Rogner had grown accustod to his new life.
Ever since he began following Ronin, he had first completed the cleanup mission in Swamp Town. For over a month after that, he led Krami and three other Knights on a sweep of the wilderness surrounding Grey Soil Village.
Once he had cleared out the more threatening beasts and Magical Beasts around Grey Soil Village, he returned to Swamp Town and began the task of procuring grain.
"My Lord, three hundred thousand jin of grain have been safely transported to Swamp Town."
In the study, Rogner reported his progress to Ronin: "Wilson and Chahar are arranging for manpower to move and store this shipnt of grain."
It was a massive amount of grain. Although most of it would be consud in Swamp Town, a portion had to be distributed to places like Mountain Forest Town and Black Earth Village, which would require a second round of transport.
Fortunately, the routes between the villages were relatively safe now, so there was little risk even without a Knight escort.
"Good work."
Procuring the grain was a simple enough task. After all, Rogner had grown up in Pasture City and had friends and connections there. He had even managed to get a small discount for Ronin.
However, transporting three hundred thousand jin of grain required a great deal of ti and effort.
The grain was supplied by a chamber of comrce from Lingchuan City. They didn’t have sufficient reserves in Pasture City, so the grain had to be brought in from Lingchuan City.
Lingchuan City was to the north of Wushan City, a distance of five or six hundred li from Swamp Town. While not excessively far, the preparations were extensive and rather tedious.
Ronin was more than willing to attempt such a long-distance grain transport.
It was an opportunity to train the logistical capabilities of Rogner and his team. Should war break out in the future, his supply lines would already have a foundation of experience.
"My Lord, there is another matter I must report."
After finishing his report on the grain transport, Rogner began to recount what he had seen and heard in Lingchuan City. "It’s about Reisen."
"Oh?" Ronin’s interest was piqued.
The ssenger bird route from Mountain Forest Town to Wushan Castle had been established two days prior. Ronin had tried sending a letter of inquiry to Lurans, but not enough ti had passed to receive a reply.
A reply would likely contain news of Reisen’s final judgnt.
"Reisen confessed to his cris of seizing the resources of Mountain Forest Town and making multiple attempts on your life. He also admitted to having contacted the Skull Society. However, he denied Philton’s accusation that the Skull Society is connected to the Purple Thunder Clan of Haid’s County."
Ronin’s brow furrowed slightly. He knew that proving the connection between the Purple Thunder Clan and the Skull Society would not be easy, but he hadn’t expected Reisen to outright deny the testimony of his own trusted subordinate.
"How did he explain it away?"
Rogner answered, "He claid that he stumbled upon a Skull Society stronghold by chance while attacking the Black Gold Brotherhood. He then had Philton deliver a ssage to Distant Light Town. He accused Philton of being coerced into giving false testimony, claiming it was Purple Thunder Territory when it was actually Distant Light Town."
Distant Light Town was located southeast of the Wushan Territory. In the past, the lord of Distant Light Town had been a Vassal of Wushan Castle.
However, in a few later wars, the local Lord was killed by the Black Gold Brotherhood, and Distant Light Town fell into their hands. It has yet to be reclaid.
"And what did Philton say?" Ronin asked.
Rogner couldn’t help but sigh wistfully. "Philton tearfully declared that he had failed Reisen’s trust. He then turned on Galier, accusing him of torturing him into a confession and forcing him to create false testimony. Then, he killed himself right there in court."
’That...’
When he had interacted with Philton in Swamp Town, the man had expressed a desire to follow him, just like Joffrey. Ronin, however, had not agreed.
He never imagined Philton’s end would be suicide in court. Ronin truly hadn’t thought the man possessed such courage.
Perhaps when faced with Reisen, Philton’s forr oath of loyalty had taken effect.
"And the final verdict?" Ronin asked.
"With officials from the Kingdom, Lord Wiggin, officials from Black Python City, and nurous nobles of Wushan Territory presiding, Reisen was sentenced to death by hanging. The execution is scheduled for four days from now, on the morning of April fifth."
Rogner sighed. "Galier was unlucky too. The n from Black Python City accused him of framing a nobleman and demanded that Wushan Castle put him on trial."
Ronin lanted Reisen’s fate while also feeling stunned by what had befallen Galier.
’Still, an accusation like that can only serve to annoy Galier. It shouldn’t have any substantial impact on him.’
After they had covered these matters, Ronin took sothing out of his drawer.
"These are the Healing Spell Scrolls Elron made in February and March. I’ll need you to take them to the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Comrce and sell them."
Although Ronin had Elron focus most of his energy on Herbalism and the creation of Magic Potions, the production of Healing Spell Scrolls had not ceased.
After all, with Elron’s current power as a Chief Mage, creating a Second-level Spell Scroll didn’t consu much Spiritual Power or Magic Power, nor did it take much ti. He just needed to find a spare mont each day to inscribe one.
Recently, Ronin had also used up the materials he bought in Wushan City to create over a dozen third- and fourth-level Magic Scrolls, such as Wind of Inquiry, Rapid Speed, and Fla Burst Skill.
However, he didn’t plan on selling these, intending to keep them for himself or his Knights.
"Also, inform Pearson for . Have him procure fifty thousand jin of iron ore and transport it to Grey Soil Village using the road from Swamp Town."
Over the past two months, after William had constructed a larger bellows, the iron-slting blast furnace was finally able to completely lt iron ore into molten iron. This ant the Wubei Territory could now utilize casting techniques.
Since he could now slt his own iron, Ronin no longer needed to buy refined iron from outside sources. Instead, he could purchase iron ore directly and slt it himself.
On the market, one jin of refined iron cost a minimum of forty Copper Coins, while one jin of iron ore sold for between five and eight Copper Coins.
Although one jin of iron ore might only yield thirty to forty percent iron, and the slting process required providing one’s own fuel, labor, and so on, after running the numbers, it was still more cost-effective to do it themselves.
"Fifty thousand jin of iron ore..."
Rogner looked hesitant. "My Lord, slting your own iron is ti-consuming and labor-intensive, and the output is often unstable. Why not just buy refined iron directly?"
He didn’t know that a blast furnace for slting iron had already been constructed in Grey Soil Village.
To be precise, the slting area had been designated a restricted zone.
In addition to ordering that no unauthorized personnel be allowed near the work area, Ronin had also posted Guards to stand watch. At the sa ti, he had issued a gag order to Carlos and the other blacksmiths: anyone who leaked the secret would face the severest punishnt.
In response to Rogner’s suggestion, Ronin simply smiled and said he wanted to give it a try, then promptly changed the subject.
"Near Splendid City, a Baron’s Domain belonging to a man nad Kona is on the verge of collapse, and many of its people are fleeing. Anthony has already gathered 560 commoners for . I need you to take grain and a wagon train to bring this group to Mountain Forest Town."
Many a Baron’s or Pioneer Knight’s Domain within Wushan Territory went bankrupt each year, and Anthony had set his sights on these struggling territories.
Moreover, this was not the first group of people Anthony had recruited.
Last month, he brought in 864 Free People from Pasture City, all of whom Ronin had since settled in Mountain Forest Town.
Including this new group of over five hundred people, the population of Mountain Forest Town would now reach thirty-five hundred.
"Yes, My Lord."
Rogner sighed to himself. ’Looks like my fate is to be constantly on the move.’
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