NEC Chapter 94: Territory Planning, Military-First Route

The former administrative seat of the Saltwater Flats, where the lord's mansion was located, once had a rather elegant name: Treading Snow to View Plum Blossoms.

The previous lord had leveled a huge patch of alkaline land in the front courtyard of his estate, carefully selecting pure white salt frost and sprinkling it densely in several layers.

At first glance, it looked like a snow-covered plain stretching to the horizon under the vast sky and sea.

Viewing red plum blossoms dotting such scenery created a sense of desolate and distant beauty.

Long ago, the Saltwater Flats still belonged to the jurisdiction of the Emerald Duchy's East Arrow Territory.

At that time, the northern Razor Corridor was still in the Emerald Duchy's hands. From East Arrow Territory at the duchy's easternmost point, one could travel directly through this corridor to the Endless Sea and Emerald Bay.

East Arrow Territory, as its name suggested, had arrow feathers connected to the eastern plains of the Emerald Duchy's main body, the slightly curved arrow shaft was the long, narrow Razor Corridor, and the arrowhead was the Saltwater Territory embedded in Emerald Bay.

In Sky Empire year 1229, the Razor Corridor was cut off by the beastmen's Fang Tribe. From then on, the Emerald Duchy could only transport supplies to Saltwater Territory through the desert edge sand roads.

Just seven years later, East Arrow Territory was conquered by temple knights under the Mistmoon Divine Court. The Emerald Duchy lost the eastern plains forever and had to retreat to defend Glass Mountain, making Cloudmist Territory the first line of defense in the east.

Well, now with the loss of South Pass Territory, Cloudmist Territory had also become the first line of defense in the south. This was truly shouldering a tremendous burden alone.

With East Arrow Territory gone, naturally the Saltwater Flats were completely cut off. The Emerald Duchy lost its only seaport.

Although this seaport's main value was merely periodic trading with sea tribes for blood-red coral and dazzling pearls, hardly proportional to its maintenance costs, losing it still became the duchy's heartache.

Actually, since the Saltwater Flats really had no development or utilization value, neither the northern beastmen nor the southern nations had any intention of crossing the desert to occupy and claim it.

Nominally, the Saltwater Flats still belonged to the Emerald Duchy, just as an exclave.

Quite a distant exclave.

Of course, there was still residual value. After all, it was a lord's position. Sometimes when noble families had accumulated enough, they just needed this little boost.

Or when titles went to the eldest son, wanting to give the younger son some compensation and a proper status.

Or when offending some untouchable colossus, needing to use the pioneering territory protection period to lay low.

Of course, there were also some truly passionate knights who wanted to achieve great deeds and protect the human race.

For all these reasons, every few years, pioneering knights from the duchy would come here, trying to rebuild territorial glory.

However, reality gave them the most profound education.

In such a wretched place, without spending big money, they couldn't complete territorial mission indicators and could only flee back to the duchy in disgrace.

If they spent big money to make something of the territory, then the northern beastmen and southern bandits would arrive as scheduled, devouring the lord completely and sending him to heaven.

The one who managed this lordship the longest was the previous lord from over forty years ago.

This fellow held the lord's title but spent most of his time enjoying himself in the duchy.

Only during the duchy's mandated population censuses would he personally come to the territory, recruiting large numbers of refugees with generous treatment, meeting the duchy's headcount requirements right on schedule, allowing the territory's "prosperity indicators" to pass smoothly.

Then, on that alkaline land, refugees were slaughtered in batches. "Old meat" and "tough meat" were thrown into the sea, while tender "child meat" was kept as provisions.

Territorial tasks completed, money and grain saved, plus some high-protein supplements obtained.

The so-called "Treading Snow to View Plum Blossoms" was viewing the blood-red patches scattered across that broad white salt frost, resembling blooming red plum blossoms.

The former lord was indeed a "refined man."

Also a clever one. When familiar nobles from the duchy asked why he didn't keep all the meat, he proudly lectured, "Even the stinking meat of commoners, if kept in large quantities, would attract bandits."

"As long as those savages and bandits struggle to get here only to find their gains can't even cover round-trip expenses, naturally no one will come!"

"So you see, I even keep other families' spies and scouts in my territory, just to let them know this damned place isn't worth drawing blades for!"

With such clever methods, he lasted three years as lord. Indeed, no one bothered him. However, such despicable behavior would eventually spread.

Refugees weren't brainless. Later, no matter what conditions he offered, no one was willing to come.

Helplessly, this former lord began allowing his soldiers to raid and plunder.

Then there was no more after. This lord lasted three years, the territorial protection period had long passed.

