Author: Sanguzi

The matter of taking over Iron Mountain Territory was much more complicated than expected. By the time Reid initially sorted it out and came to the lord's study to report to Roy, the sunset in the west had only the last trace of its afterglow.

"Lord Roy, the population of Iron Mountain Territory, including Lord Denham and others imprisoned in Blackstone Prison, totals 1,348 people, including two bronze knights, 45 formal knights, 153 trainee knights, and 1,150 ordinary territorial citizens.

"

"Of these 1,150 ordinary citizens, less than 30 are engaged in farming. They mainly live on both sides of a small tributary of a river that flows through Tieshan Territory. They rely on barren land for farming, and their food production is extremely low."

"The rest of the ordinary citizens are basically engaged in mining and its extended forging industry."

"Lord Denham imposes very heavy taxes on the people of the Iron Mountain Territory. All income needs to be paid 90%, but it can be paid in lieu of taxes. For every labor force in the family participating in the mining industry, the tax can be reduced by 20%, with the lowest

to 50%.”

"Under such a policy, every family basically needs two laborers to participate in the mining industry in order to barely have enough to eat."

Roy listened quietly to Reid's report.

Although he didn't like to deal with such trivial matters, as a lord, he had to know.

The mining of ores in this era is, to put it nicely, a “black ore” by those who work in the industry, or to put it bluntly, it is not only extremely hard work, but also ridiculously dangerous.

Mine collapses are not common, but they happen once or twice every year, and many people lose their lives as a result.

Lord Denham's policy, in the final analysis, is to force the people of the Iron Mountain Territory to mine in order to support the 200 knights in the Iron Mountain Territory.

This is a deformed structure.

Normally, 5 subjects support a trainee knight, 20 subjects support a formal knight, and 100 subjects support a bronze knight, which is the healthiest and longest-lasting ratio.

The strength of a knight does not come out of thin air. The stronger the body, the more energy it needs to consume, and the higher the quality and quantity requirements for food.

Based on the number of knights in the Iron Mountain Territory, 1,865 people are needed to support them normally. However, the Iron Mountain Territory only has 1,150 people. If you want to support such a number of knights, it will inevitably lead to extremely difficult lives for a large number of people in the Iron Mountain Territory.

No wonder the people of Iron Mountain Territory have such low loyalty to Lord Denham.

After understanding the general situation of Iron Mountain Territory, Roy said: "Uncle Reid, how much food inventory is there in Black Stone Territory?"

"In order to survive the winter, the Blackstone Territory has prepared a sufficient amount of food. Even if the people of the Blackstone Territory have not prepared food, it will be enough to last until the beginning of next spring."

Reid has many family treasures.

As the "steward" of the territory, he is very aware of all matters of the Blackstone Territory.

"Let's do this. If you continue to announce it, the taxes of the Iron Mountain Territory will be reduced to the same 50% as the Black Stone Territory. Set a minimum fixed tax value based on the average tax paid by the people of the Iron Mountain Territory last year to ensure that this minimum fixed tax value is lower than the average tax.

50%. At the same time, the service-in-tax system remains unchanged, but the reduced tax for each mining worker is changed to 10%, with a minimum of 30%.”

"Provide minimum material support to the families of mining workers who die in accidents such as mine collapses."

"In addition, please arrange to count the existing food reserves in the hands of the people in Tieshan Territory. This is the first year we take over Tieshan Territory. We must ensure that no one will starve to death or freeze to death this winter."

Hearing this, Reid nodded, and then said worriedly: "Sir Roy, I have preliminary understanding before. The food reserves in the hands of the people of Iron Mountain Territory are far from meeting the minimum requirements for winter. If we want to carry out food

If provided, the existing food reserves in Blackstone and Iron Mountain are not enough, and they need to continue to purchase them from outside."

"As winter approaches, all the territories are stocking up on food. The only ones that still have the energy to sell food to the outside world are the Red Collar, which is five territories away from the Blackstone Territory in the north."

"The journey is long, and there are bandits on the way. I will probably need to personally escort you."

"Then it's up to you to take action, lead all the knights, and go to Chiling to buy food. As long as the price is not too high, you can accept it." Roy said solemnly.

"Yes!" Reid nodded in agreement.

"As for the trainee knights from the Iron Mountain Territory..." Roy pondered for a moment: "You choose 50 people to stay and mix them with our trainee knights from the Black Stone Territory. After some practice, we will arrange to patrol the Iron Mountain Territory.

, the rest were sent home. The formal knights were imprisoned first."

"Understood." Reid responded.

"Well, that's it for now. We'll fine-tune the details later. You can deal with it first."

After Reid left, Roy rubbed his eyebrows.

Rather than dealing with government affairs, he prefers to practice breathing techniques.

After eating something simple, Roy was about to start practicing breathing techniques, but at this moment, he vaguely felt something and turned to look at the corner of the study.

The shadows are like fluids, rising up against the current, outlining a slender figure in tight black clothes.

It is none other than the Shadow Witch Lilia.

"What's the matter, Miss Lilia?"

Roy asked curiously.

"Vivian is awake. She wants to see you." Shadow Witch Lilia bowed slightly and bowed before speaking.

"Is Miss Vivian awake..." Roy nodded: "I'll go take a look."

…

When Roy walked into the lord's bedroom, he immediately saw the blond girl sitting beside the bed.

The approaching footsteps caught the attention of Vivian, the Witch of Light. She raised her head, looked at the handsome young man standing at the door, and blinked, her eyes like a newborn deer, ignorant and pure.

"Hello, Miss Vivian, Witch of Light, this should be considered our first real meeting. I am Roy Tullumbel, the lord of the Blackstone Territory and the Iron Mountain Territory."

"...Hello." A voice so low that it was almost inaudible came from the mouth of the Witch of Light Vivian. When she met Roy's eyes, she subconsciously averted her eyes and held her hands tightly.

She clung to the quilt on her body, and a faint blush appeared on her white and tender earlobes.

"Um..." This performance of Vivian, the Witch of Light, made Roy stunned.

Is it so socially fearful?

Or is it that Vivian was able to sense the outside world during the previous decontamination process, and she clearly felt it when he touched the "part closest to the heart", so she was shy?

After gathering his composure, Roy walked to a position about 1.5 meters away from the bed of Vivian, the Witch of Light, and stopped.

This distance is the standard social distance, which is the least likely for both parties to feel nervous when talking.

Roy looked at the light witch Vivian's eyes carefully several times until the blush on her earlobes spread to the side of her face. Then he withdrew his gaze and nodded to the shadow witch Lilia beside him:

"Based on the current situation, Miss Vivian's condition is very stable, and there are no signs of the pollution getting out of control or continuing to increase."
Chapter completed!