The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

The East Coast is only a few kilometers long, and although there is an abundance of seafood distributed along it, overfishing could exhaust the area’s resources in no time.

Liszt was unwilling to engage in such destructive practices.

He planned to implement a fishing moratorium in Fresh Flower Town, or at the very least a closed season during the hottest period of summer when fish are breeding and growing vigorously, to ensure the protection of marine resources.

Of course.

The closed fishing season was just a temporary measure. Once Thorn Ridge was conquered and a dock was built in Deepwater Bay, he would promote nearshore fishing. The seafood resources by the coast were meager and had to be protected, but the marine resources off the coast were more than enough for the entire Coral Island.

Now, without docks, fishing boats, or fishermen, they could only develop the coastal fishery.

“Isaiah, I entrust you with the supervision of the establishment of Coral City’s fishing team; I hope you can prepare everything as soon as possible. For each trade route’s maintenance and the selection of responsible persons, Old Geronte will assist you from the side. Spread them out quickly. I will provide fifty Gold Coins for warehouse rental and the purchase of carts and horses.”

“Yes, Baron.” Isaiah took the command.

Soon, they discussed the construction plan for the caravan.

It was divided into two parts.

One part was to form the “Fresh Flower Caravan,” stationed in Coral City, with Old Geronte as the caravan leader and Abagon as the deputy leader.

Old Geronte mainly managed the “Coral City-Birch City” trade route, the “Coral City-Elm Forest City” trade route, the “Coral City-Shattered Stone City” trade route, and the “Coral City-Serpent Spear City” route.

Abagon was in charge of the “fishing team” and the “Castle Procurement Team,” where the procurement team would buy whatever the castle needed and take it back.

The other part was to establish the “Thorn Caravan,” with Sherlock as the caravan leader, focusing on the regular commerce between Fresh Flower Town and North Valley City.

Each caravan had its focus.

But both were important: one specializing in the seafood business to provide Fresh Flower Town with Gold Coins, the other focusing on everyday trade to supply Fresh Flower Town with all kinds of life necessities.

Waking up early.

Exercising the body, practicing Dou Qi.

Liszt wasn’t as diligent as he used to be when he had the archery tasks, leisurely times often lead to subtle degeneration, and the luxury of the nobility erodes the fighting spirit.

“Douson, release magic!”

After walking the dog and watching the servants smash the Rock Spikes to pave the road, he felt: “Still, the life of cockfighting and dog walking is more enjoyable.”

The progress on “Douson Avenue” has reached sixty meters; it should be completed smoothly by the end of the year.

Well-fed and well-trained, Douson, though still not a fully grown Fierce Earth Dog, was already stronger than its mother had been, casting magic both quickly and accurately, and executing Liszt’s commands to the letter. It had become a very good combat assistant, a loyal guardian.

“Ga ji!”

“Ga ji!”

From the castle windowsill, the shrill cries accompanied by a familiar melody welcomed Liszt back. It was Juan Fu singing at the top of its lungs. The Wind Falcon’s feathers were turning darker, and they had grown longer than when it was a chick, its longing to fly stronger every day. As a result, Liszt tied its feet with a rope.

He hadn’t yet decided how to train Juan Fu.

It was likely he would kill it for its meat to avoid any trouble.

After securing Douson, Liszt went to the Dragon Kui Field. The wild Dragon Hollyhocks he had planted the previous night were a bit wilted, not yet well adapted to the new soil environment. The Dragon Hollyhock that possibly harbored the Elf Bug was even worse than it had been yesterday; it seemed far weaker.

On the brink of wilting.

He used his Eye of Magic to observe carefully, noticing the bud of the Dragon Hollyhock was still flickering with Magic Power: “I hope it doesn’t die; otherwise, it’s all been for nothing.”

I have done everything I could, now all that’s left is to leave it to fate.

In the town, there were many wild Dragon Hollyhocks that were being transplanted one by one. It took a whole day, but almost all of the town’s wild Dragon Hollyhocks were moved to the Dragon Kui Field, covering a whole acre. The serfs kept watering, fertilizing, and weeding, striving to use the most careful care to ensure the Dragon Hollyhocks would survive.

