Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 20 Commendation Conference
A full month has passed since Louis arrived in Red Tide Territory.

He was standing on a makeshift wooden platform, looking down at the crowd gathered below.

Twelve knights clad in iron armor stood on either side, deliberately maintaining a uniform posture to make the lord's figure appear even more majestic in the firelight.

"Woo!"

As the sound of horns pierced the night sky, the Red Tide Territory's commendation ceremony officially began.

More than thirty Red Tide Knights knelt on one knee.

With their left fists pressed against their chests and their right hands gripping their knight's swords, they recited in unison the oath that Louis had prepared beforehand:

"We believe in the Dragon Ancestor and follow the Lord of the Crimson Tide!"

Loyal to Louis Calvin, we swear to defend the glory of the Red Tide with our blood and sweat!

The resounding oath echoed across the square.

Then the entire square erupted in deafening cheers. Soldiers banged their shields, farmers raised their hoes and sticks, and even children shouted excitedly.

Louis raised his hand slightly, signaling everyone to be quiet.

As the commotion subsided, all eyes turned to the young lord.

Louis then slowly began to speak: "We have been in Red Tide Territory for a month now. A month ago, this place was a barren and desolate land."

We also face challenges such as poverty, hunger, snowstorms, and attacks by wild animals.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the people present.

"But we have now passed the first phase of the crisis, thanks to you all."

You built the first shelter from the cold, so that children and the elderly no longer had to sleep in the wind and snow.

It was you who caught the first river fish, filling the bellies of your brothers and sisters.

It was you who cultivated the first plot of farmland, sowed the first seeds, and gave hope to this barren land.

"All of this is because of you!" Louis exclaimed passionately. "It is your sweat that has brought this frozen land back to life!"

Upon hearing this, most people in the crowd clenched their fists and their eyes reddened with emotion.

When have they ever heard of a lord giving credit to a commoner? In the past, they were lucky if they weren't whipped.

Louis's gaze swept over the crowd in the square: "Of course, there is a reward for merit. In the Red Tide Territory, no matter who you are, if you work hard enough and are loyal enough, you will get the reward you deserve."

Next, I would like to commend the heroes who have made outstanding contributions to the Red Tide Territory.

As soon as the words were spoken, the entire square fell silent. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the figure on the high platform.

"Agricultural Officer Mick."

The middle-aged man, who always had a hunched back, staggered forward, his old leather boots, stained with mud, slipping on the wooden steps.

But when he looked up at the lord, his spine, which had not been straight for decades, straightened up.

“Mick, you have optimized the way the land is cultivated, bringing life back to this barren land.”

Louis pointed to the farmland in the distance, which was already taking shape.

"Therefore, I formally promote you to Agricultural Supervisor, grant you greater jurisdiction over farmland, and bestow upon you an additional plot of land for experimental planting."

Tears streamed down Mick's face: "Thank you, sir."

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd, and many farmers cheered excitedly.

“Mike, the craftsman representative.”

An elderly man with sun-darkened skin strode onto the stage, his face full of pride.

"You have demonstrated extraordinary talent in architectural design, making the houses in Red Tide Territory stronger and warmer, laying the foundation for the development of the territory."

Louis pointed to the rows of semi-subterranean communal dwellings surrounding the square.

"Therefore, I have decided to give you the authority to lead the team of artisans, and at the same time provide you with more financial support."

Mike trembled with excitement: "Your subordinate will certainly not let you down!"

"Fisheries Officer Luke."

...Next, more than ten people were called onto the stage. They came from all walks of life, including knights, craftsmen, hunters, and farmers...

Most of these people came from humble backgrounds, or were even slaves.

Louis stepped forward and personally pinned the specially made labor medal on each recipient.

Due to limited resources, it was just a wooden medal that Louis had a carpenter carefully carve.

However, the recipient held the medal very carefully, as if afraid of dropping it on the ground.

After the awards ceremony, Louis called out to the audience, "These people have paid a heavy price for the prosperity of the Red Tide Territory with their sweat and blood, and made tremendous contributions. Let us thank them with applause!"

"Whoosh!"

Thunderous applause suddenly erupted, echoing throughout the entire square.

The award recipients stood tall, their eyes filled with tears of excitement, the medals on their chests reflecting a dazzling light in the campfire.

They were just ordinary fishermen, hunters, craftsmen, or even lowly slaves.

At this moment, they stood under the spotlight, receiving the highest honor from the Crimson Tide Territory.

This was a feeling they had never experienced before in their lives.

If Louis were to ask them to go through fire and water right now, they would do it without hesitation.

"Of course, we also applaud those who have put in the same effort."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause rang out again, this time not only for the person on the platform, but for everyone present.

Because everyone is making the Red Tide Territory stronger in their own way.

Louis's gaze then slowly swept over the people in the square, whose clothes were tattered and whose bodies bore the marks of slavery.

They kept their heads down, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of unease and anticipation.

"Today I will also fulfill another promise I made."

The slaves' hearts suddenly raced, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

"The following people..."

Louis began to read out a series of names, all of whom were slaves who had performed well in labor, construction, and pioneering over the past month.

Those whose names were called had expressions of disbelief on their faces.

It wasn't until someone next to them nudged them that they realized what was happening and shakily walked onto the stage.

"You are now officially free."

Louis waved his hand, and the knights stepped forward and burned their slave certificates.

They burst into tears, knelt down, and kowtowed in gratitude to Louis.

But at the same time, a complex light flickered in the eyes of those slaves who had not yet been freed.

There is envy, there is regret, but there is more hope.

If I perform better, it will definitely be my turn next time.

"Loyalty and talent are more important than bloodline." Louis's voice echoed in the square.

"From this day forward, the Crimson Tide Territory will establish a regular reward system. Anyone who makes a contribution to the territory will receive a corresponding reward!"

These words caused a stir in the square, and everyone's face lit up with hope.

Changing one's social class is no longer an unattainable dream, but a reality that can be achieved through hard work!

"Cheers to the prosperity of the Red Tide Territory!" Louis raised his glass.

The strong liquor reflected in the campfire, casting a layer of firelight on it.

"cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses and erupted in deafening cheers.

(End of this chapter)