Free Web NovelChapter 34: Chapter 34: Busy Manor
Early the next morning, the people who had arrived at their new home began to busy themselves without needing to be told.
Some people were tidying up their houses, some were repairing damaged walls, and some were wandering around the fronts and backs of their houses, looking for suitable materials to reinforce the buildings.
Having followed Duane here to begin a new life, they were naturally filled with many beautiful aspirations.
While they didn’t expect to become nobility or wealthy, they at least hoped for a life with enough to eat and wear, with better prospects than they had in their hometowns.
Duane knew what they were hoping for, but things had to be done one step at a time.
He didn’t even know how much farmland he had at his disposal yet, so it was impossible to promise how much he could grant them.
This was precisely one of the tasks Julian and Haien would be handling next.
"My Lord!"
Jack and John offered their morning greetings.
Duane nodded slightly. "From now on, join Kaelon and Raymond for morning training. You don’t need to wait on me here."
They weren’t the only ones standing guard. Kaelon had arranged for a rotation, since everyone needed their rest.
After giving these instructions, Duane ate breakfast.
Even though they had just arrived on Black Forest Island, his meals hadn’t changed much: cheese, bread with a little honey, just as always.
"Good morning, My Lord!"
After a night’s rest, Ralph’s spirits had recovered considerably. He no longer looked so sickly.
Furthermore, seeing his son settle into his work so well put him in an even better mood, and his respect for Duane grew.
"You look much more spirited, old steward," Duane said casually.
"Sleeping in a bed is so much more comfortable than on a ship!"
He remarked with feeling, "My Lord, I inspected the courtyard this morning. We’re lacking several key buildings, like a stable and a livestock enclosure. I plan to start by building one."
Duane, Kaelon, and Raymond’s three horses were currently out in the open. Although hay was laid out, it couldn’t block the cold midnight wind.
These were all fine warhorses; it would be a great loss if they fell ill and weakened.
As for the livestock enclosure, it was also necessary.
Chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, and sheep all needed to be raised. Relying on levying them from farmers was somewhat unrealistic.
Besides, Duane had also recruited livestock handlers. If they didn’t raise some livestock themselves, wouldn’t that have been a waste?
"You can handle this as you see fit. However, the courtyard is small. Build these structures as far from here as possible. I don’t want to smell animal dung while I’m eating."
"Haha, of course!"
After getting permission, Ralph left the courtyard and began to familiarize himself with the surroundings while also looking for a suitable place to build.
Duane tore off a piece of bread, watching the old steward’s departing back, but his mind was on another matter.
’Is animal husbandry considered a Skill?’
The answer to this question was likely yes. He would have to find some time to test it out.
While he was eating, Monbodt also came over to pay his respects.
Duane chatted with him for a bit, then had Julian and Haien start their work with him.
Considering the current situation, and that Julian and Haien were ordinary people with no martial ability, Duane had Raymond assign two Guards to accompany them, and told the others on patrol to keep an eye on them.
As for security, Kaelon and Raymond had discussed it privately and reported to Duane.
The territories of the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association were to the east of Broken Wave City, one to the northeast, and the other slightly south of due east.
Therefore, the two of them decided to set up lookout posts on the high slopes in those two directions to scout the situation over there.
If there were any signs of large-scale troop movements, the scouts would immediately send someone to report.
Duane approved of this arrangement.
Unfortunately, the number of Guards was still a bit low.
Between standing guard, scouting, and patrolling, after all the tasks were assigned, not many people were left for training. They could only do it in shifts.
Duane planned to wait until the situation stabilized a bit, then select some of the island’s residents to form a Militia Team.
At that time, he could select some of the Guards to be in charge of leading the teams, freeing up the majority to focus on training.
In any case, strength was what truly mattered.
If the thirty men under his command were all Extraordinary Warriors, he wouldn’t have to think about how to avoid a direct confrontation with the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association.
As the sun began to rise, Duane, having finished breakfast, also began his busy day.
Today, his main task wasn’t training; instead, he picked up a hoe and began to work the land.
Just outside the courtyard, Monbodt had a vegetable garden where many vegetables were growing.
Just from a glance, Duane could see cabbages, pumpkin shoots, tender radish greens, leeks, and more. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
It seemed the variety of vegetables on Black Forest Island was quite abundant.
Weeding, loosening the soil, watering, and fertilizing—even without Haien’s explanation from the previous night, Duane knew these steps.
It was just that seeing their Lord swinging a hoe and doing this kind of work left Mara and the others, who were preparing lunch, completely dumbfounded.
She felt that the Baron was constantly stealing her jobs. Stir-frying and making soup was one thing, but now he was even out in the vegetable garden?
"My Lord..."
Mara came to Duane’s side and hushed her voice, afraid others might hear.
"Hm? What is it?"
Mara glanced around and saw many of the settlers who had followed the Lord, and even some of the island’s original inhabitants, staring in astonishment. Her face flushed red.
"My Lord, this is no place for you!"
She finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and said directly, "It’s one thing if you’re stir-frying and making soup where outsiders can’t see, but now you’re out here in broad daylight, swinging a hoe and working the fields! It’s beneath your station!"
"It’s not like you don’t have servants! If word of this gets out, who knows what outsiders will think of you!"
Duane glanced around. Indeed, quite a few people were watching him. It seemed someone in the terraced fields not far away had also noticed.
But he paid it no mind, the hoe in his hands still swinging steadily and powerfully.
"Mara, there are some things you don’t understand. A Lord must immerse himself among his people to truly understand this place, to understand the people and things of Black Forest Island."
"You see me pulling weeds, but what I’m really cultivating is my control over this territory."
Mara stared intently at the uprooted weeds. ’How is this connected to control?’
She didn’t understand.
Duane straightened up, looked at the surrounding settlers, and said in a loud voice, "You use your own two hands to improve your lives, and I will use my own two hands to manage Black Forest Island well! Don’t you all just stand there gawking, get busy! For a better life!"
The Lord’s words were straightforward, and the people, even without much education, could understand.
But this scene still had a powerful impact.
Beyond their shock, they began to respond, busying themselves once more.
In any case, they needed to improve their living conditions.
"Very well, Baron. You are right." Mara could only give up trying to persuade him, feeling resigned.
While it was a house servant’s duty to uphold their master’s dignity and remind him of propriety, she was beginning to feel the Baron couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards.
In the future, no matter what the Baron did, she would just watch.
"Jasmine, come help me pick two baskets of cabbages."
"Alrighty~"
Duane continued his work, his figure a busy presence in the vegetable garden.
Some people thought the Lord wouldn’t last long, but they didn’t expect him to work for over an hour straight.
Seeing Duane’s focused expression, the once-astonished settlers not only felt a sense of respect bloom within them, but they also found themselves filled with a new motivation.
The sun gradually rose higher, and a light sheen of sweat appeared on Duane’s forehead.
[You weeded the crops. Basic Planting Skill Level +1]
[You loosened the soil for the crops. Basic Planting Skill Level +1]
[You watered and fertilized the crops. Basic Skill Level +1]
Finally, after the better part of the morning had passed.
[Basic Planting Skill Level has broken through. Entry (0/200)]
[Attribute points +0.1]
Duane stopped his work, a gratified smile on his face. He had finally broken through.
