Chapter 216: Untitled

The city’s prosperity made Zhenbei City increasingly famous in the Northern Provinces, attracting many merchants to come and trade. Some now called Zhenbei City a shining pearl in the Northern Wasteland.

The White Sugar, Rum, Vodka, and fur produced here were highly sought after. White Sugar, in particular, was monopolized by a few powerful Caravans, making it impossible for others to enter the trade. However, although only these Caravans monopolized the White Sugar Trade, they would sell White Sugar to other Caravans during sales. If they did not share some benefits, these guilds would have been swallowed up long ago.

The arrival of the Caravans also led many people to settle in Zhenbei City. Although the number was much smaller than those Su Lun actively relocated, it was a positive sign. People willingly settling in Zhenbei City indicated its growing appeal.

Zhenbei City’s rapid development had already caught the attention of the Northern Provinces. If not for the distance, the Nobles would have already come to try and take a share.

Su Lun had received several official letters from the Noble Council, asking him to return to Karlt City to receive a noble title. Based on the Nobles’ usual behavior, they would not do anything without benefits. Why would they grant you a title for no reason? If Su Lun returned to accept the Noble Council’s title, he would have to offer sufficient benefits in return.

Moreover, once he accepted the title, Su Lun would officially become a Noble of the Florence Kingdom, and Zhenbei City would be incorporated into the Florence Kingdom’s Territory. He would then have to pay taxes to the King. It was important to note that Zhenbei City was built through Su Lun and his people’s hard work. The Land Reclamation Decree was also purchased with his money, and all resources were similarly obtained. Su Lun did not want to place an overlord above himself.

The Territory he currently occupied, just around Zhenbei City, was comparable to a Viscount’s domain. Although the population was far from sufficient, given time, it would surpass it in a few years. Additionally, with the ongoing construction of Mirror Lake City and Gallop City (the city where the Centaurs herd), the Territory under Su Lun’s control was no smaller than a Count’s domain.

His own strength had reached the Legendary Level. Even if he declared himself a Count, it would be acceptable. However, he was not yet ready to do so. If he directly proclaimed himself a Count, it would become much more difficult to recruit refugees from the Florence Kingdom or engage in trade.

The construction of the Triumphal Arch in Zhenbei City was still in full swing. Every day, marble from the Lotas Mountains was delivered to Zhenbei City’s north gate. For easier transportation, Su Lun had already ordered the construction of a pontoon bridge on both the Red Sand River and the White Water River. He was even considering whether to build a permanent bridge over these two rivers.

As for technical issues, in this world full of supernatural powers, many problems could be solved with magic. For example, structural strength—by using the Hardening Spell on an object, even a piece of wood could become as hard as steel. Of course, casting the Hardening Spell on an entire bridge would be a massive project.

After leaving the Gray Dwarves for a day, Su Lun returned to the prisoner-of-war camp. Today, a few more Gray Dwarves expressed their willingness to serve Su Lun. Upon arriving at the camp again, the Gray Dwarves were still cursing the betrayers, though the noise was somewhat quieter.

For those Gray Dwarves willing to serve him, Su Lun naturally did not treat them poorly. Each received a bottle of Vodka, and arrangements were made for their housing and work.

After sending away the willing Gray Dwarves, Su Lun turned his attention to those still holding out. This time, he came up with a new idea.

“To celebrate the vast wealth I obtained in Orlando, I have decided to give all you Gray Dwarves a reward,” Su Lun said confidently outside the fence.

“You invader! Bandit! That’s our Gray Dwarves’ wealth!” Upon hearing Su Lun’s words, the previously quiet Gray Dwarves grew agitated again. If the fire in their eyes could kill, Su Lun would have been reduced to ashes.

“Face reality. I think you should consider your current situation more,” Su Lun shrugged.

“Considering it’s been a long time since you last had a drink, I specially prepared some alcohol to distribute to you today. If you don’t want it, I’ll take it away.” Su Lun smiled as he looked at the angry Gray Dwarves.

“We want it! Give us the alcohol!”

“Hurry up and give us the drink!”

…

“Silence!” Su Lun’s face suddenly turned cold. A powerful aura of a Legendary Power burst from him. The Gray Dwarves who were shouting loudly suddenly looked like ducks with their necks grabbed. Their mouths hung wide open, but they could not make a sound.

After seeing this situation, Su Lun waved his hand. A group of Soldiers came forward. Then they handed out a small cup, about the size of a thumb, to each Gray Dwarf. Then they made them line up, following the order they used for meals, to come forward one by one to receive the drink.

That tiny cup held so little it was not even enough for a single sip. The Gray Dwarves drank it in one gulp. The rich aroma and smooth taste of the alcohol left them wanting more. But this small amount, less than a sip, did not satisfy their craving for liquor at all. Instead, it made them feel even worse.

