91: Livestock development

Outside Red River Town, the livestock farm.

Because large-scale livestock rearing requires vast space, there was certainly no room inside Red River Town. Therefore, the chosen site for the livestock farm was a considerable distance away from the town.

A flash of white lightning streaked past, and in just a moment, Renn arrived at the livestock farm riding Reck.

Thousands of acres of pasture were being fenced off, and four or five large feeding grounds were being built one after another.

Hundreds of Northern Black Cattle and herds of wild horses wandered leisurely across the pasture, while nearby, hundreds of subjects were working diligently within the livestock farm.

“Great Lord, your humble servant Ackerman welcomes your arrival!”

Ackerman prostrated himself before Renn, his mouth overflowing with endless words of praise.

“Stand up. Tell me how the construction of the ranch is going!”

Ackerman was a local from the Red River Territory and one of the few subjects with experience in animal husbandry. He had been recommended by Fornal to manage the newly built Red River Territory livestock farm.

“Lord, the cattle and horse farms have been completely finished. The Long-tailed Pig farm and the Tricolor Chicken farm are also nearing completion. The remaining feeding grounds will be finished before winter sets in.”

“The enclosed pasture nearby totals five thousand acres. Since most of the manpower is focused on building the feeding grounds, the fencing for the pasture might not be finished.”

“According to your requirements, Lord, several large fodder storage warehouses are to be built later. I suggest that the fodder be stacked in the open for now. Building large storage warehouses requires too much manpower, and at our current pace, they cannot be completed before winter.”

“Of course, this is just a suggestion and in no way goes against your will, Lord. You are everything to Ackerman; whatever you say, Ackerman will do!”

Ackerman explained everything to Renn point by point, though he added a few words of flattery after every sentence.

“Enough. You have good ability, but your mouth is just too talkative!”

“We’ll do as you suggested. In a few days, I will send another batch of manpower here, bringing the workforce at the livestock farm to over a thousand people.”

“You must finish the fencing for the feeding grounds and the pasture as quickly as possible.”

Renn felt that Ackerman’s ability was sufficient to run the current livestock farm, but he was too fond of sycophancy. He could spout such sickeningly sweet words that even Renn found it hard to stomach at times.

“Lord, you are simply a god on earth. If we can increase the manpower, we will definitely finish on time.”

Renn ignored Ackerman’s flattery and walked toward a newly constructed feeding ground, where a large area of leveled ground was waiting for him to petrify it.

Taking out his staff, Renn circulated his mana and skillfully cast the Mud to Stone spell.

Instantly, a large area of soil began to turn into stone.

Ackerman and the other workers nearby had seen Renn use the Mud to Stone spell more than once, but they were still shocked and amazed by the magic.

Ackerman noticed that the petrified area was significantly larger than last time, and he marveled inwardly once more.

“The Lord has grown stronger again. As expected of the Great Lord.”

After finishing the petrification of the ground, Renn inspected the various feeding grounds.

The Northern Black Cattle were the main force for plowing Fields and hauling goods in the territory, while the wild horses could increase the number of cavalry once domesticated.

The Long-tailed Pigs and Tricolor Chickens were important sources of meat and eggs for the territory.

In the past, the Red River Territory had never built livestock farms on such a large scale to feed these animals. This was the first time they were raising so many, and with no past experience to refer to, Renn could only let Ackerman figure it out himself.

Renn had originally thought the process would be somewhat difficult, but he hadn't expected Ackerman to do such an excellent job. All the herds were organized in an orderly fashion.

It was a pleasant surprise for Renn, leaving him very satisfied.

“Fornal didn't misjudge you, Ackerman. You really have a knack for raising these animals. You must teach your skills to more people as soon as possible; the livestock farm will continue to expand in the future.”

“You must find ways to expand the scale of the herds. I need more Black-backed Cattle and horse herds, and more Long-tailed Pigs and Tricolor Chickens.”

“The Fields need oxen, the warriors need warhorses, and I want everyone in the territory to be able to eat meat every day. All of this requires the livestock farm to produce more animals.”

“Your task is heavy, but it seems you have the ability to accomplish it.”

“From now on, Ackerman, you are the Livestock Manager of the Red River Territory. All livestock production in the territory is under your management, and your compensation will be increased accordingly.”

Ackerman instantly prostrated himself on the ground, continuously praising and thanking Renn.

“Ackerman will certainly raise more livestock for the Lord and will definitely not fail the Lord’s trust.”

“Mhm.”

Having settled things with Ackerman, Renn mounted Reck and rode out to the wilderness near the livestock farm.

A short while later, several Wasteland Wolves appeared and prostrated themselves before Renn.

“From now on, you will hunt in this vicinity. If any enemies approach the ranch, give a warning!”

For the safety of the ranch, Renn specifically arranged for a Wolf Pack to stay nearby.

The livestock farm was some distance from Red River Town, so there were significant safety concerns.

Fortunately, the Red River Valley had first been scoured by Fel Orcs and then cleared by the Border Defense Army. A few days ago, Renn had burned the foreign races coming from the south to a crisp. Currently, the number of foreign races in the Red River Valley was at its lowest in a century.

With the Cavalry Squad patrolling daily and the Wolf Pack on alert at the perimeter, the safety of the livestock farm could be guaranteed.

“When I get back, I should still arrange for a squad of the Guard Army to be stationed at the ranch to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

Watching the Wolf Pack leave, Renn still decided to send an extra squad of the Guard Army to protect the livestock farm.

“Let’s go, Reck!”

Construction was in full swing and flourishing everywhere in the territory. Renn also returned with peace of mind to cultivate and improve his own strength.

In the blink of an eye, several days passed.

Field led a massive fleet north along the Red Sand River, entering the Red River Valley once again.

On the largest merchant ship in the middle of the fleet, Field was leisurely sipping wine while admiring the beautiful scenery of the Red Sand River.

“Chairman, we’re going to earn quite a lot of gold coins on this trip. If only the Archduke could enfeoff some Barons every year.”

“Hahahaha!”

His deputy’s words made Field laugh.

“Enfeoff Barons every year? You certainly think well. I’ve worked for the Archduke for so many years and earned so many gold coins before His Highness the Archduke finally agreed to bestow upon me the title of Titular Baron. If there were enfeoffments every year, would I have needed to pay such a high price?”

“If it weren't for the Fel Orcs invasion this year leaving four vacant positions in the Red River Valley, how could four Fief Barons have been enfeoffed at once?”

“How many years has it been since a Fief Baron appeared in our Rage Bear Territory!”

“Sigh!”

Thinking of his own situation, Field let out a long sigh.

A Fief Baron—how wonderful it would be if he could have competed for one!

“Unfortunately, I won’t have the chance!”

Field also understood that with his strength and contributions, it was impossible to compete for the position of a Fief Baron. Being a Titular Baron was already a grace from the Archduke.

“Chairman, we’ve arrived!”

The familiar stone bridge appeared before his eyes as Field brought the fleet once again to the Red River Territory.