Lord of the Frozen Winter: Starting with Daily Intelligence Reports

Although the Calvin Merchant Guild’s grain procurement was progressing splendidly, and in a few days, batches of carriages would arrive from the south, delivering heavy sacks of grain to the Red Tide Territory, Louis knew very well that relying solely on purchasing grain was far from reliable.

This was, after all, only a temporary measure.

The North’s winter showed no mercy; to truly survive it, external support alone was insufficient.

What if the snowline advanced early, transportation was disrupted, or enemies seized the opportunity to invade? There were too many variables, so he dared not place all his hopes on “outside” sources.

“We must prepare for a rainy day and have multiple contingencies.”

Thus, a few days later, he proposed two emergency plans that could, to varying degrees, increase grain production within the Red Tide Territory.

The first was to utilize the geothermal hot spring areas within the Red Tide Territory to construct a “small greenhouse” system.

Although the Red Tide Territory was located in the icy lands of the North, it possessed several rare hot spring zones.

These areas were constantly shrouded in mist, and in winter, even the snow on the ground would melt completely, with ground temperatures maintaining above freezing.

Perhaps to others, these were merely a few “peculiar hot pits.”

But in Louis’s eyes, this was the entire territory’s most valuable farming resource.

He stood before a densely marked map, drawing several more circles on it, placing these small greenhouses next to these hot springs.

After detailed design, he entrusted this matter to Mick, the agriculture official.

“Mobilize manpower, use local materials, and build a few first.”

Mick’s eyes widened; although he had no idea why Louis was doing this, or if it would even work, he offered no opposition, simply nodding heavily, as he always followed Louis’s words one hundred percent.

The structure of the small greenhouse Louis designed was not complex.

Rough timber supported a curved arched framework, covered externally with animal hides and thick burlap, and then sealed tightly with earth.

Hot spring water was introduced into the greenhouse through conduits, forming a circulating hot air corridor.

This allowed the temperature inside the greenhouse to remain stable above the growth threshold for crops without needing a stove.

Therefore, even if it was snowing heavily outside, the greenhouse would remain warm like spring.

Of course, what to plant was also crucial.

“We don’t seek high yields, only speed,” Louis’s demand was extremely clear.

After careful selection from the seed bank, it was decided that the first batch of crops to be planted would be the following three:

Fast-growing lettuce, which could be harvested in just twenty days; though bland in taste, it grew quickly and was filling, making it the primary choice for commoners’ rations.

Winter radish, which had a slightly longer maturation period but boasted high yields and good preservation; it was suitable for soups, pickling, or porridge, and also nutritious.

Earth Dragon Grass, which was both medicinal and edible, with thick roots and stems; not only could it be used in medicine, but it could also be combined with coarse grains to make a warming medicinal porridge, especially important for children and the elderly.

So, with Louis’s command, the artisans began to build by the hot springs, clanging and hammering, following the blueprints Louis had drawn.

A few days later, the first batch of greenhouses in the hot spring area was completed.

Several low-lying sheds stood quietly amidst the steaming vapor in the geothermal area next to the hot springs.

The wooden frames were sturdy, and the roofs were covered with animal hides and burlap, blocking the cool autumn wind.

The hot spring water flowed gently along the diversion channels, bringing warmth from underground into the sheds.

Louis lifted the shed cloth and leaned down for a look.

Rows of fast-growing lettuce sprouts had quietly emerged from the soil, showing moist, fresh green, radiating a vibrant vitality from the grayish-brown earth.

Upon seeing Louis come to inspect, Mick hurried over, a boundless joy on his face.

“My Lord! They’ve sprouted, they’ve really sprouted! Your method truly works!”

He was trembling with excitement, like a child planting for the first time seeing his seeds sprout.

Louis nodded, “You can continue building.”

He spoke calmly, as if the result was already expected.

“Yes, My Lord!” Mick nodded repeatedly, “I will immediately arrange for manpower; we’ll plant as many sheds as we can!”

Weil, who had accompanied them, never understood much about farming, but seeing the green sprouts emerge from the soil, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes in surprise.

“Can, can this really be grown? Although it hasn’t snowed yet, isn’t the ground already cold?”

“The hot spring water is underneath,” Louis turned to look at him, “As long as the ground is covered, the heat won’t escape, and if the ground is warm, we can grow grain.”

Could it be done this way?

Weil opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing, only looking at his liege with fervent admiration.

The great sun warmed the earth, allowing it to be cultivated.

Louis noticed his gaze and smiled lightly, “Come on, let’s go see the fishing.”

Walking from the greenhouses to the dock, the temperature was slightly cool, but the wind was not strong, water vapor lingered on the surface, and the air carried a faint smell of earth and fish.

Early autumn had not yet frozen the river, and it was the last season for fish migration.

Now, the Red Tide Territory’s fishing industry was already very developed.

Rows of wooden stakes were erected on the dock, and several newly built large boats were moored nearby, their sails still bearing the creases of new cutting.

On the water, an entire fishing fleet was bustling in an orderly fashion.

A dozen or so fishing boats formed a circular encirclement, the purse seine slowly descending underwater, paddles breaking the surface, stirring up large splashes.

The fishermen between the boats coordinated flawlessly.

They paddled to drive the fish while simultaneously tightening the nets, the thick ropes twisting in the water with a groaning sound, like the mouth of some beast slowly closing.

Suddenly! Water exploded!

Schools of silvery fish bodies were thrown high, glinting enticingly in the sunlight!

“The fish are coming up!!”

“Quick, pull in the net! Pull in the net!!”

The fishermen shouted in unison, and the movements on the boats suddenly became rapid and orderly.

The water boiled, shimmering with silver, and a heavy net was pulled up, causing the boat to tilt slightly.

This scene of harvest captivated Louis.

Just then, a familiar voice came from the direction of the dock: “My Lord! You’ve arrived! ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) You didn’t even inform us.”

Luke came running over, a smile on his face, full of pride and flattery.

“Today’s first catch will have at least two thousand fish!” he said, gesturing with his hands to indicate the size of the fish, his eyes full of light, “This fish migration can be called a great harvest!”

Louis looked at the excited face that was almost splitting with a smile, and simply nodded, “You’ve worked hard, Luke.”

“This is all thanks to My Lord’s proper arrangements!” Luke immediately straightened his back, his tone incredibly proud, “If you hadn’t had us change the mesh size earlier, we wouldn’t have caught so many! Now we won’t have to worry about food and drink this winter.”

“Stop flattering me and get to the point.”

Luke grinned dryly, and immediately stood up straight: “Yes, yes! My Lord has orders! I will complete them one hundred percent!”

“Hmm.” Louis looked at the unfrozen river channel not far away, “Today I want you to lead people and try to establish a batch of simple winter fishing grounds.”