Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Grand Blueprint of the Territory
After leaving Marle Castle, Su Li traveled day and night towards his own territory.
Along the way, relying on the warnings from the daily intelligence system, he avoided two raider warbands and six pioneer territories that wanted to rob him of his wealth.
Among these raiders, the pioneer lords along the way were the absolute main forces.
In this land filled with sin, looting was never the original sin—being weak was.
Many pioneer lords liked to target other pioneer lords traveling to their territories, as this was when a lord was most vulnerable, like a plump lamb.
In their ranks, loyalties were not yet cemented, and they carried large amounts of slaves, tools, and grain. Successfully looting such a group would make any pioneer territory wealthy overnight and greatly strengthen its power.
Su Li’s entourage faced the same situation, as the peasants in his group felt no sense of belonging. Belos Dragon Hammer and Vandar Oak had ulterior motives, and the team might fall apart in case of war.
So he prudently chose to avoid these conflicts. The Border Prince’s Territory was vast and sparsely populated, and since the world’s information spread slowly, he could travel rapidly, marching quickly so that most pioneer lords only heard of his passing after he had already crossed their territory. By the time they gathered their knights to give chase, it was too late.
Of course, this had its advantages. Under this pressure, the marching speed of the group was extremely fast. Ten days after leaving Marle Castle, and more than a month since departing from Bauhinia Castle, he finally set foot on the territory that belonged solely to him!
The plains at the foot of the Hesse Mountains were vast and the soil was fertile, with many rivers running through, providing ample water resources. If developed correctly, it was certain to become a paradise where Su Li could live out his days without worry.
At the intersection of the Black River and the Brionne River, Su Li finally saw the stronghold left by the previous lord.
Su Li climbed a mound himself to look into the distance, taking in the wide, expansive rivers and lands.
The Black and Brionne Rivers both originated from the southeastern slopes of the Gray Mountain Range. The Black River flowed from north to south, while the Brionne River flowed from east to west. The two rivers converged in a toppled Y-shape at the center of this vast plain.
It was apparent that his predecessor had great ambition and foresight, building the stronghold in strategic positions around the confluence.
To the north, where the river had carved higher ground, there was a prominent hill. Thus, he built the castle on the fertile highland north of the rivers’ convergence.
To the right, where the two rivers met, was a vast, flat grassland convenient for drawing water from both the north and south. He cultivated farmland there and installed two water conservancy facilities. However, after recent pillaging, these water facilities, windmills, and fertile fields had all fallen into disrepair.
The southwestern region was the flattest and most expansive, featuring soft hills and grasslands with vast potential for development. Hence, he located the barracks, pastures, markets, residential areas, brothels, taverns, and other facilities here, along with a short fence and stakes along the river for protection.
If everything developed smoothly, the city near the confluence would become the brightest gem on the fertile land of the Hesse Foothills. The bridge crossing the river within the city would be viewed as its pride and could even bring glory to the entire Border Prince’s Territory.
Regrettably, the previous lord, though ambitious and with the broad vision befitting a prince’s offspring, had his grand plans reduced to ashes by the fires of war, leaving most of them abandoned.
Now, with Su Li taking over this hopeful land, he aimed to build a prosperous and thriving territory with even grander ambitions and broader vision, encompassing fertile farmland, magnificent cities, and vast pastures, all coming together as the most beautiful gem in these foothills!
He spread his arms wide, facing the eastern dawn, his chest open, and excitedly shouted, "From now on, the Hesse Foothills will be our home!"
Behind him, knights in iron armor surrounded him, banners fluttering, as they looked towards the abandoned stronghold in the morning glow, eager to claim this land as conquerors who would become its new masters!
Death’s Claw seemed to sense its master’s excitement. For the first time, seeing its master so full of fighting spirit, it was greatly inspired and coincidentally made its first successful flight from Su Li’s shoulder.
It let out an excited cry, spreading its wings and flying higher and higher until it soared in the blue sky.
Hilude, watching the soaring griffon, clenched her fist in excitement, a smile on her face, "Lord, it’s such a coincidence that Death’s Claw learned to fly today. Perhaps this is destiny, indicating that you will expand grandly on this land!"
After more than a month of marching, Hilude had already successfully advanced to a full-fledged knight. Her advancement further solidified the belief amongst all the knights that following Young Master Suli would surely bring them opportunities for advancement.
Everyone was filled with confidence and longing for the future.
Su Li, too, felt a surge in his heart. How could it be such a coincidence? For more than half a month, Death’s Claw hadn’t mastered flying, but on the day they arrived at the territory, it soared easily.
In this world of divine spirits, perhaps it truly received divine grace. Maybe, this was destiny!
At that moment, Hilude also changed how she addressed Su Li, no longer calling him Young Master, but respectfully referring to him as Lord.
Su Li took a deep breath and raised his right hand, ordering everyone, "Move forward, into the territory!"
"At your command, Lord!" the knights responded loudly, the resonance echoing far and wide.
It turned out that everyone was anticipating the moment of owning a territory.
Even Death’s Claw in the sky let out a resounding shriek, flying towards the direction of the stronghold ahead.
When the group reached the edge of the territory, Su Li was surprised to discover that there were still some survivors inside the abandoned stronghold. Though few, hidden within the stronghold, they couldn’t escape the keen sight of the knights outside.
Frederick immediately rode forward on his half-griffin, shouting to the survivors inside: "The new Pioneer Lord, Knight Suli of the Bauhinia family, has arrived. Come out immediately to greet your lord!"
His half-griffin beneath him was large and noble in demeanor, and he wore a Vibranium Rune Armor that glittered with golden light. The Bauhinia family flag he carried fluttered in the wind, displaying a powerful noble aura.
The people inside dared not resist, and once they confirmed it was the new Pioneer Lord arriving, not some bandit or raider gang, they bustled out of the abandoned stronghold.
An elderly man, appearing to be in his fifties or sixties, skinny and frail, raised his hands above his head as he walked out from the crowd, shouting to Su Li, "Honorable Lord, I am the civil servant here. We are all survivors from the previous territory, please do not attack us."