Free Web NovelYoen stayed for one night and then set off early the next morning.
He didn't forget to haggle with Bradley, exchanging some corn and spices for several baskets of smoked fish, which he happily packed into his load.
It seemed he truly loved this strong-flavored, long-lasting specialty of the Red Tide Territory.
Before leaving, he waved his hand grandly and said with a smile to Louis:
"I'll come again next spring, and we'll have to bathe together then!"
The surrounding knights and accompanying soldiers all blushed from laughing.
For a moment, the castle gate was filled with a wonderfully lively atmosphere.
Louis helplessly rubbed his forehead, watching Yoen lead his mighty procession, with knights, provisions, and a cart of smoked fish, depart with a flourish. freewebnøvel.com
The snow of the North quietly descended.
The night wind made no sound, merely sweeping silently across the land.
In the early morning, just as dawn was breaking, Louis stood by the window, gazing at the world outside, which had turned white.
The cold air carried a damp scent; the villages, hillsides, and riverbanks of the Red Tide Territory were already covered with a thin layer of silver-white snowflakes, falling like a light veil, slowly enveloping the entire territory.
Outside the window, the village rooftops were already vaguely decorated with snow into a pure white color, and the trees seemed to have donned silver robes, standing quietly in the cold wind.
All of this looked incredibly beautiful.
However, this also meant that the most difficult season in the North had finally arrived.
For the Lord of the North, the hardest part was not the cold itself, but how to keep life running during this long winter.
Supplies, provisions, kindling, animal hides—every single item was especially important.
Fortunately, Louis had already made preparations.
The management model of the Red Tide Territory was different from other territories in this world, following a feudal lord system with Red Tide characteristics.
The distribution of resources was not just about maintaining livelihoods, but also about making everyone feel their importance within this territory.
For winter material distribution, Louis adjusted the food distribution standards, trying to minimize unnecessary disparities and ensuring that every family had enough to eat.
Every family, whether farmers, artisans, or knights, received their due resources based on their household size.
A family of three could receive 20 catties of grain per week, which, without excessive waste, was enough to get through the winter of insufficient productivity.
Of course, in addition to grain, Louis also specifically arranged for cold-weather supplies.
Every family received a cotton padded coat and a blanket, ensuring everyone could keep warm on cold nights.
As for firewood and charcoal for heating, they were also reasonably distributed according to household size, ensuring that every household could stay warm during the cold winter.
Louis also set up an additional reward system.
Those who made more contributions could receive more food or heating supplies as a reward for their efforts.
For example, skilled laborers such as craftsmen, carpenters, blacksmiths, or management personnel like Luke and Mick.
As for the knights, there was no need to mention them; whatever Louis ate, they ate.
These extraordinary warriors responsible for defending the Red Tide Territory enjoyed special treatment.
Through this reasonable distribution, Louis not only ensured the smooth operation of the territory but also strengthened people's trust in him. The method of distribution according to work made everyone feel they were a part of the Red Tide Territory.
Even the lowest-level laboring slaves could feel that their contributions were valuable and could obtain enough winter supplies,
and would not be afraid of being abandoned.
And the Red Tide Territory in winter thus maintained order.
Today's task was to distribute cotton padded coats, blankets, firewood, and charcoal and other heating supplies.
These were the most precious and important life-saving items in this harsh winter.
A cotton padded coat, a blanket, a bundle of firewood, a few charcoal bricks, and so on.
They determined whether each family could survive the long, cold nights ahead.
"One cotton padded coat per person, one blanket per household—
Louis stood in front of the warehouse piled high with supplies, holding a parchment, carefully and meticulously checking each item,
ensuring there was no corruption.
He quietly confirmed with the distribution staff while personally checking to ensure no name was missed and no number was confused.
When the distribution officially began, Louis even walked directly to the distribution counter in the square, standing shoulder to shoulder with the staff.
Seeing Louis there, the residents who came to collect supplies paused for a moment.
No one had expected that their Lord would personally be present.
Their eyes seemed to moisten in an instant.
No one shouted loudly, nor did anyone cheer wildly.
The atmosphere carried a cautious restraint, as if afraid that speaking would break this rare warm ambiance.
They simply walked forward silently, and when it was their turn to collect supplies, they quietly thanked Louis, or softly chatted with him for a few words while holding the blankets and cotton padded coats.
Someone, upon receiving a cotton padded coat, whispered, "Thank you, Lord Louis—may the gods bless you with a long life."
Louis said nothing much, just nodded, his gaze gentle.
Occasionally, he would exchange a few simple words with the residents, showing great approachability.
There was a thin child carefully holding a cotton padded coat, wearing worn-out shoes, his nose red from the cold.
He looked up at Louis and mumbled softly, "I want to help you fight in the future—like a knight, protect everyone."
Louis bent down, gently stroked the child's hair, and smiled, "I will wait for you to grow up."
The child's eyes lit up, he clutched the clothes in his hand tighter, his gaze exceptionally firm.
There was also a woman carrying heavy coal, walking with a limp. As she passed Louis, she quietly placed a hand on her chest, made a prayer gesture, and whispered:
"Dragon Ancestor, please look upon the Red Tide Territory, please look upon the great Lord Louis."
The distribution continued, with the residents lining up one by one.
Some would say a few words of gratitude to Louis, while others, not good with words, simply looked at Louis gratefully.
What pleased Louis the most was that no one had a single complaint.
After all, in past winters, these ordinary residents could only barely sustain themselves.
One meal a day, in bone-chilling wooden huts, they barely survived, relying on faint firelight and warmth.
Many even had to burn furniture and dismantle old door panels for warmth, just to get through the long snow season.
But now, they could be wrapped in thick cotton padded coats, eat a bowl of hot soup by a bonfire, and sleep peacefully at night wrapped in blankets.
Such a change, in this harsh North, was already a miraculous existence.
The residents understood ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) in their hearts that without Louis, they would most likely be buried by the wind and snow in the vast ice plains this winter.
