Louis pressed his head, and the territory’s information kept operating in his mind.
He started to make future industry plans for the Red Tide Territory based on the existing information.
After all, relying on the Intelligence System and similar luck to support nearly a thousand people is unrealistic; the Red Tide Territory must have some stable industries.
When the information was organized in his head, he raised his head and looked at Hillco: "I’ll speak, you take notes."
Hillco forced himself to stay focused, nodding subconsciously.
"Send these hundred fishermen immediately to the riverbank," Louis pointed at the winding river on the map with a pen, "build temporary docks first, and prepare fishing boats in advance to prepare for fishery restoration.
Though there are not many fish now, once the water temperature rises, large schools of fish will swim upstream to spawn. By then, the catch will become one of the most important food sources for the Red Tide Territory.
In the future, consider setting up aquaculture areas along the river.
If we can successfully cultivate fish that adapt to cold waters, we can develop our own aquaculture industry instead of just relying on wild fishing."
"Got it." Hillco noted down the key points the Lord said, one by one.
"Apart from the fishery, agriculture and animal husbandry cannot be neglected.
At present, we have over four hundred farmers, focusing on land reclamation." Louis drew a line on the cold zone of the geothermal map with his finger, "Hot spring water can be used to melt the frost, so prepare the irrigation system in advance.
Although the soil here isn’t very fertile, making good use of the geothermal zones won’t make it much worse. The first batch of crops will be rye and potatoes, which are cold-resistant and can grow on this land."
"Understood."
"As for animal husbandry..." Louis paused, recalling the livestock in the territory, "The number of livestock in the territory is too low now. We can’t rely on the existing cattle, sheep, and reindeer for large-scale breeding.
I will arrange for people to go to Frost Halberd City to purchase more livestock and establish a dedicated husbandry area to develop animal husbandry."
"Understood." Hillco kept nodding, although exhausted, attentively taking down each instruction.
Next, Louis drew a circle in the forest area of the Red Tide Territory on the map.
"We have over fifty experienced hunters. Aside from daily hunting, they can also explore the forest’s periphery incidentally. Don’t let Magical Beasts get close, and don’t let unknown forces infiltrate."
"Lastly, these artisans brought from Frost Halberd City. Let the leatherworkers prioritize winter clothes, blacksmiths forge farm tools, and carpenters build houses.
A workshop can be established to gather all the craftsmen together for collaboration while recruiting apprentices to form a complete production chain."
Louis spoke quickly, each sentence seeming like a decision rehearsed countless times in his mind.
Hillco originally had no fondness for the title ’Lord.’
His impression of the nobility was of hypocrites, arrogant, spouting righteousness while treating their subjects like livestock.
The initial impression Louis gave him was merely that of a kind-hearted person.
But now he’s beginning to change his view.
This Lord not only has a kind heart but also knows how to utilize the resources at hand.
This guy is quite capable. Hillco felt admiration rising.
And so, as Louis executed his plans one by one, the Red Tide Territory officially began operating!
The bonfire illuminated the busy figures of people, cooking smoke rose spirally, hunters prepared for action, fishermen started repairing fishing boats, and the sound of hammers from the artisans echoed in the air...
This long-dormant land slowly awakened under Louis’s arrangements.
...
Spring arrived quietly, but most of the Northern Territory was still covered with lingering snow, making it impossible to cultivate.
However, the land under Louis’s feet was different.
The soil was loose and moist, carrying the unique life aura of spring.
This was thanks to Louis directing hot spring water into the fields a week earlier, using geothermal energy to melt the permafrost.
Now the soil, frozen for an entire winter, had finally become loose, and the originally non-arable wasteland was gradually exuberating with vibrant life.
"Is this really land from the Northern Territory?"
A farmer picked up a handful of soil, feeling the warm moisture, and couldn’t help but exclaim.
Those around him heard and also bent down to touch, their faces full of surprise and delight.
"The hot water really melted the permafrost!"
"Who would have thought we could plant crops this early spring in the Northern Territory!"
Excited discussions rose among the fields.
Of course, using hot spring water to melt permafrost was a temporary solution. Hot spring water has a high salt content, and repeated use might turn the soil into barren saline-alkali land.
Once conditions are matured, we would need to develop greenhouse cultivation.
Standing beside Louis was a middle-aged man whose clothes were stained with soil and dry grass.
His name was Mike, the Agricultural Official of the Red Tide Territory.
Mike was originally just one of the slaves, unassuming and not good with words.
If not for the Daily Intelligence System, Louis might never have noticed that among a group of slaves, there was one proficient in farming.
He was innately talented in farming, possessing an almost instinctive intuition about soil, crops, and climate.
When Louis found Mike, announcing the freedom from his slave status, and appointed him as the Agricultural Official of the Red Tide Territory.
Mike couldn’t even believe his ears; it was something he never dared dream of.
He was poor with words, not knowing how to express gratitude, so he silently put all his efforts into the fields.
Today was the day to cultivate and fertilize the fields in the Red Tide Territory.
Mike grabbed a handful of moist soil, gently crushed it between his fingers, revealing a satisfied smile.
He looked up at Louis, his rough hands wiped on the corner of his clothes, "Sir, everything is ready."
"In that case, let’s start," Louis nodded.
"All units, start plowing!" Mike commanded loudly.
The command was quickly executed, with hundreds of farmers bending down to deeply insert the iron plows into the soil.
"So fluffy!"
"There’s even warmth in this soil!"
The softening of the soil surprised many farmers who had worked in the Northern Territory before.
And all of this was due to Louis’s ingenious idea.
The subjects’ admiration for Louis increased by another notch.
Watching the farmers diligently tilling the land, Louis asked, "Is the fertilizer prepared?"
"It’s all ready!" Mike waved his hand to indicate
A dozen wooden carts slowly drove into the fields, loaded with dark-colored fertilizer emanating a strong and pungent smell.
This was the special base fertilizer that Louis ordered to be collected and made when he first came to the territory.
It was composed of human and animal manure, straw, fish entrails, and clod powder (alchemy product).
Human and animal manure and straw provided basic nutrients, and fish entrails were rich in organic matter.
While the clod powder not only greatly improves fertility but also effectively prevents pest infestation, giving the seeds a better growth environment after being sown.
The intense smell of the fertilizer permeated the air, stinging people’s noses.
Some frowned, but no one complained.
Even as the Lord, Louis didn’t show the slightest disdain.
After all, they all knew that only these fertilizers could lead to a better harvest.
The farmers orderly scattered the fertilizer into the plowed soil, then mixed it evenly with a hoe to allow the nutrients to fully permeate.
"We can plant seeds in four days," Mike said with a satisfied expression, stepping on the soil.
Louis stood for a moment, confirmed everything was in order, then turned to leave.
It wasn’t that he was bothered by the pungent fertilizer smell, but his Daily Intelligence System had updated with three particularly useful pieces of information that required his attention.