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

Chapter 49 Frenzied Reproduction
Rod also wanted to catch fish, but he had more important things to do.

At first, the water flow was quite rapid. Rod led the group downstream, carefully checking the extent of soil loss in the canal and replenishing the damaged areas with gravel and sandbags as needed.

Meanwhile, Rod was also looking for a suitable place to put the waterwheel.

This long irrigation canal is not only used to irrigate the fields, but also to enhance productivity.

Waterwheels can not only be used to make hydraulic ramming machines, but also to build hydraulic forging hammers, greatly improving the efficiency of blacksmithing.

Otherwise, relying solely on three blacksmiths to forge a fully armed steel army would take forever.

For a long time to come, waterwheels will be the primary source of power.

So when the slaves were given half a day off after the canal was completed, the carpenter in town, along with his daughter and apprentice, swung their saws so hard they were practically smoking.

The initial flow of water was extremely turbid, churning up mud and sand. But when Rhodes ordered the sluice gates of the irrigation canal to be closed, the water that overflowed the gates became calmer and gradually clearer.

Then the slaves released the small fish into the fishpond, and Rhodes finally received a system notification.
[Complete the fishpond construction and stock it with 1,000 kilograms of fish fry to unlock the keyword: Frenzied Reproduction]

[Rapid Breeding (Green): Increases the conception rate of creatures in your territory that you have personally fed or helped feed by 100%, enhances the physical condition of mothers and offspring, and reduces mortality by 80%]

[Next entry: Build poultry and livestock pens and raise at least five types of livestock and poultry (≥50 of each type) to unlock: Stable Affinity]

"Green entry? Not bad, you can achieve that as long as you participate in feeding."

This entry isn't exactly a surprise, but it's still somewhat useful.

In this era, female livestock are prone to miscarriage or infant mortality due to malnutrition or improper care. The entry for "Rhodes" can significantly improve their chances of survival.

The trigger method is very simple: just send a notification to everyone to feed the poultry and livestock diligently, and the slaves managing the fishponds will feed the fish diligently every day.

Unlocking the next term, "Stableside Affinity," will take some effort.

The main problem is the difficulty in transporting livestock, as meat in the northern wilderness is mainly obtained through hunting.

If they want cubs, Rhodes will arrange for someone to go to the border town to buy them.

"If all else fails, raising wild rabbits, chickens, or ducks is also an option."

Rhodes made a mental plan and then glanced at the notification message.

When I saw the term "crazy breeding" again, a strange thought suddenly popped into my head.

Does this include humans?
The answer is definitely yes!
That crazy breeding attribute effect is absolutely overpowered!
Speaking of children alone, the mortality rate before the age of five in this era can reach as high as 40%, but the entry for "Rhodes" reduces it to 8%!
No wonder it's a green entry!

And it can even increase the chances of conception!
I'm practically the nemesis of infertility!
If this happened in my previous life, the house would be covered with banners!

Rod didn't want to wait, so he immediately ordered Otto to relay the order throughout the town and to inform everyone.

The command is very simple:
"Eat well."

……

……

"Your swordsmanship is already quite proficient; now you need to develop more skills."

"For example, to lure the opponent into making a move, lower the tip of the sword slightly, and when the opponent attacks from above, quickly block and counterattack by slashing downwards."

On the training ground of the manor, Durant was earnestly explaining swordsmanship to Rhodes.

The process of making a waterwheel is complicated, involving the carving of various gears, all of which take a lot of time.

With some free time, Rhodes took the opportunity to improve his own strength.

After all, unlocking some of the terms requires battles.

"Come, sir, let's give it a try."

"it is good."

Following Durant's instructions, Rod lowered the tip of his sword, and when Durant's sword came at him, he swung his sword to block!

click-

The two training swords collided and both broke.

"This……"

Durant smiled wryly, "Sir, your strength is still too great; it's not suitable for a wooden training sword."

“Yes, I also feel that this wooden sword is too light and not sturdy enough.” Rhodes also said with some helplessness.

It seems we'll have to get Hamo and the others to forge some unsharpened iron swords for training.

Durant couldn't help but ask, "Sir, why are you so strong?"

"I don't know, maybe I'm just naturally strong."

Rhodes shook his head slightly, giving a perfunctory answer.

"Ok."

Durant was at a loss, feeling that there seemed to be no other answer.

However, the tulip family does not seem to have such outstanding bloodlines.

Durant didn't pay too much attention, but asked with concern, "So how's your breathing technique going? Can you feel the presence of Qi in your body?"

"Yes, there's a little bit on my chest, but it's not noticeable."

Despite being very busy every day, Rhodes never neglected his breathing exercises.

I practice for one or two hours every night before bed, and then take a bath before going to sleep.

"Then you will feel the presence of Qi in your limbs during your next training, and you will step into the novice knight level, and your physique and strength will also be enhanced."

The primary criterion for judging a junior knight is their spirit (气), while other criteria include tests of physical qualities such as endurance and strength.

However, physical fitness assessments are not accurate; for example, Rod's strength is definitely beyond the standard.

Rhodes nodded slightly, then asked, "By the way, can Gunle and the others still learn the Knight's Breathing Technique?"

“It’s difficult. The Knight’s Breathing Technique requires instruction before adulthood, and you started learning it relatively late.”

Durant shook his head with some difficulty, "I believe Gundle should be able to learn it, but it's almost impossible for him to feel the air."

"So if I want to train knights, I have to choose from the children?"

"Yes, select those with naturally good physiques, then give them enough food and give them some herbs regularly."

Durant sighed, "But very few children from ordinary families can meet the requirements for practicing the breathing technique; they simply can't keep up."

Rhodes nodded in agreement, recalling the time when he first started practicing the breathing technique, when his body was in excruciating pain and he almost couldn't hold on.

Many children from ordinary families fainted from the pain and lost their eligibility to cultivate.

It's actually quite understandable. Children from ordinary families barely have enough to eat and rarely get to eat meat, eggs, or dairy products, resulting in poor physical health due to a lack of nutrition.

Except for a few exceptionally gifted individuals, most people cannot resist the changes that breathing techniques bring to the body.

The diet of noble children is abundant, and even illegitimate children like Rhodes, who eat eggs and roast meat every day, naturally have good physical health.

"But no matter what, we still need to select and train people, even if they are not very talented."

Rodman doesn't have a core group; he can't rely solely on Durant.

The important thing is that Durant is not young either, and we can't let him be charging on the front lines ten or twenty years from now.

Not only soldiers, but also knights under Rhodes' command should flow like a never-ending stream.

"And about your wife from last time, if you can't choose, then keep them all—one legal wife and two mistresses. As long as they're willing, I can take care of their lives."

"what?"

Durant was taken aback. How did the topic come back to him?

"Marriage isn't important; what's important is getting them pregnant first."

Rhodes patted Durant on the shoulder and comforted him, "For the sake of the territory, we have to make some sacrifices."

Durant gave a wry smile, about to say something, but was interrupted by Rod.

"Don't waste too much time on this kind of thing, just consider it a favor to me."

Before Durant could retort, Rod said, "How was the recruit training? I'm planning to develop the iron ore mines in the Blackrock Mountains."

(End of this chapter)