Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 7 The Forest Owner

Forrest is back, and nobody knows how Su Mu managed to wake the drunkard up.

All I know is that after returning to his post, this guy became even more "frugal," meticulous in every step of the process, striving for perfection in every felling, and even making use of the leftover wood chips.

This was tough on the careless carpenter, who gritted his teeth and persevered only because of the triple pay.

This seemingly insignificant change has led to a new record in timber harvesting.

"On average, we produce 2.5 logs per day. I have now mastered the technology of ebony conversion, so we don't need to send it to the sawmill for further processing, which saves a lot of raw materials."

"This is not the limit of the forest farm. Due to various reasons such as the workers' skill level, outdated tools, and insufficient physical strength, the current daily output of 3 logs is the limit. If I were to improve the process, teach carpenters, import new equipment, and improve the layout of the forest farm, it is hoped that the daily output of 5 logs could be increased to the limit."

If it gets any bigger, it might exceed the forest farm's capacity.

In fact, the wood gathered in the world of heroes possesses magical spirituality, and the methods of gathering and processing are very particular. In high-level forests, it is not impossible for timber that was cut down yesterday to sprout up and grow ten meters tall the next day, just like bamboo shoots after a rain. The key is the spirituality stored within, which is what makes the logs valuable.

Su Mu accompanied Forrest to inspect the logging operations. Since Forrest's promotion to hero, he seemed to have been enlightened, gaining an extraordinary mastery of various woodworking techniques. Even veteran carpenters with decades of experience were amazed by his skills. Moreover, Forrest had also begun to grasp the basics of forest environment surveying, as well as weather and geography observation.

A daily output of 5 logs is already higher than the output of a level 2 forest farm in the principality. Logically speaking, a lumbering prodigy should not be able to reach this level, but with the support of a junior governor, they are almost invincible at this stage, comparable to having two treasures.

Forrest looked at the mountain of timber and said meaningfully, "Such a high yield of timber should not be in the town of Cangmu. Even the Timber Guild cannot cover this amount."

Su Mu was familiar with the situation in the Kingdom of Elton, but he wasn't so familiar with the specific territories of each lord. However, even if this output were taken over by the kingdom, it would not be underestimated, not to mention that the Timber War was about to begin, and there were far too many people who were envious.

"Don't worry, I have my own measure."

Su Mu's original plan was to hoard timber, hoping to profit from its scarcity, so naturally he wouldn't hand over all of it. If he were to report a daily output of 5 logs, he wouldn't be rewarded, but rather subjected to a crusade.

In the past two days, both sides have concealed information from each other, and the final processing steps were handled by their own core personnel, making it impossible to know the actual amount of timber produced.

Forrest roughly estimated that even if the other party had some special methods, one log per day was already the maximum they could manage, and it was impossible for them to do more.

"You're oversimplifying things. Victory or defeat isn't just about what happens on the field; there are also off-field factors."

Our daily production of 1.5 tons of logs is the foundation; leave the rest to me.

……

A week passed quickly, and the two sides returned to the council chamber.

The hall remained empty, with dozens of chairs placed on either side of the long table. Only the most powerful people in Kuraki Town could sit here.

Eugen sat calmly in the main seat, while Franz sat quietly to his side.

"Alright, a week is up. Everyone, please report your timber production."

Wood stepped forward with a hint of pride and unfolded the ledger: "Your Excellency, through our unremitting efforts, we harvested a total of 8430 ebony pieces in a week, averaging 1200 ebony pieces per day, which is several times the output and is comparable to that of ordinary sawmills in the kingdom."

Franz handed the ledger to Eugen and chimed in, "The forest used to produce 400 ebony logs a day. Under Wood's command, that's increased to three times the output. That's really not easy. It's much better than some people resorting to underhanded tricks."

Su Mu glanced at the ledger; the quantities were definitely correct. Wood's timber had already been delivered and was all to be handed over.

However, he was certain that the other party did not have a way to improve production methods in the short term. At most, they would exploit their workers, making them work day and night, and secretly add some timber in order to win this competition.

