Lord blessed by the elves

Chapter 63 Recruitment
"I've successfully grown those ten cassava sections to maturity!" After enjoying the cornstarch, Huang Deng immediately announced with great enthusiasm, "Go and harvest them, then plant the new stalks! I want to grow more and stronger cassava!"

Cassava typically takes eight to ten months to grow. However, due to the small scale of this cultivation, and thanks to the tireless magical catalysis of the Huang Deng insect, it only took one month to successfully ripen the ten sections of cassava to a harvestable state.

Kruse carefully examined the harvested cassava stalks.

These stems themselves are the best propagation material. He personally selected the thickest and most bud-filled parts and carefully cut them into sections about 20 centimeters long.

According to standard practice, after harvesting the tubers from a mature cassava plant, the stalks are usually enough to produce about ten qualified stalk seedlings.

This means that the ten cassava plants that Huang Deng initially accelerated to maturity can now provide nearly a hundred new seedlings.

This is precisely why Kruse didn't let Huang Deng be distracted by taking care of the purple cassava – he had to concentrate all resources on ensuring the exponential expansion of cassava cultivation.

His goal was very clear: to make full use of Huang Deng's abilities and go all out to cultivate a sufficient number of cassava.

All of this investment is worthwhile.

Because cassava has an extremely high yield per acre; even in this world, the normal yield per acre can reach around 5,000 pounds.

Although it can only be harvested once a year, its high yield is enough to make it a "strategic weapon" for dealing with food shortages.

With the magical nourishment and catalysis of the fairy insects, the yield per acre is expected to increase by one or two thousand pounds, and its growth cycle may be further shortened.

Kruze gazed at the cut stems and stalks, his eyes filled with hope for the future. Once this cassava plantation was successfully established, the cassava alone would be enough to feed the growing population of the entire Lion Tooth Territory, becoming the territory's most solid food guarantee.

Ten cassava plants produced nearly three hundred pounds of heavy tubers, an astonishing yield that instantly shocked the entire Lion Tooth Territory.

When the news spread, even the usually composed Wilstone made a special trip back from outside to find out what was going on.

Kruse immediately ordered his servants to wash and steam more than twenty pounds of cassava.

During the steaming process, he specially had a little bit of precious sugar sprinkled into the water.

Soon after, a unique, sweet aroma filled the air.

When the steamed cassava was served, its soft, sweet, and fragrant taste immediately won over all the high-ranking officials of the territory present.

Elena ate without any decorum, holding a piece in each hand, her mouth stuffed full, and praising it indistinctly.

Wilstone and Butler Buffet, maintaining the composure of elders, elegantly cut pieces of the golden cassava flesh with their knives and forks, slowly savoring each bite, but the gleam of amazement in their eyes was undeniable. Rezal, on the other hand, stared incredulously at the food before him; this unassuming tuber tasted far beyond his expectations.

Kruse picked up a steaming piece of cassava with his fork and explained to everyone, “This is called ‘cassava,’ and it’s a mutation of the original purple-rooted yam. It inherits a key characteristic of the purple-rooted yam—it must be thoroughly cooked to remove its natural toxicity.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, “But unlike the purple-rooted yam, which also has medicinal value, cassava has a very singular advantage: its only, and greatest, value lies in its astonishing yield. It will be the most solid guarantee for our territory’s future food security.”

Wilstone slowly put down his silver knife and fork, his gaze towards Kruze filled with indescribable amazement, as if he were re-examining the young lord: "Young master, you... you must be someone deeply favored by the glory of knighthood."

Upon hearing this, Kruze simply waved his knife lightly, a serene and enigmatic smile on his face, and slowly corrected him, "No, Wilstone. It's not the glory of a knight... I think it's more like I've received the blessing of the Elf King."

"The Elf King?!"

The word seemed to possess a magical power, instantly freezing the air around the dining table.

Everyone stopped moving, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

In the legends of this world, the Elf King is a supreme being standing at the pinnacle of power, a majestic being capable of speaking on equal footing with, and even contending with, ancient dragons. However, it is ultimately just a vague legend, and no one has ever truly witnessed its existence.

In the ensuing silence, the seasoned butler, Buffet, paid no heed to the veracity of these legends. He reacted swiftly, immediately rising to his feet and bowing respectfully to Kruse, his voice filled with utmost devotion and reverence:

"Greetings to you, Lord blessed by the Elf King!"

Kruze stood up, his gaze sweeping over each of the core members present, and announced in a clear and steady voice: "Gentlemen, I have some important news to announce. We have just received a letter from my father, the future Baron Reyes the Lion. He has rendered great service at the front, and our territory will be officially expanded to two square miles!"

This news lifted everyone's spirits, and joy appeared on their faces.

Kruse then changed the subject: "This is undoubtedly a huge opportunity, but it also means that the pressure of development on our shoulders is unprecedented. In order to meet the challenges brought by this vast territory and to replenish our population and labor force, I have decided that we will step forward to 'recruit' the refugees around the territory."

"Recruitment?" Elena immediately raised her hand, her small face filled with curiosity and doubt. "Big brother, what is 'recruitment'?"

Kruze smiled gently at his sister and patiently explained, "'Amnesty,' sometimes also called 'pacification,' simply means persuading, providing guarantees and benefits, to get those refugees struggling to survive in the wild to voluntarily submit to us and become legitimate lords of our territory."

Instead of capturing them by force and enslaving them, our Lion Fang Territory is still weak and cannot withstand the depletion of war. Forcibly capturing slaves will only sow the seeds of hatred and is not a long-term solution.

These words immediately resonated strongly with Wilstone, whose eyes gleamed with approval. He had always been against starting a war lightly, and he added, "Young Master's decision is very wise. People captured through war will inevitably be filled with fear and resentment."

To truly integrate them into our territory and have them willingly work for us would require far more time and effort than appeasement, and might even be counterproductive. Appeasement is the truly farsighted strategy of appeasement.

(End of this chapter)