Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence

Avril and Phyllis had already prepared breakfast, anticipating that Su Li might engage in his morning cultivation for a while, so they specially kept the food warm, waiting for him to have breakfast together.

Su Li originally intended to have a quick meal and go to the meeting, but considering that Phyllis was waiting for him, he pondered slightly and decided to have breakfast with Phyllis and Avril.

The war in the Province of Soland had concluded, and the local intelligence had finally become clear.

Phyllis was a direct descendant of the Elector; after all, the female Grand Duchess had died in battle, and her offspring were not cowards, all having died valiantly for their country.

Perhaps it would never be known which son of the female Grand Duchess Phyllis was descended from.

But clearly, her identity was very much in line with the interests of the noble provincial council. The nobles had finally waited for such an opportunity to weaken autocratic rule, and naturally hoped that the strength and background of the succeeding Elector would be as weak as possible. This way, the center of power would shift from the Eviran Palace to the Soland Provincial Council Hall.

To this end, the nobles might even unleash bloody assassinations to kill all the heirs with priority.

Su Li even felt that they would definitely launch assassinations. Because the benefits were simply too great, not only could they choose a puppet, but they could also establish their authority through assassination. After all, they were killing the Elector's heir, which to some extent meant they were carrying out the act of deposing and establishing, letting the people of the entire Soland territory see clearly who was currently the master of the Soland Province.

While Su Li was thinking, Phyllis had cheerfully brought the prepared breakfast to the table with Avril.

In addition to the fragrant baked pies, roasted venison, semolina with chicken breast and herb sauce, cheese shrimp crackers, vanilla mousse cake, seasonal fruit salad, and other main dishes, there was also fragrant fruit tea, with the milky aroma complementing the sweetness of strawberries and the fragrance of vanilla, making one's appetite greatly increase. This was a delicacy that Phyllis had started preparing early in the morning.

It can be said that the noble life within the Black Rose Manor alone, in terms of enjoyment, was already comparable to that of a baron within the Empire, something that many kingdom knights could not compare to at all.

After Su Li sat down, he said to Phyllis, "In the future, if I wake up late, you can eat first, no need to wait for me. Especially since you are pregnant, you should pay more attention to your health."

Phyllis smiled sweetly and said, "But a good mood is also very important. Being able to have breakfast with you, Lord, is more enjoyable than eating any delicacy."

Her current wonderful life had simply exceeded any of her previous imagination. The political and military pressures were completely shouldered by the Lord, and the needs in terms of supplies and wealth were also greatly satisfied. She didn't have to worry about anything, and only had to think about which delicacies to cook every day, and occasionally cultivate.

Moreover, her morning sickness during pregnancy was not very severe. The knights of the Church of Benevolence and Healing said that this meant the child's genes were more from the mother than the father, while those with severe morning sickness meant the child was more like the father. This was not a bad thing; if the child resembled the mother, he would be more handsome or beautiful.

Su Li looked at her and said, "Be careful these days and don't leave the castle. Now that the war in the Soland territory is over, a brutal political struggle is about to begin. You may be caught up in political assassinations."

"Ah?" Phyllis's face changed, and she asked somewhat helplessly, "I... how could I get caught up in such a big political vortex?"

Su Li put down the lamb chop in his hand, patted her hand, and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, the territory will always be your greatest backing. You may even inherit the position of Elector with our support."

Phyllis immediately shook her head firmly, "No! I don't want to be any Elector. I just want to live happily with you, Lord."

Avril asked with some concern, "What if they force us?"

"Then... then... I'll give the position of Elector to you, Lord. With your talent, Lord, you will definitely be able to manage the entire Province of Soland well. You are suitable for a bigger stage."

Su Li chuckled, You really trust me!

Haven't you heard the story of Chong'er living while abroad and Shen Sheng dying while at home?

Su Li's greatest advantage is that he knows his own limitations. He has no problem farming and developing outside, and developing in a low-key manner. But if he were thrown into an unfamiliar force, without any foundation, to engage in political games with a group of old foxes, he would probably be eaten clean by these people. Their schemes are interlocked, and even if Su Li has an intelligence system, he may not be able to cope.

So Su Li said, "Don't think wildly. I'm just telling you to be careful these days and don't run around in the castle. The Soland Province is nearly ten thousand miles away from us, and you are not even in the top three in the line of succession. I'm telling you this just in case, after all, you are pregnant now, so don't let anything happen."

Avril immediately nodded heavily and said, "Lord, don't worry. I won't leave the castle and manor from now on. Before a new Grand Duke is chosen in the Soland Province, I will never run around. My most important thing right now is to give birth to the child smoothly."

