I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 70 Wild Strawberry Wine
Rhodes didn't waste any more words with the White Frost Prophet.

"Have Us bring Graystone and the Giantwood Chieftain to me," Rhode said, looking at the two men.

"As long as you work honestly with me, I'll provide you with a stable supply of black bread, how about it?"

Rhodes did not mention the word "slave," but emphasized the work and bread.

"Good, good, good!"

After listening to Us's translation, the Graystone Chief nodded emphatically in agreement, and the Giantwood Chief hurriedly followed suit.

They are now like meat on a chopping board; having bread to eat is the best outcome they can hope for.

Rhodes liked the Graystone chieftain's answer and instructed, "Then you all come and choose a clever one from among your people, and have your entire tribe move to Frostleaf Town."

The White Frost Prophet brought out most of the tribe's adult men, so Rhodes wasn't worried that those he sent back wouldn't return.

The Graystone Chief and the Giantwood Chief exchanged a glance, hesitated for a moment, and then made up their minds.
"it is good!"

Because of the language barrier, the Graystone leader has learned to nod, the most direct form of communication.

This time, almost all the strong men who raided the two tribes were brought out; if the others were left in the mountains, most of them would die in the winter.

Why don't we come out together? We'll have something to do.

The two leaders readily agreed, and Rhodes didn't waste any words, telling them to choose their people immediately.

After the two tribes entered the mountains, Rhodes handed over the matter to Us to handle, instructing him to receive the relocated savages.

It wasn't that this hunter was particularly skilled; it was just that he was the only one who could communicate with these savages.

Rhodes left Gunle with the savage slaves behind, while he himself rushed back to town first.

There was still a lot of work to be done in Frostleaf Town, and Rhodes couldn't wait any longer.

As soon as they returned to the manor, Little Lily rushed up and gave Rhodes a big hug.

Rod patted her little head and bent down to hug her.

Avril, who was standing next to him, handed Rhodes the honey flower tea she had just brewed and asked with a smile, "How did it go?"

"Ah."

Rod gulped down the whole cup of honey flower tea and said, "Those savages will behave as long as you give them some black bread."

"Don't worry, we're a little closer to reclaiming Razor Plains."

"No rush, take your time, I'm quite happy living here."

Avril accepted the cup with both hands. "I've been studying herbalism with Ms. Luna recently, and Vivian is practicing swordsmanship every day at the salt mine."

"Yes, it's good to have something to do."

Rhodes nodded and casually encouraged, "Keep it up!"

Rhodes' mind was now completely occupied with how to arrange these slaves.

According to the White Frost Prophet's estimate, the three tribes together numbered over two hundred.

We need to make proper arrangements just for where we'll be staying.

Fortunately, it's summer now, so we can sleep by setting up a fire outside, and at most we'll get some mosquito bites.

The savages are tough and fearless.

Just as Rod was pondering, Millie suddenly wrapped her arms around Rod's neck.
"My sister wants to help..."

"Who? And what help do they offer?"

Rod suddenly realized that Millie was referring to Avril.

The noblewoman was poised and elegant; Avril, having her feelings exposed, didn't hide anything and smiled as she spoke.
"Seeing you so busy every day, I wanted to do something to help you, anything that could make things easier for you."

Avril Lavigne can actually do a lot.

A noblewoman possesses a level of knowledge that commoners cannot match.

Avril's ability to read alone allowed her to learn things much faster than others.

Rhodes felt that since the man was a baron and was enjoying his life here, he couldn't be treated like a subordinate and ordered around at will.

Therefore, Rhodes did not assign Avril to handle the matter unless absolutely necessary.

However, if Avril takes the initiative, some daily tasks can be assigned to her.

"Thank you, Avril. Let me think about it. You go ahead and do your work."

Rod smiled and thanked Avril. After putting Millie down, he had Lawrence and Auto summoned to the hall.

Rod left in a hurry, leaving Millie and Avril behind.

Millie reached out and tugged at Avril's skirt. "Keep trying..."

Avril bent down and picked Millie up, smiling as she said, "Let's go, let's go read the herbal medicine book."

