doitstory Chapter 784 - 432: The Half-Year Miracle (Part 2)
Chapter 784 - 432: The Half-Year Miracle (Part 2)
"They no longer see themselves as Gray Rock People; they call themselves Red Tide People when dealing with outsiders."
A few people in the room exchanged glances; some had a smile at the corner of their mouths, some quietly let out a breath.
Louis’s gaze returned to the map crisscrossed with red lines.
He was not carried away by these words; he merely confirmed one thing in his heart: once people start willingly placing themselves into this network, they will no longer be willing to return to the shadow of the old Nobility.
Green closed the Population Register and switched to a thicker file, whose corners had grown fuzzy from constant flipping.
"Next is material output." His tone clearly shifted up a gear. "The daily output of various minerals has increased tenfold compared to before we took over.
It’s not that new veins suddenly appeared, but that for the first time the mines have truly achieved round-the-clock operation. The hydropower forge on the Ice River runs day and night; raw ore is no longer piled up inefficiently in open yards, but is directly compressed, cut, and forged into standardized steel ingots."
Green paused, as if to confirm that everyone present was keeping up with this change, then continued.
"This is the first time Gray Rock has possessed the concept of standard components; it can now be integrated as a whole into the Red Tide industrial system, rather than merely serving as a producer of scattered raw materials."
He tapped a few sections of the Ice River on the map. "In addition, based on your intelligence, we also discovered an associated mineral—Frost-Grain Copper—on the deep riverbed of the Ice River.
This metal has excellent ductility, and its tolerance to hot and cold changes far exceeds that of ordinary copper. The Craftsmen Office has confirmed it is highly suitable for critical components of steam engines and for the core structures of urban heating pipelines."
Green turned another page. "Also, the Mining Office dug out high-density iron ore from an abandoned deep shaft. Valentine has named it Abyss Black Iron."
This ore has three times the density of ordinary iron and naturally possesses anti-magic properties. It is extremely difficult to forge, but once formed, it becomes an exceptionally reliable military material.
"At present it is only in the trial-production stage," Green reported truthfully, "but it has already attracted attention."
Louis nodded. "Classify these two as strategic materials."
Green continued, "The data on the agricultural line is not dazzling, but it is stable.
Gray Rock is unsuitable for growing wheat; we have repeatedly verified this conclusion. So we did not forcibly copy the Northern Territory model, but directly acknowledged the mismatch and turned to alternative solutions."
He pointed to the western side of the map.
"In the deep layers of Red Earth Slope, we discovered an associated magic-plant, Ember Root.
It absorbs volcanic ash and trace fire elements as it grows; it cannot serve as a staple grain, but it is highly valuable in the field of Knight cultivation.
Potions refined from it can gently nourish Fighting Energy bloodlines and significantly improve Apprentice Knights’ success rate in breaking through to the formal rank. We have already submitted an application to expand the cultivation area."
Louis inclined his head. "Expand it to the maximum extent."
Green nodded and turned to the next page:
"For food security, we still rely on Ghostlight Mushrooms. Director Mike has completed an improved cultivation method in Gray Rock: high in protein, highly adaptable, able to yield steadily in mines, greenhouses, and damp environments.
They cannot solve the problem of affluence, but they can solve hunger. For the Gray Rock of today, that is enough."
As for animal husbandry, the local Rock-Scale Boars have already been fully domesticated.
These beasts have thick skin and dense flesh, are resistant to cold and disease, their meat is firm, and their hides approach the strength of light Armor materials.
From breeding and slaughter to processing, everything can be completed within the province. This is the first time Gray Rock has formed a complete agriculture–industry closed loop."
Green paused, then naturally pushed the topic forward.
"Next, all remaining old Knights in Gray Rock and wandering mercenaries have been brought under control, totaling eight hundred people.
The original family-based formations have all been abolished; they were all broken up and reorganized, then integrated into Red Tide mixed units. The political commissar system was stationed simultaneously; tactics, discipline, and ideology have been advanced together."
"There were plenty of conflicts in the first two months, including those who refused to execute orders, and those who formed private associations in secret."
Louis asked, "And now?"
Green replied steadily, "Now they know for whom their swords are used, and they also know where they will be sent if they disobey.
