Chapter 14

This year's winter in Visas was calm and peaceful.

Goose-feather snow arrived right on schedule.

In just one night, Visas had turned into a vast expanse of white. Glittering snowflakes covered the streets, rooftops, and treetops, while distant Par Mountain was likewise draped in silver. The sight possessed a beauty all its own.

Early morning.

Old Andrew pushed open his door, exhaled a puff of white breath, rubbed his cold palms together, and picked up a shovel to clear the snow piled outside.

Before long, Mock from next door came out as well. After greeting each other, they shoveled snow as they chatted.

Their conversation was nothing more than their usual work and how their sons were doing at the Soldiers' Training Camp.

Salt was dried in summer, alkali harvested in winter.

Cogit Sea remained vast and magnificent, while the saltworks along the shore were still busy.

But recently, the heavy snow had temporarily halted work at the saltworks, and the workload on the production lines had decreased considerably as well.

Although he could not go to the saltworks because of the snow, Old Andrew was not worried at all.

His wife had become a cook at the relief station. She was paid daily and brought home two copper coins every evening.

Not only that, anyone who volunteered to work at the relief station received two coats on their first day to keep warm.

The thick coat he was wearing had been brought back by his wife.

Mock sighed. "I heard Count Bevis Elliot ordered Komoy Fort's gates shut again. No one can get out now, and no one can get in... Good thing we left Komoy Fort early."

Old Andrew truly felt immensely fortunate.

If his son had not secretly taken money from him to pay the poll tax and enlist, he would not even dare dream of such a good life now. He would probably be full of regret, just like the slaves trapped in Komoy Fort.

Thinking of his son, Old Andrew also remembered that the once-every-three-months drill assessment was drawing near.

"Mike said when he came back last time that this quarter's assessment will involve a live combat exercise on the northwestern side of Par Mountain. The two officers have already led people there to survey the terrain, and the lord will be going along as well."

Mock had indeed heard about it from his son Myle.

The northwest of Par Mountain was distant and dangerous. People had disappeared there before, and some had even been dragged away by brown bears... Almost no commoners or slaves went there.

Ever since learning the news,

Mock had been somewhat worried.

Old Andrew took it calmly. "What danger could there be? Everyone from the Soldiers' Training Camp is going, and Knight Commander Daina will lead them. Even a wolf pack would have to steer clear."

Mock nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

He could not help saying enviously, "Mike from your family is really promising."

"Not only did he take first place and receive a reward during the last drill, he also became a squad leader. I heard Knight Commander Daina values him greatly now."

Old Andrew said proudly, "He has always had his own ideas and worked very hard."

Three days before the winter drill was due to begin.

Komoy Fort.

A guest arrived at Bevis Elliot's castle.

The guest was a count from the Gaina Kingdom—Matthew Luke.

The enormous profits brought by salt sales were enough to make anyone covet them.

Even though Xia Zuoyi had ceded sixty percent of the profits to the king, he still held enough to stir the greed of those with ulterior motives.

After Bevis Elliot sent his letter,

Bass Riches once again conceived the idea of claiming Visas for himself.

But this time, they could not simply send knights disguised as bandits to assassinate someone as they had before.

They needed a foolproof plan.

Thus, Bass Riches secretly contacted a highly ambitious marquis from the Gaina Kingdom.

The marquis was a direct descendant of the Gaina king and possessed succession rights, though his chances of inheriting the throne were slim.

Bass Riches offered him bait: once Visas belonged to him, refined salt would be sold to the marquis at the lowest price. The marquis could then resell it at a high price and pocket the difference.

The marquis agreed to Bass Riches's plan and ordered the nearest lord bordering Komoy Fort to cooperate—Count Matthew Luke, who had been granted his lands by the marquis.

Bevis Elliot had long since learned that Desinia would also be going to Par Mountain for the winter drill.

The knights Matthew Luke brought would meet up with the knights he had sent on the northwestern side of Par Mountain. They would set traps and lie in ambush beforehand, ensuring Desinia would never return.

Once Desinia was killed, Matthew Luke would lead his men in a feigned attack on Visas. Bevis Elliot would then lead his people to rescue it. The two would put on a show, and Visas would be smoothly taken over.

But when Bevis Elliot thought of the number of people in the Soldiers' Training Camp, unease rose in his heart.

"Have you arranged the ambush properly? That little brat Desinia is bringing quite a few soldiers. What if..."

Matthew Luke scoffed. "What are you worried about? They are just a rabble of lowborn peasants. How strong could they be, no matter how many there are?"

"Didn't you investigate already? They have only trained for six months. Do you really think lowborn peasants can contend with knights?"

"The marquis places great importance on this cooperation. He has even dispatched a squad of knights from his own territory. We will not be at a disadvantage in numbers... Knight Commander Daina, where did you position the ambush?"

Behind Matthew Luke stood a knight commander under the marquis. He stood straight and tall in thick armor, his helmet covering his face so completely that his features could not be seen.

After arranging the ambush, the knight commander had returned to Komoy Fort to report. At the question, he answered in a muffled voice, "In the narrow valley on the northwestern side of Par Mountain."

