Louis stood on a slightly elevated hillside, overlooking the desolate land.The spot he was looking at was the initial settlement he had chosen for Red Tide Territory, the future central town of Red Tide Territory.This location was close to geothermal vents, meaning the temperature was relatively high, preventing people from freezing to death in the middle of the night.The hillside blocked the biting cold wind, providing a bit of shelter for these newly arrived residents."My Lord, should we begin building the castle?" Mike, who stood beside him, inquired.Mike was the most experienced among the craftsmen Louis had acquired from Duke Edmund.Louis appointed him as Red Tide Territory's construction officer."The castle can wait," Louis shook his head. "Let's build the residential area first.""Then where will you live?""I'll just live with everyone else for now.""You'll live with us?" The old craftsman was taken aback."What, are you afraid I won't be used to it?" Louis shrugged, as if unconcerned. "We're already in the Northern Lands; what's there to be particular about?"The old craftsman immediately looked at this young Lord with new respect.Thus, after discussions between Louis and the old craftsman, a semi-subterranean collective dwelling, combining the common housing of this world's Northern Lands with the Viking longhouses Louis had read about in his previous life, was decided upon as the initial housing for Red Tide Territory.These houses were dug one-third of their depth below ground, with the floor level lower than the surface, effectively retaining warmth.The walls were supported by wooden frames, woven with wicker on the outside, and finally plastered with mud and straw for reinforcement, which could block wind and prevent dampness.Most importantly, they could be built extremely quickly!Louis's brief interaction left Mike filled with admiration.This young Lord had, in such a short time, designed a building so perfectly suited for the Northern Lands; he was simply an architectural genius.Once the design was complete, construction began immediately.Twenty people per group, led by two soldiers with eighteen slaves or vagrants, efficiently pushed forward with clear division of labor... The cold wind howled, and the slaves hunched their necks, gripping their crude iron shovels, slamming them hard into the frozen earth."Bang!" The shovel vibrated, making their wrists numb, but the soil layer finally loosened a bit."Don't just stand there, keep going!" The soldier urged.As they toiled, a figure walked into the pit.It was Louis; he rolled up his sleeves, personally took a shovel, and bent down to dig a few times."Is the Lord also going to work personally?" Everyone was surprised."Hmm... This work is indeed not easy. Everyone, you've worked hard. Dinner time is almost here, so you can rest for a while," Louis dug for over ten minutes, sighing thoughtfully.Then he turned to the next construction site, continuing his journey of working alongside the people.Originally, some soldiers felt discontent, believing they were combat units yet were assigned to build houses, doing hard labor.But now, even the Lord himself was personally working; what did they have to complain about?The slaves felt this even more so; many struggled even with basic sustenance, and now they not only had food but also a stable place to live, which was an immense blessing.During breaks in construction, Louis would occasionally "pass by" a certain construction site, casually work a bit, then leave a few words of encouragement, and clap his hands before leaving."This frame is well-erected; you'll get a good night's sleep tonight.""Spread the mud thickly, don't be lazy, or you'll freeze.""Is this side almost finished? We'll send some hot soup over later; you can rest after this batch is done."In this way, wherever Louis went, the enthusiasm there increased even more.Coupled with ample food supplies, the soldiers no longer complained.The slaves also worked desperately, their morale buffed to the max, and the construction speed of the entire territory was astonishingly fast.In just a few days, the first batch of semi-subterranean collective dwellings rose from the ground.Like earthen mounds rising from the earth, thick mud and straw covered the roofs, blending with the snowy plains.The houses were largely buried underground, with sturdy and heavy log-supported frames, and outer walls woven with wicker and sealed with compacted earth, which saved wood and insulated against the cold.Moreover, the entire residential area was built around the geothermal vents, which could dissipate most of the cold.Although they looked simple, they could be said to be one of the best living environments in the Northern Lands.With the completion of the first batch of semi-subterranean dwellings, Red Tide Territory finally established its true foundation in these cold Northern Lands.Of course, merely having houses was not enough; people's hearts were the most important.To motivate his people and further establish his image as a "benevolent and wise" Lord, Louis decided to hold a grand celebration.He wanted everyone to understand that following him, Louis, would not be a loss!As night fell, a huge bonfire was lit in the open space in front of Red Tide Territory, dispelling the chill of the Northern Lands.This open space was originally barren frozen ground, but now, due to the arrival of the celebration, it became bustling for the first time.Nearly a thousand people gathered around the firelight.They came from different backgrounds: slaves bought from slave traders, indigenous people of the Northern Lands, vagrants taken in along the way, and also soldiers and knights who followed Louis.But at this moment, they had one thing in common: they were all citizens of Red Tide Territory.Everyone's gaze turned in unison towards the tall stone in front of the bonfire.There, stood their Lord—Louis Calvin.The young pioneering Baron wore a long black cloak, his face flickering in the firelight, and no one knew what he was about to do.Once everyone was present, Louis finally spoke: "Today is Red Tide Territory's first celebration! To commemorate the completion of Red Tide Territory's first batch of houses.With houses, this land will become your home, and you will become the true masters of Red Tide Territory!"However, the crowd below had no reaction.They just looked at each other, some even at a loss.What did it mean to become a master?These slaves, vagrants, and laborers had never imagined they would become the "masters" of a piece of land.They only knew how to work, only knew how to obey.Even the courage to resist had been worn away during their long suffering.They initially thought this celebration was some kind of oath or intimidation from the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) new Lord.Louis had long anticipated this reaction, but it didn't matter; he would show them what hope was through his actions."Next," Louis scanned the crowd, "I will reward those who have been most diligent and loyal."He raised a hand, and Silco, the steward behind him, immediately unrolled the parchment in his hand and began to read out a series of names."Hark, Morgan, Sharna..."The slaves whose names were called all flinched, their faces showing expressions of panic.In their past understanding, being called out by the Lord usually meant punishment, or even death.Some had already started to tremble, some lowered their heads, and some even wanted to kneel and beg for mercy.They did not know what changes their fate was about to undergo.

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