Based on the previous timber harvesting volume, coupled with Forrest's alcoholism and work stoppage, we would definitely not be able to compete with the other side. But now!

"Captain Wood is indeed capable, but brute force alone is useless; logging still requires skill."

My output is 10.5 logs per week, averaging 1.5 logs per day, which is slightly better.

As soon as Su Mu finished speaking, the smiles on Wood and Franz's faces froze, and they questioned, "How is that possible? The Cangmu Forest Area has never had such a high yield in all these years, not to mention that the two teams are mining separately..." A forest farm usually has limited resources, and it is not possible to increase the yield by simply improving the logging teams, otherwise it would be like draining the pond to catch all the fish.

The short week-long competition won't damage the forest farm's foundation, but it will increase the difficulty of logging to some extent. Being able to break through the 1.5 log mark means reaching the standard level of a kingdom-standard sawmill (1.5-2.5, level 1), making it an absolutely valuable resource that all parties are vying for.

Eugen also turned his head and looked at Sumu with great interest. If the yield was as he said, then the Kuraki Forest Farm would become a key trading partner of the Timber Association.

Just as Su Mu was about to speak, Wood waved his hand to interrupt: "Words are no proof. You say you have such a large output, but seeing the actual product is what counts. Do you have any?"

That's absurd. While the forest farm isn't close to the council hall, even if they set off an hour earlier, the supplies could still be transported over, unless…

Eugen and Franz remained silent, seemingly acquiescing to this competitive tactic.

Su Mu remained completely calm: "Please follow me, everyone. The timber is right outside!"

Having said that, he walked outside, pushed open the door, and saw the statue of the goddess of victory standing in the center, with 10 and a half giant logs placed on either side. The magical spirituality lingered for a long time, as if he were in a jungle garden.

In contrast, the thousands of ebony piled up on the outside looked like a messy logging camp, offering no sense of awe.

This is why a single log can withstand the force of a thousand.

Wood stared at the logs laid out in the square, incredulous. "How is this possible? It was clearly... it was clearly..."

At that moment, a man jumped out from the timber transport team. His armor was stained with blood, and he stood proudly and arrogantly. It was Forrest.

"Some thieves and robbers inexplicably appeared in the mountains, but my brothers and I dealt with them. These days, these beasts are incredibly audacious; I wonder who the real king of the forest is."

Seeing Forrest's arrogant demeanor, Wood and Franz both looked at Eugen, their disbelief, anger, and panic all tangled together.

They naturally didn't think an exile could take down elite spearmen. In Kuraki Town, only Baron Eugen had that ability. Eugen's support for Su Mu was so great that no matter what they did, the final result would be the same.

Franz said solemnly, "Sir, you should think this through carefully. The Kuraki Forest Farm is of great importance. If you entrust it to some scoundrels, Langlitburg will hold you accountable."

Eugen remained unmoved: "The forest farm belongs to the capable; victory is victory."

The city lord hereby issues the decree: Su Mu is appointed as the fifteenth forestry manager of Cangmu, with a daily output of 1.5 logs, to be specially supplied to the Timber Guild.

The eagle is the arrow, the thorns the guard; faith cannot be disobeyed.

In an instant, the surging aura of the magical contract swept over, forcing everyone back three steps.

Although Eugen was old, he was a true hero, and with the power of the city lord's decree, no one in Kuraki Town could resist him.

Su Mu felt as if he had gained a strange sense of control. He had a firm grasp of the information about the forest farm not far away, and he could vaguely predict the nature of the mountains, rivers, and trees.

This is the special advantage of the main city; in times of peace, only a legitimate inheritance ensures true control.

Baron Seorgan!

Even if Wood and Franz were unwilling, the city lord's decree had been issued, the process was legitimate, and the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Besides, they were the ones who proposed the competition, and they lost miserably. There was no way to refute Eugen's decision from any angle.

“The previous forest ranger is going back to the castle to report for duty. I told him to finish handing over his duties with you at the forest ranger station and then come back with me. Go quickly.”

With the matter settled, Franz and the others had no choice but to accept it.

The new person in charge of the forest farm is Su Mu.

(End of this chapter)