78: Cultivating management talent

Linn and his party rode their robust Dragon Scale Horses back to Star Sea City, forming a moving spectacle that attracted the envious gazes of all the laborers and residents along the way.

The tall Dragon Scale Horses walked with steady, powerful strides, their neck scales glistening under the sunlight, and the short horns on their foreheads added to their imposing appearance.

Especially the Lord's mount leading the way, "Xiaoqing," whose pale cyan fur shone in contrast with its metallic scales; faint fire patterns appeared on its four hooves, and it looked around with a spirited air, its head held high, unabashedly displaying its pride as the horse king and the newly appointed Lord's mount.

The horses' hooves trod on the newly paved stone roads of Star Sea City, creating a crisp and rhythmic sound as they headed straight for the square in front of the Lords Castle.

Ocean, Hogan, Karl, Shirei, and a group of officers who had already received the news, along with Morton and others who had hurried over upon hearing the word, were already waiting there.

When they saw the unprecedentedly magnificent mounts beneath Linn and the others, everyone's eyes lit up, and bursts of exclamation erupted.

"My heavens! So this is a Dragon Scale Horse? It truly lives up to its reputation!"

Ocean was the first to rush up, circling around Linn's Xiaoqing, clicking his tongue in wonder.

He reached out to touch the scales, only to be forced back by a warning snort from Xiaoqing and a slight tilt of its head that revealed its short horn.

Instead of getting angry, he was delighted, "Haha, what a fellow, arrogant enough! I like it!"

Hogan, Karl, and others also stepped forward, looking enviously at the Dragon Scale Horses ridden by Clay, Elise, and the others.

Linn smiled and signaled for the attendants to bring over the other adult Dragon Scale Horses they had brought back, "There's enough for everyone! Ocean, Hogan, Karl, Shirei, these are prepared for you. Go pick one yourself and see if it suits your fancy. Remember, they are highly intelligent and require respect and patience."

Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed and immediately stepped forward excitedly.

Under the invisible "gaze" of Xiaoqing and its low-pitched neighing "guidance," they carefully and excitedly made their initial contact with the Dragon Scale Horses assigned to them.

Soon, the square was filled with excited shouts and the sound of light hoofbeats.

Having obtained such mounts, these fierce generals treated them like treasures, eager to mount up and ride them immediately.

Only Batu and Augus, the two Orc leaders, stood a little further away, arms crossed over their thick chests, with understanding smiles on their faces, and did not step forward.

Linn noticed them and walked over to ask, "Batu, Augus, aren't you going to pick one to try? The strength and speed of the Dragon Scale Horses might compensate for some of your shortcomings when charging."

Batu replied in a muffled voice, his tone frank, "Thank you for your kindness, my Lord."

"However, we Orcs are too heavy, and ordinary warhorses can hardly carry us for long. Although this Dragon Scale Horse is strong, carrying us into battle would likely be quite strenuous, and it would hinder its own agility."

"Besides," he patted his rock-like chest and thick, pillar-like legs, "we are more accustomed to being firmly on the ground, relying on our own strength to charge, jump, and fight. Riding a horse would actually be somewhat restrictive. This treasure is better suited for our human brothers."

Augus also nodded in agreement from the side.

Hearing this, Linn did not insist, but instead appreciated their pragmatism and understanding of their own combat style.

Indeed, the Orcs' terrifying physique and explosive power made them human war machines when charging on the ground.

Equipped with specially made heavy weapons and armor, their impact might not be much weaker than cavalry, and they were more flexible and versatile.

Once everyone had initially calmed their mounts, Linn officially announced the harvest and decisions from this trip to the New Moon Plain.

When they heard that not only had they obtained over a hundred precious Dragon Scale Horses, but they were also going to build "Star Moon Town" three hundred kilometers away and form a brand-new "Dragon Scale Knights," the square erupted in another wave of uproar and exclamation.

