I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 1 Bloody Edict

The Shattered Rock Empire, a northern border town.

Inside the shack-like blacksmith shop.

"Dang Dang Dang..."

The hammer struck the red-hot sword blank, sparks flying onto Rhodes's oily muscles.

Large beads of sweat streamed down his handsome, rugged face, and his thick, curly hair was soaked and stuck to his face.

Rhodes remained unconcerned, his azure eyes fixed on the sword blank, ensuring that each hammer blow struck precisely the uneven protrusions.

In this medieval world with its backward smelting technology, the impurities in iron are far greater than on Earth in the previous world.

To forge a sword that could melt iron like mud, Rhodes had spent a whole month on this final forging and folding process.

[Hammered the iron a thousand times, unlocking the attribute: Power of Forging]

A semi-transparent text prompt suddenly appeared, but Rhodes was not surprised at all. He put down the hammer, stood up straight, and focused his mind on the prompt.

The next instant, a notification window appeared like a light curtain.
[Forging Power (White): Increases own base strength by 20%]

[Load?]

"load."

As soon as Rhodes had a thought, a warm current suddenly surged through his body and quickly flowed into his limbs and bones!
"call……"

Rod stopped what he was doing, squinted, and stood still, enjoying the relaxed and comfortable feeling coming from his body. The fatigue from forging iron all morning instantly disappeared.

After the warm current disappeared, Rhodes picked up the hammer again and felt unusually relaxed.

"The power of entries is truly amazing."

White represents the quality of an entry, which is the most basic type of entry.

If even the basic entries are like this, won't the "Red Mythology" entries take off in the future?
As he sighed inwardly, another notification appeared before Rhode's eyes.
[Next entry: Complete the forging of the first sword, unlock: Finely Forged Edge]

Seven years ago, Rod was hit by a dump truck that ran a red light right after attending his college entrance celebration.

Upon waking up, he found himself transmigrated into the body of Rhodes, the illegitimate son of Count Tulip.

Along with Rhodes came the farming simulation game "Manor Story" that he had played in his previous life.

This game allows Rhodes to acquire various abilities and farming knowledge by developing his territory through activities such as planting, raising livestock, forging, mining, hunting, and conquering.

But where would a bastard like Rhodes get a territory?
Therefore, the portable gaming system has remained locked.

Rhodes saw no hope and could only stay in the castle, working like a slave.

Until three months ago.

Earl Aura, the brother of the Shattered Rock Emperor, died in the Northern Wastes during his travels.

The body was dismembered and hung on a tree by the roadside outside the border town.

The North is nominally the territory of the Shattered Rock Empire, but it is a wild and desolate land teeming with bandits and alien races.

The emperor was furious, blaming his brother's death on bandits and foreigners, and swore to the gods that he would make them pay with their blood to avenge his brother.

However, the northern wilderness is vast, with countless hills and ravines, and is covered by extensive primeval forests, making it completely unsuitable for the imperial army to wage war.

Even if several obscure bandit gangs were wiped out, it would not change the status quo of the wasteland, nor would it quell the emperor's anger.

But the dignity of the imperial family must be defended.

So the emperor issued a bloody edict to the nobles, dividing the northern border into several parts.

He then issued an order for the nobles to send their family members to the North as lords to annihilate the bandits and foreign tribes there.

The emperor exempted these territories from taxes for a century, but required them to hand over one hundred heads of bandits or foreigners every year.

The nobles did not want the primitive and desolate northern lands, and the Tulip family was no exception.

The population is sparse, and the winters are long and cold.

Furthermore, with bandits and foreign tribes running rampant, none of the noble sons were willing to suffer or take risks.

But the Count of Tulips could not ignore the emperor's decree.

Just as the Earl was having a headache, Rhodes, who had just turned seventeen, stepped forward.

The North was a place of suffering for other family members, but for Rhodes it was a place to pursue his dreams.

The North is dangerous, but it has abundant resources. Rhodes can unlock the game system after acquiring territory, so the situation is acceptable.

Wealth and wealth are found in danger.

Rhodes didn't transmigrate here to be a slave to the nobility.

Having a cheat code means you have to fight to the death.

Count Tulip was overjoyed and bestowed upon him 150 gold coins, and arranged for ten guards to escort Rhodes.

These ten guards were all veterans who had been on the battlefield, and they had followed Rhodes ever since.

At the same time, in order to demonstrate the family's emphasis on the Northern Plains territory, Rhodes was adopted as the fourth son by Lady Tulip, thus shedding his status as an illegitimate child.

Thus, with the Imperial Herald in attendance, Rhodes was granted the title of Baron and his domain was Blackpine Ridge in the North.

The moment the certificate of investiture was handed to Rhodes, the game system of "Manor Story" was activated, and various entries and unlock conditions appeared before Rhodes' eyes.

The entry corresponds to the cultivation of the first acre of farmland, the harvest of the first bag of wheat in autumn, and the construction of livestock sheds.

Most entries need to be completed within the territory, with only a few entries not requiring territory cooperation.