Originally, although these Gray Dwarves found it hard to endure not having alcohol to drink, they could at least hold on. But after tasting that one sip of Vodka, a flavor far superior to any they had ever drunk before, the result was like an avalanche.

After finishing that one cup, they did not feel satisfied. Instead, their desire for the drink grew even stronger. But just as they wanted more, Su Lun had already left the prisoner camp with his men.

By the third day, when Su Lun appeared again at the prisoner camp, this time more than two hundred Gray Dwarves declared they were willing to serve Su Lun. Those Gray Dwarves who had been cursing the traitors before all fell silent. Watching Su Lun distribute large amounts of Vodka, the remaining Gray Dwarves could no longer bear it. More and more Gray Dwarves said they were willing to serve Su Lun.

Out of the original more than seven hundred Gray Dwarves, only less than three hundred remained holding out. But, they would not last much longer. Su Lun had enough patience to slowly wear them down.

After gaining over four hundred Gray Dwarves, Su Lun selected some with excellent blacksmithing skills to join the Blacksmith Shop. With the addition of the Gray Dwarves, the quality of the ironware forged in Zhenbei City improved once again.

The original Blacksmith Shop was no longer sufficient. Su Lun directly had the workers start upgrading the Blacksmith Shop. With over two hundred Gray Dwarves, plus the humans, Su Lun planned to build a large-scale ironworks.

Despite the rapid development of Zhenbei City and the presence of hydraulic forging machines, the Blacksmith Shop’s production capacity was still somewhat insufficient. Now, with so many Gray Dwarf blacksmiths, Su Lun’s plan to re-equip the entire army was put on the agenda.

The first task for these Gray Dwarves as blacksmiths was to modify the Gray Dwarf armor Su Lun obtained from Orlando. Although the Gray Dwarf armor had good defense and was sturdy and durable, when worn by the Barbarians who were over two meters tall, it could not even be considered a Half-plate Armor.

These armors needed to be modified and then forged into full plate armor. Once those Barbarians reached the top rank, equipped with this Dwarven full plate armor and picking up their giant axes, they would be like meat grinders on the battlefield.

Of course, besides the armor for these Barbarians, Su Lun also planned to equip the Centaurs with full Iron Armor, forming a unit of Centaur Heavy Cavalry. Due to their size, the Iron Armor they used was equivalent to three sets of human Iron Armor. Previously, the Iron Armor Su Lun sold to them only covered the front, with Chainmail and Iron-Reinforced Leather Armor on the back.

Now that they were his subordinates, he would not mess around like that anymore. For the Centaur Heavy Cavalry, he planned to use all Iron Armor, with thickened sections on the vital areas on the front.

After arranging for the Gray Dwarf blacksmiths, Su Lun planned to have the remaining Gray Dwarves continue mining.

“My Lord, I have a mineral distribution map of the Underworld that I wish to offer to you,” a Gray Dwarf stepped forward and said.

Su Lun’s eyes lit up. After all, the Gray Dwarves had lived in the Underworld for several hundred years. They must have explored all the nearby mineral deposits. That mineral map was of immense value. “A mineral distribution map? If it’s genuine, I will give you a suitable reward.”

“Unlimited Vodka, and I will appoint you as the new city lord of Orlando City!”

Hearing Su Lun say “unlimited Vodka,” the Gray Dwarf’s eyes instantly turned red. When he heard he could become the city lord of Orlando, his breathing became even heavier.

“My Lord, the map is right here,” said the Dwarf, immediately sitting down on the ground. He then took off his leather boot. A strong smell, like fermented pickles for decades, instantly filled the air. Su Lun quickly summoned some Wind Elemental to blow away this pickled vegetable smell.

The Gray Dwarf fumbled inside that shoe for quite a while. Finally, he pulled out a dull gray piece of Parchment that gave off a strange odor.

Su Lun frowned, put on gloves, and resisted the urge to throw away this strangely smelling Parchment as he took it. A Guard behind him, showing good awareness, handed over a bottle of water. Su Lun rinsed it briefly, then began to examine the map.

The scope of the map was not large. It marked the ore veins discovered by the Gray Dwarves. There were three Iron Mines, one Copper Mine, one Gold Mine (nearly depleted), and also a Silver Mine and a Gem Mine that were being mined.

The large amount of gold in the Gray Dwarf city was mined from that Gold Mine. Su Lun did not pay much attention to this Gold Mine, as it was almost depleted. He was more interested in the Silver Mine because the Gray Dwarves actually found some Mithril Ore in this Silver Mine.

Mithril was a very precious magic metal in this world. Described in many adventure stories as light as a feather and Indestructible, in reality, Mithril was not that exaggerated. What made it more precious was its strong magic conductivity. Many powerful Magic Items used this rare metal.

Now, finding a associated Mithril Ore vein in this underground Silver Mine made its value simply immeasurable.