"Star Moon Town? The first subsidiary town of our Star Sea Territory?" Hogan's eyes lit up, "My Lord, this means we are expanding across the entire Shattered Star Island!"

"Dragon Scale Knights! Just listen to that name, it's exciting!" Ocean waved his fist vigorously, then looked with some envy at Evan, who was carefully grooming his horse's mane.

"Good lad! Evan, your luck is truly... a step to the heavens! From now on, you'll be the commander of our Star Sea Territory's cavalry!"

The crowd's gaze focused on Evan, a mixture of envy, congratulations, and anticipation.

Although Evan tried hard to remain calm, his slightly flushed cheeks and straight-backed posture betrayed his inner excitement and pressure.

The happiest of them all was Evan's brother, Shirei.

He strode up to his brother, patted Evan's shoulder hard, his voice loud and full of pride, "Well done! You rascal! You didn't bring shame to our family! Work hard in the future and train an iron cavalry that will make the entire kingdom tremble! Big brother will guard your flank!"

Evan nodded heavily, "Brother, I will!"

Seeing his generals in such high spirits, Linn was satisfied.

He signaled for everyone to be quiet and handed Xiaoqing's reins to Elise, "Elise, I'll leave Xiaoqing in your care for now. Choose a quiet and spacious place next to the castle to build a special stable. Use the best materials and standards; that will be its home from now on. Morton, come with me to the study."

Inside the study, Linn dismissed the others, leaving only Morton.

"Old Mo, Star Moon Town is in its Early Stages of construction. Evan is young; although he has drive, he lacks experience in civil administration."

"I need someone steady and capable, someone who can practically handle civil affairs, construction, and material allocation to assist him and serve as the chief administrator of Star Moon Town, at least to stabilize the situation during the Early Stages of town construction. Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?" Linn said straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Morton pondered for a moment, several faces flashing through his mind, and then bowed, "Young Master, I do have a person to recommend."

"This man's name is Ronald, thirty-five years old this year. He was originally a small manager among the Freemen on Iron Sand Island, literate and skilled in calculation."

"Since we migrated from Iron Sand Island, he has been following me to handle logistical trifles. From material inventory and warehouse management to the dispatching of laborers, everything has been arranged in an orderly manner. He is steady, diligent, meticulous, and neither greedy nor corrupt. He has a very good reputation among the people."

"Most importantly, he has a good grasp of construction planning and resource coordination. During the Early Stages of Star Sea City's construction, many specific material allocations and project schedule coordinations were completed with his assistance."

"In my opinion, with his ability, assisting Lord Evan in managing the newly built Star Moon Town and handling daily civil affairs and construction coordination should be well within his capabilities."

"Ronald..." Linn repeated the name. He trusted Morton's judgment.

"Good, it's him. Go and notify Ronald immediately. Tell him to get ready and bring a few capable assistants."

"Once Evan completes the initial selection of soldiers for the Dragon Scale Knights in Star Sea City, have them depart together for Star Moon Town. Tell Ronald that he will be primarily responsible for the administrative affairs of Star Moon Town and will report directly to Evan and me."

"He must cooperate with Evan and lead the Slaves and Freemen to build the framework of the town as quickly as possible, especially the Dragon Scale Horse farm, which must be prioritized!"

"Yes, Young Master! I will go and handle it right away." Morton acknowledged the order and stepped back quickly.

Linn walked to the window and gazed at the increasingly familiar silhouette of the city outside, calculating in his heart.

Star Moon Town was the first step; the Dragon Scale Knights were the future trump card.

Evan and Ronald, one representing the new military elite and the other representing administrative pragmatism—he hoped they could truly turn that fertile plain into a solid fortress and horse-breeding base in the northwest of the Star Sea Territory.

As for himself, he also needed to accelerate the improvement of his own strength, and... think about the next direction for expansion.

Shattered Star Island was vast, and he had to fully control the entire island.