When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 795 - 746: I Want to Build New Cold Spring Castle

Horn is all about efficiency when it comes to work.

According to Spirotchu's arrangements, the first day was for rest, the second day for daytime inspection of Cold Spring Castle followed by an evening banquet, and on the third day, business talks were to be conducted under the guise of hunting.

But the Saint's Grandson's plan was to rest in the morning, inspect in the afternoon, and discuss business during the evening banquet.

Horn called this efficiency.

The local nobles called it divine gold.

After lunch, Horn guzzled down a large pot of blue syrup coffee and dragged the sleepy Spirotchu outside.

Meanwhile, the workshops and nobles were in frantic commotion, hurriedly preparing for the reception.

Riding a big horse, Horn hummed a ditty and looked around at the small town in front of him.

The surrounding residents curiously raised their heads, wondering who this noble figure from afar was.

The rider was unknown, but the one leading the horse was Titled Knight Spirotchu.

From various investigative reports and books of Cheka, Horn had already read about Cold Spring Castle's details, but he was still enthusiastically curious.

This was his first time witnessing it in person.

The location of Cold Spring Castle was originally a sloping hillside with a relative height of around five to six hundred meters.

Due to favorable river transport conditions and mineral resources, it was forcefully transformed into a mining transport town.

The hillside was transformed into a two-tiered terrace platform, including the riverside area, making it three tiers.

The cold springs flowing down from the Amethyst Mountain range cascaded down the three-tiered terraces, finally merging into the Silver Thread River.

With the various sluice gates and waterways built by the mountain folks, a natural drainage and water usage system was formed.

Grooves, how come ry Court Barracks didn't have such convenient natural streams?

Horn reached out to touch the cool spring water. Despite it being summer, he could still feel the biting cold.

Wiping his hand dry on his pants, he looked up and asked, "Where are we right now?"

"Dock level," Spirotchu explained, "This area is where merchants and commoners live.

The second level is the artisan layer, but it's also where soldiers reside, and the top tier's courtyards are the noble layer."

Perhaps afraid that Horn might misunderstand, the White Horse Knight explained, "We arranged for you in the dock area because the top tier is hard to climb, the artisan layer is pungent, whereas the dock area near the streams has a more pleasant environment.

Most of Cold Spring Castle's nobles usually live in the dock area or countryside residences, heading to the mountains only in winter."

Horn was indifferent to this, but couldn't help commenting on the stilted and sharply inclined roofs of the homes on both sides and the hillside: "You and Black Snake Bay, one south and one north, climates vastly different, yet both opted for sloped roofs and stilt house designs."

"It's all for rain, snow, and dampness prevention; there's no other option."

The climate in North Mangde County is cool, even now during summer's peak, wearing a long-sleeved shirt wouldn't feel hot.

Horn estimated the temperatures wouldn't exceed 25 degrees Celsius, and it often drops below zero in winter.

"So how do you keep warm?"

"Furs and firewood."

Horn was stunned, remembering that peat and wool prices had dropped.

"Why not use peat and wool? They're cheaper than firewood and fur."

Spirotchu hesitated: "Transport costs are too high, plus there's plenty of forests in North Mangde County, so there's no real need for wood."

Horn turned to confirm with Cheka beside him: "I've heard that Cold Spring Castle's firewood prices have risen again?"

"Isn't it because you asked to expand production? Burning drug kilns and refining iron naturally requires more firewood for heating, so firewood prices naturally went up."

This traditional inertia was still strong; a ton of peat could provide the heating effect of one and a half tons of firewood, and even two tons if refined and purified.

But locals still preferred using firewood for heating and iron forging.

"And the fur? Why don't you sell it to fur merchants? It could buy two garments."

Spirotchu's eyes flickered; without guessing, Horn knew the nobles were definitely up to some tricks.

Not exposing Spirotchu's embarrassment, Horn changed the subject and continued moving towards the artisan layer.

After checking out the three-tier town and a few nearby small estates, it was already evening.

Horn took a bath, changed his clothes, and by the time he arrived at the banquet scene, he was "half an hour late."

To be precise, he arrived right on time.

Noble etiquette dictates that one should arrive at least two quarters early; arriving right on time or being late is considered impolite.

Merchants and nobles were all well-dressed, but their faces didn't look good.

The only person who could casually pull such a stunt was His Highness the Despot.

Seeing Horn walk in, the atmosphere remained cold; the usually proud White Horse Knight was forced to step forward: "Ladies and gentlemen, our main guest, His Highness the Great Shepherd has arrived.

His Highness the Shepherd Leader is devoted to the faithful, accepting pious confessions all day long today; truly busy, come, let us toast to His Highness's diligence and devotion."

"Agreed, agreed!"

"Come, come."

With some nobles and merchants reviving the atmosphere, everyone finally raised their glasses in toast.

Horn naturally raised his glass high in return: "My schedule is tight, forcing everyone into a rush; I appreciate your understanding."

With that sip of wine, the previously stagnant banquet finally warmed up again.

After taking the first sip of the signature acorn wine, a wave of heat surged to his head. Taking advantage of this warmth, Horn spoke loudly: "Everyone, please quiet down."

The nobles, merchants, and Dwarf Artisan Masters who had just turned their gaze away now all looked towards him.

With vigilant, curious, or resentful eyes fixed on Horn, he had long been accustomed to this kind of gaze and straightforwardly announced: "My visit this time is not only to commend our soldiers bravely fighting on the front lines but also to bring you two good news.

First, I plan to build a total of 150 kilometers of railway tracks for cargo transportation between the mountain counties.

This way, even mines and wastelands deep within the mountains can undergo secondary development."

The banquet hall was stunned at first, but then, as everyone exchanged glances, they saw the golden glimmers in each other's eyes.

They didn't care about the function of the railway.

What they cared about were orders!

They knew about the railway, it was a big business.

Even if Horn only built 25 kilometers a year, that would still mean 500 tons of cast iron!

Enough to support more than a dozen smelting plants, how could they not be pleased?

"Good!"

"Great!"

"Come, let's toast to His Highness the Shepherd Leader."

"May the Saint's Grandson always be healthy!"

The atmosphere of the banquet was instantly ignited by Horn, with laughter and cheers almost reaching the skies.

"Ah, don't rush." Horn's hand holding the cup remained raised, and he smiled at everyone, "There is still one more piece of good news.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Tai Bo River dam construction has been completed, the Mire Village swamp has been cleared, and we've discovered a large amount of bitter water and vast iron ore in South Mangde County.

Oh my, you must have never seen such untouched iron ore over hundreds of years, any chunk can be used as iron.

Guess what? We've discovered a Mithril deposit with an estimated total yield exceeding ten tons!

Coincidentally, the Tai Bo River dam just happens to be able to provide ample hydropower to drive mechanisms.

Therefore, I plan to build a new smelting facility in Mire Village, or more accurately, it's already under construction.

And by the way, I plan to build a new town and call it New Cold Spring Castle!

This time, I'm looking to borrow His Highness the Despot's connections to introduce a batch of Norn Blacksmith immigrants.

I know you're all dissatisfied with my steel production expansion plan, so I've relocated the entire plan to Mire Village.

So, what do you think, is this news good?"

"Good, good..."

Compared to the earlier thunderous spirit, this "good" now sounded like a mosquito's buzz. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Neither the nobles nor the dwarves could bring themselves to smile anymore.