The next morning, the gentle sunlight shone on Rome as usual.
No one knew what Nero and Ning Cuo had discussed.
On the outer walls of Rome, Nero held the Meteorite Anvil, like a lion.
Wearing armor, he was dashing and heroic, his golden hair cascading over his shoulders, the crown on his head, a jewel-like stroke, symbolized the emperor's supreme authority.
There was no need for extra words.
With a simple nod, Ning Cuo led his men towards the area assigned to them.
It was a piece of land that was almost undeveloped.
But the conditions were exceptionally generous. It had a river formed by abundant water resources.
The land was also vast plains, which could be easily developed with just three or five people.
In addition, there were forests all over the mountains, and three or four villages around.
It was said that there was a small area of mineral resources in the nearby mountains.
The conditions Nero offered were undeniably generous. Such a fertile piece of land was basically out of reach for anyone other than the great nobles.
Although it was over ten kilometers from Rome.
But with the superhuman physique of the Divine Era people, these distances could be easily ignored.
Rounding it up, it also belonged to the royal territory.
“It's really quite desolate..."
Riding on horseback, Ning Cuo looked up at the land from the high slope.
Tolle behind him, however, was very excited.
He spoke in a muffled voice.
“Sir, this place is in a great location. We just need to gather the villagers nearby to develop it for us, and then build a castle, and take advantage of the river to dig a moat. It's virtually impregnable.”
Ning Cuo smiled but didn't answer directly.
“Not a castle, but a church.”
“Hmm, a castle-like church, I understand.”
Tolle nodded with a straight face, looking at the wild mountains and forests in front of him, not revealing Ning Cuo’s ambitions.
“Hahaha, arrange for the soldiers to set up camp here first. Tolle, you bring a few people to ride around the villages.”
Ning Cuo now belonged to the semi-noble class, and Tolle was also a knight appointed by the emperor.
In this era, ordinary commoners, as long as they lived within the territory of the nobility, were a kind of human resource.
They were truly working as oxen and horses for generations, not only providing taxes, but also free labor.
If they encountered a slightly cruel one, they might even have to take out loans, which they could never repay in their lifetimes.
Digging canals, building simple camps, gathering wood.
Erecting Ning Cuo’s flag in the center area.
Declaring that this area had a new owner.
Things were proceeding in an orderly fashion on this side.
Tolle's movements were also very fast, and he soon brought several village heads to see Ning Cuo.
“Lord Ning Cuo, these are the village heads from the surrounding villages. I’ve brought them to meet you.”
Ning Cuo nodded, showing no courtesy.
Sitting in the tent, he pointed to the simple map.
“This is a flat area. I need you to dig a canal to bring the water here, and at the same time I will build a church here.”
“In addition, I will also sign contracts with many merchants in Rome. They will bring many goods and sell everything you harvest to me. I will set the price, and you will be responsible for getting the money.”
Even Ning Cuo felt his heart was turning black.
But he didn't expect these honest and simple farmers to be almost ecstatic.
They didn’t have to pay taxes and they would get money.
They would even build a church, and then with the status of a noble, they would introduce goods with those greedy merchants.
This was simply a stroke of luck for the commoners in this area.
Ning Cuo completely didn’t understand just how ruthless the nobles in this world could be.
In the minds of these people.
Even the people themselves were their goods, so naturally the things that the goods produced also belonged to the nobles.
How dare anyone not open their eyes and come to ask the nobles for money?
Give them two whips!
As for the church, it goes without saying that the first generation of the Holy Roman Empire had signed an agreement with the Pope.
The place where the church was built belonged to the church building, and was tax-exempt.
And as long as they put their names under the church, these farmers would also be tax-exempt.
Plus, during the construction process, of course, there would be manpower, and they would have to build defenses.
For those who lived in this area, it was a guarantee of security.
“I... all the young men in our village are willing to serve God, to give their lives for Lord Ning Cuo!”
One village head who was quick-witted immediately knelt down.
Immediately everyone around echoed him.
They kept drawing crosses on their chests, following what was in their minds.
Their obsequious looks made them want to lick Ning Cuo’s boots.
Seeing this.
Ning Cuo finally realized just how much influence the nobility and religion had in this world.
“Hmm, you go back and gather manpower.”
Feigning composure, Ning Cuo, who felt he had overcharged and was regretting it, didn’t say anything more.
The village heads, having received their orders.
Completely without the fear they’d had earlier, they were all nimble in their movements.
They dashed off, wanting to bring all the manpower in their villages over as soon as possible.
Don’t let other villages get there first!
As these people were running away, the flag outside was also just erected, fluttering in the wind, very imposing.
【Ding dong, the territorial town center is built.】
【Technology Tree Unlocked: Level 1 Technology·Optimized Winemaking Technique, using high-quality grapes, hand-made by pure young girls, with a soft taste, surpassing all wines on the market.】
【High-quality Grape Planting Technology and Supporting Facilities require 500 Hegemony Points.】
【Territorial Task Activated, 200 Hegemony Points awarded for every 10% completion of territory construction.】
He thought he could take off after unlocking the technology, but now reality slapped him in the face again.
Looking at the high cost of Hegemony Points, Ning Cuo felt a headache.
He needed manpower for his army, and now he needed it for the development of his territory.
Should he develop his military first or his economy?
Ning Cuo fell silent.
After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and looked at Tolle, whose face was full of confusion.
He might as well put him through it again.
While he had manpower to better do some things, having an economy would allow him to recruit manpower better.
This high-quality grape planting technology and supporting facilities had to be completed first.
But now he only had 340 Hegemony Points, luckily there was a territorial task, and as long as he successfully dug the river, he could collect them.
But pure young girls?
Hiss!
Isn't this forcing me to make mistakes!
He touched his chin, and suddenly thought of the shivering Pope.
Yes, he could use the church as a front to recruit a batch of nuns.
Then have these nuns make wine.
Using God's name, he wouldn’t have to pay them.
Instead, it would make his wine’s reputation even higher.
Good taste, church-made, and made by pure nuns.
Wouldn’t this drive the nobles of Rome crazy!
Hiss!
No wonder everyone believes in God, His name is really too useful!