Chapter 77: Time Waits for No One

  “We must stockpile enough food and crossbows; we ’t produce them for now…”

  “Magic materials begin produ, but we’re still far from achieving scale…”

  “on ons and equipment will be the produ target; we should start preparing to find markets for them…”

  “…”

  Having made up his mind, Matthew g the seemingly banced ats and, rather thaing into lengthy discussions with the eager Adam Smith, gave him an approving nod and said:

  “You did well this time. As for other daily ies, ause those acquisitions for now.”

  “Focus all your efforts on purchasing as much food and magic materials as possible. Keep buying heavy crossbows as well.”

  Though surprised by the lord’s tinued rge-scale efforts, Adam Smith immediately begaing about the hidden significe behind them.

  “Could it be? The rising costs of food and magical materials…”

  The quick-thinking Adam Smith felt a chill but also a wave of delight.

  He was certain Matthew’s judgment ot on, or that he had access to insider information from hidden els.

  For a mert, information is as valuable as gold!

  Having already ied part of his own fortune, Adam Smith now felt fident this deal was turning into a great profit. Looking into the lord’s deep, dark eyes, he shivered slightly:

  “Is this my reward from the lord?”

  “It must be; there’s no doubt…”

  “It seems the lord is perhaps pushio the forefront, making me a pawn or bait…”

  Adam Smith wasn’t bothered by this thought. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity.

  “This could be a test from the lord. I’ll definitely wade into these murky waters…”

  Before Adam Smith could finish his thoughts, he heard Matthew tih his set of tasks:

  “Also, don’t stop the recruitment efforts or acquiring supplies; the territory is in desperate need of people!”

  “Do your best to recruit a few druids for me as well…”

  Everything else seemed fine, but this request for druids gave Adam Smith a headache.

  After sidering it for a moment, he gritted his teeth and nodded, saying:

  “Recruitment is currently on track.”

  “I’ve secured multiple els to steadily gather civilians and refugees from the south. We’re bringing in about 2,000 people each week.”

  “However, druids tend to stick together, making them hard to find and even harder to recruit…”

  Seeing that Adam Smith hadn’t raised any unusual s, Matthew chuckled quietly and said calmly:

  “Don’t worry, you’ve proven your capability.”

  “If you find the druids, great; if not, it’s no big deal…”

  “From now on, you’ll receive 5,000 bottles of blood-replenishing potions every week.”

  “As for your fixed procurement targets—2 million pounds of wheat and ten heavy crossbows—that will be deducted from the sales of these potions.”

  “You must spend all of these 2,500 gold s as effitly as possible…”

  Hearing that there would be 5,000 bottles of potions avaible each week, Adam Smith’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he quickly took notes and eagerly nodded.

  To him, with the bag of the Ser family, the sale of this many potions each week was just the tip of the iceberg.

  The thousands of adventurers in Bloodmoon City represented a vast market, and this seemed to be just a test run from the lord…

  Beside them, Ralph couldn’t hide his surprise.

  He knew very well that all the potions could only have been brewed by the lord himself, but could the lord truly handle produg nearly 1,000 potions a day?

  And releasing such a rge quantity—wouldn’t this attract the attention of other forces?

  The lord’s urgency mirrored his aggressive development of Bay Vilge.

  For an are lord, this behavior seemed strange indeed.

  This went beyond mere kindness…

  If Ralph knew Matthew’s true thoughts, he would surely be even more amazed, and Matthew would likely add even more responsibility to Ralph’s pte.

  When people have too much time on their hands, they tend to overthink things!

  Looking at the eager Adam Smith and the asks Matthew had for him, he waved him over and said:

  “Don’t rush off just yet. Bay Vilge’s development has stabilized for now.”

  “Take some time to observe its ges, identify its weaknesses and shortings for me. That way, you’ll know what else to acquire …”

  When you have a petent tool, why not use it?

  Matthew was he type to mianage.

  Let professionals handle professional matters—it promotes growth and helps them keep up with his pace of development.

  Adam Smith took this as a sign of trust from the lord a eted. To him, this meant Matthew was signaling a closer retionship.

  Thrilled, Adam Smith eagerly agreed, patting his chest and promising:

  “I’ll take a close look aurn with the necessary goods and resources as soon as possible…”

  Seeing his excitement, Matthew didn’t bother expining further.

  Let the clever mert figure it out on his own; he might feel more ied that way.

  Half an hour ter.

  Smiling from ear to ear, Adam Smith apanied Ralph out of the lord’s estate.

  The motivated mert marveled at Bay Vilge’s transformation, saying in awe:

  “In such a short time, Bay Vilge has bee even more prosperous than a small town…”

  As he spoke, Adam Smith entered a shop. The faint smell of fish didn’t bother him; instead, he examihe various types of fish on dispy.

  There were not only salted fish but also fresh fish swimming lively in tanks.

  turies ago, after Eastern ary methods spread, people had grown fond of fish.

  After all, it was a rare soureat.

  At Ralph’s signal, Old Field, the vilge chief, approached with a hint nation and expined:

  “Both the spacious Silvermoon River and the coast nearly 100 kilometers arovide us with plentiful fish…”

  “But sadly, the number of fishmen there is overwhelming, so we only fish on a small scale…”

  Adam Smith, knowing Old Field’s position, examihe goods more closely.

  The sele included sardines, yellowtail, and red snapper among the smaller fish.

  Cod, grouper, and tuna were among the rger varieties.

  Even just establishing two piers along the river or opening a road to the coastline could bring in a signifit amount of fish.

  And it would be a year-round business!

  Adam Smith also uood that, like ions developing their fisheries, tless fishmen and various dangerous aquatic creatures would greatly increase costs and challenges.

  Old Field seemed to realize this as well and quietly introduced Adam Smith to the local ways of preparing fish.

  After a while, Old Field led him to another shop.

  This one dispyed a variety of clothing, all made from sturdy linen with det designs.

  Several recruited tailors, each with trentices, were busily w ihe shop.

  Scratg his nose, Adam Smith now began to uand…

  FAL