer castle areas below.

It can be said that the castle planned by the dwarves is capable of resisting the invasion of dragons. Even if a green dragon comes in person, humans can hide behind the thick stone walls and continuously shoot arrows from towers, stone corridors, and enclosures, and can safely fight against the dragon for a long time.

Fortifications have always been an important means for humans to fight against powerful enemies. Even for a giant dragon, it is not an easy task to demolish such a tall, majestic and heavily defended castle.

Of course, this is premised on the successful completion of the castle.

This castle is actually just a prototype at present. The arrival of the dwarves gave Su Li a Baron Experience Card. During that period, projects in all directions of the territory made rapid progress!
However, after killing Skaven Bloodfury, the dwarf army left the territory, Su Li's accelerated construction experience card ended, and the speed of all construction in the territory slowed down.

So, looking at the buildings under construction in Heisenburg, Su Li said to Hildurd, "Although the dwarves are gone, we can't be discouraged. Ultimately, the construction of the territory depends on our own reliance. The construction of the castle must continue to accelerate. This is one of the key guarantees for us to fight against the green dragon. If the construction period is too late, we will stop the functional facilities in the castle and manor and prioritize the completion of the military buildings."

"If we can hold on to this battle, even if we tear down the castle and rebuild those functional facilities, it will be easy and stress-free."

This castle embodies the engineering technology of the dwarves, and many of its designs amaze Su Li.

For example, this castle is built halfway up a mountain, with a drop of more than 200 meters from the main river below. So how can water overcome gravity and be diverted upwards from a river one kilometer underground through underground pipelines without the aid of any modern mechanical equipment to create showers, fountains, steam saunas, floor heating and other facilities in the castle and palace?

At least Su Li, like most ignorant serfs, felt that this was impossible to accomplish.

But the dwarves were amazingly skilled, and they made full use of engineering principles to accomplish all this. They first went upstream to a hill 20 miles higher than the palace, where they built a dam to intercept the river and divert part of the river to a newly dug canal heading west.

The canal follows the rugged terrain at a very shallow slope to the outskirts of the palace.

They then dug a large cistern at a higher level than the palace, with canal water flowing through pipes 60 meters below the pool.

Above the pool, they installed a waterwheel, which was turned by animal power. It pumped water from more than 60 meters below the pool to the surface and filled a water tank of more than 2000 cubic meters.

This pool, located above the castle and estate, provides the necessary water pressure for all the palace's facilities, such as fountains, baths, and water-driven clocks.

After the water flows out of the reservoir, it passes through two filter pools and enters the palace and manor, and then is diverted to various channels, which will transport the water to the pools and fountains around the palace.

Under the bathhouse, they will also be heated by a copper boiler. The heated water will flow to shower facilities, sauna rooms, etc. In winter, it can also provide floor heating indoors through copper pipes under the bedroom.

It's no exaggeration to say that the castle and manor designed for Su Li by so many dwarves together surpassed the engineering and technical level of at least 80% of the nobles in the empire. It could even rival the palaces of many earls and dukes.

The reason why it was built so luxuriously, in addition to the dwarves' superb technology and Su Li's wealth, the most important reason is that everyone believes that the territory has a promising future.

The territory needs giant iron mines, and wealth needs large amounts of gold coins and food. It can be said that as long as it can develop and operate steadily, it will undoubtedly be able to build such a complete and luxurious castle.

But the existence of the Green Dragon clearly disrupted everyone's expectations for the future. Therefore, for now, ensuring the completion of the castle's military facilities was the top priority.

The Hessian Territory was very advanced in military thinking. It was said that a good warrior first made himself invincible and then waited for the enemy to be defeated.

After the castle is built, at least Su Li can be guaranteed to be invincible.

If Su Li had a lower bottom line and learned from the actions of other nobles, he could completely hide in the castle and watch the green dragon wreak havoc.

This green dragon can't possibly tear down such a solid, majestic and heavy castle in Hessen.

