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Chapter 373 - 373 373 The Territory Has Grown This Much

373: Chapter 373: The Territory Has Grown This Much?

373: Chapter 373: The Territory Has Grown This Much?

“How many people have met the criteria this time?” Zhao Guang looked toward Coscola.

The scribe who specialized in recording military achievements was standing by his side, and the man hurried over.

“Reporting to Viscount, a total of sixteen people have met the requirements in this battle,” he said.

Zhao Guang nodded, “Very well, bring them up.” As Zhao Guang spoke, those whose names were called came forward with excitement and trepidation, their eyes full of brightness.

“You have done very well.

I am a man who abides by the rules, and according to my rules, since you have satisfied the conditions, you are now subjects of Xuanwu Territory, starting this very moment.

I hope you will continue to work hard and contribute to the territory.”

As he spoke, magic power burst from Zhao Guang’s hands, erasing the slave brands on their faces.

The slaves, who didn’t expect to feel so moved, shed tears one after another.

Finally free, this was the taste of freedom.

Some citizens who didn’t cry were influenced by the others and ended up feeling the same.

“Darn it, just two short.

If I had killed two more, I could have had this chance.”

“You’re two short.

I’m just one short.

I’m even more unlucky than you,” said another.

Both were envious of those in front of them, but there were many others around them who envied them even more.

They were far from meeting the criteria and didn’t know if they would have another chance to earn such merit in this land.

Next time, when something like this happens, I’ll risk everything to be at the front.

Zhao Guang nodded, then said, “Later, take them to register and reward them as they deserve.

Alright, you may continue expanding the land.

If there’s any issue, come back and tell me immediately.”

Now that he had his own land, slave registration could be done on his side as well.

The only troublesome part was that there was no slave market here, so he would have to report to the Slave Guild or to the Imperial Slave Management Bureau, which were interconnected.

That the Empire had a specialized organization for managing slaves was ironically amusing.

Coscola continued expanding the territory while Zhao Guang ran back to his house.

After this period of construction, the corner of the territory had gradually improved.

A few days later, the slave merchants finally arrived, delivering a new batch of people.

This batch was quite large, with over six thousand individuals.

Fortunately, enough houses had been built beforehand, or else they wouldn’t have fit.

Snow had begun to fall and the temperature continued to drop.

“Make sure to explain our policies to them thoroughly, and have those who have gained their freedom give speeches,” Zhao Guang ordered, looking at the dispirited slaves.

Qiao Miya gently nodded, already familiar with her master’s methods.

Provoking the slaves’ enthusiasm could make their work efficiency several times higher than usual.

“There’s not much to do in the heart of winter; we can’t let them just idle about,” said Zhao Guang, puzzled by Xi Fei’s remark.

“Why don’t we start by clearing the ground?

They all need physical training anyway.

Training is training, and clearing the ground is just as good for training.

This is a good opportunity to clear out those rocks,” she suggested.

Rocks were indeed a problem.

The lands were filled with weeds and rocks and had not been improved.

Even for planting, it was necessary to clear out the stones first.

On Earth, the ground would be too hard to clear in winter.

But here, it was different.

The people were robust, and as long as they had enough food, they were more effective than excavators at clearing stones.

“Let’s do it then.

I’ll go buy more food,” said Zhao Guang.

It appeared that the food reserves for his territory were insufficient.

According to the slave merchants’ conditions, he would have over twenty thousand slaves by winter this year.

The remaining eighty thousand would arrive after spring.

Transporting slaves in winter was difficult due to bad roads; it was more expensive and losses were higher than other seasons.

Several days passed, and Coscola finally returned.

“Master, the land expansion is complete.

We’ve staked claim to the area ahead,” he reported.

“Excellent, then let’s apply for it,” Zhao Guang responded with satisfaction, nodding as he looked over the map.

The area he had demarcated was very large.

The King had granted him land the size of an Earl’s domain.

The territory he had claimed now stretched to the edge of the Northern Swamp.

With an area as large as an imperial province, this would be considerable even among Duke domains.

Of course, staking claim was one thing, but the real challenge was controlling it.

It didn’t matter if others didn’t recognize it; as long as the Royal Family acknowledged it as his, that was enough.

Generally, nobles didn’t take such actions.

The larger the domain, the more taxes one had to pay.

Rashly claiming such vast lands without development would mean paying taxes for nothing.

But to Zhao Guang, this was no concern.

An undeveloped domain only had to pay a basic tax, hardly anything to him.

After the Sibar Family, led by the former Family Head Hawks, came by for a trade, even the slightest profit was sufficient to cover the taxes.

Zhao Guang now needed to think about going home rather than the land.

He had developed so rapidly over half a year, and there was too much to keep secret.

The thought of returning home gave him a feeling of unease, as if growing apprehensive the closer he got to his hometown.

Shaking his head, he decided to put the worries aside.

It wasn’t time yet; he might as well stay put for now.

Busy as he had been, Zhao Guang hadn’t been without gains.

Things should slow down by spring, with agricultural work not requiring his constant attention, right?

Meanwhile, Zhao Guang’s application, through special channels, was almost at the Imperial City.

The Noble Management Office hadn’t approved it directly, for it was astonishing.

Such an immense territory under the control of a mere Viscount?

It was obvious what he intended to do, but why?

It made no sense.

These were unoccupied lands, and claiming them would mean paying taxes.

Thus, the application was brought before the King.

As he considered it, a thoughtful spark flashed in the King’s eyes, followed by laughter, “Hahaha, this is indeed too interesting.”