Chapter 805: Chapter 37: The Future of the Hometown (w words update, ask for monthly pass!)
The Snowfall Month (December) is nearing.
Xiawei Territory, at dusk, the deep red sunset pierces through the thin evening clouds, casting twilight hues upon the city.
If Ian were not in South Ridge but in the Imperial Capital or some other place, he could see the snow drifting, and silver-white ice crystals covering the land.
Even in South Ridge, the weather has cooled down, and a thin layer of frost blankets the ground of the square.
Ian stands at the top of the newly repaired Lordâs Mansion, seated on the shoulder of the Cyclops Giant, overlooking his domain.
The brand-new Lordâs Castle has a metallic quality throughout; it is a fortress cast from Qing Steel Stone, essentially no different than a steel fortress, and it looks imposingly dignified.
One month after the end of the battle with the Rebellious Mountain People, Xiahui City has returned to normal operations. Under Ianâs guidance, this alchemy material hub on the western side of the Agate Stone Plains has taken several potion orders from the Nineteenth Legion of the Empire. The once-deserted forest pathway is now gradually bustling with merchant convoys and the lively sound of their bells.
Since the Leyan baronial lineage has been completely abolished and Ianâs letter of appointment has been delivered, this place has been restored to its original name âLand of Xia Huiâ, also known as âXiawei Territoryâ, at the young manâs behest.
The reason for not calling it âIan Territoryâ or âAljomun Territoryâ is mainly that Ian feels the place is too small. Affixing his name is unnecessary, and, for some Mountain People, calling it âXiawei Territoryâ has a calming effect.
In fact, because of the title "Emissary of the Dragon God" and "Prophet of the Descending Thunder," some Mountain People have tentatively come to see Ian. They settled on the outskirts of the Victory Square in the west of the city, bringing their tents as if planning to stay for a while.
Ian welcomes these people, regardless of whether they are war refugees looking to join him for a better life or truly believe that he is the Dragon Godâs Emissary. They could become labor for the territory.
However, it is just the paperwork that has arrived.
The official knighthood ceremony requires someone from the Imperial Capital to preside, and they are still en route.
In theory, the documents for conferment of knighthood and the presiding officer should arrive together, but due to the special situation in Xiawei Territory, Marquis Barton requested that special cases be handled specially. Hence the circumstance where Ian has what is akin to registering for certification before receiving the admission ticket.
Xiawei Territory is roughly divided into four parts. The west of the city, due to initially countering the Mountain Peopleâs attacks and directly facing the mountain pass, has most of the barracks and defensive installations located there, with plenty of wasteland on the periphery reserved for future expansion.
To the north of the city lies the municipal hall and the Lordâs Castle, as well as the Lordâs private estates. Many alchemy workshops dealing with Radiance Grass are situated here, making it the wealthiest area of Xiahui City.
With the restoration of the cityâs operations, food prices are stable, production has resumed, and farmers have begun to reorganize their farmland, planting turnips and sugar beets in hopes of a little more food before the spring of next year.
Under Ianâs command, everything is in perfect order.
However, there have been some amusing incidents regarding the fields.
Following Earthâs experience, after tallying the population and arable land, Ian intended to carry out land reform.
No matter how opposed the people below were, he planned to take all the fields suitable for growing Radiance Grass into his own hands to better arrange subsequent development.
For this purpose, he even considered borrowing money from Yisen Gard, so the Lordâs Mansion wouldnât be broke after reclaiming the land.
Yisen Gard generously lent out five thousand Talle as the first installment of the loan, giving Ian the confidence to gather all the planters and divulge his plans. But he found that as he explained the various measures of land reform, the expressions of these planters didnât change in the slightestâall were indifferent.
It wasnât until after Ian finished that the planters, finally getting a glimpse of what the Lord meant, looked at each other in realization. An eldest old farmer stepped forward, bowing to the excessively young Lord with some hesitation.
"Lord, youâve probably never farmed before, have you?"
The old man carefully chose his words, speaking slowly: "So... perhaps you are unaware?"
"These lands of Leyan Territory... uh, I mean, Xiawei Territory... originally belong entirely to you, right?"
"We are merely basking in your radiance, having the opportunity to help you, the Lord, cultivate your property... uh, what I mean is... you donât need to reclaim the land from us... itâs already yours, isnât it?"
The cautious words of the old farmer still caught the young Ian off guard.
"What? All the land within the territory belongs to the Lord?"
Being indeed too young and not paying attention to these rules and regulations, Ian discovered after consulting many textsâthat this was indeed the case.
Terraâs system regarding land, far from being advanced, is extremely primitive and autocraticâthe Lord has one hundred percent power over everything within his territory.
In other words, all the land belongs to the Lord.
If Ian wants to use it, everyone else must comply unconditionally.
However, likewise, the Lord is responsible for the life and land security of everyone in his territory.
For example, if a Magical Beast or invader was to arrive, the Domain Residents theoretically could choose not to resist at all. The only thing they might need to do is seek out the Lord to expel the Magical Beast and the invader.