Upon hearing Su Li's instructions, Hildreth immediately replied, "We will determine the progress of the territory construction at today's meeting. We still need to hear the opinions of the engineering master Kurgan on this matter."

Su Li nodded. As for the specific affairs of the territory, he still needed to understand the details of all aspects before making an accurate decision.

"Let's go to the meeting." Su Li jumped off the Death Claw. He was the only one in the castle who could ride his mount into the castle. No one else, not even Hildreth, had the right to ride a horse in the castle.

This is not a question of closeness or not, it is a manifestation of the lord's power and majesty.

Death Claw followed him out of the stone corridor. Its tall and strong body was taller than Su Li. Wearing heavy armor, it ran like a tank.

Su Li had no choice but to say to Harry, the servant beside him, "Keep an eye on Deathclaw. Although it's physically strong, it's still a cub at heart. It can easily get into trouble if it can't control its impulsive emotions. Don't let it destroy the house, and don't let it hurt the ordinary people in the castle."

"Got it, Lord. I will follow Lord Deathclaw." Harry immediately punched his chest respectfully.

But his role was just to follow the Death Claw. This noble bird of prey would not allow anyone other than Su Li and Hirud to touch it, not even to feed it.

Once, Phyllis tried to feed it some fresh meat, but she almost angered it and it attacked her.

The other servants didn't even dare approach it. Trying to build a closer relationship with this noble bird of prey through fresh meat would only be considered an offense and insult by the griffin.

Just the monthly repairs of the houses impulsively demolished by the Death Claws are a heavy burden for ordinary lords.

Furthermore, Harry's strength was far inferior to that of Death Claw. Although his cultivation talent and innate supernatural power were outstanding, his progress was far behind Su Li's. He had only cultivated from a beginner knight to a senior knight in half a year.

Logically speaking, this speed was already incredibly fast, meaning that he was at least a leader among the elite knights. If Su Li was willing to train him and give him a certain amount of resources, he might not be able to become a champion knight in the future.

However, such a monstrous cultivation speed seemed so insignificant under Su Li's huge aura. Currently, he could only perform the most basic duty of guarding the Death Claw in Heisenburg.

The Deathclaw clearly didn't understand any of this. Returning to its original home, it chirped excitedly before spreading its wings and soaring out of the castle, circling several times around the redbud banner fluttering above the main building. This sight, the griffin's wings spread and its banner fluttering, instilled confidence and ambition in everyone who witnessed it.

In front of the castle hall, two Hessian Royal Guard knights who were on duty saw Su Li and Hildreda walking into the main building. They immediately bowed and then opened the huge dark red door for Su Li with their hands.

When Su Li walked into the room, the noisy voices in the room suddenly fell silent. All the ministers sitting on both sides of the long table simultaneously pulled out the luxurious chairs made of blood pine wood, stood up in unison, and bowed to Su Li: "Greetings, Lord. May the gods bless you and have a good day."

Seeing this scene, Su Li felt relaxed and happy. The taste of power was simply fascinating!
He walked to the main seat at the end of the long table, sat down calmly, and then waved his hand and said to the ministers of the territory, "Please sit down."

Hildes' seat was at the first seat at the long table to Su Li's right. After she sat down, she stood up again and began to preside over today's meeting.

"My Lord, the mid-year review and report meeting for the territory has arrived. The attendees include High Chamberlain Hilde, Religious Advisor and Provincial Council President Ron, Hesse Military Commander Orstein, Grand Master of the Knights of the Corona Constantine, Deputy Grand Master Freya, Minister of Seals Lawn, Minister of Agriculture Fandral, Minister of Industry Sherif, Chief Judge Frederick, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hartzklin, Master Engineer Kurgan, Master Caster Boros, Dwarf Elder Brok Redbeard, Halfling Mayor Ashfield, and Priestess Lunadesan of the Church of Tarr."

This long list of names is just like the current prosperous and growing state of the territory.

Compared to the lack of talented people when they first arrived at the territory, the room is now full of talented people.

