I'm not a lord

Chapter 77 Rainy Season and Papermaking
It has been four months since Lin En came to White Bear Territory.

As July approaches, the rainy season in the north arrives as expected.

It was just past noon, but the sky was covered by a huge gray curtain. Heavy dark clouds piled up together, making it hard to breathe.

At first, there was just a gentle breeze and the rustling of leaves.

Click!Click!
Countless lightning bolts streaked across the sky.

Immediately afterwards, raindrops as big as beans fell down with a crackling sound, hitting the red tile roof of the castle, splashing layers of water.

Raindrops slid down the eaves, forming curtains of water that isolated the castle from the outside world.

This sudden rainstorm swept away the heat that had enveloped the territory for a month.

The White Bear Territory Castle stands on the high ground by the river, completely unafraid of heavy rain.

But looking at the rain outside the window that covered the sky, Lin En could fully imagine how much impact the villages would suffer.

However, he had informed the six manors to pay attention to waterproofing as early as the day before yesterday. The managers and heads of each manor also had experience in dealing with heavy rains, so the losses of the serfs would not be too great.

For the lower-class serfs of this era, heavy rain and snow could destroy the simple farmhouses built of mud and thatch.

They have long been accustomed to the power of nature and will spontaneously rebuild their homes after disasters.

Although simple houses are fragile, rebuilding them is relatively easy and time-saving.

Lin En had thought about letting the serfs live in sturdy and warm brick farmhouses, but White Bear Territory simply couldn't spare so many man-hours.

If he had not concentrated all his labor to build the road, the 55-kilometer salt transportation line would never have been completed before the rainy season.

We have manpower now, but we can’t make bricks in the rainy season.

When the rainy season is over and the brick factory is repaired, he will have more manpower to make bricks and build houses to help the serfs have a warm winter.

Compared to the serfs who had to suffer from heavy rains, the wheat seedlings in the fields were entering the most important stage of their "wheat life".

In the endless strips of fields, the rye sown in mid-April has now entered the final stage of jointing. The serfs' previous topdressing has provided sufficient nutrients for the wheat seedlings, and all that is missing is the catalyst of water.

They sway rhythmically with the rain, as if they are happily welcoming the rain.

The rainwater quickly seeped into the soil, moistening every inch of the land.

The stream between the ridges of the fields quickly filled up, and the water rushed forward, carrying mud and sand.

At the construction site north of the castle, the construction of the dam has temporarily stopped.

The serfs took refuge in makeshift sheds, watching the pouring rain and discussing their wives' pregnancy status.

The peasant women who became pregnant last year are gradually entering their due date, and White Bear Territory is about to welcome a group of newborns with bright prospects.

The raindrops hit the thatched roof of the shed, making a dense sound that drowned out the serfs' conversations.

In the castle courtyard, blue-haired Mira stood under the corridor, looking up at the water curtain from the eaves. She stretched out her little hand curiously, trying to cut off the water curtain. The crystal water droplets gathered in her palm and slid through her fingers.

Leah stood beside her, looking at her student with a smile, her eyes full of doting.

Leon and Lynn stood by the window on the second floor of the castle, holding a glass of mulled wine, carefully observing the little girl from the desert downstairs, and could not help but nod in praise:
"Is she the hostage sent by the barbarians? The daughter of the tribal leader? She's quite pretty, though a little young. If she's raised for a few more years, she'll definitely be beautiful."

Leon stayed in White Bear Territory for a day and had planned to return to Sanhe City today, but was trapped by heavy rain.

He had a bright future ahead of him and valued his life very much, so he would never dare to sail in a storm.

Lin En lowered his head and took a sip of red wine, then said slowly, "I promised her father that I would marry her."

"Marry? You're marrying this little brat instead of my sister?" Leon's face flushed instantly. He had only just discovered that Lin En had a mistress, and that she had even gotten pregnant before his sister, and he was already furious.

Lin En simply replied, "The custom among the barbarians is polygamy."

"."

Leon was silent for a moment, then abruptly changed the subject: "Didn't you say yesterday that there were still eight tribes of barbarians in the northern wilderness? Have you ever thought about plundering more people? If White Bear Territory can't handle it, I can help you find a market."

It is the nature of businessmen to be insatiable.

After obtaining the exclusive authorization for illegal salt trafficking, Leon set his sights on the human trade of the barbarians.

A savage with azure hair is an absolute rarity.

If we can get a group of mature and beautiful barbarian beauties and transport them to Amber Port where there are many wealthy people, we can definitely sell them for a good price.

“Have ideas, but don’t rush.”

Of course, Lin En coveted the human resources of the wastelanders, but with the current military strength and material reserves of the White Bear Territory, it was impossible for them to cross the vast primeval forest and attack the northern wilderness.

He had no shortage of reasons to start a war. The lowland tribes had been bullied for so many years, wasn't it only natural for them to seek revenge?
As for old Soward's attitude, Lin En naturally didn't care.

Xiao Suo is now being brainwashed by Lao Liu. No, he is being educated by Lao Liu.

If Lao Suo doesn't obey, Lin En doesn't mind letting the lowland tribe welcome a new young and strong patriarch.

Leon didn't get a satisfactory answer, so he changed the subject: "You've been anxious to expand your army lately. Are you eyeing the Shoal Territory in the south?"

He already knew Yagena's true identity and that she was pregnant with Lin En's child.

What could a bandit leader be thinking when he married the daughter of a deceased baron as his mistress?
It can't be that he was taking care of the deceased's daughter out of kindness.

"Maybe." Lynn's answer was still ambiguous.

Leon took it as a positive response and reminded him, "I was in Shoalland last year. That castle was much stronger than yours. Even if all the men in White Bear Territory died, it would still be impossible to break it by brute force."

He didn't want his sister to become a widow at such a young age, and he didn't want the illegal salt channel he had built with great difficulty to collapse.

"Thanks for reminding."

By dispatching his followers, Lin En has already lit up most of the map of the Shoal Territory.

To go from White Bear Territory to Sanhe City, you must pass through Shoal Territory whether by land or water.

He also has several plans to deal with the castle.

It's just that the preparations have not been completed yet, so he is not in a hurry to send troops.

After chatting with Leon for a while, Lynn returned to the study and sent someone to call Lao Liu.

"Little Thorward has been studying with you for over a month. How are the results?"

"Compared to learning to read and count, that kid prefers playing with swords. He can't even sit still for half an hour. I don't think he has any talent for learning."

Lao Liu has been very busy recently. He has to write introductory teaching materials on literacy and arithmetic, provide regular literacy training to some of the bandits' younger brothers, and also find time to teach little Soward.

But this student from the wilderness was very naughty and active, and because of his special status, he was given a lot of trouble.

Lin En raised his index finger and tapped the table lightly. "Teach as much as you can. Also, I plan to build a papermaking workshop in the territory soon, and I may need you to take charge of it temporarily."

(End of this chapter)