Mountain Copper Mine and Military Pay Distribution

Time turned to September 1st, another day at the start of the month.

It had been five months since he left Windsor Castle in April.

Unbeknownst to him, his initial force of fifteen people had also expanded to a territory of over four thousand people.

"Everything is worth it."

"One day, I will become the master of this wilderness."

The Graylight Wasteland, according to information investigated by the Legendary Mage Hai Ruoer from the royal capital two hundred years ago, spanned an area equivalent to more than two kingdoms.

This meant that the entire wasteland was the foundation for a kingdom.

Similarly, the Graylight Wasteland was teeming with monsters, and the combined number of legendary powerhouses from various races was three times that of the Ilia Kingdom.

Despite this, the various races within the Graylight Wasteland were mortal enemies. While they could temporarily unite to resist external forces, a counterattack was utterly impossible.

Furthermore, with several countries surrounding the Graylight Wasteland, the legendary powerhouses of these monster races were even more hesitant to act rashly.

In response, the Ilia Kingdom enacted the Pioneer Knight Code, gradually encroaching upon the wasteland.

Success meant acquiring vast tracts of land and strengthening the kingdom.

Failure merely meant losing some Bronze and Silver-tier pioneers, which was not a significant loss.

This policy had been in place from 150 years ago until now. A century ago, a rebellion had also occurred, ultimately forming the Cadro Province, Saipruo Province, Ist Duke Territory, Lensa Province, and Dany Province, which together constituted the western part of the Ilia Kingdom.

Lost in thought about the path forward, time had unknowingly reached eight o'clock when a familiar, pleasant voice sounded again.

[In twenty days, 150 kilometers southwest of the Lake of Star Prayer, over two hundred Mountain Dwarves will be escorting a batch of Mountain Copper through this area. The strongest among them will be Silver High-Tier.]

"Mountain Copper, Mountain Dwarves. Are they returning to the Ironforge Mountain Dwarf Kingdom from the wasteland, or are they traveling from the Ironforge Mountain Dwarf Kingdom to the wasteland?"

The moment he heard this news, Velin fell into deep thought.

Had the dwarves discovered a Mountain Copper mine in the wasteland and were secretly transporting it back home? Or were they engaging in clandestine trade with the monster races in the wasteland?

"Regardless, I'm going to get my hands on this batch of Mountain Copper."

Ten minutes later, Velin stopped dwelling on it and made up his mind to seize the goods.

Relying solely on his own strength would be no different from seeking death.

However, he had his family, his three relatives, which gave him great confidence.

The very next morning, three knights, each carrying a letter, left the Lake of Star Prayer and headed for the territories established by three scions of the Ex Family in the Cadro Province.

During the following period, Velin did not idle.

He initiated the construction plan in the north, opening up nine thousand mu of farmland in preparation for planting crops next year.

At the same time, he summoned artisans to reforge the weapons in the warehouse, mixing in a small amount of Mithril to improve their quality and enhance the army's strength.

Concurrently, Velin also took time to oversee the soldiers' training, demonstrating his status as lord and reminding the soldiers whom they owed their allegiance to.

The best method for gaining soldiers' loyalty—distributing military pay—was also personally handled by Velin.

At this very moment, in a camp, several hundred soldiers stood in place, staring intently ahead, their eyes filled with envy.

"Iden, for the first batch of freed serfs, you killed seven serfs in two battles. Your reward is seven silver coins. For the three soldiers, the reward is nine silver coins. Added to two months' military pay, that totals sixteen hundred jin of Bean Potato and 22 silver coins. Is that correct?"

Looking at the nervous Apprentice High-Tier Warrior before him, Velin explained with a smile.

"My Lord, you are correct."

Iden respectfully took the food vouchers and 22 silver coins and returned to the ranks, waiting quietly.

After the military pay distribution was completed, Velin had Orlando post the notices and then left the area.

Upon the officers' command to dismiss, a large group of soldiers swarmed forward, surrounding the notice board, eager to read the decrees and regulations announced by their lord.

"Iden, you're literate, read this for us and tell us what it means," a young soldier said to Iden, looking at the document on the notice board.

"Alright, everyone, make way."

Soon, the crowd parted, giving Iden enough space.

Iden cleared his throat and began to read word by word: "The Lord proclaims: Any soldier who pays 10 gold coins can obtain a woman to procreate."

"What? Such a good thing?"

"I heard that Freemen need to pay 15 gold coins to get a woman. It's good to be a soldier; not only do we have the Warrior's Cultivation Method, but we also get such preferential treatment."

"It's not that being a soldier is good, it's that our Lord is benevolent. Relying solely on military pay, we could marry within two years at the most."

Every single soldier present, without exception, was of slave origin. They harbored different sentiments towards starting a family and having their own descendants.

At this moment, Iden began to ponder the extent of his wealth.

Sixteen hundred jin of Bean Potato, at a purchase price of one copper coin per jin, would yield sixteen hundred copper coins, which is 16 silver coins. Adding the 22 silver coins he just received as military pay, he had 38 silver coins.

In addition to this, combined with previous earnings from combat and military pay, his total assets amounted to 62 silver coins.

This meant that in just three months, or at most four months, he could have his own wife.

Hearing that breaking through to Bronze Warrior would earn a reward of one Gold Coin, Idan had enough motivation with this goal, which further ignited his fighting spirit.

Orlando followed behind Velin, feeling very confused in his heart. Mustering his courage, he asked, "My Lord, why post such a notice?"

Velin stopped and replied with a smile, "To give them a goal and motivation to move forward. Only when people have aspirations will they continuously strive upwards."

"Furthermore, it's beneficial for economic vitality. If everyone were single and saved all their money, the currency we have available for use would become increasingly scarce."

"My Lord, then I'll go train. I just contracted three Knight Squires," Orlando said, shaking his head.

"Forget it, you may go."

Watching Orlando leave, Velin decided he also needed to put in some effort. His strength was lower than a Guardian Knight; how could that be?

Although there was nothing shameful about it, for him, it provided the motivation to move forward.

He could feel that he was very close to the Silver Knight barrier.

Afterward, Velin returned to his cabin and began his Battle Qi cultivation, striving to break through to Silver Knight before the expedition. That way, he could get a larger share when dividing the Mountain Copper.

While things were busy at the Lake of Star Prayer, three letters were successively delivered to three Barons of the Ex Family.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.