With so many talented people, how could the territory not prosper?
Su Li raised his hand and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's start the meeting. Senior Attendant, you will be responsible for presiding over the meeting and maintaining order in accordance with the procedures."

Hild immediately bowed slightly and said, "As you command, Lord."

"Today's meeting will focus on two main items. The first is a report on the current development of the territory."

"Then it's about the combat deployment against the Wings of Deception."

Su Li nodded, then looked at Fandral and said, "Before the troops move, the food and fodder must go first. Minister of Agriculture, the harvest season has just ended. Please report on the status of the farming in the territory first."

Fandral was well prepared for this. Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up and said, "The territory is flourishing under the wise management of the Lord, and the scale of agriculture is constantly expanding."

"This summer alone, we harvested over 2000 million jin of summer grain, and currently we have 400 million jin of grain stored in the Hesseburg granary."

"There are three million kilograms of grain stored in the various granaries, grain stores, and bakeries in Heisen Town. Some has already been sold to the people, caravans, and dwarves. There's also a brewery in the territory, and this building alone requires over two million kilograms of grain."

Su Li felt relieved after listening to this report. Finally, the territory was getting back on track.

The territory castle stored 400 million kilograms of grain. Although it was only 2000 tons, which was not very large, it was enough to ensure Su Li's rule in the Hessen Territory.

This is enough to feed 400 people for two years and is sufficient to deal with most crises.

Many nobles in the empire adopted this tactic when facing foreign invasions. As long as the lord took his troops and hid in the castle for a year or two, the enemy would not be able to hold up the siege for a long time and would retreat.

As for the idea of ​​launching an attack on the city, that was a bit far-fetched. The castle, built on a steep slope over 200 meters high, had only one entrance and was heavily fortified. With 400 elite knights inside, even if the attacking force suffered thousands or even tens of thousands of casualties, it would still be impossible to take it down.

While Su Li was thinking, Fandral continued to report: "The most important farming project in our territory right now is undoubtedly the Bjorn Shallow Bay project."

"The waters of Lake Rafflin irrigate the vast farmland below, and we are sure to have a bountiful harvest. Therefore, the territory is currently fully committed to developing the farmland here. We guarantee that before the last planting of the year, the territory's farmland area will be reclaimed to over 10 acres."

"In addition, the Sisters of the Dawn Church will be stationed in five rural villages and ten farms in the territory to guide the production of each farm in the suburbs. We strive to increase the cultivated land area in the entire territory to 5 mu this year."

Hearing Fandral's voice, all the ministers in the hall were overjoyed. A good agricultural harvest can be said to be the basic guarantee for all the undertakings in the territory.

Only with sufficient food can the territory feed more people and provide a solid foundation and strong guarantee for industry, military, religion, culture and other aspects.

The additional 10 mu of fertile farmland in Bjorn's Shallow Bay could yield at least 3000 million jin of grain, worth 3000 gold crowns. With three crops per year, this would not only be the granary for the Border Princes, but also a source of wealth for the Hesse Territory!

10000 gold crowns are enough to buy 50 elite knights, and paying the elite knights' salaries is enough to maintain one and a half squadrons of elite knights.

But this bright future is far from the whole of the territory. Fandral's report is still not over: "Under the guidance of the Lord, our territory has cultivated far more than just ordinary crops."

"I want to emphasize here that four out of 10 farms don't grow ordinary crops."

"This includes a spiritual medicine farm, growing medicinal herbs such as tranquilizing flowers, swift grass, dragon blood grass, and lion's mane mushrooms. The area is over 200 acres, and the output is at least 1000 gold crowns. The only thing that limits the scale of this is the number of spiritual medicine seeds."

"If we have enough seeds in the future, I assert that the scale of our territory's spiritual medicine fields will continue to expand. While the territory becomes a border granary, it will also become the empire's medicinal material production center! When the scale of this spiritual medicine farm reaches 500 acres, 1000 acres, or even 10000 acres, the value of the spiritual medicine output will definitely exceed the income from ordinary grain!"

(End of this chapter)