"Mm." Su Li got up and kissed her forehead, and said indulgently, "You and Avril continue to eat slowly. I'm done eating, I'm going to the meeting first. Trust me, the territory will soon have at least two more Chosen Ones, who will definitely be able to protect your safety."

He got up, and Hilde immediately put down her porcelain bowl, took her sword, and left the room together, rushing towards the castle.

Black Stone Keep is no longer as cramped as it used to be. After Muradin arrived in Black Stone Territory with a thousand dwarven soldiers, one of his work focuses was to help Su Li build castles and fortresses.

After a series of developments and expansions, the castle now has a prototype of a base, and the upper fort has four enclosures, surrounded by multiple sets of adjacent defense facilities with varying heights.

For example, the outermost layer is a city wall that stretches for more than nine miles. In the middle is a vast training ground and reclaimed land, and then near the castle is a deep ditch, isolating the castle behind a twenty-meter deep ditch. Only a stone bridge connects to the thick city walls and towers of another inner city.

But after passing through the city gate from this stone bridge to enter the upper level of the castle, it is not yet the main building of Black Stone Keep. You have to walk for a long time in this defensive stone corridor before you can pass through the exit. To the west is another enclosed defensive facility, with a training ground for direct attendants in the middle, surrounded by various buildings including armories, granaries, blacksmith shops, farrieries, arsenals, guard rooms, and so on.

To the right of the stone corridor is the spacious courtyard in front of the main building of the castle, and then the main building overlooks the various enclosed inner and outer fort areas from a higher base.

It can be said that the castle planned by the dwarves can resist dragon attacks. Even if a green dragon comes in person, humans can hide behind the thick stone walls and continuously shoot arrows from the towers, stone corridors, and enclosures, and can safely fight against the dragon for a long time.

Defensive works are always an important means for humans to fight against powerful enemies. Even if it is as strong as a dragon, it is not easy to demolish such a tall, majestic, and heavily defended castle.

Of course, this is on the premise that the castle is successfully completed.

This castle is actually just a prototype at the moment. The arrival of the dwarves gave Su Li a baron experience card. During that time, the projects in all directions of the territory progressed by leaps and bounds!

However, after the killing of Skaven Bloodrage, the dwarven army left the territory, Su Li's accelerated construction experience card ended, and the construction speed of all territories slowed down.

So, looking at the buildings under construction in Black Stone Keep, Su Li said to Hilde, "Although the dwarves have left, we can't be discouraged. The construction of the territory will ultimately depend on our own efforts. The construction of the castle must continue to accelerate, which is one of the important guarantees for us to fight against the green dragon. If the construction period cannot be completed in time, stop the functional facilities in the castle and manor first, and give priority to ensuring the completion of military buildings."

"If we can defend this battle, even if we tear down the castle and rebuild those functional facilities, it will be easy and effortless."

This castle embodies the engineering technology of the dwarves, and many designs amaze Su Li.

For example, this castle is built on a hillside, with a drop of more than 200 meters from the main river below. So how can water overcome gravity, without the help of any modern mechanical equipment, and be drawn upwards from the river one kilometer underground through underground pipelines to form showers, fountains, steam saunas, underfloor heating, and other facilities in the castle and palace?

At least Su Li, like most ignorant serfs, felt that this was impossible to accomplish.

But the technology of the dwarves is amazing, and they fully used engineering principles to complete all of this. They first went upstream to a hill 20 miles away that was much higher than the palace, where they built a dam to intercept the flow and divert part of the river water to a newly excavated canal to the west.

This canal extends forward along the rugged terrain with a very shallow slope to the periphery of the palace.

Then they dug a large reservoir in a place higher than the palace, and the water from the canal flowed from a 60-meter pipe below the reservoir to the bottom of the reservoir.

Above the reservoir, they installed a waterwheel, which was rotated by animal power to pump the water from more than 60 meters below the reservoir to the surface and fill a storage pool of more than 2,000 cubic meters.

This pool is located above the castle and manor and can provide the required water pressure for all facilities in the palace, such as fountains, bathhouses, and water-powered clocks.

After the water flows out of the reservoir, it passes through two filtration pools and enters the palace and manor, and then is diverted to various channels, which will transport the water to the pools and fountains around the palace.

Below the bathhouse, they will also heat it through a copper boiler, and the heated water will flow to shower facilities, saunas, etc., and in winter, it can also provide underfloor heating to the room through copper pipes under the bedroom.