Finally, talent: the first batch of night school graduates have already been assigned down to the village and township level.
They may not know many characters, but they can calculate work points, keep accounts, and fill out forms. Grassroots operations have already become inseparable from them. These people are more loyal than Knights.
Another unexpected gain is the return flow of technical skills. Craftsmen and Blacksmiths, stonemasons, Pharmacists who had been buried among the common people... have all been re-rated and decorated by the Craftsmen Office and brought back into the system.
Someone improved the waterwheel transmission shaft, increasing efficiency by twenty percent; someone improved the structure of mine lamps, cutting the accident rate in half.
We gave them medals and houses, and the result is that craftsmen across the entire province have begun proactively submitting improvement proposals."
At the end of the report, Louis wrote a single bright red character: Excellent.
He then closed the "Gray Rock Province Reconstruction Report," which was almost flawless.
When the parchment scroll was set back on the table, there was no deliberate pause, no symbolic sense of ceremony; it was simply laid down, as if merely to finalize a confirmation.
He rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window on the side of the conference room; outside was Black Iron City.
The streets were clean, the transport rails straight; the rhythmic sound of steam engines came through the thick window, not harsh, but steady.
Louis concluded, "You have done more than just revive Gray Rock. You have proven one thing: the Red Tide system can take root away from the Northern Territory."
No one in the conference room responded; this was not something that required an answer.
Louis turned around, his gaze sweeping along both sides of the long table. "Everyone, it’s time for me to go back."
When this sentence fell, there was none of the commotion one might have expected in the room.
"The Northern Territory is the brain and heart of Red Tide," Louis went on. "There is a far more complex game waiting for me there."
His eyes lingered on Green for a brief moment, then moved to the others. "As for Gray Rock, it is now a giant that has learned to walk. It no longer needs me to hold its hand at every moment."
At this moment, the atmosphere changed—it was a kind of joy born of being acknowledged by Louis.
Louis returned to the head of the long table, placed his hands on the tabletop, and leaned forward slightly.
In that instant, the air in the conference room clearly tightened.
"Before I leave, there are two things. First, the old Nobility will not give up. Having lost in open confrontation, they will inevitably change their methods. There will be money sent, favors offered, marriage alliances discussed."
Louis’s tone was very calm, yet carried a chill that could not be misunderstood.
"Tell the Inspection Department to keep their eyes sharp. Red Tide does not fear steel blades; what it fears are soft knives.
Whoever dares accept a single Gold Coin from the old Nobility, I will send him to Black Valley to dig coal for the rest of his life—no matter who he is, no matter how great his merits."
"Second, once I am gone," Louis looked at Green, "you are the highest-ranking official here.
But you must remember, it is not you, Green, who governs Gray Rock, but the Red Tide Code. Do not let personal likes and dislikes take the place of law. Institutions are an iron cage, and also a shield."
He straightened up, pressing his voice even lower. "Seven hundred thousand people can lift you up, and they can also tear you to pieces. The only thing that can keep them from falling into chaos is the system."
Green nodded nervously, indicating that he understood.
Louis straightened, walked up to Green, and took a seal from his breast.
The seal was not large, its edges polished smooth, with the Sun emblem of Red Tide engraved upon it.
"Green. The food, clothing, shelter, and transport of seven hundred thousand people, and forty-eight mining districts—are now all entrusted to you."
He placed the seal in Green’s hands.
Green was the first to rise, followed by Mike, Mike, Cyril, Valentine...
The chairs slid back at the same time, the sound as neat as if it had been rehearsed.
Green held the seal with both hands, his eyes turning red, yet without a trace of wavering.
"My lord, please rest assured as you head north. We will guard this southern gate of Gray Rock well. Whether it is the Imperial Army or the temptations of decay, as long as the banner of Red Tide still flies, Gray Rock Province will never change its colors."
Everyone saluted. Louis looked at them, said nothing more, donned his coat, and turned to push the door open.
The chill wind of early autumn poured into the room, lifting a corner of the map on the table, then letting it fall again.
The great machine of Gray Rock Province no longer needed him to push it; it was already running calmly and steadily along its predetermined track.