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

Chapter 99 The Earl's Doubts

"Special effects... medicinal cuisine?"

Adding special ingredients to food to enhance its effects immediately reminded Rod of the medicinal cuisine from his previous life.

But there are similar foods in this world.

For example, loach powder, but the effect is not very obvious.

Herbalist Luna might know a little about the specifics of cooking and preparation.

In fact, food itself has nourishing properties.

Some are good for strengthening the body, some for replenishing blood, some for clearing heat and detoxifying, and some for relieving internal heat.

Detailed information can be found in Rhodes's "Food Gatherer".

By creating recipes based on the properties of food and then combining them with herbs that have the same properties, Rhodes can produce medicinal meals with targeted effects.

Rod immediately had an idea.

The task of finding herbs was naturally left to Luna.

Rhodes immediately asked Lawrence to bring paper and pen so he could write down his needs.

The needs for various herbs, such as those for strengthening the body, replenishing blood, and detoxifying, are clearly listed one by one.

After he finished writing the list, he handed it to Avril.
"Give this to Luna and have her prepare the herbs and recipe for me according to the list."

"All right."

Avril nodded, took the paper, and got up to return to the manor.

This matter can't be rushed.

Rod remained in the fields, directing everyone to harvest and transport the wheat.

Rod assigned 300 people to harvest wheat, excluding half of the women who were tied up, and they could harvest about 500 acres of land every day.

Behind these 300 people, there are 100 more people responsible for transportation, and 50 more people at the threshing ground responsible for receiving and drying the wheat.

The entire territory was in a state of frantic activity.

Rhodes and Lawrence were responsible for coordinating any emergencies that occurred.

There were all sorts of trivial matters, such as a woman being beaten by her husband for working too slowly, a farmer accidentally cutting his leg with a sickle, and punishing someone who stole wheat.

By the time Rod returned to the manor that evening, he was exhausted.

But Rod hasn't rested yet.

Because Luna had delivered the grass carp and recipe he needed, and Avril was even preparing to explain it to him.

Rhodes could only have his servants light an oil lamp so he could carefully study the materials Luna had given him.

No one can help Rhodes with medicinal cuisine; he has to rely on his own personal experience.

If you don't have time during the day, spend more time at night and immerse yourself in the study.

The next evening, Rod prepared the first medicinal dish.

Honey, dried apples, rye, along with licorice root, echinacea, cloves, and other ingredients, are used to brew a warming and soothing honey tea, adding one step to the unlocking progress of the [Unique Gourmet].

Medicinal cuisine is not something that can be made casually.

System authentication naturally yields noticeable results.

This boosted Rod's confidence, and for the next two weeks, he spent more time researching medicinal cuisine every night.

……

……

The atmosphere inside Eagle Fortress was oppressive at dusk.

Earl Falcon slammed Chris's reply onto the table, the parchment making a dull thud.

This is the fourth reply!

Earl Falcon's brow furrowed, his voice filled with anger.

“He went to Black Pine Ridge for more than a month and didn’t get anything done. I think he was just trying to fool me!”

Chief Knight Baron, standing to the side, said, "Given that guy's usual personality, he shouldn't be this slow, right?"

Baron paused, then tentatively began to speak.
"Your Excellency, do you think he might have betrayed you?"

Earl Falcon narrowed his eyes, his gaze dark, and slowly exhaled.

"Betrayal? His wife, two sons, and a daughter are all in Eagle Ridge. Would he dare?"

At Chris's age, having another child would be a bit difficult.

Besides, it's about having a son.

Baron nodded in agreement, then cautiously added, "Could it be that Chris was captured by that Baron Rhodes?"

"That idea is less convincing than the idea that he betrayed me."

Earl Falcon sneered, his tone laced with disdain.

"What power could a newly appointed baron possibly have?"

"How could he possibly defeat a knight like Chris and his sixty soldiers?"

"There are also twenty of my elite veterans inside!"

Earl Falcon's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, feeling as if his mind was a jumbled mess.

"Unless Chris becomes arrogant and rushes straight to Frostleaf Town, but even then, he can escape back, right?"

He stopped, his eyes darting around, and muttered to himself, "Something's really not right."

Baron said again cautiously,
"What if Rhodes really has the ability to capture him?"

Earl Falcon shook his head, his tone resolute: "Impossible."

“Even if he really caught Chris, there’s no need for him to keep sending me emails to buy time.”

