Chapter 31 - From Waste to Prosperity and Vitality
As for Charles and Helen, even though they were the captain and vice-captain, they had previously only learned a bit of basic military stances and marching from Richard. Now that they had been promoted to leadership roles within the unit, they also needed to practice alongside the troops to integrate better with the entire team.
Under Richard’s guidance, they spent their days eating together, running, learning left-right discernment, and practicing spear thrusting. The results of their training were remarkable, with visible improvements day by day.
Some people were dismissed due to their laziness and lack of effort. However, even those who struggled with coordination were allowed to stay, as long as they continued practicing diligently.
Richard’s primary focus was on obedience to orders rather than the cleverness of the recruits.
Those who were a bit clumsy were more valued if they were persistent, as once they developed a habit, it became a lifelong trait.
As soldiers, this quality was incredibly precious. However, Richard had different expectations for any future special forces, who would require higher standards and skills.
The lazier individuals were sometimes punished with the whip, although Richard had switched from using the scorpion whip to a normal one to aid their quicker recovery for training. However, once they were fully trained, the stricter punishments might still be used if needed.
Interestingly, among the new recruits was Rhodes’ nineteen-year-old son, who turned out to be quite impressive in training, even surpassing many others. Richard frequently praised him in front of everyone, using his rapid progress as a role model for the group.
The recruits’ morale was high, and the competition to become squad leaders intensified. Richard was pleased with this competitive atmosphere, though he knew he couldn’t delay the decision indefinitely. When the time was right, he planned to hold a contest to select the leaders.
After nearly a month of training, the transformation of these soldiers was incredible, exceeding Richard’s expectations.
Normally, even with the best training methods, it would take over a year to see such results. He felt fortunate to have the support of the system’s training camp.
With the foundation established, Richard gradually handed over more responsibilities to Charles and Helen, who led the drills with growing confidence and leadership.
Watching from a distance, Richard saw the five hundred recruits in formation, looking like a well-disciplined army under their guidance.
Pleased with their progress, Richard rewarded them with an extra meal that day, further boosting their spirits.
…
Apart from the militia training camp, the performance of the blacksmith shop was also gratifying.
When the plows, hoes, sickles and other farm tools they made one after another were handed over to the working people, they all said that they were very easy to use.
Compared to their previous tools… oh no, there is no comparison at all.
Especially when they heard that these tools were specially redesigned by their lord Richard, and even the arc of the hoe handle was designed by the lord.
The craftsmen learned to fold the wood into a suitable arc by baking.
Everyone couldn’t help but admire Richard even more.
“Our plow is so powerful. In the past, we had to do everything we could to cultivate such hard land. I didn’t expect that the plow style modified by the lord could directly cultivate such wasteland. All we have to do is to remove the weeds wrapped around the fence from time to time!”
“Yes, and the hoe in my hand, the angle matches the height of human hands very well, and the hoe is also very sharp. It is said that the craftsmanship at the blacksmith shop was also instructed by the lord!”
“Incredible! By the way, have you used the sickle issued by the higher-ups? My wife went to cut grass for pigs yesterday and said that the sickle was cutting iron like mud. When cutting on the pig grass, the hand holding the sickle hardly felt the force, and the big bunch of pig grass was broken!”
“How can the lord know everything?”
“What do you know? I heard that the lord came from the Duke’s Territory. The Duke is a big man that the earl has to salute when he sees it. Even in front of the king, he is respected!”
“Really? How come I don’t know?”
“My son is in the militia training camp. Their captain, Lord Charles, mentioned it to them during dinner.”
Everyone was envious, envious that he could get some information about the lord through his son.
At the same time, they were shocked because Richard’s information came from the Duke’s Territory.
“No wonder Lord Richard is so powerful and knows everything! It turns out that he is from the Duke’s Territory!”
“Stop talking, the lord is on routine inspection!”
While they were chatting, they didn’t stop working.
The reason why they were able to find Richard from a distance at the first time was mainly because they had experienced the crab spider incident and now they began to take precautions.
When doing things, they also keep their eyes and ears open.
After all, we only have one life, who wouldn’t cherish it?
…
Richard rode on his horse, looking at the vast land around him, and he was very happy.
In one month, 40,000 acres of land!
It is equivalent to the size of 3,000 standard football fields!
At first glance, it is very shocking!
And these lands have been cleaned up and all have been dug deep.
The lands that were previously cultivated were also poured with manure, which was washed into the land with rain.
And the other lands were either fallow or just reclaimed.
Richard asked them to throw the weeds they had removed on the land, and then burn them directly after drying.
Wood ash was a good thing. It not only increases fertilizer, but also kills insect eggs with fire, and the crops grown will be healthier!
The entire Long Eagle Territory was full of vitality. In just one month, it had completely changed its appearance.