The Candor and Probing Between Edgar and Karl

Edgar carefully observed his condition and nodded. "Alright, you're fine now. Go back to work."

"Yes, sir!" Mark saluted and left, looking quite energetic.

Only then did Edgar turn his gaze back to Karl, who looked utterly shocked and confused, a meaningful, slightly mocking smile on his face, "Young Master, are you wondering how I dared to so easily let my men drink this potion of unknown origin?"

Karl nodded subconsciously.

Edgar chuckled softly, his tone calm and confident. "Young Master, although I am not proficient in advanced alchemy, as the steward, I have handled various family resources year-round. I must have a basic understanding of the properties of many common magical plants, herbs, and minerals, especially their toxicity and compatibility. This is to ensure the safety of our master."

He pointed to the empty medicine bottle. "The main ingredients you used to prepare this potion— Silver Needle Grass, Icy Plains Thistle Root, Rock Lichen... these are not rare, unusual, or highly poisonous substances."

"I have a general understanding of the properties of these ingredients. The effects of mixing them together may be unknown, but it will most likely be non-toxic. At most, it might not taste good or have a weak effect, which is why I dared to let Mark try it."

Edgar looked at Karl, his gaze becoming somewhat profound. "In fact, I've heard about how you've been busy alone in the attic these past few days, having people collect these materials. I was just waiting to see if you would be willing to tell me."

Upon hearing this, Karl was stunned, a look of astonishment flashing across his face.

It turned out that his secret experiments had been observed by the shrewd butler all along, even on his own territory.

Edgar handed the empty medicine bottle back to Karl, his smile fading, his tone becoming sincere and serious. "Young Master Karl, please understand my position. His Excellency the Duke sent me here ostensibly to 'assist,' but in reality, to assess your abilities. I need to evaluate Carnford's value and your potential to determine the family's subsequent investment strategy. However, this does not mean I will harbor ill will towards you or be overly critical."

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. "In my opinion, you have the ability, the ideas, and the willingness to put your heart and soul into this territory. That's the most important thing. Developing potions in secret on your own like this is quite risky. If something goes wrong, it could damage everything you've worked so hard to build."

"So," Edgar's tone became more earnest, "Young master, from now on, you might as well try to really treat me as your 'steward.' In matters such as territory development, resource management, and even things like this, I can offer you advice, coordinate resources, and mitigate risks."

"I may not be an expert in everything, but my connections, experience, and ability to judge people should be helpful to you and Carnford. Please believe me, I will not harm you, and I hope to see you succeed. You don't have to... hide everything from me and bear everything alone."

These words were half candor and half probing, demonstrating both ability and sincerity while subtly expressing expectations for deeper cooperation and trust.

Karl into Edgar's shrewd yet unusually sincere eyes, Carl's guard lowered slightly.

He realized that Edgar was less a spy or special agent sent by the family and more a salesman.

The Carnford project is Edgar's business. The better Carnford develops and the greater its achievements, the higher Edgar's status will actually be within the family.

Perhaps establishing a more open and cooperative relationship with this "informant" sent by his father would be far more beneficial to Carnford's development than mutual suspicion and testing of each other.

"I understand, Mr. Edgar." Karl took a deep breath, nodded, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. "Thank you for your reminder and...trust. Perhaps we can really discuss the follow-up improvements and mass production plans for this ' Militia Potion '."

After having a frank discussion with Edgar about the "Militia Potion," Karl felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.

He quickly assessed Edgar's management skills and pragmatic attitude, realizing that this "housekeeper" sent by the family was indeed a rare talent, especially in the tedious administrative and resource allocation aspects.

Therefore, after much deliberation, Karl decided to delegate authority to Edgar to become more involved in the operation of Carnford.

Rather than treating him like a spy, it's better to show him all aspects of Carnford, which will also help him gain his Duke father's support.

Although there was some risk involved, Karl was confident that he could keep Carnford firmly in his grasp and make Edgar work solely for him.

The Militia Potion was a good opportunity to test Edgar's abilities and loyalty.