"He should take this opportunity to make demands, asking me to use gold coins to ransom the person!"

"Instead of playing hide-and-seek with me!"

Earl Falcon and Baron exchanged a glance, both looking utterly bewildered. Yes, nothing about this made sense.

Could it be that the Baron has also suffered heavy losses and is now gathering strength before making further demands?

The questions in their minds grew bigger and bigger, like a snowball rolling down a hillside.

“Perhaps…” Baron hesitated for a moment.
"Is Chris really in trouble and unable to find an opportunity to strike?"

Earl Falcon slammed his hand on the table.
"No, we can't keep guessing like this!"

He turned around, his gaze sharp: "Send someone to investigate."

"Find a few clever ones to infiltrate the nearest caravan."

"Let's sneak up to Black Pine Ridge and see what's going on there!"

Baron nodded and then asked, "So how should we write our reply?"

Earl Falcon waved his hand, his tone softening: "Write normally, don't rush him."

"Let Chris take his time."

"If there's a problem, the caravan's spies will find out."

“If there are no problems, Chris is marching normally. No matter how much we urge him, it won’t work and will only disrupt his rhythm.”

Baron cupped his hands and replied, "Yes, I understand. I will do as you instruct."

He turned and walked away quickly, his footsteps echoing in the stone corridor.

Earl Falcon stood alone at the table, staring at the reply.

He narrowed his eyes, his lips twitched slightly, but he felt increasingly uneasy.

"Chris, what on earth are you doing?"

……

……

"Ahem——"

Busy Rod sneezed three times.

"Autumn is getting cooler, you should wear more clothes."

Avril kindly offered her coat to Rhodes, but he waved it off.

"It's nothing, it was just the medicine powder that made you choke."

Rhodes actually wanted to ask who was cursing him.

But that doesn't conform to the customs of this world.

"Come here, Avril, give me the thyme, sage, marjoram, and nutmeg."

"Ok."

Avril quickly selected herbs from the medicine table and handed them to Rhodes.

Rod took it, crushed it, and then put it into the pot of stewing bison. He covered the pot, brought it to a boil, and then simmered it over low heat.

"Baron Rhodes, what's gotten into you lately, becoming so obsessed with cooking?"

Avril, standing to the side, asked curiously.

"I've had too much to do, so I'm cooking to relax."

Rod answered casually, then handed the two cups of milk tea next to him to Avril.
"It's for helping you sleep, one cup for you, one cup for Millie."

This is the ninth medicinal dish made by Rod, made with milk, honey, chamomile, lavender, and valerian root.

Calming and sleep-aiding, stress-relieving, system certified.

"Thank you~"

Avril happily accepted the milk tea with both hands.

This was the kind of life she loved, with different delicious foods to enjoy every day, and without having to worry about Rhodes' safety.

"I'll go give this to Millie first, then I'll come back to keep you company."

"Go and rest, I can do it myself."

Rhodes only needed to sit aside and keep an eye on the pot and the fire; the servants would take care of tending the fire.

"It's okay, I'm not tired."

Avril got up and gave the milk tea to Millie, then returned to sit with Rod under the kitchen shed.

The autumn night was crisp and clear. Avril rested her chin on her hands, quietly staring at the focused Rhodes.

Rhodes, meanwhile, kept his eyes glued to the pot, waiting for a system notification.

[Ten different dishes with special effects have been created, unlocking the entry: Eccentric Gourmet]

After a long wait, Rhodes finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally finished.

[Extraordinary Foodie (Green): You not only understand the properties of ingredients, but also the properties of medicinal herbs, and can combine their properties to create dishes with amazing effects]

A wealth of herbal knowledge flooded into Rhodes' mind, far more comprehensive, detailed, and complex than what Luna had taught him.

This stuff is far more valuable than cooking!
In this era, healing and saving lives all relied on herbal medicine.

The outcome depends entirely on luck; surviving is a stroke of good fortune.

But Rod is different; he has a concept of modern medicine.

Anti-inflammatory drugs, anesthetics, and other targeted treatments for certain diseases can certainly improve the overall medical level of the territory.

A slight smile appeared on Rod's tired face as he immediately checked the next entry:
[Next entry: Create forty different potions with varying effects based on the properties of various herbs, unlocking the entry: Potions for Beginners]

Potion?

extraordinary?

Rhodes was startled!
This is what's truly valuable!

All that effort finally paid off; I'll be busy from now on!
(End of this chapter)