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

Chapter 75 Windmill Planning
There are rarely times when the wind is not blowing in the northern wilderness.

The winds always howl across the vast plains and weave through the rugged mountain ridges, never stopping.

It was as if the wasteland itself was breathing.

Especially in spring, autumn and winter, the wind is even stronger at the top of the mountain.

Therefore, Rhodes changed his original watermill plan to a windmill.

After all, water freezes in winter, and the wind is stronger.

The empty space is perfect for building an additional hydraulic forging hammer.

As for the advantages of windmills, they are stable and efficient, costing fifteen to twenty times more than ordinary human labor.

A slave could grind 30 to 40 catties of flour a day, while a windmill could easily grind 600 catties.

In places like the Northern Wastes where winds are stable, production can be even higher, enough to meet the needs of the entire territory.

Of course, the windmill is also the most difficult thing Rhodes has encountered so far.

What Rod wanted to make was a wooden column windmill.

According to the plan, the main beams will be made from old and well-maintained oak trees, whose thick and straight trunks can withstand enormous pressure and torque.

The slaves would first fumigate the wood to drive out insects, and then treat it with preservatives to ensure that the wood could withstand the ravages of time.

The diagonal bracing uses more readily available pine wood to create the base of an eight-meter-high tower.

Of course, if you count the total length, it will exceed twelve meters, because more than three meters are buried underground.

This part will be the anchor point of the entire structure, and it needs to be embedded in solid rock and compacted soil to ensure that the windmill remains as stable as a rock in strong winds.

Next to the windmill tower was the mill hut, which housed the millstone and flour collection equipment.

This is an enormous project, far more complex than a waterwheel, requiring the participation of carpenters, stonemasons, and even blacksmiths.

The amount of timber needed was also enormous, and Rhodes specifically assigned ten savages to cut down trees.

These guys living in the mountains are skilled at chopping trees; once they have iron tools like axes, they're no slower than other slaves.

They have an innate affinity for the forest, know how to choose the most suitable trees, and how to make the trees fall in a safer direction.

Rhodes also needed to do very detailed design work; the spindle and every gear needed to be carefully considered.

Now he stays up all night drawing blueprints, and then explains the details to the craftsmen the next afternoon, which has broken his habit of getting up early.

Fortunately, the carpenters in the territory were already skilled at making gears and were beginning to develop their own insights.

The old carpenter Waller was even able to offer some suggestions for improvement, which pleased Rod.

Whether it's right or wrong is secondary; what's important is that Waller has started to think proactively.

The new carpenter, on the other hand, was full of questions, whether about gears or windmills.

"Brother Waller, is this windmill really as amazing as they say?"

The young carpenter, Lux, scratched his head and asked, his eyes filled with doubt and curiosity.

"Rooks, have you been blinded by sawdust?"

Old carpenter Waller glanced sideways at the carpenter who had just arrived.

This guy isn't stupid; he learns things quickly, but he always likes to ask some really stupid questions.

"Haven't you seen a waterwheel before?"

Waller countered, his plane continuing to fly, shavings flying everywhere.

"But this is something completely different from a waterwheel..."

"It's the same in my view. It's all about getting one wheel turning and then making other things move."

He looked up at the massive wooden beams being assembled, finding it hard to imagine what they would eventually look like.

Waller's gaze was firm. "More importantly, these are all things created by the Lord."

Waller had heard that nobles held and attended banquets every day, enjoying food and drink, and only appeared with their knights when it came to tax collection.

Lord Rhodes is completely different.

Since arriving in Frostleaf Town, he has been busy almost every day, and his figure can be seen everywhere in Frostleaf Town.

He guided planting in the fields, oversaw the digging of irrigation canals, and even personally inspected the kitchen and rabbit hutch. More importantly, Lord Rhodes showed him a completely new kind of carpentry work that could actually move.

In the past, Waller only made stationary furniture and simple farm tools.

Now, his works can rotate, rise and fall, and be hammered, as if they have been given life.

Waller often wondered to himself where this young lord had learned these ingenious ideas.

Waller thus developed his own views on the nobility.

In his mind, Lord Rhodes had become the new standard for nobility, while the other gentlemen who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun were nothing but good-for-nothings with noble titles.

"These are the new design drawings. The dimensions of the drive shaft have been adjusted. You two take a look first."

Rod's voice suddenly came from behind, interrupting the two carpenters' conversation.

"This should be the final version. After reviewing it, we can start production."

Rod handed the rolled-up drawings to Waller.

"Yes, my lord."

Waller accepted the drawings with both hands and responded respectfully.

After giving a few instructions, Rod turned and left.

After walking a few steps, a savage carrying timber suddenly threw down the wood on his shoulder, knelt down in front of Rhodes, and muttered something under his breath.

Rhodes frowned slightly, but he wasn't surprised.

This isn't the first time a savage has acted this way.

Ever since the lie about the "Lord of the Holy Land" spread, savages have been bowing and swearing whenever they see Rhodes.

The savages of the White Frost tribe would kneel down directly, as if in repentance, their posture even more devout than when they were paying homage to an emperor.

Us translated for Rhodes, saying that the savages were expressing gratitude to the Lord of the Holy Land for his blessings.

Thanks to the delicious food, the warm shelter, and the sharp tools, etc.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Rhodes summoned the White Frost Prophet to the hall upon returning to the manor.

……

……

"What kind of lie did you tell?"

"That's a sacred site legend shared by all savage tribes."

The White Frost Prophet explained, "There are many details in the legend, and each tribe describes them differently."

But ultimately, they all point to a sacred land with abundant food, free from lightning and blizzards, forever peaceful and warm.

"You dare to use a shared legend to deceive your people, and even invoke the name of your ancestors?"

Rod unconsciously raised his voice, his face filled with disbelief.

White Frost Prophet, what is your faith?
“If it weren’t for this lie, my people might have already perished in the wasteland, and I don’t think my ancestors would blame me for it.”

The White Frost Prophet explained with a wry smile, "And I don't think it's entirely a lie."

"Hmm? You mean the legendary holy site is in Black Pine Ridge?"

Rod asked.

"None of the legends specify the exact location of the holy site; the holy site serves as a guide."

Places that match the characteristics mentioned in the legends can be called holy sites.

Rhodes understood.

To put it nicely, the legend of the sacred land represents the wild people's yearning for a better life.

To put it bluntly, it's just a savage's daydream for self-consolation.

In times of hardship, people always seek hope to give themselves a reason to persevere.

Rhodes smiled and said, "Then the title of Lord of the Holy Land cannot be changed."

(End of this chapter)