57: Some are happy, some are sad.

The Red Sand River flowed quietly, reflecting a dazzling red light under the sun.

The vast farmlands along both banks were once again vibrant with green.

The combination of red and green was so striking that Reyn couldn't help but take a second look.

“Lord!”

Bar came rushing over, covered in dust and mud.

“You’re managing the farmlands very well!”

Looking at the orderly and busy Farmers, and the rows of gradually forming irrigation ditches, Reyn was very satisfied with Bar’s performance.

“Your recognition is my greatest motivation, Lord!”

“The reason I can do so well is all thanks to your strong support, especially those dozens of master Farmers; every single one of them can be called a farming grandmaster.”

“Our original Farmers have been learning farming techniques from them, and their skills have rapidly improved. I’ve even learned a lot myself.”

Bar excitedly recounted his recent achievements to Reyn, even pointing out the groups of people who were currently learning.

Following Bar’s finger, Reyn saw a team of Farmers in the field following behind someone, watching and working simultaneously.

There were dozens of such teams in the fields.

“Lord, you are truly divine. These Farmers you found, though they don’t talk much, they work incredibly hard, and many of our Farmers have never even heard of their planting techniques.”

“They know all about the composting you taught us before, and how to make fertilizer from fish guts and other scraps.”

“Many of the techniques you mentioned before, everyone was a bit confused about, but these Farmers came and knew how to do all of them, and they did them exceptionally well.”

“Our Farmers, after following and learning for two days, are also doing a decent job.”

“Moreover, they understand how to build the irrigation ditches in the fields. The ditches I built later were all guided by them; where to divert water, where to install gates, they explained it all clearly.”

“Every single one of them is like this, knowing everything. It’s truly divine.”

Bar’s face flushed with excitement as he spoke. He felt as if he had seen a new world in the past few days, only now realizing how much knowledge there was in farming.

“Very good. It’s your skill to be able to utilize them well. More Farmers like them will continue to come here to work. You must continue to use them well, let them lead everyone, and ensure all Farmers in the Barony master advanced farming techniques like theirs.”

“The blacksmith shop will also expedite the creation of new farm tools. Bar, you must ensure that nothing goes wrong with these crops in the fields during this year’s harvest season.”

Bar patted his chest and guaranteed:

“Lord, rest assured, I guarantee all these grains will safely enter the Barony’s granaries.”

“And the yield will be even more than you initially estimated. This year’s reduction will not be as significant as anticipated.”

“It’s good that you have confidence. These grains concern the Barony’s development for the next year. If you can do this well, I will credit you with a great merit.”

“Yes, Lord, rest assured!”

“Next month is the harvest month. Just await a bountiful harvest!”

While Reyn was busy developing his Barony, many people in Rage Bear Fortress, a thousand miles away, were also busy.

Rage Bear Fortress, in front of Thunder Hall.

Alistair walked out of Thunder Hall with a dejected expression.

“Congratulations, my brother, you are now a Baron with a fief.”

“My dear brother, you know I have no interest in governing a Barony. I only wish to be a poet.”

“I don’t want to leave Rage Bear Fortress, nor do I want to be some Baron in that Red River Valley. There are no bards there, no opera houses, nothing.”

A hint of disdain flashed in Belmont’s eyes, but he maintained a brilliant smile on his face.

“My dear brother, you are a member of the Raging Bear Family, a descendant of Thunder Karl. How can you only be a poet?”

“You will be a feudal lord, a brave warrior. As for poets and opera, those can be your hobbies, but they cannot be your everything, my dear brother.”

Alistair had heard similar words countless times since childhood. Ever since he resolved to become a poet, he heard such words even more often.

He knew no one would listen to him, and his brother would not understand him. Everyone wanted him to become a warrior, a great and brave warrior like his father, and then to glorify the family’s honor or something similar.

But that wasn’t the life he wanted. He disliked fighting and killing, wishing only for a peaceful life, reading poetry and writing poems every day.

But now, such a life was coming to an end. He was to go to a distant place to be a lord. Thinking of this, Alistair felt even more distressed.

Belmont, beside Alistair, was the first heir of the Rage Bear Territory. Today, he presided over this ennoblement ceremony on behalf of his father, the Grand Duke of the Raging Bear. Four Barons were enfeoffed within the Thunder Hall behind them.

Including Alistair, the Rage Bear Territory gained four new feudal Barons today.

“Alright, my brother, I have many things to attend to. You can prepare the supplies for your fief. According to Father’s wishes, you need to rush to your fief as soon as possible.”

“This is Father’s wish, understand? My brother.”

Belmont said with a hint of meaning, and Alistair lowered his head and nodded slightly.

“I understand, brother, I will pack everything as quickly as possible and head to the fief.”

“Very good. Father and the family’s support for your Barony have all been arranged. As your brother, I will personally fund you with ten thousand gold coins worth of supplies, and one thousand Slave.”

“I hope you can establish a prosperous Barony for the Raging Bear Family in the Red River Valley, not to diminish the might of the raging bear.”

Alistair replied sullenly, “Yes, I will not disappoint Father, nor will I disappoint the family, brother!”

“Very good!”

Belmont took one last look at his half-brother. Besides his distinctive purple hair, which was related to the raging bear bloodline, everything else about him was out of place with the family members.

He wasn’t warlike, didn’t like the Barony, didn’t like pursuing power, but instead dreamed of being a poet every day, and often ran off to the opera house.

He wondered why Father always cared about this weak and unmotivated brother, otherwise, this Barony would not have been given to Alistair.

“Forget it, Father’s task is done, the rest has nothing to do with me.”

In Belmont’s eyes, he and this brother, who was about to go to the Black Mountain Range border in the north, might never meet again in this lifetime.

“Good luck, my brother!”

Belmont left. Alistair, feeling depressed, took a deep look back at the tall purple doors of Thunder Hall before he too departed.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the three Barons who emerged from Thunder Hall returned to their families in high spirits, actively preparing supplies for their fiefs.

Evans Blackgold, the Minister of Finance, watched the three joyous new Barons, as well as the departing Belmont and Alistair, with a gloomy face from a distance.

“Evans, you greedy fellow, stop scaring people with that gloomy face. You’ve already taken advantage of those three little ones in Red River Valley, and you still want a Barony? Isn’t that a bit too greedy?”

“Exactly, you’ve hogged all the benefits and don’t want to share any with us. Isn’t that going too far?”

“Fortunately, the Grand Duke is wise and didn’t let you succeed.”

“Horn, Lambert, you two stop spouting nonsense. When did I ever take advantage of anyone? You each got a Barony, taking the biggest benefits, and you’re still being sarcastic here. Is that very interesting?”

“Hmph!” Horn looked at Evans with disdain.

“There’s not a single truthful word from your mouth. I’m too lazy to argue with you. Sooner or later, all those disgusting things you’ve done will come out.”

Horn spat at Evans and swaggered away.

Evans was furious, wanting to curse Horn, but remembering the other’s formidable strength, he forcibly held back.

Evans and Lambert glared at each other before also leaving.

Silence returned to the front of Thunder Hall. The tall, solemn purple doors stood quietly there.