Golden Dragon: Six Thousand Years of Empire-Chapter 36 Population Explosion

"The farming tools ordered from Ironforge have already been delivered, and the slaves have started plowing and sowing seeds as you instructed. Would you like to go have a look?"

"Of course, I want to see."

Even though he wrote an agricultural manual based on his memories, Noah was not at ease. Upon hearing Selena’s words, he immediately decided to visit the site to see for himself.

After returning from inspecting the territory, all of Noah’s numerous requests were granted, including but not limited to designating sixty hectares of land outside the city for him, assigning three hundred slaves, and sending the first custom order to the now-submissive Ironforge.

For the Augustus family today, diverting those resources was a mere trifle. Many people thought it was like indulging a fledgling; as long as the Golden Dragon was pleased, wastefulness didn’t matter. After all, the benefits the Golden Dragon brought were far greater.

Noah could vaguely sense this, but he didn’t care either, because from planting to the maturity of a wheat season takes only three to four months. When the harvest day comes, the yield from meticulous cultivation will silence all criticism.

Outside Elisium City, on the main road frequently traversed by large caravans, half-armored guards stood in formation with guns, and heavy knights, with fierce looks, patrolled back and forth. Inside the carriage surrounded and protected by them, Noah inspected diligently.

Noah deliberately chose the land given by the Augustus family beside the main road so that passersby could see it, as it was a demonstration field.

He wanted to promote the ridge farming method and must produce tangible and visible results; otherwise, could he forcefully promote it based on his adoptive father’s prestige as a legendary Great Duke? As indulgent as they might be, this was not something to be done recklessly, as the family’s continuation depended on the territory.

When people personally see the doubled grain yields from meticulous cultivation, even if he doesn’t say it, even without orders from the Lord, the farmers who witness it will make every effort to mimic and learn.

The ridge farming method would naturally spread. As for the metal tools and livestock needed for deep cultivation, someone would think about how to solve this.

After all, the yield in the fields is no longer a mere one-to-two ratio but at least exceeds a one-to-ten ratio, which is a fivefold increase. Who could ignore that?

Moreover, this is a very conservative estimate. When the planting techniques are more skillfully executed and the soil fertility improves, it might reach six or seven times, eventually reaching the one-to-twenty ratio Noah remembers.

This is the limit that can be achieved purely by human labor but not the world’s limit. If extraordinary power could be applied to farming, Noah doesn’t know how much yield per acre can be achieved because there are no actual cases to refer to.

For now, there is no need for lofty ambitions; it is essential to first teach the primitives on this land how to farm.

Noah described the planting methods he remembered in detail on the parchment. Considering the actual planters were farmers with limited cognitive levels, every section of text came with corresponding illustrations.

Yet, despite this, when it came to practice, the slaves still had various clumsy ways. Of course, Noah patiently sent people to instruct them on the simple task of piling soil and flipping ridges, which took them half a day to manage.

The only thing that slightly comforted Noah was the slaves’ diligence; they weren’t lazing around or being perfunctory. On one hand, this was due to the presence of the Lord Guard and knights, and on the other, the slave redemption law that allowed them to gain freedom through work.

However, sowing is just the beginning. Subsequent tasks like fertilizing, watering, and weeding cannot be skipped, necessitating the slaves’ initiative and proactivity.

It is worth mentioning that Noah also introduced the methods of composting and manuring, which complemented the ridge farming method. This could effectively solve the issue of urban waste and excretion.

However, these methods are too advanced for the primitives on this land, so it’s unnecessary to expect them to understand. Forcing them to implement these methods is enough, as they will naturally follow and emulate once the results are observable.

"Little Noah, where did you learn these farming-related knowledge? Does the Dragon Clan’s heritage include this?"

Selena, who accompanied him throughout, had her eyes sparkling. She had seen all the diagrams and texts Noah had drawn.

Although it had just begun, she could roughly estimate the scene at harvest time, which would definitely shatter the perceptions of those rustic farmers.

The surge in grain yield would certainly lead to a series of positive changes. Selena wasn’t particularly concerned about those; she was more curious about why the Golden Dragon would possess knowledge seemingly useless to them.

"Of course, many of my ancestors studied alchemy, and knowledge of planting is essential."

Upon hearing his adoptive mother’s inquiry, Noah effortlessly used the Dragon Clan inheritance as an excuse, since no one could question it, not even his biological parents. Who knew what inheritance he had received?

"Oh, is that so."

Selena nodded; this sounded reasonable. After all, it wasn’t strange for beings whose lifespans stretch millennia to learn any knowledge.

Among the chromatic Evil Dragons existed many eccentricities with incomprehensible behavior, making studying alchemy and delving into farming seem utterly normal in comparison.

"Aunt, is there any livestock that mortals can drive and can be mass-bred?"

Seeing the diligent slaves, Noah asked. The livestock tamed by the Augustus family wasn’t few, and knights’ mounts as well as the meat used in regular training sessions came from specialized farms.

However, even those raised as food couldn’t be driven by mortals because they belonged to fierce species, which could easily injure or kill ordinary people if mishandled.

But relying solely on human labor for deep plowing was too inefficient. The involvement of animal power would make a world of difference.

"You want to harness livestock to pull plows?"

Selena looked at the fields where the plows, originally meant to be drawn by livestock, were currently being handled by slaves.

"Yes, human power is too weak."

"You could let the knights do it."

"I can command the knights, but countless farmers cannot command knights. So, we need a type of livestock that can be bred and cultivated on a large scale, is docile, and possesses sufficient strength and endurance—one that even mortals can handle."

"I can find such livestock; it’s not that difficult. But have you considered what results would occur after you disseminate this knowledge?"

"A population explosion, and the Augustus family will usher in unprecedented prosperity and flourishing."

Noah replied without hesitation.

"So, what rewards should we give you in return? The land and slaves you requested can’t be counted as rewards."

"It’s not too late to reward me after the results are seen."

The Golden Dragon was indifferent. His current material living conditions were so superior that even among the same clan of Golden Dragons, few could compare.