The Crescent Moon Federation dispatched troops, crossed the desert to raid Saltwater Territory, threw this lord into the sea, burying him together with his countless wrongfully dead subjects.

Different paths, same destination.

When Lord Chen Mo heard this story, he was deeply moved.

After his reflections, now it was Lord Chen Mo's turn to face such problems.

Looking at this thoroughly dilapidated lord's mansion with only a few blackened pillars and collapsed beams remaining, plus its unsavory history, Chen Mo believed the lord's mansion should be relocated and rebuilt.

However, before the new lord's mansion was completed, he still had to conduct a brief inauguration ceremony in front of this ruin.

Advanced scouts had notified the remaining territorial representatives to welcome the lord's assumption of duties.

Those who could still survive on this land were all traditional "sand people."

They had made their living in the desert for generations. Their main economic source was capturing and simply taming large desert beetles to sell to surrounding powers.

This work couldn't be done by ordinary people, who couldn't endure such hardships of wind and sand. Moreover, traveling the desert often required these sand people as guides to find water, so they were one of the few communities that survived under the previous lord's rule.

This time the sand people came with over ten people, bringing two large desert beetles as congratulatory gifts for the lord.

According to the trembling middle-aged leader, all sand people combined barely numbered just over three hundred.

Due to inconvenient movement in the desert, they couldn't all gather to pay respects to the lord, and could only ask the lord's forgiveness.

Incidentally, the sand people leader also presented tax receipts from the previous lord.

When attendants examined them, good heavens, the last lord had died over forty years ago, but the poll taxes collected from the territory had been paid fifty years in advance from now.

These kneeling people were the duchy's century-long taxpayers!

Looking at those shifty little eyes, Chen Mo knew they feared he might repeat the previous lord's actions.

Chen Mo naturally had no interest in exploiting these poor people. After briefly comforting them, he instructed Herlan to pay for the beetles the sand people brought, and additionally rewarded them with several bags of grain as reciprocal gifts for today's congratulations.

After hastily completing the inauguration process, he pitched tents and began Vast Sea Territory's first territorial development work meeting.

At the meeting, the various territorial personnel, now completely loyal to Vast Sea Territory, offered suggestions and strategies.

After listening to everyone, undoubtedly Steward Herlan, as a professional administrator, provided the most reliable suggestions.

This capable middle-aged man, now gradually settling into his new role, straightforwardly presented three carefully considered recommendations.

"First, maintain good relations north and south."

"Two hundred kilometers north, beyond Banner Mountain, lies the beastmen Fang Tribe's territory. Although normally, beastmen wouldn't cross the desert to attack such a barren place as Vast Sea, we must prevent petty people from hostile forces stirring up trouble in between."

"We can send envoys with gifts to pay respects, explain the situation, and avoid misunderstandings."

"The southern Crescent Moon Federation, restricted by pioneering knight territory protection treaties, shouldn't pose major problems as long as we don't provoke them."

"However, considering we might need to import supplies from there in the future, even borrow population, establishing good relations early would be prudent."

Chen Mo calmly sipped his tea. Indeed, qualified local petit bourgeois thinking...

"Second, targeted approach."

"Vast Sea Territory's construction tasks have three components. The first year's indicator is population, meaning within the one-year protection period, we must gather at least three thousand subjects."

Honestly, this requirement was extremely low, also because the previous "Plum Viewing Lord's" actions of "predecessors chop trees, successors get sunburned" had secured such lenient conditions for successor Chen Mo.

Herlan directly provided a flexible solution, "Before the assessment period, pay a deposit to the southern federation and borrow several thousand people. This problem solved!"

"Third..."

Chen Mo couldn't listen anymore and raised his hand to interrupt Herlan.

To be fair, among everyone's suggestions, Herlan's was relatively the most reliable optimal solution.

If based on the premise of just playing at being a lord, it would be hard to find a better plan than his suggestions.

But the direction was wrong, the further they went, the further astray.

Chen Mo coughed lightly, attracting everyone's attention, then following suggestions from his East Xia home, slowly turned his head, surveying the circle, making eye contact with each person for two seconds.

Some looked puzzled, some anxious, some frowned deeply, some had wandering gazes...

The only one with clear eyes, neither dodging nor avoiding, but essentially meaningless, was that Simple Bull.

Chen Mo cleared his throat, "Before this, everyone here had their own thoughts and plans, so I didn't discuss territorial development much with you all."

"However, traveling together this time, I see everyone's feelings for the territory deepening daily. Many people... including beastmen, have developed the awareness to share fate with our Vast Sea Territory. So here I'll be frank with everyone."