Matthew Luke said to Bevis Elliot, "Just wait. Three days from now, during the drill, he will die on Par Mountain. This time, nothing can go wrong."

With money and the foundation of an army in place,

Xia Zuoyi decided to make the winter drill a live combat exercise on the northwestern side of Par Mountain. He would take the chance to locate the natural asphalt deposit.

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The streets and housing in Visas all needed to be rebuilt.

Mining and construction would begin in spring, the dampness would disperse through summer and autumn, and the project would be completed before next winter—just in time for people to move in.

Xia Zuoyi's little calculations clicked away.

Fearing unpredictable weather, he moved the originally scheduled drill forward by one day. After having the Soldiers' Training Camp prepare the necessary supplies, they set out for the northwestern side of Par Mountain.

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Some of the knights remained behind in Visas, while all the rest followed along.

After crossing the southeastern side of Par Mountain,

they reached a flat valley between two mountains. Before them lay a frozen lake, surrounded by broad grasslands now hung with icicles and covered in snow.

Xia Zuoyi ordered them to camp beside Par Lake and rest.

The coming drill would begin there as well.

The snow had not completely melted, and the ground was muddy. Carriages could not enter the mountains, so they could only travel on horseback or on foot.

Thus, Xia Zuoyi, bundled up tightly, was held against Judith's chest as they rode up the mountain.

Gibran and Toby had not come with them. They remained at the castle.

Judith dismounted first.

He then stretched out his hands and carefully lifted Xia Zuoyi down from the horse, carrying him into the tent the soldiers had already set up. Shortly afterward, Ferdinand and Walker entered as well, carrying a small brazier, warmed dry rations, and water.

Xia Zuoyi said, "I don't know whether the ice on the lake is thin or thick. Tell the soldiers to stay away from it and not go near."

"Yes, my lord."

Walker William glanced outside, and Taylor Kennedy turned to leave, going to carry out the order.

Xia Zuoyi drank the hot water in small sips. Wrapped in a thick wool blanket, his whole body was warm, and he did not want to move.

Through a small gap in the tent flap, he looked outside. Vast winter mist filled the mountains, slowly dispersing as the wind passed through. The frost on the treetops was crystalline and bright, trembling slightly...

Xia Zuoyi thought wistfully that the valley of Par Mountain would surely be beautiful in spring. Emerald lakes, grasslands stretching over the mountains, layered green hills, forests like endless carpets... The place was open and spacious enough.

He stared blankly for a while before an idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.

The castle stood on a cliff by the Cogit Sea. Though it commanded an unobstructed view from its height, the seashore was humid after all, and winter only made it feel colder and damper...

Moreover, Cogit Sea still had tremendous room for development and much value yet to be uncovered. The saltworks alone occupied only a small stretch of coastline.

If he wished to continue developing the marine economy, leaving the castle by the sea in the long run was not a good choice.

Would it not be better to rebuild the castle in Par Mountain?

For example... on the shore of Par Lake?

The more deeply Xia Zuoyi considered it, the more he felt it was a good idea.

Then surprise and astonishment suddenly flashed through his eyes.

His expression remained unchanged as he told Judith that he wanted to take a short nap.

After Judith and the others left,

Xia Zuoyi's eyes curved as he smiled. "098, you're back from your trip."

The system interface had made a "ding" sound earlier. A matchstick figure with the number 098 above its head appeared after knocking on the cosmic mailbox.

[Surprise, host. 098 came back with a gift.] The matchstick figure made a heart gesture toward Xia Zuoyi.

Xia Zuoyi asked, confused and curious, "What gift?"

System 098 replied, [It is a very surprising gift. It is in the cosmic mailbox. Why not guess first, host? Then 098 will let it out.]

Xia Zuoyi said, "...Give me a hint."

This laid-back system actually knew how to tease its host.

098 replied, [Fierce, cute, and likes to roll around.]

"...Something fluffy? Your cosmic mailbox can transport living creatures too?"

[Yes. Is it convenient around you, host? 098 can place the gift near you.]

Xia Zuoyi's thoughts stirred. "Wait for now. I need to find a suitable opportunity."

[Okay. 098 is not in a hurry.]

After resting,

Ferdinand Edward announced the specific contents of the winter drill.

The winter drill would be completely different from the previous one.

Regular soldiers and reserve soldiers would face off as enemies. Each person would carry a small flag. The regular soldiers had blue flags, while the reserve soldiers had red flags.

Following the map, each side would occupy a designated base, with a narrow valley between them.

After planting their flags at their respective bases, the soldiers' task was to use any means necessary to infiltrate the opposing base and seize the other side's flags.

They then had to bring the captured flags into the narrow valley and defend them. Within the allotted time, whichever side seized more flags would win.

This kind of live combat drill not only tested the soldiers' infiltration and combat abilities, but also their ability to adapt their strategies on the fly.

Whether seizing flags or defending them, the soldiers needed seamless cooperation and flexible thinking to deal with difficulties.

Xia Zuoyi had come up with the winter drill format.

Ferdinand and Walker had led the knights to survey the terrain beforehand and draw a map.

The narrow valley in the center of the map was where the natural asphalt deposit lay.

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