Chapter 35 You think you can fight me? "I never even dared to hope for that..."
From the information I've been reviewing recently, I've learned that Bernot possesses a type of plant seed that can grow without sunlight. Because it can be planted underground, it avoids the harsh cold, which is why the civilians in his territory haven't starved. A large area of underground farmland outside the fortress was converted from a defensive underground space. In the past, frequent wars between territories led the then-lord to spend ten years building this vast underground defensive space to provide rest for his guards and a place to be ready for battle. Now, Bernot has transformed it into underground farmland, growing sweet potatoes and potatoes that don't require sunlight to alleviate the famine caused by the snowstorm.
However, the underground farmland has recently experienced a fertilizer shortage due to a lack of manpower. After the zombie outbreak, the number of people carrying fertilizer has decreased significantly, leading to problems in farmland management. However, the castle suffered heavy losses, and there are numerous miscellaneous tasks, leaving no time to add manpower. My project perfectly solves the fertilization problem.
At this moment, the castle steward whispered, "My lord, this project is huge. Drawings alone are not enough, and the expenses will be enormous."
I said, "I'll give you whatever amount you need."
The "Persian cat" glanced at me but didn't say anything.
The plumbing foreman and the drainage foreman exchanged a glance. The plumbing foreman said in a low voice, "Sir, we can give it a try, but we need more detailed information, such as how to lay it and what issues we must pay attention to. However, the language in the book is different from ours."
"That's no problem. I'll provide you with a solution in the local language as soon as possible." I can translate the language in the book into the local language.
My only advantage is that I'm fluent in the local language without any instruction.
"I can give you some information tomorrow and start work as soon as possible..." Then I dismissed the generals and supervisors who were not involved in the matter, leaving only the pipe foreman, the drainage foreman, and the castle steward.
The "Persian cat" stepped out of my lap and lazily leaned against the chair next to me, glancing sideways at my "exquisitely crafted" drainage pipe diagram as I began to explain the installation details and precautions. This was something I had learned from a book.
Modern drainage systems have been tested over hundreds of years and are far more advanced than the primitive systems here. The plumber and drainage foreman listened with shining eyes.
The castle steward looked relieved, because the budget was much smaller than he had imagined—modern drainage systems are designed with cost reduction in mind.
After I finished speaking, I took out the notes I had made in the local language from my backpack and was about to hand them over when "Wait," "Persian Cat" suddenly spoke up, jumped into my lap, sat on my thigh, and looked at me with infinite tenderness. "Lord, the new pipeline system is our secret, and we cannot give you the information directly."
I was taken aback. "Why?"
He pleaded like a seductive enchantress, "If other lords knew how we set up our pipelines, what advantage would we have? Without an advantage, how would the commoners from other territories migrate to our land? Without population, where would the tax revenue come from, and how would we survive?"
The three castle stewards all looked at him with admiration—as expected of the chief mistress, her mind was definitely better than that of ordinary women.
I sighed inwardly and remained silent.
Seeing that I didn't react, his voice became even more coquettish, "Sir, I have an idea. Why not divide a plan into several smaller parts, and then give each smaller part to a different construction team? This way, each team will only know a small part of the content, which will prevent leaks."
The castle steward and others nodded again.
“Okay, that’s settled then,” I said.
The door closed again. "Persian Cat" sat in the armchair with his legs crossed, glancing at me sideways. "I didn't expect you to have this skill."
I was tidying up the documents and books on the table. "I just happened to borrow some books on this subject from us."
He looked at me lazily and said, "There is no such thing as 'coincidence' in this world. It seems that you and we are truly destined to meet."
I frowned; this didn't seem like a good thing.
***
As dawn broke, I was awakened by the banging of the wind against the windows.
Last night, I was leaning back in my armchair reading official documents, intending to take a nap, but I ended up falling asleep.
The door opened slightly, revealing glimpses of Ai's face and pink dress.
"Come in." Why are you acting so furtively?
The door opened, and Eve entered briskly with a food basket. "My lord, I heard you were busy all night last night, so I specially prepared some food for you."
As soon as I hear about food, my spirits immediately lift.
With a sweet smile, Aifu placed the long loaf of bread, blueberry cake, and egg tarts from the food basket onto the messy table.
The aroma of pastries wafted over, and I didn't bother with formalities; I started eating right away.
Aifu smiled even sweeter, picking up the books at my feet one by one and placing them on the bookshelf.
Looking up at the tall bookshelves, Eve suddenly turned to me and said, "My lord, do you dislike me because I am the sister of Lord Roshi's mistress, and that's why you don't want to get close to me?"
I was enjoying my egg tart when I casually replied, "Don't overthink it."
Aife looked at me with a wronged expression. "My lord, I am not like my mistress sister. I grew up in the capital, while my sister grew up in the territory. We were raised separately."
"Oh? Why?"
Aifu crouched down beneath me like a docile kitten. “I was frail and often sick as a child. My mother loved me and kept me by her side, while my sister went to the territory with my father. I received a royal education from a young age and even read books to the princess.”
"Oh, you're quite knowledgeable." I finished my egg tart and then moved on to blueberry cake.
Eve smiled sweetly, seemingly casually leaning closer to me. "Your learning is truly profound, Lord. I can only look up to you in awe."
She did indeed look up at me.
To be honest, my heart softened a little—it's no wonder I felt a pang of sympathy when such a beautiful girl is looking at me like that.
"My lord, I have never dared to hope for your affection, I only ask for a small place in your heart."
"..."
Aifu's pitiful eyes glistened with tears.
"Does Lady Lana dislike me?"
"How about I never show up whenever she appears in the future? That way you won't be in a difficult position."
If I were a man, my heart would melt.
I quickly said, "Hey, don't say that, there's nothing difficult about it..."
My behavior was like that of a straight man who has never been with a woman.
Aifu smiled through her tears, "That's good, I was worried about it."
Such a beautiful, kind, and understanding young woman would make any man's heart flutter. I was a little overwhelmed. "Well, I have a meeting with the emperor in a bit."
Aifu quickly wiped away her tears and stood up. "Yes, my lord, I'll be going now."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
In the vast corridor, a gust of wind carried snowflakes in, and two long-haired women, bundled up in thick layers, unexpectedly met.
Bernard stared coldly at the woman with a face as beautiful as a peach blossom, but the woman smiled and greeted her, "Good morning, Mrs. Lana."
Bernard ignored her with a cold expression, but she still smiled, only whispering as she passed by him, "You think you can fight me?"
Bernard froze slightly.
Her smile grew even brighter, her eyes even more innocent and pure. "Be careful, the road is slippery, it would be ugly if you fell."
A note from the author:
----------------------
I'm running out of drafts, *crying*
——
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
