I built a manor in the Middle Ages

Chapter 153: Shuangqiao Road Plan

The next morning, Jean rode the travel horse back to the bridge. Before leaving, Luc asked Jean to give George a good scolding and ordered him not to go to Cooper Castle to find the Scottish prostitute again, because venereal disease was not a joke.

After solving the mount problem, Luc could not sit still. That morning, he rode his majestic mount to inspect the entire area of ​​the Knight's Castle, including the salt factory. In addition to personally supervising it, he also wanted to find a reasonable route.
Little Maiman was right. There was indeed no lord more willing to build roads than Luke.

"If we want to build a trade route through to the south, we'd have to build a floating bridge across the Agate River in the south. Furthermore, we'd have to bypass the salt works in the north and drive all the way to Telf Bridge further north. Isn't that a bit too much work?"

Luc held the reins tightly, and the horse's hooves made a slight slip on the snow. In order to avoid a fall, he wrapped a circle of linen around the horse's hooves.

The construction of the city wall is still going on. Luke has a good prestige, and with the food rewards, everyone in the valley is working hard. However, it is not known whether they are working more for his face or for the food.

Old Eike also came to inform two not-so-good news.

"Master, the food reserves are a little insufficient."

"Hmm?" Luke frowned. Not enough food?
"If I remember correctly, we harvested over 9,000 pounds of rye during the autumn harvest. We also hunted a lot of red deer and sea bass in the fall, and there are so many wild vegetables and fruits. Isn't that enough to eat?"

Old Eike's face was a little bitter. "Master, as you know, there were only fifteen people in the manor before, but now there are forty-two. And recently we have been doing heavy work non-stop, so..."

Luke rubbed the knot between his eyebrows and interrupted Old Eike with a headache, "Just tell me, how long can you eat it?"

"Aside from growing crops, there's enough to eat until the spring plowing season. To be more precise, there won't be enough after winter. There's at least a month's gap before the spring harvest."

"Sir, I think if we want to completely solve the food problem, we still have to burn mountains and cultivate land on a large scale."

"I'll naturally take care of this next year. I'll think of a solution to the food problem later. Oh, and there's another piece of bad news. What is it?"

Luc temporarily put aside the idea of ​​building a road. The reason for building a road was very simple. The trade route he had promised to Hoffman was none other than his own valley!

Turning from Tel Bridge, you can go straight south along the Agate River without having to pass through Cooper Castle.

The benefits of doing so were obvious: with the caravan passing through, Luc's estate would reap the benefits of commercial development. However, the downside was also significant—there was a real risk of Baron Berry discovering him, and given his recent, sometimes subtle, probing attempts, Luc already had a strategy in mind.

But now he has to consider again the food problem that has plagued Luc for nearly two years!

Old Eike moistened his lips. "The second thing is about the construction of the city wall. The weather is getting colder and colder, and it's a bit too much for everyone. Do you think we should adopt a rotation system? Split into two groups, and when the sundial passes a square, one group will take over and go to the side to rest and keep warm."

"That's a good idea. Let's do it."

Luc nodded. This news was not a big deal. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Have Amy boil some more hot water for them. We've collected a lot of charcoal. Don't be reluctant to use it. It will be much better to drink some hot water during the rest period."

"Master, be merciful~"

If there was one thing that Luc had the most of, it was wood. The woodshed was already piled full, and with the two charcoal kilns working together, except for Hoffman's share, there was still enough wood for everyone in the manor to use for a long time.

"Also, sir, everyone's hands have been quite cold lately, which has affected the speed of work."

The cold winter wind could break a person's skin. When Luc was struggling to survive, he made a pair of pigskin gloves to prevent his hands from freezing. However, the serfs did not have such luxurious clothing. Luc thought for a while and said, "Let's use a simple method. Before starting work every day, burn a pile of grass ash and apply it to my hands. Then do the same when I finish work in the evening."

That’s right, it’s wood ash again. This panacea.

Old Eike slapped his head and said, "Damn it! I'm really too old to remember this method. Well, sir, there are no other questions for now. I'm going to get back to work."

"Go."

After sending old Eike away, Luc walked slowly in the mountains and forests.

The good development during this period almost made me forget that the manor has not yet escaped the basic subsistence line.

"Huh~ Maybe we need to get some autumn wind."

……

Jean got off his horse wearily, pushed open the door of the wooden house and fell asleep. Running in the cold wind for a whole day and night had made even this strong man a little exhausted.

The loud snoring sound suddenly stopped after who knows how long. Ran rubbed his sleepy eyes and just regained consciousness. He went outside and called George into the house. Under the other's puzzled gaze, he opened the wooden box in the corner and took out two unfamiliar linen shirts.

"Now, put it on, paint your face with some wood ash, and come with me into the woods tonight."

These two sets of clothes were the clothes that Jean had used to kill the porter not long ago. George was a little surprised at first, but after hearing Jean's words, he immediately became excited. He stared at Jean's scar with wide eyes and said quickly, "Master, have you agreed to our plan?!"

"Yeah." Rang just nodded slightly, speaking concisely.

George pumped his fist excitedly and muttered as he put on his clothes, "I've been fed up with those damn flies for a long time. If I hadn't been worried about them being around when I go back to steal horses, I could have brought out the other one too!"

"Shut up and don't mention this matter again. Do you want to kill Lord Luke? From now on, forget about it!"

George was slightly stunned, and indeed said no more.

The two of them quickly changed their clothes and then painted their faces so that no one could recognize them, especially Jean, whose scars were tightly covered.

As night fell and the moonlight dimmed, the two men wrapped their clothes tightly, took their weapons, and quietly left the room.

The next morning, on a mound not far from the forest, two guys dressed like thugs were sitting on the ground drinking cheap barley beer and talking about the women they had slept with.

"Hey, that Scottish woman in the pub is too skinny. She's nothing like the Lombard girl I used to sleep with, with a big, plump waist and thick legs. That's more attractive!"

"God bless you, you damn guy have a really unique taste. Then you should go sleep with that guy Furman's wife. She is as strong as a bear, hahahaha~"

When talking about Freeman, the two hooligans lowered their voices while mocking him, as if they were a little afraid.

After all, the two of them were hired by Freeman, and Freeman was also the baron's entourage.

Both of them were bankrupt farmers who wandered around Cooper Castle all day long. Although Cooper Castle had only a few hundred people, it still had no shortage of gangsters and thugs. They were one of them. Relying on Freeman's followers, they often collected some nameless donations in the manor and then went out to drink and gamble. This time, for some reason, they were sent by Freeman to the wilderness in winter to stare at a barren bridgehead, which made them very unhappy. So they simply drank during the day and went back to sleep at night.

(End of this chapter)