“Lord, you really should take a look at the Thorn Cordyceps Shrubbery yourself, the Thorns there have undergone a transformation overnight, they’ve already grown to half a person’s height,” Blair said, gesturing with his hands to indicate the rapid growth of the Thorn species.

In just a few days, the Thorn seedlings were rapidly becoming Thorn trees.

But he was also a bit puzzled, “However, my lord, I can’t think of any use for them; they don’t bear fruit and can’t be used for timber. Perhaps we could plant Thorns along both sides of the fences lining the roads at Thorn Ridge. That way, wild beasts, even Magical Beasts, would likely detour and not dare to tread carelessly.”

“It’s indeed a use… let’s first cultivate the shrubbery,” Liszt could not think of a better use either.

After that, he inspected the situation of the Fragrant Coconut Tree Cordyceps and the cultivation of the Flame Mushrooms.

The Fragrant Coconut Tree Cordyceps were still gestating, with not much happening.

The cultivation of the Flame Mushrooms, however, brought him a pleasant surprise.

“Your wisdom and insight are truly astonishing, my lord. After your guidance, the serfs in Mushroom Hamlet mixed the Fragrant Mushrooms with the Flame Mushrooms, and the Flame Mushrooms have successfully grown! I don’t understand it, but the Flame Mushrooms really do require Fragrant Mushrooms to grow alongside them,” Goltai excitedly pointed at the Flame Mushrooms that had started to develop from the mycelium into fruiting bodies.

The admiration from his subordinate gave Liszt a sense of achievement.

He replied with a mild smile, “Once we find out the reason, the next step is to cultivate Flame Mushrooms on a large scale. Teacher Goltai, we need to expand Mushroom Hamlet as much as possible. If the ingredients for cultivating the Flame Mushrooms are not sufficient, have the Caravan procure them from outside.”

He spoke with emphasis, “I need Magic Potions!”

“As you wish, I will squeeze every bit of strength out of the serfs to cultivate an ample amount of Flame Mushrooms. The beautiful red mushrooms will bring unimaginable wealth to Fresh Flower Town!”

“It’s necessary to squeeze, but their treatment can’t be scant. Tell all the Mushroom Hamlet serfs that as long as they can cultivate enough Flame Mushrooms, the taxes on the accompanying Fragrant Mushrooms will be halved directly!”

“My God, those contemptible serfs will be ecstatic, you truly are the embodiment of benevolence,”

“Of course, I am a benevolent landlord, but,” Liszt’s tone changed, “you must also tell those serfs that if anyone is lazy, if anyone carelessly damages the Flame Mushrooms, I will make them understand that nobles are not only generous and benevolent but also wield whips that can flay their skin.”

Goltai nodded, “Certainly, it’s very necessary for them to understand this point!”

People are not machines, uniformly diligent; there are always some who are idle and lazy. After barely scraping by, they don’t want to do a bit more work.

Liszt did not like such commoners—his thinking had become that of a qualified nobleman.

Watching the figure of Lord Landlord leaving, Crooked-neck Bob felt downhearted.

“A Nalda’s reward, my God, it was actually that old man Nash who got it! That old bachelor, how could he possibly cultivate the Flame Mushrooms before me!” he muttered resentfully.

It wasn’t a grievance aimed at Liszt; he did not have the courage for that.

He was cursing Nash, simply because once the cultivation of the Flame Mushrooms succeeded, Liszt bestowed awards based on merit, and the first to research the appropriate ingredients was Nash.

As a result, Liszt awarded Nash a Gold Coin.

Everyone in Mushroom Hamlet envied and resented Nash, especially Bob, who had been determined to win this reward.

After swearing for a moment,

Bob put aside his resentment and clenched his fist, “Lord Landlord said, at the first harvest of the Flame Mushrooms, whoever’s Flame Mushrooms are the biggest, best, and most plentiful, can still get a reward! This time, I, Bob, must get the reward and show everyone that I grow the best Flame Mushrooms!”