"As lord of Vast Sea Territory, from beginning to end, my goal is to make Vast Sea Territory a true human pioneering territory!"

"I'll make one point clear. How to communicate diplomatically, how to maintain good relations, I have no objections. But the territory's core objective at this stage is two words: military-first!"

"We must establish sufficiently strong defensive capabilities!"

"Not because our territory is too rotten and poor for others to bother, but we must make it so they can't take it, can't chew it up, and will bash their heads bloody trying, so they won't dare come!"

"Mercenary companies willing to garrison here get double wages. Warriors I can recruit, I'll support their whole families while one person works! Those willing to join the territory as professional soldiers get money, armor, and status!"

"In short, this is Vast Sea Territory, also Thorn Territory. Whether beastmen or anyone else, those wanting to use force can get out. Those who can talk properly follow my rules!"

The several leader figures present couldn't help but gasp.

Chen Mo tapped the table heavily with his finger several times, completely setting the general tone.

"Establish Vast Sea Territory's military-first route. Everything prioritizes military strength, everything focuses on military work. Only by surviving can we consider other things."

In the five-year, ten-year, fifteen-year planning route outline East Xia provided Chen Mo, the expression was even more direct: at any cost, protect your own safety!

"Only after achieving the first step do we qualify to consider the second and third steps!"

"After completing basic military construction, we'll begin recruiting refugees. I know the difficulty is great due to the territory's reputation, but it's fine. Expand the publicity range, perhaps some people with no other options will come try!"

"Herlan!"

The steward immediately stood up.

"I remember you mentioned that the beastmen have many human slaves that can be purchased?"

"Yes... but..."

Herlan immediately stopped his words about to emerge.

Previously he opposed the lord purchasing slaves, still based on the sit-and-go mentality.

Buying slaves meant feeding them with grain, and Vast Sea Territory had no cultivable areas, meaning slaves had no output. So raising slaves would be a blood loss.

Temporary rental would definitely be more cost-effective.

But now that the lord planned to stay and not leave, there was no question of cost-effectiveness.

Herlan didn't know how strong the lord's "money power" could be, but judging by the annual salary the lord gave him, supporting one or two thousand slaves should be no problem at all.

Swallowing his words, Herlan slightly raised his voice, "The beastmen's slaves are numerous and cheap, but generally weak. Long-distance relocation easily causes deaths, requiring us to arrange many personnel for care and support."

"Also, after refugees and slaves arrive, what should they do? Please instruct, lord, so I can prepare in advance."

Chen Mo nodded. Now this looked like a territorial official.

"Well, regarding civil administration, the territory has several things to do."

"First, road construction!"

"Build the framework of the territory's central city. Around this central city, construct both internal city roads and external roads first."

"East to the seaside, connecting future docks. South and north, connecting military outposts. Plan the western road first. When the territory's strength is sufficient, we'll make the highway cross directly through the desert!"

Herlan's lips paled somewhat, "Respected... respected lord, city planning, I... I haven't studied it! This is work only duchy and kingdom master builders can do. We probably can't invite them..."

"Don't worry about this. I'll invite people to do this planning. Sit down first!"

Herlan had just sat down with heavy thoughts when Lord Chen's next sentence lifted him up again.

"Second, field development!"

"In the future, beyond our city limits, everywhere water irrigation can reach must be developed into farmland. Don't fear wasting manpower, expand the area as much as possible."

Herlan said, "Lord, this is alkaline land... the water... water is also salty, crops won't survive."

"This isn't your concern!" Chen Mo temporarily didn't plan to explain this issue in detail, "Consider this work-for-relief, giving arrivals work to do. If they can work, they can earn grain and eat. That simple!"

"As for whether the fields can grow crops, what to grow, how to grow, that's all my business. They just work and get fed. Any problems?"

"Yes, following lord's orders."

Finally, Chen Mo turned his gaze to Mage Downs, who sat aside watching the excitement.

"Third, quickly improve personal strength as lord."

"I feel the breakthrough to the next small rank isn't far off. Please trouble yourself, Master. If you can quickly improve my mental state, all troubles in our territory won't be troubles!"

"Of course, Master, your sea fishing plan will come faster too!"

Imperceptibly brushing his hand to close the teleprompter behind the document seal on the table, Chen Mo exhaled deeply, tugging at his sweat-soaked back garment.

After this territorial development meeting, all subordinates still felt somewhat dizzy.

Everyone stumbled out of the temporary tent, looking at each other, wanting to say something but not knowing where to start.

Meanwhile, the respected lord of Vast Sea Territory had already begun another meditation practice session.

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