Bringing modern steel to the Zambein World to forge weapons was, in a sense, overkill. Still, he did it anyway to bolster the strength of his army.

Additionally, Fang Zhen’s company account had a significant surplus, so he didn’t have to worry about operational funds for the time being. He purchased more military supplies and other goods.

He didn’t bring any farming tools.

’As for tools, they could be forged directly from modern steel. He could just buy some ordinary steel ingots and have the blacksmiths there forge them, which would also help stimulate the Zambein Kingdom’s economy.’

In addition to this, Fang Zhen continued his Golden Mountain and Silver Sea plan.

Now that he had Chen Baokun and his membership at the Shanghai Precious Metals Exchange, Fang Zhen could operate without restraint, no longer fearing that he couldn’t sell his Gold.

He purchased a full ton of silver to continue his long-running trade with the nobles there.

He gathered the supplies at a factory, stored them in his pocket dimension, and after returning home, launched the Instance Life game.

By the time Fang Zhen finished these material preparations, four days had passed. With everything ready, he entered the Nameless World—the Kingdom of Zambein.

Fang Zhen chose to spend 100 merit points to gain the privilege of staying in the Zambein World for 10 days. At the same time, he obtained a new privilege.

In the Nameless World, any location Fang Zhen had previously visited could now serve as an anchor point for the Light Gate. This drastically reduced his travel time.

Fang Zhen set the Light Gate’s anchor point near the Ashton Territory.

Fully prepared, Fang Zhen opened the Light Gate and stepped into the world within: the Ashton Territory.

Fang Zhen arrived at Ashton Castle, where he met with Dalia and Matthew.

After a brief, intimate moment with Dalia, Fang Zhen had a soldier summon all the leaders of his armies stationed nearby for a small meeting in Ashton Castle.

The attendees were Mage Mansa; Ottis, the Quartermaster and noble advisor; and Finn and Tahar. These four were currently Fang Zhen’s most loyal subordinates and supporters.

Once they had all arrived, Fang Zhen dispensed with the pleasantries. Right there in the meeting room of Ashton Castle, he clearly stated the purpose of his visit.

"I need the soldiers to begin farming this land and plant the seeds I specify. I also want the farmers of the Ashton Territory to plant these same seeds."

Fang Zhen stated directly.

He had already taken the hybrid rice seeds from his pocket dimension, and they were now in the Ashton Territory’s warehouse.

He had, in fact, mentally prepared himself for some resistance.

He had read in history books that even when a high-yield crop like the sweet potato was first introduced back home, many farmers resisted planting it.

Even though the new crop was easier to grow, had a higher yield, and could help more people survive, a significant portion of the farmers refused to plant it. They gave all sorts of absurd reasons, some even claiming that the King of Hell had come to them in a dream and forbidden it.

’When faced with something new, most people’s first thought isn’t, ’This is interesting, let’s give it a try!’’

’It’s, ’Heresy! It’s not what I’m used to. To hell with it!’’

But to Fang Zhen’s surprise, there were no strong objections from the group. Everyone quickly nodded in agreement.

Fang Zhen was taken aback and asked, "You don’t object?"

"Why would we object?"

"This is your territory. Whatever you command your tenant farmers to plant, they must plant," Ottis said, looking up at Fang Zhen with a puzzled expression.

’Oh, right. I forgot about that,’ Fang Zhen understood immediately.

’Ancient Xia Country was mostly composed of independent farmers who owned their land. Here, however, most were feudal tenants, and some were even serfs.’ Fang Zhen finally remembered the different circumstances.

Besides, his soldiers followed his orders without question. Whether the crops they grew were edible was of little concern to them; after all, Fang Zhen was the one ultimately responsible for providing their rations.

As long as Fang Zhen provided them with rations and pay, his soldiers would do as they were told. If he failed to do so, they would rebel.

So, in reality, there was no resistance to speak of.

Fang Zhen felt things were going remarkably smoothly.

He then handed a list of the steel and other supplies to Finn, Tahar, Mansa, and Ottis, instructing them to find blacksmiths to forge the materials into weapons.

Mansa and the others were astonished to hear that Fang Zhen had brought steel.

They were even more amazed after seeing the steel ingots he had brought, clicking their tongues in wonder.

’Steel ingots of this quality were merely average back on Earth, not even selling for two thousand a ton, but in the Zambein World, they were an incredible rarity.’

’Armed with weapons forged from modern steel, my army’s combat effectiveness should increase by a conservative estimate of fifty to seventy percent.’

’In this world, weapons forged from industrially produced steel would be nearly unstoppable.’

After dealing with these practical matters, Fang Zhen turned to Ottis. "Ottis, I need you to do something for me."

"I want you to gather all the younger sons of the nobles in this territory, as well as any other descendants ineligible to inherit a title. As long as they are fifteen or older, assemble them all in my name."

Ottis’s reaction was strange. He asked, "My lord, what is your intention? Do you mean to take the nobles’ younger sons as hostages?"

It was no wonder Ottis reacted this way; he himself was the younger son of a noble house.

Fang Zhen chuckled. "I just want to teach them a few classes. This has nothing to do with hostages."

Ottis nodded. "Ah, I see. In that case, it should be fine. From what I know, the noble families don’t actually care much about their younger sons. Sometimes they’re even considered a burden, so they wouldn’t be very effective as hostages anyway."

As he said this, Ottis seemed to think of his own circumstances, and his expression darkened for a moment.

"I am going to teach them. Perhaps I’ll even establish a society for them, give them a purpose and a path forward. They will have very promising and bright futures ahead of them," Fang Zhen said, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile that Ottis and the others found unreadable.