It is no exaggeration to say that this castle and manor designed by so many dwarves working together has an engineering technical level that exceeds at least 80% of the nobles in the empire. It can even be compared with the palaces of many earls and dukes.

The reason why it was built so luxuriously, in addition to the dwarves' superb technology and Su Li's abundance of money, the most important reason is that everyone believes that the territory has a promising future.

The territory has giant iron mines for iron ore, and a large amount of gold coins and food for wealth. It can be said that as long as it can develop and operate steadily, there is no doubt that such a complete and luxurious castle can be built.

But obviously, the existence of the green dragon has destroyed everyone's perfect expectations for the future.

Therefore, at present, giving priority to ensuring the completion of the military facilities of the castle is the top priority.

Black Stone Territory is very advanced in military thinking. The so-called good fighter first makes himself invincible and waits for the enemy to be defeated.

After the castle is built, at least it can guarantee that Su Li is invincible.

If Su Li's bottom line is lower, and he learns from the practices of other nobles, he can completely shrink in the castle and sit and watch how the green dragon ravages.

This green dragon can't demolish such a solid, majestic, and heavy castle of Black Stone Territory.

Hilde heard Su Li's instructions and immediately replied, "We will determine the progress of the territory's construction at today's meeting. We still need to listen to the opinions of the engineering master Kurgan in this regard."

Su Li nodded. The specific affairs of the territory still need to understand the details of all aspects before making accurate decisions.

"Then let's go, let's go to the meeting." Su Li jumped off Deathclaw and only he can ride a mount in the castle. No one else, not even Hilde, has the right to ride a horse in the castle.

This is not a question of intimacy or not, this is the embodiment of the lord's power and majesty.

Deathclaw followed out of the stone corridor. Its tall and powerful body was already taller than Su Li. Wearing heavy armor, it ran like a tank rushing straight ahead.

Su Li had to say to the attendant Harry on the side, "Take care of Deathclaw. Although it is strong, it is still a cub in its heart. It can't control its impulsive emotions and can easily cause trouble. Don't let it tear down the house, and don't hurt the ordinary people in the castle."

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"Received, Lord, I will follow Deathclaw-sama." Harry immediately pounded his chest with his fist respectfully.

But his role is just to follow Deathclaw. This noble raptor does not allow anyone other than Su Li and Hilde to touch it, even feeding it is not allowed.

Phyllis once wanted to feed it fresh meat, but almost angered it and was attacked by it.

Other servants don't even dare to approach it. Vainly trying to get closer to this noble raptor through fresh meat will only be considered an offense and insult by the griffon.

The monthly repair of the houses torn down by Deathclaw's impulse is a heavy burden for ordinary lords.

Moreover, the strength of Harry, this attendant, is far inferior to Deathclaw. Although his cultivation talent and natural divine power are outstanding, he is far behind Su Li's cultivation progress. In half a year, he only cultivated from a beginner-level trainee knight to an advanced trainee knight.

Logically speaking, this speed is already amazing, which means that he is at least a leader among the elite knights. If Su Li is willing to train him and give him certain resource tilts, future champion knights may not be impossible.

It's just that such a monstrous cultivation speed seems so insignificant under Su Li's huge halo. At the moment, he can only serve as a most basic caregiver for Deathclaw in Black Stone Keep.

Deathclaw obviously couldn't understand all of this. It returned to its original home and excitedly chirped, and then directly spread its wings and flew up from the castle, circling a few times around the Black Rose flag fluttering above the main building. This scene, the griffon spreading its wings and the battle flag fluttering, made everyone who saw it full of confidence and ambition.

In front of the castle hall, two Black Forest Guard knights on duty saw Su Li leading Hildur into the main building. They immediately bowed and opened the massive dark red door for Su Li with both hands.

As Su Li entered the room, the clamor inside ceased instantly. All the ministers sitting on either side of the long table simultaneously pulled back their luxurious blood-pine chairs, stood up in unison, and bowed to Su Li, saying, "Greetings, Lord! May the gods bless your day."

Seeing this, Su Li felt refreshed and elated. The taste of power was simply mesmerizing!

He walked to the head of the long table, sat down leisurely, and then waved his hand, saying to the ministers of the territory, "Be seated."

Hildur’s seat was at the head of the long table on Su Li’s right. After she sat down, she stood up again and began to preside over today’s meeting.

