Original Vampire

The night is dark and everything is quiet.

Only the wood burning in the fireplace makes the crackle sound from time to time.

Little White curled up and lay down in front of the fireplace. The hair on one side of his body was slightly browned because of being too close.

Colin stretched and stood up from the pile of government documents.

"I have read the tax documents in the past few months. You have done a good job. The measures to reduce taxes and attract business are quite effective and can continue to be implemented."

Colin While speaking to the tax officer Quincy, he walked to the fireplace and picked up the kitten who had almost caught the fire because of the temperature of the flame, hugged it in his arms, and lay on the wicker chair in front of the fireplace.

"Meow—"

Little White screamed dissatisfiedly, as if the angry stupid human interrupted its rest, but soon calmed down under Colin's touch. , Lying on Colin's chest and squinted again.

"Yes, Master Viscount. Your approval is my greatest glory." Quincy bowed his head to Colin, and felt relaxed.

He obviously didn't expect Colin to be patient and have the ability to understand complicated tax documents. He was quite nervous before.

Most aristocratic lords in this World don’t have the mind to manage these mundane affairs in their territories. They are basically thrown to steward and tax officials to take care of them, and they are either immersed in pleasure or lingering in Among the noble ladies, either they want to show off their military force.

Lords like Colin who are willing to spend their time on these boring government affairs are indeed relatively rare.

Quincy couldn't help but get up to the point, reminding himself that he must not be sloppy in his future work.

"Okay, it's not too early, Quincy, you go back and rest first."

"Yes, Master Viscount."

Quincy leaves Later, only Colin and steward Emon remained in the study.

Colin rubbed the soft hair of Little White, opened the mouth and said: "Today is the last day of Winter Veil Festival, and the snow has stopped, starting tomorrow, let the slaves continue to work."

"Yes, sir. You let them rest for the whole Winter Veil Festival. It is already very kind."

Colin corner of the mouth twitched, he is still a little unaccustomed to this World The way the nobles squeeze the slave.

"What are the main tasks for the next?"

Emon opened the sheepskin scroll in his hand, and checked the post report: "Master, the work in Ice Rock City has been Basically completed, the next work is mainly to repair the Red Fort and the water conservancy project."

Emon paused, looked up at Colin, and saw that he had no objection, then continued: "This time there are a lot of With spare labor, I am going to renovate the Red Fort.

The warehouse, stables, Martial Practice Stage, and cellar also need to be expanded. This is the design drawing I asked someone to draft. Please have a look."

Colin took the design drawings handily, and while looking through it, he asked: "What is the budget for repairing the Red Fort?"

"It will take about 30,000 Gold Coins, sir."

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Colin pondered for a moment, feeling that the cost was acceptable.

The current financial situation of the Anglia family is no longer as embarrassing as it was half a year ago. Even more how with rich and imposing half-elf support, Colin can also splurge.

Moreover, this time, taking advantage of the slave rebellion, Colin gathered a large number of slaves. These almost free labor, if you don't make good use of it, it would be a pity.

"Okay, just follow your plan."

"Okay, sir." Emon nodded, then said, "As for the second item, water conservancy project. My plan is divided into two phases.

In the near future, it will be completed within 3-4 months, mainly for water diversion and irrigation projects to serve the upcoming spring plowing.

Long term If it does, it can take three to five years to do it. River dredging, dam reinforcement, irrigation system expansion... These all take longer and cost a lot of money."

Colin Turns Looking at the short-term and long-term construction plan of the water conservancy project handed by Emon, he solemnly nodded: "This is worth doing. Water conservancy is the foundation of agriculture. No matter how expensive it is, it needs to be done well."

"Yes, sir. In addition, there are many agricultural experts in the semi-elf kingdom. I would like to hire some to guide the slaves in Ice Rock City. I don't know if you can recommend me."

"Of course, I will write to Queen Aisha and ask her to send some people over."

"many thanks sir." Emon put away the sheepskin roll, hesitated, and said again, "Master, Recently, more and more rebels have gathered in Ice Rock City. Although they are unable to withstand a single blow in front of Black Cavalry,...so many slaves are concentrated in the city, I am always a little worried..."

Colin half-squinted, lightly asked: "How many slaves have we gathered now?"

"We just completed a statistics the day before yesterday, and we have gathered more than 85,000 slaves. ."

"Well, that's a lot. But, the problem is not big." Colin waved his hand indifferently. "Just give those slaves a bite to eat, and then let them see the free people. Hopefully, they won’t rebel."

Emon still said anxiously: "Master, these slaves are numerous and have complicated origins, so one after another investigation cannot be carried out. I am worried that bad intentions will be mixed in them. People, deliberately incited these slaves to cause chaos."

Colin opened his eyes and showed a serious expression on his face.

"Let's do it, two measures." After thinking for a while, Colin instructed, "First, mix the slaves together, and don't let the slaves that are familiar with each other continue to stay together to prevent serialization.

Secondly, a whistleblowing system is implemented. Anyone who is found to be suspicious or trying to confuse the crowd in the slave area can take the initiative to report. If the whistleblower is successful, the whistleblower can get ten Silver Coin Reward."

"Yes, sir."

Colin picked up the coffee at hand, took a sip, and then asked: "There is still nothing happening between Marquis Dawson and Count Uman. Is it?"

"No." Emon shook his head, "Master, I guess they should be waiting for the winter to pass. After all, now is not a good time to fight."

" En." Colin nodded, agreeing with Emon's judgment, "Moreover, it is estimated that we are waiting for the further fermentation of this famine.

Now there is still more than half a year before the next autumn harvest. There is currently no food to eat. It's only the slaves at the bottom. When the civilians have no more food, I am afraid that the northern border will fall into greater chaos."

"Master, the one you paid attention to before. The rumors are now intensifying. Even many residents in Ice Rock City began to believe that the successful invasion of the North by troll was the result of Duke Saint Hild’s failed attempt to lure the enemy."

"Winter City did not respond to this?"

"Not yet."

Colin can't help but frown, some don't understand Duke Saint Hild Why not come forward to refute, but let this rumor that seriously damages his prestige spread wantonly in the northern border.

Could the Duke really suffered a serious injury in the previous duel with Paladin?

Seeing that Colin's face was wrong, Emon asked: "Master, are we going to stop the spread of this rumor in Ice Rock City?"

"No." Colin He smiled and shook his head, "Now our most important task is to develop and strengthen ourselves. You don't have to worry about other wind, rain and rain. Just watch the theater steadily."

"Yes, sir." Emon nodded should be down.

Then the old steward looked at the clock on the wall and reminded: "Master, today is the last day of the Winter Veil Festival, it’s almost midnight, and I need you to host the Anglia family’s vigil. ceremony."

Colin just remembered that there was such a thing, reluctantly sighed, as if he was dealing with hard work, stood up and walked out.

clang clang clang ……

When the clock struck twelve times, Colin who presided over the vigil finally stopped praying, lifts the head, looked towards the dark night sky outside the window .

The starlight is lonely and the crescent moon is dim.

The new year came so quietly.