……

……

“Select all the slaves who know how to till the land. After those savages return, have them follow Otto to weed.” In the hall, Rhodes instructed Lawrence, “Remember to assign those savages some simple tasks; they can’t do anything too complicated.”

“Let Tassa help you; he understands Common Tongue and can speak a little bit of it.”

“A place to live was set aside for those savages, about three hundred people in total.”

"Be careful not to put them together; it's best to give them several different places."

Now that they've arrived in Frostleaf Town, Rhodes can no longer allow them to maintain their tribal structure.

Otherwise, if there is any conflict or disagreement, these savages could easily gather together and cause trouble.

So the first step Rhodes had to do was to break them up.

After the wooden houses were built, the savages were arranged to live with the other slaves, so that they would be gradually assimilated by the slaves.

Once the concept of tribes disappears from the wild people's minds, they will eventually be able to fully integrate into Frostleaf Town.

"No problem, my lord."

Lawrence responded but hesitated for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Won't it be a problem if the slaves live with those savages?"

"If there are problems, let them surface sooner so we can resolve them sooner."

Problems are inevitable.

Those savages in the mountains have no fixed rules; they mostly do whatever they want.

Once we arrive in Frostleaf Town, I'm sure we'll do things that cross the boundaries of imperial and territorial laws.

Whipping is inevitable, and strangulation is even a possibility.

But these first few days are also the best time to establish rules.

The savages, having just started eating black bread every day, will surely become more obedient.

"Okay, I understand what to do."

Lawrence then changed the subject, saying:

"While you were away for the past two days, a caravan from the border town delivered 4,340 catties of scraps of cloth. I settled the payment with them directly in copper coins, paying out 1,300 copper coins."

"In addition, four large barrels of strawberry wine were sold and exchanged for four oxen."

Lawrence reported all the events that had happened in the past few days to Rhodes.

"Katie's wine is ready so quickly?" Rod asked, somewhat surprised.

"Wild strawberry wine is quick and doesn't make you drunk. It's all about the sweet and sour fruity flavor, which some aristocratic ladies really like."

Wild strawberries are very common in the northern wilderness and mountains. There are plenty of them in mid-June, and thirty women can collect more than a thousand pounds a day.

Wild strawberries are small and, without the use of fertilizers and breeding techniques, tend to be sour, but they have a very rich aroma.

Rod watched Katie make strawberry wine with his own eyes.

Remove the stems from the strawberries and mash them into a paste. Pour the paste into a wooden barrel, add some honey and raisins, then cover it with a breathable coarse cloth and place it in a cellar to ferment slowly.

At the beginning, the strawberry puree needs to be stirred and fermented every day. After about ten days, the pulp is filtered out and fermentation continues.

Rod also offered some advice, suggesting that Katie rinse the barrels and pounding utensils with boiling water to prevent mold contamination.

Lawrence continued to explain, "Berry wine takes longer to mature; it might not be ready until the fall."

Rod nodded. The price of the wine was good; they should brew more.

The berries are small fruits like blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries; they ripen late and are only just beginning to be processed.

In the fall, there are also wild grapes and sour apples, which can be used to make wine.

"Also, Katie said you have fruit wine, so your tavern can open now."

"Then let her set a time."

Rod said casually.

Gunther had applied to open a tavern a long time ago, hoping that Rhodes could provide the venue.

Frostleaf Town lacked entertainment options, so Rhodes thought opening a tavern would provide a place for everyone to relax and unwind.

So Rod decided to fund the opening of a tavern in town himself.

Katie is in charge, and she will not only receive a salary but also a share of the profits.

As for its location, it's the same as the layout of the border town, in the front yard of the hotel.

"Let Katie pick a few clever kids to be apprentices; the tavern can't rely on her to do everything in the future."

“Yes, my lord.” Lawrence nodded in response.

After everything was arranged, Rhodes stood up.
"Go and get busy, I'm going to feed the dragon too."

　My wife is having contractions and is already in the hospital, so it's inconvenient to count the monthly votes. Anyway, thank you everyone for your recommendation votes and monthly votes.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)