For example, the "forging power" of hammering iron a thousand times.

Just then, heavy snow blocked the roads in the North, so Rhodes patiently stayed in the border town and unlocked his forging power.

Being unafraid of death doesn't mean going to your death; of course, it's better to be prepared.

After the sword blank is forged, the next steps are quenching, tempering, and finally sharpening.

Two weeks later, as tiny sparks flew, the blade swept across the whetstone again and again.

A flash of cold light appeared on the blade, and a notification appeared before Rhodes' eyes.

[Successfully forged the first fine steel greatsword, unlocking: Fine Forged Edge]

【Refined Edge (Green): Weapons forged and sharpened by hand possess armor-piercing properties】

"Enchantment attributes?"

Rhodes immediately examined the greatsword in his hand, and text information appeared before his eyes.
【Name: Steel Greatsword】

[Grade: Green, Excellent]

[Enchantment: Refined Edge]

It really is an enchantment attribute!
Although this is a fantasy world, special materials are often needed to add special effects to weapons and armor.

But this steel sword was forged from ordinary iron!
Rhodes was surprised and immediately asked the blacksmith in the distance to bring a piece of plate armor material to test.

Plate armor is a type of heavy armor, forged from steel plates. It is thick, tough, and offers the best protection; ordinary swords simply cannot penetrate it.

Rhodes raised his steel sword and slashed down without hesitation.

hiss-

A sharp metallic cutting sound rang out, and the broken plate armor crashed to the ground with a clang!
The blacksmith exclaimed, "My plate armor!" and covered his head in disbelief!

Rod stared at the neat cut and froze on the spot.

The finely forged blade is terrifying!
If plate armor is cut in half, how can chainmail and leather armor possibly withstand it?

The terms are truly powerful!

Now I won't starve even if I open a blacksmith shop!
Rhodes immediately checked the next forging entry, and coincidentally, it was about building a blacksmith shop in his territory.

"Did you forge this sword?"

Just as Rhodes was lost in thought, a middle-aged knight walked over.

The knight's name was Durant Silverblade. He wore chainmail and had a one-handed longsword hanging at his waist.

Durant is 45 years old this year, with deep wrinkles on his face, but he still has a calm demeanor and sharp eyes, without the slightest sign of dejection.

He was once the chief knight under the Earl of Tulip.

Seventeen years ago, he lost his left hand in the war, and from then on, he lost his title of chief knight and became a guard instructor.

Otherwise, Count Tulip would not have bestowed this experienced and wise knight upon Rhodes.

As a knight, Durant was immediately drawn to the steel greatsword.

Rhodes felt his gaze and handed over the sword.
"Want to try?"

"Yes, thank you." Durant took the longsword and instinctively wanted to touch the plate armor on the shelf, but the blacksmith stopped him, and he could only test it on the scrap metal next to him.

The steel sword fell, instantly splitting the inch-thick scrap material in two.

Looking at the blade again, it was still as smooth and new as ever, without any chips or breaks.

"I've never seen such a sharp sword before. Perhaps only the legendary weapons forged by dwarves can compare to it?"

Durant stared at the neat cut of the scrap, his heart filled with shock and confusion.

The baron before me possesses such superb sword-making skills. From whom did he learn them?
Could it be that his deceased mother had dwarven blood?
Durant had a flurry of thoughts, but he couldn't ask his lord, so he suppressed his curiosity and returned the sword to Rhodes.

In any case, it is a good thing that one's lord possesses such superb forging skills in the mineral-rich North.

Rhodes took the steel sword with one hand and said calmly, "When we get to Black Pine Ridge, I will forge you a steel sword just like this."

Rhodes hadn't expected his debut to be so successful, so when choosing materials, he planned to make himself a two-handed greatsword.

Therefore, this steel sword weighs twelve pounds and is not suitable for Durant to use with one hand.

Even if Durant is a knight who practices breathing techniques, this steel sword will still affect Durant's agility.

But for Rhodes, who has the amplification of [Forging Power], the twelve-pound greatsword is just right.

"Thank you for your generosity."

Durant bowed in thanks.

No knight could resist such a fine steel longsword, comparable to those made by dwarves, and Durant was no exception, eager to possess it.

But right now it's just a promise from Rhodes; nobody knows what the future holds.

At 45, Durant is more focused on the present.

"The snow in the wasteland has melted, and the hired guards are ready. We can set off at any time."

Durant said with some concern, "But isn't it too risky for you to sell all your supplies and keep only half a month's worth of dry rations and jerky?"
Although it's only a seven-day journey from here to Black Pine Ridge, your territory may not have enough provisions as early spring approaches.

Rod had anticipated Durant's concerns, and with a slight smile, he countered with a question.
"Didn't I ask you to find out which caravans are heading to Black Pine Ridge recently?"

"I've inquired, and there are three caravans that will be passing through Black Pine Ridge soon. The first one to depart is the Jinsha Caravan, which will set off tomorrow."

"I remember the Jinsha caravan; it was a small caravan."

Rhodes nodded.

