Project Progress

"The town of Wood Fort Town currently has a population of over 100,000. Due to the large number of migrant workers, it is impossible to make an accurate count. The town is mainly populated by Freemen, with the majority being military personnel and family members of officials, totaling approximately 100,000 people."

"Among these people, there are more than 3,000 indentured slaves, who are mainly responsible for the expansion of the Wood Fort Town wharf, road construction, and the widening and dredging of the east and west river channels. After the project is completed, they will be relocated to other settlements."

"Four small satellite villages were established around the town. They are all Freemen villages with a population of 3,579 people in 941 households. They are mainly responsible for providing agricultural and sideline products to Wood Fort Town and are part of the 'vegetable basket project' proposed by the adults."

"According to the plan, the population of the town should not exceed 100 people in the future. If it exceeds 100 people, it may not be able to guarantee the current urban environment of Wood Fort Town. Therefore, no more people will be relocated to Wood Fort Town for the time being."

"As the largest Wood Fort Town in the territory, Powell's work is evident to all. Thank you for your contributions to the territory."

"My lord, it is my duty."

Powell turned to Vincent: "Next up is Sea Song Town."

"The Sea Song Town currently has a population of over 3,700, more than half of whom are Freemen, most of whom are old immigrants who originally moved here from the Golden Sunflower Territory; there are also more than 1,400 indentured slaves who are mainly responsible for the expansion of the port and docks and the construction of the shipyard."

"This batch of indentured slaves is the earliest. By the end of this year, they will be freed from their serf status and become Freemen. According to the plan, they will stay in Sea Song Town and become shipyard workers or establish satellite villages to provide agricultural products for Sea Song Town."

"Sea Song Town's development has lagged behind because of its location far from the center of the territory. However, the next phase of the territory's construction will shift eastward, and Sea Song Town will become a top priority in the future. The Sea Song Town Shipyard will also be the largest factory in the territory, and ocean-going trade fleets will set sail from here. Vincent, you need to be prepared."

"Yes, sir."

"Mala, let's start with your Red Soil Village."

"Yes, sir. Red Soil Village currently has a population of 2,491, of which 917 Freemen people in 181 households, all of whom are the families of the first batch of veterans in the territory; the rest are serfs who are responsible for planting Iron Bean. The current planting area of Iron Bean has reached 800 hectares, and this year it is expected to harvest about 300 tons of refined iron."

"It seems that next year's steel production will be higher than planned, Rafam, your production tasks are even heavier."

Rafam replied, "Sir, this is good news. The refined iron produced by Iron Bean is very suitable for steelmaking, and the steel produced is of better quality. You previously suggested making steel keels for ocean-going ships, and this steel is sufficient to meet the requirements for steel keels."

"Alright, the territory's ocean-going shipbuilding plan has been stuck here. After all, there is no suitable wood for building the keel of large ships near the Two Rivers Territory, so we have to find another way."

"There's no need to introduce Riverside Village, Jimmy has already introduced it once. How about Pasture Village, Adelaide?"

"The current population of Pasture Village is 6,147, of which 1,421 households are herdsmen who are responsible for herding in the main pasture and horse farm. They migrate with the livestock on the pasture and only return to Pasture Village with their livestock to spend the winter."

Victor nodded.

"Fam, you can introduce Green Field Village to us as well."

"My lord, Green Field Village currently has 7,000 hectares of arable land. We have reserved 3,500 hectares for winter wheat, 2,000 hectares for alfalfa, 500 hectares for soybeans, and the orchard has expanded to 500 hectares. The remaining 500 hectares are planted with other crops. We have 18 small and medium-sized farms, with a total of [number missing] indentured slaves, over 1,800 oxen, and many draft horses. However, the cultivated land has already reached the boundary of our territory, and there is no room for further expansion."

"Green Field Village has achieved its current development through steady expansion, Fam, you deserve the most credit. You can rest assured that there is already an expansion plan for the territory, which is to continue expanding southwards from Green Field Village. In the future, Green Field Village will also need to add more arable land and farms, and your Fam will be even heavier then."

"It is an honor for Fam to serve the Viscount and contribute to the territory."

Fam was born a serf on a farm in the Golden Sunflower Territory. After Victor regained his memories, he was selected by Victor to work at the Plant Cultivation Institute and became Victor's most trusted subordinate.

Seeing that the meeting was almost over, Victor said to the participants.

"The main agenda is complete, so let's adjourn the meeting here. Powell, Orlando, Veronica, Veronica, Weber Bob, and Rafam, you guys stay. The rest of you can leave."

After the other attendees left, Victor said to the group, "The newly established research lab in the territory is being managed by Veronica. The project has been underway for some time now, so I'd like her to give everyone a progress report, as a way of thanking Bob and Rafam for their cooperation during this period."

"Ms. Veronica's wisdom has been unanimously recognized by the technicians in our factory. She helped us solve problems such as hot working of springs and misalignment during boring machine processing. Our factory has benefited greatly," Bob immediately praised.

"Yes, Ms. Veronica's talent is truly admirable, and the engineers at the Steelworks also highly recognize it."

"Not at all. Without the full support of the two factory directors, the research could not have proceeded so smoothly. Besides, solving these problems is also for the benefit of the project, and it is also my responsibility."

Victor interrupted their awkward conversation and flattery, "Veronica, you should just give us a progress report. We also need to get to know Powell and Weber."

"Our current project is a machine that can provide its own power without human or animal power. As long as it is provided with fuel, it can keep moving. If you put it in a carriage, the carriage can move forward without horses pulling it; if you put it in a boat, it can move forward in the water without sails or oars."

Weber and Powell exchanged bewildered glances, finding it hard to understand, while intelligence chief Orlando remained expressionless. Victor nodded in response.

As the Financial Director, Weber had the authority to audit all projects in the territory, not to mention the chief political officer, Powell.

However, when the research lab was established, Victor issued a strict order that no one should disclose the specific details of the project to outsiders.

Weber and Powell's performance now proves that his orders have been effectively implemented.

In Orlando, it was even simpler; the Intelligence Department was responsible for keeping the project confidential.

Victor said to Veronica, "The small-scale prototype has been completed. You can take us to the lab later to see your work and learn about its significance."