Slaves and Defectors Put to Work
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight touched the valley of Carnford, the golden wheat fields were already bustling with activity like never before.
The more than 300 newly arrived Broomflower slaves became the main force in the autumn harvest.
Holding simple yet sharp sickles made of flint, they bent deeply, their heads buried in waist-high rye bushes.
The sound of "swish, swish, swish" filled the air as large swathes of wheat stalks were neatly cut down, filling the air with the fresh scent of wheat and the aroma of earth.
Driven by both survival pressures and incentive policies, the harvesting efficiency is astonishingly high.
After everyone cut down a field of wheat, they skillfully tied it tightly with the prepared straw ropes.
Some people spontaneously adopted a two-person cooperative approach, with one person bending down to harvest quickly, and the other following closely behind, specifically responsible for gathering and bundling the cut wheat.
When the first person feels back pain and straightens up to rest for a moment, the second person immediately takes over and continues harvesting. This cycle repeats, greatly saving energy and time, and increasing efficiency.
They tacitly agreed that the final harvest of wheat would be divided equally between the two partners, which further fueled their enthusiasm for cooperation.
There was hardly any conversation in the wheat field, only the sound of sickles cutting wheat, heavy breathing, and the occasional words of encouragement or reminder.
Everyone's forehead was covered in sweat, but their eyes shone brightly, filled with longing for food and the future.
They knew that every extra ten pounds they harvested meant an extra bowl of porridge, and every drop of sweat they shed brought them one step closer to freedom.
Meanwhile, the original inhabitants and soldiers of Carnford who had been drawn up for the autumn harvest were quickly freed up and thrown back into the more urgent task of building the city walls.
The sixty Sauron Defectors, under the close supervision and command of their respective Broomflower squad Platoon Leader, also joined the ranks of those building the city.
These former steppe cavalrymen have now laid down their sabers and lances and picked up shovels, pickaxes, and rams.
They silently dug the foundation, carried heavy stones and soil, and chanted slogans as they worked together to ram the soil layers in the slab.
At first, the Carnford engineers and their neighbors looked at them with wariness, disgust, and even hatred, but the tense atmosphere eased slightly when they saw that the engineers were indeed working hard and being strictly controlled.
Karl also adopted the policy of "taxation in lieu of work" and "more work, more pay" for these surrendered soldiers.
They had to complete a certain amount of earthwork or stone transport each day in exchange for their daily food rations.
The portion exceeding the target can also be exchanged for extra food.
This direct and fair incentive had a remarkable effect on the Sauron soldier.
They were now weary of exile and despairing of the tribe's future; all they wanted was a full meal and a safe haven.
The desire for battle and plunder was quickly replaced by a desire for a stable supply of food and security.
They worked diligently, exchanging their sweat for the right to survive.
On the construction site, a spectacular scene of multiple trades working together efficiently is on display.
The initial rammed earth wall is growing upwards at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Teams of workers poured the damp soil into the rammed earth, and the strong laborers shouted in unison as they lifted the heavy ramming tools and slammed them down again and again to compact the loose soil.
In the section where the foundation and part of the wall have been completed, the old stonemason Norman is leading his apprentices in a tense but orderly manner, building a solid stone wall on the outside of the rammed earth wall using stones of different sizes.
This stone wall is not independent, but is closely integrated with the rammed earth wall inside, forming a unified whole.
Its primary purpose was not to bear the entire weight of the structure, but to protect the rammed earth core from wind and rain erosion, and more importantly, to prevent the enemy from quickly digging and destroying it with simple tools.
Norman used a spirit level from time to time to ensure the wall was flat and sturdy.
Inside the city wall, the young carpenter Elliot was directing several older apprentices to build sturdy scaffolding and construction platforms, using felled timber, close to the inner side of the wall.
These scaffolding structures not only facilitate workers in transporting materials to higher places and carrying out ramming operations, but they can also serve as footpaths and supports for defenders to scale the city walls during wartime.
Karl stood on a high point, overlooking the rolling wheat fields below and the bustling construction site. He felt a sense of urgency, but also saw a glimmer of hope.
According to Edgar and Morr's reports, at this rate, the rye and peas in the field will be harvested in three to five days at most.
By then, even if the weather turns bad and autumn rains fall, the main grains will have already been harvested and stored, so there's no need to worry about them rotting in the fields.
What pleased him even more was the progress of the outer city wall.
With almost all available labor force deployed, especially the additional manpower brought by the Sauron Defectors and newly arrived slaves, the construction of the Rammed Earth Wall accelerated significantly.
Morr predicts that, at this rate, this crucial outer defensive line will be initially completed and form a basic defensive capability within half a month at the latest!
"Half a month..." Karl silently calculated the time in his mind, his gaze involuntarily turning towards the northern wasteland.
This timing happens to coincide with the military intelligence reports Lyon has been giving frequently lately.
These days, Lyon's cavalry reconnaissance team has been operating in an increasingly wider area, and the news they bring back is becoming more and more urgent.
They have repeatedly spotted clear traces of small-scale Sauron Rangers activity in an area dozens of miles north of Carnford.
Fresh hoofprints, abandoned makeshift camps, and even glimpses of enemy scouts on several occasions.
Although both sides deliberately kept their distance and avoided contact, the oppressive feeling of an impending storm was clearly conveyed back.
Clearly, Harald's army is gathering and moving somewhere, and a large-scale autumn raid is about to begin.
Carnford, a fortress that has just weathered a bloody battle and is currently undergoing frantic reinforcements and gains, is bound to become the eye of the storm once again.
Time was of the essence, but the bountiful harvest and the partially completed city walls were their greatest source of confidence in facing this storm.