Chapter 185 Free People Depart
At the banquet at night, Ranger Howls brought good news.
"Sir, the cave trading market has successfully gained the trust of the free people in the caves during this period, and the trading volume has increased greatly." Howls, the market manager, proudly showed his achievements, "The trading amount can account for half of the entire Youguang Valley cave."
"Half? It's okay, but we have to continue to promote it and strive to bring all the transactions between the caves to our trading market."
"Don't worry, sir, I will put all my energy into this matter." Howls said, "In addition, more than a hundred free people have recently been attracted by the welfare benefits of the territory. After checking that they have no criminal records, they joined me. Our manor!"
"Really? That's right." Russell laughed. The territory lacked population the most. "But it's not enough. We need to continue to attract population."
"Yes, sir."
Charles took a sip of wine, savored it happily, and then said with a smile: "Sir, I wonder if the Red Castle has relaxed the restrictions on serf trade this year? If possible, we still have to buy a batch of serfs from the Volcano Oasis."
"It's not clear yet, but I will write to my eldest brother Roland. Roland is working for the Grand Duke now and will know this very well."
In fact, not only Russell lacked population, but Baron Roman also lacked population.
The Dark Light Valley is so large that nearly three or four million acres of land need to be cultivated. There are only 60,000 people at most, which is impossible to cultivate. Most of them are vacant wasteland and forests.
There are not many forests in the Black Snake Manor, but there are a lot of wastelands, especially the slopes near the Bent Blade Mountain and the Sharp Knife Mountain, which are all abandoned.
So both father and son lacked serfs to farm.
"As long as the Grand Duke relaxes the restrictions on serf trade, not only can we buy serfs, but we will definitely attract many free people to come here," Charles said.
Russell raised his glass and drank with Charles, then asked, "Why?"
"Your Excellency is the reason why the free people come here." Charles flattered him righteously, "First, your Excellency treats the free people the same as ordinary serfs, and this can be proved by the Wildcat Sisters and the Three Rangers of the Cave."
The Wildcat Sisters nodded involuntarily. Life in the sun is better than what they expected.
Howers also nodded. Before, he followed Lone Wolf Lisbon to roam the caves. No matter how powerful he was, he was still a group of cave rats who needed to hide from place to place. But now he has become the territory official of the Black-waisted Snake Manor, and the serfs have to greet him when they see him.
The difference is like heaven and earth.
Charles continued, "Secondly, and most importantly, you have two elves! In the entire Shadow Flame Duchy, no lord is richer than you and has a brighter future!"
Russell touched his chin and agreed with Charles' words.
With two elves in his hands, his wealth is almost equal to the savings of several generations of his family.
With such a strong foundation, if he doesn't develop, who will?
"So your reputation will surely attract a large number of free people to join, and the most attractive ones should be the technicians among the free people. I believe that these technicians with skills are more willing to follow a lord with a bright future!"
"That makes sense." Russell nodded.
He immediately told Howls, "After you go back, make a good publicity plan to attract enough serfs, free people, and free people technicians to join. If you do this well, I will remember your great achievement."
Russell is already quite skilled in drawing cakes.
Howers immediately patted his chest and said, "Please rest assured, sir, I will definitely live up to your trust!"
Russell looked at the others again and said with a smile, "If you do your job well, I will see it as meritorious service. I, Russell Fluorescent Mushroom, am not a stingy lord. I am willing to share my glory with you all!"
Then he raised his glass, "Come on, everyone, drink this glass with me, and wish us a better future!"
"The dragon is watching, I wish you to ride a dragon soon!" Charles shouted.
So the officials followed suit and shouted, "The dragon is watching, I wish you to ride a dragon soon!"
The red wine went down his throat, sweet and mellow.
Russell squinted at the gemstone lamps on the ceiling, and he couldn't help but feel proud in his heart, and secretly said, "Riding a dragon... Isn't it a matter of time! And I not only want to ride a flying dragon, I also want to ride a giant dragon!"
No.
To be precise, he has ridden a giant dragon, but it was a pity that he rode it in a dream and did not make a contract with the little dream dragon.
Putting down the wine glass, the M-shaped mark on the palm of his left hand was slightly hot. Russell knew that this was the sleeping little dream dragon responding to him.
Sooner or later.
One day he will become a lofty dragon knight, standing at the peak of strength in Longmian Continent, and appreciate a different scenery.
The manservant came to pour the wine.
The red wine was full, and Russell raised the wine glass again: "Drink to win!"
"Drink to win!"
"Drink to win!"
...
That night, Xiao Menglong was still digesting the ice soul beads and failed to show up.
So Russell had many strange dreams that night, some terrifying, some warm, some exciting, and some colorful.
But when he woke up in the morning, most of the dreams were forgotten in the corner, and there was only one dream that Russell still had some impression of.
In the dream, he turned into a dragon knight, swept away the snow giants on Longmian Continent, and even found the legendary frost giants. After fighting with the frost giants for three hundred rounds, he successfully cut off the opponent's head, and then stepped into the gate of the other world.
The moment the door opened, he saw his hometown.
"Oh... I miss home a little." Russell leaned against the bedside, silent for a while, and then rang the bell.
Ding Ding Ding.
The maids knocked on the door and came in. The pretty maid Leona greeted them warmly: "Good morning, sir, you are more handsome today than yesterday."
The slightly lost mood due to homesickness quickly rose, and Russell responded with a smile: "I feel the same way."
Get up, wash, and change clothes.
Russell changed into a set of training clothes, went downstairs to have a buffet breakfast, then picked up the fine steel sword and walked to the open space in front of the manor courtyard.
Knight Commander Eric also came after breakfast, but Kevin was still hungry, so he walked straight to the kennel and waited for the manor courtyard to provide him with breakfast - Kevin's ownership still belonged to Russell.
Only after Eric was enfeoffed as a lord, the Fantasy Beast Knight would be given to him by Russell and become his private property.
At this time, let alone Eric's contracted fantasy beast, even the warhorses ridden by the knights' followers belonged to Russell.
So whether it was the knights, the warhorses, or the fantasy beasts, they all needed Russell to provide for them. This was the lord's responsibility, otherwise why would the knights work for him.
"Teacher Eric, let's practice." Russell invited confidently. Today was different from the past, and his strength had changed qualitatively.
Eric was slightly surprised and replied in a muffled voice: "Okay."
"I have had an adventure during this period of time, and my strength has greatly improved. Eric, you have to cheer up and deal with it, don't get hurt by me!" Russell casually drew a sword flower, and then his figure rushed towards Eric like a sharp arrow.
What he relied on, in addition to the surging fighting spirit, was the sword in his hand, and the swordsmanship that even Earl Merlin was inferior to.
Just one blow.
Eric was shocked and broke into a cold sweat. Russell's strength had improved so much that he dared not underestimate him at all.
He immediately said in a muffled voice: "My Lord, I will go all out!"
Clang!
The two fine steel swords collided fiercely, and then the two figures entangled with each other at high speed, with swords flying and sparks flying everywhere.