During his stay in the border town, Rhodes had a thorough understanding of the situation of each caravan.

"We're also setting off tomorrow, following behind the Jinsha caravan."

Rhodes's entries are all related to territory, so there's no point in keeping him in the border town.

After he sold all his supplies, all that was left were horses. Each person had a horse with a grain bag attached, and the team could set off at any time.

It was precisely for the sake of flexibility and mobility that Rhodes decided to travel light, without even buying female slaves or cooks.

"Are you planning to buy food and supplies from caravans? The prices there might be two or three times higher than here in the border town."

Durant's estimate is conservative.

Caravans would spend gold coins to hire guards and risk being robbed by bandits to transport grain into the wilderness, often increasing the price five to ten times.

"purchase?"

Rod sneered, walked over to Durant, and lowered his voice.
"Don't those merchants who do business in Black Pine Ridge have to pay taxes?"

"what do you mean……"

“As a lord, I can make those merchants prepay their taxes.”

Rod had already made up his mind: buying things is not as quick as collecting taxes.

Durant suddenly realized.

As the lord of Blackpine Ridge, everything in Blackpine Ridge belongs to Rhodes, even a bird perched on a tree.

Apart from slaves, everyone and everything in Blackpine Ridge was required to pay taxes to Rhodes.

If Rhodes wanted, he could even pay a tax for breathing.

"But if that's the case, will any merchants still be willing to come to Black Pine Ridge in the future?" Durant asked worriedly.

"Then we'll collect taxes for ten years in advance."

Rhodes smiled, having fully embraced the role of lord.

"I don't care if they hand over the supplies but don't come to do business."

Merchants are driven by profit, and Rod didn't believe that merchants who prepaid taxes would give up the opportunity to do business in Black Pine Ridge.

Even so, Rod didn't care in the early stages of his business.

The most important thing now is to establish a foothold in the Northern Wilderness and develop the territory.

There are plenty of ways to arrange the rest later; at worst, I can just form my own caravan.

The memories of being an illegitimate child and the experiences of the past seven years have made Rhodes realize that in this world, if you're not ruthless, you'll be devoured.

Especially in the northern wastelands, where he had no foundation, he had to resort to some means.

For the time being, those unrelated caravans served as a source of supplies.

Rhodes had no moral burden.

How can an era filled with bloodshed and exploitation still adhere to the moral rules of the past?
In that era, everyone would have to be hanged, including His Majesty the Emperor.

"I understand, Your Excellency. I will go and investigate the situation of the guards of the Golden Sands Caravan right now."

Durant wasn't stupid; he now understood why Rod had hired an extra guard.

Durant knew that what his lord meant by "collecting taxes" was essentially robbery, and he had already anticipated the consequences if the other party refused to pay.

However, Durant thinks this is normal. Without a basic wealth base, one can only rise rapidly by imposing heavy taxes on one's own territory. How much is collected is up to the lord.

Therefore, Durant needs to prepare in advance.

Durant bowed and left the blacksmith shop, while Rod put on his clothes, packed his things, and prepared to leave as well.

At this moment, the blacksmith stopped Rhodes and said with courage, "Your Excellency, you have damaged my plate armor and you need to pay for it."

"compensation?"

Rhodes asked in surprise, "You brought a perfectly good plate armor to test?"

"Of course, this is a finished product, it can sell for three gold coins..."

Before the blacksmith could finish speaking, Rod reached out and interrupted him.

"I told you to bring plate armor for testing, who told you to bring a perfectly good piece of plate armor for testing?"

Rhodes's gaze turned cold, and he retorted in an unfriendly tone, "Are you trying to extort a nobleman with an unsellable item?"

Rhodes wasn't exaggerating; the plate armor was thick and heavy, and most people couldn't wear it, plus it was expensive.

The blacksmith was stunned.

Rhodes did not allow him to bring intact plate armor for testing.

The main point is, who would have thought that Rhodes, a complete novice, could forge such a greatsword that could cut plate armor in half?
“I am…”

The blacksmith looked distressed.

Extorting nobles is a serious crime, punishable at the very least by flogging.

But this plate armor cost me a lot of money, and without it, I won't be able to pay the rent and taxes for my shop next year.

"I can't give you the money, but I can give you a chance."

Seeing the blacksmith's expression, Rod didn't make things difficult for him. His tone softened a bit as he said, "My Black Pine Ridge is in dire need of blacksmiths. If you're willing to go, you can be exempted from taxes for five years, and I can even consider teaching you forging skills and finding you a wife."

Rhodes's unique abilities cannot be taught, but the forging knowledge he gained from the system can be passed on to others.

Rod didn't know the specifics of Black Pine Ridge, but he wouldn't complain about having too many blacksmiths.

"I……"

The blacksmith hesitated.

He knew the situation in the Northern Wastes, but the five years' worth of taxes and forging knowledge were equally tempting.

"You have one night to think it over. If you're willing to come with me, come find me at the tavern."

Rod ignored the blacksmith and turned back to the tavern.

(End of this chapter)