Chapter 74: A Bustling Bay Vilge

  Bay Vilge.

  The Academy for Professional Training.

  Though it was called an academy, it was more accurately just a rge enclosed yard.

  Over ten spacious warehouses had been verted into s for teag.

  The academy was roughly divided into a preschool training css, a physical exercise css, and a skills training css—what Matthew referred to as the small, medium, and rge csses.

  In Matthew’s vision, training individuals to bee professionals was only the first step; making them stronger was the ission of this academy.

  But that was a distant goal. For now, all Matthew o do rovide a space where these children could learn to read and grow.

  This wasn’t without pret; many lords before him had initiated simir educational efforts.

  While most previous lords focused on training spellcasters, Matthew’s scope was simply broader.

  His efforts would likely be seen as generous by many.

  After all, the majority of the professionals trained here would be obligated to work for him for 20 years.

  Even so, w for such a generous lord and seg an unshakeable “iron rice bowl” remaihe greatest wish of every child and their family.

  Matthew, who had onvied the stability of an "iron rice bowl," aowledged its limitations and fws, but the advantages outweighed them and greatly increased his trol.

  The menerous he was, the faster his territory would develop.

  The more professionals there were, the stronger he became, whi turn justified eveer generosity!

  It was a win-win, with Matthew winning at least twice!

  Why wouldn’t he embrace it?

  Steward Ralph quietly stood behind Matthew, refleg on the grand troll bounty strategy that had taken over half a month to set up, deeply impressed by the lord's fht.

  Hearing the sound of training nearby, Ralph grew curious and, after some hesitation, asked:

  “Why not let older professionals hahe teag? After all, they must have a lot of experience…”

  Pausing from his writing, Matthew looked outside at the uniform training, as orderly as workers on an assembly line, and chuckled as memories of his past came to mind:

  “Young people are more moldable and obedient, as long as they follow orders.”

  “Of course, the premise of all this is to genuinely provide them with a bright future.”

  “Aside from meeting specific task goals, a pass rate of over 70%, and a bonus of 50 gold s for every additional professional trai’s quite worth it…”

  Ralph, already familiar with his lord’s method of using money as a motivator, was heless always intrigued by the objectives and approaches Matthew chose each time.

  Ralph could imagi.

  With honor and the prestige of respect as a lure, aremely generous rewards as support.

  These young professionals with potential but low starting points would surely work tirelessly to train the children well.

  As for Matthew's mention of "ideological stru," Ralph sidered it somewhat unnecessary.

  “A rare araordinary lord like you is bound to be loved by all your people, isn’t loyalty already a given?”

  Naturally, Matthew didn’t expin this point to Ralph—ging deeply ingrained beliefs wasn’t something that could be achieved in a few words.

  Instead, Matthenning the steps for the “Troll Bounty,” figuring out how to maximize its impact.

  March 16th, light rain.

  Ralph and Old Vilge Chief Field scolded some vilgers trying to head out for work, putting a stop to their “crazy” ideas.

  Catg colds and fevers was no joke—it would end up costing them more than they gained.

  After days of hard work, everyone finally rexed and, to their surprise, noticed something new.

  The transformation was not just limited to the wilderness beyond the vilge, nor to the tall factories being built.

  The buildings ihe vilge had undergone signifit ges too.

  Paved stone roads now lined both sides of the vilge, with draiches carrying waste away, ensuring the roads wouldn’t turn to muddy ss after rain.

  Rows of 20 to 30 newly built wooden houses lihe streets.

  Extended eaves along the street offered covered walkways, allowing people to walk through the vilge even in the rain.

  Each house served as a shop, selling various goods.

  From brand-new furniture and chairs to everyday household items like needles and bowls, everything was for sale in these shops.

  And, at Matthew’s direost of the goods were sold at retively low prices.

  Maintaining a modest profit without needing to subsidize anything.

  Matthew hadn’t opted for more advanced produethods.

  Simply because Bay Vilge’s market was too small to handle such immense pressure.

  The people of Bay Vilge, now earning money and free from the fear of hunger, generously purchased furniture for their homes and clothing for their families.

  The entire vilge became bustling with activity.

  In just over half a month.

  Uhe leadership of their lord, Bay Vilge had undergone ah-shattering transformation.

  Life had ged from huo one where no one worried about their meal.

  Only now did everyone realize how much their lord had done for them, without them even notig.

  And all they had to do was follow the lord’s orders, put in the same effort they always had, and reap pletely differes!

  How could they not be excited?

  Not only were the streets bustling, but the taverns along the roads were packed with business.

  Adventurers, flush with success, were celebrating gleefully, throwing around gold s and indulging in food and drink.

  If there was ret, it was that Bay Vilge didn’t offer any women for eai.

  A territory that didn’t deal in that kind of business was baffling to many adventurers.

  But sihe lord of the nd was an arist, and a particurly generous o that, most put aside this minor disappoi.

  In just two days, the adventurers had captured a total of 20 trolls, losing only two people, and earned over 1,000 gold s in bounties.

  Every adventurer walked away with at least 2 old s, the equivalent of a month or two of hard-earned ine, often with much greater risks.

  How could they not be thrilled?

  If it weren’t for the rain today, the remaining isoted trolls would have been captured too, leaving only those in the deeper, more dangerous parts of the forest.

  Even so, the adventurers, led by Alid other team captains, were already pnning how to capture more trolls deeper in the Gloomy Forest.

  Such a golden opportunity—how could they let it slip by?

  “Ever sihe empire abandoned expansion in the northeast, Bay Vilge hasn’t seen such activity in a long time…”

  Standing on the wall, Old Vilge Chief Field smiled as he watched the se before him.

  Steward Ralph, brimming with fidence, imagihe grandeur of Senna City and, gazing at the approag voy in the distance, smiled and said:

  “It’ll only get livelier here. Let’s go wele Adam Smith; this tireless mert has brought us mood things.”

  In the misty rain, a caravan, rger than before, sloroached Bay Vilge.

  FAL