Farming with Entries: From Lord to Emperor-Chapter 484 - 256: Conspiracy (Part 3)
Fields plowed neatly in rows made Luo De feel utterly pleased.
In the midst of them were small patches of erratically twisted farmland with some water channels adding a vibrant touch of chaos to the order.
Blurry figures moved slowly over the land, representing the diligent farmers hard at work.
Beyond the extensive fields was an unbroken stretch of pine forest.
As Frost and Thunder swept by, they startled flocks of bird-like sparrows into flight.
On the faraway wasteland, herds of deer strolled on the grass with a hunting team inching closer by their side.
For some reason, seeing these scenes made Luo De inexplicably refreshed and joyful, a feeling surpassing even the acquisition of gold coins.
Frost and Thunder moved at great speed, with the earth dragon plowing straight through the wilderness, undeterred by paths or roads.
In merely two days, Luo De reached Blade Mountain Stronghold—even with his concern for Frost and Thunder.
The aerial view was excellent, and Luo De, having a map, quickly located the stronghold.
However, Luo De bypassed the stronghold and went directly to the newly cultivated wasteland.
The sudden appearance of Frost and Thunder caused a stir, with the guard soldiers even aiming their hunting bows at the figures in the sky.
Naturally, Luo De wouldn’t let a fight ensue; he directed Frost and Thunder to land in the nearby valley.
And before Luo De emerged from the valley, a patrol team charged fiercely toward them.
Upon seeing Luo De and Vivian, the patrol team was visibly startled and then kneeled on one knee in salute,
"Apologies, my lord, we didn’t know it was you!"
said the captain, head bowed.
"No worries, you all performed well, you may rise."
Luo De praised, "It seems the peaceful days haven’t dulled your courage."
There was no sign of movement in the east, and the southeastern direction remained quiet.
Luo De assumed the patrol might be lax, but as soon as they landed, the others were already on them.
"Thank you for your praise."
The patrol team captain, though somewhat stiff, kept stealing glances at Frost and Thunder, then nervously inquired,
"My lord, where did you find these two big fellows?"
"These two are Frost and Thunder," Luo De replied with a smile.
"Ah?"
Eyes widened, the entire patrol team stared in disbelief at the gigantic creatures,
"Have they grown this fast?"
The soldiers from Frost Leaf Town were familiar with these two wyverns, yet had never imagined the small creatures would transform like this.
"What did you feed them?"
"This is the evolution of a magical beast; it’s unrelated to feeding,"
Luo De laughed and waved dismissively,
"Let’s go, there are important matters to attend to."
"Yes, my lord."
The patrol team captain put away his curiosity and led the way, ordering someone to notify the forward team.
Doron and Luo Fu quickly received the message and rushed over.
Doron had previously managed the salt mine and now oversaw the entire defense of Blade Mountain Stronghold.
Luo Fu was tasked with supervising the cultivation of new land.
Upon meeting Luo De, both appeared rather anxious, lacking their former composure.
Unknown to others, Doron and Luo Fu understood that Luo De was now a major lord over four thousand people, having completely eradicated the Icefield Mountain Range lizardmen.
Given Black Pine Ridge’s current power, Luo De ordering an attack on Hawk Territory was unsurprising to Doron and Luo Fu.
"Alright, we’re old friends by now."
Luo De waved them to rise without formality,
"Luo Fu, how is the new farmland coming along?"
"Reporting to you, my lord, the progress has been quite slow..."
Luo Fu responded meekly, voice trembling slightly,
"There are many stones here, and some old tree roots. The workers are cautious with the plows, working slowly to avoid damage, so the pace has slowed."
"But Otto promised me confidently,"
Luo De feigned sternness, "Failing to deliver would not go unpunished."
Luo Fu immediately dropped to his knees, "I will urge them to accelerate, working day and night should suffice!"
"Alright, I was just joking."
Quickly, Luo De gestured for Doron to help Luo Fu up,
"How did your courage shrink like this compared to mucking out stables?"
Luo De shook his head ruefully, realizing joking was futile with these fellows.
"I’m here today to help solve your problems."
Turning around, Luo De commanded, "Rock Ridge, time to get to work!"
Following the words, heavy footsteps echoed as Rock Ridge dragged its massive form out.
The sight of such a colossal figure surprised many, though not overly frighten them. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
After witnessing Frost and Thunder, a wingless dragon was unusual but not terrifying.
Without wasting time, Luo De inquired, "Which piece of land are you currently cultivating, lead the way."
"Yes, my lord."
Confused but diligent, Luo Fu quickly trotted off to the designated field.
The busy farmers, upon seeing the advancing monstrous trio, were stunned into immobility.
Not until the nearby soldiers shouted for everyone to kneel did they finally drop to their knees before Luo De.
Luo De never required his subjects or slaves to perform such acts of obeisance; the presence of Frost and Thunder likely intimidated them.
"Help them up, have them step back."
He casually ordered, and Luo Fu hastily moved forward to herd them away,
"Step back, step back, quickly move back!"
Under Luo Fu’s urging, the farmers and slaves scrambled backward.
Luo De also stepped aside, gesturing at the weed-covered land ahead,
"Tear up this layer of land as instructed, not too deep, about half a meter will do."
In farming, depth of forty to fifty centimeters was adequate, anything more was superfluous effort.
Rock Ridge nodded.
"Alright, showtime."
With a command from Luo De, Rock Ridge advanced onto the open ground, claws poised, its dragon head burrowing abruptly downward.
The wasteland tore open like linen, the dirt cascading to the sides like foamy waves.
With most of its body exposed, Rock Ridge progressed swiftly and smoothly, akin to a fish swimming on the water’s surface.
Dark soil, laced with rocks and grass roots, flew in all directions, the strong earthy scent quickly filling the air.
In an instant, it was dozens of meters away!
Luo Fu’s eyes widened in disbelief as his whip slipped from his hand, landing at his feet!
"My lord, this is unbelievably fast!"
The farmers stood dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at the newly turned earth.
"This thing moves faster than ten oxen!"
"Ten oxen? It couldn’t compare to this beast even with twenty!"
"This creature can accomplish in a day what takes us a month!"
"Not sure, but I feel at this rate, a hundred of us can’t match it..."
...
The farmers buzzed with chatter while Luo De himself was struck by the efficiency of the earth dragon.
Was there even a need for farmers to till the land?
With Rock Ridge working continuously, a thousand acres could be cultivated in a single day!
This was far superior to modern machinery from the previous era!
"Oh no, that’s not good!"
Suddenly cursing in realization, Luo De watched Rock Ridge heading straight for the mountain’s base,
"I forgot to instruct Rock Ridge to turn!"
Hurriedly, Luo De leaped onto Thunder’s back,
"Catch up with him quickly!"
...
...
After half a day of familiarization, Luo De delegated the plowing duties entirely to Luo Fu and Rock Ridge.
Luo De then headed straight to Blade Mountain Stronghold, implanting the Seed of Nature in Doron and his initial guards.
Instead of a form of restraint, it served more as a reward.
Luo De also provided them with Knight Roar Potion, aiding in their breakthrough to become Junior Knights.
But Luo De was not at Blade Mountain Range for long when Vivian reported on Durant’s message.
The Red Griffin Clan had sent a caravan to Long Winter Town with a shipment of ten carts of supplies.
Luo De made his departure promptly to return.