He wrote down every step, precaution, and key parameter of the "Militia Potion" process in great detail, from material collection, pretreatment, extraction, mixing, distillation to dilution and bottling, and even drew several simple flowcharts.

He handed the document, which could be described as a "foolproof operating manual," along with the experimental equipment to Edgar.

"Mr. Edgar," Karl's tone softened, "The subsequent preparation and optimization of this potion are now in your hands. Whatever manpower, facilities, or additional materials you need, simply request them from Scribe Morr. There's no need to consult me on every detail."

"I have only one requirement: to maximize production and stability while ensuring safety."

Edgar took the stack of papers covered in writing and the heavy box, a look of mixed amusement and appreciation on his face.

This young master really knows how to use people... He's ruthless and trusts them completely, but he enjoys the feeling of being given important responsibilities and autonomy.

"Yes, my Lord, please rest assured," Edgar nodded solemnly, "I will assemble a team as soon as possible, select a suitable location as a dedicated Potion Workshop, and formulate strict production procedures and confidentiality measures. I will make this my top priority."

Karl nodded in satisfaction. He knew that with Edgar's efficiency and ability, this matter would soon be on the right track, and would be much more standardized and professional than if he tried to figure it out himself.

With his energy freed up, he can devote it to more macro-level strategic issues.

Currently, Carnford is facing a sweet "trouble"—its population is growing rapidly.

With the successful completion of the first phase of the new residential area at the foot of the mountain, although simple, it at least has sturdy stone foundations and wooden structures, which are far more comfortable than semi-subterranean dwellings.

And those thriving, rolling green fields made everyone who passed by understand the abundance and hope that lay within.

The news that "there is a kind and powerful Lord in Carnford, where there is food, work, and an army to protect you" spread like wildfire among the refugees in the Northern Wilderness who had suffered from war and banditry.

At first, they came in twos and threes, then in small groups with their families, and later, even entire villages migrated together.

Most of these refugees were ragged, emaciated, and their eyes held fear and a final hope.

They had everything taken from them by bandits, Sauron, goblins, or Kobold, and their only wish was to find a place where they could survive and be protected.

When they saw Carnford's imposing castle with its fluttering flags, the farmers toiling in the fields with rosy cheeks, and the well-equipped, disciplined soldiers patrolling the roads...

They almost immediately decided that this was the place they had always dreamed of living!

A powerful Lord is the ultimate guarantee of security and the most desired refuge for displaced people in this era.

Karl, of course, accepted all offers.

He now has the support of both the Earl Rochefort and the Schmidt Family, and his funds and resources are relatively abundant, which is precisely when he is in dire need of manpower.

Population is the labor force, the source of soldiers, and the foundation of a territory's prosperity.

Of course, he wouldn't provide for everyone unconditionally; he issued a clear resettlement policy:

Since the refugees had almost nothing, taxation was impossible. The only option was to provide work relief. All the newly arrived refugees had to participate in the second phase of the expansion project of the new living area and the reclamation of new farmland, exchanging their labor for food and temporary shelter.

In addition, for the displaced people who participated in land reclamation, one-third of the newly reclaimed farmland was taken over by the Lord, and the remainder was temporarily leased to the reclamation families for cultivation.

After the autumn harvest, half of the harvested grain was paid as Land rent, and the remaining half belonged to the farmer.

This was an extremely kind and generous condition for that era, which greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of displaced people to reclaim wasteland.

There is also a housing policy for the residential area: newly built houses in the residential area are temporarily rented to Freemen families who participated in the construction at a symbolic rent of thirty copper coins per month.

When the total accumulated rent reaches the cost of the building materials for the house, the right to use the house will permanently belong to the family, while the land ownership will remain with the Lord.

This is essentially a housing purchase installment plan, which has reignited the enthusiasm of newly arrived migrant workers to participate in the construction.

Edgar was responsible for the implementation and registration of these policies. His superb management skills ensured that the complex resettlement of displaced people was carried out in an orderly and efficient manner.