18: Preliminary construction

Over the next few days, Iron Sand Island welcomed an unprecedented scene of busyness.

The preliminary exploration and assessment were quickly completed, and Linn began to plan the embryonic form of the territory based on the feedback.

The stream that Elise discovered was confirmed to have a stable and clear water source, with sweet water quality, sufficient to meet the current drinking and farmland irrigation needs of everyone.

The stream flowed through an open area with relatively flat terrain and dark brown soil, approximately 150 mu.

This place had abundant sunlight, was close to the water source, and digging irrigation channels would be convenient.

It was designated by Linn as the first reclamation area.

"Old Morton, the farmland will be set here."

Linn stood on the open ground and stepped on the soil, which was not very fertile, "Organize manpower immediately and prioritize clearing this area."

"Take the seeds we brought, select the ones that are resistant to barren conditions and grow quickly, and plant them first."

"See if we can harvest a batch before the cold winter arrives."

"At the same time, open up irrigation channels along the stream to ensure irrigation."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Morton was full of energy; having broken free from the control of the Iris Family, he seemed to have experienced a second spring.

He immediately mobilized a large number of Slaves, who brandished crude hoes and stone axes to start cutting down the sparse shrubs in this area, clearing stones, and tilling the land.

The land, which had been sleeping for who knows how many years, was awakened by human power for the first time.

The site for the residential area was set on a gentle slope that was close to the farmland and the stream, slightly higher in terrain, and dry.

This location was convenient for water collection and farming, and could also avoid dampness and the direct assault of sea winds.

The entire planned residential and farmland area was surrounded by the mountains behind it.

Hundreds of meters behind the mountains, a cliff led directly to the sea.

This made the rear extremely safe.

"Clay, Angus, you are responsible for coordinating the construction of the residential area."

Linn instructed, "This will be our home in the future, and we need to build more stable wooden houses."

"As well as fortifications, planning housing and street layouts; first, build the collective warehouse and my command post."

"And you must build toilets; everyone must defecate in the toilets. Anyone who defecates or urinates anywhere else will be whipped fifty times."

The people here were extremely unhygienic and defecated everywhere, which was disgusting.

The temporary living area was made a mess; not only the Slaves but even Ocean would defecate in public without any hesitation. It was only after Linn taught him a harsh lesson that the hygiene was brought under control.

"Understood!"

Clay and Angus immediately threw themselves into work.

The soldiers supervised the Slaves as they began to build houses in a more standardized way.

The foundations were tamped down, thicker beams and pillars were erected and fixed with mortise and tenon joints and rattan ropes, the walls were filled with wooden planks or woven branches mixed with mud, and the roofs were covered with thick thatch.

Although still crude, they were much more sturdy and durable than the initial shacks.

The entire camp was like a huge beehive, with everyone busy building their new home.

The shouts of reclamation, the impact of logging, and the hammering of construction were intertwined, full of vitality and energy.

Meanwhile, the coastal survey by Ocean and Barton also yielded results.

They discovered a natural bay on the east side of the island that was superior to the initial landing point.

It had deep water and a wide harbor, with ridges extending into the sea on both sides, forming a natural breakwater. The bay was calm, making it very suitable for building a pier and docking ships.

"My Lord, that bay on the east side is definitely a god-given good harbor!"

Ocean Jack reported to Linn excitedly, gesturing with his hands and feet, "As long as we build a simple pier, our ships can dock safely, and future expansion will also be convenient!"

Linn went to check it himself, and it was indeed as Ocean had said.

He immediately made the decision: "Very good! The port will be set here."

"Barton, you are responsible for commanding; draw some manpower, prioritize cutting suitable timber, and start building a simple trestle-style pier."

"Ocean, you assist Barton and be responsible for the initial security of the port."

"Understood!"

Barton and Ocean took the order and left.

Soon, the clanging sounds of logging and shouts also rang out on the east coast, and large logs were transported to the shore, starting to build the important hub that would connect to the outside world in the future.

Watching the various basic tasks get on the right track, Linn remembered another crucial matter—resources.

The development of the territory could not do without minerals, especially iron.

He summoned Carl and his Second Combat Squad, and at the same time called over the two middle-aged blacksmith Slaves who had been silent on the kingdom's distribution list—Rom and Hammer (the latter earned this nickname due to his sturdy physique and focus when smithing).

"Carl, Rom, Hammer."

Linn's gaze swept over them, "We are currently extremely lacking in metal tools and weapons."

"Iron Sand Island, as the name implies, kingdom data shows that there may be iron Ore here."

"Finding and developing iron Ore is the key to whether the territory can stand long-term."

He pointed to the range of lush, vegetation-dense hills in the middle of the island.

"Your target is there."

"Carl, you lead the Second Squad, responsible for protection and exploration."

"Rom, Hammer, you are the professionals; finding veins and identifying Ore depends on you."

"Bring the necessary tools and a few days' rations, and set off immediately."

Rom and Hammer looked at each other, a trace of excitement flashing in their eyes.

They were finally being put to use; seeing Barton, who had also been a Slave, become a Freemen, they were very envious.

They nodded vigorously and guaranteed in stiff Common language: "My Lord, we... will definitely do our best!"

Carl saluted solemnly: "Rest assured, My Lord, the Second Squad guarantees to complete the mission and will definitely protect the safety of the two blacksmiths!"

Soon, a small exploration team composed of more than ten soldiers and two blacksmiths left the noisy camp and headed towards the unknown hilly area deep in the island.

Their figures disappeared into the dense forest, also taking away another part of Linn's expectations for the future.

The setting sun cast its afterglow again; the organized house foundations, the fields taking shape, the pier building Materials piled up by the seaside, and the increasingly clear, focused expressions on people's faces belonging to builders, all declared a fact: Iron Sand Island was transforming from a wild land into a territory in the true sense.

Linn returned to his temporary command post again.

He carefully organized the list of existing resources and personnel.

Personal Attendants: Morton (Bronze High Rank), Elise (Bronze Intermediate), Ocean (Silver Elementary)

First Combat Squad: Captain Clay (Silver Elementary). Apart from the two brothers Shirei and Evan who had not yet achieved Breakthrough to Apprentice Professional, the other eighteen were all Apprentice Professionals, totaling 21 people.

Second Combat Squad: Captain Carl (Bronze High Rank), 7 Apprentice Professionals, 13 ordinary soldiers, totaling 21 people.

Third Combat Squad: Captain Angus (Bronze High Rank), Vice Captain Hogan (Bronze High Rank), the remaining 20 people were formed from pirate captives with combat experience, totaling 22 people.

Sailor Squad: Captain Barton and 21 sailors, totaling 22 people, all were ordinary warriors, no Professionals.

Slaves: After the original 200 Slaves were sacrificed or reassigned, 160 remained; plus the 320 received from the Blood Claw Pirate Group, totaling 480 people.

Resources: The remaining 16 gold coins plus the 470 looted from the Blood Claw Pirate Group totaled 486 coins; food supplies totaled 70 tons, which could satisfy consumption for about six or seven months.

After Linn was promoted to a level two Apothecary, he refined all the Materials bought from Tianhai City. Apart from those distributed and those that failed, there remained 25 bottles of high-quality level two potion.

Weapons and Equipment: Currently, apart from a few captains who could barely scrape together a set of ordinary knight armor and longswords, most of the others held wooden-handled spears and long knives looted from the pirates.

As for armor, only the First Squad wore leather armor on their upper bodies; the rest were all wearing coarse cloth robes.