“Jeanne, I need you.”
Ning Cuo went straight for it, his gaze sincere, his tone unwavering.
He looked at Jeanne in his arms openly and directly.
There couldn’t be any hesitation at this moment, he had to be decisive.
The method clearly proved effective.
Jeanne’s delicate body trembled slightly, her lowered head lifting again.
The warm sunlight shone across the sky.
It was like a glimmer of light piercing through the endless abyss.
She didn't want to let go.
...
“Lord Ning Cuo, do... do you want more?”
“Of course.”
Toler held a large plate of empty dishes in his hands, completely baffled by the girl's seemingly bottomless appetite.
They had just returned to the camp.
Jeanne’s stomach had already started growling, she hadn’t eaten in a long time.
Her stomach had rumbled after her emotional rollercoaster, and now that she had finally relaxed, the sound nearly made her blush.
Ning Cuo wouldn't miss this chance to gain her favor.
He immediately pretended he hadn't had breakfast and invited Jeanne to eat with him.
Toler hadn't paid much attention initially.
He instructed the kitchen to bring some milk and bread, thinking a little girl couldn’t possibly eat much.
When Jeanne saw the white bread.
For the first time, Ning Cuo saw someone literally emit green light from their eyes.
Jeanne only took one bite, her movements so fast that she couldn’t stop, as if she was starving.
The soft texture of the white bread, the delightful sensation of the milky fragrance.
Jeanne had never tasted anything like it in her life.
Although she had agreed readily.
Seeing Jeanne’s terrifying appetite, Ning Cuo couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy.
Now, he had Toler under his command, as a great knight, he had an obligation to provide him with meat every day.
Then, he had a squad of Imperial legion infantry under his command.
According to the current arrangement, he also had to provide them with three meals a day, and a meat meal every week.
He also had 20 horses under his care, the combined consumption of man and beast was not small.
And Jeanne could eat four times as much as Toler.
She was a bottomless pit.
Plus, the development of the territory would inevitably require recruiting manpower from the villages.
Although ordinary farmers wouldn't require white bread and milk, the consumption of black bread for hundreds of people was also enormous.
The supplies brought from Rome City would only last about half a month.
Hiss!
No, he had to make money!
......
After a few days of rest, Ning Cuo’s will echoed throughout the entire territory.
The sun had just risen.
It was another rare good weather day.
All the villagers packed up their belongings, some carrying wooden forks, others wooden hoes.
They gathered at the settlement where their lord resided early in the morning.
The once most powerful riverside town was now ostracized by all the villagers.
The events of the past few days had spread like wildfire.
Even though Ning Cuo hadn’t explained anything about what would happen next.
These ordinary commoners didn’t dare gamble on whether Ning Cuo would remember this matter later on.
The members of the infantry squad guarding the gate of the camp held their weapons tightly, their nerves on edge.
There were already four or five hundred people gathered outside, men, women, and children alike, they had to be constantly vigilant.
They were afraid of what they might do impulsively.
As the lord, Ning Cuo didn’t need to do everything himself.
Toler was still arranging other matters.
So, they could only stay at the gate of the camp, whispering among themselves.
Ma Qu’er stood in the corner with the people from his village, his eyes full of anxiety and regret.
He hadn’t slept properly for days.
He had used his whip to beat several villagers, but it still wasn't enough to vent his anger.
He never thought that Jeanne, whom he had banished, would be so valued by the lord.
Naturally, Ma Qu’er didn’t even dare think of resisting Ning Cuo’s decision.
He could only curse the damned doctor in his heart.
The other farmers around him were also afraid, after all, in this era, offending the lord was tantamount to suicide.
Plus, Ning Cuo needed manpower to develop the territory, providing them with food, clothing, shelter, and wages.
This was unheard of throughout Rome.
If they missed this opportunity, the decline of the riverside town would probably begin.
Amidst their unease.
The gate of the camp opened.
Under the escort of several members of the infantry squad.
Jeanne, with a new look, appeared before everyone.
Although she still looked a little thin, after a period of supplementation.
And the power hidden in her bloodline began to continuously strengthen her body.
Her unhidden beauty began to emerge.
Her long golden hair, her fair skin, and the close-fitting dress Ning Cuo had specially arranged for someone to buy for her in Rome City.
Even though he had deliberately chosen loose-fitting styles, it couldn't hide her fullness.
All of this proved Jeanne’s beauty.
But all the farmers were clearly not paying attention to that, but to the clothes she was wearing and her healthy complexion.
“Jeanne must have climbed into the lord’s bed.”
“You dare speak like that!”
As the surrounding people began to whisper, some couldn’t help but look at Ma Qu’er and his people, who were already trembling.
In the minds of these simple villagers.
Jeanne, who had been bullied and suddenly climbed to a high position, would probably use all means to torture those who had persecuted her.
“Village head, what should we do?”
“Jeanne, Jeanne really got close to the lord.”
The villagers of the riverside town also trembled and spoke, but at this moment.
Ning Cuo also came out.
He was still wearing the religious robe, but the luxurious gold thread decoration made him look exceptionally noble.
When they saw their lord arrive.
Everyone knelt down in unison, welcoming their lord with the most humble posture.
“God once said, glory is manifested in labor, but we cannot oppress the people, so I provide you with food, clothing, shelter, and pay you wages, I hope you will seize this opportunity, the slackers will be despised by God.”
Ning Cuo looked up at the sky, his words ringing out.
As if God was really looking down at them.
But what was it actually?
Using the cloak of religion to better oppress these oxen and horses.
They did heavy manual labor, only got a few copper coins a month, and ate black bread mixed with sawdust.
And they had to praise Master Ning for his kindness and generosity.
Indeed, I, Ning, am not suitable to be a capitalist.
“In accordance with your will, Lord.”
Everyone looked up from the ground, drawing crosses on their chests in a devout manner.
Although they didn’t know what the purpose of this gesture was.
But the lord liked it, so they had to obey.
After this brief meeting, Ning Cuo nodded and turned to leave.
He left the rest to Jeanne.
After all, she was the future Saint, she had to start cultivating her leadership.
Coming here was just to help her memorize things.
Strengthen Jeanne’s authority.
And gain some favor along the way.