"Lord, all personnel for the territory's mid-year review meeting are present. Attendees include High Steward Hildur, Religious Advisor and Provincial Affairs Minister Rong En, Black Forest Military Commander Orschstein, Sun Corona Knight Order Commander Constantine, Deputy Commander Freya, Grand Chancellor Laun, Agriculture Minister Vandal, Industry Minister Sheriff, Court Judge Friedrich, Foreign Minister Hatzklin, Engineering Master Kurgan, Forging Master Perros, Dwarf Elder Brock Redbeard, Halfling Mayor Ashfield, and塔尔 Church Priestess Lunadesan."

This long list of names reflected the territory's thriving and growing state.

Compared to the lack of talent when he first arrived, the room was now filled with capable individuals.

With so much talent, how could the territory not flourish?

Su Li raised his hand and said, "Now that everyone is here, let the meeting begin. High Steward, you are responsible for presiding over the meeting and maintaining order."

Hildur immediately bowed slightly and said, "As you command, Lord."

"The main content of today's meeting is divided into two parts. First, a report on the current development of the territory."

"And then, the operational deployment against the Wings of Deceit."

Su Li nodded and then looked at Vandal, saying, "An army marches on its stomach. Agriculture Minister, the harvest season has just ended. Please report on the territory's farming situation first."

Vandal was prepared for this and immediately stood up, saying, "Under the wise leadership of the Lord, the territory is flourishing, and the scale of agriculture is constantly expanding."

"This summer alone, our summer grain harvest reached over 20 million catties, and the current grain stored in the Black Forest Castle granary is 4 million catties."

"The grain stored in the various granaries, grain stores, and bakeries in Black Forest Town is 3 million catties, and some has already been sold to the residents, caravans, and dwarves. In addition, the territory has a brewery, which alone requires the consumption of more than 2 million catties of grain."

Listening to this report, Su Li felt a sense of relief. Finally, the territory was starting to get on the right track.

The territory’s castle alone stored 4 million catties of grain, which, although only about 2,000 tons, was enough to secure Su Li’s rule in the Black Forest.

This was enough for 400 people to eat for two whole years, enough to cope with most crises.

Many imperial nobles adopted this tactic when facing foreign invasions. As long as the lord hid in the castle with his troops for a year or two, the enemy would not be able to besiege for long and would retreat on their own.

As for launching an assault on the city, that was wishful thinking. The towering castle built on a 200-meter steep slope had only one entrance and layers of heavy defenses. With 400 elite knights inside, the attacking force would probably suffer thousands, even tens of thousands, of casualties without being able to take it down.

While Su Li was thinking, Vandal continued his report: "The most important farming project in our territory is undoubtedly the Bjorn Bay project."

"The water from Lake Raveline irrigates the vast farmland below, and we are sure to have a bumper harvest. Therefore, the territory is currently focusing on developing the cultivated land here. We guarantee that before the last planting this year, we will cultivate the territory's farmland area to more than 100,000 mu."

"In addition, the nuns of the Dawn Church are stationed in the territory's 5 villages and 10 farms, guiding the production of each farm in the suburbs, striving to reach 170,000 mu of cultivated land throughout the territory this year."

Hearing Vandal's voice, the ministers in the hall were all beaming with joy. The agricultural harvest was the basic guarantee for all undertakings in the territory.

Only with sufficient food could the territory support a larger population, providing a solid foundation and strong guarantee for industry, military, religion, culture, and all other aspects.

In addition, 100,000 mu of fertile land in Bjorn Bay meant that it could produce at least 30 million catties of grain, in exchange for 3,000 gold crowns. With three harvests a year, it would not only be the granary of the Border Prince's territory but also become a source of wealth for the Black Forest!

10,000 gold crowns, enough to buy 50 elite knights, and enough to pay the wages of a half-squadron of elite knights.

And this bright prospect was far from the whole story of the territory. Vandal's report was still not over: "And under the guidance of the Lord, our territory's farming goes far beyond ordinary crops."

"I want to emphasize here that 4 of the 10 farms are not planted with ordinary food crops."

"This includes a spiritual medicine farm, planting calming flowers, swift grass, dragon's blood grass, lion's mane mushrooms, and other medicinal materials, with an area of up to 200 mu, and an output of at least 1,000 gold crowns. What limits the scale is entirely the number of spiritual medicine seeds."

"If we have enough seeds in the future, I predict that the scale of our territory's spiritual medicine fields will continue to expand. While the territory becomes the border granary, it will also become the empire's medicinal material production center! After the scale of this spiritual medicine farm reaches 500 mu, 1,000 mu, or even 10,000 mu, the value of spiritual medicine production will definitely exceed the income from ordinary grain!"